Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on 10 September 2025.
The message was clear: Europe must be put first, and Europe must fight for its values on all fronts. The Commission’s message regarding the situation in Gaza was also clear. The EU demands the immediate cessation of Israel’s war crimes, stands behind the two-state solution, and is ready to impose sanctions on Israel. Von der Leyen emphasized competitiveness and economic security, bilateral agreements, as well as the importance of security and defense.
👉 We must continue to strengthen our own capabilities and comprehensive security to ensure unwavering support for Ukraine. Von der Leyen proposed a drone wall along the EU’s eastern border. This is a welcome measure. Europe’s defense industry must be accelerated. I serve as the Rapporteur for the InvestEU program, which plays a key role in supporting defense sector companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises.
👉 We must move to qualified majority voting in certain foreign policy matters to act swiftly in today’s world. I support von der Leyen’s proposal on this. Countries like Hungary must not be allowed to block, for example, efforts to reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian gas.
👉 The EU is finally suspending bilateral support to Israel. This long-awaited and very welcome policy shift is essential. The EU cannot credibly maintain trade relations with a state committing genocide. The EU stands behind the two-state solution.
👉 The Commission has proposed extensive regulatory relief measures. However, none have yet been implemented. Reducing the regulatory burden is key to strengthening competitiveness. We must finally create conditions in Europe where our companies can grow on the global playing field.
👉 No progress has been made either on capital mobility, data liberation, or technological sovereignty. Without a functioning Energy Union and electricity markets, real growth will not materialize. Europe must increase mining of critical raw materials. Chips, components, and supply chains must be built more strategically to reduce dependence on external actors.
👉 According to von der Leyen, a trade agreement with the United States is a way to avoid a full-scale trade war. This does not change the fact that the agreement is US-driven. It weakens European industry and hits SMEs hard. The outcome is unfavorable for the EU. Unfortunately, the Parliament has little say over tariffs, which leaves it largely powerless in this matter.
👉 The EU budget proposal follows old patterns without reforms. National appropriations should be eliminated. Recycling money through the EU back to member states makes little sense, and cohesion funds do not produce growth. Investing more in digital and clean technologies, as well as addressing key bottlenecks through the Competitiveness Fund to strengthen research and innovation, is a positive step.
It is extremely important to me that we stand firmly for a strong and independent Europe, defend human rights, and ensure that the EU strengthens its position in an increasingly uncertain global world.
Let’s put Europe first.
