Ursula von der Leyen Rules Out German Presidency Candidacy

Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has officially stated that she is not considering a run for the German presidency in the upcoming elections scheduled for 2027. In a series of written responses to questions from major media outlets, including the Leading European News Alliance (LENA), she emphasized her commitment to her current role, asserting, “I am fully dedicated to my duties as Commission President and am not available for other positions.”

Since taking office in 2019, von der Leyen has been reappointed to lead the Commission and has indicated no intentions of stepping down before her term concludes in 2029. Speculation had arisen earlier this summer in German media, suggesting that she might leave her position within the European Union’s executive body to pursue the presidency of Germany.

Focus on Middle East Peace Efforts

In addition to addressing her political future, von der Leyen also discussed the ongoing situation in Gaza. She reiterated the necessity for establishing “genuine security” for Israel while asserting that all Palestinians deserve a “secure present and future.”

Stressing the importance of a two-state solution, von der Leyen described it as the only viable path towards lasting peace in the region. She expressed concern over recent actions taken by the Israeli government, labeling them as a “clear attempt to undermine” the prospect of such a resolution.

In light of these developments, the European Commission has proposed a series of “targeted and proportional measures” against Israel, citing findings of human rights violations in Gaza. Von der Leyen acknowledged that garnering majority support for these measures would be challenging, highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy in the current climate.

Her statements reflect the delicate balance the European Commission seeks to maintain in addressing both humanitarian concerns and geopolitical stability in the Middle East.