Von der Leyen Defends EU Agenda on Enlargement, Budget and Wildfire Response in Strasbourg

Strategic priorities and enlargement

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened her annual State of the Union address in Strasbourg by calling on member states to build an independent Europe capable of taking decisive action. She argued that European democracy must resist external authoritarian influence and internal division while maintaining its strategic direction. In the enlargement dossier, von der Leyen confirmed that Brussels will soon propose accession roadmaps for candidate countries that demonstrate the most progress. These candidates include Ukraine, Moldova, and partners across the Western Balkans. She stated that the accession process will remain grounded strictly in merit, noting that core democratic values remain non-negotiable for any aspiring member.

Because in this world, Europe's destiny must remain in the hands of Europeans.

Budget negotiations and emergency defense

Addressing the Multiannual Financial Framework, von der Leyen argued that meeting investment demands across social programs, competitiveness, agriculture, nature, and infrastructure requires a solid European budget. She presented a budgetary equation, stating that sustaining stable national contributions while investing in priorities and repaying NextGenerationEU debt requires establishing new own resources. Von der Leyen also defended the response of the European Union to summer heatwaves following criticism. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre oversaw the mobilization of 40 aircraft and 18 ground teams, while nearly 800 firefighters were deployed in advance across 14 European countries to assist local teams operating around the clock.

Parliamentary reactions across party lines

The address drew contrasting assessments across political groups in the European Parliament. Paolo Borchia, leader of the Lega delegation, criticized the presentation as an hour-long monologue disconnected from economic reality, pointing to fuel price photos sent by citizens at Italian petrol stations. Borchia argued that the Commission had failed to address the progressive Islamization of Europe over seven years and contended that Green Deal provisions opened European markets to Chinese dominance. Conversely, Renew Europe group president Valérie Hayer welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to the plenary chamber, urging the immediate ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. Hayer called for an economic security pact to counter commercial coercion and establish collective tariffs against potential trade measures from Donald Trump or China, while advocating massive funding for disruptive technologies and climate resilience legislation.

Mark Carney has demonstrated what must be done in the face of Trump: reject compromises, react, protect our own interests.

Media freedom and justice

In her concluding reply to lawmakers, von der Leyen commemorated the anniversary of the assassination of journalist Daphne Galicia. She stated that the pursuit of legal accountability remains incomplete and declared that impunity for the crime cannot be permitted. The Commission president noted that Galicia's legacy motivated the European Union's media freedom legislation, which was enacted to protect journalists from interference and allow them to conduct investigations safely.

There can be no impunity for Daphne's murder.