About
In September each year, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the Union address to the Parliament. The address takes stock of the achievements of the past year and presents the priorities for the year ahead.
The President also sets out how the Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union faces and ideas for shaping the future of the EU.
State of the Union 2025
President von der Leyen’s 2025 State of the Union speech called for a “new Europe” built on unity, independence, and resilience – urging the EU to take charge of its own defence, technology, energy, and democratic future while standing firmly with Ukraine against Russian aggression. She also outlined ambitious plans for economic competitiveness, social justice, climate resilience, and global leadership, stressing that Europe must protect its freedoms and democracy by acting together in an uncertain world.
Previous addresses by President von der Leyen
Main themes: European Green Deal, economic competitiveness, social, digital and artificial intelligence, migration, support to Ukraine
Main themes: EU support for Ukraine, overcoming the energy crisis, climate, rule of law, democracy, support for European enterprises
Main themes: COVID-19, global health, vaccination, stronger Europe in the world, European Chips Act, European Defence Union, rule of law and media freedom
Main themes: COVID-19 pandemic, NextGenerationEU, European Health Union, Industrial Strategy, Europe's Digital Decade, New European Bauhaus