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EU Commissioners Lobby for State of the Union Themes
WHY IT MATTERS
The State of the Union address will set the tone for the European Commission's priorities, with commissioners competing for space in the speech. A mention in the address can propel a policy file up the executive's political pecking order, making it a crucial opportunity for commissioners to advance their agendas.
What happened
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address is expected to focus on climate and artificial intelligence, according to officials. The address, set for September 16, is currently being drafted, with cabinet heads pitching their departments' priorities for inclusion.
Climate change is expected to be a major theme, linked to the damage caused by floods and wildfires over the summer. The Commission is also looking at how to present AI's impact on jobs, with fresh statistics being requested from policy units.
Migration and social policy are also likely to be discussed, with the Commission's operations of EU border agency Frontex potentially being revamped. Commissioners are lobbying for their priorities to be included in the speech, with limited room available in the address.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Climate and AI to loom large in von der Leyen’s State of the Union
POLITICO Europe · Gerardo Fortuna, Zoya Sheftalovich · Discovery only; POLITICO copyright and subscription terms apply