EU Confidential Ursula’s Fight Song — who’s singing along?
Sep 12, 2025
Rym Momtaz, editor-in-chief of Carnegie Europe's Strategic Europe blog, and Carsten Brzeski, ING’s global head of macro research, dig into Ursula von der Leyen's recent State of the Union speech. They discuss her bold proposals on sanctions against Israel and utilizing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine, raising questions about their feasibility. The conversation also touches on the political turmoil in France, exploring how Prime Minister Bayrou's collapse affects EU strategies amidst rising geopolitical tensions. Will these fighting words lead to real change?
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Rhetoric Versus Capacity
- Ursula von der Leyen framed the address as an "Independence Moment" and used fighting language to signal urgency.
- The rhetoric risks outpacing Brussels' actual capacity to deliver unified action across member states.
Strasbourg's Charged Mood
- Strasbourg's atmosphere was tense after a recent no-confidence motion and MEPs expected a high-stakes speech.
- The room mixed boos and cheers, reflecting deep divisions that shape whether promises translate into policy.
Human Guests On The Floor
- Von der Leyen brought guests like Sasha, a kidnapped Ukrainian teen, and a Greek firefighter to embody her themes.
- Those human stories punctuated the speech and generated emotional reactions across the press room.