Von der Leyen Warns EU Faces Most Precarious Global Position

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared on September 16, 2026, that the European Union is currently facing its most precarious global position it has ever experienced. This stark assessment was delivered during her State of the European Union speech, where she simultaneously asserted that the EU is also the strongest it has ever been internally. Von der Leyen emphasized that "kickstarting Europe’s economy is our number one priority," highlighting the need for the EU to leverage its substantial market, world-class industries, and services to bolster its economic standing. She identified the EU's single market as remaining too fragmented and requiring further reform, with a stated aim to complete these reforms by the end of the following year, 2027. The President posed a critical question to the audience: "Do we want to rally around our European idea that together we can decide our own destiny? Or do we let our democracies be undermined by the proxies and puppets of authoritarians?" This rhetorical inquiry underscored her concerns about external and internal threats to European democratic values and sovereignty. Von der Leyen explicitly addressed the nature of these threats, stating, "Whether it is the ultra nationalist or the anti-European, whether it’s Russian interference or disinformation, the names may be different, but their goal is the same." This statement directly linked various forms of opposition and interference, including ultranationalism, anti-European sentiment, and Russian disinformation campaigns, to a common objective of undermining the EU. The speech implicitly acknowledged a complex geopolitical landscape where the EU must navigate external hostility while simultaneously strengthening its internal cohesion and economic resilience. The call for economic prioritization and single market reform suggests a strategic focus on enhancing the EU's competitive edge and self-sufficiency in a challenging international environment. The emphasis on internal strength alongside external vulnerability indicates a dual challenge: fortifying the Union's foundations while projecting a united and capable front on the global stage. The reference to "proxies and puppets of authoritarians" points to concerns about foreign influence operations and the manipulation of internal political discourse to weaken the EU from within. The urgency conveyed by "most precarious" suggests that the current global circumstances pose significant and immediate risks to the EU's stability and influence. The speech serves as a call to action for member states and citizens to recognize these challenges and to actively work towards a stronger, more unified, and self-determined European future.