Ursula von der Leyen used her annual address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg to put simpler rules for business at the centre of Europe’s economic agenda. Speaking on 16 September 2026, the President of the European Commission called for the Single Market to be completed, administrative burdens to fall, affordable energy and investment to rise, and strategic dependencies to be limited.
Artificial intelligence featured in the address alongside climate resilience, clean-energy investment, water security and stronger European technology capabilities. Von der Leyen called for responsible AI development, while her proposals on simplifying business administration focused on company formation.
Her case for change rested on the barriers faced by people starting businesses across the EU. They currently have to navigate 27 different legal systems and 60 different forms of company, she said.
Von der Leyen presented the EU Inc proposal as an answer. It would allow a company to be set up within 48 hours, totally online and for less than €100.
The proposal has a constituency waiting for results. Von der Leyen said 100 tech founders and investors had urged her just last week to get EU Inc. right.
The International Monetary Fund estimates that the 28th regime could increase GDP by more than 3% over 10 years.
Mark Carney, the Canadian prime minister, joined the occasion in Strasbourg as von der Leyen proposed a new ‘associate member’ status for Canada.
She also reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to Ukraine and outlined further measures on defence, energy and sanctions against Russia. Europe has increased defence spending by almost 80% in the last five years.
In her closing remarks, von der Leyen announced a new Congress of Europe to mark the upcoming anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.
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