Ursula von der Leyen: A Profile

Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and physician who has served as the President of the European Commission since 2019. As the first woman to hold this powerful position, she has navigated a turbulent period in European history, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and significant economic challenges.

Born in Brussels, Belgium, and raised partly there due to her father’s role as a European civil servant, von der Leyen has a deep understanding of the European Union and its intricacies. She studied economics at the London School of Economics, medicine at the Hannover Medical School, and later earned a doctorate in medicine.

Von der Leyen’s political career in Germany began in Lower Saxony, where she served in various ministerial roles focusing on social affairs, family affairs, and health. In 2005, she joined Angela Merkel’s cabinet as Federal Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. This role saw her championing policies aimed at improving childcare, parental leave, and women’s representation in leadership positions. From 2009 to 2013, she served as Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, and then from 2013 to 2019 as Federal Minister of Defence, becoming the first woman to hold that office in Germany. Her tenure as Defence Minister was often criticized for issues regarding procurement and the state of the German armed forces.

Her nomination as President of the European Commission in 2019 was somewhat unexpected. She was chosen by the European Council after leaders failed to agree on any of the lead candidates nominated by the European Parliament. Her confirmation by the Parliament was a close vote, requiring her to gain support from a broad spectrum of political groups.

As President of the European Commission, von der Leyen has spearheaded ambitious initiatives, most notably the European Green Deal, a comprehensive plan to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050. This initiative encompasses a wide range of policies, including investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport. She has also overseen the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the joint procurement of vaccines and the establishment of the Next Generation EU recovery fund, a massive stimulus package aimed at helping member states recover from the economic fallout of the crisis.

The war in Ukraine has presented a further significant challenge. Von der Leyen has been a strong advocate for supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia. She has played a key role in coordinating the EU’s response to the conflict, including providing humanitarian aid, military assistance, and financial support to Ukraine.

Von der Leyen’s leadership has been characterized by a focus on strategic autonomy for the EU, emphasizing the need for the Union to be more self-reliant in areas such as technology, energy, and security. She is seen as a pragmatic and determined leader who is willing to take bold steps to address the challenges facing Europe. Her future in European politics remains a subject of much speculation, with many anticipating her potential candidacy for a second term as President of the European Commission.