SOTEU 2026: We needed delivery and implementation

The state of the union should have been about delivery and implementation.   Ursula von der Leyen’s state of the union once again demonstrated no shortage of European ambition. But Europe increasingly knows what it needs to do. The challenge is turning ambition into delivery and partnerships into power.

Europe is operating under profound geopolitical, economic and democratic pressure. Yet the delivery gap between the scale, scope, depth and speed of action required and what Europe actually delivers continues to widen. With hundreds of initiatives already on the commission’s agenda, adding more cannot be the principal measure of success.

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Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive and Chief Economist

Unlocking Russian assets

Von der Leyen delivered a forceful message on Ukraine, backed by €6.1bn in additional defence support, including air defence. Yet the big question remains: where is the concrete European plan to deliver fast, sustained support, unlock Russia’s frozen assets and force an end to Putin’s war?

Amanda Paul, Deputy Head of Europe in the World Programme and Senior Policy Analyst

European Security Council

President von der Leyen proposed establishing a European Security Council. While it could provide a useful forum for leaders to discuss security and defence, it would offer little added value unless the EU reforms its common foreign and security policy decision-making, particularly the unanimity requirement that impedes swift collective action.

Juraj Majcin, Policy Analyst, Europe in the World Programme

Ukrainian accession

Ukraine’s future within the EU was reaffirmed, aligning with Kyiv’s objective of full membership – not associate status, merely participation in a security union or any alternative arrangement. Ukraine therefore needs a tailored accession roadmap for gradual integration that firmly secures its membership perspective. The emphasis on merit-based accession and strict adherence to EU values also underscores the need for robust safeguards.

Svitlana Taran, Policy Analyst, Europe in the World Programme

EU security

The EU’s security actorness is amplified by its security independence and defence readiness. VdL stresses that the EU’s security actions are alongside NATO efforts and are not meant to decouple from or duplicate NATO, but to increase Europe's capacity for collective strength. The new ESS will demonstrate how the EU, independently and alongside transatlantic allies, fosters peace and deters aggression.

Iana Maisuradze, Policy Analyst, Europe in the World Programme

Clean energy transition

President Ursula von der Leyen rightly highlighted the importance of advancing the clean energy transition, especially via electrification. Speeding up permitting is crucial but not at the expense of local communities. The reform of the ETS and financial incentives must also be aligned with this vision.

Circular Economy Act

It is surprising that the State of the Union speech lacked any reference to the circular economy agenda, particularly given the upcoming Circular Economy Act and its vital role in decarbonisation and economic security. Any newly announced European Corporation on Critical Raw Materials must integrate and enable the recycling of these materials within Europe.

Stefan Šipka Head Of Sustainable Prosperity For Europe Programme

Confronting China 

Whether Europe wants it or not, it must prepare for a bruising trade and economic confrontation with China. Readiness requires EU unity and revamped governance. Von der Leyen’s proposed Security Council must encompass economic security, as the EPC has  argued. Europe must anticipate coercion, decide collectively and act swiftly and decisively. 

Georg Riekeles, Associate Director & Head of Europe's Political Economy Programme

Reliable partners sought

The United States was conspicuously absent from von der Leyen’s speech. Europe is rightly focusing on its own priorities, challenges and reliable partners, refusing to board Trump’s chaos train. The proposed “alliance for the future” with Canada points towards Ottawa as a new transatlantic anchor for a more autonomous Europe.

Ian Hernandez, Policy Analyst, Europe's Political Economy Programme

Budget debate

Europe’s shared challenges are growing exponentially, yet its budget debate is heading in the wrong direction. Von der Leyen’s call for the EU to have “new own resources” is welcome. These must also create budgetary headroom for future common borrowing to finance defence, technological leadership and critical infrastructure at the necessary scale.

Philipp Lausberg, Senior Policy Analyst, Europe's Political Economy Programme

European Water Initiative

As climate impacts intensify and water-intensive industrial demand grows, stronger action on Europe’s water resilience is welcome. The European water initiative must prioritise clear rules for allocating scarce water going forward and an infrastructure roadmap that makes clear who will shoulder the necessary costs, ensuring they do not fall disproportionately on households and consumers. 

Brooke Moore, Policy Analyst, Sustainable Prosperity for Europe 

Technology sovereignty 

Europe must anchor strategic technologies at home. Von der Leyen rightly sounded the alarm on frontier AI.

But who controls Europe’s computing, data and cloud infrastructure? 

Beyond regulation, Europe needs a dedicated equity instrument not only to scale strategic tech firms but also to keep their ownership, production and decision-making firmly rooted in Europe.

Myriam Iehl, Junior Policy Analyst, Europe's Political Economy

Protecting children 

Von der Leyen announced the much-anticipated kids act, signalling the commission’s strategic direction and placing age-verification measures at its core. The real test, however, is how the EU will put pressure on big tech and prioritise the design of online platforms. Age limits alone are a weak instrument. 

AI and health 

VDL highlighted AI in health as a key example of the ‘AI verticals’ approach outlined by Draghi. If this commitment is to be taken seriously, the next MFF should include a dedicated health envelope within the competitiveness fund with its own budget line and reporting requirements, rather than forcing health to compete within a broader competitiveness cluster. 

Elizabeth Kuiper, Associate Director and Head Of The Health And Societal Resilience Programme

European care deal

Even in today’s turbulent world, demographic change remains Europe’s greatest challenge. Its sheer scale demands a genuinely European response. The European care deal is a welcome step. EU institutions and member states must now deliver concrete policies and adequate funding, setting aside narrow national interests.

Michele Migliori Policy Analyst, Health and Societal Resilience Programme

Social rights

Von der Leyen reaffirmed the importance of putting social rights at the heart of Europe’s economic model. The credibility of this commitment will depend both on delivering on existing initiatives at the member state level and on ensuring that the upcoming quality jobs act provides robust protections enabling labour markets to adapt to AI-related disruption. 

Karina Smreková Junior Policy Analyst, Health and Societal Resilience Programme

Tackling poverty

As the European Pillar of Social Rights approaches its 10th anniversary, recalling its importance is not enough. Without a strong call on member states to deliver on the 2030 targets — particularly on poverty reduction and adult training, where progress is falling short — this risks becoming yet another announcement without delivery.

Valentina Caimi, Senior Programme Manager, Health And Societal Resilience Programme

Battle of narratives

Von der Leyen is right: Europe faces a battle of narratives in which internal and external illiberal actors reinforce each other, eroding democracy and shrinking civic and media space. Her diagnosis was clear, but her call for action remains limited. Despite last year’s civil society strategy and the democratic resilience centre, progress is slow, and funding pressures are growing. Europe needs more to win the battle of narratives.

Johannes Greubel, Head of The Transnationalisation Programme

Pressure from illiberal forces  

To thrive in this battle of narratives, democracy needs more than defending; it needs rebuilding and redesigning. Civil society and media, crucial to this fight, remain under pressure from illiberal forces. Yet neither the MFF nor the current democracy package delivers, with democracy funding still remaining only a marginal share.

Liza Saris, Policy Analyst and Project Manager

Strengthening Europe’s democracy

Von der Leyen’s warning about a ‘battle of narratives’ reflects a deeper shift: illiberal actors are reshaping Europe’s information space, eroding trust and weakening democratic confidence. Safeguarding democracy now requires strengthening Europe’s narrative capacity and building a transnational, pro-democratic ecosystem capable of countering illiberal influence.

Tabea Schaumann, Policy Analyst, Executive Office

Gender equality

The commission president was outspoken on gender equality, making it clear that “women are here to stay”. This message is particularly important in today’s world, where polarisation is contributing to setbacks in women’s rights and inclusion more broadly. I hope member states were listening, as much of the Commission’s gender equality roadmap depends on implementation at the national level.

Elizabeth Kuiper, Associate Director And Head Of The Health And Societal Associate Director

Canadian partnership

Making Canada the EU’s first associate member could be a major step towards the integrated partnership Europe needs with like-minded countries. But the label must now be filled with concrete substance, not remain another announcement. An economic security alliance should also be on the agenda, bringing other like-minded partners into this emerging architecture.

Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive And Chief Economist

Gaza conflict

Von der Leyen acknowledged the EU’s role as a donor to rebuild Gaza and support a modern Palestinian Authority. However, to play a meaningful role in the path to a two-state solution and support a new security architecture in the Middle East, the EU needs to rebuild its credibility, craft a united approach and devise a long-term strategy.

Mihai Sebastian Chihaia, Policy Analyst, Europe In The World Programme

Ceuta Crisis

Von der Leyen’s emphasis on implementing migration reforms comes when trust in common solutions is weaker. The pledge to introduce a new crisis framework, triggered under “strictly defined criteria” allowing “strictly defined flexibility”, was expected.

The pledge to introduce a new crisis framework, triggered under “strictly defined criteria” allowing “strictly defined flexibility”, was expected.

What those terms mean will determine whether the EU can effectively and responsibly deal with Ceuta-like emergencies.

Alberto-Horst Neidhardt, Head of the European Migration and Diversity Programme, Senior Policy Analyst

Labour and migration 

Von der Leyen, as expected, focused on the events unfolding at the EU’s external borders. But Europe’s migration debate cannot ignore its labour and demographic needs. To sustain member states’ economies and societies, the EU needs more credible and effective legal pathways for work and study across different skill and education levels.

Marianna Gorgerino, Junior Policy Analyst, European Migration and Diversity Programme

Lack of results

“Europe can deliver where it really matters”, said Ursula von der Leyen. This is confusing: announcing initiatives without achieving results. This is why she had to repeat last year’s unfulfilled promise to regulate social media. Speeches without a long-term plan do not deliver.

Eric Maurice, Policy Analyst, European Politics And Institutions Programme

Congress of Europe

The “Congress of Europe” proposed by President von der Leyen should not only seek to “recapture the European imagination”. It must address how the EU needs to change to deliver. This means modernising the enlarging union’s operating system. The Commission’s forthcoming enlargement review should therefore include ambitious proposals for the future of EU governance.

Janis A. Emmanouilidis, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Studies

EU enlargement

Article 49 envisages applications, not invitations. Von der Leyen issued one to a state that cannot apply. "Associate member" has no treaty basis; "the first" implies a series. Canada is being offered, without an official request, the same label member states received coolly when Merz proposed it for Ukraine.

Borrowing the Hague's 1948 name sets a high bar. That congress mattered because governments acted on it afterwards. Von der Leyen listed thinkers, artists, scientists and citizens, but omitted member states. Generating ideas was never Europe's problem. Next year's elections, unmentioned, will make ratifying whatever vision emerges harder.

Corina Stratulat, Associate Director And Head Of European Politics And Institutions Programme

Distant Accession

The closer candidates are to meeting EU criteria, the further away  accession seems to be. The announcement of a “roadmap for the most advanced candidates” without recognising the possibility of Montenegro closing negotiations already this year makes enlargement come across as something very distant, revealing the hesitation beyond the rhetorical commitment to enlargement.

Berta López Domènech, Policy Analyst, European Politics And Institutions Programme

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