The President of the European Commission, deliver his State of the Union Address

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers a State of the Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the Union

Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, will deliver his State of the Union Address on 12 September 2018.
Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers his State of the Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the Union 2018

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU) address before the European Parliament, taking stock of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered&nbsp;her speech for 2021&nbsp;on 15 of September. It&nbsp;was&nbsp;followed by a plenary debate with members of the European Parliament.

The&nbsp; 2021 SOTEU addressed the most pressing questions in challenging times for Europe. The EU reached its goal to have 70% of the population fully vaccinated, but the coronavirus pandemic still continues to impact all aspects of European society. “We have 1.8 billion additional doses secured. This is enough for us and our neighbourhood when booster shots are needed. Let’s do everything possible to ensure that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated”, said the President of the European Commission and added:" I am proposing a new health preparedness and resilience mission for the whole of the EU. And it should be backed up by Team Europe investment of EUR 50 billion by 2027. “

She focused also on the economic recovery after the pandemics.&nbsp;She highlighted that, with the Green Deal, the EU was the first major economy to present comprehensive legislation in this area and promised to support developing countries&nbsp;by doubling&nbsp;funding for biodiversity, pledging an additional €4 billion for climate finance until 2027 to support their green transition.

The President of the EC addressed also the situation in Afghanistan and promised to increase&nbsp;" again humanitarian aid for Afghanistan by 100 million euro.” Speaking about foreign and security policy, she called for a European Cyber Defence Policy and a new European Cyber Resilience Act and announced a summit on European defence to be held under the French Presidency. In her speech she&nbsp;touched as well&nbsp;upon rule of law, migration, protection of journalists or young people in the EU.

In their responses the leaders of political groups in the EP and other MEPs challenged the President of the EC on vaccination&nbsp;policy, more ambitious climate legislation, social measures, rule of law, defence plans and other important topics.

The State of the European Union debate is always a key moment to demonstrate the European Commission’s accountability towards the EU’s democratically elected representatives.&nbsp;

State of the European Union 2021

Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, will deliver her first State of the European Union Address on 16 September 2020.

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers his State of the European Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the European Union 2020

Press point by French MEPs following the debate on the State of the European Union 2023

Arrivals, doorsteps and general atmosphere prior to the debate on the State of the European Union 2023

EP Plenary session - SOTEU 2022 - State of the Union speech

Press Seminar on the State of the Union

State of the European Union - Debate

State of the European Union 2020 (SotEU) - MEP Debate

State of the Union - SOTEU - EP Press point by David SASSOLI, EP President

EP Plenary session - State of the Union

State of the European Union 2020 (SotEU) - Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, EC President

State of the European Union debate: Statements by Political group Leaders

State of the European Union 2020 (SotEU) - Debate on Migration

EP Plenary session - State of the Union (SotEU)

EP Plenary - Statement by the President of the Commission Debate on the State of the Union 2018

State of the Union 2018 -  EP Political group leaders  and MEP Debate

State of the Union 2018 -  statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC

State of the Union - MEP arrivals and ambiance shots

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On nationalism and populism - On Employment - On Financial stability - On Brexit - On Ceta

(3) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (German) (9:08 - 9:16)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On the fight against terrorism - On the border and coast guard improvement - On the reinforcement of Frontex and Europol - On the external policy of the EU - On the negotiations of the Syrian conflict - On the reinforcement of the European defense

(7) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (French) (9:40 - 9:49)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On a positive agenda for the next 12 month - On Enlargement - On unification of Cyprus - On Rule of Law as one basic principle - On Data protection - On Posting of workers - On tax evation - On the milk sector - On Euro

(5) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (English) (9:19 - 9:28)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On digitisation - On development aid - On Youth employment - On Solidarity - On European Solidarity Corps (young volonteers)

(6) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (English) (9:28 - 9:40)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On climate change and COP agreement - On the responsibilities of national parliaments - On unity and responsibility of the national states

(4) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (German) (9:16 - 9:19)

State of the European Union debate: illustrative images from SOTEU debate 2015 and main topics such as&nbsp;immigration, growth and employment, climate change, fight against&nbsp;terrorism, taxation and Brexit.

Debate on the State of the European Union 2016: main events and topics - illustrative footage

Live Replay of Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EC, delivers his first State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, followed by a debate on achievements to date and the Commission's 2016 work programme.

State of the Union address by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC: Statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC (8 - 09:54 - 10:03)

Live Replay of Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EC, delivers his first State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, followed by a debate on achievements to date and the Commission's 2016 work programme. Incident

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