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full screen EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Archive image. Photo: Omar Havana/AP/TT
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has canceled all travel and official appearances until mid-January after she suffered from “severe pneumonia”.
The 66-year-old German politician is leading the European Commission for a second term, but will start the new year working from her home in Hanover, her office in Brussels announced.
Upcoming commitments included a trip to Lisbon, Portugal, as well as giving a speech when Poland takes over the presidency of the EU from Hungary. The formal start of Poland’s six-month presidency takes place in Gdansk.
Ursula von der Leyen’s line speech in connection with Poland’s presidency is to be held sometime in the future, according to her office.
Ursula von der Leyen, who was previously a minister in German governments, has been the president of the European Commission since 1 December 2019.