As Brussels gears up for the European Commission's annual State of the Union address, Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu has set high expectations for Ursula von der Leyen's speech. Speaking ahead of the event, Mînzatu said she hopes the Commission President will deliver an "inspirational message" that will "speak directly to each of the 450 million Europeans."
The Romanian Vice-President, who oversees jobs and social rights, made the comments on Thursday as she presented a new package of measures designed to strengthen labour mobility across the European Union. The proposals aim to remove barriers that still hinder workers who move between member states, from recognising professional qualifications to ensuring social security contributions follow the individual.
"Wherever you travel in the EU, your social rights, your skills and your qualifications can travel with you," Mînzatu said, summarising the core promise of the initiative. The plan is part of a broader effort to deepen the single market and make it easier for Europeans to live and work in different countries without losing access to benefits or facing bureaucratic hurdles.
Making mobility a reality
The new measures address long-standing complaints from citizens and businesses alike. Despite the EU's free movement principle, workers often encounter difficulties when trying to transfer pensions, health insurance, or professional licences across borders. The Commission's proposal seeks to streamline these processes, potentially benefiting millions of cross-border commuters and expatriates.
Mînzatu's remarks also set the tone for von der Leyen's upcoming address, which is expected to cover a wide range of topics, from economic competitiveness to security and enlargement. The speech comes at a critical time, with the EU facing multiple challenges, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, energy costs, and the need to boost innovation.
Observers will be watching closely to see whether von der Leyen can match the rhetorical ambition of previous years. Her last State of the Union was praised for its vision but has since been scrutinised for mixed results in implementation, as a year-on review shows. This time, the focus may shift to concrete deliverables, particularly on social policy and labour rights.
The labour mobility package is one such deliverable, and it aligns with the Commission's broader agenda to make the EU more attractive for workers and businesses. By easing the recognition of qualifications and simplifying administrative procedures, the EU hopes to encourage more people to take advantage of the single market's opportunities.
Mînzatu, who took office in late 2024, has made social rights a priority. Her portfolio includes employment, skills, and social inclusion, and she has repeatedly stressed the importance of ensuring that economic growth translates into better living standards for all Europeans.
The Vice-President's comments also hint at a more personal, citizen-focused approach in von der Leyen's speech. "She wants to connect with people's everyday lives," Mînzatu said, adding that the address would reflect the Commission's commitment to listening to citizens' concerns.
As the EU prepares for the next legislative cycle, the annual address serves as a key moment for the Commission to set its priorities and rally support. With security and strategic autonomy also on the agenda, von der Leyen is expected to strike a balance between ambition and realism.
For now, Mînzatu's message is clear: the Commission wants every European to feel that the EU works for them. Whether the speech delivers on that promise remains to be seen, but the labour mobility proposals are a step in that direction.
