EU Commission chief has ‘severe pneumonia’ and will be out for 2 weeks

FILE - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a media conference at the end of an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File)

By The Associated Press

Posted Jan 3, 2025 01:14:51 PM.

Last Updated Jan 3, 2025 01:31:53 PM.

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is ill with “severe pneumonia” and has canceled her appointments for the next two weeks, her office announced Friday.

Spokesman Stefan De Keersmaeker said her agenda had to be cleared of meetings in Lisbon and in Poland, which has just taken over the EU’s rotating presidency of the 27-nation European Union.

“She is dealing with severe pneunomia,” De Keersmaeker said in a statement, giving no further details about her conditions or how she fell ill.

Von der Leyen, 66, only recently started her second five-year stint at the top of the EU’s powerful executive office.

The Associated Press

Submit a Correction
Accessibility Feedback

Top Stories

As domestic violence death toll mounts in N.S., calls come to fund support agencies

HALIFAX — Experts on domestic violence say a series of deaths in Nova Scotia over the past three months highlight the need to improve funding for the programs that battle the root causes of intimate...

40m ago

Canadian equities set to grow in 2025, but at slower pace as political turmoil swirls

The Canadian equity market will continue building on its strength from 2024 despite lingering political uncertainties, experts forecast. But investors should prepare for more volatility and be patient...

34m ago

Liberal caucus to meet Wednesday as calls mount for Trudeau to resign

OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau's Liberal caucus will meet on Wednesday as calls from MPs mount for the prime minister to step down. Two Liberal MPs told The Canadian Press that the meeting will take place...

23h ago

Teen fatally stabbed in Halifax: Court hears disturbing details in statements of fact

HALIFAX — The grim details of the stabbing death of a 16-year-old Halifax boy last April were revealed in court on Friday as convictions were recorded for two teens who had pleaded guilty to taking part...

Top Stories

As domestic violence death toll mounts in N.S., calls come to fund support agencies

HALIFAX — Experts on domestic violence say a series of deaths in Nova Scotia over the past three months highlight the need to improve funding for the programs that battle the root causes of intimate...

40m ago

Canadian equities set to grow in 2025, but at slower pace as political turmoil swirls

The Canadian equity market will continue building on its strength from 2024 despite lingering political uncertainties, experts forecast. But investors should prepare for more volatility and be patient...

34m ago

Liberal caucus to meet Wednesday as calls mount for Trudeau to resign

OTTAWA — Justin Trudeau's Liberal caucus will meet on Wednesday as calls from MPs mount for the prime minister to step down. Two Liberal MPs told The Canadian Press that the meeting will take place...

23h ago

Teen fatally stabbed in Halifax: Court hears disturbing details in statements of fact

HALIFAX — The grim details of the stabbing death of a 16-year-old Halifax boy last April were revealed in court on Friday as convictions were recorded for two teens who had pleaded guilty to taking part...

Most Watched Today

2:54
Air Canada's lowest fare customers must now pay carry-on bag fee

Starting today, if you are flying with Air Canada and choose the cheapest flight option, you'll need to pay in order to take your carry on bag with you. Afua Baah reports
2:52
Non-alcoholic beverage consumption rises while U.S. Surgeon General raises alarms on alcohol's link to cancer

The new year is a time where many people take part in dry January, leading to a rise in non-alcoholic beverage consumption. As Catalina Gillies explains, it comes as the U.S. Surgeon General issues a warning on alcohol and its link to cancer.

1:59
How badly will Libs lose next election?

The polls all point to one result for the next federal election - a Liberal loss. But how badly and who leads them in the next campaign is still unknown. Justin Trudeau faces calls to resign, but has yet to clarify his future plans.
3:00
Trudeau facing tariff threat and questions over his own future

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is back on the job, facing the threat of tariffs from Donald Trump, along with calls for his own resignation. Glen McGregor and Cynthia Mulligan discuss the serious issues on Trudeau's plate in the early days of 2025.
1:53
Keep, regift, or return: Tackling the post-holiday gift dilemma

The holidays bring joy and sometimes an overwhelming pile of gifts. For many Calgarians, deciding what to do with these unwanted presents has become part of the season’s aftermath. Henna Saeed reports.

More Videos