On Wednesday, 10 September 2025 at 9:00 am, the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen delivered the traditional State of the European Union Speech SOTEU, broadcasted live with simultaneous translation in all 24 official languages of the European Union.

On this occasion, Europe Direct Venezia Veneto of the Municipality of Venice organised a public screening of the SOTEU 2025, followed by a debate with citizens.

The public event was organised in cooperation with the Venetian sections of the European Federalist Youth (GFE) and the European Federalist Movement (MFE).

The event was held at Europe Direct Venezia Veneto, Municipality of Venice in Via Spalti 28, Mestre - Venice from 8:45 am to 12:00 pm. The entrance was free of charge upon reservation and subject to availability.

GO TO THE SURVEY POST SOTEU PROPOSED BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

GO TO THE NEWS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF VENICE 

GO TO THE VIDEO OF THE EVENT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

For those unable to attend in person at the Europe Direct Venezia Veneto office, it was possible to connect online via the following link.

The State of the European Union (SOTEU) is the annual address delivered by the President of the European Commission to the European Parliament. It reviews the achievements of the past year and outlines the priorities for the year ahead. The SOTEU is a central moment in the European institutional calendar: it opens the debate between citizens, institutions, and civil society on the future of the EU.

Some phrases of the address made byt he President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen: 

"Europe is in a fight. A fight for our liberty and our ability to determine our destiny for ourselves. This must be Europe’s Independence Moment. A moment we can seize if we're united."

"What is happening in Gaza has shaken the conscience of the world. Manmade famine can never be a weapon of war. This must stop. EU aid to Gaza far outweighs that of any other partner. But of course, Europe needs to do more."

"Climate change is making our summers harsher and more dangerous. We are radically stepping up climate resilience efforts. We also need tools to respond when disaster strikes. This is why we will propose a new European firefighting hub."
“TOWARDS #SOTEU2025 (State of the European Union): What it is and why it matters”

For the SOTEU 2025, Europe Direct Venezia Veneto of the Municipality of Venice aims to strengthen the Italian Europe Direct network, joining the live broadcast of the address together with the territorial offices of: Europe Direct Siena, Europe Direct Trapani Sicilia, Europe Direct Chieti, Europe Direct Province of Verona, Europe Direct Venezia Veneto, Europe Direct Emilia-Romagna, Europe Direct Molise.This initiative will take place simultaneously online and in person at the selected venues, and will involve local representatives, citizens, young people, TED and BELC councillors, NGOs, journalists and local media.

Following President Von der Leyen's speech, a round table discussion was held, coordinated by Daniele Pasquinucci (University of Siena) and attended by Giuliana Laschi (University of Bologna), Ilaria Ottaviano (University of Chieti - Pescara) and Giorgio Scichilone (University of Trapani), offering food for thought and analysis on the topics discussed. The initiative concluded with a Q&A session, during which participants were able to ask questions and explore the topics discussed in greater depth.

The debate, open to all citizens and with special attention to communicators and journalists, aims to highlight: the importance of the SOTEU, its role in the EU’s institutional and political context, its place in the European political calendar and above all, the opportunity to bring the voice of local territories into the wider European debate.