Key facts
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described the EU as being at a "tipping point" and facing a "summer of truth."
- The center-right EPP group wants von der Leyen to continue deregulation and toughen migration policies.
- The center-left S&D group wants a halt to deregulation of EU green policies and no backtracking on the European Green Deal.
- The EPP and S&D groups are vying for influence ahead of a midterm reshuffle of top Parliament jobs.
- The EPP has collaborated with the far-right on certain legislative measures, causing tension with the S&D.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is set to deliver her State of the Union address on Wednesday, facing pressure from the two largest factions in the European Parliament, the center-right European People's Party (EPP) and the center-left Socialists & Democrats (S&D) group. The EPP desires a continuation of deregulation efforts and a stricter approach to migration, particularly in the wake of the Ceuta crisis. Conversely, the S&D group is advocating for the preservation of the European Green Deal and an end to deregulation, as articulated in a letter from S&D group president Iratxe García Pérez to von der Leyen.
The differing priorities come as the Parliament prepares for a midterm reshuffle of top positions, including the election of its president in January, with both the EPP and S&D vying for nominations. The EPP believes the current simplification of EU laws is insufficient and calls for more horizontal deregulation to enhance competitiveness. The S&D, however, has expressed concerns about the EPP's alignment with the far-right on certain legislative votes, such as those concerning deportations and green requirements for businesses, which has strained their alliance.
Last year's State of the Union debate saw a heated exchange between Manfred Weber, leader of the EPP, and García, highlighting the deep divisions within the centrist bloc. Weber accused the S&D of undermining the European agenda, while García pointed to Weber and the EPP as the source of the alliance's dysfunction. Von der Leyen is expected to address climate change mitigation, referencing a summer marked by wildfires and heatwaves, alongside migration issues, in an attempt to balance these competing demands.