Debate contributions by Angelika WINZIG

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! The Qatargate socialist scandal has shown that NGOs need more control. Unfortunately, at the time, as we voted in Parliament, the left and also parts of the Renew had not voted in favour of our transparency motion. But it is clear: NGOs need to explain how they are funded, what their business model is and what their goals are – and this is no different for every company. And it cannot be the case that the European Commission pays NGOs for influencing MEPs in order to enforce left-wing green policies against agriculture and the economy, and that with European tax money. Well, that's so. And I think because you mentioned companies earlier, Mr. Freund: Companies have to prove everything in every promotion when they start funding and even if they get the funding then, these bills are highly complicated. You really shouldn't confuse this with business.

Mr President! Commissioner! Colleagues! On the occasion of the Green Deal, then Vice President Timmermans promised us a deal for the economy. Unfortunately, he broke his promise and there were obligations, reporting obligations, unclearly defined legislation and high cost increases for our economy. I have often pointed out that decarbonisation must not lead to deindustrialisation and that the competitiveness of the European economy is declining. First the Inflation Reduction Act The US has awakened us from sleep because the relocations of EU companies have already been felt in the regions. In order to prevent future emigration, a comprehensive and high-quality impact assessment is required for each legislative proposal. And this impact assessment must necessarily include a mandatory competitiveness check – unfortunately this has not been the case in the last period. I've been an entrepreneur for many years, but the situation we have now in the economy was the last one I had in 2007, 2008, during the financial crisis. I therefore ask you, Commissioner, to focus on competitiveness and give entrepreneurs more freedom.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Apple has lost the years-long battle before the ECJ for billions of tax rebates in Ireland, has to pay 13 billion euros. This is not a threat to Apple’s very existence, which is a good thing, but it is a big sign for Europe. It's about profits outside the U.S., and in 2016, the European Commission decided that Ireland has received 23 years of distortive tax breaks. Experts have even calculated that the tax rate was 0.00% on a case-by-case basis. Of course, this state aid to the group provides competitive advantages compared to other companies, but for our internal market we need fairness between Member States. Of course, from time to time Member States would like to see State aid legislation extended. But one should think of other things such as reforms, such as less bureaucracy and burdens – this is also how one can make a location attractive. Fairness must apply to all companies, whether large or small, whether large corporations or the bakery next door. And we must also protect citizens in our countries from these practices, because the careful handling of taxpayers' money must be a top priority everywhere in Europe.

Mr President, Commissioner, esteemed colleagues, esteemed spectators! A stable, successful, affordable energy supply is the backbone of our industry and our economy and thus also secures our prosperity in Europe. Even though energy prices are now falling, they still remain two to three times higher than in the US. This is especially true when we consider that the United States Inflation Reduction Act and, with less bureaucratic constraints, continue to be interesting for outflows of European companies. We urgently need to eliminate this imbalance and create a level playing field for our businesses. The Commission has already provided some important impetus, such as: Net-Zero Industry Act or the EU Energy Platform or the Hydrogen Bank. I also welcome Mario Draghi's proposal for a stronger separation of renewable energy and fossil fuels. Our approval procedures are still a major problem. Here, too, we must not only work here, but also hold our national states accountable. Gold plating It no longer matters when it comes to renewable energy. But even with the greatest efforts – and we must not be deniers of reality – we will never achieve complete self-sufficiency; That's why we need sensible, reliable partners. Yes, energy security and sustainability are important. However, decarbonisation must not lead to de-industrialisation and competitive framework conditions are therefore needed for our industry, our SMEs to continue to operate successfully in Europe.