“I can’t predict that. But it is right for Europe to help the member states who are hit hardest.”
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Ursula von der Leyen
Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen is a German politician and physician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019. She served in the German federal government between 2005 and 2019, holding positions in Angela Merkel's cabinet, most recently as Federal Minister for Defence. She is a member of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its affiliated European political…
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science · President of the European Commission since 2019 · physician · politician · equestrian · also Ursula von der Leyen, Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, Ursula Gertrud Albrecht, Ursula Albrecht, Zensursula, Ursula Von der Leyen
Born 8 October 1958 · Q60772
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2026· 6 entries
“Europe is the values of the Talmud,”
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“it could give the Kremlin the excuse to openly intervene in this conflict”
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Awarded Order of Europe (2026).
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Reported claimRated False. Ms von der Leyen continues to be president of the commission, and is due to continue in the role until the next European elections in 2029. · Full Fact
Full Fact rated the claim “Viktor Orbán has taken control of the European Commission from Ursula von der Leyen.” False. Ms von der Leyen continues to be president of the commission, and is due to continue in the role until the next European elections in 2029..
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Lead Stories rated the claim “Ursula von der Leyen has banned laptops from cafés in the European Union.” It's A Joke.
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2025· 7 entries
Greece Fact Check rated the claim “Ursula von der Leyen describing free speech as a virus and censorship as its vaccine.” FALSE.
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Reported claimRated This story is made up. On the contrary, in October 2025, during a speech in the European Parliament, von der Leyen harshly criticized Orban for «flirting» with Putin and accused him of failing the Hungarian people. · StopFake
StopFake rated the claim “Ursula von der Leyen Left the European Commission Meeting after Orban Accused Her of Corruption” This story is made up. On the contrary, in October 2025, during a speech in the European Parliament, von der Leyen harshly criticized Orban for «flirting» with Putin and accused him of failing the Hungarian people..
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StopFake rated the claim “Trump Asked von der Leyen to Step Out of Meeting With Leaders” No official account of the talks included any such episode..
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Lead Stories rated the claim “Image authentically shows European leaders, including Macron and von der Leyen, waiting on chairs in a White House corridor” AI Image.
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Reported claimRated False. Mrs Merkel is in the photograph, but the other two people are not Baroness May or Ms von der Leyen. · Full Fact
Full Fact rated the claim “A photo shows Angela Merkel, Theresa May and Ursula von der Leyen together as teenagers.” False. Mrs Merkel is in the photograph, but the other two people are not Baroness May or Ms von der Leyen..
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Awarded Charlemagne Prize (2025).
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“s €800 billion ($840 billion) defence investment plan”
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2024· 2 entries
Awarded Order of Saint Panteleimon (2024).
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The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) took over the investigation from Belgian authorities
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2023· 2 entries
Awarded honorary doctor of the University of Toulouse (2023).
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Was again regarded as the favourite to take the role
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2022· 6 entries
Awarded BBC 100 Women (2022).
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Awarded Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class (2022).
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Awarded Time 100 (2022).
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The European Union recorded the highest number of unauthorised migrant arrivals since 2016
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European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine should become a member of the European Union, the Ukrainian people belong to the European family, but there is a long way to go and the war must end
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Von der Leyen received an honorary doctorate degree from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
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2021· 3 entries
BOOM Fact Check rated the claim “European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for scrapping the Nuremberg Code and forcing people to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.” False.
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Reported claimRated </span><span content-editable="">Critics of vaccine mandates have repeatedly claimed that such policies violate the Nuremberg Code, but </span><a href="https://apnews · AP News
AP News rated the claim “Ursula von der Leyen, the chief of the European Union’s executive arm, has called for eliminating the Nuremberg Code. AP’S ASSESSMENT” </span><span content-editable="">Critics of vaccine mandates have repeatedly claimed that such policies violate the Nuremberg Code, but </span><a href="https://apnews.
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Awarded language adulterator award (2021).
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2019· 8 entries
Reported claimRated The President of the European Commission’s office ends after five years, when new EU elections take place. The President also has to be approved by elected MEPs, who can also vote them out of office with a censure motion. · Full Fact
Full Fact rated the claim “There is no route at all for you to get rid of Ursula von der Leyen.” The President of the European Commission’s office ends after five years, when new EU elections take place. The President also has to be approved by elected MEPs, who can also vote them out of office with a censure motion..
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Reported claimRated There is no such thing as an “EU president”. Ms von der Leyen has been nominated to be President of the European Commission, one of the EU’s three main institutions. This needs to be confirmed by a majority of MEPs. · Full Fact
Full Fact rated the claim “Ursula von der Leyen is the new EU President.” There is no such thing as an “EU president”. Ms von der Leyen has been nominated to be President of the European Commission, one of the EU’s three main institutions. This needs to be confirmed by a majority of MEPs..
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Reported claimRated She is the nominee to become President of the European Commission, which proposes new EU laws. But elected politicians—MEPs in the European Parliament and government ministers from all EU member states—get to review, amend and approve EU laws. · Full Fact
Full Fact rated the claim “Ursula von der Leyen decides on EU laws, which national leaders and MEPs can’t do.” She is the nominee to become President of the European Commission, which proposes new EU laws. But elected politicians—MEPs in the European Parliament and government ministers from all EU member states—get to review, amend and approve EU laws..
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Career landmark: President of the European Commission (2019).
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Also promoted the German government's decisions on arms exports to Saudi Arabia and Turkey
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On 2 July 2019, von der Leyen was proposed by the European Council as their candidate for the office of President of the European Commission
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That she had been "a star presence" in the NATO community and "the doyenne of NATO ministers for over five years"
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As "a star presence" in the NATO community and "the doyenne of NATO ministers for over five years"
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2017· 3 entries
Awarded BigBrotherAwards (2017).
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Von der Leyen noted that "healthy democratic resistance of the younger generation" in Poland must be supported
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Career landmark: member of the German Bundestag (2017–2019).
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2016· 2 entries
By von der Leyen and Dutch Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert as an example for setting up a European defence union
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Von der Leyen caused controversy after she refused to wear a hijab while visiting Saudi Arabia
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2015· 4 entries
As a result of severe NATO–Russian tensions in Europe, Germany announced an increase in defence spending
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Von der Leyen chose MBDA, jointly owned by Airbus, Britain's BAE Systems, and Italy's Leonardo S
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Researchers collaborating at the VroniPlag Wiki reviewed von der Leyen's 1991 doctoral dissertation and alleged that 43
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Von der Leyen argued that a form of EU army should be a long-term goal
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2014· 2 entries
Awarded language adulterator award (2014).
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The 11th Airmobile Brigade was integrated into the German Division of fast forces (DSK)
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2013· 5 entries
Von der Leyen unsuccessfully campaigned for a statutory quota for female participation in the supervisory boards of companies in Germany, requiring company boards to be at least 20% female by 2018, rising to 40% by 2023
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Von der Leyen came forward in support of equal adoption rights, arguing, "I know of no study that says that children growing up in same-sex partnerships fare any differently than children who grow up in heterosexual marr
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Career landmark: Federal Minister of Defence (2013–2019).
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Career landmark: member of the German Bundestag (2013–2017).
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Concluded an agreement with the Government of the Philippines that was aimed at helping Filipino health care professionals to gain employment in Germany
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2012· 1 entry
Was re-elected (with 69% of the votes) as one of Merkel's deputies as CDU chairwoman, this time serving alongside Bouffier, Julia Klöckner, Armin Laschet and Thomas Strobl
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2010· 1 entry
Was Merkel's preferred candidate for President of Germany, but her nomination was blocked by the conservative wing of the CDU/CSU
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2009· 3 entries
Awarded BigBrotherAwards (2009).
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Career landmark: Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs (2009–2013).
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Career landmark: member of the German Bundestag (2009–2013).
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2005· 3 entries
Ursula von der Leyen was appointed Federal Minister of Family Affairs and Youth in the cabinet of Angela Merkel
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Von der Leyen joined the federal cabinet, first as Minister for Family Affairs and Youth from 2005 to 2009, then taking on the role of Minister for Labour and Social Affairs from 2009 to 2013, and finally serving as Mini
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Career landmark: Federal Minister for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2005–2009).
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2003· 3 entries
Career landmark: minister of social affairs (2003–2005).
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Von der Leyen was part of a group assigned by the then-opposition leader and CDU chairwoman Angela Merkel to draft alternative proposals for social welfare reform in response to Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's "Agenda 2010
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Career landmark: member of the Landtag of Lower Saxony (2003–2005).
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2001· 1 entry
Earned a Master of Public Health degree at the institution
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1990· 1 entry
And became active in local politics in Lower Saxony in 1996, shortly after she had returned to Germany after living in California
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1986· 2 entries
Married physician Heiko von der Leyen, a member of the von der Leyen family, which belonged to the German nobility and made its fortune as silk merchants
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In 1986, she married physician Heiko von der Leyen, a member of the von der Leyen family, which belonged to the German nobility and made its fortune as silk merchants.
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1980· 1 entry
After three years of studying economics, she switched to medicine with a specialisation in gynaecology, at the Hannover Medical School, where she obtained her medical licence as a physician
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1979· 1 entry
But lived with a security detail at her side for several years
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1978· 2 entries
After her family was told that the Red Army Faction (RAF) was planning to kidnap her due to her being the daughter of a prominent politician
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And in 1987, she acquired her medical licence from Hanover Medical School
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1977· 1 entry
Started studying economics at the University of Göttingen
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1971· 3 entries
When her father became involved in German politics
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When her father entered politics to become minister-president of the state of Lower Saxony in 1976
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Relocated to Sehnde in the Hanover region after her father had become CEO of the food company Bahlsen and involved in state politics in Lower Saxony
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1958· 3 entries
Born 1958-10-08.
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In Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, where she lived until she was 13 years old
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Von der Leyen was born in 1958 in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, where she lived until she was 13 years old.
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