Ursula von der Leyen Diagnosed with Severe Pneumonia, Cancels Appointments for Two Weeks

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has been diagnosed with severe pneumonia and has been forced to cancel her appointments for the next two weeks. Her spokesman, Stefan De Keersmaeker, said that her agenda had to be cleared of meetings in Lisbon and Poland, which has just taken over the EU's rotating presidency.

Ms. Von der Leyen, 66, who only recently started her second five-year stint at the top of the EU's powerful executive office, has served in her current post since December 1, 2019. She is the first woman to hold this position, marking a significant milestone in the European Union's history. Her tenure has been characterized by a focus on climate policy, digital transformation, and global leadership, as well as managing the challenges posed by Brexit.

Ms. Von der Leyen's election as President of the European Commission came at a pivotal moment for the European Union. Brexit was dominating the political landscape, with the United Kingdom preparing to leave the EU after the 2016 referendum. Her presidency began just weeks before the UK officially exited the bloc on January 31, 2020.

In the context of Brexit, von der Leyen was involved in negotiating the EU-UK relationship during the transition period and beyond. She worked closely with Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, to secure the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which was finalized in December 2020. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining unity among the remaining 27 member states and protecting the integrity of the single market while fostering a cooperative relationship with the UK.