SOTEU speech brings partial correction
🔸Ursula von der Leyen introduced her SOTEU speech (10/09) by highlighting European independence. Europeans have been rightly concerned about the humiliation suffered during the EU-US trade negotiations. As compared to the importance of this, von der Leyen only touched upon some details of the trade debacle towards the end of her speech and did not deliver a convincing strategy about reducing dependency in the foreseeable future. The need to develop autonomous European capacities was mentioned in the context of defence and digital services, but neither the need for the diversification of the energy supply nor the development of the external functions of the euro were mentioned. Instead, von der Leyen wrapped the SOTEU speech in pro-Ukraine agitation.
🔸Solidarity with Ukraine was something von der Leyen preferred to talk about in the first half hour of the speech on the state of the European Union. This is still a unifying subject, since Europeans sacrificed so much to defend Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian aggression, while the end of the war is still not in sight. Nevertheless, it is encouraging that the Commission is already preparing for the reconstruction and worked out a viable financial plan too. Von der Leyen’s preoccupation with missing children in Ukraine – something she also voiced during the televised discussion with Donald Trump in the White House – deserves attention, not least because it will require not only hosting a Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, but also a diplomatic engagement with Russia.
🔸In a striking contrast with Ukraine, von der Leyen for nearly two years turned her head away from the genocidal destruction committed by the Israeli army in Gaza. This speech represents a marked shift in her position. Similarly to the Ukraine theme, the fate of children played an important role to raise sympathy but also solidarity. But this is too little and too late. The silence of the EU in critical times will not be forgotten, and the actions from now onwards need to be consistent and forceful to really drive the process towards the desired two-state solution. The Commission President only managed to come forward with a partial suspension of the EU-Israel trade agreement. Imposing sanctions on extremist ministers and violent settlers is good, but von der Leyen should note that Benjamin Netanyahu himself is subject of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court.
🔸Similarly to Gaza, the chapter on social Europe was included in the speech to regain support among those in the wide pro-European spectrum who have been critical about von der Leyen’s inaction in the last year. Yes, the commitment to eradicate poverty by 2050 is welcome. The upcoming strategy must be comprehensive, supported by ambitious financial means, and rooted in respect and inclusion. And there are high expectations for the Quality Jobs Act too. It was particularly refreshing to hear a list of concrete ideas to tackle the housing crisis (including the revision of state aid rules and the foreseen legal initiative on short-term rentals). These are key elements to ensure that the right to affordable and sustainable housing is enforced and lived by all.
🔸Von der Leyen’s speech was permeated with right wing economic ideology, and she was aided by EP President Roberta Metsola who mentioned in her introduction that she wants to be proud of an EU that can cut red tape. This is all about implementing an EPP agenda and serving the interest of specific groups of business. However, the bogus omnibus process would need to be reconsidered to ensure that the integrity of the Single Market is protected and EU actions support growth and prosperity in real. The SOTEU speech fleshed out some elements of a genuine EU industrial policy, more guarantees would be needed that all this leads to a full implementation of the Draghi and Letta Reports. Besides, while von der Leyen promises simplification, she also comes forward with ideas for new bureaucratic procedures, like the European Defence Semester. Meanwhile cohesion policy was not mentioned or even alluded to in the entire speech, revealing indifference on the side of von der Leyen to municipalities, regions, and peripheral territories of Europe.
🔸In the SOTEU speech, von der Leyen evaded the question of EU fiscal capacity, which is understandable after the mixed reactions to the presentation of her half-baked MFF proposal in July. But this is also a question of providing sufficient investment capacity to underpin the EU’s climate and digital ambitions. On one hand, the Commission states its intention to stay the course on the European Green deal. On the other hand, it proposes to roll back on key environmental regulations through the omnibus proposals. On one hand, the Commission’s President calls for supporting fact-based media for better informed citizens. On the other, she plans for an unlimited and uncritical development of AI. Von der Leyen too often appears as a split personality.
🔸Von der Leyen knows that the EU stands for democracy and the rule of law. Yet, her appeal to a “pro-democratic majority” rings hollow, given the EPP’s cooperation with the far right in the European Parliament on a variety of issues. The Commission president claimed that she would listen to everyone. At the same time, she only highlighted her consultations with industries, while an engagement with civil society defending European citizens’ rights and health was nowhere to be found. With such contradictions, it is hard to expect enthusiasm for her SOTEU speech. No surprise, another confidence vote in the EP is looming (prepared on two separate tracks by the far-left and the far-right).
Excellent analysis. There is a need to rejuvenate the original project of European Integration . The current Commission , it seems, is not up to the challenge as its deal with Trump shows. It combines naive market liberalism with administrative- bureaucratic procedures, and. Most critical, does not find a attractive narrative for European citizen.