Article 234 TFEU: Removing the European Commission
Article 234 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) gives the European Parliament the power to force the European Commission to resign as a body through a motion of censure (a vote of no confidence). (EUR-Lex)
The threshold is deliberately high. The motion must receive two-thirds of the votes cast, while those votes must also represent a majority of all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). With the current Parliament consisting of 720 MEPs, this means support from at least 361 MEPs, as well as the two-thirds requirement among votes cast. (European Parliament)
A motion of censure must be submitted by at least one-tenth of Parliament’s members (currently 72 MEPs). The vote is conducted by roll call, and Parliament’s Rules of Procedure establish minimum periods between the submission, debate and vote. (European Parliament)
If the motion succeeds, all members of the Commission must resign collectively. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also resigns from their Commission duties. The outgoing Commission remains in office temporarily to deal with current business until a replacement is appointed. (EUR-Lex)
The requirement is therefore best described as a “double majority”: two-thirds of votes cast + a majority of all MEPs. It is an exceptionally high threshold and, to date, no motion of censure has succeeded in removing a Commission. (European Parliament)
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