GOOD MORNING. If there’s one nation that knows how to protest, it’s the French. So imagine my surprise to be waking up in Brussels after taking the late-night train from Strasbourg via Paris. It arrived with only minor delays on a day when anti-government demonstrators had pledged to “block everything” and set fires and obstructed highways across the country. The public discontent may end up derailing the new administration of Sébastien Lecornu, but it seemingly won’t stop the Eurostar.
The equally unstoppable Sarah Wheaton will be keeping Playbook on the tracks tomorrow.
DRIVING THE DAY: PROTECT THE PLATFORM 
COALITION OF THE GRILLING: The coming days will be make or break for Ursula von der Leyen’s fragile coalition of pro-EU political groups. For weeks, the centrist Renew Europe and center-left Socialist and Democrat (S&D) factions she depended on for re-election as Commission president just last year have complained that their priorities are being ignored while her center-right European People’s Party (EPP) runs the show alone.
How do you like me now? Wednesday’s State of the European Union in Strasbourg was designed to reset relations, with a slate of dramatic policy pledges that drew applause from Parliament’s mainstream lawmakers. Von der Leyen vowed to eliminate poverty by 2050; promised a housebuilding package to end homelessness; floated new workers’ rights protections; doubled down on climate targets; and, in a bombshell development, slammed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, proposing sanctions against key Israeli government figures.
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“I want to work with this House and with all pro-European democratic forces to deliver for Europeans,” von der Leyen declared, offering olive branches to her disgruntled partners. But will it be enough?
First verdict: “Von der Leyen struck some right notes — on trade with Israel, ‘Made in Europe’ procurement, climate goals, AI and tech sovereignty, to name a few,” Renew President Valérie Hayer told our ace parliamentary reporter Max Griera. “We welcome that substance. But the real test is accountability: member states and the EPP must follow through.”
Seeing red: Iratxe García, chair of the S&D, the second-largest faction in Parliament behind the EPP, told POLITICO she welcomed von der Leyen’s commitment to proposals that are consistent “with many of our key priorities … this is the result of our hard work at all levels during the last year.” However, she added that “some of them, as the announcement on Gaza, arrive too late.”
Platform, shmatform: In an apparent warning shot to the EPP, García said that while her group “will always be committed to work with the pro-European and democratic forces,” it will do so “with or without the platform” — the informal coalition between the EPP, S&D and Renew which holds von der Leyen’s second term afloat. If the S&D were to walk away, there would be no guarantee the president would win another confidence vote of the kind being tabled this week by the far left and far right.
With friends like these: It’s little wonder that García isn’t happy. Just seconds after von der Leyen finished her feel-good, unifying speech, EPP leader Manfred Weber took the podium and launched an attack on the Spanish socialist, accusing García of “splitting the platform” by criticizing the pending U.S. trade deal. Hitting back, the S&D chief described Weber as “the main enemy” of unity. “You did your best but now you can see who is responsible for the European alliance and platform not working in this house,” she told von der Leyen.
Don’t you agree? The spat, which surprised Berlaymont officials and parliamentarians alike, sparked chatter of a divide between Weber and von der Leyen. Some lawmakers from her own party have complained publicly about the content of the speech, especially von der Leyen’s remarks about Israel and her insistence on the pace of the Green transition. Weber himself refused to echo her calls for a tough 2040 climate target, speaking only of a 2050 goal instead. According to Renew’s Hayer, “the question is whether she can turn pro-European words into real impact — and discipline her party to make the centrist platform a success.”
The far right is enjoying the divide: Jordan Bardella, chair of the Patriots for Europe group — and, if polls are to be believed, the possible next president of France — told reporters he was struck that von der Leyen “was perhaps more applauded by the left than by her own troops.” Hard-right lawmakers heckled throughout the speech, howling at the planned rule of law reforms and support for electric vehicles.
Schnide remark: But pity Christine Schneider, a German EPP lawmaker who was called out by Parliament President Roberta Metsola for repeatedly shouting down von der Leyen and threatened with expulsion from the chamber. One problem — she wasn’t actually there. Schneider’s team told Playbook there must have been a misunderstanding, given she was watching the State of the Union remotely and wasn’t attending in person.
GAZA CRISIS
EU-ISRAEL RELATIONS: One shock announcement in the State of the Union was the proposed partial suspension of trade ties with Israel, stopping the flow of some funding to the country and introducing “sanctions on the extremist ministers and on violent settlers.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar immediately denounced the move as “echoing the false propaganda of Hamas,” as we reported here.
Mixed reactions: Greens MEP Ignazio Marino remained standing throughout most of the speech in silent protest. He told Playbook that von der Leyen “wanted to please the Parliament” but should have gone further and blocked weapons exports to Israel. However, Spanish S&D MEP Hana Jalloul Muro, a prominent advocate for the rights of Palestinians, said it was a “pretty good effort” by the Commission president.
Center-right alarm: Again though, it’s von der Leyen’s own party that has the most reservations. German EPP MEP Hildegard Bentele posted on X that she was “shocked by the imbalance” of the measures and accused the Commission of giving up its leverage over Israel.
INTERNAL DISSENT: Von der Leyen has been under increasing pressure to act — and two of her own commissioners, Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera and emergencies chief Hadja Lahbib, joined the ranks of politicians wearing red in the chamber as a show of support for Palestine. Staffers have also staged protests and signed open letters calling for a more forceful response.
In the spirit of rebuilding bridges, von der Leyen wrote to all Commission staff following the delivery of the speech Wednesday night. “Allow me to mention one issue that I know is close to the heart of so many of you: the unbearable tragedy of Gaza,” she said in the communiqué obtained by our own Jacopo Barigazzi. “What is happening in Gaza is unacceptable. This is why I have put forward a package of proposals that can make a real difference.”
Cautiously optimisitic: One Commission employee who had helped organize the petitions welcomed the news there was “finally” a shift on policy, but said they wanted to see more information before drawing firm conclusions.
NO RESOLUTION? The EPP is now refusing to back the Parliament’s first resolution on Gaza, drafted by Renew, S&D and the Greens, which threatens to derail the effort when MEPs vote on it Thursday. Negotiators from the groups have tried for the past two days to overcome their divisions, but ultimately the EPP walked out, Max writes in to report. The group is seeking amendments that would water down the content, like deleting a call to end the famine and substituting it with language about increasing humanitarian aid.
But … Given the right-wing bloc is split on the issue, some lawmakers could break ranks and vote in favor. “We believe it will pass with a large majority, with support from the Socialists, Greens, Liberals, and part of the EPP,” an EPP official told POLITICO. “Ultimately, we hope that common sense will prevail in the face of this terrible situation.”
The disagreement: According to Belgian MEP Hilde Vautmans, the liberal negotiator on the file, the resolution will pass if everyone can agree on what she calls “simple facts”: that there is a man-made famine in Gaza, that sanctions should be imposed on Israel (including reviewing trade relations), that a two-state solution is needed and that the International Court of Justice should determine whether genocide has occurred based on the evidence.
Can von der Leyen save the talks? The Socialists, liberals and Greens intend to pressure the EPP into agreeing with the resolution by arguing that Parliament needs to deliver a unified position — particularly given that EU governments have consistently failed to agree on a common Israel strategy.
RUSSIA’S WAR
JOINT EFFORT: A high-level EU technical team discussing how to squeeze Russia’s war chest will return from Washington today, as expectations grow that a new joint push could be announced within days to force Vladimir Putin to negotiate. Brussels’ sanctions envoy David O’Sullivan debriefed ambassadors on Wednesday about his own trip to the U.S., where he was hoping to agree a joint approach.
Watch this space: While there has been no immediate breakthrough on key issues — like that fact that, according to officials, the EU wants sanctions and President Donald Trump wants tariffs — the discussions are now at an advanced stage. Trump had demanded the EU follow his lead and put 100 percent tariffs on India and China.
The Wright stuff: In a sign of how closely the two sides are now working together, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is in Brussels today to lock in Europe’s plans to replace Russian energy with American gas as part of a $750 billion deal agreed with Trump.
Sanx a lot: Speaking to Playbook in Strasbourg, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said the priority for the meeting would be: “How can we help each other stop the inflow of Russian energy? How can we help each other stop the profits Russia are making on selling energy not only to Europe but globally? And how can we help Ukraine?”
ALLIES STAND WITH POLAND: French, German, British, Dutch and Ukrainian leaders expressed solidarity with Warsaw and pledged to help provide concrete support for the country’s air defense during an emergency call after a wave of Russian drones breached its airspace Wednesday, according to Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The White House weighs in: Polish President Karol Nawrocki phoned President Trump to discuss the security incident last night. Before they spoke, Trump posted on social media: “What’s with Russia violating Poland’s airspace with drones?” If you’re wondering the same, our Defense Editor Jan Cienski has a must-read explainer on the situation.
**POLITICO hour-special debrief: From Washington to Windsor Castle: What Trump’s State Visit will Mean for the UK. Join our renowned editorial team on Sep. 15 at 5:00 p.m. BST / 6:00 p.m. EST – with Jack Blanchard bringing the U.S. perspective – as they unpack what the visit means for trade, security, and diplomacy. With access to this debrief, plus a trial to our U.K. Pro Trade and Technology newsletters between Sep. 15–19, you’ll gain the intelligence to navigate the transatlantic agenda with confidence. Register today.**
IN OTHER NEWS
CHARLIE KIRK MURDER: European politicians sent condolences following the fatal shooting of right-wing activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk at a university event in Utah on Wednesday. Italian PM Giorgia Meloni described the killing as a “deep wound for democracy and for those who believe in freedom” … European Parliament President Roberta Metsola condemned it as “absolutely horrific” … and British PM Keir Starmer said “there can be no justification for political violence.” My U.S. colleagues have more on the shooting and the rising political violence in America.
GOODNIGHT, VIENNA: A club of wealthy Northern European countries are getting together in the Austrian capital today to agree a joint position on the EU’s next seven-year budget. Their goal? Rein in the amount of money they send to net recipients of cash, like Italy and Spain. My colleague Gregorio Sorgi has the inside story on the closed-door negotiations.
RIBERA DENIES GOOGLE GAG: The Commission’s competition chief Teresa Ribera has rejected claims she was prevented from holding a press conference to announce a landmark decision against American tech firm Google last week. The Capitol Forum reported Monday (and we later explored in Playbook) that the decision on whether to speak to journalists about the sensitive move had been taken out of Ribera’s hands.
No complaints: But, in keeping with the spirit of unity around von der Leyen’s State of the Union, Ribera on Wednesday downplayed rumors she is dissatisfied with the direction of the Commission and said there had “not been any kind of veto” on holding a press conference about the Google penalty. She also said von der Leyen respected and listened to her opinion on Gaza, according to Spanish media.
BRITAIN’S CLIMATE OF CHANGE: The man who wants to be Britain’s next prime minister, Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage, is being advised by a think tank that denies the science of climate change and says electric vehicles are a tool of untoward state control. Abby Wallace has more on the Heartland Institute.
AGENDA
— Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg. President Roberta Metsola presides over the Conference of Presidents meeting at 10 a.m.
— European Council President António Costa is in Bratislava to meet Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico.
— Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen receives U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright … delivers a keynote at a joint event with the European Investment Bank pledging €17.5 billion in funding for SMEs to boost energy efficiency.
— EU High Representative Kaja Kallas meets EIB President Nadia Calviño … meets U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright.
— Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen is in New Delhi … meets Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
— Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque is in Tokyo … meets EU financial institutions … meets Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato … delivers a keynote at a conference about sustainable finance.
— Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall meets Slovenian Environment Minister Bojan Kumer in Ljubljana.
— Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas receives EIB President Nadia Calviño … visits the IAA Mobility motor show in Munich.
— Commission Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera is in Italy … delivers keynote lecture “The State of the European Union” at the University of Florence … delivers a speech at the Giorgio La Pira Lecture on dialogue of civilizations at the European University Institute in Rome.
— Day 2 of the governing council of the ECB monetary policy meeting in Frankfurt. Press conference expected at 2:15 p.m. Watch.
— Informal meeting of education ministers in Billund, Denmark. Commission Executive Vice President Roxana Mînzatu will attend … Mînzatu will also meet with German Education Minister Karin Prien.
BRUSSELS CORNER
WEATHER: High of 20C. Sunny intervals changing to heavy showers by lunchtime.
JOB MOVE: Rising diplomatic star Tania Lațici, currently serving as a top adviser to the EEAS managing director for peace, security and defense, is leaving the Brussels bubble— and heading off to Washington to become head of the political section there.
SOLDIERING ON: No stranger to a constitutional crisis, Belgium is heading towards a Trump-style showdown between a government set on deploying the military to keep the peace and local leaders fiercely opposed. Security Minister Bernard Quintin is planning to have troops on the streets by the end of the year, despite the city’s mayor having said no.
THE CIRCUS IS IN TOWN: If you thought all the clowns had gone to Strasbourg, you’d be wrong. The Canadian Cirque du Soleil opens its doors today and will be performing until November.
FESTIVAL SEASON AIN’T OVER: Billed as a “space for the unconventional,” the In.Out.sider Festival starts today in Molenbeek. Expect “unfamiliar sounds” and a “far-from-mainstream lineup.” If that’s not enough to lure you in, it’s also free. For smoother fare, check out the Marni Jazz Festival in Ixelles, which also starts today.
BIRTHDAYS: MEP Dan-Ștefan Motreanu; former MEPs Maria Spyraki, Dino Giarrusso, Laura Ferrara, Miroslav Mikolášik and Kerstin Westphal; POLITICO’s Joe Schatz; Bird & Bird’s Francine Cunningham; Czechia’s Permanent Representative to the OECD of Aleš Chmelař; former European Green Party Secretary-General Mar Garcia; journalist Caroline De Gruyter; former Syrian dictator Bashar Assad. National Day of Catalonia.
THANKS TO: Our Parliamentary team par excellence, Max Griera and Louise Guillot, Camille Gijs, Sarah Wheaton, Jacopo Barigazzi, Ben Munster, Marianne Gros, Douglas Busvine; Playbook editor Alex Spence, reporter Ferdinand Knapp and producer Dean Southwell.
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