State of the Union: A Speech of Missed Opportunities and People-Powered Change

Friends, comrades,

Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address was a clear demonstration of a Commission that has repeatedly put the interests of others before those of European citizens.

On sovereignty: the idea of a “sovereign Europe” was exposed as mere rhetoric. In reality, this Commission willingly ties our foreign and energy policies to Washington’s agenda, undermining our industry and our capacity for independent action.

On Ukraine: the speech offered no vision for peace or serious diplomatic efforts. Instead, it repeated the failed approach of escalating military spending and deepening involvement in the conflict. This focus on armaments comes at the direct cost of the social investments that our communities desperately need.

However, there was one significant, albeit partial, victory: the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Let us be clear: this would never have happened without the immense, courageous, and persistent pressure from the streets across our continent. It is a powerful reminder that change is won from below.

But this is not enough. We must now redouble our efforts to demand:

• A full arms embargo on Israel
• Concrete action to end the genocide in Palestine

This is the Europe we fight for: one of peace, social justice, and real sovereignty for its people, not for capital and war.

Walter BAIER
President, Party of the European Left