Debate contributions by Antonín STANĚK

Madam President, Europe is living today in a time of growing geopolitical tensions, but too often our response is rhetorical rather than strategic. We are talking about global responsibility and a rules-based order, while in key power fora, including the UN Security Council, Europe's real influence is waning. In addition to the US, Russia and China, Europe is increasingly seen not as a decisive actor, but as a moral commentator on world affairs, which should worry us, because who does not have the power to enforce the rules, it is no wonder that others cease to respect it. For too long, Europe has covered up the lack of real power with liberal rhetoric. We moralize, we make statements, we instruct others, and at the same time we comfortably live under an American security umbrella. This may seem virtuous, but it is not sustainable or sovereign. A strong Europe will not be created by further weakening Member States or centralising power in Brussels. It will come about through the cooperation of sovereign nations that are able to protect their citizens and take responsibility for their own security. Only then will Europe regain external respect and trust at home. This is the vision that we, as Patriots, defend for Europe.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the proposed target of reducing emissions by 90% instead of banning internal combustion engines from 2035 is an admission that the original approach was unrealistic. This is a step forward, but even 90% exceeds what the market and available technologies are capable of delivering. The targets for 2030 and 2035 remain unattainable and threaten Europe’s investment, jobs and industrial position. We need a pragmatic, technology-neutral approach, realistic goals of preserving consumer choice and truly functional flexibility. We reject mandatory fleet quotas that distort demand, increase costs for businesses, and ignore infrastructure and price constraints. Europe needs an automobile policy that enables transformation while maintaining competitiveness, not a policy that pushes production and jobs out of Europe.