Debate contributions by Marc ANGEL

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, imagine crossing a border within the European Union and discovering a wider choice of basic everyday products – detergents, cosmetics, beverages – at lower prices, for no apparent reason. In a Union that rightfully takes pride in its single market, this should not happen. Yet, for millions of consumers, it's a long‑standing reality. A reality caused by the continued existence of territorial supply constraints, practices whereby suppliers refuse to sell, restrict quantities, or apply different prices, simply based on the buyer's geographical location. This ultimately leads to fewer choices, higher prices, and a higher cost of living for some Europeans. We cannot accept such fragmentation. Our consumers should not be penalised because of where they live. We, as the Socialists and Democrats, therefore welcome the Commission's commitments in the 2030 Consumer Agenda and in the single market strategy to tackle unjustified territorial supply constraints, as mentioned by many other colleagues before. But commitments must be followed by concrete tools, including legislative measures, to finally remove these barriers. Let's protect our consumers and let's not harm them.

Mr President, I will speak in English to remind us that we are in the European Parliament here. Sexual harassment has no place in private or in public life. Recent revelations and resignations in Spain show that sexual harassment in public institutions remains a serious challenge and a warning for all. I call on you not to be naive. We know that this can happen in other countries and in other political parties as well. And this is why it is so important to recall that the party concerned previously introduced a protocol, including a whistleblowing system. And this demonstrates their support for victims and for the #MeToo movement, ensuring cases are addressed openly and responsibly and avoid letting things remain under the carpet. Our political group of Socialists and Democrats fully supports transparency and accountability. Nothing should be hidden. Debate must be encouraged and consequences must follow. In this case and in every other case, every institution, every company and every political party should do the same. And I hope all other political families share this approach and do not become vocal only when it's politically convenient, otherwise you are hypocrites. I hope that all those who will speak also today will defend the Istanbul Convention, and words alone are not enough. Action is needed.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the European Union has very strong anti‑discrimination laws in the field of employment, and we are proud of this achievement. But equality and dignity cannot start and stop at the door of our workplace. That is why we must extend anti-discrimination and equality protections to everyday life, and that is what we are discussing today. This is not about ideology – it's about fulfilling our commitments under the European Treaties. These enshrined values must become tangible for our citizens. And we must ask ourselves one fundamental question: why do we invest so much in security and defence in Europe? Well, it is to protect our values and our European way of life, these enshrined values, and to defend our common peace project built on democracy, respect for human rights and equality. To truly guarantee these values and to strengthen our shared European identity, we must make this principle real in the daily lives of our citizens. So it is time to unblock this directive and close this legislative gap after almost 16 years, because we want to strengthen our Union of equality by guaranteeing equal treatment. And we know we want our Member States to profit from the social and economic benefits of this directive.

Mr President, dear Commission Vice-President, dear colleagues, every day millions of people go to work without realising that an invisible manager is already there: an algorithm that decides their task and measures their performance. At first, the systems promised efficiency and fairness, but too often they are black boxes. Workers can no longer understand or retrace how decisions are made, why opportunities disappear or why pressure keeps increasing. This is also a reality of algorithmic management. Artificial intelligence can and must improve work; but without clear rules, it can also undermine dignity, privacy and trust. This is why Europe must act and protect. We Socialists and Democrats say this very clearly: the future of work should not be decided by invisible, non-transparent algorithms. It should be built in a human-centred framework for artificial intelligence and accompanied by social dialogue. Colleagues, let me also recall a political truth. This initiative report is not only supported by the progressive spectrum of this House; the support also comes from inside the EPP itself. And it was President Ursula von der Leyen herself who explicitly said in the mission letter to Commission Vice-President Mînzatu that we need action and legal action for AI in the workplace. This commitment is being reflected in the Quality Jobs Roadmap presented by Vice-President Mînzatu. To those using business interests as an argument to reject this report, I say: you are mistaken. First, because failing to legislate means higher psychosocial risks, rising burnout and absenteeism, and less social peace: bad for businesses. Second, failing to legislate at European level means risking 27 different national legislations, fragmenting the single market: bad for businesses. And third, the absence of harmonised rules creates legal uncertainty and high costs for compliance in SMEs: bad for businesses. Dear colleagues, it's in our hands. By adopting this report, we protect our citizens and our businesses. By rejecting this report, you are in favour of a society where workers are controlled and can be fired by an algorithm – by a machine – instead of a human.

Madam President, dear Commission Vice-President, dear colleagues, during the last term, we made a lot of progress in our Union when it comes to people with disabilities, especially with the Disability Card, which improves recognition across borders and facilitates access to key services. But improving mobility means little if accessibility is not a guaranteed right. In this Hemicycle, everybody claims to support disability rights. But when concrete investment is required, too many pull back. We are failing our obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Look at the Council, where certain conservative-led governments are still blocking the horizontal anti-discrimination directive because equality supposedly costs too much. Let those governments explain to persons with disabilities, to their families, to caregivers why autonomy and accessibility are treated as an expense rather than a right. It is time for Europe to stop managing disability policy as a cost. We need a new ambitious and inclusive European disability strategy, which is in line with the UN convention – a strategy that makes physical and digital accessibility universal, participation unconditional and autonomy non-negotiable. Only then will every person living with a disability be able to live, to move and to participate fully in our European society.

Madam President, Commissioner and colleagues, our youth are growing up fully immersed in the digital world – a world full of promise and opportunities that shapes and moulds them, yet does not have their safety, health and well-being in mind. And we see the tragic consequences: cyberbullying, self-harm, mental health problems and, yes, suicide. And this must stop! Why would we put our children at the mercy of algorithms that operate in the dark and are accountable to no one but their masters in Silicon Valley and China, who monetise our children's attention? Parents cannot fight against big tech alone. Platforms and online services must bear the primary responsibility to ensure that their services are safe. Therefore, as the S&D, we call for legislation that guarantees age-appropriate design and safety by design. We need a Digital Fairness Act that addresses targeted advertising, influencer marketing, addictive design and dark patterns. We need age limits and age verification mechanisms. Finally, let's also give young Europeans a voice in designing and regulating the spaces that define their presence and their future.

Madam President, dear all, too many women in Europe are still fighting for safety, dignity and control over their own lives and bodies. Too many are still paid less, heard less, expected to accept violence and inequality as normal. This isn't just the way things are. It's a system built by power, protected by power and serving power. So whoever supports the rollback of women's rights, the deletion of gender from laws and agendas, or says that equality has gone too far, is protecting a world where women stay quiet, compliant and controlled. This must stop. Democracy cannot survive on that foundation. Equality is not a bonus feature; it is the test. It shows whether we believe in freedom for everyone or only for those who already have it. So, yes, we need political will and resources, because the cost of doing nothing is enormous: wasted talent, wasted strength, wasted futures and billions in economic growth lost.

Definitely. You are a woman, you are elected, but you belong to political groups that always vote against women's rights. When we voted on the pay transparency directive to have the same pay for men and women, your political group voted against it. And I could cite other examples. Yesterday in our resolution on the budget, there were quite a few votes from your group that went against gender equality. When it comes to surrogacy, if it's ethical, if there's not... I have a friend. She couldn't have children. His sister offered him a GPA. She did, and they're all very happy. So I don't have a problem with surrogacy when it's not commercial.

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, one in three women in Europe has faced physical or sexual violence, and the majority of these atrocities happen behind closed walls as intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence against women. We are talking about the lives of millions of women being marked by fear, silence and injustice. And while women fight for safety and equality in the private and public sphere of life, the far right and ultra-conservative movements are working to turn back the clock. They glorify so-called 'traditional values' based on the confinement of women to obedience, to motherhood within patriarchal walls, stripped of their choice and of their voice. They say they defend families, but what they truly defend is control. Real families are built on equality, shared rights, responsibilities and opportunities. Equal rights do not destroy families, they strengthen them. Equal rights do not threaten our values, they fulfil them. Violence against women and girls is rooted in control, dominance and inequality that is relentlessly promoted by the patriarchal far right. We progressives will keep fighting until equality becomes a reality. An exploitation of motherhood is, for me, the devaluation of care work, treating unpaid domestic work as women's responsibility rather than as a shared responsibility.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, all EU enlargements were not just a success story – enlargement is a beacon of hope, a testament to what we can achieve when we stand strong together. Past enlargements have transformed our continent, bringing peace, prosperity and stability to millions. A new wave of enlargement is now a necessity, but with new members joining, we face real institutional challenges that demand bold actions. At the current stage, to be able to absorb new members, we must move away from the paralysis of unanimity in the Council, because Europe cannot afford to be held hostage by a single veto. We should fully utilise the flexibilities already offered by our current Treaties to act faster and to act smarter. But this is not enough. We need the courage to adopt targeted Treaty changes and reflect the ambitions of our citizens of a Union ready for the future. The Council must not shy away from this conversation, and I regret its absence here today. Silencing the debate on Treaty change is not an act of caution, but a dangerous retreat from responsibility. Dear colleagues, the time to act is now. Let's move beyond paralysis and division, ignite the spirit of solidarity and justice and build a stronger Europe. I thank the rapporteur, Sandro Gozi, for his excellent work, and we must work hard together, because we must, before the end of this mandate, make sure that those candidate countries who advanced quickly, who are doing many efforts, become members of this European Union.

Madam President, dear colleagues, for way too long, European Works Council have existed without real power to influence decisions in transnational companies. Information has come too late, consultation has been too limited, and workers have been often excluded from decisions that directly affect their lives. Today, we have the opportunity to change that. This reform gives the European Works Councils clearer rights, stronger enforcement and binding participation in decision-making. It ensures early and meaningful consultation, not after factories and production sites are closed or jobs have disappeared, but before decisions are taken. It also introduces tangible sanctions for companies that fail to comply. Let me be clear: this is not about opposing regulation and competitiveness. On the contrary, true competitiveness requires trust, participation and a shared sense of purpose. When workers are genuinely involved in shaping the future of their company, they become partners in innovation and in resilience and not obstacles to change. This text is more than a revision; it is a milestone in European social dialogue. Let us make this directive not a silent formality, but a living instrument for five million European workers.

Madam President, Prime Minister, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Socialists and Democrats Group, I welcome you, Prime Minister, here in this house of European democracy, a place that embodies history, but above all the future of our Union. Luxembourg and Europe are a historic couple. We are bound by a common destiny. As a founding country, Luxembourg has lived through all the major stages of the European project while often being at the forefront of progress. In the trials, he was able to recognize that his fate was played out collectively by placing his trust in Europe. And Europe has always taken our country further. Even today, in these uncertain and tumultuous times, we must reaffirm this same confidence in a strong and united Europe. Together, we will overcome threats, protect our continent, animate our economies and strengthen our industries. This will sometimes involve simplifying our regulatory frameworks, but rest assured that we socialists will never sacrifice our environmental and social ambitions for indiscriminate deregulation. Together, we must defend our values and the rule of law that underpins Europe. To meet all these challenges, Europe must have an ambitious multiannual financial framework that not only meets our objectives, but also meets the expectations of our fellow citizens. It must also provide itself with the means to operate more efficiently, to remove blockages, to counter attempts at blackmail and to prepare for the future, including, Prime Minister - and here we must not hesitate - through targeted amendments to our treaties. Europe must also respond quickly to the cost-of-living crisis, housing challenges and strengthen social rights. Colleagues, the Luxembourg social model has long been a source of inspiration for Europe and I am proud of it. But I am deeply concerned about some recent decisions by your government, Prime Minister, that challenge this model and undermine social peace. I therefore hope that you will come back to these choices and that you will defend at European level, in Brussels and Strasbourg, the deepening of a social, just and united Europe. Finally, Prime Minister, I would like to salute your courage and that of your party, the Christian Social Party, for having enshrined the right to abortion in the Luxembourg Constitution. In a context where women's rights are under attack, this advance is indispensable. I hope that Luxembourg inspires Europe and that you can convince your friends in the EPP and in the European Council to include this fundamental right in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Prime Minister, I am counting on you and on Luxembourg to continue to be at the forefront, to carry the European project loud and clear. Long live Europe!

Madam President, dear colleagues, what did I see on the streets of Budapest? Young and old people carrying Hungarian, EU and rainbow flags, demanding equality, human dignity, freedom and democracy. And none of Orbán's threats could silence them. Quite the contrary! And while the peaceful Pride was banned and vilified, several far-right protests and manifestations were allowed by the Hungarian authorities. But the desire for freedom and equality was much louder than the insignificant number of extremists and ideologists. Hungarians understood very well that, throughout history, whenever a government wanted to take away the rights of minorities, the majority also suffered. Hungarians want an inclusive society. This is what they called for when they voted to join the European Union – a society that empowers them and uses their potential. The only way to deliver this is through strong EU-wide anti-discrimination legislation. Dear Commissioner, the European Union was built on the promise of human dignity, freedom and equality. But this is not the reality for millions of Europeans. In Budapest, the people, the mayor, the organisers and political parties showed their courage. They stood up for equality, even at the risk of retaliation. Now it's the Commission's turn, as it promised to act. Put the horizontal anti-discrimination directive back on the table and show that, in the European Union, people's fundamental freedoms and the right to assemble cannot be attacked without consequences. As the guardian of the Treaties, guard and defend our values! Long live the Union of equality!

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, every single enlargement of our Union has been a major success story, and enlargement has now become a geopolitical necessity to protect ourselves and our neighbours against interference from autocratic regimes. It is important and good that enlargement is, again, high on the agenda. War on our continent, the rise of fascism, the shift in transatlantic relations – all this reminds us that enlargement is in our own strategic interest. There will be no shortcuts on EU values and fundamental principles. Accession to the EU must always remain a merit-based process and, therefore, as EU institutions and Member States, we must support the candidate countries. We also have homework to do: institutional and financial reforms are needed to absorb new members. Our Union is barely functioning at the current state with 27, so what about 30, 32 or 35? We need to change our way of working so that every citizen, every worker, every business and society as a whole can continue to benefit from our European project. So let's have the courage to adopt targeted treaty changes, move away from unanimity, deepen the social dimension of our Union and strengthen the union of equality, and we must live up to our promises to citizens and to the candidate countries.

Mr President, dear Commissioner and dear colleagues, freedom of assembly is the heartbeat of democracy. And in Hungary, that heartbeat is faltering under the weight of repression. When people cannot gather peacefully to voice their concerns, when their right to protest is crushed by heavy handed tactics, it is a clear signal of a collapse of the very freedoms we claim to protect. It is extremely sad that we, the pro-democratic groups, must keep repeating the obvious. What is currently happening in Hungary is not only a national or LGBTI matter, it is about the fundamental rights of every European citizen. If we allow the Hungarian government's crackdown to go unanswered, we are sending a message that democracy is negotiable. We keep repeating these messages to highlight the urgency of the situation. Dear Commissioner, Article 7 and infringement procedures are not optional tools, but essential duties. Our Union's credibility depends on the Commission's action and willingness to uphold democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law. European citizens, including the Hungarian people, count on you. I will march in Budapest to protest against the love story between Putin and Orbán.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, dear rapporteur Ana Catarina Mendes, dear colleagues, the Commission's rule of law reports have become a vital tool for democratic oversight. And year after year, they highlight persistent structural deficiencies, attacks on judicial independence, pressure on media and the weakening of civil society. These warning signs are systematically repeated in each edition, yet real sanctions remain elusive. Some governments in Member States continue to test how far they can go, crossing red lines without facing meaningful consequences. What begins as an isolated breach spreads from one Member State to another, to two, then three or more. Among the most alarming trends are the attempts to silence civil society. The systematic attacks on women's rights and on the rights of minorities, particularly LGBTI+ citizens whose dignity and freedoms are increasingly undermined by hostile rhetoric and discriminatory laws. Let us not forget that hate speech too often ends in hate crime. When the Union tolerates the transgressions of some governments, it betrays its founding values. It is time to act – the Commission must move from observation and monitoring to enforcement.

Mr President, Commission Vice‑President, colleagues, more than 84 million Europeans struggle with mental health issues. To overcome this silent pandemic, we must embed mental health in all our social and equality policies, with concrete actions that go beyond the health sector. The European Pillar of Social Rights is the perfect framework to achieve these goals. Policies on employment, housing, education, child and social protection have a positive impact on preventing and mitigating mental health problems. As policymakers, we must not shy away from regulating the transformations in the labour market. While digitalisation, telework, algorithmic management and platform work may offer flexibility. The lines between the private and the professional are increasingly disappearing. Precarious jobs, unfair wages, little or no right to disconnect and a lack of social protection creates immense mental stress. Mental health is, as you said Commissioner, an economic issue and therefore preventing mental health issues caused by work is an investment which benefits workers and companies. Together, we need to strive for a European Union that protects and promotes mental health through very strong and fair social policies.

Madam President, dear colleagues, 80 years ago, the guns fell silent across Europe, marking the end of the most devastating war our continent has ever known. And today we honour the memory of those who were murdered, who suffered and perished. And we reflect also on the long, difficult path from destruction to peace. Out of the ashes of conflict, Europe chose reconciliation over revenge. Former enemies reached out in solidarity, laying the foundations for a united, peaceful continent. The European Union stands today not only as a political and an economic alliance, but as a powerful symbol of what unity, mutual respect and shared values can achieve. Today, this legacy is under threat. Across our continent, the far right and nationalism are once again gaining ground, fuelling hatred and division. But we must not forget where such ideologies once led us. The horrors of the past are not just history – they are warnings. On this important anniversary, let us reaffirm our commitment to a strong, united Europe, one that champions peace, democracy, equality and the dignity of all its people. Let our history be our guide and our unity be our strength. Today we must also pay tribute to the brave people of Ukraine, victims of the brutal aggression of Russia's autocratic regime.

Madam President, dear all, today I choose to speak directly to the dear citizens of proud Hungary. For too long, you have been told that Brussels forces you to accept 'foreign values' and that the West seeks to undermine your culture. But let me be clear: our message is not an attack against you. We only ask that every person in Hungary be treated without discrimination and no one be forced to hide who they are. Banning pride and permitting AI surveillance sends a dangerous signal that some among you are less worthy of freedom and respect. The European Union stands for Hungary, where every citizen can live openly, with dignity and without fear. Dear Hungarians, the Fidesz Government has restricted your right to speak freely and your right to peaceful assembly. It is our duty to stand against this. Hungarians deserve the same rights as everyone else in our Union. We believe in your strength and in your rich cultural heritage. Our goal is simple: to protect the rights of all Hungarians, ensuring freedom and equality for every person in this great nation.

Mr President, Commissioner and colleagues, our social model is totally under pressure, because digitalisation, algorithm management and AI have exposed the weaknesses of our regulatory framework, which is totally out of date. Millions of Europeans are impacted. Young people are increasingly caught in the cycles of precarious jobs and minimal social protection, while corporate profits are rising at their expense. We must confront this reality and take concrete action. We currently observe an excessive fetishisation of innovation, and therefore we must ensure that the technological progress benefits the society as a whole. This means establishing binding digital labour standards to protect workers and instituting strict oversight of algorithmic decision-making to ensure it does not undermine fair labour practices. We also need targeted investments in education and retraining programmes to prepare our workforce for the jobs of the future. Moreover, we must tackle the concentration of power in the tech sector. We must ensure the full implementation of the Digital Services Act and further legislate to kerb monopolistic practices that distort our economy and aggravate inequalities. We must act and we must legislate to strengthen social Europe.

Mr President, Commission Vice-President, colleagues, the belief that deregulation disguised as simplification will solve labour market problems in Europe and make Europe more competitive is misleading. Weakening our values and backtracking on achievements will not strengthen our economy. Real competitiveness comes from unlocking the full potential of our workforce, of human capital. This is why we must build a true Union of Skills, an integrated European labour market where talent moves freely. I welcome the Union of Skills Roadmap, Commission Vice-President, as it goes in the right direction. Today, businesses struggle to find skilled workers while too many Europeans face barriers to mobility. This fragmentation holds us back, and instead of lowering standards, we must remove obstacles to talent mobility by automatically recognising diplomas and qualifications so that professionals can work anywhere in Europe without bureaucratic hurdles for SMEs. We have to invest in cross-border training because our economies are interconnected and our education system must also better cooperate, and we must ensure social rights portability and guarantee real social security coordination. The Union of Skills, the Union of Talents will give Europe a real competitive advantage. Let's make it a reality together, European Parliament, European Commission, Member States, regions, social partners, academia and civil society.

Madam President, Commissioner, Vice-President, Minister, dear colleagues, when talking about women's rights, the European Union has to be clear and precise, otherwise it creates potential for regress. The Commission must unquestionably support the right of women to have authority over their own body. If not, the far right, sponsored by the anti-gender movement, will do its absolute worse to backtrack on sexual and reproductive health and rights. The European Union either truly defends a union of equality or open its gates to the far-right extremists within and outside of Europe to dilute women's rights in all walks of life. Make no mistake: promising in the roadmap quality and inclusive education to all girls and women and then tiptoeing around the essence of it, such as the promotion of comprehensive sexual education, is playing in the hands of the far right and patriarchy. There is a desperate need for progress and real equality, as the people marching on the streets all over Europe on 8 March showed it very clearly, so we have to listen to those voices. As our feminist and democratic values are under attack, there is no middle ground or room for hesitation. It's either mainstreaming gender equality or mainstreaming misogyny and sexism. You have our fullest support, Commissioner, on this roadmap, and the S&D Group is with you.

Mr President, Minister, colleagues, conservatives often take pride in claiming to embody the political centre. Yet, in recent times, their ideas have increasingly resonated with parties from the far right. Whether by crude political design or reckless indifference, this irresponsible game endangers Europe and its competitiveness. We often hear from conservatives and others that we need to use common sense to increase our competitiveness. Well, let me ask you, is it not common sense to take measures to protect our environment, to believe in science, considering that our economic output is dependent on a healthy planet and population? Should we not open more avenues for legal migration to address our labour shortages, rather than aggressively clamp down on migration and threaten to close internal borders, thereby undermining our single market? And do we not need more European solutions considering that 27 national rules create more bureaucracy and administrative burden for our companies, the very opposite of what you want to achieve by pushing for an unrestrained and dangerous deregulation agenda? This all seems common sense to my political group. So let's make the European Union competitive – competitive for the future and not for a world long gone.

Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, dear colleagues, digital and climate transitions are transforming our labour markets and challenging millions of jobs, but also bringing millions of new opportunities. Faced with this new reality, we must invest massively in vocational education and training, but not only for young people, but also for workers whose qualifications need upskilling. Training these experienced workers is not just about offering them a new chance, it's also a social and economic imperative. We must complement their skills for innovative sectors such as digital technologies, renewable energies, the health care sector and green industries. Nevertheless, the responsibility does not solely rest on individuals. The state and businesses must take action. Member States must guarantee more funding for supporting vocational education and training, and the companies must be more open for apprenticeships. Combining theoretical classroom training with a practical component in the company is the best springboard towards internal professional reconversion. This is how we will turn the digital and the climate transition into an opportunity for all our citizens, but also for all our businesses. It is also important to have better recognition of these diplomas of vocational training because let's not forget the millions of mobile workers and cross‑border workers in the European Union.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the demographic challenges Europe is facing are among the main threats to our Union's competitiveness. The European Union and the Member States need to create an environment that supports the life choices of our citizens, and we must help them to fulfil their aspirations and to reconcile private and professional lives by ensuring access to quality childcare, and particularly in the light of the upcoming revision of the Work Life Balance Directive in 2027. Labour shortages and qualified labour and less-qualified labour shortages and working age population in decline poses really a great risk on many levels. But if we tackle it in the proper way. I think demographic trends can strengthen Europe's resilience, and this can only be achieved if cohesive policies focus on gender equality, intergenerational fairness, digital and green transition, managing legal migration, and if they involve remote and rural regions that too often are left behind. Promoting the EU's access to quality jobs, affordable housing and decent living standards is also crucial. By giving young people access to stable housing, we empower them to build their future and address the great challenges of our time. And let me just remind you of Mr Letta's report: the fourth freedom, the freedom to stay. This is very important for the rural and the remote regions, and we must invest in these regions.