Express. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was speechless after being left without a chair during a meeting with Turkey's leader. Eurosceptics plot supergroup to make VDL's life a misery, EU crisis as nine experts may quit over Brussels meddling, Helen Skelton's Brexit warning after 'lecturing' BBC's 'negative' snub. By clicking "Accept all" you agree that Verizon Media and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies and process your personal data, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. The bloc dithered earlier this year when deciding which vaccines to approve and fell way behind rivals like the UK in ordering doses to send out to its citizens. In a speech on Wednesday, the former EU Brexit negotiator appeared to make a veiled swipe at Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The German Greens said the nomination of the Merkel-ally was an “old-school backroom deal”, while the right of centre Free Democrats said she was “not the best candidate”. URSULA VON DER LEYEN acted in line with the European Union's anti-Brexit stance it has held since 2016 when she threatened a ban on vaccine exports to … Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, left, and Michel Barnier, chief negotiator for the European Union (EU), arrive ahead of von der Leyen's a … "As things stand, I cannot tell you whether there will be a deal or not," Ursula von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Brussels. BBC's Laura Kuenssberg awkwardly corrected on-air over Brexit remark, EU on brink: Sweden told to grasp 'golden opportunity' for UK deal, EU's 'stunning disregard' for voters as critics demanded Von Der Leyen was rejected, Ursula von der Leyen alongside Jean-Claude Juncker - who she replaced, Ursula von der Leyen alongside Angela Merkel, Ursula von der Leyen with Boris Johnson during Brexit talks, Ursula von der Leyen, some in Germany claim, is responsible for the vaccine fiasco, Brussels is in turmoil as it faces major pressure from member states, Emmanuel Macron slammed for France's Covid vaccine failure, EU shamed as vaccination centres across Europe close down over Easter, Macron Shame: France teeters on brink of Covid disaster, Boris abandons plans to introduce vaccine passports for pubs, Drag EU down! Sign up to receive our rundown of the day's. Other critics also called out Ms von der Leyen's nomination, warning against her appointment, including Martin Schulz - the former leader of the Social Democrats in Germany. Boris Johnson will fly to Brussels later for talks on a post-Brexit deal with the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The new magic number for Ms von der Leyen after Brexit is 353 — the minimum needed to secure a majority for her policies. Brexit: 'We will take a decision on Sunday,' says EU's Ursula von der Leyen as she confirms Brexit trade deal deadline The European Commission president warns "conditions have to be fair" for a Brexit trade deal, as EU leaders gather in Brussels. Brussels is in turmoil as it faces major pressure from member states to get its COVID-19 vaccination programme on track. The announcement of the Brexit deal finally came mid-afternoon on Christmas Eve – with contrasting words, delivered in their own inimitable styles, from Ursula von der Leyen … She commented: "One month later, the European Council has quashed this short-lived optimism for EU democracy. She has been a close ally … The European Union's executive body elected its first female president, Ursula von der Leyen, on Tuesday to navigate Brexit and social and economic reforms. DON'T MISS:EU shamed as vaccination centres across Europe close down over Easter  [INSIGHT]Macron Shame: France teeters on brink of Covid disaster  [UPDATE]Boris abandons plans to introduce vaccine passports for pubs [LATEST], "For the sake of its own relevance as well as that of European elections, the European Parliament should reject the nominees and propose its own list of candidates, who defend not only the interests of the European institutions but also those of liberal democracy.". January 8, 2020 - New European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen visits No 10 to warn Mr Johnson the timetable for a post-Brexit trade deal is 'very, very tight'. order back issues and use the historic Daily Express Brexit talks are set to enter a decisive phase with chief negotiators admitting there are "significant divergences." Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. Ursula von der Leyen is the President-elect of the European Commission. Mrs von der Leyen, a comparative rookie in the world of Brussels politics, would do well to listen to the veteran’s advice as UK-EU negotiations over vaccines continue this week. “I always wanted, in politics, to come home,” says Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyen, some in Germany claim, is responsible for the vaccine fiasco (Image: GETTY) The Luxembourg politician said "not repeating that … "But I can tell you that there is a path to an agreement now. Writing for the Guardian, though, Ms Mudde noted how this adulation was quickly wiped out, after the move away from the Spitzenkandidaten system. Mr Barnier decided to strike a … Sigmar Gabriel, a former vice-chancellor from the same party, called her nomination “an unprecedented act of political trickery”. It has nearly resulted in a series of diplomatic crisis's, particularly with the UK, before a summit moved to dampen threats issued by the Commission. The … Prime Minister Boris Johnson flew to Brussels yesterday for last-ditch Brexit talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Time is running out to … Following the 2019 European elections, some commentators argued that results were a "setback for populists", who reportedly "gained votes, but lost initiative". "Very large gaps remain" between the UK and EU, despite a meeting between Boris Johnson and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen aimed at breaking the Brexit … Boris Johnson and European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen have spoken as they try to break the post-Brexit trade deal stalemate. Brexit talks: 'Significant gaps' remain between UK and EU, Ursula von der Leyen warns. JUST IN: Emmanuel Macron slammed for France's Covid vaccine failure. She replaced Jean-Claude Juncker in the position, becoming the first female to hold the post, and first German since the first President was elected, Walter Hallstein in 1958. Ursula von der Leyen covers Brexit at the end of her opening statement at the press conference.. She says she briefed EU leaders last night. This, along with production issues with pharmaceutical companies, has seen tensions rise and the EU even threatened to block the exporting of some jabs made within the bloc. Information about your device and Internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. This is Europe Brexit Britain's victory over the EU on Covid vaccination is not what it seems. There is a "path" to a Brexit trade deal being agreed before the end of the month, the president of the European Commission has said. Ursula von der Leyen: The EU Commission President who said 'Brexit is a loss for everyone' Save Ursula von der Leyen has been a fierce critic of Brexit and Donald Trump Credit: Reuters You can unsubscribe at any time. When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. The Luxembourg politician said "not repeating that in 2019 was a mistake" and that his successor's nomination "was not very transparent". The EU commission president … A row has broken out after the snub at the Tuesday's summit where one of the topics was women's rights. "They undid the little progress the European elections made, instead boosting euroscepticism and weakening voter participation. Footage shows a perplexed Ms Von der Leyen as Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Council president Charles Michel took … It was some surprise to realise that although Frau von der Leyen claimed of Brexit, that “this whole debate has always been about sovereignty,” she didn’t have a clue what sovereignty was actually all about. But, Mamer added, “even though she was surprised, she preferred — and I’m sure that was the right way to approach this — to give the priority to the substance of the questions over protocol or form.” But the appointment was heavily criticised, and in his farewell speech Mr Juncker admitted his regret that the Spitzenkandidaten process had not been used. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Eliot and The Beatles in an address expressing sadness at the U.K. leaving, but resolve to continue building a … Two chairs, three leaders: the European Commission hit out after its chief Ursula von der Leyen was left without a chair as Turkey’s president sat down for talks with her male counterpart. The … Guy Verhofstadt, the former Belgian prime minister and the European parliament’s Brexit coordinator until last year, blamed Ms von der Leyen for exacerbating the vaccines “fiasco”. Ursula von der Leyen hailed 'movement' in the Brexit talks today amid hopes that a deal could be struck as early as this week. Another high profile figure within Mrs Merkel's party, Manfred Weber, also blasted the nomination, claiming it was a “sad day for European democracy". Von der Leyen “was clearly surprised” by the seating arrangements “as you can see in the video,” Mamer said. He added: "Unfortunately it did not become a tradition. Ms von der Leyen won the race to becoming European Commission President with 383 MEPs voting for her, with 327 against. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen quoted Shakespeare, T.S. To enable Verizon Media and our partners to process your personal data select 'I agree', or select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. The election saw more people turn out to vote than had done in 20 years, which Ms Mudde said "was celebrated as a victory for democracy". newspaper archive. She served as Minister of Defence of Germany from 2013 to 2019. And that is why today, Britain celebrates finally ditching this deadweight partner and leaving the European Union for good. I was the first and the last Spitzenkandidat.". However, two years ago, this method was shafted and instead Europe's leaders decided who they wanted to nominate, with Ms von der Leyen securing the role. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was left without a seat, and had to sit on a nearby sofa, as the bloc's leaders met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ursula von der Leyen says EU could halt vaccine exports to UK – video. Ms von der Leyen herself has admitted that the rollout of vaccines has not gone to plan, and in her home country of Germany, around 26 percent of people believe she is responsible for the fiasco. Brexit talks making good progress, says Ursula Von der Leyen He described her as “the government’s weakest minister” when she worked in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's administration. The European Parliament signed off on the nominee, which commentator Cas Mudde - a professor in the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia - claimed "officially killed off the Spitzenkandidaten system" of electing a President. The Spitzenkandidaten system sees the political group with the most seats in the European Parliament given a nomination and mandate of who they want to lead the Commission. But before her election in 2019, the European Council's decision to nominate Ms von der Leyen to the post was heavily scrutinised. 1:41. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, "The governments’ motley crew of nominees shows not only a stunning disregard for the Spitzenkandidaten process but also for the European voter. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your privacy controls.