Like every year in mid-September, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, delivered the State of the Union to a full Parliament on Wednesday.
A preview of upcoming legislative initiatives, the speech marks the official start of the EU's working year after the summer break. As it was also the last speech before next year's European elections, Von der Leyen seized the opportunity to showcase the political accomplishments achieved over the past four years.
The last four years were "one of the most ambitious transformations this union has ever embarked on," said von der Leyen, adding that she will "earn the trust of Europeans to deal with their aspirations and anxieties. In the next 300 days, we must finish the job that they entrusted us with."
She covered the European Green Deal, Covid-19, supporting Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, migration reform and the NextGeneration EU investment programme. She also touched upon the EU's ability to welcome new Member States.
European Green Deal?
On the topic of climate, the EU "shifted the climate agenda to being an economic one," with a clear sense of direction for investment and innovation, von der Leyen said. "In the last five years, the number of clean steel factories in the EU has grown from zero to 38. We are now attracting more investment in clean hydrogen than the US and China combined."
A central pillar of her programme, the EU chief stressed the importance of sticking to the European Green Deal, which is facing increasing obstacles coming from her own party grouping, the EPP. "We stay ambitious. We stick to our growth strategy, and we will always strive for a fair and just transition. That means a fair outcome for future generations – to live on a healthy planet."
Chinese competition
After months of pressure from France to hit back at surging imports, von der Leyen also announced that she would launch an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.
"Global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars. And their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies. This is distorting our market," she said. "So I can announce today that the Commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China. Europe is open for competition. Not for a race to the bottom."
European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen. Credit: Belga/Jonas Roosens
Von der Leyen also highlighted the importance of farmers in Europe, stressing the role they play for food security. "At the same time, we have to make sure that food security is in harmony with nature, that remains an essential task." She also for "more dialogue" and "less polarisation" and said she would "launch a strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU."
Energy and support for Ukraine
Additionally, the EU has managed to avoid the worst of the energy crisis caused by "Putin’s deliberate use of gas as a weapon" by a bloc-wide joint gas purchasing scheme, she said. "Many thought we would not have enough energy to get through the winter. But we made it. Because we stayed united — pooling our demand and buying energy together."
On that topic, Von der Leyen emphasised that the Commission intends to extend immediate protection for Ukrainian refugees fleeing from the conflict. In 2022, the EU triggered the so-called Temporary Protection Directive for the first time, offering protection to more than 4 million Ukrainians who relocated to Europe.
Now, she pledged to continue supporting Ukraine "for as long it takes," reiterating that the EU will offer €50 billion for the next four years to fund investments and reforms. "We will be at Ukraine's side every step of the way. Our support to Ukraine will endure."
The rise of AI
As expected, artificial intelligence (AI) was also a major topic in Von der Leyen's address, as she wants the EU to lead the way on a new global framework for AI and suggested setting up a new body "with scientists, tech companies and independent experts all around the table."
"AI is moving faster than even its developers anticipated. So we have a narrowing window of opportunity to guide this technology responsibly," she told the Parliament hemycycle.
Expanding the EU
About halfway through her hour-long speech, von der Leyen reiterated her support for the entry of Bulgaria and Romania in the EU’s visa-free Schengen Area and praised the two countries for "showcasing best practices on both asylum and returns" and urged EU countries to bring them in "without any further delay."
She also opened the door to changing the EU’s basic treaty, saying such a move could be needed as part of the bloc’s internal reforms. "I will always support this house – and all of those who want to reform the European Union to make it work better for citizens. And yes, that means including through a European convention and treaty change if and where it is needed."
For von der Leyen, the European Union should move ahead with enlargement even without a treaty change. Saying that enlargement could be a "catalyst for progress," she backed the idea of expanding the EU to at least 30 members, explicitly naming candidates Ukraine, Moldova and Serbia.
Answering the call of history?
Concluding her speech, she stressed that Europe stands at a time and place when history is being written.
"It is the moment to show that we can build a continent where you can be who you are, love who you want, and aim as high as you want," she said. "A continent that is united in freedom and peace. Once again – this is Europe's moment to answer the call of history. Long live Europe."
