State of the Union Address 2021 by Ursula Von Der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered her State of the Union Address 2021 (SOTEU) to the members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, presenting her priorities for the coming year and outlining her vision for how the European Union could evolve in the future.
Ursula von der Leyen focused her speech on Europe’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis, primarily emphasizing health preparedness, the social dimension, technological leadership, and the defense Union. The President also underlined the importance of remaining true to European values, including caring for the most vulnerable, defending media freedom, strengthening the rule of law in the Union, and empowering our youth. She also encouraged global partnerships to address climate change. Beatrice Vio, an Italian wheelchair fencer and Paralympic gold medalist, was the President of the Commission’s honored guest.