SOTEU 2026
The speech SOTEU 2026 of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, to 16 September 2026, had as its central message the need for a stronger and a more independent Europe, able to protect well-being, the safety, democracy and its values in an increasingly international environment challenges.
SOTEU summary 2026
The President posed as first priority the restarting the European economy, by deepening the single market, faster licensing, less bureaucracy and better conditions financing and development of European businesses. Alongside, gave special emphasis on energy independence, in domestic development clean energy, in the electrification and strengthening of the networks and energy storage.
An important part of the speech was about her climatic change and resilience. A new European framework was announced for the climate resilience, with particular attention to the most vulnerable areas, as well as a European heat plan. They were also announced news European water initiative and further strengthening prevention and dealing with forest fires, with consideration of even the creation of future European firefighting fleet.
Special mention was made to Artificial intelligence, both its potential and its dangers. The Commission seeks to strengthening of European computing capabilities and the utilization of IT in the real economy and society, with an emphasis on health, the transports, the agri-food sector, advanced production, defense and space. A central position is that AI should work for the benefit of man and not to replace him.
In the social field, the President referred to quality jobs, in skills, in housing, in care, in the regional development and women's rights, emphasizing that the social dimension remains a key element of the European model.
In foreign policy and security, the speech gave great importance to European defense, its security and continuity support of Ukraine. They were announced, among others, plans for news European Security Strategy, European response mechanism to severe hybrids threats and ideas to create European Security Council.
For her migration, the need for complete was emphasized implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, strengthening it external border protection and Frontex, as well as creating a new one European framework for emergency situations. At the same time it was announced new Mediterranean initiative for skills and jobs for young people.
Particular emphasis was also placed on her protection democracy from misinformation, foreign interventions and deepfakes, as well as in strengthening democratic resilience.
One of the important new initiatives concerns the protection of children in the digital environment. The President announced a legislative proposal act with differentiated levels of protection by age, among others without social media for children under 13 years and without personal accounts for children under 15 years old.
End, the speech closed with reference to the future and the enlargement of the EU, as well as with the announcement of a new one "Conference on Europe", ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome 2027, with a goal shaping a new vision for the next generation of Europeans.
In one sentence: the SOTEU 2026 focused on one more independent, competitive, safe, resilient and socially strong Europe, with emphasis in the economy, the energy, the climate, the TN, the defense, democracy and the protection of citizens.
You can download the full text of the State of the Union Address 2026 and read it here:
