State of the EU Address | Von der Leyen: Lots of words, little realism

It's been a ritual for 15 years now. Every September, the President of the European Commission—or, since 2019, the President of the Commission—travels to Strasbourg to present his or her achievements and ambitious visions for the future of Europe to the MEPs. There are, of course, exceptions. For example, when Ursula von der Leyen was confirmed for a second five-year term in July of last year, immediately after the new European Parliament was constituted, she transformed her candidacy speech into a kind of status report.

In any case, the German former Minister of Family Affairs, former Minister of Labor, and former Minister of Defense perfected her State of the EU (SOTEU) speech. Hardly a year has passed without von der Leyen offering flowery promises. In 2020, she proclaimed a "digital decade" for Europe. In September 2021, at the height of the COVID pandemic, she called for the creation of a Health Union. A year later, the European Green Deal for climate protection took center stage. In 2023, the Commission President focused her speech on, among other things, the decarbonization of the economy and the accession of further states to the EU. Little to nothing of the many ideas of recent years has been implemented.

Comment on the topic: The familiar with new tones – Uwe Sattler on von der Leyen’s speech on the state of the EU

Whether von der Leyen's proposals this year can make the EU the global player it aspires to be remains highly questionable, however, as they were made without considering its other players – both inside and outside the EU. Among the ideas is, in particular, strengthening European competitiveness through a "fifth freedom" for research and investment (alongside those for goods, labor, capital, and services), which is also to be implemented through the development of "European artificial intelligence." Of course, strengthening the automotive industry was also a priority – particularly through an initiative for smaller, more affordable cars. "The future of cars must be written in Europe," said von der Leyen. How all this will be addressed in concrete terms remained open. However, the Commission President also included the eradication of poverty and the safeguarding of affordable housing, especially through adjusting state support for social housing, in her statement. A "European Housing Summit" is to be held soon on this topic. This announcement is likely to be well received by MEPs, as Parliament set up a special committee on housing a few months ago, which is calling for precisely this.

However, one common thread has run through the SOTEU speeches in recent years: Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The shooting down of suspected Russian drones over Poland, and thus over NATO territory, on the night of Wednesday gave the issue a new explosiveness – not without reason. This year, too, von der Leyen never tired of denouncing Russia's war of aggression and promising further support for Ukraine, in addition to the almost 170 billion euros in military and financial aid already provided. She brought along the Ukrainian boy Sascha, who was kidnapped and brought back to Russia by his grandmother Ludmila – also present. This was accompanied by emotional images, which the MEPs present greeted with a standing ovation. The Commission President once again effectively rejected diplomatic initiatives: "Putin has shown what he thinks of diplomacy." Instead, she wants a "European Semester of Defense" – in other words, the further rearmament of the EU.

At least on the issue of the Middle East, von der Leyen has made some progress, presumably also in light of the Israeli attack on the Hamas leadership in Qatar the day before. The situation in Gaza was "terrible," she criticized, and a two-state solution was the only guarantee for lasting peace in the Middle East. Specifically, the Commission President announced a partial halt to payments to Israel. Furthermore, sanctions against extremist ministers and violent settlers were being prepared. A proposal is also to be made to the EU member states to suspend the trade agreements contained in the EU partnership agreement with Israel. In doing so, von der Leyen is responding not only to demands from Parliament but also from some EU capitals . Von der Leyen's almost unconditional support for the Netanyahu government had repeatedly caused controversy.

Von der Leyen faced harsh criticism from Parliament regarding the EU's "customs deal" with the US . Many in Parliament consider the agreement to be kowtowing to the US. "While Donald Trump is rapidly transforming the US into an authoritarian state, you are subordinating European policy to Washington's economic and military interests," Martin Schirdewan told the Commission President. The co-leader of the Left Party is already harshly critical of von der Leyen. "Her policies represent social coldness and economic failure," he told "nd." "While millions fear for their jobs and pensions, she is pushing ahead with free trade, rearmament, and social cuts. The majority of Europeans are calling for her resignation. It is high time to heed her call."