Von der Leyen signals exit from third-term race in EU leadership – POLITICO

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen does not intend to run for a third term in 2029, POLITICO reports, citing sources.

According to the publication, the head of the Cabinet of the Commission President, Bjoern Seibert, told senior officials during a private dinner that she would not seek re-election. Sources said the statement was made in an effort to dispel concerns that a planned restructuring of Commission departments was aimed at centralising power under the current president.

POLITICO notes that EU founding treaties do not limit the number of terms for the Commission president, although von der Leyen would be 70 years old by the time of the next election.

The outlet also reported that the European Commission is considering the creation of a new directorate-general for investment to manage regional and social funds, a move that could increase von der Leyen’s influence within the EU executive.

It added that discussions about the new structure are linked to the possible abolition of the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy, one of the Commission’s oldest departments.

By Jeyhun Aghazada