Speeches

Madam President, dear colleagues, we have been here before, exactly a year ago, when we clearly laid out that the foreign agents law cooked up in Vladimir Putin’s Russia is deeply anti-democratic. Its sole purpose is to crush civil society. It is incompatible with EU values. And if Georgian leaders are serious about their European path, they should revoke it. A year ago, they did revoke it, and now it’s introduced again. Sadly, this tells us a lot about the EU’s credibility to spur democratic reforms in accession countries. Our demands are just not taken seriously. And colleagues, it is clear where this credibility gap is coming from. We know that sadly this law has been copied not only by autocrats outside the EU, but also inside the EU. In 2017, Viktor Orbán’s government passed an exact replica of this law and it took the European Court to strike it down. And then last December, the so-called sovereignty protection bill was passed, which is in spirit the very same oppressive tool. It is crystal clear to be able to credibly stand as a force for democracy and the rule of law, we have to have our own House in order.

Madam President, dear colleagues, Ukraine is fighting heroically against the genocidal aggression. And as President Zelenskyy told us, this is not just a fight for Ukraine’s future, but for democracy’s future. Those in Europe who say that Putin will stop at Ukraine’s borders are either shockingly naive or complicit. The truth is that we are all in danger and Ukraine is our last line of defence Yet the West is not doing enough to financially support Ukraine. What we see happening in both Europe and the US is that Putin’s Trojan horses are sabotaging financial aid. That’s what Donald Trump’s allies have been doing at the US Congress, and that’s what Viktor Orbán has been doing at the EU Council. In this House, we have been calling for the confiscation of all Russian state assets for years. And I repeat this call today. I am happy to hear that, finally, there is a chance for at least the profits from the assets to be redirected to Ukraine. But it came too late and it was weakened by Orbán, who yet again abused the veto threat and allowed to only go through in a weakened way. Can it be more obvious that he is representing Russian interests? So there is no way around it: to help Ukraine, we have to fight Putin’s autocratic allies at the ballot box, in Europe and in the US as well.

Mr President, dear colleagues, here we are facing yet another foreign interference scandal. There are credible allegations that Russian proxies have paid MEPs and candidates to spread their propaganda. It is beyond outrageous. But it is just as infuriating to see that our safeguards are just not up for the task. After the allegations broke, Renew Europe demanded a thorough investigation and real consequences – and I’m sorry to say, but we are not satisfied. So this is why we have tabled amendments to the discharge file to better protect the Parliament from interference, calling for an urgent investigation. We must also enhance our security culture to provide mandatory training, ensure appropriate clearance and strengthen the screening of staffers. It is just absurd that somebody can just walk into a meeting of foreign and security affairs without proper background checks. What else needs to happen for real action? Actual Russian operatives showing up at our chambers? So, colleagues, enough should be enough. Please support our amendment and work with us for ironclad safeguards against foreign interference.

Mr President, dear colleagues, it is very positive that the EU has started to address the threat of authoritarian interference with more seriousness, but it still remains blind to interference originating from our very own autocratic Member States. As a result of agreement on public security, Chinese police officers will soon begin patrolling in tourist locations in Hungary, just like they have done in Serbia. So if it isn't foreign meddling in EU affairs, then I really don't know what is. And this was willingly invited by the Orbán Government. I have to add that it is quite ironic that the government that is constantly rambling about sovereignty, pledging to protect it from Brussels, then invites foreign police forces from a totalitarian dictatorship into its territory. This problem reaches far beyond Hungary. It has serious implications on EU law enforcement and security collaboration, and also no Chinese dissident residing in the EU will ever feel safe again. Is this the Union we aspire to be? This cannot go unaddressed, so we need the Commission to put forward an EU-level strategy to counter foreign meddling, also the type that is originating within Member States.

Madam President, dear colleagues, as we stepped into this Parliament in 2019, the EU’s anti-fraud framework seemed like a water pistol against the forest fire, designed to address small irregularities but simply inadequate in the face of systemic corruption, like what we witnessed in Hungary. Many claimed it was impossible to change anything, but we rolled up our sleeves and got to work – and we did make breakthroughs. Creating the rule of law mechanism stands out as a crucial reform. It shows that the EU is finally taking up a fight, and this financial regulation also improves things in the right direction. We’ve boosted transparency by improving our database of final beneficiaries, and we reinforced the EU’s blacklist, which shockingly did not cover funds jointly managed by Member States – and now it does. But of course there is more work ahead. Take the blacklist, for instance. It remains still too narrow in scope and too slow. It should automatically include applicants where the EU’s investigations unveil fraud – and colleagues, this is the fight we are going to have in the next mandate.

Mr President, dear colleagues, it is clear that Europe is facing unprecedented challenges. To address the climate crisis, the digital transition, to ensure our citizens’ security we need substantial budgetary resources. And I’m very proud to say that Renew Europe was pressing very hard on these topics. We made sure that next year’s budget is fully equipped to tackle these pressing needs. Because let’s remember, our budget is much more than just a financial plan: it is also our most powerful tool for advancing our shared values. And these values guided us as budget negotiators. Respect for the rule of law is a precondition for funding, and the EU must remain committed to this principle. We want our budget to be a tool to promote gender equality? We can fund programmes to combat domestic violence, or to ensure that women do not lose out in the digital transition. And our budget is also a tool to support local governments and civil society, the frontline warriors against climate change, poverty and social exclusion. They urgently need more direct funds and we will keep working for them to receive them.

Madam President, dear colleagues, it is absolutely essential that we create a credible path for accession for countries in our neighbourhood. It is our strategic interest in the face of Russian aggression, but it is also the right thing to do. But also, let’s face it: in the recent years, the enforcement of the rule of law reforms have not been adequate in the enlargement countries. Just take the example of Serbia, when it was the Commission that watered down the standards. So, we need transparent and firm criteria on the rule of law front. Also, we have to have our own house in order. Stopping democratic backsliding in the EU is step number one for a credible accession policy, and getting rid of the unanimity voting is step number two. We need to welcome new members into an EU that works properly, that can properly accommodate them. With 27 members already, we often find ourselves in gridlock. Let’s be honest to ourselves: this is not working. So let’s be bold when it comes to enlargement and also when renewing Europe.

Madam President, dear colleagues, at this point, Council meetings look outright absurd. Another summit, another Orbán veto threat. And like every narcissist, he enjoys his photo ops with important people and tries to squeeze some money out of them. Then he folds, just like a cheap lawn chair, under pressure, just like he always does, and he drops his shameful veto until the next round. This is a deeply broken system, and I would certainly laugh at it were it not quite literally a matter of life and death. Ukrainians are sacrificing everything on the battlefield, not only for their future, but also for Europe’s security. And for a month, the Council was stuck on a package equivalent to 0.08% of our yearly GDP. This should be a no brainer. Not just morally speaking, but logically too. We will have to pay so much more if Ukraine loses the war. We have to get out of these endless rounds of summits and quick fixes are not enough. The only solution is to finally get rid of unanimous voting. And yes, it’s a hard political process, but no one has ever even tried to seriously put it on the table yet. Except this Parliament. We demand Treaty change. Our security is on the line.

Madam President, ‘Hanging you is too kind. You should be skinned alive. Why can’t she just be shot? She’s just a lying politician. It’s a shame that a horny Russian hasn’t raped you yet.’ So, colleagues, these are actual comments from my social media. And I’m quite sure that all of my female colleagues, no matter if they sit on the left side or the right side of this Parliament or in the centre, you are familiar with statements like this. I am not here to complain. I have to say that I am in a privileged position. I have chosen a career in the public eye. I have the resources to seek help and a platform to speak out. But I think about all the women who do not. Those who suffer in silence, those who endure hatred, violence and harassment, often in their home without support or a voice. And when certain Member States, such as Hungary, block progress on hate crime legislation, these are the women they are failing, because there is a war on women by these leaders. These are the leaders who claim that the fight against gender-based violence is liberal hysteria. They claim that the Istanbul Convention is against their values - as if violence could ever be a value! So I demand the Belgian Presidency to take action. They have to protect the women. EU rules on the safety of women and all citizens should not include opt outs. This is not optional. We need binding rules, not just empty words right now.

Thank you, Mr Kelly, for your strong and principled words. I just have one very easy question for you. Do you consider yourself to be a part of the international left conspiracy against Hungary, as Mr Hölvényi, your colleague in the EPP Group, has just stated?

I just have one question for the congressman. Do you see Manfred Weber, your group leader in the European People's Party, as part of the European Left, who has defended the rule of law in Hungary very firmly and very carefully?

Mr President, dear colleagues, I am honestly unsure if the European Commission fully comprehends the extent of the damage it has done by giving in to Viktor Orbán’s blackmail. Because it invited not just Orbán but every single aspiring European autocrat to follow the same old extortionist tactics: destroy democracy, weaken the EU from the inside, wave around the veto card and, when the time comes, just be ready to accept huge sums of money and accept the humiliation of being sent out of the room to go to the bathroom or have a coffee. Congratulations! Amazing achievement! But you know, there is also an even more serious problem here. You, with this decision, opened the door wide for even further abuse. Just consider what happened right before the EU decided to unblock billions of euros to the Orbán Government and praise them for this great progress in rebuilding the rule of law, on the very same day that Hungary introduced the so-called sovereignty protection bill – a piece of legislation that is shockingly oppressive, even with the Orbán regime standard. This law threatens journalists and civil society organisations with jail time for participating in international funding programmes. Its intention is crystal clear: to crush dissent, to silence independent media and threaten opposition parties or anybody who would like to stand up against this regime. And I’m seriously asking this: does the Commission view this as progress? Do you think this deserves a reward? Because this is the signal that you just sent. You practically gave a green light to this law. And as so often before, the European Parliament will not stay silent. We will remain the only protector of democratic values among the EU institutions. We will see you in court!

Mr President, the dire lack of affordable housing for our youth is a European crisis, and it requires a European solution. And why do I say this? Because it impacts student mobility and the EU’s flagship Erasmus programme, as well as many students with limited means, are deterred from going abroad, threatening our shared European identity. This is unacceptable. Erasmus and student exchanges are our most powerful instruments for fostering a European identity. I have personally greatly benefited from being able to study abroad, and it is heartbreaking to see that many young people miss out due to the lack of affordable housing. So we need solutions and we need them now, and we need them to be European solutions. So let’s think about an EU funded investment programme for student housing, for instance. Let’s create Erasmus dormitories, hubs of cultural exchange, easing local housing challenges and strengthening bonds among Europe’s youth. And if it works, maybe we can extend it to young professionals as well. The Erasmus programme should commit to creating student accommodations equal to the yearly number of Erasmus students in a city. So let’s take bold steps to ensure every student can access the life-changing experience of studying abroad.

Madam President, dear colleagues, I would like to raise a point of order and a breach of the code of appropriate behaviour. Earlier this week, in one of our Member States, a taxpayer-funded official government campaign was launched, personally vilifying the Commission President and openly spreading blatant lies about our Union. It portrays the President as a puppet of the Soros family, and the slogan reads, ‘Let’s not dance to their tune’. This poster will be mailed to every single household in Hungary. Billboards have already been put up throughout the country. This is not politics. This is a shameful smear campaign and a disinformation attack against the European Union. It was this Chamber who elected the Commission President based on the Council’s proposal, not some Soros family conspiracy. And it is the co-legislators who make Union laws, not global shadowy forces. And if we do not denounce these toxic lies, it will corrode the foundation of our Union. So I invite both the Commission and Parliament to strongly push back against this shameful campaign and counter lies with facts. It is our responsibility to protect the integrity of our institution.

Mr President, in March 2013, Erika Renner took her dog for a walk. Her ex-partner ambushed her at her doorstep. He forcibly sedated her, stripped her and poured lye on her genitalia, causing third-degree burns. She survived this brutal attack, only to face a different form of brutality from the authorities, because, despite clear evidence, the prosecutor tried to halt the case, perhaps not independently of the perpetrators political connections. It took eight long years of litigation to finally put him in prison, but he will soon be released and Erika does not feel safe or supported. Recently, she said the following, ‘With years of therapy, I managed to process the crime, but not what the system did to me’. Just stop and reflect on these words. Her dual trauma from the vicious attack to the system’s betrayal, a system that discredits her testimonies, that forced her to discuss intimate details with hostile or simply unprepared men. And on this International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, remember the story of this courageous woman. Erika is an EU citizen, and like all victims, she needs a much stronger European Union – an EU willing to push for comprehensive reforms to protect them.

Madam President, dear colleagues, this Parliament created a rule of law mechanism to bring about genuine change, not to pave the way for extortion. The Commission’s requirements to unfreeze EU funds to the Orbán Government are the bare minimum and must be implemented in full, no ifs or buts. Importantly, there is an extra hurdle here. What observers often miss about the Orbán regime is that institutions may seem democratic on paper if you have a little bit of fantasy, if you really try to imagine that, but the practice tells a radically different story. So the Commission also needs to assess whether there is genuine commitment to these reforms. And, as we all know, autocrats are rarely good faith negotiators. We see evidence for that across the board or about actually announced plans to abuse his veto power over the budget process to extort money – he said, ‘Brussels will have to hold the bag open’ to get his vote. Now, as we all know, sincere cooperation is a Treaty-based obligation. So my question to the Commission is, in your assessment, does the Orbán Government comply with this obligation? We have said it before, but it is worth repeating: if you give in to the extortionists, they will always come back for more.

Mr President, colleagues, the ecological crisis, the geopolitical tensions, the rapidly growing inequality – these are challenges that transcend our national borders. There are no Portuguese, German or Hungarian answers, only European answers or no answers at all. Yet our institutions are not up for the task, not up for 27 Members, and certainly not for more. So, we need Treaty change. We need Treaty change as soon as possible, and we have visionary proposals on the table. I can imagine a dynamic and proactive Union, with autonomy in decision-making and finances, and free from vetoes, with own revenues. I can imagine a more vibrant democracy with a directly elected President. I can imagine a Union with genuine powers in health and education, with a unified voice on climate justice and, yes, with a common army. This Union would work for citizens. When the far right cries out, ‘National sovereignty!’, then think again. When they say sovereignty, they mean the opposite. They mean a weak Europe, where citizens have absolutely no say in world affairs, and a weak Europe that does not threaten their one-person rule. So, we are not falling for that. Europe has the power to shape its own destiny. All we need is the courage to use it. So, let’s embrace this courage. Let’s renew Europe.

Madam President, dear colleagues, in the recent surge of illiberal and autocratic regimes, we are witnessing a very sharp deterioration of human rights worldwide. Autocratic regimes summon their power by gradually curbing the rights of their citizens to participate in elections. And let’s face it, their toolkit is broad. Putting opposition leaders behind bars, intimidating voters, setting up institutional burdens, and the list goes on and on and on. And this inevitably leads to a loss of civil control over power, unchecked corruption, further human rights violations, and a drop in overall development as a result. And as a standard-bearer for international laws and democratic norms, the European Union must push for fairer elections and safeguards to protect affected societies. And we have to put an end to actively assisting illiberal regimes by recognising ridiculous attempts of mock compliance with international standards, or by participating in disgraceful fake observation missions. This report calls for stronger measures to address these challenges, which is an indispensable part of European ambitions to step up as a principal global power. So I invite you to deliver on this commitment and support this report.

Madam President, dear colleagues, across the European Union young people are drowning in a housing crisis. Costs are so high that it’s incredibly difficult to make ends meet – and no, the problem wouldn’t go away if youngsters would stop buying takeaway coffees and avocado toast! Decent accommodation in our cities has become a luxury overshadowed by short-term rentals catering to tourists, and the available options are often sub-par and overpriced. This impacts all young individuals. It hinders their ability to begin a life, have an education, start families. Of course, there are leaders and communities who can show the way out. An example I know quite well is that of Tamás Soproni, the mayor of Budapest’s Terézváros district, a mayor who utilised local budgets to renovate municipal housing, offering affordable social rentals to students and young families. But this issue, let’s face it, extends beyond individual efforts, and the European Union must acknowledge its pivotal role in this. We urge more direct European funding channels, empowering local governments, the first responders to this crisis. They possess the expertise and the local knowledge necessary for impactful change. We need more substantial funding for social housing to create safe havens for our young citizens. The Commission’s Affordable Housing initiative is a step in the right direction, but we need a focused programme tailored specifically to the youth, and more cooperation with local governments has to happen. Increased public investment in university housing is also essential. Education should not be a luxury, and stable housing is the foundation of learning.

Mr President, dear colleagues, the report before us is of utmost importance. We are preparing to mobilise the European Solidarity Fund with aid earmarked for three countries: to Romania that has faced an extreme drought in its south-eastern region in the summer of 2022, to Italy that was hit by severe floods in the central regions in September 2022, and Türkiye that was devastated by earthquakes in its southern provinces in February 2023. And this financial assistance package totals EUR 454.8 billion, supporting crucial emergency operations, rescue services and infrastructure restoration efforts. The EUSF stands as a vital instrument extending aid during natural disasters and health emergencies. It embodies European solidarity, serving as more than just a financial tool. It is a testament to our shared commitment to supporting one another in times of crisis. However, our work doesn’t end here. The stark reality of climate change demands a proactive response, acknowledging the increased frequency of natural disasters. Our commitment to ambitious long-term climate action must remain steadfast, and I certainly hope there is no disagreement across the political aisle in this regard. But we also need to increase immediate assistance to people who are suffering now. So reform and increased resources are urgently needed. The report advocates for just that: a faster and more efficient EUSF by ensuring sound financial management and transparency. Aligned with the mid-term review of the MFF, we call for a substantial increase in available resources. The Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve is at its limits and it must be equipped to respond swiftly to its escalating crises. Also, regrettably, there have been attempts to question aid disbursement to Türkiye following devastating earthquakes, and we firmly reject any attempt to pit one country’s tragedy against another’s. Türkiye is a pre-accession country. It’s legally eligible for EUSF assistance. Attempts to obstruct aid based on populist sentiment are unfounded and divisive. So, in conclusion, I urge you to support this report as it stands. Let us reinforce our commitment to European solidarity.

Well, I suppose this is why we need a strong European-level regulation so that it can create a level and equal playing field for every media ownership. This is why I think it is very essential to have European-level regulation.

Madam President, dear colleagues, imagine beginning your day with a cup of coffee and your trusted local newspaper. You flip through the pages, catch up on the latest news on town, from education to traffic updates, cultural events. You finish up with the results of the local sports team and the weekend’s fish-soup cooking contest. It’s not such an unusual image, is it? And now imagine that you wake up one day and all of that is gone. And in the same newspaper now, you can read about the many achievements of your great leader, Viktor Orbán, or about totally absurd conspiracies on Brussels forcing sex-change operations on toddlers. Well, colleagues, this is what has happened in Hungary. Four hundred local newspapers were merged into one single monstrous conglomerate called KESMA, which is stuffed with taxpayers’ money. State advertising makes up 75% of its ad revenue. And Orbán’s favourite oligarch, Lőrinc Mészáros, has control over all of it. For too long we have waited for the EU to address this blatant attack on media freedom. Now the European Media Freedom Act is finally a step in the right direction because it directly confronts the critical problem of media market concentration. The 15% ceiling on state advertising could be an absolute game changer, and our democracies will be healthier if it’s implemented. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question)

Mr President, the EU Bangladesh partnership is a prime example of the prosperity that a principled European foreign policy can deliver globally. The European Union has become the country’s number one trading partner, thanks to our fair terms. But unfortunately, the global rise of authoritarianism did not avoid Bangladesh, and there is a very much worrying tendency of crackdowns on human rights and political opposition: disappearances, incarcerations, extrajudicial killings and curbing freedom of expression show a real erosion of Bangladeshi democracy. The ongoing harassment of the country’s most prominent human rights NGO, Odhikar, and the flawed court case against its leaders, crosses a line that we cannot ignore. Our resolution stands by the fundamental rights of the people of Bangladesh. It urges the government to return to the democratic path, and for the ridiculous charges to be dropped. I would also like to remind Mr Borrell to show some resolve and stick to binding agreements when representing European interests abroad. Otherwise, how would we expect any country to take the European Union seriously.

Madam President, dear colleagues, looking back on our mandate so far, there is a lot to be proud of. We stood united in the face of unprecedented challenges during the pandemic or during Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. But this mandate is far from over. The global political climate is extremely turbulent and liberal democracy is under increasing threat. We have to ask ourselves the question: is the EU prepared for the prospect of a second Trump presidency? Because we have to be. Strategic autonomy is the place to start, and we have to put treaty change on the table, and we have to abolish the unanimity rule, at least in foreign affairs. Madam President, you told us ‘if and when it’s necessary’. Well, I have to tell you, the time is now for that because for Europe to be a bulwark of democracy, for us to be a strong ally of Ukraine, we have to put our own house in order. We cannot fight Putin without fighting the Putinisation of our very own Member States. In the past years – after some hesitation, I have to say – the Commission indeed took firm steps to address democratic backsliding. Clearly there is growing pressure to abandon this path. But we cannot and we must not do this. Our values and an unwavering commitment to rule of law action is simply non-negotiable. Colleagues, the world needs Europe’s voice and leadership like never before. But Europe is only as strong as our values are.

Mr President, the three words ‘women, life, freedom’ echoing through the streets of Tehran ignited the flame and fuelled the fight for women’s rights across the globe. The women of Iran command our utmost respect for their remarkable courage, for standing against injustice, for honouring the memory of Mahsa Amini, brutally murdered at the hands of the morality police. Protesters risk their lives so that no woman gets harassed or killed due to a bigoted dress code ever again. But one year has passed, and sadly, the oppression continues. But we should not give up hope. The European Union can do more and, specifically, High Representative, we need a tougher, more principled and transparent stance from you as the EU’s top diplomat. We need better enforcement of existing sanctions, and also the EU must respond firmly to Member State governments who continue to collaborate with the Iranian regime. Let us remember that Hungary’s foreign minister met his Iranian counterpart just two months after Mahsa Amini’s murder. Where was the EU's reaction? Unity matters in this case. So let us send a message to the women and minorities of Iran: you are not alone; we stand with you in your quest for life and freedom.