Speeches

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on the planned dismantling of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and the impact on the rule of law (2023/3021(RSP)).

I saw them too late, the blue card, and it's the chairman's decision to take blue cards or not to take them. I apologise for seeing her too late.

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the report by Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques, on behalf of the Committee on Legal Affairs, on the proposal for a Council Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood and establishing a European certificate of parenthood (COM(2022)0695 – C9-0002/2023 – 2022/0402(CNS)) (A9-0368/2023).

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the report by Nicola Beer, on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 (COM(2023)0160 – C9-0061/2023 – 2023/0079(COD)) (A9-0260/2023).

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you for the important and intense debate on this subject. I ask for forgiveness from my colleagues, whom I could not accept in the case of the ‘’, but it was no longer possible for me to do so for reasons of time. Written declarations (Article 171)

Ladies and gentlemen, I now have the following problem: We have our guest speaker here today, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, in a few minutes. However, I have a lot of catch-the-eye messages – I cannot take them all. I am obliged to take five, and here I must proceed according to and according to that of the political groups. Secondly, I ask the Council and the Commission to respect the speaking time. Spontaneous interventions

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, the need for the release of hostages and an immediate humanitarian ceasefire leading to a ceasefire, and the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East (2023/2983(RSP)).

In accordance with Rule 158(2) of the Rules of Procedure, I would like to inform you that the order of tomorrow's voting session will be changed on a proposal from the President and with the agreement of the political groups. The vote on the deliberations of the Committee on Petitions 2022, currently foreseen as the last item, will take place after the vote on the digitalisation of cross-border judicial cooperation (amendment of certain directives and framework decisions). I would ask you to take note of these communications.

Before we enter the debate, we have to make some communications on the decisions taken by several committees to enter into interinstitutional negotiations under Rule 71(1) of the Rules of Procedure, which were announced at the opening of the meeting on Monday 20 November. The President has received a request from the ECR Group and other Members reaching at least the medium threshold to vote on the decision taken by the EMPL and FEMM committees under the joint committee procedure to open negotiations on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation. The vote will take place on Thursday 23 November 2023. As regards the other decisions to open negotiations, the President has not received requests for a vote in Parliament from Members or one or more political groups reaching at least the medium threshold. The committees can therefore start negotiations.

Mr President! Liberal European democracy is under pressure from within and from without. We are reaching our limits. We want to make the successful model of the European Union fit for the future and draw the lessons from the challenges of yesterday and today. For us, the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe is a commitment. We take the Presidents of the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament at their word. You have promised us the Convention. We want a more effective, efficient and stronger European Union, both internally and externally. We therefore call for the convocation of a constitutional convention, for the elimination of unanimity, for European cooperation instead of a blockade, for a European right to vote, for budgetary sovereignty and for European referendums. Let's give support to the voice of the citizens tomorrow!

Dear colleagues! The last three interventions, which had their starting point in your speech, lead me to make a very clear appeal in this House to treat each other with more respect. And I strongly reject, also from the Bureau, your definition of this House and the work of my fellow Members. We are the representatives of the citizens, and I make no distinction between any person. We exercise our responsibilities differently and we are European legislators representing citizens. This work is at the heart of European democracy and should not be undervalued and derogatory and disregarded by anyone.

The next item on the agenda is the report by José Manuel Fernandes and Valérie Hayer, on behalf of the Committee on Budgets, on the proposal for a Council decision amending Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/2053 on the system of own resources of the European Union (COM(2021)0570 - C-0034/2022) (COM(2023)0331 – C9-0034/2022 C9-0211/2023 – 2021/0430(CNS)) (A9-0295/2023).

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on combating disinformation and the dissemination of illegal content in the context of the Digital Services Act and in times of conflict (2023/2902(RSP)).

The S&A/D Group has forwarded decisions on changes to appointments to committees to the President. These decisions will be published in the minutes of today's meeting and will enter into force on the day of this announcement.

The competent authorities from Austria informed the President of the election of Mr Wolfram Pirchner as Member of the European Parliament with effect from 17 October 2023. He replaces Mrs. Simone Schmiedtbauer, who has changed to the Styrian state government. I welcome our new colleague and remind him that he now participates with full rights in the meetings of the European Parliament and its institutions, subject to the examination of his mandates.

In accordance with Rule 132(2) of the Rules of Procedure, a motion for a resolution has been tabled*. The debate is closed. The vote will take place on Thursday 19 October 2023. _______________ * See Minutes.

Ladies and gentlemen, two things: As Chair, I have applied Rule 10 of our common Rules of Procedure, which is the basis for a solid and correct debate. Second, Roberta Metsola's visit took place in consultation with the Conference of Presidents. He has a broad support in this House and was right. (Applause)

I know that the President, when she takes over the presidency today, will carry out this minute of silence in the full room. Thank you for the suggestion, and of course our sympathy is with the dead and their families.

The first item on the agenda is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on the effectiveness of EU sanctions against Russia (2023/2905(RSP)). I would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr Navarro Ríos, Secretary of State for the European Union, and ask him to speak.