The Political Leadership of Ursula von der Leyen: European Agenda-Setting and Media Evaluations in Times of Crisis

Unprecedented crises have marked von der Leyen’s incumbency. Yet, despite – or perhaps because of – these challenging circumstances Ursula von der Leyen has excelled in the position of Commission President. With a theoretical perspective of leadership in times of crisis and distinguishing between the institutional setting, the situational context, and the personal capacities of a leader, the paper offers an assessment of von der Leyen’s leadership performance during her term in office (2019–2024). In particular, it analyzes von der Leyen’s agenda-setting through her speeches and public leadership through public media outlets like the Financial Times. Overall, the analysis highlights how von der Leyen’s ambitious performance, comprehensive agenda-setting, concise communication style, and bold handling of debate and conflict have strengthened the position of the European Commission and the Union.