Source: European Commission (video statements)
"Our Single Market is one of Europe’s greatest success stories." – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
On 20 May 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in the European Parliament Plenary Session in Strasbourg, France.
In her speech, President von der Leyen hailed the Single Market as Europe’s backbone—driving prosperity, setting global standards, and uniting 450 million people—but warned it must evolve to meet modern challenges.
She outlined six priorities: completing the market by cutting red tape, making it digital-first with AI and semiconductor investments (like the Chips Act 2.0), embedding sustainability to spur green innovation, boosting strategic independence through secure supply chains and trade deals, ensuring inclusion via smoother labour mobility, and strengthening the social dimension with an anti-poverty strategy, childcare support, and a Quality Jobs Act.
Urging action on the "One Europe, One Market" plan, she framed the Single Market’s future as vital to Europe’s competitiveness and resilience.
For the full speech of the President, see here: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_26_1110
Watch on the Audiovisual Portal of the European Commission: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-289505
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