Von Der Leyen Promotes EU Resilience Despite Great Perils
- The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her State of the Union speech in Strasbourg, framing 2026 as the "summer of truth" amid climate disasters including wildfires, crop losses, and extreme heat.
- Von der Leyen cited 660,000 hectares burned, 12 million tonnes of crops lost, and more than 35,000 additional deaths during recent heatwaves, underscoring the climate emergency.
- The Commission proposed a NATO-style mechanism to "coordinate" responses to hybrid attacks and pitched a "European Security Council" uniting Ukraine, Norway, Canada and other democratic partners.
- Charles Michel, former European Council head, criticized The Commission President as "very slow" in decision-making, arguing Over-regulation and "naivety" regarding the United States have weakened Europe.
- Next month, The Commission is set to present a climate resilience framework identifying 100 of the bloc's most vulnerable territories to assess risks and determine management responsibility.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Von der Leyen urges stronger independent Europe amid rising global threats
Ursula von der Leyen used her annual EU address to press for stronger defence, lower dependence and wider security ties. Her pitch underscored Europe's push to act more independently as wars, energy shocks and strategic rivalries deepen.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, spoke in the European Parliament and made promises from the environment to defence through migration.
'Lack of focus': Michel slams von der Leyen for 'very slow' progress
Speaking ahead of European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen's speech before parliament, ex-Council President Charles Michel told Euronews that she has failed to rise to the occasion of the EU's challenges.
Ursula von der Leyen attempted, during her annual “State of the Union” address, to present her vision for a Europe that is more independent and capable of facing new threats. This year’s speech by the European Commission President to the European Parliament in Strasbourg was longer and more passionate than what the EU had been accustomed to in previous years, with von der Leyen placing particular emphasis on Europe’s economic, military and techn…
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