EFA MEPs refuse to join far-right circus over Von Der Leyen Vote

Strasbourg, 10 July 2025 — Members of the European Free Alliance (EFA) in the European Parliament chose not to support today’s motion of no confidence against Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a move led by the far-right MEPs from the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.

While EFA MEPs have expressed deep concern and disappointment over the direction and policies of the current European Commission, particularly regarding the situation in Gaza, the treatment of migrants, and insufficient action on social justice, they emphasised that this vote is not the appropriate mechanism through which to address those concerns.

The motion, tabled by far-right MEPs under the guise of demanding transparency and accountability, has been criticised as politically opportunistic. EFA MEPs pointed out that the same political forces calling for transparency have themselves been implicated in corruption scandals, opaque backroom dealings, and attacks on democratic norms across Europe.

EFA MEPs reaffirmed their commitment to defending democratic institutions, press freedom, and the rule of law. While remaining critical of the European Commission’s record and demanding stronger action in defence of peace, equality and human rights, they refused to lend legitimacy to a political manoeuvre rooted in far-right agendas.

The decision not to support the motion reflects EFA’s broader position: that Europe's challenges must be addressed through democratic and principled means, not through theatre orchestrated by those seeking to weaken the very foundations of the European project.

Diana Riba I Giner, EFA group President, said:

We will not take part in this vote because we refuse to legitimise the far-right’s political manoeuvres. At the same time, we cannot support a European Commission that is increasingly drifting away from the political centre and failing to uphold its responsibilities on social justice, climate action, and fair trade. This Commission is promoting trade agreements that harm our primary sector, endorsing migration policies aligned with Meloni’s agenda, and showing a deeply alarming lack of political courage in the face of the atrocities Israel is committing in Gaza. For all these reasons, while we reject the far-right’s instrumentalisation of this vote, we remain firmly critical of the current Commission and the direction it is taking the European project.

Vicent Marzà, EFA MEP said: 

We are not going to take part in this vote driven by the far right. We will not legitimize a motion of no confidence that is a farce and an opportunistic spectacle by the European far right. Nor will we defend a European Commission that has, through its passivity, endorsed the genocide in Gaza. We stand for a green Europe, with human rights and social justice at its core. And on this, unfortunately, we always find the PP and the far right united against us.

Ana Miranda, EFA MEP said. 

“Today, we will not vote in favour of a motion put forward by the far right, nor will we support Ursula von der Leyen. She is the president of war and militarisation, complicit in turning a blind eye to the genocide in Gaza, responsible for cuts and austerity, and unwilling to advance housing or social policies. She attacks working-class people and shows no understanding of nations like ours. That is why we say, not in our name. We will not vote for Ursula von der Leyen, nor will we support the far right, which is gaining power in Europe while denying the rights of peoples, individuals, and diverse communities. 

Not in our name.