Latest news with #vonderLeyen
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
MEP Ciarán Mullooly admits using AI for part of letter to Ursula von der Leyen which quoted Swedish House Mafia lyrics
The Midlands-North West MEP said AI was used to summarise 25 pages of research for a letter that called on the EU to deliver more aid to Gaza. He denied that the fictional story of a young girl called 'Gazi', who the letter said lived in Rafah, and the use of lyrics by house music group, Swedish House Mafia, were AI-generated. Will you tell her, 'Don't you worry, don't you worry child, see heaven's got a plan for you'? Will you assure her that Europe remembers its promise? Mr Mullooly said those sections were 'based on' the contents of 1,000 emails sent to him in relation to Gaza, including one which he said quoted the lyrics of Don't You Worry Child. It was first reported by The Journal that the former RTÉ broadcaster had used AI to write part of the letter in which Mr Mullooly said a 12-year-old girl called Gazi and her family had been displaced and asked Ms von der Leyen: 'Will you tell her, 'Don't you worry, don't you worry child, see heaven's got a plan for you'? Will you assure her that Europe remembers its promise, that we will not let another generation of children perish when we have the means to act?' Speaking to RTÉ's Drivetime, Mr Mullooly said he asked Ms von der Leyen in a meeting last year 'why the European Commission and the European Parliament and all the agencies had not moved to stop the slaughter and the bloodshed in Gaza'. Mr Mullooly said his team then began researching potential measures that would not require the agreement of member states. 'I had 25 pages of research put in front of me in the parliament about three weeks ago and I said to my colleague, 'I want a summary of this for a letter to (Ms) von der Leyen'. And we used AI at that stage to complete the first part of the letter.' The second half of the letter, which has gotten the most attention today with the Swedish House Mafia reference, in particular, was actually composed by a member of my team He said this section 'looked at four questions', including what actions the European Commission and United Nations could take. 'And I completed that and I used that summary, I read every line of it, I looked at the references and I was quite happy with that. So, the first half of the letter was generated by AI,' he said. 'The second half of the letter, which you have quoted and has gotten the most attention today with the Swedish House Mafia reference, in particular, was actually composed by a member of my team who read 1,000 emails from people sent to my office on the issue of Gaza.' Mr Mullooly said his colleague read and summarised the emails 'in what has been described today, I suppose, as fiction but is actually written based on some of the information given to him by those [emails]'.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Stocks jump after Trump's EU tariff pause
In a move that's become something of a strategic mantra, President Donald Trump announced a pause on his promise to enact a new 50% trade tariff on import goods from the European Union following a conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over the weekend. In a posting to Truth Social Monday morning, Trump defended last week's tariff declaration but said the progression of trade talks with EU officials was a positive sign that a new agreement could be reached. 'I was extremely satisfied with the 50% Tariff allotment on the European Union, especially since they were 'slow walking (to put it mildly!), our negotiations with them,'' Trump wrote. 'Remember, I am empowered to 'SET A DEAL' for Trade into the United States if we are unable to make a deal, or are treated unfairly. I have just been informed that the E.U. has called to quickly establish meeting dates. This is a positive event, and I hope that they will, FINALLY, like my same demand to China, open up the European Nations for Trade with the United States of America. They will BOTH be very happy, and successful, if they do!!!' Investors were spooked by Trump's announcement last Friday that he was considering new tariffs on EU goods as well as foreign-made Apple iPhones and the major U.S. stock indexes all showed declines to end the week. But markets were buoyed by a Trump social media post on Sunday indicating that he was pushing out a potential start date for new EU tariffs from June 1 to July 9. Around midday Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up over 1.3%, the S&P 500 had gained 1.6% and the Nasdaq Composite had gained over 2%. In a Saturday post on X, von der Leyen shared an upbeat report on her talk with Trump and noted the 27-nation EU was poised to move forward with U.S. trade talks. 'Good call with @POTUS,' von der Leyen wrote. 'The EU and US share the world's most consequential and close trade relationship. Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9." New data showing an unexpectedly sharp rise in consumer confidence in May was also helping boost investor markets following the Memorial Day holiday. The Conference Board reported on Tuesday its Consumer Confidence Index increased by 12.3 points in May to 98.0, up from 85.7 in April. The jump exceeded the Dow Jones Consensus expectation of an 86 reading, per a report from CNBC. Stephanie Guichard, senior economist for the Conference Board, said declining international trade tensions had a positive impact on U.S. consumer outlooks across multiple categories. 'Consumer confidence improved in May after five consecutive months of decline,' Guichard said in the report. 'The rebound was already visible before the May 12 U.S.-China trade deal but gained momentum afterwards. The monthly improvement was largely driven by consumer expectations as all three components of the Expectations Index — business conditions, employment prospects and future income — rose from their April lows." While consumer confidence was mostly on the rise in May, Americans' collective feelings about job prospects remained a weak spot. 'Consumers were less pessimistic about business conditions and job availability over the next six months and regained optimism about future income prospects,' Guichard said. 'Consumers' assessments of the present situation also improved. However, while consumers were more positive about current business conditions than last month, their appraisal of current job availability weakened for the fifth consecutive month.' The new report also notes consumers had a positive response to trends in U.S. investment markets which have, in spite of last Friday's down cycle, been mostly in recovery mode since the most severe of Trump's earlier trade decrees were put on pause. 'With the stock market continuing to recover in May, consumers' outlook on stock prices improved, with 44% expecting stock prices to increase over the next 12 months (up from 37.6% in April) and 37.7% expecting stock prices to decline (down from 47.2% in April)," Guichard said. 'This was one of the survey questions with the strongest improvement after the May 12 trade deal.' On May 12, Trump announced a 90-day pause on his previous 145% tariff assessment on many imported goods from China. That move followed an April 9 pause on a wide swath of reciprocal international tariffs revealed a week earlier in Trump's self-proclaimed 'Liberation Day' decree. The on-again, off-again tariff policy gyrations have cast a cloud of uncertainty over the U.S. business sector and roiled investment markets. And a growing number of U.S. businesses, including retail giant Walmart, have recently signaled coming price increases due to tariff assessments, in spite of the various pauses on previously announced levies. Here's where new U.S. tariffs stand for the moment: China tariffs now at 30%, including a 10% base rate and 20% fentanyl-targeted levy. Tariffs of 25% are in place on steel and aluminum imports, imported automobiles and goods from Canada and Mexico not covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Imports from all other countries are subject to a 10% trade levy. Sign in to access your portfolio
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Von der Leyen honoured for fostering European unity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, as the 27-nation bloc confronts Russia's war against Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security issues across the continent. The European Union's most high-profile political figure, von der Leyen was called "the embodiment of the European spirit" by King Felipe VI of Spain during Thursday's ceremony in Aachen, Germany. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected her to a second five-year term as president of the EU's powerful executive arm. The commission proposes legislation for the EU's 27 member countries - and its 450 million people - and ensures the rules governing the world's biggest trading bloc are respected. It's made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy. After coming to office in 2019, von der Leyen led the EU drive to secure COVID-19 vaccines and has been a major supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With governments weakened in France and Germany at the time, she sought to play a greater role in the bloc's affairs. The Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US President Donald Trump threatens to pull back America's protection commitments to the continent, upending the post-World War II order that has formed the basis for global stability and security. "A clear message is coming out of Washington: Europeans ought to do more to provide for the defence of their own continent," Felipe said. "We should not underestimate how consequential this message is. There are few alive today that have lived in a Europe where the US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. Vance, "in his own very special way", confronted what Europeans stand for, Merz said. Vance at the time complained about the state of democracy and free speech in Europe, and lambasted German political parties - days before a national election - for their so-called "firewall" against working with far-right parties. "We actually stand for what we have been able to develop, to design, what we have actually fought for during centuries - and despite many backlashes and disasters - that we actually defend what is dear to us and important: freedom and democracy," Merz said. Both leaders, as well as von der Leyen, emphasised the importance of responding to Trump's changing tariff policies with a single voice. "We will never be a protectionist continent," von der Leyen said. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite palace in the western German city in the late eighth century. Aachen, on the Dutch border, is also famous as the birthplace of teenage diarist Anne Frank's mother, Edith Holländer. She and Otto Frank married in Aachen's synagogue, which was destroyed during the Kristallnacht - or the "Night of Broken Glass" - in 1938 in which the Nazis terrorised Jews throughout Germany and Austria. The Frank family later left Germany upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power and eventually went into hiding in 1942 in a secret annex in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. They were later sent to concentration camps, where all but Otto Frank died. Anne Frank's world-famous diary was published after the end of World War II. In her speech Thursday, von der Leyen spoke about the Frank family, the synagogue and the city's importance to Europe's history - and its future. "Today in Aachen, there's a new synagogue," von der Leyen said. "A symbol of rebirth, of resurrection, but also of remembrance. A painful reminder for Europe to be alert and withstand all those who sow hatred and want to divide our society." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, as the 27-nation bloc confronts Russia's war against Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security issues across the continent. The European Union's most high-profile political figure, von der Leyen was called "the embodiment of the European spirit" by King Felipe VI of Spain during Thursday's ceremony in Aachen, Germany. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected her to a second five-year term as president of the EU's powerful executive arm. The commission proposes legislation for the EU's 27 member countries - and its 450 million people - and ensures the rules governing the world's biggest trading bloc are respected. It's made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy. After coming to office in 2019, von der Leyen led the EU drive to secure COVID-19 vaccines and has been a major supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With governments weakened in France and Germany at the time, she sought to play a greater role in the bloc's affairs. The Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US President Donald Trump threatens to pull back America's protection commitments to the continent, upending the post-World War II order that has formed the basis for global stability and security. "A clear message is coming out of Washington: Europeans ought to do more to provide for the defence of their own continent," Felipe said. "We should not underestimate how consequential this message is. There are few alive today that have lived in a Europe where the US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. Vance, "in his own very special way", confronted what Europeans stand for, Merz said. Vance at the time complained about the state of democracy and free speech in Europe, and lambasted German political parties - days before a national election - for their so-called "firewall" against working with far-right parties. "We actually stand for what we have been able to develop, to design, what we have actually fought for during centuries - and despite many backlashes and disasters - that we actually defend what is dear to us and important: freedom and democracy," Merz said. Both leaders, as well as von der Leyen, emphasised the importance of responding to Trump's changing tariff policies with a single voice. "We will never be a protectionist continent," von der Leyen said. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite palace in the western German city in the late eighth century. Aachen, on the Dutch border, is also famous as the birthplace of teenage diarist Anne Frank's mother, Edith Holländer. She and Otto Frank married in Aachen's synagogue, which was destroyed during the Kristallnacht - or the "Night of Broken Glass" - in 1938 in which the Nazis terrorised Jews throughout Germany and Austria. The Frank family later left Germany upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power and eventually went into hiding in 1942 in a secret annex in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. They were later sent to concentration camps, where all but Otto Frank died. Anne Frank's world-famous diary was published after the end of World War II. In her speech Thursday, von der Leyen spoke about the Frank family, the synagogue and the city's importance to Europe's history - and its future. "Today in Aachen, there's a new synagogue," von der Leyen said. "A symbol of rebirth, of resurrection, but also of remembrance. A painful reminder for Europe to be alert and withstand all those who sow hatred and want to divide our society." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, as the 27-nation bloc confronts Russia's war against Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security issues across the continent. The European Union's most high-profile political figure, von der Leyen was called "the embodiment of the European spirit" by King Felipe VI of Spain during Thursday's ceremony in Aachen, Germany. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected her to a second five-year term as president of the EU's powerful executive arm. The commission proposes legislation for the EU's 27 member countries - and its 450 million people - and ensures the rules governing the world's biggest trading bloc are respected. It's made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy. After coming to office in 2019, von der Leyen led the EU drive to secure COVID-19 vaccines and has been a major supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With governments weakened in France and Germany at the time, she sought to play a greater role in the bloc's affairs. The Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US President Donald Trump threatens to pull back America's protection commitments to the continent, upending the post-World War II order that has formed the basis for global stability and security. "A clear message is coming out of Washington: Europeans ought to do more to provide for the defence of their own continent," Felipe said. "We should not underestimate how consequential this message is. There are few alive today that have lived in a Europe where the US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. Vance, "in his own very special way", confronted what Europeans stand for, Merz said. Vance at the time complained about the state of democracy and free speech in Europe, and lambasted German political parties - days before a national election - for their so-called "firewall" against working with far-right parties. "We actually stand for what we have been able to develop, to design, what we have actually fought for during centuries - and despite many backlashes and disasters - that we actually defend what is dear to us and important: freedom and democracy," Merz said. Both leaders, as well as von der Leyen, emphasised the importance of responding to Trump's changing tariff policies with a single voice. "We will never be a protectionist continent," von der Leyen said. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite palace in the western German city in the late eighth century. Aachen, on the Dutch border, is also famous as the birthplace of teenage diarist Anne Frank's mother, Edith Holländer. She and Otto Frank married in Aachen's synagogue, which was destroyed during the Kristallnacht - or the "Night of Broken Glass" - in 1938 in which the Nazis terrorised Jews throughout Germany and Austria. The Frank family later left Germany upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power and eventually went into hiding in 1942 in a secret annex in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. They were later sent to concentration camps, where all but Otto Frank died. Anne Frank's world-famous diary was published after the end of World War II. In her speech Thursday, von der Leyen spoke about the Frank family, the synagogue and the city's importance to Europe's history - and its future. "Today in Aachen, there's a new synagogue," von der Leyen said. "A symbol of rebirth, of resurrection, but also of remembrance. A painful reminder for Europe to be alert and withstand all those who sow hatred and want to divide our society." European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has received the International Charlemagne Prize for contributions to European unity, as the 27-nation bloc confronts Russia's war against Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security issues across the continent. The European Union's most high-profile political figure, von der Leyen was called "the embodiment of the European spirit" by King Felipe VI of Spain during Thursday's ceremony in Aachen, Germany. In 2024, European Parliament lawmakers re-elected her to a second five-year term as president of the EU's powerful executive arm. The commission proposes legislation for the EU's 27 member countries - and its 450 million people - and ensures the rules governing the world's biggest trading bloc are respected. It's made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy. After coming to office in 2019, von der Leyen led the EU drive to secure COVID-19 vaccines and has been a major supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With governments weakened in France and Germany at the time, she sought to play a greater role in the bloc's affairs. The Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defence as US President Donald Trump threatens to pull back America's protection commitments to the continent, upending the post-World War II order that has formed the basis for global stability and security. "A clear message is coming out of Washington: Europeans ought to do more to provide for the defence of their own continent," Felipe said. "We should not underestimate how consequential this message is. There are few alive today that have lived in a Europe where the US, the United States, was not the dominant security provider." Merz, whose election earlier in May was seen as a re-emergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up US Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier in 2025. Vance, "in his own very special way", confronted what Europeans stand for, Merz said. Vance at the time complained about the state of democracy and free speech in Europe, and lambasted German political parties - days before a national election - for their so-called "firewall" against working with far-right parties. "We actually stand for what we have been able to develop, to design, what we have actually fought for during centuries - and despite many backlashes and disasters - that we actually defend what is dear to us and important: freedom and democracy," Merz said. Both leaders, as well as von der Leyen, emphasised the importance of responding to Trump's changing tariff policies with a single voice. "We will never be a protectionist continent," von der Leyen said. The annual International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favourite palace in the western German city in the late eighth century. Aachen, on the Dutch border, is also famous as the birthplace of teenage diarist Anne Frank's mother, Edith Holländer. She and Otto Frank married in Aachen's synagogue, which was destroyed during the Kristallnacht - or the "Night of Broken Glass" - in 1938 in which the Nazis terrorised Jews throughout Germany and Austria. The Frank family later left Germany upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power and eventually went into hiding in 1942 in a secret annex in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. They were later sent to concentration camps, where all but Otto Frank died. Anne Frank's world-famous diary was published after the end of World War II. In her speech Thursday, von der Leyen spoke about the Frank family, the synagogue and the city's importance to Europe's history - and its future. "Today in Aachen, there's a new synagogue," von der Leyen said. "A symbol of rebirth, of resurrection, but also of remembrance. A painful reminder for Europe to be alert and withstand all those who sow hatred and want to divide our society."
3 days ago
- Politics
Ursula von der Leyen honored with award for contributions to European unity
BERLIN -- BERLIN (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the International Charlemagne Prize, an annual award for contributions to European unity, on Thursday as the 27-nation bloc confronts Russia's war against Ukraine, the Trump administration's trade war and security issues across the continent. The European Union's most high-profile political figure, von der Leyen was called "the embodiment of the European spirit' by King Felipe VI of Spain during Thursday's ceremony in Aachen, Germany. Last year, European Parliament lawmakers reelected her to a second five-year term as president of the EU's powerful executive arm. The commission proposes legislation for the EU's 27 member countries — and its 450 million people — and ensures that the rules governing the world's biggest trading bloc are respected. It's made up of a College of Commissioners with a range of portfolios similar to those of government ministers, including agriculture, economic, competition, security and migration policy. After coming to office in 2019, von der Leyen led the EU drive to secure COVID-19 vaccines and has been a major supporter of Ukraine in its war against Russia. With governments weakened in France and Germany at the time, she sought to play a greater role in the bloc's affairs. The Spanish king and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who also attended Thursday's ceremony, pushed for stronger European defense as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to pull back America's protection commitments to the continent, upending the post-World War II order that has formed the basis for global stability and security. ″A clear message is coming out of Washington: Europeans ought to do more to provide for the defense of their own continent," Felipe said. "We should not underestimate how consequential this message is. There are few alive today that have lived in a Europe where the U.S., the United States, was not the dominant security provider.' Merz, whose election earlier this month was seen as a reemergence of Germany's status as a diplomatic and economic heavyweight, brought up U.S. Vice President JD Vance's comments at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year. Vance, 'in his own very special way," confronted what Europeans stand for, Merz said. Vance at the time complained about the state of democracy and free speech in Europe, and lambasted German political parties — days before a national election — for their so-called 'firewall' against working with far-right parties. "We actually stand for what we have been able to develop, to design, what we have actually fought for during centuries -- and despite many backlashes and disasters -- that we actually defend what is dear to us and important: freedom and democracy,' Merz said. Both leaders, as well as von der Leyen, emphasized the importance of responding to Trump's changing tariff policies with a single voice. 'We will never be a protectionist continent,' von der Leyen said. The International Charlemagne Prize was first awarded in 1950 in Aachen. Charlemagne, considered the first unifier of Europe, had his favorite palace in the western German city in the late eighth century. Aachen, on the Dutch border, is also famous as the birthplace of teenage diarist Anne Frank's mother, Edith Holländer. She and Otto Frank married in Aachen's synagogue, which was destroyed during the Kristallnacht — or the 'Night of Broken Glass' — in 1938 in which the Nazis terrorized Jews throughout Germany and Austria. The Frank family later left Germany upon Adolf Hitler's rise to power and eventually went into hiding in 1942 in a secret annex in the Nazi-occupied Netherlands. They were later sent to concentration camps, where all but Otto Frank died. Anne Frank's world-famous diary was published after the end of World War II. In her speech Thursday, von der Leyen spoke about the Frank family, the synagogue and the city's importance to Europe's history — and its future. 'Today in Aachen, there's a new synagogue,' von der Leyen said. 'A symbol of rebirth, of resurrection, but also of remembrance. A painful reminder for Europe to be alert and withstand all those who sow hatred and want to divide our society.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Von der Leyen honoured for advancing European unity
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the creation of an independent Europe on Thursday after receiving the prestigious Charlemagne Prize in the western German city of Aachen. "An independent Europe - I know this message sounds scary to many people. But this is essentially about our freedom," von der Leyen said. She warned of the misconception of trusting that everything will return to the way it was before. "That will not happen. Because the geopolitical tensions are enormous." "The world is once again shaped by imperial powers and imperial wars. By great powers that are prepared to use all means, fair and foul, to gain an advantage," she said, noting Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a striking example of this trend. The need to invest in European security is therefore becoming ever more urgent, she said. "A new international order will emerge within this decade," von der Leyen said. She emphasized that Europe must shape this order. "Our mission is European independence." In the economic sphere, the EU also aims to strengthen its trade partnership with the United States, seeking a more stable and strategic transatlantic relationship, she said. "But we also know that 87% of world trade is with other countries that are all seeking stability and looking for opportunities," she emphasized. Merz: Germany backs stronger, safer Europe Meanwhile, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vowed support for the strengthening of Europe and its defence, as he honoured von der Leyen during his speech at the award ceremony. Merz emphasized the need for Europe to now embody peace externally as well. "Germany stands ready to lead the way in this task with all determination in close coordination with our European partners and neighbours." Turning to von der Leyen, the EU's most high-profile politician, Merz praised her leadership: "You give Europe a voice in the world - a European voice." He added that she was being awarded the Charlemagne Prize "most deservedly" for her efforts. Merz also reiterated the German government's continued support for Ukraine, stating, "We will support Ukraine with all our strength." Calling for deeper cooperation among European defence industries, he added: "We Germans are prepared to make far-reaching decisions at the NATO summit in June." Spanish king rejects calls to dismantle the EU In his speech, Spanish King Felipe VI firmly rejected calls to dismantle the European Union, warning against the rise of "dangerous and misguided voices" advocating for a return to isolated national politics. "We need to confront them! Dangerous and misguided voices that argue that Europeans will be freer, more independent and sovereign if they inhabit separate national political communities and work alone to address global challenges," he said. A reversal of the European Union would leave Europeans powerless to the whims of others, he stated. "The international environment - I strongly believe - calls for more Europe." The Charlemagne Prize The Charlemagne Prize is widely regarded as the highest honour for contributions to European unity. The award committee praised von der Leyen for "keeping Europe united, resilient and capable of action." The German conservative-turned-EU politician wants her prize money of €1 million ($1.1 million) which is being awarded for the first time this year, to be used for projects benefitting Ukrainian children. The award recipient decides jointly with the Charlemagne Prize board how the prize money should be used. The money was donated by a married couple of entrepreneurs from Aachen. Among former laureates are many politicians - British prime minister Winston Churchill, German chancellor Angela Merkel and US president Bill Clinton - as well as representatives of European institutions and the late pope Francis. In 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people were honoured. The last European Commission president to receive the prize was Jacques Delors in 1992, widely regarded as the architect of the European single market and a key pioneer of the euro. The award is named after Charlemagne, whose Frankish empire extended over large parts of Europe in the early Middle Ages and who is therefore sometimes referred to as the Father of Europe.
