EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been awarded the Karl Prize, a prestigious honor recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration. The jury praised her as a strong voice for Europe in the world, effectively representing the interests of the EU and its partners in a time of epochal challenges.
The jury highlighted von der Leyen’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that she played a crucial role in the development and distribution of vaccines. The Commission’s coordinated response to the pandemic ensured that millions of people in the EU had access to vaccines, and von der Leyen also worked to make vaccines available to developing countries.
In the context of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the jury commended von der Leyen’s decisive actions in supporting Ukraine and imposing economic sanctions on Russia. The Commission’s swift response to the crisis included the adoption of a plan to reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian energy imports.
The Karl Prize, named after Charlemagne, is considered the highest honor for individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration. The prize’s governing body, the Karlspreis-Gesellschaft, sees von der Leyen as a dedicated European leader, following in the footsteps of previous laureates such as Angela Merkel, Wolfgang Schäuble, and Emmanuel Macron.