What is the State of the European Union debate?
Every September, the President of the European Commission comes to the European Parliament to discuss with MEPs what the Commission has done over the past year, what it intends to do in the coming year and its vision for the future in the State of the European Union debate.
During the debate, MEPs, as the elected representatives of EU citizens, hold the Commission to account and scrutinise its work to make sure that Europeans’ key concerns are being addressed.
The State of the EU debate influences the Commission’s work programme for the coming year.
Why is the 2023 State of the EU debate important?
This year’s address by President Ursula von der Leyen is the last before the European elections in June 2024.
Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing global landscape, the State of the EU debate is a crucial occasion to assess the progress made on the priorities outlined by von der Leyen in 2022, which continue to be a challenge. They include the EU’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, climate change mitigation, measures to address the rising cost of living, grappling with the energy crisis, and upholding the rule of law.
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