Von der Leyen’s EU speech: sweeping expansion of EU authority over security and social media, billions for Ukraine, nothing for Europeans freezing this winter

Von der Leyen’s EU speech: Billions for Ukraine, nothing for Europeans freezing this winter

Cassie B.

• Von der Leyen announced an undefined "associate membership" status for Canada during her EU address.
• She confirmed up to €15 billion in unspent defense loans will fund joint arms projects with Ukraine.
• Her proposed EU Kids Act would restrict social media access for children under 15.
• Lawmaker Patryk Jaki cited over €4 billion in wasted vaccine spending and growing EU bureaucracy.
• Von der Leyen offered no new relief for Europeans facing soaring energy and heating costs this winter.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her sixth State of the Union address Wednesday to announce a sweeping expansion of EU authority over security and social media, including the creation of an undefined "associate membership" status for Canada.

Speaking before the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, von der Leyen declared Canada the first nation to receive the new designation, a legal status not found in any EU treaty. The move came alongside calls for a new "European Security Council" involving Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Norway and other allies.

Unspent defense loans redirected to Ukraine arms deals

Von der Leyen confirmed that between €10 billion and €15 billion in unspent EU defense loans will fund joint weapons projects with Ukrainian manufacturers. The money, left over from the Security Action for Europe program after member states reduced commitments, will support efforts like the modular missile system known as Freyja.

"Here we bring together Ukraine's combat experience and innovative strength with Europe's technological leadership," von der Leyen said.

The commission chief also called for tightening restrictions on Russia and announced a "European Heatwave Plan" after a summer in which, by her own count, 660,000 hectares of forest burned across the continent.

Social media restrictions proposed for children under 15

The centerpiece of von der Leyen's domestic agenda was the proposed "EU Kids Act," which would ban social media access for users under 13 and restrict access for those under 15. The legislation would shift the burden of proof to technology companies to demonstrate their platforms are safe.

"We do not have to accept addictive features," von der Leyen said. "...Europe has the power to act. It is us who decide our rules, not big tech."

Lawmaker cites billions wasted on vaccines, bureaucratic bloat

Not every critique waited for the floor debate. Patryk Jaki of the European Conservatives and Reformists used his response to tally von der Leyen's six years in office, citing data from 19 European countries showing more than €4 billion wasted on vaccines and, in Poland, public funds spent on swingers clubs, tanning beds and pizzerias. Jaki also accused the commission of expanding its own staff despite a 2020 promise to cut bureaucracy, saying von der Leyen "managed to tighten bottlecaps and turn Europeans into involuntary rubbish collectors" — a reference to the EU's recycling mandates — before accusing her of pushing internet censorship under the guise of protecting children online.

French MEP Jordan Bardella delivered a separate rebuke, noting that EU bureaucrat salaries have increased by 49% and spending on private jets by 59%, while European families face 50% higher costs for petrol and heating.

"Every year we hear you glorifying what you've done and every year we hear Europe is about to be relaunched," Bardella said. He called for ending "the aggressive ideology of de-growth" and protecting European farmers from unfair competition.

Von der Leyen offered no new measures to address the energy crisis or rising cost of living facing European consumers as winter approaches.

For a bloc grappling with soaring heating bills and empty union coffers, Wednesday's address offered plenty of new commitments — billions more for Ukraine's arms industry, an expanded security council, a fresh EU taxing authority — but little accounting for money already spent. As lawmakers itemized wasted vaccine funds, ballooning staff costs and six-figure salary hikes for Brussels bureaucrats, it was ordinary Europeans, facing another winter of high heating bills, who were left waiting for relief.