President Juncker’s 2017 State of the Union Speech

During his State of the Union Speech at the European Parliament on 13 September, the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker referred to the positive agenda proposed in 2016 and announced the bouncing back of European economy, the growing reduction of unemployment, the success of the European Investment Plan, and the broke down of public deficit. He also committed to a stronger Union on energy, security, capital markets, banking and a Digital Single Market. Yet open issues remain, but he has insisted in the European Trade Agenda, a stronger and more competitive European industry, EU leadership in the fight against climate change, better citizen’s protection in the digital age and tackling migration very seriously.

After the Five Scenarios for Europe until 2025 presented by President Juncker to move the debate on the EU White Paper last March, now he has proposed an own and very personal sixth scenario and a “Union of Values” as a compass for that scenario, based in three principles: a Union of Freedom, a Union of Equality and Equals, and the strength of the law replacing the law of the strong. He also called for more integration, opening Schengen to Bulgaria, Romania and soon Croatia; extending the Euro to the whole Union, and was optimistic on the accession of Western Balkan countries.

President Juncker announced a stronger Union with a stronger Single Market and Economic and Monetary Union, a European Minister of Economy and Finances, and competences of the European Parliament in the Euro Zone. The EU must also be stronger in fighting terrorism. He also announced very relevant issues such as the merge of the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, the Brexit, foreseen for 30 March 2019, just some weeks before the Election to the European Parliament, and a Special EU Summit to take place in Romania on that day with the aim of taking important decisions for a more united, stronger and more democratic Europe.