Poland launched its presidency of the Council of the European Union on Friday mired in a diplomatic row with Hungary that underscored a deepening sense of political disunity across Europe just as it confronts a raft of major global challenges.

A gala was held in Warsaw on Friday as Poland officially assumed the presidency of the European Union in the first half of 2025.

Poland’s decision comes in response to Hungary granting political asylum to Marcin Romanowski, Poland’s former deputy justice minister, who was detained last July in an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is ill with “severe pneumonia” and has canceled her appointments for the next two weeks.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has canceled engagements for the first half of January due to a case of "severe pneumonia," a commission spokesperson said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen addresses a media conference at the end of an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024.