Speeches

Mr President! We are finally getting better protection against asbestos in the EU. It's a huge victory, but let me be honest. It's been a tough fight coming here. At first, the European Commission did not believe that there was a need for new asbestos rules. That is why we gathered a massive majority here in the European Parliament behind the call for a comprehensive asbestos reform. Then the Commission presented a legislative proposal. But the proposal was too weak. The weak proposal was supported by the governments of the Member States. However, with the backing of the European trade union movement, we fought hard in the negotiations and we prevailed. Now there is a significantly lower limit value. There are now mandatory requirements for companies regarding authorisation and training for employees. Now we finally have an asbestos reform that can be felt in the workplace. A reform that puts protection first for the benefit of thousands of colleagues. A reform that will save lives. With this asbestos reform, we are making a difference. A difference we can be proud of. Enfin, je voudrais exprimer mes remerciements à notre rapporteure, Véronique Trillet-Lenoir. Défenseure et championne de la santé européenne, or sera avec nous demain. Merci beaucoup chère Véronique!

Madam President! Dear President of the Commission, I'm sorry, but reality is calling! This should be about the state of the European Union, not about a conservative campaign. It should be about ordinary people in Europe who are being pushed by rising prices, while energy speculators are shoveling money in. It should be about a planet burning under our feet, about the acute climate crisis. Instead, we see that the short-term profit interests of agriculture and the industrial lobby are now at the top of the agenda. We see that climate action and environmental protection are being diluted. We see that the promised animal welfare legislation may be abandoned. We see that the reform of the chemicals legislation REACH and the long-awaited ban on PFAS will not come anyway. That can't be true! Dear President of the Commission, you are running from your election promises, but you must not fail! Europe needs climate action, animal welfare and social security. No more broken election promises!

Mr President, human rights and democracy must be the cornerstone for our relationship with Türkiye. In these terrible war times, it is more important than ever to stand up for our values. Let us send a clear message to Erdoğan that we do not accept his oppression. The attacks against the democratic opposition, as we see it, with the false removal of elected mayors and imprisonment of the former HDP co-chair, Selahattin Demirtaş, must stop now. Opening a door for Erdoğan will not keep Russia away. On the contrary, we have seen how the Turkish President actively undermined the EU sanctions against Putin. We cannot compromise on democratic values. We must demand that Türkiye comply with fundamental human rights. That is the least we can do for the people of Türkiye.

Madam President! Now I have listened to the debate and politicians from the right. And you know what? I'm tired of bad excuses. I'm tired of the whining of one of the richest percent. They swim in ridiculous abundance while children grow up in poverty. It makes me angry! Angry, because the money is there! The problem is that they are so unevenly distributed. Inequality is growing and growing. The rich are getting richer, while others can't afford medicine. It is simply not fair. If we tax the richest, we can afford it. Advice for better hospitals, advice for more welfare, advice for protecting the climate and nature. So, dear refugees, let us tax the rich. God knows they can afford it.

Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues. Today we remember the thousands of innocent victims of the Srebrenica genocide. Men and boys were executed, women raped, children traumatised, and the whole Bosniak community forced from their homes. We remember the victims and we say ‘never again’. Never again shall the international community turn a blind eye to mass murder, ethnic cleansing and genocide. Never again shall Europe fail to support the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is more important than ever as we see the aggressiveness of the President of Republika Srpska. Let us use this occasion to call on President Dodik, as well as the governments of Serbia and Russia, to recognise the genocide. Let us remember the victims of Srebrenica and make sure that Bosnia moves forward in peace and prosperity.

Mr President! If we are to have a living ocean in the future, if we are to ensure biodiversity, if we are to have sustainable fisheries, then there is one thing we must do: protect and restore our marine waters. Not just with good words, but with action. It's crucial. Just take my own country, Denmark. Here the government speaks loudly about protecting parts of our seas. That's fine. But it sounds hollow, because at the same time the government continues to allow the use of harmful bottom trawls in protected areas. You can't destroy the seabed and call it protection at the same time. It's not gonna work. Ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner. It is time for us to put action behind the words and protect biodiversity, including when it comes to the marine environment.

Madam President! 25 years in a Russian penal colony, it is now the consequence for the brave Russians who dare to condemn Putin's illegal and brutal invasion of Ukraine. It is now what awaits Vladimir Kara-Murza after a farce of a trial. His only crime is to use his freedom of speech to speak out against the war and Putin's regime. Putin and his henchmen fear that sort of thing. Ladies and gentlemen, Vladimir Kara-Murza must be released! Alexei Navalny must be released! All political prisoners in Russia must be released! We must target those responsible for human rights violations with targeted sanctions. We must open our borders and our hearts to deserters and opponents of war as they flee Putin's reign of terror. The democratic opposition in Russia needs our support. The people of Russia are right – have the right to human rights and democracy. Ladies and gentlemen, that is why this adoption is so important. Putin is afraid of freedom of expression, Putin is afraid of democracy, Putin is afraid of Vladimir Kara-Murza, Putin is afraid of Alexei Navalny, Putin is afraid of the thousands upon thousands of brave citizens of Russia who stand up to his regime and demand peace, demand democracy and demand freedom. We stand side by side with the brave citizens of Russia. We won't forget them. We remember them, and that is why I hope that a large majority will vote in favour of this important adoption.

Madam President! Dieselgate is the story of automakers who lie to their cars greener and less polluting than they are. It is a story that repeats itself. In March of this year, it emerged that 77 percent of diesel cars may still pollute more than manufacturers claim. In the coming months, we will have to negotiate new emission standards for cars and trucks. Here we must make sure to guard against the car industry's cheating and humbug. The automotive industry and their friends claim that ambitious standards cannot be afforded. But the green NGO Transport & Environment can tell us today that the big car manufacturers are reaping huge profits. Their shareholders are reaping profits, and their directors are reaping huge wage increases. We can afford climate action. Ladies and gentlemen, one thing is clear: We can't trust what the car industry says. Unfortunately, that is the reality.

Madam President! Across Europe, the health-damaging perpetuality chemical PFAS is found in more and more places. In the wild, in the eggs, on the breakfast table and in our drinking water. But instead of acting quickly and effectively, we see that the long-awaited and much-needed update of the EU chemicals legislation REACH has long prospects. That is simply not good enough. When it comes to both PFAS and REACH in general, one thing should be clear: The longer we wait to trade, the more expensive it will be. And the price of delay is paid by our children and our children's health. This is simply unacceptable. The EU must tackle chemicals that are harmful to health. We need tougher legislation. PFAS can and must be banned in the EU. We owe it to all the citizens of the European Union. We owe it to nature.

Mr President, Hello? Hello? Are you aware that there is a climate crisis? Frankly, I’m just asking because tomorrow we are voting on the extremely climate-harmful F-gases. But the right wing in this House are trying to undermine the compromise agreement we made in the committee. We agreed on a complete phase-out of F-gases. This agreement is now in danger. We all know that F-gases are up to 24 000 times more damaging to the climate than CO2. We all know that F-gases contribute to more EU emissions than several Member States. We all know that the technology to get rid of and phase out F-gases exists. I would therefore like to ask my friends, my colleagues on the right wing, why are you trying to punish those innovative companies that have developed the needed green technologies? Why are you gambling with our future to protect technologies of the past instead of creating green jobs for the future? Why not be ambitious when we can? Let us adopt the compromise we made in the committee. Let us choose a green future for our children. Let us take climate action now.

Mr Present, no one should be discriminated because of their age, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief. But they are today, according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 43% of LGBT people in the EU feel discriminated in their daily life, 53% of Muslims feel discriminated because of their name when they look for housing, 60% of transgender people feel discriminated. And the numbers are growing. And still we stand here almost 15 years since the Commission presented the horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive. Today is a shameful day, a shameful day for the Council because you have blocked the directive and, by doing this, you have prevented better protections against discrimination. Now let’s take action, let’s end discrimination and let’s make sure that the EU fights all forms of discrimination.

Madam President! Thulani Maseko fought for democracy and for the right to think, speak and write freely. He did so in one of the world's last absolute monarchies, Eswatini. The king does not allow freedom. Trade unions and pro-democracy activists are being persecuted. Thulani Maseko was murdered in front of his family. No one should be killed because they want democracy. The cold-blooded murder must be buried and investigated. We demand a free and independent international investigation. A study to be carried out by the UN and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights clearly states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. And it is time that human rights also accrue to the citizens of Eswatini.

Mr President, does the EU need an independent ethics body? Yes, of course it does. In fact, we should ask ourselves why we don’t already have one, especially given the scandals we have seen, even before Qatar— and Moroccogate. Given the size and the regulatory power of the EU, it is clear that we do need an entity that can advise, monitor and act on potential misuse, fraud and corruption facing us now and in future. But what does such an entity need in order to actually make a difference? It needs three clear things. First, it needs to be truly independent. It cannot bow to pressure from, for instance, the European Commission or EU countries. Second, it needs to have real power for investigations and sufficient resources to carry them out. It should not have to ask permission to use them. And third, it needs to ensure that implementation actually happens and that sanctions are applied. Rules that are not enforced are no good. That is what we have been calling for, from The Left, for a long time, as have many others. Sadly, the right and their friends have managed to avoid this. Now, Commissioner, there is no more time for bad excuses. Now it is time for action.

Madam President, there is no words for the suffering the people of Türkiye and Syria are living through right now. So many have lost their lives, so many have lost their homes, so many have lost their loved ones; they need our support and solidarity. What is the most heartbreaking to me is that not everyone is getting the help they need. Both Erdoğan and Assad are exploiting this crisis. Right now, the Assad regime is blocking humanitarian aid from reaching the Kurdish quarter of Aleppo, where around 70 % of the buildings have collapsed. Right now, Erdoğan is preventing humanitarian aid from reaching the liberated Kurdish area of northern Syria. The EU needs to speak up against the inacceptable actions of Erdoğan and Assad. The EU must make sure that the aid reaches everyone in need without discrimination.

Madam President, let us stand in solidarity with Ukraine, the brave train and truck drivers, the nurses, the municipal workers, the miners, the farmers. They keep the country running, often unnoticed and poorly paid, and they bleed and die because of Putin’s war of aggression. Their courage and that of civil society and trade unions is amazing. They need our help now. They will also need our help once the bullets stop flying and the aggressor withdraws. Dear Commissioner, one thing the summit can do, one thing the summit should do, is to make sure that Ukraine is not weighted down by having to repay huge amounts to its creditors the moment the hostilities end. This will give Ukraine the possibility to take care of its population, to protect those who bore the cost of the war, to build a fair future.

Mr. Prime Minister. The Swedish EU Presidency faces many challenges. War, energy crisis, climate war and a grotesque, growing economic inequality also here in Europe. They're all important. But today I want to focus on something that is all too often overlooked: working conditions for the most people. Your presidency will negotiate both the Platform Directive and the new EU rules on asbestos. In both cases, it is important that the protection of employees is at the centre. The protection of the rights of platform workers rather than the protection of the profits of large platform giants, and not least the protection of the lives and health of millions of EU citizens from the deadly asbestos. I hope the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will take part in this. Don't let short-term profits cost us all more in the long term. Ulf Kristersson, it's time to get in the work clothes for the most people.

Madam President! The World Cup in Qatar is a scandal. Behind the glittering facades hide the blood, sweat and tears of thousands of migrant workers who have worn out in the desert sun. They died in the thousands, while the world has watched passively. This subservience to the brutal dictatorship of the desert must end. The EU should make it clear that it is not participating. Don't hide behind excuses. Say no to the oppression. The scandal in Qatar should not only lead to a diplomatic boycott. It must also be ensured that it never happens again. No oppressive dictatorship should be able to buy major sporting events. Football should be for everyone. Also for LGBT+ people. And never again will the ball roll over the bodies of thousands of dead workers.

Mr. President! Can you afford Christmas gifts? Can you afford food and heat? Is there money for medicine? That is the concern of millions of Europeans. A concern that EU leaders have not yet taken seriously. Rising prices are pushing the economy too many, and for some the burden has already become unbearable. While people are freezing, while people are walking from house and home - yes, companies are shoving in record profits. The money's here. We can go through this crisis in solidarity. We can help the hardest hit without inflating inflation. This requires politicians to take responsibility. Tax the excess profits. Help the single mother so her children can stay warm. Help the sick. Help the lowest wage earners. Take responsibility and let's go through the crisis with confidence.

Mr President! Right now, the price of energy is exploding in Europe. For many, this puts a lot of pressure on the economy. The single mother looks anxiously at the electricity bill. Every penny is turned by the low-wage earners, and for more and more people the economy is not connected at all. While we are experiencing acute energy poverty around the small homes, the profits of the energy companies are exploding. In 2022 alone, their profit is expected to be DKK 1 400 billion. This is an incomprehensible amount of money. It is not fair that someone should be forced to turn off the power, shut off the heat or go to bed hungry while the energy companies are shoveling money in. Let us tax the extraordinary profits! Let us help the lowest incomes and let us create the green and sustainable jobs of the future!

Mr President, I say to the President of the European Commission: when I heard the Commission decided to give more than EUR 30 billion to Poland I was surprised. Surprised because there is no clear confirmation that Poland now fully complies with the rule of law. Surprised that several relevant commissioners clearly were not involved in the process. Surprised to see that the Commission President ignored the vocal protests of her colleagues. Surprised that you choose to ignore the explicit demands and resolutions of this Parliament not to give in to pressure. And not least surprised that you are willing to sacrifice our basic principles. Dear colleagues, Dear Commission, I say we cannot compromise on rule of law or the respect of basic democratic freedoms within the EU. It is simply not acceptable. So where do we go from here? It is clear to me that if the Commission insists on this misguided course, if it decides to neglect its duties and to ignore the Court and the European Parliament, and if it seriously decides that rule of law is optional for Member States, then we will have to take the necessary measures, because in that case we clearly cannot have confidence in the Commission any more. Dear President, I urge you to live up to your responsibilities. If not, you are no longer fit for your role.

Mr President! When we vote on how long we want to allow the sale of cars running on fossil fuels, we decide whether we want to stand on the side of the past or the future; Whether we want to stand on the side of the automotive industry or on the side of the climate and future generations. Unfortunately, in the climate committee, the planet lost several votes with just one vote. Dear colleagues, we can rectify that now. I would urge you in-depth, urgent and insistent to vote to stop the sale of new fossil cars altogether. If you ask me and you ask climate science, a stop in 2035 is already too late. So let me be clear. The forces trying to dilute and delay the green transition of our cars are failing the climate and the future of our children. Dear colleagues, don't let them win.

Mr President! The war in Ukraine is appalling. We have to do everything we can to stop it. To help the Ukrainians. It is important that the EU has imposed sanctions, but they are clearly not tough enough to get Putin to withdraw his soldiers. That is why we must increase the pressure. We must stop importing Russian oil and gas. It must hit Putin and the oligarchs where it hurts. The war and solidarity with Ukraine cannot fail to hit our own economy. Therefore, it is crucial that we protect the lowest incomes. Even in the fight against Putin, the broadest shoulders must of course bear the heaviest burdens. It is tragic that many families struggle to make ends meet and have to choose between food or heat. This should not be the case in the EU in 2022! No one should be starved or forced from house and home. We must keep our hands in the hands of the economically weakest. This is essential if we are to stay together against Putin. Let's tax the excess profits. Let's stop speculation on rising food, energy and raw material prices. Let us help the Ukrainian refugees. Ukrainian refugees are welcome in the EU and, like all refugees, deserve good treatment, including in the labour market. That is why we must make clear demands on employers so that our Ukrainian friends are not underpaid and exploited. Therefore, there must be clear social requirements for the disbursement of EU funds. Therefore, our tax dollars should not go to companies that do not comply with the applicable agreement or hide in shady tax havens. Community money should not go to greedy employers or rich men who fail the community. Dear colleagues, let us stand together against Putin instead. Let us keep our hands below the lowest incomes and let us go through this terrible war in solidarity.

Madam President! All asylum applications must be examined, and they must be examined thoroughly and honestly. It is about human life. It's never okay to reject people on the run. That is why it is wrong for Greece to illegally push refugees back again and again. It is inexcusable that Frontex should help with this. It is frightening that Denmark, my own country, is trying to force a Kurdish woman back into a brutal and oppressive Iranian regime. I am shocked that our continent has such a short memory that people seem to have forgotten that there are reasons why people are fleeing. If we are to be able to face ourselves, we need to stop treating refugees as if they are not real people. Remember, history will judge us if we forget our humanity. We can't do that!

Madam President, I should like to welcome Prime Minister Trudeau back to Brussels. It is dark times, as you rightly said. In my housing block we have now new neighbours. I met them the other day when I was at the playground with my eldest daughter. Here we met Misha and Roma, two small boys from Ukraine at the ages of eight and four. Together with their mother they have fled Putin’s invasion. Like a million more they need shelter, they need shoes, and they need food. We need to stand together in solidarity to help the refugees. That is why I am happy to hear that Canada will take an unlimited number of refugees. Taking care of refugees cannot be a question about numbers. It is about human lives and human rights. I hope the EU and Canada can unite on this and I hope our unity will go further. We need to strengthen the sanctions. We need to cancel the Ukrainian foreign debt. We need to support Ukraine. Dear colleagues, we need to do our utmost to support Ukraine. It is clear that Putin is exploiting the EU’s dependency on Russian gas, oil and nuclear power. Our best weapon against Putin is a green transition and energy independence. It is not only about security. It is, of course, also about tackling the climate crisis before it is too late. Mr Prime Minister, listening to the news, it is clear that there is an urgent need for humanitarian corridors in Mariupol and the besieged cities in Ukraine. Moreover, there is a need to make sure that Putin and other war criminals do not repeat the horrors that we see in Ukraine. We need to strengthen the international order under the UN. We need to make sure that all countries have freedom and self-determination. Mr Prime Minister, we need peace, not war.

Madam President! No one gets sick from going to work. Unfortunately, this happens all too often. Cleaning assistants, industrial workers, painters and nurses often encounter dangerous chemicals that can make them ill or harm their chances of having children. Building workers risk losing their lives when they renovate our houses because they encounter the deadly asbestos. Too many people suffer from work-related stress because there is no proper work-life balance. People are breaking down. People get sick. People die just because they do their job. It's a crisis. A health and safety crisis. There is an urgent need for action. It is about millions and millions of employees in the European Union. About their families and about our society, where a narrow focus on the bottom line of companies is all too often put above consideration for the health of employees. We need better protection of our physical and mental working environment. This requires better regulation. This requires a strengthening of the Labour Inspectorate in the Member States, and it requires a cultural change in which we take the well-being of hard-working people seriously instead of taking them for granted. Ladies and gentlemen. With today's adoption, we are sending a clear signal. A signal that we expect action. And dear Commissioner. Millions of employees are looking at you. Every day they do their jobs at risk of getting sick or losing their lives. Now is the time for the EU to do its job and deliver better protection of our physical and mental working environment. It doesn't happen on its own, because it would have happened a long time ago. We have a unified European trade union movement that demands action. We have concerned citizens who are calling for action. And once this report is adopted, we will have a united European Parliament calling for action. Dear Commissioner, Now it's time to deliver!