Ursula von der Leyen

The EU’s Canada offer is more mood than reality but it could hint at a future geometry for the bloc

While Brussels and Ottawa desire a deeper partnership born of Trump-era volatility, ​the EU has no legal framework to accommodate it Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here The EU and Canada, Ursula von der Leyen said last week, “see the world with the same eyes”, with shared stances on everything from AI to the climate crisis, the Ukraine war and the unholy chaos unleashed by the current occupant of the White House (OK, she didn’t actually say that last bit. But I like to think she almost certainly thought it.) So, the European Commission president went on, Canada should become “the first associate member of the EU”. In the audience, Mark Carney beamed with delight. The next day, Canada’s prime minister enthusiastically embraced the idea of an “alliance for the future”, to build “collective resilience” through “deep cooperation”. Continue reading...

The Guardian•Jon Henley, Europe correspondent2h ago

Von der Leyen says Hungary 'strengthened rule of law', unlocks €4.2bn in EU funding

The European Commission has unlocked €4.2 billion in cohesion funds for Hungary and reopened Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe access, after PM Péter Magyar's government met EU rule-of-law conditions. Brussels froze the funds in 2022 over corruption and procurement concerns under the Orbán government.

Euronews7h ago

• neutral toward Ursula von der Leyen · 97%

Montenegro is the question von der Leyen left unanswered

Europe does not win by inventing fancy titles for its friendships, or by naming the rivals it means to keep out. It wins by being the place its neighbours both choose and can integrate into.

EUobserver•Adnan Ćerimagić10h ago

• critical toward Ursula von der Leyen · 70%

A power struggle in Brussels — and our big reveal

Today’s episode was recorded in front of an audience at our Brussels Playbook Live event. On the show, hosts Zoya Sheftalovich and Ian Wishart spotlight Cristina Lobillo Borrero, Ursula von der Leyen’s new senior adviser for the Clean Transition. They discuss what her appointment says about the Commission president’s approach to energy — and her […]

POLITICO Europe•Zoya Sheftalovich, Ian Wishart, Dionisios Sturis, Saga Ringmar12h ago

Macron calls on EU to tackle soaring energy prices

Emmanuel Macron has written to the EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, calling on Brussels to take immediate action to lower energy prices. They have been on the rise as the conflict in the Middle East spreads, and as Ukraine's attacks on Russian diesel refineries continue.

France 24•FRANCE2422 Sept

• neutral toward Emmanuel Macron · 99%

France warns of fresh oil shock, urges EU to free up refinery capacity

In a letter to Ursula von der Leyen, Macron said the EU’s energy security has so far relied heavily on buffers — including stockpiles, refinery flexibility, weaker demand and redirected global trade — rather than addressing the underlying supply shock, according to the letter seen by Euronews.

Euronews22 Sept

Pour atténuer les prix des carburants, Emmanuel Macron demande des assouplissements à l’UE

PARIS — Le président français Emmanuel Macron a demandé à la présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, d’assouplir les règles de l’Union européenne relatives à la composition des carburants et aux obligations de déclaration des émissions de méthane, dans le but de maîtriser la flambée des prix de l’énergie, dans un courrier […]

POLITICO Europe•Giorgio Leali22 Sept

• neutral toward Emmanuel Macron · 97%

‘We are not your enemies’: UK’s Burnham to raise ‘Made in Europe’ concerns with von der Leyen

Andy Burnham has said he wants to prevent “collateral damage” to British industry from EU plans to give European companies priority in public procurement.

Euronews22 Sept

• neutral toward Andy Burnham · 97%

Andy Burnham fails to rule out Brexit reversal being in next Labour manifesto

PM skirts question and says his focus is on rebuilding bridges before first meeting with Ursula von der Leyen Andy Burnham has opened the door to fighting the next election on the UK rejoining the EU, but said his immediate priority was continuing to rebuild bridges with European allies. The prime minister, who will hold his first meeting with the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday, did not rule out including reversing Brexit in Labour’s next manifesto – but suggested the country should focus on securing closer trading ties first. Continue reading...

The Guardian•Pippa Crerar Political editor22 Sept

• critical toward Andy Burnham · 82%

Einigung über EU-Handelsabkommen mit den Philippinen

Von der Leyen spricht nach einem Telefonat mit dem philippinischen Präsidenten von einer grundsätzlichen Einigung. Einige Details sind aber noch ungeklärt.

POLITICO Europe•Douglas Busvine, Koen Verhelst22 Sept

EU reaches ‘substantial agreement’ on Philippines trade deal

Von der Leyen declares a deal after call with Ferdinand Marcos Jr., but negotiators still have work to do.

POLITICO Europe•Douglas Busvine, Koen Verhelst22 Sept

Australia news live: Chalmers says migration needed for falling birth rate; city of Sydney bans smart glasses

Follow the day’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Anthony Albanese has met with Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly, to talk free trade, China, critical mineral and AI. The prime minister and president of the European Commission were joined by the president of the European Council, Antonio Costa . I work closely with the prime minister and [women’s minister] Katy Gallagher and the relevant ministers to make sure that police and others get the resourcing they need, working with state governments. Continue reading...

The Guardian•Martin Farrer21 Sept

How is the EU improving kids’ safety online? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the EU KIDS ACT on 17 September. It limits children’s access to social media and makes online games, video-sharing sites, and AI chatbots minor-proof. But what does it include? Ask the Euronews AI chatbot.

Euronews21 Sept

‘Summer of truth’: will political leaders act as climate chaos comes knocking?

Amid record-shattering heatwaves and popular demand for climate action, why are politicians often timid or in denial? It was, according to the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, the “summer of truth” . Climate chaos ripped through Europe and the northern hemisphere, sending heat records tumbling, scorching crops in the fields, burning forests, emptying rivers and reservoirs, warping train tracks, melting roads and killing about 35,000 people in Europe alone. The EU has estimated the damage at about €180bn, and the full bill is yet to arrive: harvests have been depleted, which will probably raise food price inflation, and expensive repairs to infrastructure have only just begun. Continue reading...

The Guardian•Fiona Harvey Environment editor19 Sept

We’re ideally placed to chair EU budget negotiations, says Irish Minister of State

Ireland is managing a jam-packed agenda as the current holder of the rotating presidency of the EU. We caught up with the country’s Minister of State for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, who was in Strasbourg for the 2026 State of the Union speech and debate with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. We discussed key points from that address, such as a proposed ban on social media access for children, which Ireland is keen to push forward with during its EU presidency.

France 24•Armen GEORGIAN18 Sept

Ursula von der Leyen’s sixth State of the Union speech: A grand sweep, but thin on details?

In this episode, we debrief one of the key annual events in the EU calendar: the State of the Union speech. It was Ursula von der Leyen’s sixth such address as President of the European Commission, and the second State of the Union speech of her second mandate.

France 24•Armen GEORGIAN18 Sept

Europe wants Canada in but keeps Turkey out

Von der Leyen called Canada the "first associate member of the EU," but Turkey has been an associate member for over six decades.

The Hill•Dov Zakheim, opinion contributor18 Sept

EU commits €3.3bn to Ukrainian drones as funding gap remains unresolved ahead of ‘tough winter’

As von der Leyen rushes through billions in new funding for Ukrainian drones, EU diplomats are privately questioning Kyiv’s spiralling deficit, while Belgium continues to block the use of frozen Russian assets — intensifying pressure on Europe to find a way to plug Ukraine’s widening funding gap.

EUobserver•Tomáš Čorej18 Sept

Week Ender: Can Europe patch up the world in disorder?

The old global order is breaking down. Ursula von der Leyen thinks Europe may have to start building something new around it. In her State of the European Union speech, she floated closer ties with Canada — even “associate membership” — and a new European Security Council, as Europe looks for new ways to work […]

POLITICO Europe•Sarah Wheaton, Dionisios Sturis, Saga Ringmar18 Sept

What von der Leyen’s SOTU speech got right about energy—and where the EU still needs to pivot

The EU State of the Union address recognizes important energy system challenges but also leaves details on actions murky.

Atlantic Council•Atlantic Council experts17 Sept