Economic Sovereignty: Von der Leyen Calls for an Independent Europe and a "Unified Rulebook" to Boost Competitiveness

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a pivotal speech to the European Parliament on Wednesday, declaring that Europe must end its economic reliance on external powers to prevent its dependence from being "weaponized." She emphasized that the path to independence lies in ramping up domestic production and securing partnerships with "trusted suppliers," highlighting the recent landmark trade deal with India as a cornerstone of this strategy.

Von der Leyen announced plans for a new unified regulatory system to simplify cross-border operations for businesses, aiming to unlock the full potential of the Single Market. On the energy front, she celebrated a milestone: for the first time, EU electricity generation from wind and solar has surpassed fossil fuels. She urged member states to integrate their energy grids and invest heavily in low-carbon sources to slash costs and secure the continent’s industrial future in a rapidly changing global economy.