Ursula von der Leyen shuts EU Commission air‑conditioning for staff amid heatwave

On 26 June 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ordered the building’s air‑conditioning to be turned off for all employees except the staff on the 13th floor, where she and several commissioners work. The decision came as a severe heatwave pushed temperatures in Belgium to a record 34.2 °C, prompting many EU officials to work from home. Staff described the move as “feudal” and a humiliation, criticizing the unequal access to cooling.

The incident was reported by Politico and highlighted broader concerns about extreme temperatures affecting European economies and public services across the continent.