Latest Ursula Von Der Leyen News

Flood-hit regions in Central Europe will get billions in EU aid

Sep. 19, 2024 14:55 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday pledged billions of euros in aid for Central European countries that suffered enormous damage to infrastructure and housing during the massive flooding that has so far claimed 24 lives in the region. Von...

EU chief travels to Kyiv with promise of fresh energy funds to get Ukraine through winter

Sep. 19, 2024 07:20 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen is traveling to war-ravaged Ukraine on Friday with the promise of 160 million euros ($180 million) in fresh energy funds to get the nation through the winter. Von der Leyen told reporters that 100 million euros ($112...

EU chief unveils her new team with women in top roles in right-leaning Commission

Sep. 17, 2024 13:38 PM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen put women in many of the top roles on her new team for her next five-year tenure at the head of the bloc on Tuesday, despite the reluctance of many EU member states to give in to her demand for gender parity. Von der Leyen...

A French member of the European Commission resigns and criticizes President von der Leyen

Sep. 16, 2024 08:33 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — An influential French member of the European Union’s powerful executive branch resigned on Monday, criticizing the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen just as she tries to assemble a new team for the next five years. Thierry Breton, a...

Mario Draghi has solutions for Europe's sluggish economy. Will EU governments listen?

Sep. 09, 2024 10:01 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — A long-awaited report on how to rescue Europe's economy from weak growth and red tape is in. The question is, how many of its recommendations will actually be enacted by the drawn-out decision-making process of the European Union? The report stands out from other...

EU chief says she's pushing full steam ahead for gender parity in EU's executive office

Sep. 04, 2024 07:17 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday she is doubling down and pushing full steam ahead to achieve gender parity in her executive Commission team that runs the day-to-day affairs of the massive bloc — despite stubborn resistance from some of the 27 member...

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen aims for gender parity in commissioner posts. But it's raining men

Sep. 03, 2024 02:18 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — At first glance, the European Union may seem like a paragon of gender equality — what with Ursula von der Leyen heading the all-important executive branch. Still, all the talk this week is about an excess of men poised for top positions at the EU headquarters. ...

Prisoner Swap Latest: Freed Americans return to US soil and emotional welcome

Aug. 02, 2024 00:19 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and Russia completed a 24-person prisoner swap on Thursday, the largest in post-Soviet history, with Moscow releasing Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and fellow American Paul Whelan in a multinational deal that set some two dozen people free,...

From August, migrants seeking refuge in Italy could be taken to Albania pending asylum decisions

Jul. 31, 2024 11:10 AM EDT

GJADER, Albania (AP) — Migrants rescued at sea while attempting to reach Italy may see themselves transported to Albania beginning next month while their asylum claims are processed, under a controversial deal in which the small Balkan country will host thousands of asylum-seekers on Italy’s...

Ursula von der Leyen reelected to a second 5-year term as European Commission president

Jul. 18, 2024 21:22 PM EDT

STRASBOURG, France (AP) — Lawmakers at the European Parliament on Thursday reelected Ursula von der Leyen to a second 5-year term as president of the European Union’s executive commission, giving her a comfortable majority and heading off a possible leadership vacuum. Von der...