Debate contributions by Nikolina BRNJAC

Dear Chair, Commissioner, the conclusions of the last European Council clearly show that the European Union is in a period of heightened geopolitical tensions, but also ahead of key internal decisions, which will determine our competitiveness and strategic autonomy. In this context, the debate on the new European budget is crucial. The budget must be a strategic tool that will enable Europe to respond to security challenges, accelerate economic development and strengthen resilience. We live in a new world and it is therefore crucial to reach an agreement in a timely manner. If we want a stronger and more sovereign Europe, we need to invest in what strengthens our competitiveness, industry, innovation, transport connectivity, energy security and regional development. A Europe that wants to be politically relevant must be economically strong.

Today, the Honourable Chair, Commissioner, AI brings enormous opportunities but also serious risks, especially when it is used to create deep fakes, exploit, blackmail, violence, especially against women, children, but also in general to manipulate citizens. The problem is the lack of uniform implementation. The European Union's digital rules clearly oblige platforms to remove illegal content, assess risks, prevent the spread of harmful algorithmic practices and protect minors. This must be done consistently and without exceptions. It is important to ensure rapid identification, removal deep fake content, effective cooperation with competent authorities and effective protection of victims.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, if we want Europe to remain competitive in the global innovation race, we need to remove the barriers that are holding ours back today. start-up i scale-up companies. The 28th regime does just that, offering a voluntary European legal framework that allows innovative companies to operate across the Union under a single set of rules instead of 27 different national systems. The 28th regime responds to this problem, enables digital business creation within 48 hours, facilitates cross-border operations and increases access to capital. For small and medium-sized enterprises, for young innovators and for countries such as Croatia, the 28th regime can be an opportunity to remain talented and create competitive European companies. This is why I expect the Commission to present a concrete legislative proposal for the 28th regime for innovative companies already in the first quarter of this year.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, colleague and colleague, consumer protection is the foundation of the single market and citizens' daily trust in the European Union. The 2030 Consumer Agenda comes at the right time at a time of high cost of living, strong digitalisation and growing challenges in online trade. This strategy combines strong consumer protection with competitiveness and sustainable growth. Consumers are not a barrier to the market, they are its driving force. It is particularly important to strengthen digital fairness, the fight against unfair practices online, addictive design and fraud, as well as better protection of vulnerable groups, including children, young people and the elderly. Finally, this strategy must remain focused on concrete results, safe products, fair prices, clear information and effective redress.

The incoming European Council comes at a very important moment for the future direction of the European Union. At the same time, as we continue to provide strong support to Ukraine, we need to make strategic choices that will determine Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and autonomy in the years to come. In this context, the discussion on the new Multiannual Financial Framework must focus on priorities that strengthen our real strength. Europe cannot remain competitive without serious investments in our industry, innovation, research, but in security, defence and energy independence. Strategic autonomy does not mean closure to partners. On the contrary, strong transatlantic relations remain the foundation of our security and prosperity. But Europe must have the capacity to act alone when needed.

Dear Chairman, thank you, children today grow up in a digital environment that is not built for them and that is directed against their interests. Around 97% of young people in the European Union use the internet every day and teenagers spend up to nine hours a day in front of screens. In such an environment, children are exposed to illegal, pornographic and other harmful content. At the same time, the number of cases of adults contacting and recruiting children online is growing, and the age limit is still too easy to bypass. This is why we need stronger enforcement of the Digital Services Act, stronger measures towards platforms and action against design that is contagious and manipulative. Equally important, I also welcome the promotion of media literacy and the creation of an EU age verification framework that would set a digital age limit of 16 years, unless parents explicitly grant access and a complete ban on access to children under the age of 13. These are necessary steps to ensure a safe digital space for children and protect them as much as in the physical world. Our priority is clear: safety of minors cannot be an option, it must be an obligation.

Dear Chairman, European democracy is under pressure like never before. Foreign powers are conducting aggressive campaigns, information manipulation, hybrid attacks and destabilisation attempts, and their aim is to weaken the trust of our citizens in democratic institutions. According to the latest Eurobarometer, almost 80% of Europeans fear that voters will make decisions based on disinformation, and 71% are concerned about possible cyberattacks on elections. This is clear: democracy in Europe is under systematic attack and we must act quickly and decisively. This is why the European Democracy Shield is an important step forward. I welcome the strengthening of the Fact Checker network and the establishment of the European Democratic Resilience Centre, which will enable joint action by Member States, faster information exchange and stronger capacities to detect and counter external threats of influence and disinformation operations.

The most important thing for the Honourable Chair, geopolitical unpredictable times, is to strengthen Europe's defence capability by 2030 and accelerate joint investments in research, innovation and the industrial base. Strengthening Europe's defence industry means strengthening our technological and economic independence. Finally, I also welcome the fact that housing has finally been recognised by the European Council as a key topic for European citizens. We are now waiting for the Commission to present an ambitious affordable housing plan that should concretely help all Member States to address this pressing problem, such as a directive that will regulate short-term rentals, for example, because we need to provide our young people and mothers with affordable housing, affordable housing to stay in our regions.

Dear Chair, I welcome the readiness of the European Commission to hear and adjust its proposal for a new budget. The letter from the President of the European Commission is a positive and much-needed signal. It shows that our views in Parliament have been taken on board to a great extent. The introduction of such a rural objective is an important step towards a fairer distribution of funds. This is a message to farmers, but also to rural communities that Europe sees them, that their role in the food industry and the preservation of space is not secondary, but fundamental. At the same time, the proposal to improve Parliament’s role is not ambitious enough. That is why I see this proposal as an opportunity to make the new budget not only an investment tool, but also an expression of trust between the institutions and European citizens.

Before the upcoming European Council, I would like to highlight the three key priorities that must shape our joint decisions: defence, competitiveness and affordable housing. Europe needs to become security and industrially self-sustaining. As future EPP rapporteur for the European Competitiveness Fund, with a dedicated programme for defence research and innovation, I believe that it is through investments in innovation, technology and the European defence industry that we strengthen not only security but also the competitiveness of our economy. But security must not only be seen through the defence of borders, but also through the social security of citizens. The affordable housing crisis threatens our social cohesion. Coordinated investments from European Investment Bank cohesion funds and national funds are needed to increase housing supply and reduce the gap between prices and opportunities for citizens. Ultimately, defence, competitiveness and housing are not separate policies, they are the foundation of European resilience.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, we see many important initiatives in the Commission Work Programme for 2026, but I would like to pay particular attention to affordable housing. Short-term rentals have a strong impact on the price of real estate and long-term rentals across Europe, and many cities are becoming one of the main reasons for the lack of affordable housing for the local population. That is why I welcome the announcement of the adoption of a new initiative on short-term rentals. But I would like to point out that it is crucial that this is a legislative proposal, a proposal that will allow Member States, regions and cities to determine, on the basis of precise data, measures to ensure a balance between tourism and affordable housing based on their unique priorities and potential, as we cannot have the same measures for each city or region. A legislative solution is needed to address problems that burden local communities immediately. Croatia has a good example through the Law in Tourism where cities can ensure this balance based on the calculation of carrying capacities. Next year, the Commission will also publish a European Union strategy for sustainable tourism, which must become the basis for shaping a European model of sustainable tourism for the future, one that takes into account both economic, social and environmental aspects. Sustainable tourism is a question of the quality of life of local communities, accessible housing and the preservation of cultural identity. I therefore call on the Commission to present a legislative solution for short-term rentals as soon as possible, so that the problems that burden local communities in tourist destinations can be addressed immediately.

(start of speech outside the microphone range) ...who face mental health problems. And we have to make that clear. Today's young people are growing up in a digital world that brings them unlimited access to information, but also immense pressure, bullying and other threats. As a mother, I see how much digital networks have become the everyday life of our children, but also how strongly they affect their self-confidence, concentration and sense of belonging. Instead of being connected, they often create isolation. This is why Europe must ensure systematic support for young people's mental health in all Member States through schools, local communities and digital literacy and a safer online environment. Our response must be education, prevention and available professional assistance.

Dear Chair, Commissioners, dear colleagues, second world Summit on social development takes place at a crucial moment. Around the world, but also in Europe, citizens are facing growing inequalities, an affordable housing crisis and pressures on sustainable development. This Summit It is an opportunity for Europe to reaffirm its leadership role. The European Union is undoubtedly a global leader when it comes to social rights - from workers' rights, to the fight against poverty, to social cohesion. While other major powers are still discussing minimum standards, Europe has set and developed these standards as the foundation of our social model. As a Member of the European Parliament working on affordable housing and sustainable tourism, I am convinced that it is our experience that shows that social rights are not a cost, but an investment in a fairer and more resilient society. Therefore, our task at summit on social development it is clear to say: Europe remains at the forefront, and the rest must follow our path.

Dear Chairman, Commissioner, sport is not just medals, it is the foundation of unity, health and equal opportunities for all. But for sport to remain accessible to everyone, it must be supported at all levels - from local, national, to European policies. I have repeatedly pointed out in my letters to the European Commission that it is necessary to ensure dedicated funding for local sports infrastructure in the next European budget. So it's not about stadiums, it's about local sports infrastructure. The same goes for local sports programs. They must be recognised as a measure of the European Social Fund through vouchers that will enable children to play sport, especially those at risk of poverty or exclusion. Therefore, we need to invest exactly where sport makes the biggest difference: in local halls, playgrounds, courts and programmes available for children, young people and people with disabilities. Sport is not a cost. Sport is an investment in public health, education, social cohesion and the future of our children. Every euro invested in sport returns five euros through economic and social benefits. If we really want to reduce inequalities and prevent social exclusion, sport must be an integral part of the European Strategy for Combating Poverty and the Child Guarantee.

Dear President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, today young people remain living with their parents because they cannot afford rent, and families in cities spend too much of their income on housing. This is the reality of millions of our citizens in the European Union. Cohesion policy must be a tool to respond to these needs. That is why I have also proposed concrete measures. First, that investment in affordable housing is recognised as an investment in our climate objectives, making it easier to finance affordable housing in Member States, which has not been the case so far. Second, I stressed the need to better integrate the Social Climate Fund with cohesion policy to make investments in social housing and targeted assistance to young people for affordable rents faster and more efficient. And third, through the ESF+, I proposed to finance housing allowances and social inclusion measures linked to affordable housing. The report we are discussing today clearly calls for extending the scope of the Cohesion Fund not only to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, but also to innovative approaches that increase housing affordability. This report provides a strong basis for the European Commission to draw up a European affordable housing plan announced for next year. If we want to preserve competitiveness, demographic balance and social fairness, we need to treat housing strategically, because home is not a luxury, home is a fundamental need and a right for every citizen.

Dear Chairman, Commissioner, the biggest obstacle to the implementation of projects today is too long and too complicated public procurement procedures. They often last more than six months, and any complaint means additional delays and loss of money. If we rely exclusively on a lower price, we lose quality, encourage poor working conditions and pay more in the long run. It is time to seriously apply the criterion of the most economically advantageous offer, to look at the entire life cycle of the product, innovation, sustainability and social value. I therefore strongly support this report as it calls for a revision of the outdated rules that have been holding back our development for 11 years. The Commission should have reacted earlier, so we need a reform of the European Union's public procurement that, at the same time, will simplify procedures, increase transparency and provide fair access for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The European Citizens' Initiative is a strong reminder that the Union is a community of diverse identities, languages and traditions. Equal access to funds and targeted investments in regions must not be a matter of goodwill, it must be an obligation. Preserving diversity in the Union comes not only through declarations, but also through concrete projects in education, culture, language, entrepreneurship and rural development. I call on the Commission to take this initiative seriously and offer concrete measures, whether legislative or operational, that will make cohesion visible in every region and protect the richness of Europe's cultural diversity.

Dear Chairman, Commissioner, air transport is crucial for the connectivity of European regions, especially for countries such as Croatia that depend on tourism and the availability of remote and island areas. But this connection must go hand in hand with respect for passenger rights. I welcome the political shift in the Council and the progress towards strengthening passenger rights, but we cannot ignore the parallel attempts to reduce existing rights to compensation. So I want to make it clear: Reducing passenger rights would be a step backwards. The right to compensation after three hours of delay exists for years and must remain intact. Travellers deserve legal certainty, clear rules and simple mechanisms to exercise their rights, not new barriers. I also welcome the new rules regarding assistance to passengers, boarding on return flights and better information. At the same time, we need to be aware of the challenges facing the aviation industry, from geopolitical instability to the energy crisis to the great pressure on sustainability. Airlines must have realistic, enforceable commitments that will not further jeopardise their liquidity. The legal framework must therefore be stable but also flexible in exceptional circumstances. Finally, I would like to say that I am committed to a balanced approach, one that protects passengers but ensures the sustainability of our sector.

Dear Chairman, Commissioner, accessible, high-quality, sustainable, integrated public transport is the basis for greater mobility of citizens and the climate goals of the Union, especially in countries such as Croatia where we need to connect islands, the coast, but also the continental part. In particular, I would like to highlight the importance of integrated public transport, as only by connecting different modes of transport such as buses, railways and trams can we offer citizens a real alternative to car transport. Unfortunately, the capital of Croatia, Zagreb, where I live today, has neither a vision nor concrete steps towards creating such a system. An integrated model such as a single ticket, timetable, intermodal terminals, multiple lines, real intermodal hubs, urban and suburban rail integration is missing. Rail is the key. The City of Zagreb does not need superficial measures, it needs strategic intervention and investment in a reliable, connected and digitally integrated public transport network. That is why I strongly support the establishment of a European framework that will provide concrete but effective services. I support a European framework that offers stable funding, support through CEF and cohesion policy funds to Member States. Public transport must be coherent, digitally integrated and accessible to all, regardless of age, income or place of residence. But it is equally important to enable flexible service models, including public-private partnerships, to ensure the long-term sustainability but also the resilience of our sector.

Dear Chair, Commissioner, the Recovery and Resilience Facility has proven to be the most important investment tool of the European Union after the pandemic, and Croatia is among the Member States that made the best use of this opportunity, so that I educate my colleague Bosanac and Green. Across the country, it invests in health infrastructure, equipment for oncology patients, education, schools, kindergartens, energy, gas pipelines, LNG terminals, but also green and digital tourism because Croatia has opted for sustainable tourism, for investment in renewable energy sources. This is the path that Croatia is fighting against mass tourism, for environmental protection, for the protection of the life of the local population and in times of corona should have helped the most vulnerable, which is the economy. I understand that my colleague Bosanac does not understand this, that it is precisely necessary to invest in the economy and that this is the key, and the Croatian example shows that the Recovery and Resilience Facility brings real results when there is strategic leadership and commitment to reforms. All reform projects initiated must continue and I strongly support the extension of the project implementation.

Dear Chairman, Dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the world has changed. Crises are the rule, not the exception. We therefore need a multiannual budget that is realistic but also ambitious. As the coordinator of the European Parliament, the European people in the HOUS Committee, I particularly welcome the report, which recognises the housing crises affecting millions of citizens. Without accessible and dignified housing, all our goals remain incomplete. Without adequate investment in affordable housing, we risk deepening social inequality and losing citizens' trust in the European project. Therefore, I would stress the importance of investing in the balanced development of regions through cohesion policy and transport and energy connectivity. These are not old priorities, they are the foundations of European resilience.