Ursula Von Der Leyen

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FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 file photo, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, takes off her protective mask prior to making a statement regarding the Withdrawal Agreement at EU headquarters in Brussels. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says she has placed herself in isolation after being in contact with a person infected with the coronavirus. (Johanna Geron, Pool via AP)

EU top official self-isolating after contact with virus case

Associated Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses the plenary during her first State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will set out her vision of the future in her first State of the European Union address to the EU legislators. Weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of the United Kingdom, she will center her speech on how the bloc should adapt to the challenges of the future, including global warming, the switch to a digital economy and immigration. (AP Photo, Francisco Seco)

EU wants better coordination on virus, announces summit

Associated Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses the plenary during her first State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will set out her vision of the future in her first State of the European Union address to the EU legislators. Weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of the United Kingdom, she will center her speech on how the bloc should adapt to the challenges of the future, including global warming, the switch to a digital economy and immigration. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

EU chief says UK cannot change EU-UK withdrawal agreement

By RAF CASERT - Associated Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses the plenary during her first State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will set out her vision of the future in her first State of the European Union address to the EU legislators. Weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the departure of the United Kingdom, she will center her speech on how the bloc should adapt to the challenges of the future, including global warming, the switch to a digital economy and immigration. (Olivier Hoslet, Pool via AP)

Top EU official proposes new 2030 target to reduce emissions

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

Chancellor Angela Merkel takes part in the meeting of the CDU Federal Executive Committee in Berlin, Germany, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020. The meeting was held in hybrid presence and virtually. (Michael Kappeler/Pool via AP)

EU presses China on market access, human rights

By LORNE COOK - Associated Press

FILE - In this Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020 file photo, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, speaks with European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan prior to an extraordinary meeting of the EU college of commissioners at EU headquarters in Brussels. European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan tendered his resignation on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 after becoming embroiled in controversy over a recent trip home to Ireland and questionable adherence to COVID-19 rules. His activities have come under fire back home amid allegations he skirted the rules other Irish citizens have had to adhere to. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

EU Commission chief says her team could face a reshuffle

By RAF CASERT - Associated Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses European lawmakers at the European Parliament in Brussels, Thursday, July 23, 2020. European leaders took a historic step towards sharing financial burdens among the EU's 27 countries by agreeing to borrow and spend together to pull the economy out of the deep recession caused by the coronavirus outbreak. (Francois Walschaerts, Pool Photo via AP)

EU top official: Budget cuts are ‘difficult pill to swallow’

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, July 5, 2020 file photo, Andrej Plenkovic, Croatia's Prime Minister incumbent, center, waves the Croatian flag as he celebrates with his party members in Zagreb, Croatia. According to partial results, the ruling conservatives overwhelmingly won the elections held Sunday. With over 90 percent of the vote counted, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) has 66 seats in Croatia's 151-seat parliament and is likely to form a new coalition government with smaller right-wing groups. (AP Photo, File)

EU top official criticized for breaching code of conduct

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban replies to an oppositional MP during a question and answer session of the Parliament in Budapest, Hungary, Budapest, Hungary, Monday, March 30, 2020. Hungary's parliament on Monday approved a bill giving Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government extraordinary powers during the coronavirus pandemic, without setting an end date for their expiration. The bill was approved by Orban's Fidesz party and other government supporters by 137 votes in favor to 53 against. (Zoltan Mathe/MTI via AP)

EU chief: Fighting virus should not erode democratic rights

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, right, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attend the weekly College of Commissioners meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has put climate change at the top of her priorities and pledged to make Europe the first climate neutral continent by 2050, will present her plans on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

EU commission unveils climate law amid criticism

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

Ursula von der Leyen, former Minister of Defence and current President of the EU Commission, comes to the Bundestag's investigative committee on the advisor affair in the Ministry of Defence for questioning, Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Feb.13, 2020. It is expected to be used to complete the witness interviews after about a year. The Committee shall examine the award of contracts to external consultants. (Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa via AP)

EU chief von der Leyen testifies at German defense inquiry

Associated Press

From right, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Parliament President David Sassoli and European Council President Charles Michel participate in speak a media conference at the Parliamentarium in Brussels, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. The U.K. is due to leave the EU on Friday the first nation in the bloc to do so. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Let’s move on: EU wants to keep big role after Brexit

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a media conference after an extraordinary meeting of the EU college of commissioners at EU headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020. European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell briefed the college on Wednesday regarding the current situation in Libya and Iran. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

EU chief warns UK must compromise to get Brexit trade deal

By JILL LAWLESS and RAF CASERT - Associated Press

Incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen talks to European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans prior a ceremony to mark the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, at the European Parliament in Brussels, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

EU to offer billions to help poorer EU nations cut emissions

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN and RAF CASERT - Associated Press

Outgoing European Council President Donald Tusk, right, shakes hands with New European Council President Charles Michel at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

EU’s Tusk, Juncker bow out, new team to move in

By RAF CASERT - Associated Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her speech at the European Parliament Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 in Strasbourg, eastern France. Ursula von der Leyen, will present her team of Commissioners-designate to the European Parliament and discuss the new Commission's objectives with MEPs (AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias)

New EU Commission chief promises ambitious agenda

By RAF CASERT - Associated Press

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen delivers her speech at the start of the Paris Peace Forum Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, Pool)

Next EU Commission chief wants to increase foreign spending

Associated Press

European Commissioner designate for Internal Market Sylvie Goulard answers questions during her hearing at the European Parliament in Brussels, Thursday, Oct 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys)

EU lawmakers reject France’s nominee, deliver blow to Macron

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

Incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, center, walks across the street for a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at EU headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

EU chief on the back foot as MEP’s challenge governing team

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - Associated Press

Ursula von der Leyen defended her initiative in a statement arguing that "the 'European way of life' also means listening and debating with each other to find solutions for the common good. That is what I want us to do together." (Photograph by Seth J. Frantzman/Special to The Washington Times)

Ursula von der Leyen defends ‘way of life’ czar from far-right label

By Eric J. Lyman - Special to The Washington Times