Standing Up For Democracy: EESC President Röpke on the 2025 SOTEU

The State of the Union is always a moment to reflect on Europe’s direction. In a period of profound uncertainty, where geopolitical turbulence and pressure to our democracies have marked our continent, we must remember that Europe’s strength is in its people and in its organised civil society. War has returned to our continent. Populism and disinformation are testing our democracies. Citizens are faced with inflation, higher cost of living and the twin green and digital transitions. In this context Europe needs unity, ambition and trust.

From the first day of my Presidency, I made it clear that our pledge would be to stand up for democracy and speak up for Europe. This has meant giving organised civil society a real voice in Europe’s decisions, not after the fact but from the very start. That is why we as the EESC also extend this expectation to the European Commission, the executive power of the Union, as it sets out priorities on defence, competitiveness, democracy and social policies.

President von der Leyen reaffirmed that Europe stands with Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans “for as long as it takes.” We are in strong support of this commitment. In the meantime, the EESC has already shown that solidarity must also mean direct engagement of civil society. Through our Enlargement Candidate Members initiative, we have given Ukrainian representatives, and colleagues from eight other candidate countries, a formal seat at the European table. As the Commission advances accession talks and security guarantees, our message is straightforward: enlargement must not only be a geopolitical project, but it must be lived as a democratic process from the very beginning.

On defence and security, President von der Leyen referred to the Readiness 2030 Plan and the SAFE programme as historic steps. We recognise their importance, but emphasize that resilient societies are as vital as strong armies. Civil society must be included in this debate, as the defence of values and of our social model is as crucial as the defence of our borders. In this context, the EESC brought Europe’s values to the UN, the G20, Africa and Latin America. Our partnerships with civil society in these regions prove that democracy is not only a European project but a global one.

On competitiveness and the green transitions, we appreciated the reference to the Competitiveness Compass, the Draghi Report and the Industrial Accelerator Act. These policies can help Europe’s industry become stornger, but citizens will only accept the transition if it is also fair.. We call for the transition to be not just clean but also just. Social fairness, territorial balance and strong involvement of social partners are the foundations of real legitimacy. European citizens will only support these reforms if they see that Europe protects their rights, livelihoods and dignity.

On climate, the Commission’s call for a European Climate Adaptation Plan and new initiatives on resilience are necessary. The EESC’s Blue Deal has already shown that water security and sustainable oceans must become a cornerstone of Europe’s future. We will continue to ensure that civil society voices shape these policies.

On social and affordability policies, we are pleased that the President stated an Affordable Housing Plan and a European Anti-Poverty Strategy. These are priorities which the EESC has long fought to put onto the European agenda. We will ensure that we hold the Union accountable to deliver concrete outcomes for citizens in these policy fields.

On democracy, we noted the proposal for a European Democracy Shield and a Media Resilience Programme. Our work through Civil Society Week and our Rule of Law missions proves that civil society must be central in defending democracy, countering disinformation and safeguarding activists and journalists.

And finally, on the EU budget, President von der Leyen called for a bold budget that delivers on Europe’s ambitions.  But much of this is absorbed by inflation and debt repayment. Our concern is clear: enlargement, cohesion and social investment cannot be treated as afterthoughts. However, we believe that an EU budget that matches its ambitions requires full involvement of civil society in shaping and monitoring reforms.

Our message to the Commission is simple. Democracy must not be managed; it must be defended. Enlargement must not only be negotiated; it must be lived. Transitions must not only be clean; they must be just. Europe must not only be geopolitical; it must be democratic.