State of the EU: Security, Ukraine, Gaza, Competitiveness, EU-US trade

In the annual State of the European Union debate, MEPs quizzed President von der Leyen on the Commission’s work since the beginning of its new mandate and its upcoming plans.

Opening the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “In these unprecedented times, we need clarity and we need resolve to steer Europe. We need a Europe that takes responsibility for its own security, makes it easier for businesses, and protects jobs. A Europe which is fairer and one that stands up for our democratic values. When the world feels too often like it is on fire, with Russian aggression against Ukraine and the horrific situation in Gaza, this Parliament is eager for Europe to step up with new and bold ideas.”

“This must be Europe’s independence moment”, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Europe must be able to take care of its own defence and security, control the technologies and energies that will fuel its economies, decide what kind of society and democracy we want to live in and be open to the world.

On Ukraine, von der Leyen announced plans to turn up the pressure on Russia with a 19th package of sanctions and a faster phase-out of Russian fossil fuels. The Commission will also propose a “Qualitative Military Edge” programme to support investment in the Ukrainian armed forces, and an “Eastern Flank Watch” initiative to provide Europe with independent strategic capabilities. “Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland", she said with regard to the “reckless and unprecedented” violation of Poland’s and Europe's airspace by Russian drones.

Speaking about the war in Gaza, von der Leyen said that “man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop.” She announced the Commission’s intention to “put our bilateral support to Israel on hold”, propose sanctions on extremist ministers and violent settlers, and impose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters. Europe’s goal must be “real security for Israel and a safe present and future for all Palestinians. And that means that the hostages must be released”, she stressed.

On competitiveness and the single market, President von der Leyen stressed that a digital euro and the savings and investments union will make it easier for companies and consumers alike. She announced a multi-billion euro “Scaleup Europe Fund” to make major investments in young, fast-growing companies in critical tech areas, a “Battery Booster” package to boost production in Europe, a “Quality Jobs Act” and a European anti-poverty strategy to help eradicate poverty by 2050.

Regarding the trade agreement with the United States, she said: “We have the best agreement, without any doubt”, providing crucial stability and preventing a full-fledged trade war.

Political group speakers

Manfred Weber (EPP, DE) thanked the Commission for delivering on many fronts, from cutting red tape to strengthening EU defence and reducing illegal migration. He promised to continue supporting the Commission’s work by backing the EU-US and Mercosur trade deals, when the alternative would be a trade war. On the green deal, he argued the EU’s climate approach needs to be realistic and support technological neutrality. He also urged fellow MEPs to accelerate work on a range of EU files and to avoid ideological fights.

“Where is Europe?” asked Iratxe García (S&D, ES), adding that urgency and unity cannot supersede Europe's ambition and the advancement of its own interests. García criticised the “unfair and unacceptable” trade deal with the US and announced her determination to amend it. “And where is Europe when Gaza is dying?” she added, saying the proposed suspension of cooperation with Israel comes too late.

Jordan Bardella (PfE, FR) condemned President von der Leyen’s support for the Mercosur free trade deal. He criticised the EU’s proposal to lower tariffs on Chinese vehicles, as well as energy market rules that disregard France’s low-cost nuclear advantage. Bardella criticised the trade agreement with the U.S., which he said sacrifices key French industries—defence, wine, luxury goods, and pharmaceuticals—while smaller nations secure better deals.

ECR Group Co-Chair Nicola Procaccini (IT) said that Europe “must strengthen our values, our economy and our allies”, adding that his group supports the tariff agreement with the US “because it is better than a trade war between allies who need each other”. He stated the Green Deal “is today too high an obstacle for European competitiveness” and applauded recent proposals on migration policy, calling for returns to be made an effective practice.

Valerie Hayer (Renew, FR) warned that the EU is losing Europeans' trust because it has become too weak to defend them. She called for a more integrated, sovereign and federal EU. She warned that the EU faced an existential culture war, threatening the European way of life, its peoples' freedoms and their independence. She called for more practical action on the Democracy Shield and competitiveness, and on combating the belligerence of Russia and Israel. She concluded by calling for a convention to reform the EU.

Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, NL) called for Europe to “stop thinking as a market and start thinking as a power”. It should show confidence, he added, demanding immediate action to address the situation in Gaza. Security also means acting on climate change, according to Eickhout, who called for investment, in European renewables and other industries to fight autocrats, but also in the European workforce, education, infrastructure and green innovation, to improve European competitiveness.

Martin Schirdewan (The Left, DE) called the trade deal with the US a “total capitulation. He linked free trade policies to rising poverty, job losses, and rising costs, with billions invested in militarisation alongside “brutal cuts” in pensions and welfare. He denounced the EU’s silence on the humanitarian crisis and war crimes committed by the Israeli military in Gaza, accusing it of double standards in foreign policy and of failing to play a meaningful role in forging peace.

René Aust (ESN, DE) said that, while markets are growing everywhere in the world, Europe is falling behind due to a lack of entrepreneurial freedom. He also blamed migration policy for increased violence, criminal gangs, drugs, and issues with the safety of women in Europe.