Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, on the one hand we see a Europe that sets trends in artificial intelligence, on the other hand we see a Europe that is unable to provide drinking water to poor European regions. The poorest European citizens, including Roma, drink water from the stream in the 21st century. We are able to develop cutting-edge technologies, but we cannot give education to poor Roma children, for example. We are able to create millions of jobs, but we cannot give the poor Roma jobs, for example. We are able to accomplish things we have never dreamed of, but we cannot fulfill the dreams of poor children. I stress that education systems in many countries are not able to prepare Roma children for the labour market. Today we know exactly where the shoe is pushing us. We need to act now. Poor Roma children are also the image of Europe today. Ladies and gentlemen, if I were to be asked today by any of you whether Europe is social or whether we are approaching it at all, my answer would be yes for someone, but unfortunately not for many.

Mr President, the European Commission has sent a letter to the Slovak Government expressing concerns about legislative changes undermining the rule of law in Slovakia. Because of this legislation, the Commission can suspend billions of euros from the recovery plan. After this letter, Prime Minister Fico unleashed a hunt for the opposition, calling us traitors. Fico, Pellegrini and Danko forgot about the voters after the election. They forgot that they promised people cheaper food, cheaper electricity or cheaper gasoline. Six months after the election. None of these promises have been mentioned by any of the three. Since the elections, they have been doing everything they can to ensure that those who steal billions in Slovakia are punished with impunity or receive minimum punishment for their thieves. Dear Fico, Pellegrini, Danko, tell yourself what you want, give us traitors, but we will not be silent, let alone expect to applaud you for these thieves of yours, for these - that is to say, really - we have committed. And if we lose the EU funds, it will only be because you have sacrificed the interests of Slovakia above the interests of your people, whom you want to protect from a fair punishment.

Madam President, this is the first time during this mandate that we are celebrating International Roma Day in plenary. As a Roma from Slovakia, I am, of course, very pleased with this. I take this opportunity to point out that Roma children are also European children. Despite the fact that the constitutions in the member countries prohibit discrimination, despite having billions of euros or a number of strategies, we still have millions of Roma children in Europe who are discriminated against. Being born a Roma child is not a good thing. There is nothing wrong with it, but the whole childhood lives in poverty, without sewerage or water. To make matters worse, when she enters primary school, she is punished by being placed in a segregated classroom. We are protecting wolves, bears, forests and trees, but we are stealing the future of Roma children. Europe has shown that it can fight for minority rights, but in the case of Roma children we have been failing for a long time. Ladies and gentlemen, let us bear in mind that Roma children are the same as other children in Europe and have the right to pursue their dreams.

Mr President, hatred, human rights violations, but also corruption are threatening democracy around the world today. Corruption is the cancer of society. Despite the fact that many of us openly speak out and fight against it, it is still spreading in several parts of the world. People's trust in democracy and the rule of law is being lost in many parts of Europe, but also of the world. Hatred spreads in society, even by politicians themselves. Hatred is spreading like a virus among people, mainly because of social platforms. Hate, let's be honest, we have absolutely no control over hate online, both in the European Union and in other parts of the world. Hate speech has become the norm, even for politicians. And the war in the Middle East ended anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred today. Extremism and neo-fascism are gaining momentum. On the one hand, ladies and gentlemen, the image of humanity. We are adopting resolutions against countries for violating women's rights, LGBT rights and journalistic freedom. On the other hand, in many countries of the world we tolerate exclusion, condemnation, segregation, even of children. For example, Roma children for their skin color, for their ethnicity or for their poverty. Poverty, hatred, discrimination, but also corruption are evils that everyone has to deal with. Both we here in the European Union and many countries in the world.

Mr President, I myself have acted as a teacher and I know that the profession of teacher is not only a profession, but also a service to society. After the family, it is the teacher who fundamentally educates and shapes the children. On the one hand, society has high expectations from teachers, but on the other hand, society does not create adequate conditions for teachers to work. They should have excellent pedagogical skills, knowledge, practice, be personal role models, bearers of excellent human qualities, be receptive, understanding, tolerant, helpful, but we cannot appreciate them. The profession of teacher is simply unattractive in many countries today. For example, in my country, Slovakia, it is difficult to attract young people to the teaching profession. The main reason for this is the long-term low salaries, which are not competitive with those of other professions, but also the lack of technical and working conditions. They simply teach in schools that do not correspond to the 21st century. Children, as well as parents, lack respect for their teachers. Teachers often become targets of insults or even attacks. We all expect the teacher to adapt to the current technological progress, but neither the environment in which he works nor his remuneration is progressing in many countries in Europe or in my own country. Teachers face immense responsibility for their students, but neither students nor their parents value them. Education must be a priority. Young people must be given the opportunity to develop their potential. Without a change in schools and hand in hand without a change in the perception or appreciation of the profession of teacher, however, this will not work.

Madam President, I am ethnic Roma. If Hitler had won the war, I wouldn't be here today. Many of you wouldn't be here today. We quickly forgot what had happened when, in the past, it was allowed to think that there was a superior race. There is no superior race, there is no inferior person. The company has become radicalised in recent years. We have to open our eyes and admit that extremists have our fault too, in fact, they are growing in strength. We talk about it all the time and watch. The war in the Middle East has spread anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred. I have long said that extremism, neo-fascism and hatred are gaining momentum in Europe. Today, such people are even part of many parliaments or governments. They deny the Holocaust, praise the fascist regime, spread hatred against Roma, Jews and Muslims. How many more people have to die before we start a real fight against hatred? It is important that we treat hate ideology not as an opinion, but as a crime. He who proclaims that a race is more perfect than another is not freedom of expression, that is a crime. It is a disgrace to this House that there are also people in this room who deny the Holocaust. Dear Fascists, the Holocaust has happened and spreading hatred against any group is a crime. I appeal to all competent, please start, finally, punishing those who behave like superhumans and start protecting the victims of hate crimes.

Madam President, today, unfortunately, we can read on the internet that all gypsies must be killed, all bourgeois must be killed, or all Jews must be killed. Unfortunately, we can find such speeches in the online space, and unfortunately we all tolerate them. It has gone so far that hatred is now spread not only through the mouths of fascists, but mainly because of social platforms, a significant part of society spreads hatred. Dear friends, let's be honest: We have no control over online hate. Because of our indifference, it has gone so far as to make online hate speech the norm of an increasing number of people in society. We are at a historic crossroads. A large proportion of people have even accepted the spread of hate online. We turn a blind eye to racist attacks on social platforms, overlooking the spread of neo-fascist ideology, threats, humiliation or the application of collective guilt. If someone praised Bin Laden on the Internet, he would have been in jail a long time ago. But when they praise Hitler or Breivik on the Internet, everyone overlooks it. Friends, hate will not only remain in the virtual space of the Internet. The consequences of hatred are real actions, which unfortunately end tragically. Why is it that when someone threatens death, we say it's freedom of speech? How can we fight terrorism but tolerate hate speech? Hatred is not freedom of speech. Hatred is evil. Hatred must be stopped at its root, and we must remember that hatred is followed by terrorism. It is our duty to find effective measures very quickly so that we can control the online space as well as the offline space.

Madam President, on the one hand, young people's interest in practical skills is being lost, which in practice means that they are consequently absent from the European labour market. On the other hand, let us admit that vocational education systems have been failing in Europe for a long time. In the context of new technologies, digitalisation and the green transition, this gap is widening even further. Worse still, in some Member States they knowingly waste both talent and potential. By excluding or disadvantaging children from poor families since entering the school environment. They are throwing away their future and at the same time wasting their potential. Some Member States literally make poor, talented children of citizens unusable in the labour market, dependent on the social system for the rest of their lives. The most important investments are in the future of European citizens, in our children. Everything must be done to give every child the chance to develop their talents or skills so that they can be successful, or so that in adulthood every child can fulfill their own dreams.

Madam President, as a Roma, I myself have long been the object of hate attacks, so I know what I am talking about. While the number of hate speech and hate crimes has been increasing in recent years, the fight against these crimes has stagnated. Today we are at a historic crossroads. The spread of hatred has already been accepted by a large part of society. Nowadays, fascists, hate-spreading extremists are part of various democratic parliaments, or even the governments of several Member States, in Europe, even in my own country. Ladies and gentlemen, we have long overlooked the abuse of democracy and freedom of speech. We only start dealing with hate crimes when something bad happens. If someone loses their life because of their otherness. Colleagues, colleagues, how many people still have to die before we can start a real fight against hatred. Those who spread hate are the same criminals as those who spread terrorism. Please all competent, start finally punishing those who behave like superhumans. Protect those who are victims of hate crimes.

Mr President, extremism and neo-fascism have been gaining momentum in Europe for a long time. Today, fascists are even part of many parliaments or governments. They deny the Holocaust or praise the fascist regime. We must stop confusing freedom of speech with the spread of neo-fascist ideology. Ladies and gentlemen, let us finally start treating fascists and extremists as criminals. We see fascism in many countries. The Heiling One Hundred Fifty Fascists in Italy cannot be overlooked by either the Italian Government or Brussels. We can find the same fascists all over Europe and even here, in my country, in Slovakia. The neo-fascists even run for the highest positions, including presidential candidacy, as is the case in my country. If the fascists were to praise Al Qaeda terrorists, they would be in jail today. Since their idols are Hitler, Mussolini, Tiso or Breivik, we overlook that. We must set a mirror for the neo-fascists and say to them all around: “The Holocaust has happened. Nazism is evil. Fascism is terrorism." I'll tell you my own experience with fascists when they threatened to rape my gypsy wife, kill my nigger children one by one, and we were followed under the windows of our house. The police did not pay enough attention to it. As usual, the perpetrator was not found. Ladies and gentlemen, how is it possible that terrorism is a red line for us, but fascism is tolerated by society? Neo-fascism is just as bad as terrorism. And those who spread fascism must be treated as vigorously as those who spread terrorism.

Madam President, what happens after the takeover of power in Slovakia is an attack or an assassination of justice. Fico and Pellegrini have long struggled to explain corruption scandals to themselves and their people, and therefore, through the rushed amendments to the criminal code, as well as the dissolution of the key organisation investigating these corruption scandals, but also attacks on investigators, they simply want to ensure impunity. In other words, they want an amnesty. The new government, whose dozens of former nominees are now actually sitting in jail for corruption and dozens more are being charged, wants to clean up its own prosecutions against it. For a long time, we have been saying that the way in which these corruption cases were committed for Fico, but also the organization of the perpetrators of this corruption, have clear signs of the mafia. Today in Strasbourg, Slovakia is experiencing a great deal of shame. To save Fico, Pellegrini and their cronies from bass, Smer, Voice and SNS commit treason. He wants to cleanse the criminals, conceal the cases, destroy the rule of law. If Slovakia ceases to be a state governed by the rule of law, we will lose the EU funds to them. Because of the mafias, because of corrupt politicians, Slovaks can lose billions of euros. Dear friends, we cannot close our mouths or our eyes to evil. Criminals are not traded. Let's not tolerate Fico and let's not do business with him. Towards uniform voting in the European Union. Slovakia deserves to continue to be a rule of law where everyone is equal and the law applies equally to corrupt politicians from the Smer.

Madam President, concerns about threats to the rule of law in Slovakia have become a reality. After the elections, justice in my country was given a red shank. He won Fico, teamed up with Pellegrini and Danko. The government of the mafia, thieves, hoaxers and extremists has arrived. The new interior minister has begun shameful, spectacular and utterly unacceptable cleansing in the police. She began revenge on police officers investigating corruption during past Smer and Voice governments. A period of persecution and a hunt for police officers investigating the corruption of Fico, Pellegrini, Danko and their friends has begun. The Mafia government is back. Today, Slovakia is ruled by corrupt politicians who have been, or are still being, prosecuted. Politicians who are now cleaning up the police just to save their own backs. And that's how they thwart the investigation. Slovakia seems to have forgotten the death of Ján Kuciak and his Martina. We have forgotten the political murder, the mafia, the system of impunity of the chosen people. Now it remains for all of us to sensitively monitor the crackdown on the rule of law in Slovakia. In order not to remain silent, we put fear on the side of justice.

Mr President, 78 years have passed since the end of the Second World War, when, thanks to the European Community, we built a rich and proud Union, thanks to which we can talk here today about artificial intelligence or the green transition. On the other hand, there are still millions of Europeans who do not have access to drinking water, despite existing legislation defining water as a fundamental human right. Without water there is no life. Water is our wealth. Unfortunately, not everyone is rich in Europe. In Romania, 21% of the population lives without tap water. One in five Roma live in Europe without drinking water. Millions of poor Roma, even Roma children, drink water today in Europe from the stream. Colleagues, I believe that access to water for Roma is also linked to discrimination. In Europe today, there are municipalities and towns that, instead of investing EU funds in the construction of a water supply, prefer to install a water cooler, the so-called dispenser, on a chip card in a Roma settlement. Lack of access to drinking water results in the occurrence of serious infectious diseases as well as early deaths. Climate change, high heat and drying out of springs make the situation even worse. Europe must put much more pressure on Member States to build the necessary ecological sustainable drinking water infrastructure for the benefit of all its citizens, including poor Roma and people living in remote poor regions of the European Union.

Madam President, Commissioner, despite the fact that the constitutions of the Member States of the Union prohibit discrimination, despite the fact that we have billions of euros, as well as a number of strategies to tackle the Roma issue, we still have millions of European children who are discriminated against in Europe. This is confirmed by data, reports and even court decisions. Being born a Roma child is not a good thing. Nothing was wrong. However, the whole childhood is accompanied by poverty, poor living conditions, no water or sewerage. And to make matters worse, when she enters elementary school, she is punished by being placed in a segregated classroom. Why is Europe turning its face away from Roma children? We protect wolves, bears, forests and trees, but we steal the future of Roma children. On the one hand, we see a humane Europe that adopts resolutions against foreign countries for violating women's rights, LGBT rights and journalistic freedom. And on the other hand, we see a Europe that segregates, segregates and condemns Roma children for their skin colour, for their ethnicity, for their poverty. How is it possible that in a few days Europe will be able to unite on the issue of pandemic, energy or aid to Ukraine? But in the case of Roma children, do we show helplessness and weakness? Dear friends, go to any school near the ghetto or Roma settlement in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary or other countries and you will find that there are segregated classes, schools and even get more money for it. Let us not allow any child in Europe to suffer for being born into poverty or into any ethnic group. Roma children in Europe are an untapped potential across Europe. Roma children may one day grow into professionals who are absent from the labour market today and who will pay taxes. It is absurd that we import labour from third countries without seeing what we have in Roma settlements. This is Europe's potential, which we are not using today, and I am convinced that if we invest in their education, we will recoup it several times in the form of these children paying taxes one day. As I have already said, Roma children can grow into professionals who are lacking in the labour market today and who will, as I said, pay taxes. Let's stop talking about it, ladies and gentlemen. Stop inventing strategies. So let us stop really implementing the various pilot projects and let us start really influencing the Member States to do something about this. It is absurd that we are essentially pretending to be the greatest human rights activists here towards other third countries. We adopt resolutions here as on a treadmill, and yet we have Roma children in our own kitchen, whom we segregate and simply steal their future. Let us bear in mind, colleagues, that Roma children are also the same as other children in Europe and have the right to pursue their dreams.

Mr President, in a few days' time, Slovakia is awaiting key parliamentary elections that will decide whether Slovakia will continue to be a democratic country or whether it will be stolen from us by Mafias from the Smer, who, together with fascists from the Republic, want to make Slovakia an island of dictatorship and fascism in the heart of Europe. From the metals to the war in Ukraine, inflation, the energy crisis, their messages are full of lies and manipulations. They did not even miss today's illegal migration to scare and irritate people. By spreading malice, they are campaigning for refugees in elections. It should be remembered, however, that for the current increased illegal migration in Slovakia, Robert Fico himself, who in 2018 under the Smer government introduced the issuance of certificates, which today attracts refugees to Slovakia. Fico, along with the fascists, even blocked the Slovak parliament today in order not to be able to cancel their own fabrication, certificates for refugees, which Slovakia issues as the only country in the Union. This is clear evidence that they are not looking for solutions and they are talking about votes in elections. Colleagues, Europe must manage this crisis as soon as possible in order to prevent mafia and fascist politicians from coming to power in Slovakia, as well as in any other country in Europe.

Madam President, Commissioner, I am pleased that, after a year of youth, we have a European Year of Skills. It is also an excellent opportunity to realise that there is still a huge mass of people in Europe to whom education systems have given no practical experience, no practical skill. I want to appreciate that we have managed to draw attention precisely to the skills without which we can hardly function in this modern world. It is right that, at European level, we are trying to direct the Member States to make the most of all the human potential that we have in Europe. However, some of our education systems have long been unable to prepare many Europeans for the labour market, despite labour shortages. They can't pass on the skills that are key to employment. Some Member States simply did not teach individuals anything, depriving them of the opportunity to participate in society, build democracy, seize the opportunities of the green and digital transitions. In other words, they were not given the opportunity to exercise their rights. This is particularly true for Europeans who live in poverty and whose rights have been restricted since childhood. Today, many poor citizens of the Union are out of work and could be excellent workers in construction, agriculture or industry. I am thinking, for example, of Roma children who leave education systems without any knowledge, and even without any practical skills, simply because they were not able to pass on the skills to our schools. We miss them, but also our potential. This waste and subsequent social assistance costs us much more than investing in building their expertise or qualifications. Ladies and gentlemen, let us also use a year of skills to find enough courage to make every person, including the poorest and also the Roma, in Europe, acquire a skill that will make them feel like a full citizen of the European Union.

Mr President, the risk of fascists coming back to power in Europe is growing. Today they are part of many parliaments, but soon they may also be part of some of the European governments. Therefore, it is essential that we set a mirror for the fascists and constantly proclaim the truth. The Holocaust happened. Nazism is evil. Fascism is terrorism. Let us also beware of politicians who today admit that they will work with fascists or even rule. The paradox of my country, Slovakia, is that the followers of the Communists, the so-called Social Democrats, today want a coalition with fascists who stood on opposite sides during World War II. Fico, Pellegrini, SMER and HLAS admit the government with Mazurek, Uhrik, the Republic Party, among whose members you will find a convicted fascist or Holocaust denier. The Second World War showed us that fascism is the trigger for evil. Let us remember the millions of victims who died so that we can live today. Let us not allow fascists to abuse our democracy. Fascism is a crime and criminals are not negotiated. Governments are not formed with criminals. Criminals are in jail.

on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group. - (DE) Madam President, Commissioner, there are huge differences between Member States in the granting of aid to undertakings through a de minimis state aid subsidy scheme. Although this aid amounts to relatively small amounts of a maximum of EUR 200 000, the possibilities offered to Member States to benefit from this support vary for each enterprise over a period of three years. There is no doubt that this is also related to the financial condition of a given country, but the truth is that such assistance is needed most in poor or remote regions. Slovakia, my country of origin, is at the very tail in providing this aid to businesses. This is one of the countries with the lowest aid rates. In other words, the poorer countries of the European Union offer this support to businesses to a much lesser extent than to the richer countries. However, businesses today face many challenges, especially in less developed regions with low levels and high unemployment, as the war in Ukraine subsequently hit their growth after the start-up of the economy in the post-COVID period. This has led to an increase in the prices of energy and other inputs, which these companies find difficult to deal with. All assistance is a lifeblood for them at this time, for them as well as for their employees, whose existence depends precisely on their functioning. In this context, I would like to ask the European Commission what steps it is considering in order to encourage poorer Member States to make much greater use of the above-mentioned subsidy scheme for cohesion development, taking into account, of course, and respecting the principle of subsidiarity. At the same time, let me add that it is desirable and it is time to raise its ceilings in the light of all the events that have taken place in recent years.

Mr President, anti-European political parties are growing in strength and can win today in many countries. The crises we have been through, but also the long-term corruption that we overlook, are adding to the forces that want to dismantle democracy both in the Member States and here in Europe. How do citizens who today are struggling with high energy and food prices have confidence in democracy and the rule of law when, for example, in my country, Slovakia, the governor of a national bank is a man who has been convicted of corruption. We find corrupt politicians in every member country, and even here at the European level. Today, in many parts of Europe, people face high energy bills, high food prices and, in addition, learn about corruption on a daily basis. I am glad that in Slovakia we coped with high energy prices by capping them, at the same time we fight against corrupt politicians in Slovakia, resulting in many politicians being shut down. We have a fight for Europe in the coming years. In every member country, we must support those who fight corruption, not those who commit it. We must also offer far greater measures for young people, the elderly and families with children, so that everyone feels that Europe is there for them and not against them.

Mr President, the issue of discrimination affects many in Europe. Today I will fight again for the Roma children. Despite having good legislation and even the money we send to member countries, tens of thousands of children from Roma families without sufficient qualifications, without being ready for the labour market, produce education systems in some member countries every year. On the one hand, we know where the shoe is pushing us. The European Commission has even launched infringements discrimination in the education of Roma children in several countries. On the other hand, the situation does not change. Segregation of Roma children, discrimination in schools, placing children in classes with mental disabilities, deliberate separation from other children, all this continues. These are fatal consequences at both European and national levels, despite anti-discrimination legislation and millions of European money. Despite all this, we cannot simply give Roma children a future. Practice shows us that it is not enough to just have legislation. It's not enough to have money or vision. Many Roma children today are still unable to live up to their dreams. Instead of words, dear friends, we need action or realization. I would like to appeal to you, Commissioner, and also to you, my fellow Members. Let us fight even more for Roma children and for their future. I believe that when we invest in them, it will come back to us many times over.

Mr President. Ladies and gentlemen, society has become radicalised in recent years. It's not just radical comments on Facebook. Unfortunately, it is also many politicians who tell citizens of a different opinion that they are cattle, devils or dissidents, shouting: "Let's go to them!" and they think they are Democrats. No politician has the right to slander citizens for having different views. In my country, Slovakia, there are many people who have different opinions about the war in Ukraine. Doubts about aid to Ukraine or the donation of weapons. I can't imagine life without Russian gas. I don't like these views, but at the same time I know that evil cannot be eradicated by another evil. At a time when society is divided, we need to communicate more, we need to find a way to each other. Attacks and insults must be exchanged for communication. Let me therefore call on all politicians who consider themselves Democrats: Stop swearing at people and find your way to them. Because if Democrats don't find their way to people of other opinion, then extremists, populists and radicals will find their way to them.

Madam President. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, delusions, disinformation and lies have started to affect our lives in a significant way. Many of them are now in good health and some are no longer with us. Also in my country, many were able to believe that in a bottle of clear liquid with a vaccine, doctors give a microchip. However, it is not only the people who believed in this error who should be blamed for it. A significant share of the blame lies with the institutions that did not respond to the suggestions and questions. When people do not know the facts, they are forced to believe what they find on the Internet, or what they hear from acquaintances. The less information we provide to citizens, the greater the opportunity for the proliferation of conspiracies and delusions. The consequences remain, unfortunately, to this day. Many citizens believe in hoaxes in connection with the war in Ukraine. Dear friends, I am pleased that the Ombudsman draws attention to the misconduct that causes people to lose faith in the European institutions. Let me mention some of the issues it addresses in its report. It was indeed a mistake that the European Medicines Agency did not want to provide people with information on the composition of vaccines. I also see an error in the lack of information or complaint handling by Frontex’s border agency and border guards. This undisclosed information also gave conspirators significant scope for spreading the delusion of the migration issue. The current war is full of conspiracies, lies that divide society and increase tensions between people. The only thing that can save us is communication, providing information and spreading the truth. I believe that this report will contribute to better work and transparency for all European institutions.

Madam President, once again I urge you not to get your name dirty and get rid of the Smer party, which makes you ashamed. Exclude the party he chairs from your faction. Just a few days ago, Fico threatened police officers investigating directional corruption cases that if he composes a future government, he would make arrangements with them. Since you do not mind the fact that the Smer party dishonors the principles of democracy, mocks human rights, dances on the graves of the victims of Ukraine, spreads Putin's propaganda, has long coordinated its activities with fascists, whom Fico can imagine as his ministers in the future government. Without shame, he speaks of partner armies as units of the Wehrmacht. Since all this hasn't convinced you, Fico must convince you that they are being expelled, that Fico is threatening the police, that he wants to close his mouth to the investigators, and that he wants to slap justice because the police are investigating corruption from the days of Fico and Pellegrini's rule. Dear Social Democrats, if you want to protect your name and reputation, take courage and exclude these mafias from your faction.

Mr President, despite the disengagement of the police, the nominees of the former Smer governments and their messengers are still protected in Slovakia. The Attorney General uses Section 363 without shame to cancel the prosecution, especially when friends, family, nominees, sponsors, co-partners of former prime ministers Fico and Pellegrini are charged. He even used this loophole in the law to overturn the accusations of Robert Fico or Robert Kaliňák himself. Same scenario every time. Immediately before the results of the investigation are handed over to the court, the Attorney General uses Section 363 and the corruption charges are dropped. Police even made a video from a hunting lodge where Robert Fico himself boasts of coordinating with the Attorney General. There are therefore reasonable suspicions that the Attorney General is overusing the loophole in favour of Smer and Voice cronies. He also sees no shame in the crime related to the abduction of a Vietnamese man who was brought from Germany to Slovakia and from where he was secretly transported to Russia by a government special. While in Germany all those who cooperated in this abduction were convicted, in Slovakia the Attorney General still sees no reason to prosecute. What is a crime in Germany is not a crime in Slovakia.

Mr President. The truth is that after all the crises that have affected Europe, people are finding it harder to live in Europe. Some have lost their jobs, some have lost their health, or even some of their loved ones. After all, we are now facing a war in Ukraine, an enormous increase in energy and food prices. This desperate state is a breeding ground for those who, while having no solutions, have loving, populist speeches, hatred, insults, ridicule and humiliation. Dear friends, we are facing a sharp increase in aggression from extremists and fascists. The result is hate attacks or even hate murders, as was the case in my country recently in Bratislava. There are extremists all over Europe. In Germany, the extreme right, the so-called Reich citizens, attempted a state coup. In many countries, we have seen in recent years that extremist politicians are part of democratic parliaments. Even here, in the European Parliament, we have elected members who admire Hitler and deny the Holocaust. In Slovakia, in my country, there are fascists in parliament who have united in political parties and lovingly called them the People's Party or the Republic. Today, backed by democracy and freedom of speech, they call for the establishment of militias for the purpose of physical interventions against the Roma. Recently, however, they wore uniforms, chased and beat people of a different skin color, snubbed and publicly presented themselves with Nazi symbols. Colleagues, we must open our eyes and admit that extremists are also growing through our guilt. We just talk about it all the time and look at it idly. Let us stop accepting that the expression of extremist views is freedom of speech, part of democracy. Extremism is terrorism, my friends. Extremism is a serious crime. Let us not allow them to abuse democracy any more, please. Extremists and terrorists are in jail.