Juncker was repatriated to Luxembourg for an “urgent removal of the gallbladder”, his press office said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The gallbladder is a small organ located under the liver, and is used to store bile. Its removal is sometimes necessary due to the presence of stones.

President of the Commission since 2014, Juncker will leave his post on 1 November. Among the last meetings before then will be the G7 meeting in Biarritz on 24 and 25 August.

He will be succeeded by Ursula von der Leyen.