Overview

• Ursula von der Leyen, the first woman to lead the European Commission, is set to run for a second term with the backing of Germany's CDU and likely support from the EPP.
• Von der Leyen has navigated the EU through significant challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Brexit, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, positioning her as a strong candidate.
• Her tenure has been marked by a focus on democracy, defense, and green policies, though she faces criticism for sidelining commissioners and potentially delaying climate action.
• Von der Leyen's re-election campaign emphasizes defending democracy against threats from authoritarian regimes and far-right movements in Europe.
• Despite facing challenges, von der Leyen enjoys broad support among EU leaders and is in a strong position to win another term, contingent on the outcome of the June EU elections and Parliament approval.