The leader of the community executive should visit Poland during these days when Warsaw assumes the rotating presidency of the community block, until July 1.

Von der Leyen cancelled her foreign commitments during the first two weeks of January. She has severe pneumonia, said spokesman Stefan de Keersmaecker. The declined commitments also include a speech in Lisbon, Portugal.

At 66 years of age, she began her second term at the head of the community executive for a new legislature that took office on December 1.

ef/lam/ehl