Headlines
EU can no longer rely on 'rules-based' system against threats, von der leyen says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 9, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 9, 2026
Quick Summary
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on March 9 that the EU can no longer depend solely on a “rules-based system” amid growing threats, urging a reassessment of whether its institutions and decision‑making structures bolster or undermine its geopolitical credibility.
Von der Leyen: EU Can’t Rely Solely on Rules-Based System Amid Threats
EU's Strategic Shift in Response to Emerging Threats
Von der Leyen's Call for Assertive Power Projection
BRUSSELS, March 9 (Reuters) - The EU must be prepared to project its power more assertively as it can no longer rely on a "rules-based" system against threats and must determine if its institutions and systems help or hinder its credibility, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.
Defense of the Rules-Based System
"We will always defend and uphold the rules-based system that we helped to build with our allies, but we can no longer rely on it as the only way to defend our interests or assume its rules will shelter us from the complex threats that we face," von der Leyen said at a conference for EU ambassadors.
Reflection on Institutional Adaptation
"We urgently need to reflect on whether our doctrine, our institutions and our decision making – all designed in a postwar world of stability and multilateralism – have kept pace with the speed of change around us. Whether the system that we built – with all of its well-intentioned attempts at consensus and compromise – is more a help or a hindrance to our credibility as a geopolitical actor," she added.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Lili Bayer; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Bart Meijer)
Key Takeaways
- •The EU must project power more assertively and cannot assume that a rules-based order alone will protect its interests or shield it from complex threats, von der Leyen said on March 9 at a conference for EU ambassadors. (lemonde.fr)
- •She called for urgent reflection on whether the EU’s post‑war institutions, built for stability and multilateralism, remain fit for purpose or now hinder the bloc's credibility as a geopolitical actor. (lemonde.fr)
- •In response to global challenges posed by the US and China, the EU is accelerating internal reforms, including a "One Europe, One Market" roadmap to boost its single market and competitiveness. (reutersconnect.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about EU can no longer rely on 'rules-based' system against threats, von der Leyen says
1Why does von der Leyen believe the EU can no longer rely on the rules-based system?
She insists the EU must be prepared to project power more assertively, as relying solely on a rules-based system may not protect against complex modern threats.
2What did von der Leyen say about EU institutions and credibility?
She questioned whether the EU’s existing institutions and decision-making processes help or hinder the EU's credibility as a geopolitical actor.
3What event did von der Leyen speak at regarding EU security concerns?
Ursula von der Leyen made her remarks at a conference for EU ambassadors.
4What is the core message of von der Leyen's statement?
The EU must reflect on its doctrines and structures to ensure they meet current security and geopolitical challenges rather than relying solely on consensus and compromise.
