About: Ursula von der Leyen
‘Frugal Four’ present counter-plan to Macron-Merkel EU recovery scheme
The "Frugal Four" (Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden) presented their own draft for an EU recovery fund in a 'non-paper' sent to the EU capitals on Saturday (23 May). The most important point: aid money must be repaid. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German cabinet agrees CO2 price of €25 from January 2021
Germany's cabinet agreed on Wednesday (20 May) on changes to the climate package launched last September, and it is now certain that from January 2021, a price of €25 per tonne of CO2 will apply to the heat and transport sectors in Germany. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Merkel and Macron roll out €500 billion COVID-19 recovery initiative
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron announced their joint proposal for a €500 billion European recovery programme following a virtual conference on Monday (18 May). The initiative seeks to bring Europe out of the crisis “united and in solidarity,” and prepare the EU for future challenges. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Environmental NGOs launch appeal for green reconstruction
An association of ten major European environmental organisations today (14 May) launched an appeal to the European Union to come up with a green and fair reconstruction plan. Today, the EU Parliament will vote on its position on this issue. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU Parliament to ask for ‘massive’ €2 trillion corona recovery package
The European Parliament will demand a €2 trillion recovery package to counter the economic fallout of the COVID-19 crisis in a resolution to be voted on Thursday (14 May) by the assembly's five biggest political groups.
Von der Leyen unveils details of EU’s upcoming COVID-19 recovery plan
European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen shed some light on her upcoming COVID-19 recovery plan in the European Parliament on Wednesday (13 May) but did not unveil the size of the updated EU budget that will underpin the plan.
EU could open legal case against Germany over ECB bond-purchases ruling
The European Commission could open a legal case against Germany over a ruling by the country's constitutional court that the European Central Bank had overstepped its mandate with bond purchases, the EU executive arm said on Sunday (10 May).
EU and Western Balkan leaders reaffirm ties in veiled response to China, Russia
EU leaders confirmed their "unequivocal support for the European perspective" to their Western Balkans counterparts during a video-summit on Wednesday (6 May). However, the final declaration doesn't make reference to a tangible time frame for the region's accession to the bloc.
Green Deal will be ‘our motor for the recovery’, von der Leyen says
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised on Tuesday (28 April) to put the European Green Deal at the centre of the EU’s recovery plan, echoing similar statements made by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Tweets of the Week: EU Corona Plans, Earth Day, Oil Prices
COVID-19 crisis continues, you all know the score, EarthDay reminds us, we could all do much more, and the global oil price drops through the floor.
Charles Michel limits ambitions for virus teleconference summit
Differences among EU countries look set to stymie any major decisions on tackling the long-term economic impact of the crisis at a summit later this week. In a letter Tuesday inviting the 27 leaders to the videoconference, EU Council President...
Von der Leyen: ‘We now need to build a resilient, green, and digital Europe’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen believes the “real Europe is standing up” to the coronavirus crisis now. In a written interview with EURACTIV's media partner Efe, she spoke about a broad range of issues, from the challenges facing the Eurogroup earlier this month to the expectations for the summit of European leaders this week.
Gates Foundation calls for global cooperation on vaccine for 7 billion people
The wealthy Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation called Wednesday (15 April) for global cooperation to ready COVID-19 vaccines for seven billion people, while offering $150 million toward developing therapeutics and treatments for the virus.
Von der Leyen: Social isolation for elderly may last longer
Elderly people may have to be kept isolated until the end of the year to protect them from the coronavirus, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said in comments published Sunday (12 April).
Avoiding the world another terrible contamination
In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU should introduce a range measures including a common human health protection policy aimed at reducing the risk of future epidemics arising from poor sanitary or phytosanitary conditions that would have to be met by countries exporting product to the EU, writes Dick Roche.
EU to debate strategy to exit virus lockdown
The European Commission will on Wednesday (8 April) consider how to craft a plan to ease the bloc out of a virus lockdown that has dealt a body blow to the economies of EU members.
EU announces €15 billion to fight virus in developing countries
The European Union is to put up €15 billion to help poor countries fight the coronavirus epidemic, the bloc's chief announced on Tuesday (7 April).
Spain and EU Commissioners call for common European debt instruments
Europe needs debt mutualisation and a common Marshall plan to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez told German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
COVID-19: Commission paves way to draw €37 billion from structural funds
The European Commission proposed numerous changes to its cohesion policy rulebook on Thursday (2 April) in order to draw €37 billion of unused funds to finance various measures during the coronavirus pandemic. But these measures can only help to a limited extent. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Orban has ‘no time’ for EU allies’ criticism
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said Friday (3 April) he has "no time" for scathing criticism by EU allies of sweeping powers he took on this week to tackle the coronavirus threat.
Von der Leyen ‘concerned’ over Hungary virus emergency law
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed "particular" concern on Thursday (2 April) over a coronavirus emergency law in Hungary that has given nationalist premier Viktor Orbán sweeping powers.
Avanti, von der Leyen!
Playtime is over, so Ursula von der Leyen and her Commissioners better take out the big guns and follow in the footsteps of the Delors Commission, writes Guy Verhofstadt.
Von der Leyen apologises to Italy but baulks at ‘coronabonds’
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told Italy on Thursday (2 April) that European nations were ready to help it deal with the coronavirus after initially focusing on "their own home problems".