When European Commission President José Manuel Barroso delivered Europe’s first State of the Union address in 2010, many people in Brussels and other European capitals were instantly dismissive. A state of what? What had gotten into the man’s head?

Fifteen years on, ahead of President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, one can only say this annual address marking the rentrée of the new season in European politics—intended to outline and debate the European Union’s priorities with Parliament and to make them accessible to a wider audience—has become a political ritual. Brussels, just back from its long August summer holiday, has been abuzz with speculation and anticipation for days. What will von der Leyen say? What will be left out? And how will the different political groups in Parliament respond?

When European Commission President José Manuel Barroso delivered Europe’s first State of the Union address in 2010, many people in Brussels and other European capitals were instantly dismissive. A state of what? What had gotten into the man’s head?

Fifteen years on, ahead of President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, one can only say this annual address marking the rentrée of the new season in European politics—intended to outline and debate the European Union’s priorities with Parliament and to make them accessible to a wider audience—has become a political ritual. Brussels, just back from its long August summer holiday, has been abuzz with speculation and anticipation for days. What will von der Leyen say? What will be left out? And how will the different political groups in Parliament respond?

This ritual is, just like the person delivering it, becoming increasingly recognizable, symbolizing........

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