Opening speech
3 March 2026 (14:15-14:30)
Description
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen opened the Forum by recalling a quote from Konrad Adenauer: “Economy should serve the people, the people should not serve the economy.” She stressed that Europe’s economy must work for people, but that this will only be possible if Europe remains competitive.
President von der Leyen highlighted three priorities to achieve this: completing the single market, investing in skills and quality jobs, and addressing the affordability crisis affecting many households across Europe.
She also presented several initiatives designed to support these goals. These include the proposed 28th regime, which would allow companies to operate under a single set of EU rules without lowering labour standards, and the Fair labour mobility package, aimed at making it easier for workers to move and work across borders.
President von der Leyen also highlighted the Union of Skills, including a new skills guarantee, and an upcoming Affordable Housing Action Plan to help address rising housing costs across the EU. Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness while protecting its social model.
Speaker
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission