On 10 September 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her first State of the European Union (SOTEU) address in her second term before the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
In a global context marked by both military and economic conflicts, President von der Leyen called upon member states and democratic political groups in the EP for cooperation and unity, framing this as Europe’s fight for independence in a world “in which many major powers are either ambivalent or openly hostile to Europe”.
Von der Leyen stated firmly that the EU cannot afford being paralyzed by internal conflicts; asking whether the EU has the political will and skills to compromise.
The speech put a major focus on foreign and defence policy. Russia, Ukraine, Gaza occupied a prominent place at the beginning of her speech. Von der Leyen announced a new Drone Alliance with Ukraine and a Qualitative Military Edge Programme to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces, confirming that Europe will frontload €6 billion for these efforts. She also called for an Eastern Flank Watch, including investments in surveillance, drones, and joint defence projects, underlining that Europe must be ready to defend “every inch of its territory.”
Continuing with foreign policy, the real surprise came when she addressed the conflict in Gaza. With dozens of MEPs—and two of her cabinet members—wearing red to denounce the humanitarian situation there, von der Leyen for the first time adopted a harsh stance toward Israel. She denounced Israel’s use of famine as “a weapon of war,” described the humanitarian situation as “catastrophic,” and announced new measures: sanctions targeting extremist members of the government, the partial suspension of the Association Agreement. Measures for which however it will be difficult to impossible to find majorities.
Another major block of her speech focused on Europe’s economic independence. Von der Leyen reiterated the Competitiveness Fund (announced earlier in her mandate), reaffirmed the Scaleup Europe Fund, and presented new investments in AI giga factories. Clean tech and circular economy measures were also highlighted, including a Battery Booster package and a newly branded “Made in Europe” criterion in public procurement. Above all she announced a Single Market Road Map by 2028 to dismantle internal barriers which amount to an equivalent of a 45% tariff on goods to complete the unfinished Single Market. On energy, she announced two new initiatives: Energy Highways and a Grids Package to remove bottlenecks and reduce costs for households and industry. All this against the background of confirming the adopted EU climate goals. “We must stay the course on our climate and environmental goals”, Von der Leyen stated, while announcing more “flexibility” for the industry.
Rule of Law and Democracy received considerable attention. Von der Leyen proposed a Centre for Democratic Resilience to monitor and detect manipulation and disinformation, as well as a Media Resilience Programme to support independent journalism. She also addressed parents’ concerns over children’s safety online, suggesting that Europe could consider following Australia in restricting minors’ access to social media.
On social affairs von der Leyen reiterated the Commission’s commitment to adopt a Quality Jobs Act and a European Anti-Poverty Strategy aiming at eradication by 2050. She also referred again to measures aiming at affordable energy and housing (with the European Affordable Housing Plan now accelerated to 2025 rather than 2026), small e-cars, and food prices, linking these initiatives directly to the European Pillar of Social Rights.
All in all, the speech confirmed the priorities set in 2024 at the start of the second term of von der Leyen’s Commission—though framed in a more urgent tone, and with a strong insistence on the need for unity if Europe is to remain master of its own destiny. The social dimension remains, however, secondary in the Commission’s agenda.
The strong reactions in the debate following the SOTEU mainly on the EU-US trade deal and the EU policy on Gaza disclosed the fragility of the alliance of the democratic centre in the Parliament. However, much of the criticism levelled at the Commission, including from the capitals of the Member States, regarding Gaza is unfair: the Commission can only act within the framework of the mandate granted to it by the Council.
Von der Leyen was absolutely right in her call for unity within the EU. Too many EU members are preoccupied with internal disputes. The moment for abolishing the unanimity principle has probably been missed – a historic failure. The more, political will for compromise will now be a precondition for the EU’s successful fight for independence.
Luc Van den Brande, President
Sigrid Schraml, Secretary-General