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Commission President von der Leyen Missing from Notre Dame Reopening Due to Last-Minute Cancellation
Internal documents indicate a late cancellation due to scheduling conflicts, even though attendance had been previously confirmed.
On December 7, 2024, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was absent from the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
Documents acquired by Euronews reveal that the Commission's protocol only formally communicated her absence a few hours prior to the start of the event, despite her having confirmed in a letter dated December 4, 2024, her intention to attend, addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Internal communications indicated that von der Leyen was anticipated to be at the ceremony and a following dinner, but the Commission later attributed her withdrawal to "scheduling issues."
This scheduling conflict coincided with an unplanned trip to Montevideo on December 6, during which von der Leyen announced the completion of trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur—a development that had sparked backlash from French officials.
On December 9, a spokesperson for the Commission stated that von der Leyen had never officially confirmed her attendance to the Élysée because of impending scheduling conflicts.
The situation unfolded during a prominent event attended by leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting concerns regarding the communication and planning protocols between the Commission and French authorities.
The Commission has not offered additional details about the scheduling conflicts.
Documents acquired by Euronews reveal that the Commission's protocol only formally communicated her absence a few hours prior to the start of the event, despite her having confirmed in a letter dated December 4, 2024, her intention to attend, addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Internal communications indicated that von der Leyen was anticipated to be at the ceremony and a following dinner, but the Commission later attributed her withdrawal to "scheduling issues."
This scheduling conflict coincided with an unplanned trip to Montevideo on December 6, during which von der Leyen announced the completion of trade negotiations between the EU and Mercosur—a development that had sparked backlash from French officials.
On December 9, a spokesperson for the Commission stated that von der Leyen had never officially confirmed her attendance to the Élysée because of impending scheduling conflicts.
The situation unfolded during a prominent event attended by leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, prompting concerns regarding the communication and planning protocols between the Commission and French authorities.
The Commission has not offered additional details about the scheduling conflicts.
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