Von der Leyen: EU can no longer uphold old world order - EU Must Adapt or Risk Falling Behind, Warns Von der Leyen in Bold Policy Shift
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for a major shift in the EU's foreign policy. Speaking on the changing global landscape, she argued that Europe must adapt to a new reality where old alliances and systems no longer apply. Her proposals include sweeping reforms to defence, trade, and decision-making within the bloc.
Von der Leyen warned that the previous world order has collapsed and will not return. She stressed that Europe must now act more decisively to protect its own interests. Her comments came as the European Commission unveiled plans to boost EU defence spending, with up to 800 billion euros earmarked for armaments.
The push follows repeated Russian airspace violations over the Baltics, which have heightened security concerns. Von der Leyen insisted that Europe must defend every centimetre of its territory and reduce reliance on external partners for critical supplies. She also questioned whether the EU's tradition of consensus-based decision-making still works in today's fast-moving geopolitical climate.
Beyond defence, she called for a more flexible approach to trade and partnerships. The aim is to avoid overdependence on single suppliers for essential goods, though no specific energy or raw material initiatives have yet been outlined. Instead, the focus remains on strengthening economic resilience and the EU's role as a global player.
Von der Leyen proposed reforms to streamline decision-making, arguing that faster, more decisive action would improve the bloc's credibility. She urged leaders to critically assess whether the current system of compromise still serves Europe's strategic needs.
The Commission's plans signal a more assertive direction for EU foreign policy. With defence spending set to rise and decision-making under review, the bloc is preparing for a future where self-reliance takes priority. The next steps will depend on how member states respond to these proposals.
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