Speeches

The next item on the agenda is the Commission statement on Georgia's worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud (2024/2933(RSP)).

Madam President, I am Valencian, and when I speak of victims and horror, I speak of people whom I love and call by name; some, from my own family. And I highlight the terrible contradiction that we are incurring here when we dedicate ourselves to lamenting the death of more than two hundred people, including many children, while in the room next door we reward with a vice-presidency of the Commission the minister who, in the Government of Spain, is responsible for floods. That is why, with all due consideration, but with a shrunken heart and as a Valencian, I ask the S&D Group to have the sensitivity to propose another candidate as Spanish Commissioner. (Miscellaneous reactions) (The speaker asked for silence and respect) In Valencia, fifteen days later, there are still families without electricity, without transport, unidentified corpses, more than twenty bodies that have not been recovered, more than 800,000 people affected... And, precisely, is the competent minister going to be awarded? Is the competent minister going to be promoted when there are still unrecovered bodies under the mud? Do I alone see the immorality this represents? You don't? Didn't we understand what happened? Institutions have not lived up to the disaster. I believe that, without distinction of political colors, we must ask for forgiveness. And you don't, but I do, as a Valencian politician: I apologize. And yes, the days of suffering and indignation will continue – they will last a long time – and so will Spain’s displays of solidarity; and those of Europe. And, little by little, life will come back. But politicians, once and for all, must learn the lesson: No matter how ecologists or liberals we are, if we don't build the necessary infrastructure, if we build houses where we shouldn't, if we don't clean up the ravines, death will always return. I'm Valencian. In this flood I have lost someone and someone I love has lost everything but life. I know what I'm talking about. Let's put the victims in the middle of the hemicycle. (Miscellaneous reactions). Ladies and gentlemen, shame, a little shame, please. And respect, a little respect, please. I know that time presses upon them, but I know the dead; Not you, no.

The first item is the debate on the Commission statement on 'Closing the EU skills gap: supporting people in the digital and green transitions to ensure inclusive growth and competitiveness in line with the Draghi report' (2024/2871(RSP)).

The EPP Group has notified the President of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today's sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

The next sitting is tomorrow, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 at 09:00. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament website.

Dear colleague, sorry, I have to interrupt you. You have to take the floor using one of the official languages of this Parliament, under the Rules of Parliament.

The next item is the one-minute speeches on matters of political importance. I would like to inform you that for the one-minute speeches, you are invited to take the floor from your seat, not from the rostrum.

The next item is a statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on democratic backsliding and threats to political pluralism in Georgia (2024/2822(RSP)).

Pursuant to Rule 251(4) of the Rules of Procedure, I would like to inform you that there was no request to put to the vote the eight corrigenda announced in plenary yesterday at the opening of the sitting. The corrigenda are therefore deemed to have been approved.

The Renew Group has notified the President of decisions relating to changes to appointments within delegations. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today's sitting and will take effect on the date of this announcement.

The next item on the agenda is the Commission statement on the crisis facing the EU's automotive industry, potential plant closures and the need to enhance competitiveness and maintain jobs in Europe (2024/2820(RSP)).

The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the texts adopted are available. Are there any comments beyond the private comments that I am hearing? The minutes are approved.

Today's only vote is on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France further to natural disasters that occurred in 2023.

The next item is the vote. I would like to remind Members who are on the speakers' list for the first debate in the afternoon to remain in the Chamber, as the debate will start immediately after the vote.

The minutes of this sitting will be submitted to Parliament for its approval at the beginning of the next sitting. If there are no objections, I shall forward forthwith the resolutions adopted at today's sitting to the persons and bodies named in the resolutions.