Smarter. Stronger. Safer Europe. EU Parliament’s President Metsola’s Calls for Global Leadership

Her vision was split into 3 parts, following the roadmap outlined in the title of her speech.

First, her call for a Smarter Europe necessitates to fiercely prioritise competitiveness.  by drastically cutting bureaucracy and simplifying regulation that hinders businesses and innovation. This call for simplification aligns with similar points made by European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, showcasing shared opinions across the EU Institutions. Creating an environment where ideas can easily become ventures and startups can scale is key, while ensuring climate action supports rather than hinders industry and agriculture. She highlighted the Parliament’s internal reforms enabling faster legislative action and stressed the need for ambitious, game-changing investments through the upcoming Multi-Annual Financial Framework to stimulate an economic boom.

Next was building a Stronger Europe. According to her, it involves recognising the collective power of the Union and proactively anticipating transformative challenges like the digital transformation and the rise of Artificial Intelligence. Europe must provide its researchers, innovators, and businesses the necessary space to lead in these fields. A critical step is the urgent completion of the Savings and Investment Union to unlock capital. Furthermore, Europe must pursue a free and fair trade agenda globally and forge closer strategic partnerships, notably with Canada and the United Kingdom, moving beyond traditional comfort zones for mutual benefit and cooperation.

Addressing security concerns, the President finally emphasised the need for a Safer Europe capable of controlling its own destiny in an increasingly unstable world. This requires continued and robust support for Ukraine and leveraging initiatives like the recent €800 billion ReArm Europe Readiness Plan based on the principle of peace through strength. Enhancing security also means increasing defence spending, strategically bringing European defence industries together, and implementing effective migration management. This includes protecting external borders, managing flows fairly for those genuinely in need while firmly returning those not eligible, and cracking down harshly on human trafficking networks. Improving the implementation of return decisions was highlighted as crucial to maintaining confidence and preventing societal division.

Metsola concluded by acknowledging that achieving this vision of a smarter, stronger, safer Europe is a difficult endeavour: “there is no easy path from the earth to the stars.” However, she framed this difficulty not as a deterrent but as a necessary challenge inherent in the historical project of building Europe, essential for relaunching the Union as a global player and safeguarding its interests and citizens.