Ursula von der Leyen
Germany
Christian Democratic Union
President of the European Commission
government
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and physician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019. She served in the German federal government between 2005 and 2019, holding positions in Angela Merkel's cabinet, most recently as Federal Minister for Defence. She is a member of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its affiliated European political party, the European People's Party (EPP). On 7 March 2024, the EPP elected her as its Spitzenkandidat to lead the campaign for the 2024 European Parliament elections. She was re-elected to head the Commission in July 2024.
Standing...
Stories...
Jul 23, 2026
Far Right
EU Commission President dined with Macron amid ongoing tensions over energy and migration policy.
RN criticizes her for pushing open borders and green regulations that hurt French farmers and industry.
Jul 22, 2026
Lean Right
The European Commission President's approach to China is highlighted in analysis of Europe's growing anxiety about Beijing's challenge to global order.
Market liberals applaud von der Leyen's efforts to de-risk from China and protect economic security, but caution against overregulation that stifles trade.
Jul 16, 2026
Lean Left
The European Commission President visited Ukraine and announced new steps to integrate EU and Ukrainian defence industries.
Labour strongly supports EU-Ukraine defence cooperation as vital for countering Russian aggression, though it frustrates some pro-Brexit voters.
Jul 7, 2026
Far Right
EU Commission president announced deployment of four water bombers to help fight French wildfires.
RN criticizes this as EU overreach and a sign of French dependence on Brussels, arguing France should have its own resources.
Jul 7, 2026
Lean Right
EU President announced four water bombers from Cyprus and Sweden to fight fires in southern France.
LR welcomes EU solidarity but questions whether French preparedness under Macron's government was adequate.
Jul 1, 2026
Lean Left
Announced the first €3.9 billion tranche of EU drone aid to Ukraine, part of a larger €6 billion package.
Moderates criticize the militarization of European aid, viewing it as prolonging the Ukraine war while straining Iran's relations with Russia, but accept geopolitical realities.