Speeches

Madam President, over and over again, tax scandals are repeating themselves and France and Europe are doing nothing to really stop this financial crime. Now I am angry because they think we are idiots. Throughout the day, through the media, through crooked politicians, we are told that the danger is migrants and the risk to our societies is the wave of migration. We give billions to Frontex, we put up barbed wire and we install floating barriers which, in addition to being despicable, are absurd. We divert our attention and make us believe that we are threatened, but the real danger to our democracies and our societies, it is there, before our eyes: it is injustice; it is impunity; These are the privileges of the powerful when the weakest toast. billions of euros are out of the ordinary, when solidarity money, pension money and public service money are cut everywhere else in Europe; it is this intolerable complacency as a criminal accomplice; it is she who threatens and kills our democracies. The scale of the scourge of tax evasion is well known. We also know perfectly well the solutions to put an end to it. So stop playing with lives, weakening our democracies, pointing fingers and always blaming the most vulnerable. Finally, have the political courage to end these outrageous scams now.

Mr President, Mr Vice-President, Mr Minister, this has already been said by my colleagues: this climate legislative package is a step in the right direction, but tragically lacks ambition. In addition, this plan dates from last May. However, the latest IPCC report augurs for a devastating future if we continue the policy of small cowardly steps or "at the same time". Not to mention yesterday’s World Bank report, which forecasts 200 million climate refugees in 2050. On the deployment of renewable energy, investment in 100% green hydrogen, the end of fossil fuel subsidies, the end of free quotas to be polluted, a truly environmentally friendly agricultural policy, on everything and everywhere, we must go much faster and much stronger than what is proposed to us. Climate inaction risks pulverising our future. It is for this reason that I filed a complaint against the French state three years ago, when I was mayor, joined by the case of the century and its two million fellow citizens. The city I managed is at risk of marine submersion and the French justice system has proven me right: on 1 July, the Conseil d’État (Council of State) obliged France to act within nine months to reduce its emissions, failing which France would be penalised. So will Europe wait until it is forced by justice to act for lack of courage and ambition? Or will we live up to this formidable challenge and be proud that we have taken the necessary decisions by humbly listening to Europeans, Europeans and experts? (The President withdrew the floor to the speaker)

Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, 82.3 million is the number of people forcibly displaced around the world, as you recalled in the latest report by the High Commissioner for Refugees. 86% of those forced into exile are hosted in developing countries. The European Union, a thriving economic area, is home to only a tiny minority. And again, can we really talk about welcome! As I speak to you, with a terrible feeling of déjà vu, of déjà vu, no European country has committed to welcoming the 572 people rescued by the SOS Méditerranée teams in six rescues carried out in four days. These are the acts of today, Commissioner. As I speak, Europe is discussing an asylum and migration pact where Member States could fund the return of asylum seekers rather than welcoming and being humane and supportive. All this is a very strange way of celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Convention, the text that enshrined refugee status and the obligations that flow from it for States. 70 years later, the right to asylum and its founding principle, non-refoulement, are all too often abused and trampled on. 70, ladies and gentlemen, is very young to be dead and buried by the European Union and its Member States. Yes, Commissioner, the Geneva Convention must live and survive our nauseating fears and selfishness. This anniversary must be an occasion for a burst of humanity. The European Union must recover and finally regain its dignity. It must return to its founding values. Leaving your country to survive is a tragedy. Let’s not add drama to the drama. Let us welcome these refuge seekers with dignity. It is our duty. Humanly and legally, the Geneva Convention obliges us to do so.