Strasbourg, France, 16 September 2026 (dpa/MIA) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday delivers her annual speech to the European Parliament on her political priorities, which are expected to include details on her plans to restrict the use of social media by children.

"We do not have to accept childhoods shaped by algorithms. We do not have to accept a system that fails our children," von der Leyen said in a post on X ahead of her speech.

Migration is expected to feature in the address following the mass arrival of migrants from Morocco in Spain's Ceuta in late July.

Defence and support for Ukraine, the economy and climate change are other likely topics.

The European Commission relies on the European Parliament to pass EU-wide legislation.

Von der Leyen's speech is also expected to try and shore up support among EU lawmakers. Since taking office in 2019, she has weathered several motions of censure brought by EU lawmakers, including over allegations of a lack of transparency in the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines and claims that she sidelined the European Parliament in concluding the Mercosur free-trade agreement with Latin American countries.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is due to address the European Parliament himself on Thursday, is expected to attend von der Leyen's speech as a guest of honour.

Photo: EPA