Ursula von der Leyen’s diplomatic faux pas with Mark Carney

BRUSSELS — Ursula von der Leyen’s handling of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit has turned into an awkward diplomatic mess, with one leading MEP branding her conduct “unacceptable.” Carney will be watching as the Commission president speaks to MEPs on Wednesday, and will address the same crowd a day later. However, a scheduling clash meant von der Leyen was planning to return to Brussels after the State of the European Union — meaning she would miss Carney’s speech — before her team made a last-minute U-turn Monday night and announced she would stay in Strasbourg. Canada’s Ambassador-designate to the EU Jonathan Wilkinson confirmed Ottawa had asked von der Leyen to be present for Carney’s speech.