Speeches

Madam President, thank you very much. Let me tell you about the Swedish Centre Party. This party has long poisoned the debate at home in Sweden with accusations of Putin-friendliness. A month ago, their leader, Annie Lööf, questioned the blue-yellow Conservative bloc's security credibility and demanded guarantees that it would not sit on Putinists in high government positions. VoteWatch then released its review of Russia's votes here in the European Parliament, which shows, among other things, that the Sweden Democrats' party group ECR has consistently been the most Putin-critical. VoteWatch also shows that the Sweden Democrats are one of the most Putin-critical parties in all of Europe and the most critical of all Swedish parties, followed by the Christian Democrats and the Moderates. The Left Party stands out as one of the least critical of Russia in all of Europe, closely followed by the Social Democrats. The center has nothing to complain about either. How crazy it can be when fictional narratives meet reality. Unfortunately, there are parties both on the right and on the left that do not want to criticize Russia. They deserve criticism. But wrongly painting out political opponents such as Putinists, spreading disinformation at the same time as it may pave the way for a government containing the country’s least Russia-critical party, the Left Party – that is what Swedish Centre Party leader Annie Lööf does. Don't be like Annie.

Madam President, thank you very much. Forests are not mentioned in the Treaties. Sweden has never given power over forest policy to the EU. Nevertheless, the Commission wants to transform our forest – our national treasure – into a carbon reserve. They base their proposal on the Treaty provisions on the prudent and rational use of natural resources, as well as a ruling by the European Court of Justice in 1999, which stated that the Commission can regulate environmental measures in forests. It may be legal, but not legitimate. We have never democratically given up power over the forest. Sweden is the world's second largest exporter of industrial products from the forest. Forestry provides hundreds of thousands of jobs. The proposals to force Sweden to recreate at least 2.5 million hectares of natural forest will cost SEK 350 billion. Instead of forestry, a dead hand is laid over large forest areas. How many people lose their jobs, no one knows. Be assured, many Swedes will feel ‘hit, but not anymore’. The Commission cuts off the branch on which they are sitting.

Mr President, the left liberal majority in this House, led by centraliser-in-chief Guy Verhofstadt, seeks to abolish national vetoes, expand powers for the Union in the areas of health, energy, defence and social and economic policy. And ensure the European Pillar of Social Rights, which spawned the Minimum Wage Directive, a direct attack on the Swedish labour model, is fully implemented. This House and its well—funded lobby of centralists, funded by the taxpayers themselves in many cases, seek to enshrine these and other proposals to transfer more power to Brussels and away from democratic, legitimate national parliaments. Thankfully, there seems to be some recognition in the Council that there is no public longing for more power transfers. I hope these attempts to render my country, Sweden, to the status of a subservient, net-paying province of the United States of Europe will be strongly rejected by the Council. And if they’re not, they should be subject to approval by referenda in all Member States. Would you dare that?

Madam President, Taoiseach Martin, the Swedish Social Democrats hoped that the amnesty from migrants in 2005 would give us pause. The opposite happened: pull factors increased. The following decade meant a migration wave we’ve never seen before. This year, one shooting a day, one bombing a week, and areas ruled by criminal gangs and clans caused to name my country the most dangerous country in Europe. Now, I understand that your government is pushing through a mass amnesty. For how many? No one seems to know. Taoiseach, have you looked at migration prognosis for the future? Ipsos tells us that 1.5 billion people would like to migrate if given the opportunity. The French Government estimates that 35—40% of those would choose Europe. That’s 500 million that would like to go to our continent if given the opportunity. The same as the whole EU population, Taoiseach. Africa’s population is set to grow from 1.4 billion today to 4 billion at the end of this century, and there aren’t enough jobs. Taoiseach Martin, do you think that mass amnesties for illegal migrants by EU Member States is going to alleviate or worsen migration pressure on Europe?

Madam President, this House constantly debates the rights of migrants, the climate crisis and woke gender issues. This week, you even consider yourselves qualified to pontificate on what level of policy decisions should be taken in the United States. Meanwhile, the same majority that refuses to recognise most asylum seekers or economic migrants keeps refusing debates on the consequences of mass migration on societal cohesion, as was the case this week. You shy away from any responsibility for segregation, crime, riots and increased pressure on our welfare systems. In fact, you are no better than our Swedish Minister of Justice Morgan Johansson whose unmatched responsibility aversion caused even moderates to nickname him a ‘lying rascal’. He could and he should be deposed by the Swedish Parliament tomorrow. In his spirit, you made sure there is no debate following the Quran riots in Sweden. But let me remind you that you cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.

Mr President, so we have a report on the climate change and defence roadmap. A report that calls on the EU to support states in developing their capabilities to tackle environmental crime, further enhance operational effectiveness by reducing the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of military missions and operations and embark on a path towards climate neutrality by 2050 and to mainstream, of course, climate and environmental issues into the ordinary military training system at tactical and strategic levels. Colleagues, while we are outfitting our battleships with sails, and covering our tanks with solar panels, and replacing our rifles with green lasers powered by pixie dust – woke beams of light – we should ask ourselves, will this deter Russia from future aggression?

Mr President, Putin expected a swift victory – against all odds Ukraine turned the tide. With almost 12 000 Russian war crimes reported, one wonders what is Emmanuel Macron’s and Olaf Scholz’s top concern? Holding war criminals to account? No. Both are desperately trying to get back to business as usual – buying gas, selling arms. Both want to help Putin save face by pressuring Ukraine to cede parts of their territory. Would a French President consider ceding the French West Indies to Putin and his cronies to dock their yachts? Would the German Chancellor gift a Bundesland to the Russians? The French and the Germans would never accept that, so why should Ukrainians? Dear Social Democrats of Germany, dear Liberals of France, I will be frank, your condemnation of war crimes means nothing unless you change your government’s policy of rewarding the Kremlin with territorial gains from these very war crimes. This is an unjust war. It must end in a just peace. Ukraine must win.

Madam President, colleagues, I’d like to thank you for the constructive negotiations yesterday. The ancient military strategist Sun Tzu wrote, ‘If ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you’re certain in every battle to be in peril.’ Let us get to know the nature of China’s one-party Communist state that President Ursula von der Leyen labelled a ‘competitor’ and a ‘rival’. It has sanctioned systemic forced organ harvesting from non-consenting prisoners. The beneficiaries include organ tourists from other Asian countries, as well as Muslims from the Gulf, who prefer halal organs taken from the weaker. Encourage all and everyone to protect themself from ignorance by reading the report on organ harvesting by the China Tribunal. I’m often asked if the EU will remove the sanctions on China. The very thought is reprehensible. The West’s relationship with Red China has already reached its limit. Decoupling is the only way forward. The Chinese Communist Party is an uncooperative, unfriendly human rights offender, and its influence in the international sphere should be countered by a reinvigorated West.

Mr President, thank you very much. Have any of you liberals and socialists heard of the Easter riots in Sweden? Nearly 200 police officers were injured in perhaps the most violent riots in Sweden's history. We heard the battle cry ‘Allahu akbar’. We saw a pure hatred of the majority society. So did the Christians who were attacked in Spain and France while practicing their faith in immigrant-dense areas. Sweden and Western Europe are being torn apart by mass migration. But you are barking at Poland as they secure their border from illegal migration from the Middle East. You are constantly holding special debates in favour of more migration. But do you dare to say yes to our proposal for a debate on the deterioration of social cohesion in our countries? Do you dare to debate what you do with the future of our children and grandchildren when you hold your solemn speeches about the right to asylum, without thinking for a second about tomorrow? Do you dare to think about your responsibility for the Easter riots in Sweden?

Mr President, ‘gullible’ is defined as someone who is deceived or tricked and too willing to believe everything that other people say. I’m afraid no word better describes the EU’s relationship with China over the last few decades. China fooled the world on trade, the origins of COVID—19, and now they’re trying to fool us on their support for Russia. Last year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that Sino—Russian strategic cooperation has no end limits, no forbidden areas and no upper bound – a.k.a. the ‘No Limits’ Partnership. High Representative, perhaps it is time the EU made clear that for every euro China supports Putin’s and Russia’s war effort, we will then invest two in the defensive capacities of Taiwan. Perhaps it’s time this House asked the EU and the Member States that their relationship with Taiwan have no end limits, no forbidden areas, and no upper bound!

Madam President, Commissioner, I witnessed the results of the Islamic State’s cultural genocide against Christians, Chaldeans, Assyrians and Syriacs when I visited Iraq and Syria. Desecrated millennia-old churches, decapitated statues of Mary, destroyed icons, charred pages from Bibles that littered the streets. To destroy cultural heritage is to erase an identity, a history, a nation. Azerbaijan’s President Aliyev is following in the footsteps of the Islamic State. During the war in 2020, Azeri armed forces deliberately twice shelled the Holy Saviour Cathedral in Shushi. Shortly afterwards, Azerbaijan destroyed the 18th-century St John the Baptist Church. Reports in satellite imagery have meticulously tracked the systematic destruction of almost 100 medieval Armenian churches, thousands of cross stones and tens of thousands of tombstones. As these sites of religious significance, of history and of culture are destroyed, we may not see them, but we will never forget. President Aliyev has sought to cover up his crimes by distorting history through the promotion of false Albanisation theories and the erasure of Armenian scripture on churches. We can’t let him get away with it. Commissioner, colleagues, the EU needs to speak up, condemn the cultural genocide committed by President Aliyev against Armenian Christian heritage sites. Will you hold him accountable for the continued cultural genocide against Armenians? We must sanction him. Palmyra, Maaloula, Qaraqosh, St John’s Baptist Church in Shushi. Lest we forget.

Mr President, the Kremlin’s useful idiots are historically found on the left. It saddens me that some on the right have become infatuated with Putin’s pretend conservatism. All conservatives should know that Putin is not a traditionalist bulwark standing up against the weak woke West. Putin has built a morally bankrupt system. Systematic bribes, corruption, killings, stealing, lies and now sending Russia’s youth to die while killing their Slavic brethren. Is Putin defending Christendom by using fanatical Chechen Islamists and Syrian mercenaries in Ukraine, forcing one and a half million people away from their motherland and tearing families apart? Is that in line with family values and respect for the love of one’s home? What about ‘love thy neighbour’? Is cluster bombing residential areas compatible with the commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’? Wake up! Imperialism is the antithesis to free nations.

Madam President, thank you very much. Should the EU send anti-tank weapons or blankets and field hospitals to Ukraine? Weapons or billions of dollars that could disappear? The European Commission should not borrow the budget and should not spend more than they have. We Sweden Democrats have voted against budget support for mismanaged economies in the EU and outside the EU. The EU has provided budget support to Ukraine five times in the past. Another SEK 12 billion to Kiev is not about the current threat from Russia. The Commission warns that the money can be wasted as it is unearmarked budget support that can be used freely. The fact that the Court of Auditors points to the country's widespread corruption should make the warning bells ring. Instead, we should provide military equipment through the Peace Facility and punish Russia with severe sanctions if they invade. My own country, Sweden, should provide defence equipment, but see that the Social Democrats are against. Careless handling of tax money and false solidarity with the Ukrainian people is what it is. When the British send weapons to Ukraine, the Swedish Swedes are inspired by the German government who wants to send helmets. That's hypocrisy.

Madam President, thank you very much. Shut up and convert. That was the message to the persecuted Christians of the world from your left-wing liberals when, a year ago, you wanted to stop the European Parliament from mentioning the persecution of Christians. Here's what you said: You don't choose to become LGBTQI, but you choose your religion. Even though Christians suffer 80% of all religious discrimination, despite the spread of church attacks, from the Middle East to our continent, you choose to selectively ignore their suffering. Is it really the case that the good left-liberal heart is only open to, for example, LGBTIQ, which is mentioned ten times, or equality, which is mentioned seven times in this report? We Conservatives are now giving you another chance and calling on the EU to show solidarity with persecuted Christians. So support our request, because aren't your hearts so hardened that you want us to remain silent about children kidnapped for forced marriage, the murder of mentally disabled people accused of blasphemy, terrorist attacks and detention camps?

Madam President, thank you very much. The Council, the Commission and Parliament agree on five key areas that need to be addressed in the EU's relationship with Africa in order to stop illegal migration. addressing root causes, preventing irregular migration, combating trafficking in human beings, facilitating return and reintegration, and respecting international law; We all know that the current measures are inadequate. Hostile neighbors who have used migrants in hybrid warfare draw the same conclusions. Europe needs a new strategy. So why is it that when Denmark and their social democratic government launch a new proposal, the Danish asylum plan, which addresses the five key areas, including respect for the right to asylum, the EU institutions are trying to get in the way? 22,000 people have died in the Mediterranean since 2014 and Africa's population will rise from 1.3 billion to 4 billion by the end of this century. As long as you do not take the impression of Denmark, present a migration policy with popular support and start negotiating with African countries on this, illegal migration will continue and even more will die.

Madam President, thank you very much. Muslim children are torn from the womb and abducted at birth by Swedish authorities as part of a war against Islam. These lies are spread in channels with millions of followers of violent, Islamist organizations and influencers, criminal clan families and imams with terrorist connections, state-controlled, foreign media and radical imams at home; They spread the message further. What does it look like in reality? These children have been properly taken into care to protect them. Like the Mohammed cartoons, there is a real risk of violence and terrorist acts, while at the same time the exercise of Swedish authority risks being put out of jeopardy. The EEAS communication budget to address disinformation has doubled since 2002. Has the EU done anything at all to help Sweden in this situation?

Mr President, thank you very much. No one has asked why Alexander Lukashenko is conducting hybrid warfare against the EU, why he is using migrants as a weapon against us. Is it because he's unscrupulous? Yeah, yeah. Is it because people's lives mean nothing to him? Absolutely. But he has, of course, also made a thorough analysis of the counterpart, of the EU. In Minsk, various scenarios have certainly been drawn up, basing the analysis on past actions by the EU, statements by the Commission and by the left-liberal majority of the European Parliament. Lukashenko has seen how Commissioner Johansson, for example, condemned the Greek government when it tried to defend itself against the Turkish hybrid warfare against the country by not accepting asylum applications. She saw how the commissioners then went to Ankara to agree on an additional billions of European taxpayers' money for Erdoğan. You have seen the EU's priorities, how the EU would rather spend tens of millions on Clowns without Borders who will perform for newly arrived Afghans and Syrians in Sweden than on border barriers at the external border. It has seen how the EU calls illegal migration irregular, and it has drawn its conclusions. It is time for a turnaround in European migration policy. It is time to support Poland wholeheartedly, and a clear 'no' to illegal migration.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, thank you very much. Electricity prices are breaking records and energy poverty is spreading. Many families in Sweden have doubled their electricity bills. Recently, a shower cost SEK 56, i.e. almost EUR 6. What does the European Commission do? Well, then they want to extend emissions trading to fuel and heating of homes. Down here in Strasbourg, far from the reality of ordinary people, of course more money is being applauded for the European fund. No one here cares well about people at home in Sweden, who have to lower the heat when it's 20 degrees outside. No one here has experienced what -20 degrees means? 8000 SEK per year, this EU tax – for it was, what you call emissions trading – can mean for ordinary people. That you want to replace them with is 430 SEK. If you don't think this is going to get a reaction, just wait! And a call to the Democrats at home: Say no!

Mr President, Commissioner, this report from our ‘Swedish Open Border Brigade’ isn’t just out of touch with hard working Europeans, it’s completely detached from reality. It believes that illegal migration – quote – ‘requires the development of legal and safe migration pathways in order to reshape rather than prevent migration trends’. Considering that this report concerns low— and medium—skilled labour migration, that sounds like EU speak for legalising illegal migration. Is the European Parliament’s solution to Turkey and Morocco opening the floodgates? Let them in? To Belarus, weaponising migrants? Let them in? Now, hundreds of millions of people wish to come to Europe if given the opportunity. Such volumes will only exacerbate unemployment, stagnant wages, not to mention that migrants with incompatible cultures will bring about even less social cohesion. It’s not just last night in Sweden, it’s last night in Amsterdam, it’s last night in Paris. European leaders seem to have finally smelt the coffee. They realise that we’re losing control. President Michel has called for EU funding of external border barriers. President von der Leyen praised Greece for being Europe’s shield. Even Commissioner Johansson acknowledged that Lithuania’s border barrier is a good idea. We, conservatives, opposed this report. If you want to take back control, then you should too.

Madam President, ‘you Europeans care more about protecting endangered frogs than about us endangered Christians’ – these words were uttered to me when I met the Syrian Orthodox bishop of Mosul at the height of the ISIS offensive in Iraq. Of course, his community has sunk from 1.5 million to about 200 000 people in just 15 years. So, for him to see how the EU just stays passive and silent is a sheer provocation. It took the Commission two years to appoint a special envoy for religious freedom of belief, and now the position is again vacant. While we have experienced the terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, the Rohingya in Myanmar, the Uyghurs in China, the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, how much more time will it take, Commissioner, before you appoint a special envoy?

– Mr President, it has been an honour and a pleasure as a Swede and democrat to steer this recommendation through Parliament as rapporteur. Thank you to all those who participated in today’s debate, which was conducted in the spirit of free speech, free thought and true democratic deliberation. Moreover, I’d like to thank the Commissioner for devoting her attention to this matter. Kommissær Vestager, det glæder mig, at De bemærkede den overvældende støtte til den stærke forbindelse med Taiwan. Let this Parliament and its unwavering support for strengthened ties between Europeans and the free Taiwanese people be your guide in this work, not least when you face the same kind of pressure from the Chinese Communist Party as the European Parliament did. Thank you, and let us now continue this work.

Madam President, I would like to thank all shadow rapporteurs for their excellent and positive cooperation. I believe that through our very constructive work we were able to present a report that will be supported by a large majority. Colleagues, this report is historic. It is the first time that the European Parliament discusses and votes on a comprehensive report that focuses solely on EU—Taiwan relations. The Parliament truly paved the way with this recommendation. While the Commission was formulating its Indo—Pacific strategy, the EP made its voice heard about the great importance it attaches to Taiwan’s inclusion in the EU’s policy towards the region. Dear High Representative, I would like to stress several points from the report that calls on you, on behalf of the EU, to put into action. Taiwan is a like—minded partner with whom Europe shares many common values. In a region where this is not always a given, in light of Taiwan’s robust democracy and technologically advanced economy, it is crucial that the EU and Taiwan pursue a comprehensive and enhanced partnership that underpins the rules—based order. Therefore, in order to prepare for negotiations to deepen our economic relations, the EU needs urgently to begin an impact assessment, public consultation and scoping exercise on a bilateral investment agreement with the Taiwanese authorities. The EU must also more strongly condemn China’s continued military belligerence against Taiwan. We must stress the need for freedom of navigation and overflight in the East and South China Sea, as well as the importance of pursuing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Just a few weeks ago, China sent over 150 warplanes, including fighter jets and nuclear—capable bombers, into Taiwan’s air defence identification zone. Despite China’s empty words seeking a peaceful reunification with Taiwan, such actions signal the contrary. Taiwan’s Defence Minister, Chiu Kuo-cheng, has stated that given the continuous and significant military build—up, China could be capable of mounting a full—scale invasion of Taiwan by 2025. Dear High Representative, the EU must condemn China’s action in the strongest possible terms and stress that China’s actions against Taiwan will have consequences for EU—China relations. The EU must, despite Chinese pressure, strongly advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation as an observer in meetings, mechanisms and activities of international bodies, including the World Health Organization. Let us not forget that while the Chinese Communist Party tried to deceive everyone, it was Taiwan that brought the COVID—19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, to the world’s attention. Dear High Representative, in order to better reflect the broadened scope of our ties with Taiwan we call on you to change the name of the European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan to the European Union Office in Taiwan. Dear colleagues, on behalf of the ECR, I would like to thank you once again for the excellent cooperation, and I look forward to today’s debate, a debate that will be conducted in the democratic tradition of Europe, despite the Chinese Communist Party’s attempts to stop us from doing so.

Madam President, I congratulate rapporteur Vautmans on a good report. Now, the EU funded the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The purpose? A European virus archive, expressly aimed at, and I quote, ‘the production of viruses’. That is a fact. Those EU funds may have contributed to the dangerous gain-of-function research that could be the source of COVID-19. If the pandemic was indeed caused by a lab leak, ensuring this never ever happens again must be at the heart of our EU-China strategy. No more cover-ups. A full investigation. That is why this House should launch a special committee to examine the origins of COVID-19 and whether any EU funding provided to the Wuhan Institute directly or indirectly contributed to, or enabled, gain-of-function research.

Madam President, thank you very much. High Representative Borrell! Why don't you help us deport Afghan criminals? Why don't you want to help the Swedish people get rid of the serial rapist who last spring raped a disabled woman in Upplands Väsby, or the Afghans who gang raped a Swedish mother of small children all night at an asylum accommodation in Mariannelund? The Taliban have signalled their willingness to accept these Afghan criminals. But the return of Afghans is not at all in your five demands for Taliban contact. I'll give you a chance here and now: Promise now to the families of the victims that the EU will do everything in its power to send serial rapists and other offenders who do not have anything to do in Europe home.

Madam President, Commissioner, this is a dark period for the Iranian people, the people that, just like us, deserve to live in freedom, dignity and democracy. The recent sham elections are reason enough to act. But the fact that Mr Ebrahim Raisi was elected president makes action imperative. Mr Raisi has blood on his hands. He was a member of the death panel that ordered the executions of thousands of political prisoners. He must be investigated for crimes against humanity, including murder and forced disappearance and torture. As co-author of this resolution, I and the ECR Group support the use of the EU Magnitsky Act against Iranian officials. The ECR calls on the European institutions to join with international human rights organisations to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account. Finally, the EU must demand the immediate release of our fellow citizen, Dr Djalali. It’s a moral obligation. I’m therefore pleased the resolution calls for targeted sanctions on those involved in the arbitrary detention and sentencing to death of EU nationals. I urge you, Commissioner, to enforce the resolution with the utmost dedication and persistence.