The speech is aimed at setting out priorities for the next year and presenting a vision for dealing with the challenges faced by the bloc
Published 16 Sep, 2026 07:00
| Updated 16 Sep, 2026 07:24
© AP / AP Photo / Virginia Mayo
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is making her State of the Union address to the EU Parliament in Strasbourg.
The speech is expected to touch on issues including the Ukraine conflict, the Middle East crisis, AI, climate change, and online protection for children.
Reports claim that von der Leyen could also propose a ‘European Security Council’ that would include not just EU member states, but also Ukraine and Canada.
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The State of the EU: What von der Leyen won’t say in her speech
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16 September 2026
07:42 GMT
“I am an optimist that AI has the potential to benefit if we get it right. Possibilities on the one hand and risks on the other… The dangers of self-improving models are becoming ever-more apparent. After the Hugging Face incidents developers are ringing the alarm and CEOs of the most advanced companies are telling us it is time to slow down,” von der Leyen says. (Best of times, worst of times.)
- 07:39 GMT
As of early August, 2026 ranks fourth in the EU for cumulative area burnt by wildfires, according to the Global Wildfire Information System.
The 489,826 hectares that has burned in the EU is the highest figure after 2012 (863,122 ha), 2022 (799,040 ha), and 2017 (743,906 ha).
- 07:38 GMT
Von der Leyen addresses the climate catastrophe that has beset Western Europe this summer – announcing a new organization to assess risks. As expected, she announces she has asked for proposals for an EU firefighting fleet. She tells another story… mutti Ursula in action.
- 07:36 GMT
“We have too many dangerous dependencies in critical minerals and rare earth. We need to urgently procure and build up reserves. No country can do this on its own. This is why we will establish a new European corporation on critical raw materials to stockpile what we need for batteries and tech and defense. Our industry, independence, and security depend on this,” von der Leyen says.
- 07:34 GMT
Von der Leyen tells her annual happy story about successful young people who met on an Erasmus course, and built a business with offices in three EU countries. She’s hard-mixing the EU with Europe now.
- 07:30 GMT
- 07:29 GMT
EU firms must compete on a level playing field with China, von der Leyen says.
The bloc’s trade deficit with Beijing has reached €1 billion a day, which is “a tipping point,” she argues.
Brussels is ready to “use all tools at its disposal to re-balance its relationship with China,” the EU chief says.
- 07:24 GMT
The goal of the bloc should be “building an independent Europe that has the power to act,” von der Leyen says.
“We must not let divisions hold us back” or allow “proxies and puppets of authoritarians” to undermine the EU’s democratic institutions, she insists.
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- 07:20 GMT
The EU economy withstood the fallout of the US war against Iran “better than expected,” von der Leyen claims.
- 07:19 GMT
Von der Leyen says the union is “never so strong and never so precarious. Great possibilities and great perils. Europe has chosen to forge its own path, and a stronger more independent Europe is now emerging. Breaking free from toxic dependency from Russian fossil fuels.
“This is a union that stands up for each other as we are doing by standing up for Ukraine, or Greenland.”
Neither Ukraine nor Greenland is in the EU.
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16 September 2026
07:02 GMT
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said lawmakers will “ask questions and demand answers” from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her State of the Union address.
She highlighted four priorities: competitiveness, security, climate action, and social protection, while noting “too many gaps” remain across the EU.
Metsola also welcomed the visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, saying it reflected the EU’s push to deepen ties with global partners.
- 07:13 GMT
MEPs are slowly making their way into the plenary chamber in Strasbourg.
The session will begin with a speech by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
Ursula von der Leyen, Roberta Metsola, and Mark Carney, the guest of honor, have entered the plenary chamber together. - 07:17 GMT
Von der Leyen begins her speech by saying that the world is facing “exceptional” challenges.
In these conditions, “a stronger and more independent Europe is emerging,” breaking free from dependence from Russian energy, increasing defense spending by 80% over the last five years, and continuing to stand with Ukraine, she says.
- 07:19 GMT
Von der Leyen says the union is “never so strong and never so precarious. Great possibilities and great perils. Europe has chosen to forge its own path, and a stronger more independent Europe is now emerging. Breaking free from toxic dependency from Russian fossil fuels.
“This is a union that stands up for each other as we are doing by standing up for Ukraine, or Greenland.”
Neither Ukraine nor Greenland is in the EU. - 07:20 GMT
The EU economy withstood the fallout of the US war against Iran “better than expected,” von der Leyen claims.
- 07:24 GMT
The goal of the bloc should be “building an independent Europe that has the power to act,” von der Leyen says.
“We must not let divisions hold us back” or allow “proxies and puppets of authoritarians” to undermine the EU’s democratic institutions, she insists.
Read more
- 07:29 GMT
EU firms must compete on a level playing field with China, von der Leyen says.
The bloc’s trade deficit with Beijing has reached €1 billion a day, which is “a tipping point,” she argues.
Brussels is ready to “use all tools at its disposal to re-balance its relationship with China,” the EU chief says.
- 07:30 GMT
- 07:34 GMT
Von der Leyen tells her annual happy story about successful young people who met on an Erasmus course, and built a business with offices in three EU countries. She’s hard-mixing the EU with Europe now.
- 07:36 GMT
“We have too many dangerous dependencies in critical minerals and rare earth. We need to urgently procure and build up reserves. No country can do this on its own. This is why we will establish a new European corporation on critical raw materials to stockpile what we need for batteries and tech and defense. Our industry, independence, and security depend on this,” von der Leyen says.
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