Over de gevaren voor onze democratie: "But we should be under no illusions. The threats to our democracies do not only come from the outside. We see the rise of anti-democratic, anti-European forces. And we know the risks.
But nothing is inevitable. Just look at Hungary."

#SOTEU

EU’s focus shifts from emissions to climate adaptation #SOTEU

VdL says "Threats to our #democracies do not come only from the outside". Highlights the rise of "anti-democratic" forces, but contrasts with the elections in #Hungary where #Orban was thrown out.

VdL says "The Hungarian people chose democracy, they chose Europe"

⬇️ #SOTEU

It's #SOTEU day in Brussels! 🎉

von der Leyen will tell MEPs "our democracy protects what matters", while the Commission has spent the past year churning out deregulation omnibuses that do exactly the opposite.

As Orwell would say: 2 + 2 = 5. 🙃

🎥 Watch our take 👇

Perfunctory nod by von der Leyen to situation in Israel. Netanyahu "government’s decision to advance the illegal E1 settlement project is unacceptable." She says it's "Europe's role to keep the flame of a two state solution alive." #soteu #naza #netanyahu

Von der Leyen revives ‘European Security Council’ #SOTEU #security

VdL describes the current information space as "Cognitive warfare".highlighting disinfo and deepfakes.

Says "our openness is being weaponised to distort debates and truth".

⬇️ #SOTEU

Highlights efforts to strengthen #Frontex, work with neighbours, offer young people meaningful prospects at home.

Announces a "Mediterranean youth skills and jobs initiative", to facilitate "safe legal migration" with offices in partner countries.

⬇️ #SOTEU

EU's von der Leyen calls Israel's E1 settlement project 'unacceptable' #SOTEU

Efter sommerens hændelser i Ceuta foreslår von der Leyen nu en ny nødbremse i EU's asylpolitik "under strengt definerede kriterier" og med tidsbegrænsning til beskyttelse af EU's grænser. Samtidig åbner hun for flere lovlige migrationsveje ind i EU #soteu

On migration she adds that Europe needs more capabilities to manage migration, in particular when it is weaponised by our adversaries.

"We decide who comes to our Union and under what circumstances".

⬇️ #SOTEU

@president.europarl.europa.eu Metsola, in her introduction, calls on the EU to deliver before welcoming Commission President @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu to give her #SOTEU 2026. Something EPC Fabian Zuleeg wrote in his TTP this morning: epc.eu/publication/...

Now Sasha a young Ukrainian gymnast who lost her leg in a Russian attach. I really hope they remove her from the hemicycle before the "Patriots for Europe" et al take to the floor... #SOTEU

Vdl says "Europe supports Israeli self defence but also Palestinians rights to live in safety .." She highlights EU support for the Palestinian authority and a two state solution.

⬇️ #SOTEU

Taking off my snarky hat: inviting a little Ukrainian girl who lost a leg in a Russian bombardement to her key political speech is a very important choice by @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu to make the horror and criminality of Russia's war palpable for ordinary Europeans. #SOTEU

Von der Leyen called for an EU “Emergency Security Protocol,” modeled on NATO’s Article 4, to counter escalating cyberattacks, sabotage, arson and drone incursions. #SOTEU www.politico.eu/article/ursu...

Nog even hierover, voor de fijnproevers: dit zou betekenen dat de verdragen gewijzigd moeten worden. If only for that reason, FEEST!

#SOTEU

Ein Paukenschlag!
Kanada wird ein assoziiertes Mitglied der EU. Ein starkes Signal, denn angesichts der Klimakrise, wachsender Angriffe auf unsere Werte und erstarkender Autokraten müssen Demokratien zusammenstehen.

#SOTEU

EU:n komission puheenjohtaja Ursula von der Leyen nosti puheessaan esiin suomalaismenestyjän. yle.fi/a/74-20246549

#SOTEU