Debate contributions by Nikos PAPPAS

Madam President, equality is not a slogan, nor is it applied selectively. It is a fundamental commitment of the European Union, enshrined in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights. And yet today this commitment remains incomplete, simply because some are blocking it. For more than 15 years, we have been sitting and discussing whether we should move forward, thus leaving millions of people in Europe exposed to discrimination and discrimination. These distinctions take a very specific form. It is poverty that excludes, precision that drowns, inequalities that deprive rights and prospects – especially for young people and the most vulnerable groups in society. Today millions of people face barriers to education, housing, health and basic services, not because they are not trying hard enough, but because the social and economic system puts them at a disadvantage from the outset. Young people experience it every day – precarious work, lack of access to decent housing, exclusion from education and culture due to costs. For people with disabilities, older people, LGBTIQ communities and those living on the margins, poverty and accuracy multiply discrimination and deepen exclusion. The evidence is clear. Without this directive, the Union cannot offer comprehensive protection against discrimination in critical areas of life. At the same time, impact assessments show that the vast majority of European citizens will benefit, while implementation costs are close to zero. If we truly believe in a social Europe of dignity, solidarity and justice, then the postponement must end. This directive must be adopted here and now.

Madam President, today we are called upon to vote on a report that touches on one of our most urgent responsibilities. Ensure that children can grow up, learn and participate in the digital world without being exposed to risks. Digital spaces are now an integral part of their daily lives, and the European Union must set the standards for a safe and human-centric digital environment. However, the protection of minors online cannot be based solely on technical solutions and filtering mechanisms. A holistic pedagogical approach is needed that gives children the knowledge and skills to protect themselves. And in this endeavor schools and education play a very crucial role. Children need to have proper digital education, learn to know risks, understand the algorithms that affect them, and think critically. We cannot let the big platforms determine for themselves what they see or how their perception of the world is shaped. We have the opportunity to defend the right of every child to grow up in a secure digital environment.

Mr President, the annual report of the Committee on Petitions reminds us of something fundamental: that European citizens turn to our committee when they feel that European law is being violated in their own countries. When they feel that the institutions at the national level do not listen to them, they turn to us as the last line of defense of their rights. The PETI Committee must respond to these expectations with fairness, transparency and impartiality. It must not become a field of petty political games or an extension of party disputes. We must defend the people, not the parties. A typical example is the report of the families of the victims of the Tempi crime in my country. Their voice made it clear how crucial it is to have a committee, a European committee, that gives space and dignity to those who seek justice. As long as the Committee on Petitions exists, citizens have reason to believe that in Europe truth and law can still win.

Mr President, in an international environment of increasing geopolitical pressures, it is crucial to protect the European regulatory model for the digital economy. To defend our right to set our own rules and standards. The European Union needs to make full use of all its tools to ensure high standards for citizens and businesses, but also to boost investment in digital infrastructure. We need digital sovereignty with transparency and social orientation, and not a Europe that is phobic towards technological progress and dependent on tech giants outside its borders. Digital development cannot exist without the protection of our rights and the clear use of algorithms. We call for investment in public infrastructure and open technologies, support for small and medium-sized and innovative businesses, to make the digital transition fair and inclusive. Technology must serve people and create opportunities, not watch over them.

Mr President, Commissioner, first of all I would like to thank and congratulate our rapporteur for the excellent, close and effective cooperation we have had. We all agree that sport is not just fun, it's not a spectacle, it's not just business. Sport is a social good, a carrier of values and a tool for cohesion. The European sport model must serve society, promote inclusiveness and be based on solidarity. With our report, we are taking the first step to protect and strengthen the European model of sport, while ensuring that sport remains accessible to all, without discrimination, with equal opportunities for women and people with disabilities. But to put all this into practice, what we are asking for in our report is more funding – in particular through the Erasmus+ programme – as well as investments in local sports infrastructure. At the same time, we must ensure transparency, as well as the rights of athletes, preventing corruption, match manipulation and financial exploitation. Sport is a bridge between peoples and cultures. It is a field of cooperation, not exclusion. Let us therefore defend a fair and inclusive European model of sport, which serves the values of the Union, democracy, solidarity and respect for people. Let me say it once again: Sport is not a privilege for a few, but a right for all.

Mr President, I come from Cyprus, my mother lived and grew up in Varosha, Famagusta, until she was 12 years old, until she was forced to leave her home to save her life after the illegal invasion of the Turks. Neither my grandmother nor my grandfather stopped talking to me about the pain of uprooting and the injustice they experienced. Tell me, too, if you were illegally taken home, how would you feel? This pain has now been rekindled with the illegal arrest of the five Greek Cypriots. These people are not criminals, these people are victims, they are hostages of a game that violates every principle of international law and human dignity. Let's not be silent. Their arbitrary detention is not only a wound for Cyprus, but for the whole Union. I therefore call on this House, the European Commission, the international community, to demand their immediate and unconditional release.

Mr President, media freedom is not a luxury, it is the foundation of our democracy. And when it breaks that foundation, it breaks our own democracy. The regulation of media freedom is here to bring order. The European Union sets clear rules, obligations and protection mechanisms. What does it say in simple words? That state advertising cannot be shared under the table on lists of political criteria. That journalists can't be monitored just because they're doing their job. That the public media should be independent and not a mouthpiece of the authority in question. And that big platforms can't download content as they please without accountability. And, of course, that's all right, but let's not be fooled. Many Member States, and in particular my own country, Greece, are dramatically far from these principles. So let the regulation not be just another legal text, but a tool to defend freedom of the press and the same democracy in Europe. It is time to move from words to actions. Either we protect the information or we see it lost in shadows and interests. And, in this choice, we can't be spectators. We look forward to seeing its implementation.

Madam President, we are faced with a historical disgrace, which will remain an example to be avoided for future generations. Entire cities have been razed, entire families have been wiped out, 90% of the population has been displaced. For so many months that this crime has taken place, you – most of you – are indifferent. Don't these people have any value to you? Don't you count them? Don't you count them? What is it? Are they inferior? Every time I step up to talk about Palestine, on every march I take – be it in Athens, Brussels, or on my way to Gaza – I don’t feel like I represent anyone; I represent my conscience, screaming out of anger, out of indignation, in the face of injustice, for all that these people are experiencing there in Palestine. It is hypocritical, then, to speak of European values when thousands of people are killed and starved. And Europe, instead of trying to stop the massacre, is conversing with the perpetrators. We are not just asking for solidarity. We're asking for punishment.

Madam President, this directive is a very important step in the right direction, but that alone is not enough. It's not just about punishing the culprits. It is also about freeing the victims from the burden of silence and shame. To do this, we must ensure that these crimes are never time-barred. Not for revenge, but for justice. The child who is abused must not carry the trauma for life without the hope of justification. Prevention is our other big debt. There is a need for systematic information programmes in schools so that children are aware of their rights, recognise risks and speak out in a timely manner. If we want to truly protect children, we must give them voice, knowledge and justice. Europe must protect its children effectively and comprehensively. Silence is not a choice. This is what the directive should guarantee.

Madam President, Commissioner, culture is not just a compass for Europe. It's her soul. It unites us, teaches us and helps us to dream and build a better future. Unfortunately, nowadays, the values it represents, such as freedom, diversity, diversity and dialogue, are under threat. Extreme voices seek to divide rather than unite. For example, in my own country, a Member of Parliament vandalised works and images in the National Gallery. Other extremists bully and threaten actors in their performances, in theaters. Freedom of expression is not negotiable. It is the foundation of democracy and artistic creation. We must therefore protect artists, cultural professionals and institutions from censorship, political pressure and professional precarity. Culture is not a luxury. There is a need for democratic resilience. It's a right for everyone. So as we shape Europe's cultural compass, let us not approach culture only as a tool for competitiveness. Let us ensure, first of all, that it defends freedom and creativity as our common heritage.

Mr. President, good evening. The proposal for a Union of Skills to enhance opportunities to study, train and work in the European Union is undoubtedly necessary. But the European Union often puts forward the concept of competitiveness and growth as a panacea for our society. But we cannot ignore the fact that there is an ever-increasing inequality. The aim should not only be to strengthen competitiveness but also to ensure social justice, equality and solidarity. The future and dreams of young people should not be sacrificed on the altar of the financial system and to the demands of big business. Young people with a high level of education are forced to leave their countries in search of a better future, as opportunities in their home countries are limited. The Union of Skills must therefore be an opportunity to bring these young people back to their home countries, to strengthen social cohesion and democracy. Skills are not just a means to the economy but a force for society. Thank you very much.

Madam President, good evening. Not extending the ceasefire was not just a diplomatic failure. It was the sentencing of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Israel continues to bomb mercilessly, destroying entire neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, refugee camps. And, of course, the death toll is rising, with children paying the highest price. This is not self-defense, gentlemen, let's not pretend, let's not mock. It is a collective punishment, a blatant violation of international law. The siege of Gaza has turned into a genocidal campaign, where people are now deprived of the most basic rights and goods: water, food, medical care, even, and above all, hope for survival. The international community must stop turning a blind eye. Israel's impunity must stop. We demand an immediate ceasefire, the lifting of the blockade and a just solution for the Palestinian people. The time for neutral statements is over. Either we're with justice or we're complicit in crime. There's nothing in between. Our humanity is being tested. Let's not allow silence to become complicity.

Madam President, in the world of the modern economy, the constant technological and economic upheavals are having a dramatic impact on the labour market. The use of artificial intelligence and digitalisation require new forms of vocational education and training to meet the real needs of workers. Vocational guidance since high school, vocational education and training must develop into a means of empowering workers. Workers need new skills to withstand the pressures of the changing labour market. Strengthening lifelong learning and upgrading public vocational education is a fundamental right to ensure job security and accessibility regardless of gender, age or social class. Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps should be strengthened and there should be more transparency in the channelling of funds. Really support access to and transition to quality jobs for the young generation. Education and lifelong learning are a social right and not a marketable good.

Mr President, let me speak to you not as a politician but as a young man. In a Europe of economic insecurity, punctuality and housing crisis, how can a young person make the decision to start a family? Let me give you an example from my country, Greece, which is facing a serious demographic problem. A good, satisfactory salary is 1 200 euros. Renting a small house in a modest area costs 600 euros. The price of fuel is 2 euros. Prices in supermarkets are unaffordable, electricity has doubled, even basic goods are too expensive. How, then, can a person under these circumstances dream of creating a family? Let me tell you. He just can't. So let us stop wishing and take decisions for the immediate promotion of social policies, housing policies, ensuring access to quality education with childcare and work-life balance. Europe's demography is endangered by capitalism, not by immigrants.

Madam President, we have been discussing the European Disability Strategy for many years and, although the European Union is committed to promoting their rights, the implementation of these commitments is still lagging behind in many Member States and the rules are not the same across Europe. But let me dwell on an area that I know well, the field of sport. The European Disability Strategy places a strong emphasis on promoting sport and stresses the need to improve accessibility to sport facilities for persons with disabilities. But words are not enough. We call on the Member States to immediately improve the infrastructure. We call for ensuring that all sports stadiums, gyms, fitness areas, changing rooms are accessible for all kinds of disabilities. We insist on financing the upgrading of the infrastructure and ask for the necessary equipment to be provided free of charge. As I keep saying, sport is a right for everyone, not a privilege for a few.

Madam President, despite the progress we have made, millions of children around the world continue to face great difficulties; From conflict zones to neighbourhoods, from the effects of climate change to systematic discrimination, children continue to suffer. We can't rest on our laurels. The contract is not just a document. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up for and protect children, wherever they are, wherever they come from. For example, in Palestine, after a year of genocide and unspeakable barbarism, children are denied their basic rights, trapped in cycles of poverty, war and illiteracy. It is therefore our duty to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to live and achieve their dreams. Protecting children is not just a moral obligation. It is a fundamental human right.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, you are therefore telling us that the European Union will have to spend around 20% of its total budget - currently equivalent to EUR 1 trillion - on defence and security. Once again, then, we have European Union funding for military expenditure. On the other hand, in an increasing number of European countries, poverty thresholds and infrastructure projects are decreasing, poverty indicators are increasing, health systems are underfunded, and the welfare state is a remembrance of the past. I call on you, therefore, to govern logic, to reconsider, to rethink how to build peace through diplomatic channels, and not to spend recklessly on war. It is better to fight around a table than on the battlefield.