LIVE: Von der Leyen delivers State of the EU address
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her annual State of the European Union address on Wednesday morning, with defence, Ukraine, migration, competitiveness and growing global tensions expected to feature prominently.
Earlier:
1010 Canada to get asssociate status
Von der Leyen said she wants to “open the door” to Canada becoming the European Union’s first associate member, although she did not set out what such a status would involve. The proposal would mark a departure from the EU’s traditional approach to membership, with senior officials previously considering Canada ineligible for any form of membership because it is outside Europe, as stipulated by the EU treaties.
Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a new Congress of Europe bringing together writers, scientists, artists, citizens and civil society to discuss the future of European cooperation, drawing inspiration from the original 1948 Congress in The Hague. On enlargement, she said the Commission would soon present roadmaps for candidate countries that have made the most progress, while stressing that respect for EU values and the rule of law remains essential.
Von der Leyen also announced that the Digital Fairness Act will be proposed this autumn, targeting addictive online design, while the EU Kids Act will introduce new rules on children’s access to social media. She also called for a European Security Council and an EU emergency security protocol modelled on NATO’s Article 4, alongside closer defence cooperation with Ukraine, including through the Freyja anti-ballistic missile project. She also said the EU would focus on enforcing existing sanctions against Russia rather than necessarily introducing new measures.
0930 Commission President wants government to budge on national taxes
Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union first part of the addressed focused on energy, EU finances, migration and efforts to simplify regulation. On energy, she called for a technology-neutral approach to clean power, including renewables, biomethane and nuclear, while setting targets to increase renewable capacity sixfold and double electricity’s share of the energy mix by 2040.
She also pressed national governments to back new EU-wide taxes, arguing that the bloc’s next seven-year budget needs new sources of revenue, with proposed levies expected to raise more than €60 billion. On migration, von der Leyen announced plans for a European Emergency Response Framework allowing temporary flexibility in asylum procedures during crises. She also urged member states to avoid “gold-plating” by adding unnecessary rules or administrative burdens when implementing EU legislation.
0910 Metsola calls for honest assessment of where Europe stands
Ahead of Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola called for an honest assessment of where Europe stands and the kind of Union it wants to build. She said Europeans expect stronger action on security, competitiveness, affordable housing, jobs, climate and borders, while defending European values, the rule of law and media freedom. Metsola also stressed the need for a Europe capable of defending itself, standing with Ukraine and remaining open to global trade while avoiding naivety. She welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was due to address Parliament the following day, before handing the floor to von der Leyen.
