European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has delivered her annual State of the Union address, presenting a comprehensive overview of the opportunities and challenges currently facing the European Union.
The speech, which took place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, was streamed live for observers across Europe. The Guardian provided real-time coverage of the event, with expert analysis from correspondent Jakub Krupa tracking the proceedings as they unfolded.
The address is a significant annual tradition that allows the head of the EU’s executive branch to set the political agenda and reflect on the bloc’s progress over the past year.
Finally, someone is talking about the real economic gaps between member states. This needs to be central to any future EU strategy moving forward.
Does anyone else feel these addresses are becoming increasingly performative? The content rarely changes between years, just the delivery gets fancier.
I was pleasantly surprised by the focus on green energy opportunities. It feels like a genuine shift toward economic resilience rather than just crisis management.
Another year, another speech promising action. I just hope they actually follow through this time instead of more bureaucratic jargon.