The State of the European Union 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her 2025 State of the Union Address, outlining the EU’s priorities for the year ahead. While the speech is a closely-guarded secret, it may cover issues such as enhancing Europe’s competitiveness, strengthening the EU’s security and defence capacity, building win-win trade partnerships, the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the European Democracy Shield and upholding the rule of law.  To mark this speech, the European Commission and the European Parliament, in conjunction with the IIEA, have live streamed the address, followed by a hybrid expert panel discussion which assesses the key themes explored and President von der Leyen’s outlook and priorities for 2026. Speakers: Paddy Smyth, Journalist and Former Europe Editor at The Irish Times (Moderator)   Frances Fitzgerald, Former Tánaiste and MEP Tom Hanney, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU  Brigid Laffan, Professor Emeritus, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies at the European University Institute Cian Walsh, Secretary of the UCC Government and Politics Society and a Quercus Active Citizenship Scholar