(Strasbourg) Competitiveness, the Single Market, trade agreements, energy, “Buy European”: many points have been dealt with by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in her speech to the European Parliament that she gave earlier this morning. A speech that looks ahead to the informal summit of the Heads of State and Government (officially defined as a “retreat”) that will take place tomorrow in Alden Biesen Castle, in the Flanders, Belgium, precisely on economic issues, with a focus on competitiveness and the Single Market (Draghi and Letta Reports). But there is a passage from Von der Leyen’ speech that is worth pointing out: “We have made proposals on market integration and supervision. And now we need you to get them over the finish line”, speaking to the MEPs, “Our companies need capital right now”. The President of the European Commission added: “Plan A is to move by 27. But if this is not possible, the Treaty allows for enhanced cooperation”. So that’s a step closer to a Europe that moves on by enhanced partnerships or by “variable geographies” (which after all already exist in some areas, just think of the euro) or by “concentric circles”, as she admitted that there are countries that want to move on in their political and economic integration while other governments are holding back.