Spokesman Says EU’s von der Leyen Suffering From ‘Severe Pneumonia’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, 66, has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia, leading her to cancel her external engagements. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is 66 years old, has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia, leading to the cancellation of her official engagements for the upcoming weeks.
A spokesperson for the European Commission, Stefan De Keersmaeker, confirmed her health status on Friday, noting that her scheduled trips to Lisbon, Portugal, and Gdansk, Poland, would need to be rescheduled.
“The president has canceled her external engagements for the first two weeks of January. She is dealing with a severe pneumonia,” De Keersmaeker stated, as reported by PMG.
While she is currently recovering, the President is still managing “official business” remotely from her home in Hanover, Germany, according to the spokesperson.
Von der Leyen commenced her second five-year term as President of the European Commission on December 1, 2024. The Commission has yet to reveal whether any arrangements will be made for someone to temporarily take on her responsibilities during her recovery. There have been no announcements concerning changes to its broader agenda other than the cancellation of her personal engagements. She is anticipated to fully return to her duties in Brussels by mid-January, provided her health allows.
No additional information about her condition or the events that led to her illness has been made available. Pneumonia, which is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, can vary in severity from mild to life-threatening. It poses particular risks for older adults and individuals with existing health issues.
Since 2019, von der Leyen has been at the helm of the European Commission, which is tasked with proposing legislation, enforcing EU treaties, and overseeing the bloc's daily operations. Her temporary absence occurs during a critical time when the Commission is poised to tackle important matters, including the implementation of policies related to the recently approved Competitiveness Compass, an economic framework set for the next five years.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
A spokesperson for the European Commission, Stefan De Keersmaeker, confirmed her health status on Friday, noting that her scheduled trips to Lisbon, Portugal, and Gdansk, Poland, would need to be rescheduled.
“The president has canceled her external engagements for the first two weeks of January. She is dealing with a severe pneumonia,” De Keersmaeker stated, as reported by PMG.
While she is currently recovering, the President is still managing “official business” remotely from her home in Hanover, Germany, according to the spokesperson.
Von der Leyen commenced her second five-year term as President of the European Commission on December 1, 2024. The Commission has yet to reveal whether any arrangements will be made for someone to temporarily take on her responsibilities during her recovery. There have been no announcements concerning changes to its broader agenda other than the cancellation of her personal engagements. She is anticipated to fully return to her duties in Brussels by mid-January, provided her health allows.
No additional information about her condition or the events that led to her illness has been made available. Pneumonia, which is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, can vary in severity from mild to life-threatening. It poses particular risks for older adults and individuals with existing health issues.
Since 2019, von der Leyen has been at the helm of the European Commission, which is tasked with proposing legislation, enforcing EU treaties, and overseeing the bloc's daily operations. Her temporary absence occurs during a critical time when the Commission is poised to tackle important matters, including the implementation of policies related to the recently approved Competitiveness Compass, an economic framework set for the next five years.
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
