EC says no von der Leyen invitation to Trump inauguration

The head of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen will not go to the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump scheduled for January 20, because she has not been invited there yet. This was announced by EC spokeswoman Paula Pinho at a briefing in Brussels on January 10.

"The head of the European Commission does not plan to participate in the inauguration," Pinho said, her words were broadcast on the website of the EC's audiovisual service.

The official spokeswoman specified that the possibility of the presence of the head of the EC at the inauguration will be considered if von der Leyen will send an invitation, which has not yet, complements "Gazeta.Ru". Pinew recalled that the head of the EC is now at home due to illness. The decision on her return to work next week will be made on January 13.

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Earlier, January 3, DPA reported that von der Leyen was diagnosed with a severe form of pneumonia and for the next two weeks had to cancel all her official trips. The EC chief continued to fulfill her duties remotely from Hannover.

Later, on January 9, The Times of Israel reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would not attend Trump's inauguration. The reason for his refusal to attend the event was not specified.

The U.S. Congress on January 6 approved Trump's victory in the 60th presidential election held on November 5, 2024. The decision was announced by incumbent US Vice President Kamala Harris, who competed with Trump as a candidate.