EGN NEWS DESK
The Commission knowledgeable journalists on Jan. 3 that von der Leyen was affected by “extreme” pneumonia, however didn’t disclose that she had been hospitalized, even after direct questioning. German newswire DPA broke the information on Jan. 10, which is identical day von der Leyen left hospital, in response to Pinho.
Pinho mentioned that von der Leyen entered a hospital in Hanover for a few week after a medical appointment on Jan. 2. “The president was by no means on a respirator or in intensive care,” the senior official mentioned.
“Can the Commission be run from a hospital? It actually relies on the standing of the individual, of the affected person,” Pinho mentioned.
Von der Leyen’s No. 2, Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera, will step in to chair Wednesday’s commissioners’ assembly.
Pinho mentioned that von der Leyen must be effectively sufficient to carry conferences by the top of the week, and can attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland subsequent week.
Ketrin Jochecová contributed reporting.
