Ursula von der Leyen Awarded 2025 Karlspreis for Leadership in Europe

The EU Commission President was recognized for her role in uniting Europe during crises and advancing initiatives like the Green Deal.

The Karlspreis, Europe's most prestigious award for contributions to European unity, was awarded to Ursula von der Leyen in recognition of her leadership as EU Commission President.
Von der Leyen was praised for her decisive actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, her strong stance against Russian aggression, and her promotion of the EU's Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
The Karlspreis committee highlighted the existential challenges facing Europe, including external threats like the war in Ukraine and internal pressures from populism and extremism.
Her efforts to unite Europe's political center and build a pro-European majority following the 2024 EU elections were noted as a key achievement.
For the first time, the Karlspreis includes a €1 million prize, designated for funding pro-European projects, underscoring its commitment to fostering European integration.