State Of The European Union Speech Coming Up

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver the annual State of the European Union speech in front of the European Parliament plenary session in Brussels in the coming minutes.

• Von Der Leyen will be introduced by Parliament President David Sassoli.
• Main thrust of speech is expected to focus on rebuilding the EU economy once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. A 'green new deal' will be at the forefront of this, with a boosting of the target for the reduction of carbon emissions by 2030, from the current 40% to 55%.
• Speech will also focus on reassurance for EU citizens at a time of major economic and social crisis, with the ensuring of the passage of the multi-annual financial framework and its associated COVID-19 recovery package (not yet 100% guaranteed but a likely event) a significant talking point.
• Wider focus from politicians and markets will be on how VDL plans to tackle the ongoing migrant crisis, foreign policy issues on Europe's borders in the forms of Belarus and Turkey, pass a massively increased long-term budget, and eradicate of effectively manage COVID-19 within the EU.
• Link: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/live/1