59

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made her first public appearance in Berlin after recovering from severe pneumonia.

On Friday, she joined European People’s Party President Manfred Weber and Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leader Friedrich Merz for a two-day summit.

This high-profile meeting focused on key topics such as European security, migration policies, and reducing bureaucratic hurdles. The leaders also discussed Europe’s relationship with the United States ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.

Migration and Competitiveness Take Center Stage

Friedrich Merz praised Sweden and Italy for successfully curbing illegal migration, suggesting Germany had made only minor progress.

Merz signaled his openness to a stricter migration policy at the European level, aligning with the CDU’s manifesto. As his party leads the polls ahead of Germany’s federal election in February, Merz emphasized the importance of taking stronger steps on this issue.

Competitiveness and bureaucracy reduction also featured prominently on the summit agenda. Leaders discussed strategies to bolster Europe’s economic position and improve collaboration across member states.

Far-Right Politics Loom Over Discussions

While the summit aimed to address long-term strategies, concerns about the far right’s influence are likely to dominate talks.

With just five weeks until Germany’s federal election, the CDU faces pressure to navigate rising political tensions. Adding to the uncertainty, Austria recently began testing a coalition between conservative and far-right parties, raising questions about potential ripple effects across Europe.

As discussions continue, von der Leyen’s return highlights her readiness to lead amidst pressing European challenges.