European Union faces political fragmentation and slow decision-making

Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address arrives at a critical juncture for the European project. While the European Union is not paralyzed, it is moving too slowly to match the rapid pace of global changes. The current legislature is characterized by political fragmentation, national interests, and international urgencies, leaving Europe in a defensive posture that reacts to crises rather than anticipating them.

Despite having various strategies and programs in place, the EU lacks the political capacity to translate these into major decisions. Key areas requiring urgent action include competitiveness, defense, security, science, technology, and climate change. This stagnation is compounded by reduced political cohesion in the European Parliament and a lack of integration will within the European Council.

Furthermore, the traditional Franco-German leadership axis is experiencing one of its greatest periods of political weakness in decades, leaving a void in the national leadership necessary to drive European progress. The central challenge remains how to move Europe from a state of mere resistance to one of active advancement.