State of the Union & the EU Rule of Law Review: Unity, Reform, and the Future of Europe 🇪🇺⚖️

On 10 September 2025, I joined millions across Europe in following the European Parliament’s State of the Union address.

President Ursula von der Leyen spoke with urgency and conviction: Europe must remain united — in the face of Russia’s war in Ukraine, growing geopolitical tensions, and the internal challenges that test our democracies. Unity, she reminded us, is not optional. It is the foundation of our strength.

Furthermore, Commissioner Michael McGrath presented the Annual Rule of Law Review. His message echoed hers:

• ⚖️ Rule of law is non-negotiable.

• 🛡️ Disinformation must be countered before it takes root.

• 🇪🇺 Young people must be engaged, empowered, and included in shaping Europe’s future.

Why This Matters for Slovakia — and Beyond 🇸🇰

The review noted that reforms are underway in Slovakia, but concerns remain about corruption and misuse of EU funds. Other Member States — Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Ireland, and Germany — will be reviewed in November.

These reviews are not just bureaucratic exercises. They are about trust: citizens need to know that EU funds are used responsibly, that justice is delivered fairly, and that their voices matter.

From my own contacts in Slovak politics, I have personally heard concerns about how some funds have been misused for personal purposes. This is not abstract — it has a real cost. Misuse of resources weakens trust, undermines reform, and ultimately hurts ordinary citizens who depend on institutions working fairly.

As a UK and Slovak citizen, I see the parallels clearly. Just as Slovakia must deliver reforms in full, so too must institutions across Europe — including in the UK — upholding the commitments they make.

Lessons from Brexit

Unity matters. Division weakens. Brexit showed what happens when Europe fractures: rights become uncertain, protections are eroded, and trust suffers. The same principle applies when corruption or weak governance undermines institutions.

Whether in Slovakia, Cambridge, or Brussels, the lesson is the same: we must strengthen, not weaken, the foundations of democracy and accountability.

Looking Ahead

The rule of law cannot be an abstract principle. It must be an enforceable promise — from east to west, north to south.

My generation will not accept corruption or breaches of the Rule of Law. We will unite to stop this — and there will be consequences for those who try.