This EPC Update will take stock of President von der Leyen’s 2026 State of the Union address, delivered at a time of profound geopolitical, economic and political disruption. The EU and its member states are navigating persistent security threats, intensifying geoeconomic competition and political fragmentation – while the gap between Europe's growing ambitions and its capacity to deliver is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The list is long, and the stakes are high. Can President von der Leyen outline a credible path to sustain Europe’s support for Ukraine, accelerate defence and industrial readiness, and strengthen the Union’s capacity to act in a more contested world? Will she propose ideas on how the EU can deepen partnerships with like-minded countries to increase their collective influence? Will she set out a convincing agenda for competitiveness and economic security that strengthens the EU’s technological and industrial base while reducing strategic dependencies? Can she inject momentum into negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and make a credible case for the resources needed to deliver Europe’s strategic ambitions? Will the Commission President give fresh impetus to enlargement while addressing the reforms needed for a larger and more diverse Union to act effectively? And will she offer a convincing response to pressures on liberal democracy, while setting out a positive agenda capable of renewing citizens’ confidence in European democracy and cooperation?

These questions will be central to assessing whether the State of the Union can match Europe’s ambitions with the action needed to deliver them.

This event welcomes the participation of EPC members, EU officials and media.

For media enquiries, please contact media@epc.eu.

For other queries, please contact events@epc.eu.