Speeches

Madam President, I am not here to arbitrate the Spanish national debate, which seems very vehement, but 54 million Europeans who find themselves in the dark for almost 10 hours, it interests the whole of Europe, so that it never happens again. This unprecedented blackout reminds us of a simple truth: electricity is not stored. The supply must always be equal to the demand. To ensure this balance, we need a varied energy mix, with renewable energy, but also with hydropower, as well as with nuclear energy. You can't stop the sun from shining, or the wind from blowing, but you can modulate a nuclear reactor or a hydraulic dam. In France, the network protection system has prevented the spread to the rest of Europe. I would like to welcome the responsiveness of the French and Spanish network operators. As for the causes of this cut, we need all the light to be done as quickly as possible. What is certain, however, is that with more interconnections and more robust networks, such a break could not happen again.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Europe is losing the global race for strategic technologies: Artificial intelligence, batteries, biotech, semiconductors, small modular reactors. We innovate in Grenoble, we file patents in Eindhoven, but we produce in Taiwan, we assemble in Texas. It is not a talent problem, it is a problem of funding, orders and political will. A European venture capital initiative is needed to ensure that Europeans' savings finally serve our European technologies. We need states and communities that buy from Europe. Finally, we need a common technology strategy, not 27 competing national policies. Otherwise, we will train generations of engineers, but for others. Rest assured that our Renew Europe Group will continue to mobilise to make Europe the technological heart of the free world.

Madam President, Commissioner, I welcome the European Commission's awareness of the urgency of our steel and metals sectors. These materials are strategic, they are at the heart of our modes of transport, our clean technologies and our defence industry. Our sites in Dunkirk, Taranto, Liege or Ostrava are in difficulty, and thousands of employees are waiting for strong support from Europe. The problem is known: massive global overcapacity, fuelled by Chinese practices, is flooding our market and threatening our factories. If this industrial dumping is not stopped, it will lead to irreversible deindustrialisation. The measures announced on quotas and safeguards are a step in the right direction. However, Commissioner, be prepared to go further. Europe will have to take more drastic measures to defend our steel mills, it is a question of economic and industrial sovereignty. Our industry will not be able to defend itself or prosper without access to affordable and competitive energy. We need solutions that are accessible and stable in the short term. I propose three things, Commissioner. First of all, low-carbon hydrogen from nuclear power. I am glad to see that it is mentioned in your action plan, but we need to go further and faster. We need the delegated act, with nuclear power purchase agreements starting well in 2026 – this is a very strong demand from Parliament. Next, let’s open the low-carbon hydrogen bank auctions to ensure an attractive and competitive price. Finally, I have high expectations for future legislation to accelerate the decarbonisation of industry. If we rely on European green steel, then it must be a priority in our public procurement and investment. There is no question of importing cheap, dirty steel from the other side of the world! We must choose, endure or defend. Together with you, I choose to defend European steel, its jobs and its future!

Madam President, Commissioner, together with Mr Trump, American researchers are living a nightmare: budgets cut, scholarships cut, unfair dismissals ... Many plan to leave their country. These attacks are not only financial, they are ideological. It is a censorship of climate research, health research, cutting-edge technology, sacrificed on the altar of populism. We are back in the days of Galilee, when science must bend to the dogma of one man. Europe must collect these talents and become the global bastion of scientific excellence and academic freedom. Let's offer these researchers a future with funding and perspectives. The €22 million announced for the pilot project is a good thing, but it will not be enough. We need to go further and look for other funding, both public and private. Dear American researchers, European research needs you now.

Mr President, Commissioner, the affordable energy plan must respond to an emergency: reducing the energy bills of our industries and our citizens, because without stable and competitive energy, there is neither industry nor prosperity. Today, energy costs account for up to 40% of the production costs of the most energy-intensive industries. Our companies pay two to three times more for their electricity than their Chinese or American competitors. How to be competitive in these conditions? We must act in three directions. First of all, electrification, as you pointed out. The target of 32% electrification by 2030 is a good step; but without a modernised network, accelerated procedures, storage and flexibility, this figure will not be achievable. Then the funding. €584 billion will be needed by 2030 just to strengthen power grids. All public and private levers must be mobilised, without burdening businesses and citizens. Finally, stability. It is clear that long-term contracts will offer more stable prices and visibility to manufacturers. They must concern all clean energy, whether renewable or nuclear. Affordable energy is energy that we no longer import. I shall therefore end with a question: Where did the roadmap for exiting Russian energy go?

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the Clean Industry Pact is a major step forward for our industrial sovereignty. Thank you, Commissioner, for your commitment to defending our industry and jobs here in Europe, because a principle must now be clearly and firmly established: Buy European. Ladies and gentlemen, in recent days we have seen our citizens and businesses mobilise to buy more from Europe, especially for our clean technologies. This is an opportunity for our industrial bases, and we need to meet that expectation. We have a market of 450 million consumers; it is a gigantic economic lever. Let's not be modest. This pact introduces the first elements of European preference. This is a good start, but more needs to be done in the face of an unstable world. Commissioner, I am counting on you to continue in this direction. Europe must choose: Defend your industry or fade away.

Madam President, Commissioner, nuclear fusion has enormous potential. It is a clean, abundant, waste-free energy capable of ensuring energy security for future generations. Thanks to ITER, Europe is at the heart of this global breakthrough with recognised expertise and know-how. But this project is not enough. As we move forward timidly, the United States and the United Kingdom are deploying ambitious strategies, with massive funding and clear regulatory frameworks. They attract billions of dollars in private investment and want to be leaders in innovation. Europe cannot remain a spectator. We need a European strategy for nuclear fusion. It must set clear objectives, fund research, encourage private investment and finally ensure an appropriate regulatory framework with merger-specific safety standards. Let's take a long-term vision, well beyond 2050!

Mr President, Madam Vice-President of the Commission, ladies and gentlemen, opposing competitiveness and sustainability is not only irresponsible, but also dangerous for our common future. The Green Deal is a major step forward, and many regions around the world are following suit. No turning back will be tolerated. Our industries, businesses and SMEs need long-term stability and visibility, and their future success depends on their ability to adapt in a changing world. In my region, now companies are building the TGV of the future, electric cars, electrolysers, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, steam turbines for nuclear power... In short, we have been able to adapt, and with this adaptation, we have global competitive advantages. Those who call for the destruction of the Green Deal are playing with fire. There will be no thriving economy on a +2°C planet, but implementing the Green Deal requires concrete action. First, ambitious public-private financing, then adapted support without losing direction, and finally pragmatic solutions adapted to each sector. Yes to simplification to simplify procedures, but no to arbitrary deregulation, which would be totally counterproductive!

Madam President, 4,166: This is the number of hours during which electricity prices have been negative on the European market this year. A market that works, no displeasure to the extreme right. Negative prices for more than three months this year. Yet household and business bills remain shockingly high. Why this inconsistency? Because our energy grid is not resilient enough to fluctuations in demand; it is not up to citizens or SMEs to pay the price. We need to act on three points: firstly, to accelerate the deployment of transport, distribution and storage infrastructure to balance supply and demand across Europe; secondly, to put in place fair pricing for all clean energy, ensuring fair access to the grid for nuclear and renewables; and to prioritise energy produced in Europe to ensure stable, affordable and accessible energy for all.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Europe is fully suffering from steel produced at very low cost, due to global overproduction, caused in large part by China, which is crushing our European production. It is shrinking, while our imports remain at the same level. One hundred thousand jobs have been lost in the sector in Europe in fifteen years. This is not acceptable. We have had safeguards since 2018, but they are no longer adequate and will even expire. I therefore call for strong action by the European Commission. First, emergency measures to prevent the break-up of our steel industry. Secondly, new safeguard measures that are more reactive and dissuasive, to avoid dumping. Thirdly, and finally, the rapid introduction of the carbon tax at the borders, avoiding any circumvention.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the European car industry is a few months away from the collision: Influenza supply chains, plant closures... We have to react. The urgency today is to support the entire sector, from manufacturers to the smallest subcontractors. That is why we need a renewed strategy for the automotive sector in the first 100 days of the new Commission, with, firstly, a clear long-term direction, because the industry needs visibility to invest without having rules that change every four mornings; secondly, a Just Automotive Transition Fund, to support the most affected territories in their transformation; thirdly, financial incentives, robust infrastructure and electricity-friendly taxation; fourthly, and finally, a firm response to international competitors who infuse their industry with subsidies and who come here to unfairly compete with us. Under these four conditions, the automotive industry will still have a future in Europe.

Madam President, High Representative, ladies and gentlemen, we have just marked the sad anniversary of the unprecedented mass terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel: 1,200 dead and 250 hostages, 63 of whom are still detained or missing. Since that attack, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed and almost 100,000 injured. In Lebanon, the death toll is close to 2,000, including many civilians, with 10,000 wounded and 400,000 displaced, and the ground violation by four armed divisions of the borders of a sovereign State, in defiance of international law. How many dead and maimed must we have for this war to finally end? We can no longer make the policy of the ostrich by being afraid to offend some or to offend others. We must react and firmly urge each side to end this war with all the democratic means of pressure at our disposal. Let us act for the people, stop this carnage and commit ourselves to an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages, without any other condition than the cessation of bombing. Force alone will not keep anyone safe. Only peace, diplomacy and responsible politics will allow this.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in a few moments we will be voting for an EU-US security agreement on the Galileo satellites, our European GPS. But surprise, we vote to allow launches that have already taken place: the first on 28 April 2024 and the last yesterday morning. It is unacceptable that the Council and the Commission did not seek our consent before the launch. It would have been possible if these institutions had had a little more goodwill. I invite you, of course, to vote for this agreement, which is necessary for exceptional circumstances, because we are not going to bring down our satellites. However, we must send a strong message to the Council and the Commission: The agreement of the European Parliament is not just an administrative formality. It is imperative that we be consulted in a timely manner.

Mr President, Commissioner, the report on the state of the Energy Union is welcome at the beginning of this term of office. He highlighted the significant progress made in our European energy policy, but also its shortcomings. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the European Union has gradually turned away from Russian gas and orchestrated a renewable revolution. In concrete terms, renewable energy produced 50% of our electricity at the beginning of 2024, which is a record. With nuclear power, two-thirds of our electricity is decarbonized. It is therefore this that must guide our future political choices to operate urgently the electrification of our uses. But producing more clean electricity is not enough. We also need infrastructure, electricity interconnection in particular, and storage facilities, otherwise our progress will be compromised. We don't have the luxury or the budget to waste energy, especially if we invest heavily to make it carbon-free. Finally, we can no longer dedicate billions of euros to fossil fuel imports. It is time to put an end to expensive and polluting energy. The next five years will be decisive for our security of supply, our competitiveness and our purchasing power, then at work. And if you allow me, Mr President, I would like to pay tribute to the work of Mrs Kadri Simson. For five years she has worked very hard for the benefit of energy and at a time when she is going to return her apron, I think it is also important that this assembly can pay tribute to her work.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the report by Mario Draghi must wake us up. It highlights our delays in crucial sectors such as clean technologies, microchips and artificial intelligence. While China and the United States are investing heavily in these areas, Europe is still too hesitant. This report proposes concrete and ambitious solutions to close this gap. Yes, let's mobilize public and private investment in the transition, because without money, nothing is possible. Yes, let us produce more of our energy in Europe. Yes, let us reform our European space policy. You can count on Renew Europe to bring these ideas and turn these proposals into concrete actions so that Europe regains its leading position.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, European industry is at a turning point. Every day we install more clean technologies: wind turbines, photovoltaic panels or batteries. But most of these technologies we do not produce in Europe. This has to change and it will change thanks to this new European law. With it, we will facilitate reindustrialisation in Europe for these technologies that are essential to the Green Deal. I am proud that, under the leadership of my Renew Europe Group, we have incorporated a European preference start for these clean technologies; but this is just one step. I hope we can go further in supporting our industries. Let us be firmer in the face of unfair competition and tomorrow, let us give more priority to Made in Europe, which is good for our jobs and good for the environment.

Mr President, EUR 200 million is the amount paid by Italy to compensate an oil company. The reason: it had simply refused a permit to drill at sea. Today, we must stop this liberticide treaty. In line with our climate commitments, I call on this whole House to support a coordinated exit from the Energy Charter Treaty. Let's get out of this deleterious system that protects investments in fossil fuels. Let us put an end to this sword of Damocles that weighs on our governments in their climate action. And finally, let’s save millions or even billions of euros in compensation and instead put it to the benefit of Europe’s clean energy, businesses and citizens.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, last December I went to Rafah, Egypt, at the Gaza crossing, with an official delegation of Members from my group, Renew. I have seen the delivery and distribution of humanitarian aid hampered by bombing, fighting and destruction. I have seen the plight of the Gazan civilian population, which has nothing to do with the conflict, that of innocent children, maimed, dying every day from malnutrition, dehydration or bombing. We were already calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of humanitarian and food convoys and the release of all hostages. Where are we now, three months later? We cannot turn our backs on this situation. With this resolution, the European Parliament must reaffirm that attacks on food aid deliveries are intolerable, unjustifiable and untenable. This humanitarian catastrophe must stop now.

Mr President, Commissioner, the best energy is that which is not wasted. However, many citizens live in thermal sieves, which they cannot heat, and whose bills are constantly rising. Poorly insulated buildings now account for 75% of Europe’s building stock: This is considerable! It is time for Europe to address this issue. The course is clear: new buildings will have to be zero-emission by 2030, and renovation of existing buildings will have to be started. It was also time to put an end to fossil fuel boilers: This will be the case by 2040. In this transition, it is obviously necessary to support households and SMEs, because the transition has a cost. We have been able to mobilise European money for this purpose, notably in the context of the recovery plan. This effort must be continued. This is how we will achieve results, an ambitious European course and financial support for all our citizens.

Mr President, Commissioner, first of all, congratulations to rapporteur Nicola Danti, from our political family, on the excellent work he has done on this file. A work that aims to answer a simple question, in fact: How can we better protect our connected products? Maybe you have a connected camera at home to monitor your newborn, a connected toy or a connected car? All of these items can be hacked: your privacy can be exposed, money can be extorted from you... This is where this European law comes in, which will protect you, your families, but also our businesses, which are increasingly using connected objects. In the face of those who want less Europe, here we have a concrete example of the fact that we need more Europe, a Europe that protects people and protects our digital life.

Mr President, Commissioner, I invite my fellow Members to vote in favour of this ambitious resolution, which sends a strong message. The European Parliament considers that all civilian lives are equal, whether Israeli, Palestinian or Lebanese. Our position is balanced. A ceasefire in Gaza will secure the release of all Israeli hostages from Hamas and guarantee humanitarian aid to Gaza's civilian population, which has nothing to do with the conflict. Humanitarian aid is dripping in Gaza. I was able to see it on the spot with an official delegation of Renew at the Rafah terminal. I have seen the plight of international humanitarian teams who cannot provide assistance to the victims. I saw civilians, women and children injured, completely foreign to the conflict, but victims of the bombings. A civilian life on one side is worth a civilian life on the other side. Let us rise to the challenge of responding to the inhuman spectacle unfolding before our eyes.

Madam President, Commissioner, a few hundred kilometres above us climb our European satellites, satellites that are indispensable for our farmers, our firefighters or for each of us, so that we can find our way around with our smartphone. Until now, however, Europe was too naive and did not consider all the risks, including the risks of hostile powers. With this resolution, we call for the defence of our interests in space to be taken more seriously. If I had to choose three key messages from our resolution, they would be as follows. First, there is a need to better understand what is happening above our heads, by producing more European surveillance and surveillance data. tracking, with dedicated EU funding. Second, the lack of autonomous access to space is a major problem. It is time for the Commission to propose a genuine European strategy for launchers, with EU funding for European space ports. And thirdly, Europe must swiftly adopt a European space law that can serve as an example for space traffic management. Now, to implement all these priorities, the problem is the European budget. I am counting on the Member States to put resources into the next European financial framework and to ensure that this desire for a less naive Europe in space does not remain a wishful thinking.

Madam President, Commissioner, every day workers install solar panels, wind turbines or batteries on our European continent. Unfortunately, most of these technologies are not produced in Europe. We must put an end to this dependence, we must put an end to this anomaly. With this new European text, we will accelerate the production of green technologies by simplifying the installation of factories and thus reindustrialisation, by showing less naivety also in our public procurement. Because producing solar panels in Europe is good, but if our public authorities do not buy these panels, then this is a problem. We must therefore change this with a first step towards a European preference for our public procurement. The European Parliament is sending a strong message here. Let us produce more in Europe the technologies we need to fight global warming.

Mr President, Commissioner, the conclusions of the 2023 State of the Energy Union report were expected. They show that we have been able to respond to the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine by cushioning prices, and tomorrow by lowering them, thanks to our European electricity market, which is the only useful bulwark to fight against rising prices. In less than two years, we have adapted REPowerEU and the Renewable Energy Directive to allow wind and solar to exceed fossil-based electricity generation for the first time. As you said, this is a very positive dynamic, but further efforts are needed. We still import 15% of Russian gas, Mr Bardella's friends. This is unacceptable. Let's support the deployment of all decarbonized energies by including nuclear. In this regard, I welcome the announcement you made, Commissioner, in Bratislava yesterday, announcing the will to launch a European Alliance of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors with Commissioner Thierry Breton. We need it, our European industry depends on it. All energies contributing to our climate goals and strategic autonomy are good to take.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Switzerland is at the heart of Europe and it is high time that our relations fully reflect this. Our citizens in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, Baden-Württemberg, South Tyrol and Milan all deserve better cross-border cooperation, fewer obstacles and more opportunities. So yes, Switzerland is not part of the European Union. I regret this because it would make life even easier for all citizens. But this does not seem to be the will of the Swiss people at the moment and I respect it perfectly. But that should not prevent us from working more closely together. Imagine more synergies in energy, electricity, storage, health, where Switzerland excels, and so many other areas. We would like to call for all of this. But to achieve this, we need common rules that respect the integrity of the single market we share. Respect, including from Switzerland, of course. Colleagues, dear Swiss friends, we have an opportunity to seize between the Swiss federal elections and the European elections. Let’s take action. It is high time to launch swift negotiations for a new cooperation pact between the EU and Switzerland. Our fellow citizens will thank us for that. They are just waiting for that.