03 | Ursula von der Leyen: the most powerful woman in the world?

Ursula von der Leyen is not easy to box. A mother of seven and medical doctor who once lived undercover, under a false identity in London before entering politics, has had a remarkable career. She rose through the ranks in the German parliament in the shadow of Angela Merkel, before being tapped on the shoulder for the president of the European Commission.

But according to foreign policy analyst Constanze Stelzenmüller, “heads of state elect commission presidents in the hope that they won't be too powerful in Europe”. So how did Ursula von der Leyen manage to transform the position and become one of the most powerful women in the world?

Guests:

• Constanze Stelzenmüller, director of the Center on the United States and Europe at The Brookings Institution 
• Jacek Rostowski, former Deputy PM of Poland
• Professor Claire Annesley, professor of politics and gender studies and Dean of UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture