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Politician Ursula von der Leyen CDU after her re-election as EU Commission President in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg
Image: Dwi Anoraganingrum/Panama/IMAGOImage: Dwi Anoraganingrum/Panama/IMAGO

Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen, a German politician and a member of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has been serving as the president of the European Commission since 2019.

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All Content on this topic

A poster shows former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

How has Europe reacted to Yahya Sinwar's death?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sees the Hamas militant group "significantly" weakened.
ConflictsOctober 18, 202402:22 min
European Council President Charles Michel, right, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, welcome Kuwait's Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during an EU-Gulf Cooperation Council meeting at the European Council building in Brussels.

EU, Gulf leaders hold summit amid Gaza, Ukraine wars

Leaders from the EU and several Gulf nations have agreed on closer cooperation during a summit in Brussels.
PoliticsOctober 16, 2024
Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at an event

Germany to host Balkan leaders at 10th Berlin Process summit

First initiated by Germany, the summit aims to bring six Western Balkan states closer to the EU.
PoliticsOctober 14, 2024
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on her way to a press conference

EU chief names new top team, with first defense commissioner

Ursula von der Leyen has revealed her nominees for new commissioners to lead the bloc for the next five years.
PoliticsSeptember 17, 202402:45 min
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gestures as she stands at a podium.

How the new EU commissioners are picked

The EU team of commissioners is made up of 27 commissioners, one from each member state.
PoliticsSeptember 17, 202401:49 min
Ursula von der Leyen, looking pensive, in front of EU flags

EU states dash von der Leyen's gender-equal top team dream

The EU Commission chief hasn't abandoned her goal of a 50/50 gender split, but most member states have snubbed the idea.
PoliticsSeptember 2, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen smiles as she raises both fists in the air

EU Parliament confirms Ursula von der Leyen in top position

The European Parliament gave its approval for Ursula von der Leyen to preside over the European Commission.
PoliticsJuly 18, 2024
A view of Hannah Neumann looking towards the camera

Von der Leyen reelected: Hannah Neumann (MEP, Greens) speaks to DW

The European Commmission President has promised to stay true to the Green Deal, but she has been under pressure from farmers and conservatives to make compromises. What can parliamentarians do to make sure she sticks to the Deal's core principles?
PoliticsJuly 18, 202405:01 min
DW Podcast | Inside Europe

Inside Europe 18 July 2024

Can Ursula von der Leyen unite EU factions in her second term? Finland plans to turn back refugees at the border, and activists fail to bloc a lithium mine in Serbia. Also: Erdogan is accused of hypocrisy over Israel's war in Gaza, why Russian attitudes toward Ukraine are changing, could Muslim-majority Kosovo approve same-sex marriage? And Bulgarians avoid the army, despite a 30% pay hike.
PoliticsJuly 18, 202455:00 min
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What are Ursula von der Leyen's plans for her second term?

Lawmakers at the European Parliament have voted to give Ursula von der Leyen a second term as president of the bloc's executive arm, the European Commission. DW's Brussels bureau chief Alexandra von Nahmen reports from Strasbourg.
PoliticsJuly 18, 202404:58 min
Ursula von der Leyen at the European Parliament

Ursula von der Leyen reelected for EU top job

The German conservative won a second term despite wavering support in the run-up to the vote.
PoliticsJuly 18, 2024
EU-Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen EU-Kommissionspräsidentin Ursula von der Leyen

Will von der Leyen remain EU Commission President?

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faces a vote that will decide if she gets a second term.
PoliticsJuly 18, 202401:34 min
Ursula von der Leyen looks to the side

Ursula von der Leyen faces crucial EU vote on her future

On paper, Ursula von der Leyen has the votes she needs, but in Thursday's secret EU ballot, anything could happen.
PoliticsJuly 17, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen looks on during a press conference, standing in front of EU flags

As EU decides top jobs, von der Leyen faces tough choice

Ursula von der Leyen will likely need the Greens or Europe's far right to secure the EU's top job. Who will she choose?
PoliticsJune 28, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa

EU's top positions to be agreed in Brussels

One of the names is familiar, but the others are relative newcomers to the global stage.
PoliticsJune 27, 202402:38 min
Ursula von der Leyen is seen wearing a pink blazer, smiling

Who will get the EU's top jobs?

Key positions at the EU Commission, Council and European Parliament are up for grabs following the recent elections.
PoliticsJune 18, 2024
EU flag

EU leaders discuss Commission jobs in post-election summit

Charles Michel said they did not reach a final agreement, but incumbent Ursula von der Leyen appears the frontrunner.
PoliticsJune 17, 2024
Kambodscha Phnom Penh | Straßenverkehr Innenstadt

How will the EU elections impact Southeast Asia?

Left-wing party losses and far-right surges may lead the EU to be more protectionist and lose focus on the environment.
PoliticsJune 11, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen walks behind a row of EU flags

What to expect as dust settles on EU elections

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is aiming for a second term after her party secured the most seats.
PoliticsJune 10, 202402:28 min
A middle-aged man speaks into a DW microphone

EU election results 'huge blow' for Germany's government

With the CDU/CSU ahead in the EU vote, DW spoke with David McAllister, EU lawmaker for the Christian Democrats.
PoliticsJune 9, 202403:11 min
DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe 6 June 2024

EU elections special with analysis from DW's Jack Parrock. How is Brussels battling disinformation? What's important to Gen Z voters? Who’s afraid of Georgia Meloni? Why would Germans with migration backgrounds vote AfD? How is Robert Fico’s brush with death playing in Slovakia? Is the road running out for the European dream of borderless travel? And what’s at stake for Ukraine?
PoliticsJune 6, 202455:00 min
A person drops an envelope into a voting box, with the EU flag in the background

EU elections: 350 million voters to choose new parliament

Voters are choosing the next European Parliament. The hard right looks set to do well, but fall short of a majority.
PoliticsJune 5, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen giving a speech in front of two EU flags

Von der Leyen's EU reelection campaign: A balancing act

The president of the European Commission wants to secure a second term. But her campaign is a difficult balancing act.
PoliticsMay 22, 2024
Three images, one of a girl, one of a bar of chocolate, and one of a woman shaking Adolf Hitler's hands are marked with the word "fake"

Fact check: How to spot fake news ahead of EU elections

DW Fact Check presents examples of how deepfakes, spoofing and the like are trying to mislead us.
PoliticsMay 12, 2024
Frankreich China Xi Jinping Besuch Emmanuel Macron

Chinese President Xi Jinping kicks off visit to Europe

Trade policy and increasing global tensions top the agenda on Chinese President Xi Jinping first day in Europe.
PoliticsMay 7, 202402:11 min
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen addresses the audience during a plenary session at the European People Party (EPP) Congress in Bucharest, Romania, on March 7

EU conservatives back Ursula von der Leyen for second term

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has won a symbolic vote ahead of EU elections in June.
PoliticsMarch 7, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen

EU: The global impact of Ursula von der Leyen's reelection

Ursula von der Leyen is known at home for climate goals and backing Ukraine. But what does she represent beyond Europe?
PoliticsMarch 5, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen speaking at a conference

Can Ursula von der Leyen snag a second term in EU's top job?

The president of the European Commission wants to stay on until 2029. Does Ursula von der Leyen have what it takes?
PoliticsFebruary 25, 2024
Ursula von der Leyen speaks into a microphone, with the word "Europa" behind her

EU Commission president seeks second term

Ursula von der Leyen has announced she is campaigning to keep her job after the European elections in June.
PoliticsFebruary 19, 202401:53 min
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen with Hungarian PM Viktor Orban

EU releases funds to Hungary in controversial move

EU lawmakers have accused the bloc's executive of giving in to "blackmail" after it gave billions of euros to Hungary.
PoliticsJanuary 17, 2024
Von der Leyen and Zelenskyy at the train station where the EU leader arrived in Kyiv

Ursula von der Leyen makes surprise visit to Kyiv

The visit comes ahead of a report next week that will detail Ukraine's progress in its bid to join the EU.
PoliticsNovember 4, 2023
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks at a podium with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell in the background

European Parliament debates Israel-Hamas war

Though the EU unanimously condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas, the bloc is divided about Israel's strikes on Gaza.
PoliticsOctober 18, 2023
Migrants gather in the harbour of Italian island of Lampedusa

Lampedusa: Is an EU naval blockade possible?

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has called for a naval mission to stem migration. But maritime law would limit its reach.
PoliticsSeptember 17, 2023
Migrants arrive at the harbor of Lampedusa island in Italy

EU scrambles to address Italy island migrant surge

The spike in arrivals has rekindled the debate over how Europe shares responsibility for asylum-seekers.
PoliticsSeptember 16, 202302:08 min
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in a DW interview

Metsola would 'absolutely' support von der Leyen reelection

The EU Parliament president has said she would welcome a bid for reelection by EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen.
PoliticsSeptember 13, 202302:55 min
Ursula von der Leyen gestures as she speaks in the European Parliament

Von der Leyen defends record ahead of EU elections

In her State of the Union address, the EU chief stresses her commitment to ambitious climate targets.
PoliticsSeptember 13, 202302:36 min
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. walks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during arrival honours at the Malacanang presidential palace in Manila

EU, Philippines to reopen trade talks, deepen security ties

In a rare visit to the Philippines, EU Commission chief von der Leyen introduced new areas of bilateral cooperation.
PoliticsJuly 31, 2023
European Council President Charles Michel, Brazilian President Ignacio Lula da Silva, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and El Salvador Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco (left to right) smile and gesture at the EU-CELAC summit in Brussels

EU-Latin America summit gets off to rocky start

The CELAC summit aims to mend ties between the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean.
PoliticsJuly 17, 2023
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Tunisian President Kais Saied and Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni (left to right) shake hands in Tunis

EU, Tunisia sign €1 billion deal to fight illegal migration

Leaders from the EU want a "strategic" pact with Tunisia to stem the flow of migration from North Africa to Europe.
PoliticsJuly 16, 2023
Ursula von der Leyen and Maia Sandu

Von der Leyen hails Moldova's 'big progress' on reforms

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Moldova's progress on the reforms needed for EU membership bid.
PoliticsMay 31, 2023
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol poses for a photo with European Council President Charles Michel, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

South Korea, EU pledge to boost security ties

South Korea's President Yoon and two EU leaders condemned the war in Ukraine and North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
PoliticsMay 22, 2023
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shake hands

Ukraine: Von der Leyen visits Kyiv to mark Europe Day

Ursula von der Leyen marked Europe Day in a deeply symbolic visit to Ukraine.
ConflictsMay 9, 2023
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

EU's von der Leyen addresses lawmakers on China ties

There's a growing debate in the EU about how to handle China and lessen the bloc's economic reliance on the Asian giant.
PoliticsApril 18, 2023
French President Emmanual Macron is seen with Chinese President Xi Jinping and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

Can Macron and von der Leyen smooth EU-China relations?

The EU and China have agreed that peace talks in Ukraine should begin. Analysts remain cautious.
PoliticsApril 6, 2023
Chinese President Xi Jinping and France's President Emmanuel Macron review troops during a welcome ceremony in Beijing

Macron counting on China to 'bring Russia to its senses'

During a trip to Beijing, the French president is seeking to get Xi Jinping to pressure Russia for peace in Ukraine.
PoliticsApril 6, 2023
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping prior to their meeting in Nusa Dua, on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on November 15, 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 summit

Macron and von der Leyen to talk Ukraine on China visit

Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by Ursula von der Leyen, is going to China hoping to dissuade Beijing from backing Russia.
PoliticsApril 4, 2023
resident of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivers a keynote address on EU-China relations

Von der Leyen outlines EU's position on China

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addressed Europe's fraught relationship with China.
PoliticsMarch 30, 2023
EU Comission chief Ursula von der Leyen talks to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at Brussels donor conference

Donors pledge €7 billion to Turkey, Syria quake recovery

At a donor conference, the EU said it will fund humantiarian assistance, but not full-scale reconstruction in Syria.
PoliticsMarch 20, 2023
US President Joe Biden meets with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in the Oval Office of the White House

EU, US to 'immediately' start work on green subsidies deal

US President Joe Biden and the EU's Ursula von der Leyen hail a breakthrough in talks on a trans-Atlantic trade dispute.
PoliticsMarch 10, 2023
Wind turbines at sea

EU and US eye way ahead on green subsidies tiff

EU officials fear that big US green investments could lure tech companies across the Atlantic. Can they find a solution?
PoliticsMarch 9, 2023