# Ursula von der Leyen
Who / What
Ursula von der Leyen is a German politician and physician who has served as President of the European Commission since 2019. She is a member of the centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and previously held several ministerial positions in the German federal government.
Background & History
Born on 8 October 1958, Ursula von der Leyen began her career as a physician before entering politics. She served in Angela Merkel's cabinet from 2005 to 2019, most notably as Federal Minister of Defence. Her political career within the CDU culminated in her election as President of the European Commission in 2019.
Why Notable
She is notable for being the first woman to serve as Germany's Defence Minister and as President of the European Commission. Her tenure has been marked by leadership during significant EU challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and shaping European security and digital policy. She plays a key role in advancing the European Union's strategic autonomy and green transition.
In the News
She remains a central figure in current EU affairs, driving initiatives like the European Green Deal and coordinating the bloc's response to geopolitical tensions. Recent discussions focus on her potential re-election and her influence on EU-U.S. relations and climate policy.
