Last week, the outgoing EU chief’s family revealed he was suffering from an abdominal abdominal aneurysm. Known as ‘AAA’ in medical terms, this is a swelling in the main blood vessel which runs from the heart to the stomach, and can be dangerous for the patient if not diagnosed in its early stages. Failure to do so can see it grow, increasing the risk of it bursting, which can sometimes prove to be fatal.
It is most common in men over the age of 65, who are six times more likely to suffer from AAA.
Mina Andreeva, chief spokeswoman for the European Commission, said the surgery “went well and it is foreseen that President Juncker leaves the intensive care already today (Wednesday).”
But Mr Juncker’s return to his position as President of the European Commission remains in doubt.
The 64-year-old from Luxembourg – who has suffered a series of health issues over recent months – is set to be replaced by Ms von der Leyen.
Mr Juncker’s spokeswoman added the date of his return to office “will depend on the speed of his recovery”.
The operation to treat an aneurysm isa regarded as risky as it can lead to serious complications.
Damage to the heart and even death due to circulatory collapse can happen as a result of the intervention.
This is the latest in a series of health issues for Mr Juncker after he underwent emergency surgery on his gallbladder in the summer, missing out on the chance to join world leaders in Biarritz where Boris Johnson attend his first internal summit as Prime Minister.
READ MORE: Brexit LIVE: Boris election boost as EU’s trade chief speaks out
The former leader of Luxembourg spent a few days recovering in his native home country before quickly returning to work in Brussels.
He is expected to step down from his EU role at the end of this month to be replaced by Germany’s former Defence Minister Ms von der Leyen, who will become the first female President of the European Commission.
But she will now likely be infuriated after Britain’s Ambassador to the EU Tim Barrow wrote in a letter to the European Commission on Wednesday night the country will not nominate an EU commissioner until after the general election on December 12.
EU leaders have continued to ask the UK to pick a candidate and made this a condition when granting an extension to Brexit last month until January 31, 2020.
DON’T MISS
Jean-Claude Juncker reveals critics still spit at him in the street [INTERVIEW]
Juncker takes swipe at ‘friend’ Tony Blair over Brexit [COMMENT]
How Barnier told Verhofstadt he would have NOT given UK ‘more power’ [INSIGHT]
On Monday, a Commission spokeswoman told reporters no name had been submitted but “we are expecting an answer today”.
Britain has insisted official general election guidance from the Cabinet Office prevents them from doing so, which states the government should not put forward candidates for senior international appointments, including to European institutions, during an election period.
President-elect Ms von der Leyen and her new commissioners were due to take office on November 1 but their start date was delayed after the European Parliament rejected nominations from France, Hungary and Romania.
But a senior EU diplomat told Politico: “So far there have been no signals that the British will appoint another commissioner during the current election campaign. We expect, however, that the appointment of the Commission will not be delayed as a result.”
In his first address to the House of Commons after becoming Prime Minister in July, Boris Johnson told MPs he would not be nominating a new commissioner and promised to “unshackle” officials from EU meetings.
He said: “Our national participation in the European Union is coming to an end, and that reality needs to be recognised by all parties.
“Indeed, today there are very many brilliant UK officials trapped in meeting after meeting in Brussels and Luxembourg, when their talents could be better deployed in preparing to pioneer new free trade deals or promoting a truly global Britain.
“I want to start unshackling our officials to undertake this new mission right away, so we will not nominate a UK commissioner for the new commission taking office on 1 December – under no circumstances – although clearly that is not intended to stop the EU appointing a new commission.”