Ursula von der Leyen will sleep in her Brussels office, instead of renting an apartment or staying in an 'apart-hotel', as previous Commission president Juncker had done.

There are many questions an incoming European Commission President will expect to face, but the new head of Brussels' civil service may have been surprised to be quizzed on her living situation in the European capital. Von der Leyen confirmed she will live in a small apartment in her office rather than spend taxpayers money on an apartment.   

The incoming EU leader is having a 25-meter square room changed into a living space, near her personal office in the Berlaymont building. 

Von der Leyen's spokesperson Jens Flosdorff confirmed the story, saying: "The president-elect would like to use an existing personal retreat next to the president's office to stay overnight during her days in Brussels". 

Flosdorff added that the President's main residence will continue to be Hannover, in Germany, where her husband lives.  

Although this choice has been widely understood to be motivated by saving money - as the Berlaymont is covered by 24-hour security already, no extra security will be needed to protect von der Leyen in her Brussels residence. 

Another theory for the choice is down to the perception of a 'Brussels Bubble' - the idea that politicians in Brussels are caught up in the highly political Schumann area of Brussels, and are constantly surrounded by lobbyists and other special interest groups. 

Politico suggested the move was an attempt to distance herself from this scene, and the previous administration under Juncker. Although von der Leyen was born in Brussels, as her father worked at the Commission before her, she will continue to commute from the central-German city of Hannover.