Von der Leyen delivers State of the Union address at European Parliament

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered her State of the Union (SOTEU) address on Wednesday at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. This marks von der Leyen's sixth speech since taking office and comes amid a series of political and economic challenges facing Europe in these complex times.

In her speech, von der Leyen emphasized the need for a united response from the European Union to various threats, including rising nationalism and anti-European forces. She noted that the current era is marked by "great dangers," calling for unity and effective action from European institutions.

On foreign policy, von der Leyen proposed the establishment of a new European Security Council that would include the European Union, Canada, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. This forum aims to focus on European security and seeks to establish an "emergency security protocol."

Among the priorities presented, the President proposed a European mechanism for responding to threats, which should apply to various areas, including cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. This approach aims to ensure a quicker and more coordinated response to emerging crises.

A significant event, the Commission President's speech was not just a presentation of intentions but a starting point for debate about the immediate future of Europe, given the current situation on the continent. MEPs and representatives of national governments are closely monitoring proposals aimed at strengthening the resilience of the European Union in difficult times.

The speech elicited mixed reactions, with some MEPs expressing optimism about the commitment to a strong Europe, while others voiced concerns regarding the effective implementation of the proposals presented. The European Parliament views this speech as a crucial opportunity to initiate an active dialogue on European issues.