Von der Leyen to Attend EPP Summit Following Pneumonia Recovery
The European Commission president resumes in-person duties after recovering from severe pneumonia, attending a high-level EPP gathering in Berlin.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to make her first in-person appearance since recovering from severe pneumonia at a summit of the European People’s Party (EPP) in Berlin this Friday.
This marks her return to physical engagements after a period of recovery at her home in Hanover, Germany, following intermittent hospitalisation for the illness.
The summit, described as the ‘EPP Leaders’ Retreat,’ is hosted by Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), at the party’s Berlin headquarters.
Discussions are expected to focus on the EPP’s strategies ahead of Germany’s February election, which could see Merz become the next chancellor.
Several EU heads of state and government aligned with the EPP are anticipated to attend the event.
Von der Leyen’s health condition, which became public on January 3, initially prompted her to cancel all travel plans until mid-January, with her duties being conducted remotely.
The Commission later confirmed that her illness had required hospitalisation, though the lack of initial transparency about her condition raised questions in Brussels.
Despite calls for an apology, a Commission spokesperson defended the handling of information, asserting that all 'critical details' had been disclosed.
The upcoming Berlin summit is a key event for the EPP as it addresses significant challenges in the European political landscape.
Von der Leyen’s attendance signals her recovery and readiness to re-engage with high-level political dialogues.
It also underscores her alignment with the EPP’s agenda at a time when Germany’s political dynamics remain in flux.
This marks her return to physical engagements after a period of recovery at her home in Hanover, Germany, following intermittent hospitalisation for the illness.
The summit, described as the ‘EPP Leaders’ Retreat,’ is hosted by Friedrich Merz, leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), at the party’s Berlin headquarters.
Discussions are expected to focus on the EPP’s strategies ahead of Germany’s February election, which could see Merz become the next chancellor.
Several EU heads of state and government aligned with the EPP are anticipated to attend the event.
Von der Leyen’s health condition, which became public on January 3, initially prompted her to cancel all travel plans until mid-January, with her duties being conducted remotely.
The Commission later confirmed that her illness had required hospitalisation, though the lack of initial transparency about her condition raised questions in Brussels.
Despite calls for an apology, a Commission spokesperson defended the handling of information, asserting that all 'critical details' had been disclosed.
The upcoming Berlin summit is a key event for the EPP as it addresses significant challenges in the European political landscape.
Von der Leyen’s attendance signals her recovery and readiness to re-engage with high-level political dialogues.
It also underscores her alignment with the EPP’s agenda at a time when Germany’s political dynamics remain in flux.
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