Von der Leyen delivers State of the Union address
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her first State of the Union annual speech since her re-election on Wednesday. MEPs in Strasbourg were hoping for answers to controversial issues such as the customs deal with the US. Commentators ask whether Europe can continue to speak with one voice.
Not on a par with the US or China
Handelsblatt has low expectations for the speech:
“Von der Leyen will list all the things she has already initiated in her second term of office - from reducing bureaucracy to industrial policy and armament. And it's true that there has been no shortage of announcements. But there is a lack of implementation. Von der Leyen is building many castles in the air. ... The main reason is because Europe remains Europe. The 27 member states apply the brakes whenever EU integration comes up against their supposed national interests. ... Europe is the solution, German politicians are fond of saying. But when it comes to the crunch and they have to hand over power or money to Brussels for a certain task, suddenly they say: No, Berlin can do that far better on its own. With this attitude, multiplied by 27, Europe will never catch up with the US or China.”
Learn the language of power
Svenska Dagbladet calls for more resolve from the EU on fundamental issues:
“Over the years, the EU has shown remarkable skill when it comes to dealing with crises. In such cases the small-mindedness in EU negotiations is exchanged for unity and strength. ... Europe must recognise its historical role and take responsibility for its geopolitical awakening. Europe was born as a successful market. Now it must learn to speak the language of a major power.”
Consensus on Draghi's analysis
At least there is consensus right now, Guillaume Maujean and Nick Blow from the Brunswick Group consultancy firm observe in Les Echos:
“Europe has a valuable strength: it has succeeded in making a diagnosis that everyone agrees with. The report presented by Mario Draghi a year ago accurately identified the structural weaknesses: a loss of competitiveness vis-à-vis the US and China, the massive need for financing and the urgency of a common industrial policy. This diagnosis led to a consensus at European level - an unusual phenomenon in a community that is often characterised by divergence. Institutions, member states and business circles have agreed on which problems need to be solved. This foresight forms the basis for the course that the Commission has now mapped out.”