Speeches

Mr President, Council, dear Vice—President Šefčovič, colleagues, the Commission’s proposal follows a constructive approach that improves national ownership and flexibility, a step in the right direction that we welcome. Even so, there are still some challenges in it Mr Vice-President. First, the social dimension has been relegated to a footnote – but economics is not just mathematics, it should be about people in the end. The economic governance must help us sustainably deliver the social pillar and the Porto agenda commitments. Secondly, we are missing another opportunity to create a permanent European investment capacity. Such an instrument would help us deliver strategic reforms at European level and stabilise our economies through the economic cycles. Without it, the monetary union remains unfinished. Finally, a stronger role for the Commission merits stronger accountability towards this House that represents directly the European citizens. It is time to deliver what is necessary for the well-being of our citizens. You can all count on the S&D for that.

Mr President, Commissioner. Council colleagues, are there more hideous and repulsive crimes than those committed against children? Not in my moral code. Not in the moral code of any decent person. The ICC took no notice of the Russian actions and acted. So from here, I say, Mr Putin, you crossed so many lines with this war that you will be remembered for the worst reasons, but do not add one more horrible chapter to the history books, not one on kidnapping children. They are only children. Certainly not your enemies, not soldiers, for sure. They are innocent children that will be marked for life for your actions. If there is a shred of humanity in you, do something decent for once. Stop the kidnappings and return the children to their families. Even the Russian people that you are manipulating and repressing will be against you when they know what you have been doing. And rest assured, we will make sure that they know.

Mr President, Madam President of the Commission, dear High Representative, dear colleagues, in 2019 the Council adopted the European Union's position on China, while identifying it, as we have abundantly mentioned today, as a partner, competitor, but also a systemic rival. Not by chance, such a proposal was put forward by the High Representative, who, since the Treaty of Lisbon, has twice represented the Commission and the Council in the Union's foreign policy, with a view to securing a unified position on the part of the European Union. Since then we have faced events, however, that we did not imagine to live and that have affected the relationship with China. This was the case of the pandemic, the crisis it provoked, but above all also the subsequent diplomatic confrontation, the diplomacy of masks, vaccines, the disruption of global supply chains. But most of all, of course, the case of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the declared ‘boundless friendship’ between China and Russia, which goes hand in hand with the intensification of diplomatic and political relations between those two countries. That is why it is important, as the High Representative said, to reassess our 2019 position on China, without, however, putting it into crisis. Seeing China as a strategic rival, we must eliminate our dependence on critical areas, starting with rare materials, and not be naive in matters where we still have technological superiority, and starting with issues such as semiconductors. Not because we want a breakup. We do not want to be embarrassed in our relationship, but rather the affirmation and defence of our values, which remain a central element of our European policy. As competitors, we certainly have to position ourselves at the forefront of technological development, strengthen our economic security, as Josep Borrell said, and deepen economic and political relations with the rest of the world, first of all by making more use of foreign policy instruments – President von der Leyen referred to this today and wanted to welcome this – but to do so, and I would like to stress the importance of doing so now with Latin America. This year, we have a huge opportunity on our way to the EU-CELAC Summit. China is already trying to take our place. But we do have to remain partners in some areas where global challenges can only be tackled together, certainly in the area of climate change, or by joining efforts to put an end to the barbaric invasion of Ukraine.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, when, 20 months ago, President Saied dismissed the government and suspended Parliament, assuming full powers, the international community - Europe, of course - was apprehensive. Since then, there have been disappointments. Promises of democratisation have not been fulfilled, as has respect for freedom of the press and expression, freedom of politics and association, or judicial independence. In fact, all of them have been breached. The sad reality today in Tunisia is that journalists, trade unionists, political activists and magistrates are imprisoned for political reasons alone, and even that the leader of the European Trade Union Confederation is expelled just for participating in a trade union demonstration, which we deeply regret. The disillusionment of the population is expressed both in the mass demonstrations and in the very low turnout rates for simply not believing in that electoral process. It is therefore urgent to resume the process of national dialogue in order to find political solutions to the situation and to lead Tunisia on the path of democracy and respect for human rights.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, in July 2019, President von der Leyen, then a candidate for President of the Commission, presented her political guidelines for the Commission's mandate. Much has happened, however, of course, like the pandemic and the crisis that it brought about, the war on our borders, which certainly consumed much of our energy. But this is the time to roll up your sleeves again and do what is missing to fulfill the program at the time presented. We welcome the Commission's indication that it has begun to act in this critical ethical situation. But we must deliver, once and for all, on the promise then to create an independent ethics body common to all the institutions, as this Parliament had called for again in 2021, and reform the conflict of interest rules in the various bodies, increasing transparency and accountability for any infringement. Recent cases merely reiterate this need. We hope that the Commission will now finally be able to put forward the proposals that we have all been waiting too long for, Commissioner.

Mr President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Commissioner, colleagues and, in particular, EPP colleagues, the women, men and children who risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean, knowing that so many are on the way, do so in utter desperation, in order to escape hunger, war, ethnic and religious persecution in their countries. 26,000 have already lost their lives there. Mrs Mussolini of the EPP, in particular: Limiting search and rescue activities and restricting the work of life-saving NGOs is the opposite of what Member States should be doing, of what their Member State should be doing. It is deeply inhumane and against European values. We should be arresting traffickers – and, Mrs Mussolini, they are exploiting human lives, it is certainly not NGOs that are saving people at sea – strengthening rescue operations, trying to save all those at risk at sea out of sheer desperation, offering safe paths, certainly, for those fleeing danger and, certainly, with European solidarity in welcoming them. But, Mr Weber and Mrs Mussolini, do not continue dancing with the Italian extremists just for electoral reasons. There is no victory worth losing the values of humanity.

Madam President, Mr President-in-Office of the Council, Mr Vice-President of the Commission, the extreme right has brought the debate on migration here in connection with the next Council. I would like to discuss here with my fellow Members the need for a European fund for aid to the green industry that really reaches everyone in Europe and not just Germany and France. But I cannot help but react to the ice with which the far right and the PPE face despair and deaths at sea. What is happening in the Mediterranean – extreme right-wingers, who, incidentally, have already abandoned this debate – has nothing to do with open borders, it has nothing to do with the open sea, but where thousands lose their lives to escape hunger, war, religious persecution and other orders. Defenseless men, women and children lose their lives at the hands of traffickers and in the waves of a merciless sea to which they only throw themselves out of despair, while those who want to help are barred by the insensitivity of rules that never retire and by the icy heart of a government that has already wanted to refuse aid in its ports, that has wanted to criminalize the solidarity work of those who want to save lives. Mrs. Meloni and Mr. Berlusconi, you will not pass! And, Mr. Weber, put an end to this disgraceful alliance of your party with the far-right, before your hearts are finally frozen.

Mr President, this is a significant moment of unity in this chamber, and I want to highlight that after the words of my colleague, Mr Gahler, because with the aim to free itself from the strings of the judiciary, the government of Israel and its coalition are trying to approve legislation that is not acceptable in a democratic country as we know them. It’s certainly not acceptable and not accepted in Israel, too, because Israeli citizens are taking to the streets week after week on ever bigger mass demonstrations to protect against the judiciary reform already referred previously by Michael Gahler, claiming, correctly, that it constitutes an assault to the Israeli democracy. This reform diminishes the judiciary as a whole, making it easy for the political power to overrule decisions from the Supreme Court. And as it was also referred, legislative proposals are being discussed to reinstate even the death penalty. This government is paving the way for a de facto annexation of the occupied territories. So let me end, Mr President, with a sentence, there is no room for ambiguity. We are not anti-Israeli, for we are by the side of the hundreds of thousands, of the millions of Israelis that are fighting for democracy in Israel in the streets these days.

I refer to the reform of the multilateral institutions. And we were also in New York at the UN with the Secretary—General, and there was a sense of hope on the reform of the multilateral institutions. And it was good to hear some sense of hope in such difficult times. And I would like to ask you, do you also believe that we can indeed deliver on the reform of the multilateral institutions, namely the Security Council, and particularly to give a role, a concrete role, to the Global South? Latin America and Africa are calling for too long for a stronger role in the multilateral institutions, and I saw the Secretary—General going in that direction. I would like to have your saying on this.

Mr President, dear High Representative, the leadership of this group of the Socialists and Democrats, we just came from the US just before Chancellor Scholz and the President of the Commission landed a few days later there. At our meetings at the White House or at the Congress, there was a lot of appraisal about the unity between Europe and the US regarding the support of the Ukrainians against the Russian aggression. But we were also, of course, discussing the elephant in the room, the IRA. America is trying, as you just said previously, to go more independent on other economies, including from ourselves, promoting American industries, even the green ones. And we in Europe are, at the same time, discussing strategic autonomy and the sovereignty fund. So I would like to ask you, what comes next for this transatlantic partnership? Will we lead together the reinvention of the multilateral institutions, Mr Borrell, so that we can fight globally the health, the financial and the climate challenges? Or are we to face a kind of a new Cold War with blocs clashing through the world against each other?

Madam President, one year of the brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It resulted in the death of thousands and thousands of innocent lives. The destruction of a country. Millions of refugees. Increased insecurity and suffering for Europe and the world. The EU stood by Ukraine for all of this time. We will continue to support them for as long as it takes. Ukrainians can count on our political, diplomatic, humanitarian, financial and military support. Putin from his side, can count with our strong, resolute and increased sanctions, as was just proposed today, – for which we are thankful – to drain his power. Now, our unity in the support of the Ukrainians has proven to be one of the biggest strengths against the Russian aggressor. That is why it is so concerning for this Parliament. I would say, I would hope for, this Parliament as a whole, but unfortunately not, that some in the ranks of the EPP are now trying to put things the other way around. It was appalling to hear Mr Berlusconi excusing Putin from his responsibilities and blaming Ukraine for this war. We have seen, yes, it was. I thank you for your applause, Mr Weber, it's important that you do so. But let me be clear also on this: you just said we defend the European way of life for the Ukrainians, good, but what concrete actions will you take regarding Mr Berlusconi, regarding his party, Mr Weber? What concrete actions will you take? You have defended here with all of us sanctions regarding those that have supported Putin in this war. What kind of sanctions will start in your own political family regarding Mr Berlusconi so that we stand united, we remain united against the Putin aggression?

Madam President, Council, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine will go down in history as one of the great crimes committed against international law, a country, a people. Contrary to his totalitarian fantasies, Putin will be condemned by history and will be remembered in Russia itself as someone who led the country into an immoral and unjust war. To this end, the determined support that the European Union has provided to Ukraine cannot cease. We therefore advocate strengthening humanitarian, economic, macro-financial, political and certainly military support so that Ukraine can defend itself, sustain its economy, reduce the suffering of its people and undertake reforms that bring it closer to the European project. We want Europe to remain one, without divisions between countries, without protagonist wars, alongside Zelensky and his people. That's all we want. Let the road to peace be built sooner than later.

Madam President, Commissioner, the arrest and sentencing of journalists on charges which, according to well-known human rights organisations, are at least very dubious, have been used by the Moroccan authorities as a form of pressure and intimidation. Such actions are unacceptable to this Parliament and to the European Union; and Morocco, with whom the European Union has a privileged relationship, has an obligation to cease these and all activities that violate freedom of the press, freedom of expression and human rights in general. We therefore call on the Moroccan authorities to immediately release journalists detained in a process of regularising the democratic functioning that the Moroccan people deserve. Finally, I could not fail to refer to the suspicions of corruption originating in Morocco: If they do, they will have a strong response from this Parliament. The Group of Socialists and Democrats will be at the forefront of demanding sanctions against all those who have sought to subvert European democracy.

Madam President, President of the Council, Commission, throughout 2022, Europeans uncompromisingly supported Ukrainians. Today, that some of its main leaders, but also so many others, including many children, have lost their lives, we renew this support. But throughout 2022, we also advocate, socialist and democratic, not only support for Ukrainians, but support for Europeans who have suffered from the rising cost of living here in Europe. We achieved some important victories at the end of the year: taxation on windfall profits, the CARE programme to support households most vulnerable to this crisis. It was worth fighting. Bring the bills down it is our priority, it remains our priority in the European context. No more vulnerable family should have their energy contracts interrupted due to the impossibility of paying. We want legislative action to this end and we ask the European Commission to prioritise European families, as it was able to do for companies, in the proposal that has been brought before us today.

Mr President, dear High Representative, the annual reports on the common foreign, security and defence policy represent Parliament's position on some of the Union's most important policies. The relevance of these policies has become more evident with Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. He stressed the need for greater coordination between the Member States and the implementation of a genuine common foreign, security and defence policy. He outlined the relevance of the Strategic Compass presented by the High Representative in due course. At a decisive moment, we surprised Putin, we knew how to unite and we have to remain united by our strategic autonomy, to make more use of our foreign policy tools to promote our values, but also to strengthen our main alliances. The world has become much more dangerous. It needs a more determined and capable European Union to contribute to peace, security, stability and global development.

Madam President, in the name of the Socialists and Democrats, to say that we do support the fact that we should have only one debate. And that if we had to come to this situation, which we have very different proposals, if it was not possible by then to have from a minority proposal a large proposal – now it is – I thank Renew for a good proposal that can capture the majority and that still needs words and allows us to debate the situation of the interference of different countries. So full support for one debate, as proposed by Renew.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine will go down in history as one of the great crimes of this century. By force of arms, the Putin regime tried to impose itself on the sovereign will of the Ukrainians. But the determination of a people who want to be free proves to be ever stronger, and that is why we awarded them the Sakharov Prize yesterday. Putin’s attack on Ukraine’s basic infrastructure aims to punish the population avengingly for its resistance, leaving millions of people without energy facing unbearable temperatures. We have heard incredible testimonies from those who have come here to receive the Sakharov Prize of how families are coming together to face this impossible situation. The situation is truly dramatic. My colleague Mr Kubilius, whom I would like to congratulate on this, has reminded us here of several proposals by the Ukrainian Government to step up this humanitarian aid. We cannot remain indifferent or paralyzed. The European Union has a moral responsibility to support Ukraine. I therefore call on the Commission and the Council to continue to put forward proposals along the lines that have been advocated by the Ukrainian government and European entities, so that we collectively fulfil our responsibility. You will see that you will find nothing more than overwhelming support from the European Parliament.

Mr President, Commissioner, almost three decades have passed since the signing of the Oslo agreements created hope for a peaceful solution for Israel and Palestine and their peoples. A two-state solution. Israel and Palestine coexist peacefully, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states. Unfortunately, many steps were taken after that on the wrong path, making it increasingly difficult to implement this solution. The consequences of these bad choices have been paid for with insecurity, with lives, with underdevelopment. With this resolution, the European Parliament sends a very clear message to all those involved in the process, including the new government of Israel, the far-right party that will integrate it, the various radical parties that will integrate it and, in particular, some ministers of this new government. It is necessary to resume peace negotiations leading to the implementation of the two-state solution in compliance with international law and UN resolutions. All systematic actions that undermine the resolution of this conflict have a firm condemnation on our part, including violence on either side, or the occupation of land or settlements in the occupied territories. It is necessary to move in another direction, to return to the spirit of Oslo, to return to the path of dialogue that created hope and led to the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to the signatories to the agreements.

Mr President, Commissioner, the seriousness of the allegations of corruption and the data already known are a profound stain on this institution and on the European institutions. For my part, disgusted was what I felt in the first moments, furious and increasingly furious, with each new revelation, each new data that we are knowing. I am proud that my political group has already acted, and that it has acted immediately, like this Parliament, by expelling Eva Kaili from our political group and removing her from the post of Vice-President of Parliament. But we have much more to do to restore citizens' trust in our institution and in the European institutions. We need to act also in the context of the judicial process, because, yes, we have also been injured, if these acts are confirmed, by setting up a committee of inquiry that goes to the bottom of this situation, but by taking concrete measures to shield the institution against further attacks of the same nature. The integrity of European democracy must be preserved, because, as Sophia in 't Veld said just now, it takes a long time to build that credibility, but it can be lost only in a moment. We will work to change this situation.

Mr President, a point of order regarding the flow of the works. You are aware, of course, that this debate was supposed to start in about half an hour. As much as I’m told, this was foreseen for in about half an hour. All our colleagues were scrutinising this. There is nobody in the chamber. We, our group, are coming because we started alerting the colleagues to come. This is for sure probably the most important debate in this session. I would ask you – probably even in the name of the other groups, because they are not even here, the leaderships – maybe allow for, I would say, a 10-minute break or something so that the groups can convene. This is such an important debate that we cannot take it cleanly without the groups being aware that it’s starting at this moment. That would be the S&D request.

Madam President, Commissioner, Members of the Council, let me start by thanking EPP colleagues for raising this important point. It has got the attention from the Parliament for months now, demanding concrete action. And also let me also kindly thank EPP for the free publicity for our S&D ‘Bring the Bills Down’ plan. By the way, since we are talking about it, you could even consult bringthebillsdown.eu, which is the website of our campaign with our proposals – I would say Commissioner-friendly, it could even inspire you, I hope. And Commissioner, I say so because we are waiting for concrete action for too long; concrete results are not to be seen yet. Finally, the Commission proposed a long-awaited price cap. We recognise it is a step in the right direction for the sheer fact that we have a proposal, but we need it to be fine-tuned and I would say quite a bit. Experts are telling us that the chances for this price cap proposal to be triggered anytime are almost the same of a tree being hit by a lightning bolt in the middle of the ocean. And the speculation on the TTF market is not even addressed, Commissioner. And the decoupling of gas and electricity prices is also not to be found yet. In the Iberian Peninsula, as you well know, it is already saving around 15% on electric electricity prices to consumers. What are we waiting for in the rest of Europe? Commissioner, being this a debate on keeping the bills down, I would say that the Commission is still missing a central piece of action. We need direct support to the families most affected by energy poverty. The S&D leader will present a long-awaited plan before the next Council – a proposal for a fund of EUR 100 billion to support European families for the winter. A true winter solidarity package. We can do it with the resources we have and the proceeds of a strong windfall-profits tax. We can do it. It’s just fair that we do it.

Mr President, Mr High Representative, ladies and gentlemen, relations between China and the European Union are truly at a crossroads. On the one hand, the size of China and the role it has and can play in the world make it important for us to cooperate on common challenges such as the climate crisis, global food security or the promotion of global peace and security. But repeated human rights violations in Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and Macao cannot but be vehemently repudiated by the European Union. In addition, there is growing tension with Taiwan, which is jeopardising peace and regional stability and which Europe cannot tolerate either, without forgetting, of course, the sanctions imposed on Members of this Parliament, in complete disregard for the institution and the principles of functioning of these democracies. There is a way to gradually improve relations between the European Union and China, but it is a narrow path, which Europe is willing to follow, as the High Representative has rightly pointed out. We hope that the Chinese authorities will be seriously available for this journey as well.

Thank you, Mr President. Woman, life, freedom: that is the slogan under which the extraordinarily brave Iranian women and men filled the streets of Tehran and other Iranian cities to demand respect for the basic human rights and dignity. These protests, sparked by outrage over the killing by the so-called morality police of the young Iranian Mahsa Amini for alleged improper veiling, were focused on women’s rights, but they transformed into a broader movement against the oppressive rules and the authoritarian government, stifling the lives and freedom of the Iranian people. As the EU, we support strongly and unambiguously the aspirations of the Iranian people to live in a peaceful, democratic, free country, respectful of its international and domestic human rights obligations. We condemn in the strongest possible ways the brutal repression unleashed by the authorities of the Islamic Republic on its own citizens who only seek to live their lives in freedom and dignity. We are in particular outraged by the call of a majority of the Iranian Parliament to execute the protesters. This is absolutely unacceptable and we strongly condemn such incitement and mass state violence. We hope that more moderate voices will prevail and hear the voice of the Iranian people demanding respect for the human rights, rule of law and dignity. But we praise the leadership of our HR / VP on ensuring an unambiguous and consensual EU response to this situation, to the crackdown. And we call for new sanctions towards particularly those that are responsible by these recent acts.

Mr President, President Michel, Vice-President Šefčovič, we are following the last Council closely because of the importance of its agenda and its conclusions. We recognise the developments, albeit late, in the energy files, but we are seriously concerned about the revealed failure to maintain a united front in supporting Ukraine with regard to macro-financial support. How could President von der Leyen have gone to Kiev these days to pledge another €18 billion of macro-financial support if not even the funds committed for this year are secured and already with the promise of a new veto from Hungary. It is absolutely unacceptable. Support for European households, for small businesses that suffer from energy costs, must also move forward in a determined way. When is a truly European response? My political family, through its leader Iratxe Garcia Pérez, has just presented a solidarity plan, for the winter, for European families, with 15 concrete proposals for action that go far beyond controlling energy prices, although it is necessary. It includes a fund of at least €100 billion to directly support families who suffer. We have the resources in the budgets we have approved. Let's see if we have the political will. We need a new serum. We need to get resources where it's fairest: to those who have gained from this crisis, to help those who have less. Madam President of the Commission, you will receive our concrete proposals. Europeans cannot wait any longer.

Madam President, Commissioner Várhelyi, Minister Bek, ladies and gentlemen, the creation of the European Political Community as a forum for political dialogue and cooperation at the highest level is a step towards solutions for peace, security, stability and prosperity in Europe. The participation of European countries, naturally leaving Russia and Belarus out, showed a united front in favour of the multilateralism of international law, leaving the Russian regime even more politically isolated in its war of aggression against Ukraine. It is important to continue with this dialogue mechanism to address so many challenges facing the continent, without prejudice to existing levels and institutional structures, whose role is consolidated and to which this European political community must not, cannot override, such as the Council of Europe, or the OSCE. This is without prejudice to well-established Union policies, in particular enlargement and neighbourhood policy, which cannot be weakened and which, on the contrary, themselves need a strong impetus which must, moreover, evolve alongside institutional reform and the deepening of the Union. This is therefore a space for dialogue between European states, important at the moment, which should strengthen Europe's geopolitical relevance without weakening any of our institutions.