Europe is facing mounting social, environmental and geopolitical pressures. For liberals, the answer cannot be to simply manage the next crisis.
Following European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union (SOTEU) address today in Strasbourg, European liberals are calling for a more ambitious, more independent Europe that has the speed and strength to shape its own future.
This marked President von der Leyen’s sixth State of the Union speech, extending her record for the most SOTEU addresses delivered by a European Commission President. The message from liberals is that Europe has the tools to lead, now it needs the political courage to use them.
From ambition to action
Over the next 12 months, Europe must focus on two things: having the strength to lead and the speed to act. Economic competitiveness, industrial autonomy, defence readiness and technological leadership will be central to whether Europe can protect its prosperity and remain a global force.
For liberals, that means putting innovation first and cutting red tape that holds European businesses and citizens back. Europe cannot afford to spend years designing rules while the rest of the world moves ahead. A more agile Union is a stronger Union capable of reacting to global events rather than simply responding to them.
Europe must have the ambition to become globally indispensable. In security, technology, climate resilience and the economy, the EU should have the capacity to shape the global agenda rather than having that agenda shaped for it.
Minister Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fáil, IE) with President von der Leyen.
A Europe that stands with democracies
European strength also means building stronger partnerships. As the geopolitical landscape shifts, Europe must work more closely with democracies that share its commitment to freedom, equality, the rule of law and an open international order.
The presence of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as guest of honour at this year’s SOTEU was therefore more than a diplomatic gesture. It opened the door to a deeper and more strategic EU-Canada relationship - with questions around Canada becoming the EU's first Associate Member being raised.
For liberals, this alliance should be taken further. From critical minerals and AI security to trade, investment and defence, Europe and Canada have an opportunity to build a partnership that strengthens both sides. Europe can become a safe haven for democracies looking to stand together in the face of authoritarian pressure and illiberal forces.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attends as a guest of honour.
Delivering, not just legislating
ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP welcomed the focus on Europe’s ability to compete and act, while stressing that ambition must be matched by delivery.
The EU cannot keep producing new rules and packages while implementation falls behind. Europe needs to simplify, speed up and deliver particularly when it comes to strengthening the Single Market and creating the conditions for innovation and investment.
Decision-making must also be fit for the challenges Europe faces. As President Hahn has stressed, unanimity must not be allowed to block action when Europe needs to move.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola with ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP.
Europe has a choice
The liberal message is ultimately one of potential. Europe has the talent, the market, the democratic institutions and the partnerships to become a stronger and more independent global power. But potential is not enough.
The coming years will demand political courage, faster decision-making and a willingness to act at the scale the moment requires.
As the geopolitical arena continues to shift, Europe cannot afford to stand still. If Europe wants to remain free to determine its own future, it must have the strength to defend its interests, the ambition to lead and the courage to act.