Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, faced a serious pneumonia diagnosis requiring hospitalization for a week. The news, initially undisclosed, sparked debate over transparency regarding her health’s impact on governance. Despite her hospitalization, her team reported she maintained communication and did not require intensive care. While some criticized the Commission’s handling of information, von der Leyen is recovering and shared a positive update on social media, although she will miss Donald Trump’s inauguration due to not receiving an invitation.
Ursula von der Leyen’s Health Journey in the New Year
The start of the new year brought unexpected challenges for Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission. She was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia, which required a week-long hospital stay in Hanover, close to her hometown. The public learned about her health condition when her media office addressed it during the daily press briefing on January 3. However, the specifics surrounding her hospitalization were not disclosed until the German Press Agency broke the news last Friday, prompting the Commission to confirm her admission to the hospital.
Transparency and Public Interest in Health Matters
This revelation has sparked a heated debate in Brussels, particularly among media circles, and raises important questions about the implications of von der Leyen’s health on the wider public. While personal health is often seen as a private matter, von der Leyen, as a significant political figure, has responsibilities that can affect the entire continent and beyond, despite not leading a traditional government.
Key to this discussion is whether the EU Commission remained operational during her illness. The media office asserted that von der Leyen maintained daily contact with her team and that her capability to govern was never doubted, as stated by chief spokesperson Paula Pinho. She clarified that the President was never in intensive care and did not require ventilatory support.
If von der Leyen had been unable to fulfill her duties, her deputy, Teresa Ribera, would have stepped in. Ribera, who occupies one of the six vice-presidential roles, is set to lead the weekly college meeting on Wednesday. Last week’s meeting was postponed, and von der Leyen had to cancel all engagements in the early part of January. An eagerly awaited initiative aimed at enhancing competitiveness will also be delayed, though it remains uncertain if this is directly linked to the President’s absence.
Furthermore, the situation has led to feelings of betrayal amongst some media representatives regarding the Commission’s communication practices. When asked if von der Leyen was hospitalized, Pinho reportedly responded with “No update” last Wednesday, leading to speculation about whether this was a deliberate miscommunication or an omission.
After the news of her hospitalization emerged, Pinho faced a challenging media environment. The focus shifted from von der Leyen’s health to a broader, democratic concern regarding the transparency of government-like institutions. Pinho defended her role, stating she had provided “critical information” about von der Leyen’s illness and its seriousness, asserting that hospitalization for “severe” pneumonia is expected. She also felt no need to apologize for the earlier lack of detail.
On a positive note, von der Leyen is now on the mend. She shared an uplifting photo from her German home office on Instagram last Friday. It is anticipated that she will soon return to Brussels, although she will not be attending the inauguration of Donald Trump’s second term in Washington—not due to health issues, but rather because she did not receive an invitation, unlike her counterparts in European institutions.