Ursula von der Leyen outlines EU budget role in industrial independence

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in Paris that the upcoming EU budget will serve as the “financial arm of our independence.” Speaking at the 2026 annual conference of French entrepreneurs, she emphasized that Europe requires sufficient financial means to support its new ambitions.

Von der Leyen highlighted that over 450 billion euros from the European Competitiveness Fund and the Horizon Europe program will be used to support the entire value chain. This includes funding ranging from research and innovation to industrial production. She noted that the goal is to transform Europe into a continent that produces, invests, and protects, placing industrial capacity at the center of European action.