Politics & Governance
Ursula von der Leyen urges fight against ultranationalists
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged the European Union on Wednesday to fight back against “ultranationalists” and “anti-Europeans” who she said want to undermine the 27-nation bloc.
Speaking to EU lawmakers, von der Leyen asked whether Europe would let its democracies be undermined by “the proxies and puppets of authoritarians”.
“They despise our values, and they want to shatter our European unity,” she said. “So let's not only fight back against that, let's fight together for our European idea.”
Von der Leyen said challenges facing Europe, including the cost of living, were fuelling “the rise of the extreme, the decline of nuance”. She said those concerns were being “weaponised” to divide Europeans, sometimes from outside the bloc and sometimes from within it.
Her remarks came as far-right parties gain ground in Europe. The Alternative for Germany this month topped the vote in the eastern region of Saxony-Anhalt and is seeking to form a state government there.
Von der Leyen said Europe's path was to build “an independent Europe that has the power to act”.
Update
Ursula von der Leyen urged the EU to fight back against ultranationalists and anti-Europeans who she said want to undermine the bloc.
She said cost-of-living concerns and other challenges were fuelling the rise of extremes and the decline of nuance.
She said Europe should build an independent bloc with the power to act.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 September 2026 at 09:45:55 UTC.
Update
Von der Leyen said the EU will invite the world's largest AI labs for talks.
She said the talks would cover how to support industry efforts to “pace the frontier”.
She named Canada and the United Kingdom among like-minded partners.
She said Europe's AI Act put the EU in a position to shape global efforts to regulate artificial intelligence.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 September 2026 at 07:49:54 UTC.
Update
Von der Leyen said the EU will work with major AI players to help pace the frontier.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 September 2026 at 07:40:48 UTC.
Update
Von der Leyen said the EU's future prosperity and security depend on how it manages climate change and AI.
She promised a new heatwave plan after Europe's deadly summer.
She said the EU would push to help pace the frontier of AI development.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 September 2026 at 07:42:58 UTC.
Update
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU's future hinges on managing AI and climate tipping points.
Source note: AFP news report published on 16 September 2026 at 07:29:35 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .