Today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her 2026 State of the Union address, setting out her vision for the EU in a world marked by growing geopolitical, economic and social challenges.
Albeit disappointing, the focus on security, competitiveness, borders and Europe’s position does not come as a surprise. But when Europe is home to millions of people struggling with poverty, homelessness and social exclusion, where does Social Europe fit into this vision?
Of a speech lasting more than an hour, social rights occupied only a small fraction. The European Pillar of Social Rights was mentioned, but where is the sense of direction?
This raises a fundamental question: How can Europe achieve its previous commitment to eradicating poverty by 2050, if poverty and social rights are not at the heart of its political agenda in 2026?
Today we heard some keywords: housing, gender, climate crisis, quality jobs, care, or the right to stay in your region. While all of these are relevant to the poverty discussion, this falls short for a Europe that claims to be shaping a cohesive society. But there is more: Where are invisible, excluded and marginalised communities? Where are the millions of people who work yet remain in poverty?
Eradicating poverty requires more than dropping isolated initiatives. It requires political ambition and it requires adequate funding.
We would expect that the combative attitude we saw for the digital protection of children could be brought to ensuring that social rights are treated as fundamental to Europe’s future.
Europe’s strength must also be measured by how it protects the people who live in it.