President Ursula von der Leyen made her famous State of the Union statement. And we plan for it to be the last.
The European Commission likes to present itself as the guardian of treaties. But on closer inspection, it too often acts as the guardian of the interests of the most powerful, at the expense of democracy, justice, and the future of the planet. And once again, this 90-minute statement proved it.
Meanwhile, millions across the world take to the streets every single day, demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza and calling for concrete action to stop Netanyahu. She finally mentioned sanctions against Israel, but it is far from enough. It is merely a way to quiet protests and to avoid being accused of silence. But we will not capitulate on Gaza in exchange for empty promises. The bare minimum is ending military cooperation and fully suspending the EU–Israel Association Agreement. This is genocide and we need to do everything to stop it.
By pushing the MERCOSUR deal, von der Leyen shows that her only goal is to please her corporate friends. Negotiated in secret, it was designed to satisfy agribusiness and automotive lobbies, while disregarding parliaments, farmers, citizens, and civil society. By doing the same with the EU–US deal, she demonstrates that she is weakening Europe in the face of the United States. Europeans’ living standards are falling, jobs are lost, authoritarianism grows, and social systems are under pressure. This capitulation is a shame.
In plenary Left co-president Martin Schirdewan (Die Linke, Germany) said to President Ursula von der Leyen: “While Donald Trump is rapidly transforming the United States into an authoritarian state, you have signed the subjugation of European policy to the economic and military interests of the USA. You are sacrificing energy, digital policy, security, and climate protection on the altar of the hollow phrase of transatlantic partnership. This is total capitulation. Your record is one of social and economic failure, of foreign policy double standards, and of submission to autocrats. Sixty percent of Europeans want you to resign. Do them the favor.”
