Von der Leyen calls for Europe's 'Independence Moment'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has claimed that Europe is "in a fight" for its future and must seize its "Independence Moment" to determine its own destiny in an increasingly hostile world.

"Europe is in a fight. A fight for a continent that is whole and at peace. For a free and independent Europe," she told the European Parliament in Strasbourg during her State of the Union address.

She called for unity among member states and EU institutions to tackle these mounting pressures.

The Commission President announced a series of new initiatives, including controversial measures on social media access for children. She said she would commission a panel of experts to advise on potential restrictions, pointing to Australia's pioneering approach.

"I strongly believe that parents, not algorithms, should be raising our children," she said. "Just as in my days we as a society taught our children that they could not smoke, drink and watch adult content until a certain age, I believe it is time we consider doing the same for social media."

On Ukraine, von der Leyen confirmed continued EU support, announcing that Europe would frontload €6 billion and enter into a Drone Alliance with Ukraine. She recalled that close to €170 billion had already been channelled to Ukraine in military and financial aid.

She also announced plans for a new financing solution using immobilised Russian assets to provide Ukraine with a "Reparations Loan", saying Russia should pay for its own war.

Addressing the crisis in Gaza, von der Leyen said the Commission would put bilateral support to Israel on hold and stop payments "without affecting our work with Israeli civil society or Yad Vashem". She also proposed sanctions on extremist Israeli ministers and violent settlers, and a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade matters.

"Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war," she said, calling the images from Gaza "catastrophic".

The Commission President announced Europe's first Affordable Housing Plan to tackle what she called a "social crisis" affecting the continent. House prices have risen by more than 20% since 2015 while building permits have fallen by over 20% in five years.

"A home is not just four walls and a roof. It is safety, warmth, a place for family and friends," she said.

Von der Leyen also outlined plans for energy independence, including a new Grids Package and Energy Highways initiative to remove eight critical bottlenecks in European energy infrastructure. She announced a Small Affordable Cars initiative to help Europe compete with China in the electric vehicle market.

"When we are united, we can overcome even the hardest trials," she concluded, calling for Europe to "fight for a better future".