EU offers Canada associate membership
6m
Ursula von der Leyen offered to make Canada the European Union’s first “associate member” during her State of the Union speech in Strasbourg, addressing Prime Minister Mark Carney.
by Nicolai von Ondarza Reposted by Ben Tonra
Mark Carney certainly sounds like the most pro-European head of government at the moment:
The EU has delivered greater stability across the continent, greater mobility for its citizens, and a single market that gives Europe global economic weight.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
September 16, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Mark Carney certainly sounds like the most pro-European head of government at the moment:
Reposted by Steve Peers
Canadians encountering EU politics for the first time:
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"
Man Explaining Conspiracy Theory
ALT: Man Explaining Conspiracy Theory
static.klipy.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:40 PM
Canadians encountering EU politics for the first time:
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"
"So the French and Germans oppose any move they perceive as von der Leyen empire building?"
"Yeah, but only after spending five days prior leaking anonymous, confusing details to any media outlet that will listen"
by Matthew Lebo
The new Chunnel is going to be awesome.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tells Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney that she wants to open the door for Canada to become the European Union’s first associate member.
September 16, 2026 at 3:43 PM
The new Chunnel is going to be awesome.
by Nicolai von Ondarza Reposted by Steve Peers
Von der Leyen embraces a far-reaching idea: She just announced she wants to open the door to Canada becoming the "first associate member of the European Union" (to huge applause).
September 16, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Von der Leyen embraces a far-reaching idea: She just announced she wants to open the door to Canada becoming the "first associate member of the European Union" (to huge applause).
Interview pour EBRA (premier groupe de presse régionale) au sujet du discours sur l’Etat de l’Union d’Ursula von der Leyen.
www.leprogres.fr/politique/20...
www.leprogres.fr/politique/20...
Europe. Discours sur l’état de l’Union : pourquoi Ursula von der Leyen est attendue au tournant
La présidente de la Commission européenne doit prononcer mercredi son annuel discours sur l’état de l’Union devant le Parlement de Strasbourg.
www.leprogres.fr
September 16, 2026 at 9:19 AM
Interview pour EBRA (premier groupe de presse régionale) au sujet du discours sur l’Etat de l’Union d’Ursula von der Leyen.
www.leprogres.fr/politique/20...
www.leprogres.fr/politique/20...
It was a remarkable #SOTEU speech. Delighted to hear @vonderleyen endorse a European Security Council. A few months ago in this @Unibocconi IeP brief I reflected on why it’s needed and what it should do iepbu.substack.com/p/policy-bri...
Policy Brief - Towards a European Security Council
Building a permanent framework for European strategic autonomy in the face of U.S. disengagement
iepbu.substack.com
September 16, 2026 at 9:18 AM
It was a remarkable #SOTEU speech. Delighted to hear @vonderleyen endorse a European Security Council. A few months ago in this @Unibocconi IeP brief I reflected on why it’s needed and what it should do iepbu.substack.com/p/policy-bri...
Reposted by Steve Peers, Joanna Bryson
State of the Union address 2026: Democracy and tech regulation highlights⬇️
In the section on democracy, von der Leyen starts by saying European democracy is being threatened by disinformation and foreign interference "seeking to divide us". 1/
In the section on democracy, von der Leyen starts by saying European democracy is being threatened by disinformation and foreign interference "seeking to divide us". 1/
September 16, 2026 at 9:18 AM
State of the Union address 2026: Democracy and tech regulation highlights⬇️
In the section on democracy, von der Leyen starts by saying European democracy is being threatened by disinformation and foreign interference "seeking to divide us". 1/
In the section on democracy, von der Leyen starts by saying European democracy is being threatened by disinformation and foreign interference "seeking to divide us". 1/
Less 'EU wants', more Commission President 'would like to work... on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU."
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
EU wants Canada to become ‘associate member,’ von der Leyen says
European Commission president proposes a new “Alliance for the Future” to build on existing trade EU-Canada trade agreement.
www.politico.eu
September 16, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Less 'EU wants', more Commission President 'would like to work... on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU."
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
Any decision on conferring such a status would rest with the member states... and almost certainly require unanimity...
www.politico.eu/article/eu-w...
Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza
The EU has delivered greater stability across the continent, greater mobility for its citizens, and a single market that gives Europe global economic weight.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
September 16, 2026 at 2:57 PM
The EU has delivered greater stability across the continent, greater mobility for its citizens, and a single market that gives Europe global economic weight.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
An honour to hear President von der Leyen address the European Parliament today as we build a deeper partnership for the future.
First #SOTEU to name-check UK since 2020, I think
Even so, still only in multilateral work on AI and Security
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Even so, still only in multilateral work on AI and Security
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
2026 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen
President von der Leyen delivered the second State of the Union Address of the 2024–2029 Commission.
ec.europa.eu
September 16, 2026 at 8:50 AM
First #SOTEU to name-check UK since 2020, I think
Even so, still only in multilateral work on AI and Security
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Even so, still only in multilateral work on AI and Security
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Ukraine will be invited to join a new European Security Council proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The forum would bring together EU leaders and like-minded partners in response to escalating Russian hybrid attacks and worsening transatlantic relations. #Ukraine
September 16, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Ukraine will be invited to join a new European Security Council proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The forum would bring together EU leaders and like-minded partners in response to escalating Russian hybrid attacks and worsening transatlantic relations. #Ukraine
Overall, despite a few emotional moments, @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu 'State of the European Union' speech had more the feel of a UK Kings/Queen Speech going through a long list of initiatives, rather than a coherent political speech with strong narrative to catch the public's attention.
September 16, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Overall, despite a few emotional moments, @vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu 'State of the European Union' speech had more the feel of a UK Kings/Queen Speech going through a long list of initiatives, rather than a coherent political speech with strong narrative to catch the public's attention.
This State of the Union produced a familiar feeling: déjà vu, well-intentioned and naïve, as only we Europeans can be.
It offered incremental progress where the moment demands a quantum leap.
Read my latest on #SOTEU albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/europes-gr...
It offered incremental progress where the moment demands a quantum leap.
Read my latest on #SOTEU albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/europes-gr...
September 16, 2026 at 9:43 AM
This State of the Union produced a familiar feeling: déjà vu, well-intentioned and naïve, as only we Europeans can be.
It offered incremental progress where the moment demands a quantum leap.
Read my latest on #SOTEU albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/europes-gr...
It offered incremental progress where the moment demands a quantum leap.
Read my latest on #SOTEU albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/europes-gr...
Today, EU commission president Ursula Von der Leyen proposed an “associate membership” to Canada in her State of the Union speech.
At 8:30 I will be on the @cbcnews.ca Morning Live Show to explain what this may mean.
At 8:30 I will be on the @cbcnews.ca Morning Live Show to explain what this may mean.
September 16, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Today, EU commission president Ursula Von der Leyen proposed an “associate membership” to Canada in her State of the Union speech.
At 8:30 I will be on the @cbcnews.ca Morning Live Show to explain what this may mean.
At 8:30 I will be on the @cbcnews.ca Morning Live Show to explain what this may mean.
Reposted by Nicolai von Ondarza, Jill Rutter
But the fact that "associate membership" doesn't have precedent can play to von der Leyen's and Carney's advantage. They can develop a tailor-made concept that responds to each other's needs, falls outside the EU treaties framework and secures backing from all 27 member states.
September 16, 2026 at 1:46 PM
But the fact that "associate membership" doesn't have precedent can play to von der Leyen's and Carney's advantage. They can develop a tailor-made concept that responds to each other's needs, falls outside the EU treaties framework and secures backing from all 27 member states.
VdLeyen's #SOTEU proposes a European Security Council -
I feel for the poor students struggling already with the difference between the European Council, the Council of the EU and the Council of Europe 😉
I feel for the poor students struggling already with the difference between the European Council, the Council of the EU and the Council of Europe 😉
September 16, 2026 at 10:46 AM
VdLeyen's #SOTEU proposes a European Security Council -
I feel for the poor students struggling already with the difference between the European Council, the Council of the EU and the Council of Europe 😉
I feel for the poor students struggling already with the difference between the European Council, the Council of the EU and the Council of Europe 😉
Anyway. I'm a total europhile. Love the castles, democracy, and pastries.
Closer co-operation, sure! Full EU Membership no.
Associate membership? See what it means and decide.
(I can only wonder what Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey, and all the other EU-aspirants think of this "Associate" stuff.)
Closer co-operation, sure! Full EU Membership no.
Associate membership? See what it means and decide.
(I can only wonder what Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey, and all the other EU-aspirants think of this "Associate" stuff.)
September 16, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Anyway. I'm a total europhile. Love the castles, democracy, and pastries.
Closer co-operation, sure! Full EU Membership no.
Associate membership? See what it means and decide.
(I can only wonder what Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey, and all the other EU-aspirants think of this "Associate" stuff.)
Closer co-operation, sure! Full EU Membership no.
Associate membership? See what it means and decide.
(I can only wonder what Ukraine, Morocco, Turkey, and all the other EU-aspirants think of this "Associate" stuff.)
The State of the Union was established to make Europe’s priorities more transparent and accountable, yet it never fulfilled that democratic promise.
It should tell Europeans honestly what Europe can do and what it just can’t
albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/what-the-s...
It should tell Europeans honestly what Europe can do and what it just can’t
albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/what-the-s...
September 16, 2026 at 5:47 AM
The State of the Union was established to make Europe’s priorities more transparent and accountable, yet it never fulfilled that democratic promise.
It should tell Europeans honestly what Europe can do and what it just can’t
albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/what-the-s...
It should tell Europeans honestly what Europe can do and what it just can’t
albertoalemanno.substack.com/p/what-the-s...
by Juliet Lodge
