In a trip there, an Icelandic journalist challenged von der Leyen over reports that all questions had to be submitted in writing a day in advance. The journalist ended with the pointed remark ‘are you unable to answer unscripted questions?’ The President, momentarily taken aback, replied ‘the last part of your question is not known to me’, implying that she was unaware of any such demand. This exchange has since raised questions about transparency, press freedom and the President’s communication