State of the Union 2016

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers his State of the Union speech before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate. This kick-starts the dialogue with Parliament and Council to prepare the Commission Work Programme for the following year. This provides a complete picture of the State of the Union 2016, as seen by President Juncker. It constitutes the European Commission's contribution to the informal meeting of the 27 Heads of State or Government in Bratislava on 16 September 2016