One Past, Many Futures
LMC 2019
Agenda
Quotes
Ursula von der Leyen
Minister of Defence, Germany
Dr Ursula von der Leyen started her political activities in 1990 when she became a member of the
Christian Democratic Union (CDU). From 2001-3 she held various political offices at municipal level
in the Hanover region. In 2003 she became a member of the Lower Saxony state parliament and
was appointed State Minister of Social Affairs, Women, Family Affairs and Health. In 2005 Ursula
von der Leyen started her career in federal politics as Federal Minister of Family Affairs, Senior
Citizens, Women and Youth. In 2009 she became a Member of the German Bundestag and was
appointed as Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. After her election as a member of the
CDU Executive Committee she was elected as party vice chairwoman in 2010. In 2013 she was
appointed as Minister of Defence.
Updated: March 16, 2019