In Paris : the 1st “State of the Union speech” delivered by Ursula von der Leyen

Invited by the Representation of the European Commission in France on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 to debate the first State of the Union speech delivered by Ursula von der Leyen before the European Parliament. This speech will take stock of the EU’s response to the health and economic crisis, in particular the implementation of the “Next Generation EU” recovery plan. President von der Leyen will present her vision for the future of Europe and the next concrete steps towards a “more resilient, sustainable, fair and prosperous Europe”.

A debate introduced by Baudouin Baudru, Head of the Representation in France of the European Commission, moderated by Sylvain Kahn, Associate Professor of History at Sciences Po Paris, and allowing me to speak alongside :

– Bernard Spitz, President of the International and Europe Pole of the MEDEF (French Business Confederation)

– Mariano Fandos, Confederal Secretary CFDT in charge of European affairs

– Sébastien Maillard, Director of the Jacques Delors Institute

– Frédéric Bizard, economist, specialist in health and social protection issues

– Neil Makaroff, Head of Europe at the Climate Action Network

– Louis Cantuel, Head of Institutional Relations at Restos du Cœur

– A representative of the Association of Mayors of France (to be confirmed)