Motion of censure to sack Juncker Commission submitted by members of EFDD Group

On 18 November, a motion of censure of the European Commission has today been submitted to the president of the European Parliament, in a move spearheaded by members of the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy Group (EFDD) and other MEPs.

The signatures of the required 76 members of the European Parliament were handed in to the office of President Schulz today.  Forty-four signatures from the EFDD Group and 32 from non-attached members.

5 Star Movement MEP Marco Zanni said: “The Lux leaks scandal shows that Commission President Juncker in his political life has always acted to enrich his country behind its European partners, in defiance of the Union and the Community spirit he hopes to represent.

"For this reason, the 5 Star Movement Europe decided to use one of the strongest powers of democratic control at the disposal of Parliament - the motion of censure - to demand the resignation of the Commission.”

Zanni added: “Submitting the motion of censure shows that the EFDD Group is a political force to be reckoned with and demonstrates we can act effectively.”

UKIP MEP Steven Woolfe, who was also instrumental in gathering the required signatures, said: “This motion of censure means there must now be a debate on the behaviour of President Juncker and a vote to remove the entire European Commission.

“UKIP promised at the beginning of this mandate to be ‘EU rebels with a cause’, to hold the Commission to account and this censure motion shows that we mean business. We now hope members of other groups will get behind us to censure the Commission. This motion certainly means MEPs will have an opportunity to show their true colours and let their voters know where they stand on the actions of President Juncker.”

In accordance with Article 119 of the Rules, the motion - supported by a tenth of Parliament - will be discussed and voted on by the European Parliament in plenary session in Strasbourg next week.

The then EFD Group attempted a motion of censure two years ago, after the European Commission ordered removal of people’s money from bank accounts in Cyprus and although the motion got a few signatures from the left-wing GUE in the European Parliament, not sufficient numbers to pass the required threshold. This time, the EFDD Group has acquired sufficient signatures.

Share this article: