Ursula von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen was appointed German Minister of Defence under Chancellor Angela Merkel. She oversaw the Bundeswehr during a period of modernization and increased defense spending, though the ministry faced criticism over equipment shortages and consulting contracts.

Von der Leyen presented the European Green Deal, a set of policy initiatives aiming to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. The plan included emissions reduction targets, investment in renewable energy, and a just transition mechanism for affected regions.

Von der Leyen was elected President of the European Commission by the European Parliament, becoming the first woman to hold the office. Her election followed a contentious process involving the Spitzenkandidat system and a narrow parliamentary majority.

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Von der Leyen led the EU's joint procurement of COVID-19 vaccines, negotiating contracts with pharmaceutical companies. The program faced early delays and criticism over slow rollout compared to the UK and US, but eventually vaccinated a majority of EU adults.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, von der Leyen led the EU in imposing multiple rounds of sanctions targeting Russian finance, energy, and individuals. The sanctions aimed to weaken Russia's war capacity, with effects on global energy markets.