The right-wing and conservative groups believe that the European Commission should not have ratified the Mercosur trade agreement with four South American countries. This agreement was approved by most EU countries on January 9 and was signed by Von der Leyen in Paraguay on January 17.
A very narrow majority in the European Parliament had shortly before decided not to accept the controversial agreement yet, but first to seek advice from the European Court of Justice. With 334 votes in favor and 324 against, with 11 abstentions, the European Parliament requested a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on the agreement.
This process can take one and a half to two years. Several European leaders and EU politicians have criticized this EP decision, saying it seriously endangers the EU’s trade position.
Demonstrating European farmers welcomed the decision to initiate a new legal procedure. Others point out that the EU politicians have merely postponed their own final vote. According to current rules and procedures, it is possible for the European Commission to already implement the agreement 'temporarily' and later formalize it after a ruling from the EU Court.
The group leaders of the two largest political groups in Strasbourg, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, have meanwhile called on the Commission to activate the agreement. According to well-informed sources, this could happen as early as March.
German Chancellor Merz also urged this. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Swiss Davos, he expressed regret over the European Parliament’s decision, saying it created a new obstacle. “But rest assured: we will not be stopped. The Mercosur agreement is fair and balanced. There is no alternative if we want to achieve higher growth in Europe,” Merz said on Thursday.
Supporters argue that the agreement is important to compensate for trade losses caused by American import tariffs and to reduce dependence on China. Critics, particularly from Poland and France, contend that it will increase imports of cheap beef and poultry and undermine the income position of their domestic farmers.
Prior to the vote on dismissing the Commissioners, the European Parliament had already rejected multiple attempts to submit a motion of no confidence against Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission – notably in July and October 2025, when two attempts were made.
Von der Leyen herself was not present at the debate about her position, but was in Davos negotiating over a looming US-European trade war. This weekend, she is traveling to India, where the EU hopes to conclude a major trade agreement.