About: Ursula von der Leyen
EU watchdog accuses Commission of maladministration over texts to Pfizer CEO
The European Commission's denial of access to text messages between Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla amounts to ‘maladministration’, the EU Ombudsman found.
EU green label for gas ‘not necessary’, says Germany’s Habeck
In a visit to Brussels on Tuesday (25 January), the German Vice-Chancellor reiterated his opposition to nuclear's inclusion in the EU's sustainable finance taxonomy, saying “we don’t need” a green investment label for atomic power – and nor for gas either.
European firms make slow progress in appointing more women to boards
The proportion of women in leading positions at major European companies rose last year, but fell behind schedule to reach the European Commission's proposed target of 40% for 2025, a study by an EU-sponsored non-profit organisation showed on Thursday (19 January).
EU’s von der Leyen in new push for women’s quota on company boards
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will make a new push at boosting women's representation on companies' boards, trying to unblock legislation for a women's quota which has been stuck since 2012.
17% of new trucks in 2030 will run on hydrogen, EU believes
Hydrogen has had a busy year, concluded at the European Hydrogen Week in December with the re-launch of the EU’s public private partnership and EU transport commissioner Adina Vălean outlining her vision for hydrogen-based transport in the EU.
EU leaders eye Omicron-adapted vaccines to halt COVID spread
Adapted vaccines and increased unity of purpose amongst EU governments are needed to effectively tackle the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, according to the European Commission.
MEPs insist on fighting COVID misinformation and strengthening COVAX
On Wednesday (15 December) MEPs discussed the EU’s response to the pandemic of COVID-19 and the new variants. Most of the MEPs highlighted the rise of disinformation and the need to vaccinate populations outside of Europe.
Gas and nuclear: Fate of EU green taxonomy ‘now in the hands of von der Leyen’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has taken charge of a soon-to-be-published list of sustainable investments amid controversy around the possible classification of fossil gas and nuclear energy as "green" or "transitional" activities under certain conditions, according to several sources familiar with the process.
Germany’s new government bets on inaugural trips to help bolster EU’s key role
Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, sworn in as Germany's new chancellor on Wednesday (8 December), will already be embarking on a series of inaugural visits across Europe, accompanied by his foreign minister, Green co-leader Annalena Baerbock
EU-US to start new defence and security dialogue in early 2022
A previously touted US-EU dialogue on security and defence is set to be launched in early 2022, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell announced in a statement on Friday (3 December).
€2 billion ‘Clean Hydrogen Partnership’ signals move away from hydrogen cars
Fuel-cell cars once looked to be the future of green mobility, but with electric vehicles now set to dominate the market, the EU’s hydrogen joint undertaking was rebranded this week to signal a shift in priority towards the production of low-cost green hydrogen from electrolysis.
Time to ‘think about mandatory vaccination’: EU chief
It is time for the European Union to "think about mandatory vaccination" against Covid, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday (1 December), while stressing member state governments would decide.
‘A step in the right direction’: EU reacts to COP26 deal
The United Nations target of containing global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius “remains within reach, but the work is far from done,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission.
Michel, von der Leyen on diplomatic offensive as crisis mounts on Belarus-Poland border
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen met on Wednesday (10 November) with US President Joe Biden while Council President Charles Michel was on Poland to express “full solidarity” with the country suffering a hybrid attack from Belarus.
EU pushes to extend sanctions on airlines ‘involved in human trafficking’ via Belarus
Several high-ranking EU officials have called for extensive sanctions on Minsk on Monday evening (8 November) as tensions mount along Belarus's border with Poland over large numbers of migrants attempting to cross the EU's border.
EU, India eye deeper cooperation on solar, green hydrogen
Delhi and Brussels have reaffirmed their commitment to expand collaboration on climate change, with the possible launch of a “green hydrogen alliance” on the agenda of bilateral talks next year. With New Dehli targeting net-zero emissions by 2070, the prospect...
Enlargement 2021: Captured states, captured Commission
With regard to EU enlargement, the citizens of the Western Balkans, but also many EU citizens, expect EU institutions and the member states to abandon hypocrisy, writes Aleksandra Tomanić.
UK vows action if French ‘don’t back down’ in fishing row
Britain warned France on Monday (1 November) it will take action if Paris does not withdraw "unreasonable" threats to impose trade measures in an increasingly acrimonious row over post-Brexit fishing rights.
Poland must undo judicial overhaul to get EU COVID aid, commission chief says
Poland must undo its new disciplinary system for judges to unlock access to billions of euros of European Union aid aimed at helping revive economic growth after the coronavirus pandemic, the bloc's chief executive said on Thursday (28 October).
Commission’s advertisement team-up with UEFA raises hackles
The launch of the European Commission’s new #EveryTrickCounts campaign seeks to leverage the widespread love of Europe’s favourite sport but has resulted in ridicule and scathing accusations of "greenwashing".
EU leaders offer words, funds to disillusioned Western Balkans
EU leaders failed to make any further tangible commitment to enlargement on Wednesday (6 October), and instead promised once again "the European perspective" and broader economic support to the increasingly disillusioned Western Balkans, in the hope of keeping the region on its European path.
EU leaders to discuss strategic gas reserve at summit: von der Leyen
European Union leaders will discuss later in October the idea of setting up an EU strategic gas reserve and the decoupling of electricity prices from gas prices, the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday (5 October).
EU no longer agrees on Balkan membership guarantee, diplomats say
The European Union, fearing a political backlash in member states, can no longer agree to give a guarantee of future membership to the six Balkan countries once promised a place in the club, according to four diplomats and an internal...