Defence, Competitiveness, Gaza, and Moldova’s European Future

On 10 September, Ioannis Alexandris (Research Fellow, South-East Europe Programme – ELIAMEP; Research Associate, think nea – New Narratives of EU Integration) appeared on Euronews Greece’s political affairs show “Brussels, I love you?”, hosted by Maria Psara. The panel discussed Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech, the EU’s role in the Gaza conflict, and the stakes in Moldova’s upcoming elections.

In the segment on the State of the Union, Ioannis noted that defence and competitiveness emerged as the two key pillars of von der Leyen’s agenda. He argued that even though over the past year there has seen significant progress on the defence front, with initiatives like the SAFE programme, competitiveness has lagged behind, with only modest steps taken to implement the Draghi report. He stressed that true strategic autonomy cannot rest on defence alone but also requires a strong and competitive European economy, particularly in key technologies and innovation.

On Gaza, Ioannis underlined that the EU’s inability to exert influence stems from its lack of a unified position. Diverging priorities and bilateral ties among member states have prevented the Union from applying meaningful pressure on Israel, even though potential tools exist such as trade leverage or sanctions.

Turning to Moldova, Ioannis highlighted what is at stake in the 28 September elections, where the result could hinge on undecided voters and the diaspora. He warned of parallels with Georgia, where democratic backsliding has stalled EU integration, and pointed to Russia’s multifaceted interference as a decisive factor. At the same time, he noted that the EU’s enlargement pledges and concrete support packages are a crucial counterweight to Russian influence, showing Moldovan voters that their European path remains credible and alive.

You can watch the show (in Greek) here.