Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BERLIN (AP) — German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen says she is resigning from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Cabinet to focus on becoming the next head of the European Commission, the top job in the European Union.
Von der Leyen tweeted Monday that "tomorrow I will ask for the confidence of the European Parliament. Regardless of the outcome, I will step down as Minister of Defence on Wednesday in order to serve Europe with all my strength."
The EU parliament is expected to vote Tuesday on whether to confirm her as European Commission president.
Von der Leyen, 60, was the surprise last-minute compromise candidate nominated by the leaders of EU nations earlier this month to replace Jean-Claude Juncker.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.