It is time for the annual event of the European University Institute (EUI) entitled “the State of the Union”. Taking place in Florence on 23 and 24 May 2024, the main focus will be on “key themes including future enlargements of the European Union, demography, democracy and the rule of law, industrial policy, as well as the digital and green transitions, all of which will play a crucial role in the run-up to the European elections in June 2024”, a statement from the EUI reads. The programme features speeches, panels, high-level discussions, workshops and round tables, with around 150 speakers, including political leaders and international experts. After the customary opening remarks and institutional greetings, the first theme to be discussed will be “A New Era: Shaping the future through European values” with speeches by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou. The speaker line-up includes EU High Representative Josep Borrell, Commissioners Věra Jourova (transparency and values) and Dubravka Šuica (democracy and demography), Moroccan Energy Minister Leila Benali and Czech Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák. Also taking the floor will be former French Foreign Minister Laurence Boone, former Italian Labour Minister Elsa Fornero, former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, and European Investment Bank President Nadia Calviño. The discussion will cover the European elections and the future prospects of the EU, Artificial Intelligence and energy, migration and social cohesion, the single market and demographic ageing, solidarity, the media, the war in Ukraine, and the Mediterranean. The opening and closing remarks of this 14th edition are entrusted to Euronews Correspondent Méabh Mc Mahon.