Germany: Von Der Leyen To Resign As Defense Minister

Germany's Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen on Monday announced she would step down from her office, regardless of the outcome of the European Parliament's Tuesday vote.

Her announcement came ahead of a key vote at the European Parliament on her nomination as the EU Commission President.

"Tomorrow I will ask for the confidence of the European Parliament. Regardless of the outcome, I will step down as Minister of Defense on Wednesday in order to serve Europe with all my strength," she said on Twitter.

The 61-year-old conservative politician was nominated by EU leaders early this month to lead the European Commission, after prolonged negotiations in Brussels.

She needs a victory with an absolute majority of the European Parliament. However, she is facing strong opposition from Social Democrats and Greens.

Von der Leyen, a member of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives, would be the first female Commission President, if confirmed by the European Parliament.

The outgoing Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker is expected to complete his term on October 31. -