European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen used a 'state of the Union' address to outline the opportunities and challenges facing the EU, with a European Parliament figure underlining public expectations for greater protection and support.
Key facts
- European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen delivered a 'state of the Union' speech on 16 September 2026.
- The address set out opportunities and challenges facing the European Union.
- Metsola, of the European Parliament, spoke about what people expect from Europe.
- Metsola said people want a union that does more to protect, support and 'fight their corner'.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen delivered a ‘state of the Union’ speech on 16 September 2026, setting out what she described as the opportunities and challenges facing the European Union, according to the Guardian’s live coverage of the event.
The speech is a set-piece address in which the head of the European Commission reviews the state of the bloc and signals priorities. The Guardian reported that von der Leyen used the occasion to frame both the openings available to the EU and the difficulties it must confront.
Metsola, of the European Parliament, also spoke, offering her view of what citizens expect from the union. She said the EU ‘has always moved forward because people were willing to take a leap where the moment demanded it and turned uncertainty into possibility.’
Metsola added that ‘people expect a union that does more to protect them, more to support them, and more to fight their corner,’ framing the address around public demands for a more responsive Europe.
The Guardian carried the developments as part of its rolling Europe live coverage.
Why it matters
The 'state of the Union' address is one of the most closely watched moments in the EU political calendar, signalling the Commission's priorities for the period ahead. What is said can shape policy debates affecting hundreds of millions of Europeans.
Frequently asked questions
Who delivered the 'state of the Union' speech?
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen delivered the annual 'state of the Union' address on 16 September 2026.
What did the speech focus on?
According to the Guardian, the speech set out the opportunities and challenges facing the European Union.
What did Roberta Metsola say?
European Parliament president Roberta Metsola said people expect a union that does more to protect them, support them and 'fight their corner,' and that the union has always moved forward when people took a leap in decisive moments.