Von der Leyen seeks new role for Europe amid crumbling global order

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen used her annual State of the European Union speech to argue that the old global order is breaking down, and that Europe may need to start building something new in its place. She floated several ideas for how Europe could work with like-minded powers in an increasingly chaotic world.

One proposal involves forging closer ties with Canada, with von der Leyen even raising the possibility of some form of "associate membership." Another is the creation of a new European Security Council. Both ideas, however, immediately drew questions about whether she was getting ahead of her own allies and whether the plans had been properly coordinated with them.

Climate and technology

The speech also devoted significant attention to climate issues, though the emphasis fell more on adapting to heat, drought and fires than on offering new answers to Europe's energy challenges. At the same time, von der Leyen sought to reconcile artificial intelligence regulation with the need to keep Europe competitive in the global technology race.

The speech was discussed on a POLITICO podcast, where host Sarah Wheaton and the outlet's editors examined what it reveals about Europe's search for a role in a new, less orderly global system.