State of the Union speech: Von der Leyen overreaches

Big words, little action: That has always been the problem with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Von der Leyen's State of the Union speech at the European Parliament in Strasbourg was no exception. She was a make-a-wish, but gave no direction.

The CDU politician did not reveal how serious the situation in the EU really is. Europe is stronger than ever, she said, but at the same time the situation is also damn dangerous. What now? If we are at war with Russia, can we defend ourselves against Donald Trump? Unclear.

Where the journey will take remains unclear. We have to help Ukraine over the winter, explained von der Leyen. But she didn't say how she planned to finance the aid. Kyiv is already running out of money, despite billions in loans. Does the EU have to pay even more? Also unclear.

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Canada is to become the first associated member of the EU, it was said in Strasbourg. Sounds good – but Canada is not a European country and nobody knows what association is supposed to mean. Will von der Leyen help Canadian Prime Minister Carney in the trade dispute with Trump? Again unclear.

You can perhaps arouse fantasies with unclear statements, but you cannot do geopolitics. The EU is already overstretched and underfunded. If Canada and Ukraine are now added - Kyiv was even promised membership - the arc will be overstretched.

Von der Leyen wants to play in the big club, but doesn't say how that will work. She behaves like the president of a major power, but does not develop a coherent strategy. She wants more skills, but does not give an account of her own work.

This is more than a nuisance, it's a huge problem. After all, the head of the commission has already opened other, unfinished construction sites. Last year she promised to make Europe independent - instead the EU has become even more dependent on the USA. The “Green Deal” – von der Leyen’s first big promise – is also making little progress and is already partially being wound up.

That's why the EU President's great power posturing seems out of place. Von der Leyen is constantly plotting new adventures for the EU. Where this will lead: unclear.