European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will deliver his first State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday 9 September, at 9am. His assessment and proposals for the future will be followed by a debate with MEPs on the migration and refugee crisis.

MEPs expect President Juncker, elected last year by Parliament based on the outcome of the European elections, to present a review of what has been achieved since then, an outline of upcoming Commission initiatives, and also a long-term vision for the EU. The debate is likely to focus on the migration crisis and Schengen, Greece and the Eurozone, growth and employment in the EU.

The debate will start at 9am with Mr Juncker's State of the Union speech, followed by EP political groups' leaders and members. It will end with Mr Juncker's replies to MEPs' questions and interventions. A dedicated website, with information, useful links including webstreaming and a Twitter dashboard (#SOTEU) are all currently online.

The State of the Union debate is an important part of Parliament's democratic scrutiny of Commission work. The Commission President has presented assessments of the political developments in the EU and plans for the future every year since 2010. But this is the first time that the State of the Union speech will be delivered by a Commission President actually elected, rather than just approved, by the European