Key facts
- Lobbyists and NGOs are seeking to influence European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the European Union speech.
- The speech, scheduled for September 16, is considered a key event for setting political direction and priorities.
- Groups like SpiritsEurope and EPHA are actively lobbying for their issues to be included.
- A mention in the speech signals political will and can influence commissioners, member states, and the Council.
- Last year's speech included an announcement of an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles.
- The speech writing process is closely guarded, with von der Leyen reportedly writing it in the days before delivery.
As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prepares to deliver her State of the European Union (SOTEU) address on September 16, a wide array of interest groups are vying for her attention to ensure their messages are included. From animal welfare advocates plastering posters to industry associations and public health NGOs, the lobbying efforts highlight the speech's significance in shaping political discourse and policy direction.
SpiritsEurope, an alcohol lobby group, has organized events in Brussels and surveyed its members on competitiveness, emphasizing their feeling of being overlooked. Mark Titterington, the group's Director General, stated that von der Leyen "can bend the system to her will" and that the speech "sets the direction, sets the tempo and helps to condition the environment."
Public health NGO EPHA, despite recent staff cuts due to reduced grants, has made specific requests for the speech's content. Milka Sokolović, EPHA's Director General, noted that a mention in the SOTEU speech is not merely symbolic but signals to commissioners, member states, and the Council that a particular issue is a priority for the institution's leadership. Matteo Cupi, Vice-President of Europe at Animal Equality, echoed this sentiment, stating that a mention shows political will to act.
Tech industry groups have also maintained direct communication. DigitalEurope's Director General, Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, considered a mention of their AI & Tech Declaration in last year's speech an "important signal that industry’s voice was being heard." The presence of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at this year's event is also seen as an opportunity to strengthen EU-Canada partnerships.
The SOTEU speech has a history of delivering unexpected announcements, such as von der Leyen's 2023 declaration of an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles, which caused European carmakers' stocks to rise. Pauline Bastidon of SpiritsEurope pointed out that such announcements can have concrete consequences, citing a retaliatory move by China into the EU alcohol sector following last year's probe announcement.
Despite the intense lobbying, the process of drafting the speech is highly secretive. One former European Commission cabinet member, speaking anonymously, described von der Leyen as keeping her cards "exceedingly close to her chest" and noted that she reportedly writes the entire speech herself in the days leading up to its delivery, with only a few other individuals involved.