EU ‘most precarious’ it has ever been as it faces openly hostile world, von der Leyen warns – Europe live

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in her State of the European Union speech that the EU is facing an "openly hostile world" and is "most precarious" it has ever been. Despite this, she also asserted that the EU is currently its strongest. A primary focus for the EU is "kickstarting Europe’s economy" by leveraging its large market and industries. Von der Leyen highlighted that the single market remains fragmented and requires further reform, with a goal to complete it by the end of next year. She posed a question about whether the EU will unite around its core ideas to control its destiny or allow democracies to be undermined by authoritarians, noting that various groups, including ultra-nationalists and those involved in Russian interference, share the same objective.