“The wind is back in Europe’s sails”, said Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker during the annual State of the Union debate at the Parliament on Wednesday. Juncker announced proposals for a European finance minister, legal migration pathways, cybersecurity, international trade and the defence union. He also proposed that the European Council and Commission presidency be combined.

Opening the debate, Parliament President Antonio Tajani said: “We are convinced that this Parliament can really contribute in a decisive way to the growth of the Union.”