PES on SOTEU – Europe cannot stand idle

The PES is clear: Europe cannot stand still. After the State of the Union (SOTEU) speech, we expect a Commission that delivers concrete results in the coming months - on affordable housing, universal access to quality healthcare, good jobs with rights, a just green transition, and a resilient democracy - and a stronger European Union able to act as a united global player.

Von der Leyen's speech touched upon many of our concerns, but our trust in her leadership remains fragile following her repeated instances of ignoring our demands and shifting her interests towards the fringe of the EPP and the far-right. Our support will be measured by delivery, not declarations.

PES President Stefan Löfven said:

"Today's address acknowledged several pressing issues and set out steps forward. We welcome this. Now we expect concrete action and measurable delivery. In a time of growing social inequality, geopolitical instability, and the rise of the far-right, we expect President von der Leyen to act on the commitments outlined in her speech. Our decision not to back July's no-confidence motion was not a blank cheque. On trade with the US and beyond, our values are not for sale - delivery must respect workers' rights, climate goals, and democracy.

We expect a clear and renewed commitment to the values outlined in the Platform Cooperation Statement, adopted in 2024 by EPP, S&D, and Renew Europe: social justice, territorial cohesion, democratic resilience, the green transition, and fair economic growth.

The Commission must renew the trust of citizens, showing that Europe delivers not only protection in times of crisis, but real opportunities for a better life: good jobs, stronger welfare, sustainable cities, and universal access to quality healthcare - the foundations of everyday dignity.

We expect the European Commission to fully uphold these priorities and to deliver concrete results. As Europe's largest progressive force, we will continue to work to ensure that Europe remains true to its promises and does not compromise its values for the sake of any trade deal, including with a Trump administration.

Security with principles: we need a strong European defence, and a sustainable European Security Order grounded in Common Security. Europe must also ensure Ukraine can negotiate from a position of strength - for a just and sustainable peace.

On Gaza, we acknowledge the clearer line set out today by President von der Leyen. These are steps in the right direction; now we expect swift adoption and full enforcement. The Commission must use all its competences and instruments to pressure the Israeli government to reach an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and also to renew efforts toward a two-state solution - which is the only viable path to a just and lasting peace. Humanitarian access must be guaranteed immediately, and international law must be upheld - no exceptions.

Our political family has made its support for this Commission conditional on a specific programme and on respecting the progressive agenda we set. We expect President von der Leyen to stick to it.

On Mr Weber's remarks: we will not take lectures from those who have blocked climate and industrial delivery. We will work with all pro-European forces to strengthen Europe's security, competitiveness, and democracy - but we will not trade away standards or feed division. Europe needs solutions, not point-scoring. If the EPP is serious about defence, industry, and fair trade, join us in passing concrete measures - not weakening social, climate, or rule-of-law safeguards."

Our priorities are concrete and time-sensitive:

1. A strong Quality Jobs Package and Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights that ensure good working conditions and living standards with legislative initiatives.

1. An ambitious European Affordable Housing Plan to unlock projects and investments delivering on the right to affordable and sustainable housing.

1. A clear Implementation Plan for the Green Deal (2025-2030) and the Clean Industrial Deal, with a fully operational Social Climate Fund and sectoral timelines.

1. Fair competitiveness roadmap that lowers energy bills and powers European industry - without a race to the bottom on wages.

1. A robust European Democracy Shield to uphold the rule of law and protect democracy, with common metrics and reporting; reform Article 7 for effective enforcement; safeguard fundamental rights for all; and curb the weaponisation of social media by enforcing EU rules, restricting platforms, and protecting women and children from hate, extremism and foreign interference.

1. Global leadership: Ukraine & Gaza - a single, predictable EU track for Ukraine's victory and a just peace; and consistent international law in Gaza: accountability, protection of civilians and aid workers, and anchoring reconstruction and diplomacy to a credible, benchmarked two-state process.

On the EU-US deal: we oppose any unbalanced agreement that trades away Europe's social, climate and democratic standards. The current package, which keeps US tariffs at 15% on key EU exports while asking the EU to drop most of its own, is not acceptable. We will push for a course-correction that protects European workers and industry.

Today's speech left key questions open. We need a concrete Green Deal delivery plan to lower bills and de-risk clean investment; a fair, predictable trade framework that defends workers and industry; and clarity on safeguards for strategic sectors like steel, without lowering social or climate standards.

Europe's credibility is on the line - at home and abroad. We will judge this Commission by results.

Thanks to the work of our progressive commissioners and executive vice-presidents, progressives are keeping this commission in check and ensuring that it sticks to its obligations and not be led astray by the right.

The Green Deal and the Clean Industrial Deal have been championed by Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera who has kept Europe on course to meet its environmental commitments in the face of climate scepticism from the right and Europe's competitiveness being hampered by the EU-US trade deal. We call on the Commission to invest more in clean energy and to strengthen our energy security: bringing down bills for citizens and powering European industry competitiveness, and resilience. There can be no backtracking from the 2040 EU climate target, the commission must provide a Green Deal implementation strategy, including the Social Climate Fund, on how this will be achieved.

As Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu has fought to create a fairer and more prosperous Europe. Europe must not stray from its commitments and come forward with a fully-fledged quality jobs package. We also demand that the Commission includes social criteria in public procurement rules: public money must support quality jobs. Similarly, a boost in secure and well-paid employment through rights, innovation and skills, and investment in green and digital transitions to create the quality jobs of the future are essential. We therefore call on the Commission to put forward a Just Transition Directive to support citizens disproportionately affected by this transition. We expect the Commission to uphold its commitment to social policies, including by a strong new Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Europeans need homes, and the housing crisis continues to put strain on citizens. Pioneering Europe's first every housing strategy, as Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen continues to work towards securing clean and affordable energy, putting an end to Russian energy imports, and ensuring quality housing for all, particularly for young and older people. We therefore call for an ambitious European Affordable Housing Plan. It must unlock projects and investments in affordable and sustainable housing in Europe and include the involvement of cities and regions. Housing is a right - not a commodity for profit or luxury.

Being one of the youngest Commissioners in EU history, Commissioner Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport Glenn Micallef knows the EU well and has brought fresh thinking to how we support our citizens across all ages. We look forward to continuing to work with him to strengthen social wellbeing across our Union.

This is a now-or-never moment on competitiveness. As Mario Draghi underlined in his review of Europe's competitiveness last year, Europe must turn recommendations into delivery-unlocking investment and boosting competitiveness without sacrificing social, climate or democratic standards.

The PES will continue the fight for European values and making sure that this commission delivers on behalf of EU citizens.