Europe’s cruel summer: Ursula von der Leyen faces an EU under pressure
European Commission president addresses a parliament reeling from Trump trade deal and escalations in Ukraine and GazaWhen Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the vast semi-circle debating chamber in the European parliament in Strasbourg, she greeted MEP leaders of some of Europe’s political groups...
<p>European Commission president addresses a parliament reeling from Trump trade deal and escalations in Ukraine and Gaza</p><p>When Ursula von der Leyen arrived in the vast semi-circle debating chamber in the European parliament in Strasbourg, she greeted MEP leaders of some of Europe’s political groups warmly. Wearing a trim khaki-green jacket, the European Commission president smiled, shook hands and exchanged air kisses with some of the politicians, who had front-row seats for her annual state of the union address.</p><p>The hour-long <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/ov/SPEECH_25_2053">speech</a> on Wednesday had a stark message: Europe must fight for its place in an “unforgiving” world, facing major powers that are either “ambivalent or openly hostile” towards it.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/sep/12/ursula-von-der-leyen-eu-under-pressure">Continue reading...</a>
Read the full article at:
The Guardian World →