Europe Today special: Von der Leyen gives key State of the Union amid mounting challenges for the EU

EU parliament erupted in an intense standing ovation for a fallen firefighter as President Ursula von der Leyen pledged action on the increasing issue of wildfires. Von der Leyen warned that the current summer of extreme heat was merely a preview of the harsh temperatures to come. The President detailed the numerous areas around Europe that experienced extreme weather this summer, resulting in a staggering 35,000 excess deaths.

The heartfelt moment saw the introduction of the family of the courageous firefighter who perished while battling the flames. A unanimous standing ovation was bestowed upon the fallen hero by the European Parliament. Von der Leyen emphasized the necessity of mitigation, adaptation, and preparedness in Europe's strategy to combat extreme weather conditions.

She announced the development of a new framework for climate resilience to be unveiled the following month. This framework will identify 100 of the most vulnerable European territories and assess the risks associated with them, determining the appropriate level of management required. The European Commission chief reminded the assembly that 660,000 hectares were burned to the ground and approximately 12 million tonnes of crops were lost due to these wildfires.

Von der Leyen also unveiled a new Climate Insurance Alliance, highlighting that only around 25% of catastrophe losses in Europe are currently covered by private insurance. This limited coverage often forces national budgets to act as the last line of defense. The Commission chief expressed the urgent need to address this gap in insurance coverage during the annual State of the Union speech in Strasbourg.