In Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Slovenia, half or more of respondents expressed disapproval. Slovakia and Poland show similar results, while negative sentiment is also dominant in Austria, Croatia, and the Czech Republic. Importantly, these figures reflect more than isolated grievances. They signal a regional consensus that the Commission under von der Leyen has strayed from core European principles.
While the Pfizer vaccine procurement scandal has fueled some of the discontent, public concerns are deeper and more systemic. The European Commission and Parliament are now widely seen in the region as plagued by unaddressed corruption, political bias, and institutional inconsistency.
Nézőpont Institute: Every second Central European says von der Leyen must go
Jul 10, 2025 - Zoltán Kovács
As the European Parliament debates a no-confidence motion against European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today, recent surveys across Central Europe paint a damning picture: She no longer holds the confidence of the region. According to the Nézőpont Institute, majorities or strong pluralities in every Central European country now view her negatively.
While the Pfizer vaccine procurement scandal has fueled some of the discontent, public concerns are deeper and more systemic. The European Commission and Parliament are now widely seen in the region as plagued by unaddressed corruption, political bias, and institutional inconsistency.
The Nézőpont Institute’s 2025 rule of law report outlines a pattern of opaque procedures and selective accountability. It highlights the lack of real reform following multiple scandals—ranging from vaccine deal irregularities to Qatargate and revolving-door lobbying—despite calls for greater transparency. Public frustration is only deepened by the slow and unequal handling of immunity cases involving MEPs accused of serious crimes.
Across Central Europe, citizens are also questioning the legitimacy of an EU leadership that claims to uphold the rule of law while regularly overstepping its institutional boundaries. Inconsistencies—such as the swift closure of the Article 7 procedure against Poland after a political transition, contrasted with silence over the annulled presidential election in Romania—have not gone unnoticed. They reinforce a perception of double standards and political selectivity.
Another key concern is the EU’s financing of activist NGOs through non-transparent channels, often without proper oversight. Many in the region see this as an indirect way to influence domestic politics, using EU resources to bypass national institutions. In several countries, this issue has become symbolic of a broader loss of sovereignty and trust in Brussels.
Today’s no-confidence vote in the European Parliament may not result in von der Leyen’s immediate removal. But as the Nézőpont findings show, her presidency has lost the support of an entire region. Central Europeans increasingly expect EU institutions to uphold the same standards of accountability and legality that they demand of member states.
The message from Budapest to Bucharest is clear: If the EU wants to remain strong and united, it must listen to the voices of all its citizens—not just the ones in Brussels.