Von der Leyen delivers sixth State of the Union address in Strasbourg

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her sixth State of the Union address before the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday at 09:00 local time. The speech comes as the bloc seeks to redefine its global role amid the Ukraine war, economic competition with the United States and China, and mounting climate and migration pressures.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended as a special guest, underscoring Ottawa's efforts to deepen ties with the EU during trade tensions with the Trump administration. A 10-year-old Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast, Oleksandra Paskal, who lost her left leg in a 2022 Russian missile strike on Zatoka, was also invited to personify the EU's commitment to Ukraine.

“Because SOTEU is woven from many threads. I will see you all in Strasbourg on 16 September.”

According to Politico, von der Leyen structured her address around seven pillars: climate, artificial intelligence, competitiveness, migration, defence, trade and social-media restrictions for children. Discussions include tripling Frontex staffing, funding border infrastructure and setting age limits for children's access to social platforms.

Analysts expect renewed pledges of "unwavering support" for Ukraine and possible new sanctions against Russia. The European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) secured a broad majority, yet critics note that key security decisions are made by a "coalition of the willing" led by France and the United Kingdom, bypassing both the Commission and Parliament.

Critics argue von der Leyen has centralised power in 2026, appointing 26 commissioners without prior parliamentary scrutiny and withholding budget and internal-market documents from member states until hours before publication. The Commission's chief diplomat, Kaja Kallas, has reportedly been sidelined in favour of a new EU intelligence initiative.

The address concludes a tradition started in 2010 under the Lisbon Treaty, which expanded the Commission's exclusive legislative initiative in migration and energy. Von der Leyen's speech typically ends with "viva Europa" — a ritual observers say masks growing friction between the executive and the legislature.