Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gave an impressive presentation: We kept our promises. In the summer, all Europeans received a vaccination offer. With the European short-time work allowance, we have secured the jobs of millions of workers and thus guaranteed many families their livelihoods. We have set a unique example of solidarity with the Corona Reconstruction Fund. With 750 billion euros, we support the Member States in the fight against the economic and social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. You said it: This year, at the latest next year, all Member States of the European Union will once again be at least as strong economically as before the start of the pandemic. This also has something to do with the fact that all Member States know: The Corona Reconstruction Fund is a unique opportunity that every country must seize. Now, however, we are seeing that the left side here in Parliament wants to preserve all these instruments in the long term. The left wants to introduce new transfers from one country to another through a banking union. They want a banking union in which, in case of doubt, our German savers should also be liable without sufficient protection for sloppiness in other Member States. They want a permanent instrument for joint borrowing. And this obviously also has the support of the German SPD finance minister and candidate for chancellor Olaf Scholz. They want to turn this European stability union into a debt union. They want to take away, redistribute and patronize. We, on the other hand, want a Union of solidarity, freedom and personal responsibility. A European Union that protects and offers opportunities to people. A European Union which, if necessary, is always in solidarity. A European Union where performance is worthwhile and everyone is responsible for their actions. And that is exactly the difference between our Stability Union and its Debt Union. And we will be holding this dispute here in Parliament in the coming weeks and months. But this question is also at stake for us in Germany in the upcoming federal election. And that is exactly what we should say to the citizens.