The Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR Algarve) promoted, in Faro, a live screening session of the speech on the State of the European Union, delivered by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The initiative, organised through Europe Direct Algarve, took place at the CCDR Algarve Auditorium, starting at 08:00, and featured simultaneous interpretation in the 24 official languages of the European Union.
After Ursula von der Leyen's speech, a debate panel was held with members of the Local Councillors network in the Algarve, who analysed and commented on the priorities presented. Under the theme "40 years of Europe with eyes on the future," the panel aimed to reflect on Portugal's journey in the European Union, the current challenges of the European project and the prospects for the coming years.
At the end of the session, Europe Direct Algarve presented the Citizen Engagement Platform, a platform that allows citizens to participate in the debate on the future of democracy in the European Union by submitting ideas, opinions and contributions. The initiative sought, in particular, to encourage participation in the debate dedicated to democratic resilience.
The State of the European Union speech, known by the acronym SOTEU, is presented annually, in September, by the President of the European Commission to the European Parliament. In the speech, a balance is drawn of the last year and the main political priorities, initiatives and proposals of the European Union are presented, as well as some of the challenges considered most relevant for the European bloc. The priorities announced may later translate into European legislation, funding programmes and other initiatives with impact on Member States, regions and communities.
