Ursula von der Leyen 2026
Ursula von der Leyen remains President of the European Commission in 2026, now in her seventh year leading the EU executive.
Her current influence score stands at 63 out of 100, reflecting mixed effectiveness amid intensifying geopolitical pressures on the bloc.
Ursula von der Leyen 2026
Strategic Positioning on Global Competition
Von der Leyen has sharpened EU policy on major power competition. Europe's hardening stance against China positions the bloc closer to Washington priorities, while the Commission released 1.24 billion euros for Ukrainian drones and munitions, demonstrating sustained commitment to deterrence alongside diplomatic channels.
EU Expansion and Internal Reform
The Commission has tabled reforms to prepare the European Union for new member accession. This represents von der Leyen's attempt to modernize institutional frameworks before enlargement, though such reforms remain politically contentious among current member states with competing integration visions.