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PLENARY European Parliament
Follow its sittings
Marilena Raouna
In the context of safeguarding freedom of navigation, the role of EU maritime defensive operation as speeders that is providing a critical contribution to keeping one of the world's most vital waterways open and secure is critical.
In parallel, the council is fully committed to working on new proposals that would help mitigate the impact of the crisis on energy prices. That reflecting the conclusions agreed during the European Council in March, the one Europe one market roadmap which was cosigned in the margins of the informal leaders summit by the three institutions.
There is no silver bullet. As long as the EU continues to depend on imported fossil fuels, we will remain vulnerable to price spikes. It is clear that European strategic autonomy, European independence, both go hand in hand with energy security.
That is why it is essential to stay the course on energy transition goals in expanding domestically generated and affordable energy, together with short term measures agreed to mitigate energy spikes.
Our strategy is twofold. On the one hand, implementing immediate measures to stabilize energy prices while simultaneously forging a robust energy union to secure our long-term strategic independence, that green package is an essential part of this effort.
Regarding fertilizers, we're looking forward to receiving the commission's action plan, in the context of which we look to short-term measures to respond to the current circumstances, as well as measures to increase the resilience of the EU agricultural sector by reducing our reliance on imports.
While we tackle the effects of the conflict in Iran, we cannot lose sight of the other sources of tension in the Middle East. Lebanon is paying a heavy price for a war it did not choose. Too many have lost their lives, and we have seen attacks on UN peacekeepers, which are unacceptable.
Welcome the ceasefire and ongoing preparatory talks under US auspices, and we urge all sides to end hostilities and fully respect Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. We also cannot lose sight of the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
There needs to be progress on the implementation of the Gaza peace plan, in the absence of which there is a risk of undermining the fragile political momentum, with all that this entails, including providing Hamas with the opportunity to consolidate control. The EU remains committed to do its part with all the tools at its disposal.
In this framework, we convened last week to import an international meeting in Brussels, that of the global alliance and that of the hoc liaison committee. Ultimately, just and sustainable peace can only be reached on the basis of a two state solution in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Thank you for your attention.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you very much, Miss Rauna. Now I give the floor to the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
Ursula von der Leyen
Thank you. Thank you very much, madam president, dear Roberta, deputy minister, Rauuna, dear Marie Lena, honorable members. The informal UCO started with good news.
For Europe and Ukraine, in spring, we have said that we would deliver on the 90,000,000,000 loan for Ukraine one way or the other. Now we made good on this promise. We will disperse the first tranche of €45,000,000,000 for 2026 still this quarter, one third for budgetary needs, and two thirds go to Ukraine's budgetary defense.
The first defense package will be on drones, from Ukraine to Ukraine, worth some €6,000,000,000. So our message is very clear. We will continue our support to the brave Ukrainian people and their armed forces.
While. Russia's doubling down on its aggression, Europe doubles down on our support for Ukraine. That day, we also adopted the 20th sanction package. And, yes, the sanctions are biting. They have a biting effect on the Russian economy.
With inflation increasing. And interest rates are skyrocketing. The consequences of Russia's war of choice are also being paid for out of Russians' people's pockets. So much so that the Kremlin responds in an unusual way by restricting the Internet and free communication. So much so that Russians feel that they live behind the iron curtain again.
This time, a digital iron curtain. But honorable members, if history has one lesson, it's that all worlds eventually fall. Honorable members, it's been exactly 2 months since the new war in the Middle East began.
And we are finally witnessing a lull after weeks of violence. We all want the ceasefire in Iran and Lebanon to hold. With the ultimate goal to reestablish peace and stability through diplomatic means.
We were joined in Cyprus by leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the secretary-general of the GCC. And this was an opportunity to reiterate our solidarity with partners. Our shared goal is now to see a lasting end to the war.
And this includes restoring full and permanent freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, and it is equally clear that any peace agreement will have to address Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program.
But there's also a harsh reality we all need to face. The consequences of this conflict may echo for months or even years to come. And this is why energy was on the top of the informal EUCOS agenda. This is the second energy crisis within four years. And the lesson should be very clear.
Our overdependency on imported fossil fuels makes us vulnerable. Let me give you two figures. In just sixty days of conflict, our bill for fossil fuel imports has increased by over €27,000,000,000.
Without one single molecule of energy in addition. So the way forward is obvious. We must reduce our overdependency on imported fossil fuels, and we must boost our homegrown affordable, clean energy supply from renewables to nuclear, in full respect of technology neutrality.
Already today, member states with more low-carbon sources in their energy mix are less impacted by the crisis. Take a country like Sweden. If there the gas price increases by €1 per megawatt hour, the electricity bill only increases by €0.04 per megawatt. Hour.
Because almost all of Sweden's electricity comes from renewables and nuclear. So this is how we insulate ourselves from future shocks, and this is the path to independence of Europe. Honorable members, as I said, every member state has a different energy mix. Therefore, a blanket solution, one size fits all, to address the current crisis would simply not work.
And this is why last week, we presented a whole toolbox of measures that can be combined differently in different parts of the Union. And I want to focus on three sets of measures. The first is increased coordination at the European level. At the start of the previous energy crisis, there was a rush to the gas markets, and this contributed to driving prices up. We basically were competing against ourselves in the global market. That's why at that time we stepped up European coordination, for with common gas procurement. This time, we're taking the same approach one step further. We propose stronger coordination not only in filling national gas storage, but also when it comes to fuel reserves, especially jet fuels and diesel, where markets are tightening.
We can be so much more effective if we coordinate the release of oil stocks, and if we make sure that refineries can step up production all across our union. Because together, we have the market power, and we have the industrial might, so let's put it at the service of all Europeans.
Second point, we have to protect consumers and businesses. There is a lesson to be learned from the last crisis. Measures should be targeted to the most vulnerable households and industries only, and we should avoid increasing the demand for oil and gas at this time.
Let me give you again a figure. During the last crisis, only one quarter of the emergency support was targeted to vulnerable households and businesses. In other words, more than €350000000000 were spent on untargeted measures. And this had a huge impact on member states' finances, and it also undermined the measures to protect those most in need. So let's not make the same mistake again, and let's focus our support where it matters.
Most. And my third point is we must reduce energy demand by modernizing systemic energy. Use. In the short term, we can do this through a combination of energy efficiency and electrification. But we should also keep in mind that overall, we will need energy in abundance, especially because of a rapid scale-up of data centers and artificial intelligence.
Since the last crisis, we have made great progress. In 2022, gas determined our electricity prices by 70%. Of the time, today, this is down to 30%. And that is why this time we have avoided the huge price spikes of the previous crisis. But electricity still represents less than a quarter of our final energy consumption.
And this is much lower than, for example, in The United States or China. So this has to will change. A continent like ours, with limited fossil fuel resources, should lead the world on electrification.
This is the reason why last December, we proposed the GRIDS package. Its goal is to make our energy and infrastructure fit for the electrification age, and I'm very glad that last week in Cyprus, the European Parliament, the council agreed to speed up the negotiations. And as a next step, we will put forward our electrification plan by the summer, with an ambitious electrification target.
And speaking of finances, in the current European budget, we have set aside almost €300000000000 for energy. 95,000,000,000 of which are not used so far. I know I'm preaching here almost in the wrong church, but let us use this to make the switch now to electricity, not just in transport, but also in industry and in heating.
This is not only a matter of affordability and competitiveness. This is also, as we learn in this crisis, a matter of economic security. Thus, speaking of European independence, independence means it is the moment to electrify Europe.
And finally, a few words on the MFF. We also discussed at the informal council in Cyprus. We all know that the next budget is central to our competitiveness agenda. It can derisk investment and crowd in private capital. It can fund strategic priorities at real European scale. It can support reforms that make Europe a better place to invest.
But we must be lucid about the budgetary equation. From 2028 onwards, we will have to start to pay back Next Generation EU. We need to invest more in our new priorities.
Like research and development, competitiveness, defense, security, you name it. We want to sustain funding for the EU's long-standing priorities. That is cohesion and the CAP. And we want to keep national contributions in check. If this is the case, all four elements of the budgetary equation is clear.
New own resources are indispensable. Without them, the choice is stark. Higher national contributions or lower spending. In other words, less Europe exactly when more Europe is needed. This is why the commission has proposed a comprehensive package of new own resources, a package that is diversified, linked to our union's policies, and capable of generating stable revenues over time. This is the only credible way to match Europe's priorities with Europe's means.
Thank you very much, and long live Europe. Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
Very much, President von der Leyen. And now the first round of political group speakers, starting with the president of the EPP group, Manfred Weber.
Manfred Weber
Madam president of the European Parliament, Commission, Council representative, to your colleagues, a lot is on our table. I want to highlight from an EPP point of view two or three issues from a content perspective.
First, Europe needs urgent economic growth. And we know what to do. Simplification started already. Trade is on a good way. Investments, we yesterday agreed on a strong MFF for the future.
But the key to everything is a single market, our own economic base. And that's why having the clear projects in mind, '28 is a regime, energy grids, capital market union. After two years of Draghi, it's now a good moment that in Cyprus, we agreed the road map. That we have a binding, the first time a binding understanding how to implement these clear milestones, the single market strategy until the '7.
That's a great step forward, and also for us a responsibility now to deliver. The second thing I want to mention is obviously in light of the economic developments in Europe, the energy costs, geopolitical situation behind.
You know, this crisis proves again that we need more sovereignty on our energy supply. Renewable energies are the future, and to fight against climate change is not anymore only an ecological issue. It is obviously an issue for a sovereign Europe.
So that's why the EPP stands on the side of the ETS one. We want to make it pragmatic in the implementation, but we stick to what we have agreed in the last years. We also have to finalize the energy market, especially with the energy grids.
Package. We have to have a careful look at the fertilizers because that's important. And we need nuclear as a base. That's the truth. Otherwise, sovereignty will not work.
And the third point I want to mention is, Nicholas Christodolidis is in Cyprus. The efforts to put the article 42.7 on the table. So the military dimension of our European solidarity, and that's urgently needed.
EPP was pushing for a defense committee inside of the parliament, have the first time now a defense commissioner EPP friend, who is chairing this. We want to do them all the next step.
Clear rules for implementing article 42.7. People see and feel the uncertainty, especially in Cyprus. Europe has to give an answer. Dear colleagues, that is the content what I want to mention.
Let me finally reflect on two member states' developments, which are for us of special importance. First of all, I want to say a word on Romania. I mean, last year, Romanian people voted for their leadership. And I was quite happy that, finally, the candidate from our didn't become president of Romania, that the pro-European forces fought and they won. And that was an important battle in Romania. EPP and socialists together had the mandate to reform Romania to do the necessary steps together with the milestones presented by the commission. Yesterday, socialists and outer party together presented a motion of censure against the pro-European stable government and Yuratje. I just asked myself, why? What is the background of, what is the reasoning for taking such a government now into question? Together with AURA, I would just want to say if EPP would do the same against the socialist prime minister, to take a socialist prime minister into question together with a right populistic party. You know, we would have here thousands of initiatives in the European parliament.
That's not my style of doing things. I just ask the question, and probably you can also clarify from the socialists whether you want to go further with the cooperation with Aura in the future.
And the second thing I want to mention is that we still have positive news. We still have very positive news. That is that we saw the young people in the streets of Budapest a few weeks ago. Where they were telling the audience, public, Russia out, and we are Europeans.
I was myself two years ago in Budapest, welcomed to the party inside our EPP team. A great moment that they repaid now the trust we invested in them. That's great to see that Bittermagia, together with the Tisa friends, really won back Hungarian votes and people for a pro-European approach. We are proud about this, and we see the first results now with 90,000,000,000 being now released and being now ready to be transformed towards the Ukrainian friends.
And the populists and extremists in Europe lost their spin doctors. So Putin's puppets, those who are defending Chinese and Russian and other interests in the European Council and other formats, have lost their leader.
That's great, good news for all of us. Dear colleagues, we won. Slogans are not anymore winning. Solutions are winning. Europe and future solutions won. Hungary.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you. Now I give the floor to the president of the S and D group, Efracha Garcia Perez.
Thank you. You.
President.
Iratxe García Pérez
Mister. Weber. If you're gonna teach lessons and make sure they're the right ones, I mean, the popular party in Spain is currently concluding agreements with the far right with one principle: national priority.
So you're comparing that with a xenophobic party like Orban's, but if you're gonna give us lessons, please make sure they're the right ones. Anyway, let me move on to the subject of today's debate.
Two months ago, an illegal and irresponsible war against Iran was begun by Trump and Netanyahu. Promised a rapid war of freedom. That actually they've sowed destruction, death, and fanaticism. And now we see a trail of blood extending from Iran to Gaza via the West Bank and Lebanon. And in Lebanon, we're talking about 2,000 dead, 1,200,000 people displaced.
And the occupation of 10% of its territory. That's not security. I think we could safely call that devastation. And given that, Missus von der Leyen, Europe can't simply stand and watch. We can't watch history happening.
We need to be the guarantor of the international law, democracy, and peace. Now let me say this loudly and clearly. We support the right of Israel to defend itself against Hamas, Hezbollah.
Or the revolutionary guard. Guards. But that doesn't include crimes against humanity, and they have crossed all red lines. And we've heard nothing at all from you, Mister Weber and Missus Von der Leyen.
On the adoption of the death penalty law against Palestinians, that's utterly unacceptable. That hurts me. And if it hurts me, imagine what those millions of Europeans feel who don't understand Europe's complicit silence. So we are not going to be quiet on this.
We want facts. Suspend the association agreement with Israel. Let's have sanctions imposed on the Netanyahu government. I would also say to you, Manfred, and the EPP, complacency has one name.
Servitude. Servitude to those who are dynamiting the international order, which is based on rules. Servitude, which weakens Europe and makes our citizens poorer. Because the war is not only killing people over there, it also strikes us here. It strikes European families with high electricity bills.
It strikes workers because inflation is back, and it's striking our economies because we have this energy dependency that makes us vulnerable. So recommendations aren't enough at this point. We need to act. We need leadership. Need clear, brave, and fair measures.
We need a European tax on the windfall profits made by oil companies. Which are making money out of this war. We need to decouple the prices of gas and electricity so that people can have energy bills.
Right away. We need to make state aid rules more flexible. Flexible, excuse me, and we need to activate the escape clause for the Stability and Growth Pact. We need to protect the most vulnerable social energy rates, stop stopping supply being cut off to those who can't pay.
We also need to reactivate tools such as SHA to protect jobs. And above all, we need to firmly act in favor of the green deal, because the only way that we can break this dependency that makes us poorer is to speed up the transition towards renewable energies.
Let's not fall into the far-right trap. And dilute the Green Deal. The Green Deal is not the problem. It's the solution. Europe has the resources.
Europe has the talent and the strength. What's missing is political will. If you're really concerned about citizens, ladies and gentlemen, show it. Europe was born from the ashes of war to defend peace, dignity, and justice. And now we're seeing people who want to impose the law of the jungle.
But we need to decide what kind of Europe we want to build. We, the social democrats, are clear on that. We want a Europe that doesn't bend the knee to power. That defends the law, a Europe that protects its citizens, and leads to peace. That's the Europe that we're gonna fight for, and that's the Europe we're gonna be working for.
Thank you.
I'll. Be speaking in Portuguese.
António Tânger Corrêa
Madam President, President of the commission, presidency of the council, I was hoping we were going to have a debate on the EU on the ongoing Middle East quest. Apparently, that's not the case.
Nevertheless, I will continue with the notes I had prepared. Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, Europe is suffering through a crisis. But we are failing when it comes to deciding how to respond to the crisis.
It's true that the EU receives only 5% of its oil via the Strait of Hormuz. But the prices, the increases in prices seem to imply that all of our oil comes via this strait, which is not the case.
The increase in prices means that we are all suffering, and a Europe which is following the increase in oil prices. Well, it really means we have to ask some questions. Europe is not dependent on the route which was affected by the blockades, but are paying the prices as though we were, not just for energy, but across the board. We are faced with a union which is unable to react because, whilst we hesitate, others are profiting from this.
And who pays the bill at the end of the day? Our business, our farmers, our fishers, millions of families who are suffering from energy shocks. They it is now time for us to take responsibility here. We don't need more or greater coordination, more measures, more actions.
What we need to do is protect our citizens. We shouldn't continue to prolong this problem. Thank you.
Speaker 9
Behalf of the ECR group to its coach, Enrico Procaccini. Thank you, Madam President. Thank you. President von der Leyen. The crisis in the Middle East reminds us that our freedom is only on loan.
If we continue to be held hostage by the demands of others. The threat posed by Iran is not invented by Israel or the US. The European Union shouldn't let itself be dragged into military adventures. But it should not either forget what its role is in the world.
In the divide between Western democracies and those regimes that govern Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China. Being strong doesn't just mean being well-armed, but also being independent. Of others for our own economy.
Europe's main problem today is that it is unable to produce energy. Not only from wind or solar, but also from nuclear and its own fossil gas and oil deposits. It prefers to buy energy from elsewhere, often from those regimes I talked about before.
Pedro Sanchez, over the last month, has increased by 124% his purchase of liquid gas from Putin. Not Auburn, Sanchez. He has gone further than anybody to increase imports of gas from Russia, becoming the de facto biggest European sponsor of Putin's war in Ukraine.
Then we give a loan of €90,000,000,000 to Ukraine to defend themselves from the person that we have funded. Genius. On that subject, at twelve thirty-three of a year ago, on April 28, Spain had the biggest blackout in European history. This caused deaths and injuries, as well as huge economic damage. It was caused by the disruption to the sources of renewable energy.
I'm not demonizing them, as I don't demonize other sources of energy. We need all of them. Only thing we don't need is the left's hypocrisy, which has condemned us to the green deal measure such as CDC band, which drives up the cost of importing those fertilizers that are actually banned in Europe in terms of their production. We will continue to be dependent on others, and when we are, we will never truly be free and safe.
Nicola Procaccini
Thank you. Now I give the floor to the chair of the Renew Europe group, Valerie Aye.
Valérie Hayer
Thank you, President. President, will per Europeans' purchasing power is going down. We can Trump. We can talk about the Straits of Hormuz. But at the end of the day, we make our own choices.
And what's going on in the Middle East is not an excuse. Because for over 50 years now, Europeans have been dependent on energy that's produced outside Europe. Fifty years that we've struggled to react.
Iran today, the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine, we all know that the question isn't whether there'll be a future crisis. Question is when. But we are spending 400000000000 on the imports of fossil fuels at the moment. That's €400000000000 that we're sending abroad. And we could be spending here.
So we need to say that's enough. We need to defend our energy independence. We need to end a system that weakens our purchasing power and boosts dictators. We need to stop feeding into populism and extremism.
Right across Europe. But it's not enough just to talk about this. We need to act, and that's what we've been trying to get people to do since 2019. The commission is acting as well.
Accelerate EU, which you presented last week, the Green Deal. It's also European press preferences in terms of industry, nuclear power, and renewables. Colleagues, the way to our independence is to decarbonize our economies, electrification, but we really need to act. We need those reforms that are necessary in terms of our markets, our infrastructure, and assistance to house. We need to think at the European level and act for the long term. Now, obviously, we need to change our productive model if we're actually going to do that.
The ways we consume, the way we build our housing, the way we eat. And Renew wants to see that done. In a responsible manner. But the fact is that not everyone has made the same choices.
Even today, in spite of all the evidence, in spite of what all experts say, in spite of the demands of our citizens, there are people in this hemicycle on the right who want to do away with the green deal.
Apparently, this is a green ideology, a pact for degrowth. That's what they say. But where do ideologies come from? I mean, those who see the reality of the world, they're the people we have on one side. But then on the other side, we have people who want to import Russian gas who are the ideologists here, because the green deal is far more than just environmental policy, although that's important. It's a deal for competitiveness.
It's something that works for the independence of Europe. It's something that we should have been doing for 50 years, and it's something that science and technology makes possible now. Colleagues, me now mention something else.
We need to speed up the green deal and speed up our energy independence, and we can only do that by working with a pro European majority. Thank you.
Bas Eickhout
Thank you, madam president. The US and Israeli illegal attacks on Iran have sparked a global energy crisis. And because of these attacks, the six largest oil companies, half of which are American, are raking in profits of nearly $3,000 per second, while people can barely afford the fuel.
Let me be clear. This is not our war, and we shouldn't pay for it. Europe should stand up for peace, stability, and justice in the Middle East. We need to shield at the same time our societies from leaders like Trump.
As long as we are dependent on fossil fuels, our well-being in Europe is in the hands of unreliable autocrats. Europe can only be a stable, incredible global power if our own European industry supplies us with our own energy.
Going fossil-free is our path to freedom. This means we have to make clear political choices. And in the last week's communication by the commission, you did the first step, but what are we meanwhile doing? We applaud our best tool to price carbon, emission trading, but at the same time, the commission proposes to emit millions of extra allowances to pollute. We say we want to electrify, but at the same time, we weaken the best instrument to electrify our car park.
CO2 two standards for cars. And we say we want homegrown energy, but at the same time we are concluding a deal with the US, a trade deal with the US which promises to import more American gas. This inconsistent behavior weakens our transition, and the citizens pay the price.
Not the fossil fuel companies. These six companies are making around €94,000,000,000 of fossil fuel profits a year. Money that could power millions of people with clean and affordable energy. But the commission refuses to tax the windfall profits of fossil giants.
Let's be clear. This energy transition is not a sacrifice. It's an upgrade. And none of this happens spontaneously overnight. These solutions require investments. They require consistent forward-looking policies.
Say what we had. We called it the Green Deal. Let's make sustainable choices the obvious, competitive choice over fossil fuels. The EU should take the lead. It's our political choices that decide.
Whether this future belongs to all or only to a few. Thank you.
Speaker 14
Thank you, Mr. Eichhout. And now for the left group, if co-chair, Martin Schuldevan.
Martin Schirdewan
Thank you. You, madam, president. Madam, but those of us or those with less money are really feeling the impact on the wallet given the crisis in the Middle East. And I think that the discussion on the EU strategy and how we react to this crisis, we need to take a different approach.
Here, we just hear keywords, such as strategy, and we're not talking about the substance, and the center parties seem to be more concerned about working with the far right than anything else.
And your cooperation with the right and your exchange of above means that the right is going to get stronger and stronger. We need to limit the repercussions of the energy price shock.
And once again, madam von der Leyen, you seem to be sitting back, helpless. And the biggest oil companies are making vast profits out of this crisis. And the consequence of the blockade of the Strait of homicides really being felt. And this ridiculous situation means that energy companies are profiting off the suffering of the citizens, the poorest citizens.
We need a Europe-wide energy price cap at the pump so that people can afford to live, that they can plan for their future, and European jobs can be protected.
It has already been said that this is not our war. The USA and Israel began the war. Trump and Netanyahu are breaking international law time and time again. But now here in Europe, it is time for us to act, tackle these crazy autocrat in the White House.
There was no question the Mueller regime had to fall. Talking about a country where women are murdered, repressed, that the demonstrations have shown that the regime change is necessary. But it is the innocent who are suffering.
And your job at madam von der has to speak is to speak out strongly. Say no to the war in the Middle East, in Iran, in Lebanon, and Gaza. But we haven't heard a single critical word directed at Trump or Netanyahu. Freedom and peace have to come to The Middle East.
Thank you.
Speaker 17
Benzene, diesel, petrol, diesel, heating oil. Bread, potatoes. That's the daily life of people right across Germany and Europe. And things are becoming unaffordable. Nine weeks now, the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked.
65% higher prices for oil, and similar increases for fertilizer. And those who suffer are people workers who are finding it more expensive to get to work, businesses who are struggling to get their supplies in. And the German government has decided to give people assistance, 8¢ per liter, limited in time.
So they don't seem to know how bad things are for the people. But then remarkably, Mister Weber and Missus Von der Leyen have called for nuclear power this morning. They were positive about it, but it's the party in government which got rid of nuclear power in Germany a few years ago.
And the AFD has constantly been against that decision. Now Mister Weber said it's no longer about slogans. It's about solutions. But solutions aren't things that you can expect from the CDU/CSU, the governing party in Germany. They simply bring out slogans, but no solutions.
It's only the patriotic forces in Europe that can produce solutions. So it's good that the AfD is getting stronger in Germany, and the Patriots are getting stronger right across Europe.
How are we going to fund our proposals? Well, we want to how are we gonna fund this return to nuclear power and the reduction in taxes. Well, we want to do away with the Green Deal. That'll make us money.
Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you. Now I give the floor to Dolores Monserette, one and a half minutes.
Dolors Montserrat
Gracia, thank you very much, madam president. Europe has strongly responded to the energy crisis caused by the war, tax rebates, help for agriculture, coordination between countries to better manage the oil and gas reserves, elimination of trade barriers, and an economic shield for families. This shows something essential. That Europe is not improvising its planning ahead.
But if we want a safer union with more energy sovereignty, we need more interconnection, more nuclear, and more large scale storage. And particularly, something that isn't coming out in any reports, we need to do away with governments who are sabotaging the European strategy from within.
Those such as Pedro Sanchez and commissioner Ribera, these are the two people who are most responsible for the blackout in Spain. Yesterday, it was the 1 year anniversary. This was an energy suicide. Which was on the verge of sweeping across the European Union.
It wasn't sabotage. It wasn't an accident. It was a political decision. The electricity grid was given over entirely to renewables, and the system collapsed because physics doesn't understand ideology or climate ideology.
Millions of people were affected. People were trapped in trains. 10 people died. It wasn't just the electricity that went out. It was also decency and truth that went out.
Sanchez ignored the reports, the warnings, and the alarms. And when the disaster happened, he opened the textbook of the perfect socialist. He failed, and then he attacked those who were demanding accountability.
Honorable members, the blackout last year was a warning. While Sanchez is in power, Europe is in danger. And at the time of war, this is not just a risk. It's a real threat.
Speaker 19
Take note. Those people who are warning us are not traitors. Bonsoir, do you have a blue card? Thank you. Mister Glucksman.
You have the floor.
Colleagues.
Speaker 20
The war in Iran is continuing with us, but we are paying the price every day. Because we have been drugged with the addiction to gas and oil, and this is leading us to be subject to decisions taken by foreign leaders for which we have no influence.
Trump's war has already cost us €30,000,000,000, and this is the first time in 5 years that we are suffering from this lack of fossil fuels. In 2021, after the invasion of Ukraine, we saw that this cost France alone 1 billion euros, we can no longer afford to delay our energy transition.
The high prices are turning our back on oil and gas. It is necessary from a climate point of view, but also from a social and economic point of view. So let me look around the room to the right, to the far right. Stop standing in the way of the green deal.
Stop standing against the climate. Stop undermining climate goals, because this is an attack on our sovereignty and our independence. Those who are not suffering as a result of these, standing against climate change, we are all suffering as a result of Trump's decisions.
Thank you.
Forjuster.
President.
Marit Maij
Well, our energy strategy vis-à-vis the Middle East has serious consequences, and even more so for The Netherlands because we have some of the highest taxes on energy. So who pays the price? Well, the man in the street.
People who can't pay their electricity bills. The liberal government is leaving people simply to suffer in this situation. So how can we increase our gas and oil supplies? I mean, you continue to believe in the Green Deal in a blind manner. And that means that our businesses continue to struggle.
Brussels continues to talk about the electrification of sustainability. But who pays the bills? It's citizens. But we need to provide support to the citizens. So they have energy available. We need nuclear power, and we also need to move away from wind farms because they're not working properly.
Speaker 24
You have the But if someone you talk President, commissioner, nothing has made me laugh so hard as this quarrel between EPP and socialists at the plenary today. So they discussed the issue of who is cooperating with the right wing.
EPP is supposedly working together with the right wing or not.
It just shows us very clearly that this so called sanitary cordon does not really work, and it doesn't make a point. It doesn't make sense. You are just all alike, one just like the other.
And we are the only true alternative. We are not looking at who supports whom.
We only look at the validity of solutions.
Good or bad, and this is how politicians should act. Now as for The Middle East, missus Vanderleijn has just said that the most important solution that she proposes is to enhance the EU coordination and more renewables.
I noted it down. And I would like to respond to that by saying that ever since Mrs. Van der Leyen has been in chair, she's been doing nothing else but coordinating and increasing the participant use of renewables.
And what are the results? Well, the prices of energy in the European Union have increased by about 100%. Car prices by 30%, our share in the industrial activity is going down, and our political and economic power is declining.
And you want to do more of the same, in spite of the results. It gave. And this road leads to nowhere because, so far, the renewable sources of energy are more expensive than the traditional ones. And we do have traditional sources of energy that we could make use of, and they would be less expensive.
And we should really get rid of the emission trading system, because instead of introducing a new one. So stop the emission trading and stop the green deal, and this will lead to a better life for all Europeans.
Thank you.
Madam WICHLOW
Thank you very much. I shall speak Polish. How cynical you have to be to be criticizing renewable energies in the parliament when your colleague, mister Yaki, mister Carnek, is active in this sector. How cynical you must be to be criticizing the green deal while your government, mister Moravievskiy, as the president, he supported the green deal.
Speaker 27
This is a truly false attitude to be standing here in the parliament and telling us that it is Mrs. Van der Leyen who's responsible for the prices of energy in Europe, whereas the conflict in the Near East, in the Middle East, was caused by Mr. Trump.
Speaker 24
You should be ashamed. Somehow, the previous conflict situations were not caused by Donald Trump, and the results went in the same direction. Why do they go in the same direction? Because you have introduced the ideologically based tax imposed on the cheapest energy source.
In Poland, the energy produced from coal is six times cheaper than the renewables. And it is not so that we do not want any investment in renewables, but this has to be done in a very wise manner. Reliable manner.
Not in the way you are doing, because it is because of your activities that the prices are 100% higher now.
It's Mr. Kalaha.
Billy Kelleher
Since president Trump's unilateral attack on the Iranian regime, it's clear that we can no longer let our citizens be held ransom by countries that can withhold fossil fuels from us.
The choice is clear, we do what is necessary to wean ourselves off fossil fuels and finally break the link between conflicts in one part of the world affecting the day to day lives of European citizens.
Households, SMEs, farmers, and industry are all suffering. Energy prices have been abnormally high over four years, pushing up fertilizer, food prices, and the cost of doing business. And this results in reduced living standards.
We must double down on renewables, and especially in Ireland's case, offshore wind, solar, and biogas. We must end the taboo in certain member states, including my own, about the potential of nuclear energy.
Yes. There are many challenges with moving to renewables. We are too slow at permitting, too slow at building. The alternative is to allow the Ayatollah, Putin, or President Trump control our shared futures.
Only when our economies are powered by secure carbon-free electricity, will we be able to stop worrying about the whims and actions of dictators and unreliable partners? The conflicts they entangle the world in, and the damage they can do to our living standards.
Madam NEWMAN
Or we make your life miserable. Resist and we break you. Flee and we find you even in Europe. Speak up, and we come after your family. This is how the Iranian regime has ruled for decades.
And now they are expanding this model from holding their own people hostage to holding the world hostage in the Strait of Hormuz. You sanctioned us? We closed the strait. You won the negotiations.
We make you wait. You resist.
Madam NEWMAN
We create an economic crisis. Pure blackmail. And if they get away with this, dear colleagues, others will follow. This is not only about Iran.
It is about freedom of navigation and whether blackmail wins, and this is why Europe needs to get engaged. For a reliable solution for freedom of navigation against blackmail on the international stage, Trump is not going to get this done. But also, against blackmail in Iran.
Because while we debate geopolitics here, millions of Iranians live in a different reality. More brutality, more executions, more censorship. And yet some in Europe speak of sanctions relief in return for opening the Strait of Hormuz, which would give the very wrong signal that blackmail works and that Europe turns a blind eye on repression.
Dear colleagues, these sanctions were imposed for massive human rights violations, and they must remain until these violations stop. So no handshake, no deal, no lifting of sanctions as long as people are silenced, executions continue, and political prisoners remain behind bars. This is what Europe must bring to the negotiation table.
Speaker 33
Thank you. Thank you very much, Madam Newman. Madame Voilen, you have the floor.
Thank you, colleagues.
Lynn Boylan
There's no doubt that Israel and The United States represent the greatest threat to global security and are a risk to social cohesion right across Europe. They have not only caused the worst oil and gas crisis in history, and the cost of living in the EU to skyrocket.
Israel and The United States are carrying out illegal wars, bombing school children, hunting and killing journalists and paramedics, and targeting our UN peacekeepers. And meanwhile, ordinary citizens in Europe look on aghast, not only at the tearing up of international law, but also at their own governments and EU institutions, who seem to treat the energy crisis as a natural disaster and not as a direct consequence of US and Israeli actions.
So fuel protest has already shut down Ireland, and the protests will spread across Europe if leaders fail to stand up for their citizens. If they fail to hold rogue states to account, if they fail to end their dependence on fossil fuels, fail to break the link between gas and renewables, and fail to rein in the corporate greed and tax the windfall profits.
Madame Vandar Madame Vandelion.
Madak NAFO
COVID, Ukraine, Iran, three crises in five years, and the same lesson every time. Under your commission, Europe is disarmed. Because it's given up on producing, because it's given up on its own energy. Disarmed because it depends on countries that hate us.
And who's paying the price for this? Europeans. Every crisis leads to the same things, higher bills, petrol becomes a luxury. The energy bills are a nightmare. The truth is if we don't have wind, we need gas, and that comes from elsewhere.
That is the big sham of your mandate. You want to leave fossil fuels behind. But we can't stop crises from coming. We can just stop suffering from them. Nuclear is our independence.
Several years of fuel are stored in advance. Whenever our suppliers fall apart, our power plants continue. You have just recognized your strategic error on the nuclear. So madam Bandelai, please recognize this, but please act. It's better.
Thank you.
Speaker 37
You have the floor, Mister president. EU has less geopolitical influence and credit, credibility, geopolitical and a strategy for the Middle East? They say continuously that human rights are important, but have no way out of the war against Iran. And the serious erosion of human rights. The of the civil population in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon are important, but member states continue to send arms to Israel. And open their military bases for use by The US attacks in Iran.
The EU can no longer justify the association agreement with Israel. What strategies are we talking about? As long as we do not have an end to this six-year war in Ukraine. We can have no peace in the EU, and no peace in the Middle East.
Thank you.
Speaker 38
Thank you. You, president. The Homos crisis is causing an unexpectedly large crisis in terms of energy prices, and it's inevitably gonna get worse because, quite rightly, the European Union has decided to confirm a reduction in our supplies from Russia.
We still import around 14% of our energy from Russia, but in 2024, we're looking to fully move away from Russian supplies. So that means that the crisis in the Straits of Hormuz is going to cause massive problems. Now there has been a reaction to what's happened, but unfortunately, it risks just being a reaction.
Accelerate EU has the capacity to increase coordination between the member states. But states are still divided on what they're going to do. That's the genuine problem. Reaction's not enough. We need genuine harmonization in Europe.
Among member states, when it comes to energy. We don't have standard prices now. Because the way that energy prices are calculated actually deepens the differences between member states. For example, I've decided to reform the ETS. One way of reforming it could be moving the ETS away from electricity generated by power stations.
Speaker 39
So we need to decide whether we're going to be coordinated on our energy policy. Thank you.
Heléne Fritzon
President. The powerful have once again created a war that is having an effect on energy, which is now making citizens suffer. We need to coordinate to make sure that people can still pay their bills. And we need to protect jobs in Europe, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuel sources.
Today, we are paying more for oil and gas than we are to Ukraine. That's absurd. We need to continue with our transition, invest in renewables. Think of the future that our children will have, because even if peace is reached tomorrow, the effects will cast a long shadow. We have to continue to take action on behalf of our citizens.
Speaker 41
We need to be more ambitious in the European Union for a greener, stronger Europe. Thank you.
Speaker 42
The. President, minister, commissioner colleagues, all geopolitical crises have had a direct and tough impact on our energy prices and also on our food production. And that's why we insisted on extending today's debate to this issue, too. Clearly, the competitiveness of our farming business is under pressure now. So we welcome what Commissioner Hanson said on a European plan on fertilizers, and also the commission's commitment to guarantee predictability and stability to farmers in the near term.
These are signals that go in the right direction, but we need to be clear. Economic support alone is not enough. We need urgent measures that will have an immediate effect on production costs. And that's why we absolutely need to undo the effect of CBAM and ETS on the import and the production of fertilizers.
I mean, we continue to act as though nothing has happened, but given the increases in prices, farmers are struggling. And that risk feeding into inflation. We also need to take clear measures.
For example, on a circular product that comes from animals. Which could be used in Europe instead of a fertilizer. So we need to ensure there's flexibility for member states because farmers need immediate and realistic decisions such as these, and we're ready to support them.
Thank you.
Speaker 19
Lukhart, honorable Fidanza. You have a blue card. No. Okay. Thank you very much.
Colleagues.
Speaker 44
For sixty-one days now, an extraordinary situation has developed in the Middle East and on the oil markets. Now the reasons for this escalating situation lie even further back. And we have to tackle this as the EU. Luckily, we are not involved in the military confrontation, but we are involved in the economic side of things. And we have to learn the lessons from the COVID crisis.
Supply chains work on an international basis. And it is no longer given that we were able to ensure the survivability of supply chains. We need to be much more strategic when it comes to our autonomy. We have to take strategic approaches to our play trends and our trade relations with alternative infrastructure. And military approaches, well, are diplomacy investment in projects means that we have to be more realistic to protect our citizens here in Europe.
Government which bases its approach on inspiring fear among its citizens is not a good government. This does affect our economic interest and damages the rule of law. We need to focus on this when we look at our European foreign policy.
The diplomacy with a credible military approach and diversification of our supply chains, common projects, and the promotion of democracy and the rule of law. Thank you very much.
Speaker 19
Dear colleague, madam Bentley. Dear, you have a blue card. Do you accept it from Mister Gonzalez Casares from the Socialist Group? Do you accept it? Yes.
Nicolás González Casares
This is a crisis for fossil fuels caused by Netanyahu and Trump. And I'm wondering why the EPP is constantly denying the fact that this is a crisis of fossil fuels.
We need to move away from them because you're talking about Trump and Netanyahu. Why are you doing that? Given that chancellor Mertz is saying that Trump is being humiliated by Iran because they didn't have appropriate plans for the war.
So why does the EPP not talk about the realities of this conflict? Why aren't you saying that this is a fossil fuel crisis caused by Trump and Netanyahu, which is affecting Europeans? Sorry.
Speaker 44
I didn't fully get it, but I hope my Spanish is enough.
But as said, I mean, we are talking about we wanna become more independent of fossil fuels. I think that was very clearly said by Manfred Weber. He said we have to rely on renewables.
It was also said by the president of the Commission. But we cannot do this from one day to the other. We rely for our kerosene a long time, still on oil, and this is why I said we have to diversify our supply chains, and we have to also look that we are ready to keep up with military means our our supply chains. And I think this is what we currently discuss in the Strait Of Hormuz, and I think we should be ready because the next conflict is already on the horizon.
If I look to Indonesia who is discussing the Malacca Strait. So this is a strategic, it's a security issue as well as that we have to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels.
Speaker 48
Empowerment, I'm sorry for the interpretation. My next speaker is Mr. Maniades. You have the floor.
Mr. MANIADES
Madam President, the European Union cannot be a spectator when faced with the crisis in the Middle East. We need a holistic strategy for the region. For an energy diplomacy based on international law, multilateral cooperation.
Need a strategy that will make Europe sovereign. We can't pay the bill for others' decisions. We have to take action in order to protect our interests and our allies. One example is Lebanon. Where constant attacks are undermining the work of the government there, and stability throughout the region.
As Europe we are face to face with our second energy crisis of recent years, the Strait of Hormuz has proven that Iran has a Trump card that nobody realized. We need to be resilient to crises. We need to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and our dependence on fertilizers.
Thank you.
Mister Herbrandi, please take the floor.
Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Energy is the most essential building block of our economy.
And when energy prices go up, people suffer, businesses suffer. Why? Because we do not control our own energy prices. Others do. Events do. The good news is we have already insulated ourselves from the worst shocks, quite literally, with all the homes we have insulated.
Boring, but important work. And because we are generating more homegrown sustainable green energy than during previous energy crisis. But not enough. We will have bigger problems than strictly necessary. Because some in this house have worked tirelessly to slow down and break down the Green Deal.
And this is on you. But I say, let the past be past. And focus on one thing, to restore our citizens' faith in Europe, in Europe's energy policies, to rebuild our grid and to renew our promise of a strong and independent Europe.
Thank you.
Madam TOUSSAINT
The. Current crisis has made us face out once again our responsibilities, and this time, they are historic. Because as we have not turned back to fossil fuels quickly enough, energy prices are rocketing, and European citizens are suffering more than 60% increase in the cost of price.
€2 to the pumps in France. This is unacceptable. This is the consequence of our dependence on fossil fuels, and this is the result of using fuels that are killing the environment.
We are faced with a war. Once we have managed to sever ourselves from Putin's gas, we are now in the hands of Trump. Do you realize to what extent this situation is ridiculous? I have three requests for you.
One, as several member states have already said, we want to cap fossil fuel prices, and we want them to be banned entirely. We need to focus 100% on the energy transition.
Secondly, citizens should not pay the price for mistakes made by the EU. We need to have a windfall tax on the excess profit made by the energy companies.
And then thirdly, we need the right to a social veto. No European decisions can be taken which would worsen the living conditions of the citizens.
Thank you.
Speaker 53
Honorable. Members, the situation that we're seeing today is not new. In 2022, we had diesel at over €2 a liter. The price of energy has tripled. And fertilizer prices are going up as well.
We knew the solutions back then: renewables, energy efficiency, storage, and sustainable agriculture. But many people, even within this house, have been holding up this transition, leaving us exposed to the crisis we see today.
Too many people in Europe, the West, have peddled fake narratives. They said that wind turbines rust. Efficiency costs too much, and electric vehicles burst in flames. People who are now calling for emergency measures have tried to get rid of the green deal. They have reduced our energy autonomy, and they've resisted efforts to decarbonize and to have sustainable agriculture.
We want to find ourselves in this situation in four days or in four years? Or do we want to realize that depending on fossil fuels is a noose around our neck and that liberalism and budget balancing has failed.
We don't want to drag Europe towards a social market economy with a broad vision for the Thank you.
Mr. Schiltuis
Thank you. You, president. Look. I was listening to the Spanish spokesperson shouting at the president of my group when I hear right and left wing extremist members shouting at the president, the commission, etcetera.
Well, the old Spanish saying comes to mind. I mean, everyone's shouting. That means everything's fine. But it seems to me that we're talking ideology rather than acting. I mean, we need to defend our citizens, and it's not these kinds of raging speeches and wasted energy that we're going to help them.
We need to produce solutions such as the Abraham Accords. Where Arab countries recognize Israel, we can have economic development in the region. I mean, that's why the Iranian regime attacked Israel on October 7 because they couldn't allow that to happen.
But that's what the European should be doing. They should be focusing on economic progress in the region. And trying to help as we did in Europe after the Second World War.
Speaker 19
Thank you. Mister Lopez Estudis, do you have a blue card? No. Okay. Thank you.
Madam MANUNCIATA
Thank you. Thanks to you for letting me speak. I think the latest thing about oil is the fact that OPEC has entered its first phase of crisis. Many of the country producing oil in The Middle East are deciding to leave OPEC to have a policy that is that facilitate major production of oil. The change of position, the decline of this great institution that has been, you know, OPEC, of course, it opened lights on the fact that this war is completely changing the balance of powers and is giving more power in this, giving a different line on how we look at these issues.
I was listening to the minister to president from the lion. She has been very detached on the issue of what to do in terms of energy. But this is not a question of price. The redefinition of the power of the country that has oil in the future is destined to grow.
For instance, The Middle East has a very easy way to become a lonely bloc with Africa. The now counts very little, but will count more. And behind there, we have the growth that we've been experimenting to get of China.
That does everything economically, but has no oil. So Europe has a large analysis to address. Thank you.
Mr. WEINERS
Thank you, mister vice president, commissioner, colleagues. We are witnessing the largest oil supply shock in history. Energy prices are soaring, driving up fertilizer costs, and threatening food security for European families and farmers.
Jet fuel stocks are critically low, Commissioner Jorgensen urged Europeans to work from home where possible, and President von der Leyen stated we should reduce demand. The builder, the baker, the bus driver, they cannot telework.
But the EU Parliament can. My colleague, Dicky Ericsson, and members across groups wrote to President Metzla urging we stop the monthly traveling circus between Brussels and Strasbourg for as long as this crisis requires.
We stopped it during COVID. We can stop it now. Colleagues. Or is the EU above the demands it requires from ordinary citizens? Think about that.
Speaker 19
Grazie, honorably. My next speaker is going to be Madame Mathieu. You have the floor.
Thank you, Alvor.
Sara Matthieu
Thank you very much. In Belgium, citizens pay more than €2 per liter for their petrol. This war started by Trump in Iran will only increase the prices. And we are paying the price of the profits made by Trump and his oligarchs. BP and Shell make an exceptional profit as a result of this crisis.
So we have to be very clear, colleagues. Whilst we are still addicted to fossil fuels, we will have to bend to Putin yesterday, Trump today. And who knows who will be the next to turn off the tap? This dependence has to stop now.
We need a windfall tax for the excess profits made by the oil companies, at least 50%. But we also need cleaner, more affordable energy that comes to Europe. There can be no energy security, whilst we depend on Trump.
Thank you.
Speaker 59
President. Colleagues, every time there's a new crisis in Russia or The Middle East, every time there's a new crisis, we see energy prices increasing and we constantly hear the same thing.
We're far too dependent on foreign countries and unstable regimes. And every time, it's families, businesses, and people in Europe that end up paying the price. At the petrol pump and in the supermarket. Every political shock becomes an increase in prices for families and businesses. So that's something we need to do.
We, the liberals, want a clear plan of action so that we can move away from these kinds of energies. We really need to go for renewables, including 4th generation nuclear power plants. We need a stable electricity grid. We need to invest in the appropriate infrastructure, and we need to make purchases in a group manner rather than this market that we currently have when everyone buys individually. And we also have to act more quickly.
Speaker 60
Everything's far too slow. How can we react if we drag our feet? We need to invest. We need to stop being dependent on autocrats. Thank you.
Speaker 61
Colleagues, Miss Van der Leyen has left. Have you seen her face? She looked ill. She's truly worried. Well, she can't really do anything else. Putin received the Iranian foreign minister, and vice president Vance has gone to Islamabad.
President Vandelayen instead is just looking on. The twentieth sanctions package against Russia is approved. They've had six over the last 6 months. Increasing. In fact, countries have increased gas imports from Moscow.
And then they start thinking about the strategy for the crisis in the Middle East lockdown. They are actually just playing musical statues or just freezing when the predator approaches. It could be a good strategy, but it's applied to the wrong subject. If they had applied it to themselves, and to the commission that President von der Leyen guides, then we could have avoided a lot of damage to Europeans.
Thank you.
Speaker 19
A blue card from Mister Nadella from the S and D group. Do you accept it, Miss Nardella said sit 2 4 1.
Dario Nardella
Mister Bonacci. You're always railing against Europe. But you've not said anything about Donald Trump and the fact that he, alongside the Israeli prime minister Netanyahu, is those who are responsible for this war because you don't have the courage to say that this is the failure of your side, which is continuing to lead an anti-European approach.
Brave enough to say, why are we in this war? Why are we so dependent on fossil fuels? Why are we so dependent on foreign powers? You just want a fragile Europe, and that is why you're not explaining why the effects of this war are not serving the interests of Europeans.
Speaker 61
Mister Nadella is always playing the violin, and he's doing so today. And he doesn't remember much because I did blame Trump. I said, I'm happy with Trump as a sovereign leader, not as one who goes around being the sheriff of the world.
What I said was that president von der Leyen is who, thanks to your support for her commission, has negotiated €700,000,000,000 of natural gas with Trump. And she also negotiated €600,000,000,000 in the American economy.
That's your Europe, not mine. I want to change it. And it's not me who's giving €700,000,000,000 in natural gas and investments in the European and American economy to mister Trump.
Right.
Ioan-Rareş Bogdan
Let's look at where we are. 450,000,000 citizens are awaiting solutions. The cost of fuel and energy is so high that use has fallen. The average European citizen is only surviving. We need a solution to a crisis that's getting worse.
The conflicts in the Middle East are going to lead to a further influx of migrants to the EU. This will give rise to a further weakening of the labour market. We need to tackle the migration crisis.
Many migrants in Europe have not adopted our Christian habits.
They. Don't adopt our values or the values of us as society, but a lot of pressure is implied by the enemies of the EU and those who want to be politically correct.
The EU has decided to uproot those Christians who are too scared to leave their house after 9PM. These inclusive policies are damaging you, and we can see no solution to the oil crisis, perhaps.
But let's not forget who we are. Let's not, we will welcome those who are our friends, but we have to remain a Christian continent. For years, we have worshiped Christ and the Virgin Mary. We are a dome that covers all the Christian churches of Europe.
George is on the floor.
Mr. NIKA
With the crisis in the Middle East has led to an increase in the prices of energy, petrol, diesel, energy, prices are reaching unprecedented levels in Romania.
Now we're hearing talk about new supplies, new ways of using energy, and ensuring that we can have energy available in the EU. But the commissioner, what we absolutely need is a windfall tax on energy profits here. It's not fair that when things go badly, some people profit from it.
Now, mister Weber, you were talking about the Romanian prime minister. He refuses to leave power in spite of his political support having been removed. I mean, he has impoverished millions of Romanians via his austerity policies. Economic activity has been put under massive stress in Romania, and we've decided to support 90% of Romanians who want to see an end to those policies.
The decision of the Social Democratic Party is clear. We want to see a pro-European coalition. Now, Mister Weber, I'm afraid you've got it wrong in what you said. Thank you.
Martin Hojsík
Let's. Call a spade a spade. We find ourselves in a crisis which we have caused as a result of our dependence on oil and gas. And we are now paying the price for this.
Depending on energy from elsewhere will always be a risk to security. Let's be clear. Our well-being shouldn't be determined by those in Moscow or Tehran. They have always defended their own sovereignty.
And those who are now seeing how we're suffering are blaming the Green Deal, many in Slovakia, but here in the European Parliament to support Trump and Putin. They are fighting against the production of EU energy, but it is this energy that will set us free.
Nobody can turn off the sun. Nobody can cut off the wind. No autocrat will be able to put a stop to our geothermal energy. Our clean European energy is the only solution in the face of oil oligarchs.
Speaker 68
We need to opt for the EU energy. It is not only a cheaper but also a more sensible choice for peace and for our planet.
Speaker 26
Mister Nottek from the PFE Group. Yes. Mister Nottek, you have the floor. Seat 157.
Ondřej Knotek
Thank you. You, Chair, and thank you, colleague, for accepting my question.
So you can see Europe without imports. So how do you want to build new roads? Because you need tarmac, and this is made from oil. So how do you what what's your concept? Yes.
Martin Hojsík
You see the world in black and white or perhaps just black, see rather than one dependence you see the only other possibility is to be independent on others. And I believe that energy produced in Europe is a solution to this, but you don't seem to acknowledge it. And that is regrettable.
Yeah.
Yeah. I see some of them. Yeah.
Ondřej Knotek
Of course. I appreciate the domestic sources of power. But if you decide to have no oil, you will have no tarmac. So maybe it's better to diversify imports from different places. But without oil or without oil imports, you will not have any roads.
Martin Hojsík
So what is, what can you say about that? Always, we're, well, we're talking about diversification, but it's the world market that sets the prices. Your prime minister is more than aware of this, and you should be aware of it too.
We need to reduce our consumption radically, and we can do this by producing energy domestically. That's the solution that many regions, including your own, are unwilling to accept.
Željana Zovko
President, dear commissioner, recent developments have once again highlighted the high cost of energy dependence.
In such a sensitive moment, it is particularly perilous to undermine those partners to have proven to be stable, reliable, and fully aligned with our strategic object. At a time like this, we must not disadvantage the bet depend the world.
Partners from the EU candidate countries, and we should support, not hold them back. Take for example, her Electroprivile, the Herzeg Bosnia. This company generates electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Cooperates closely with EU member states, and has consistently been a secure and predictable supplier in our immediate neighborhood.
Yet under the current design of CBAM, it is being penalized due to the use of national default emission factors, and the commission doesn't have any idea or any way to communicate with them in order to facilitate their export of the energy.
At the time when we need trust more than ever, we should not weaken those who are already delivering on the decarbonization and contributing to our energy security. And simultaneously, we must consider the broader strategic. Yesterday, Dubrovnik, at the summit of the three seas initiative, we witnessed concrete progress where multibillion investments are being agreed by our consistently responsible Transatlantic partners.
New agreement with the United States were signed to strengthen energy infrastructure, deepen connectivity, and reinforce cooperation with Transatlantic partners. This is the direction we need to pursue. Projects such as Southern Gas Interconnection enhance diversity vulnerabilities, and anchor candidate countries more firmly with the European energy space, and together with our only reliable partner, Transatlantic Partners.
And please, mister commissioner, get this deal done.
Marta Temido
President. Commissioner, colleagues, protecting European citizens from the impacts of the current crisis in the Middle East on energy prices, on the availability of fertilizers, or indeed on the cost of living and dependence on fossil fuels is important, but it's not enough.
It's impossible to ignore that one of the roots of this crisis is the impunity of these leaders after violations of international law and human rights. Several countries are involved in the violation of these rules, but there was one with which we have an association agreement that the Israeli government has conducted a policy of systematic violation of international law and human rights.
In Gaza, more than 700 Palestinians have died since the beginning of this so-called peace plan. In the West Bank and the camps of Jenin, Turkaran, and Nushams alone, 32,000 people have been displaced, and 850 houses have been destroyed.
There's also been an introduction of the death penalty only for the Palestinians. The next European Council needs to table a vote for the immediate suspension of the trade chapter of the Association Agreement to Israel.
Speaker 73
Only in this way will we have a European strategy for peace, or rather just repeated measures to live with war. Thank you.
Thank you. You.
Matta Tamida.
João Oliveira
Our citizens are paying the price of war. They are paying for the increase of cost of living. You referred to energy issues, and it's worth noting that the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, managed to make a speech on the current situation without saying a single word about the excess profits which oil companies are raking in.
Not a single word on measures designed to control prices to protect the poorest citizens or put a stop to the liberal Far West within which these companies operate and destroy our quality of life.
Marta Temido
Colleague, is it possible to tackle these situations with the measures which the European Commission has announced? The commission didn't say anything about this, but the leader of our political party did mention this.
Speaker 19
And this is why we are the true alternative to solve the problems which our European citizens are facing.
We have 21 requests for the catch the eye and a long boat after. So I'm going to close the list at this moment. Thank you very much. Mister Vielinski, sorry, you have the floor.
Mr. VIELINSKI
Thank you very much, President. Well, ladies and gentlemen, we're talking about the EU strategy to deal with the crisis in the Middle East. And I think it's pretty clear from this debate that there is no EU strategy on this crisis. Things are even worse.
You don't have a strategy, but most EU member states are struggling to deal with these increased energy prices because energy prices are increasing, but most of the price is taxes. That's the other side of the problem.
Now this was supposed to be a military intervention in Tehran. That's happened. Yes. The Israelis have attacked Lebanon. People have been killed.
Yes. All these crises are happening. But I think it could have been predicted that the energy market would have problems. So the EU constantly talks about solving major problems, isn't solving anything at all.
I mean, you can't just intervene in terms of tax. I mean, let's have lower taxes on energy. Would be one way of giving people cheaper fuel, but you're not doing it.
Speaker 19
And those are failures, and you're going to have to respond for your actions.
Speaker 76
Thank you. My next speaker is Mr. White. You have the floor. Thank you, commissioner.
Thomas Waitz
Good morning, colleagues. We are once again in a fossil crisis.
We once again realized that we are dependent on crazy, theocratic mullahs. We once again realized that we're dependent on a Russian war criminal. And we also realized that we're dependent on our former US friends that are unfortunately unreliable and that have cost the crisis of today.
So, good morning, colleagues. The imperative of today is reducing fossil energy and reducing fossil dependency, also of fertilizers. And I don't understand how still parts of the EPP and the right of this house can uphold this kind of combustion engine fetish. How you can still block renewable energy, how you can still slow down the construction of a good electric grid.
I don't get your point. It's bad for the economy. It's bad for people. It's bad for the energy prices. So come on, people.
Let's get going now. And we need to replace fossil fuels with our own homegrown renewable energy. And to madam Van der Leyen, who is still not here, replacing fossil dependency by a dependency on imported uranium, which we don't have in the European Union, is a dead end street. So please stop this fossil lobbying.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 26
Mister Watts, you have a blue card from mister Verhoeffer. From the EPP Group.
You accept it.
Well.
Speaker 79
Colleague, thank you very much. You're saying that we need to move away from fossil fuels. I mean, I fully support you. But why is your group against, though, using more wood rather than fossil fuels? Why is your group against using sustainable fuels so that we can move away from fossil fuels? We have the technology. We can do that in Europe.
But your group, your party wants to prevent these possibilities. So why do you want to do that? I mean, we have the possibility to produce biofuels. We can use wood from our forests. But your group's against that.
Thomas Waitz
Why? An example of fake news. Greens are standing up for sustainable forestry, for forestry that does not destroy the soil, that is sustainably providing us and is resilient in times of climate crisis.
And sorry, colleague, you are very much advocating for the monoculture strategies of the past. And sorry to say, to produce grains with artificial fertilizers, with pesticides, with tractors, with the work of our farmers, and then pouring all of this into our tanks of combustion engines with 35% energy use.
This calculation doesn't work. I'm sorry to say, I just find it immoral to put food that we can eat into our tanks instead of electrifying our cars. This is not a strategy for the future.
Speaker 19
Thank you very much, Dirk Palette. Our next speaker is Madame Pichovic.
Madame PICHOVIC
Are. No, we cannot afford to be a hostage to the White House. How much I'm paying for the plane ticket or for petrol should not depend on the White House.
The prices of energy have shot up by 85%. Lufthansa has scrubbed 20,000 flights. The president of the International Energy Agency says we will have enough fuel for six months. I'm saying no.
I'm responsible as a rapporteur for self 3. This makes it possible for fuel prices to be reduced, for our energy security to be increased. Under self, it will be possible for refers time to finance alternative fuels to be produced here. We want to produce jet fuel here.
Poland wants to start on a path of nuclear energy. Many countries opt for green energy. But we want to be self-sufficient and independent. How much we are paying for energy, how much we are paying for plane tickets, shouldn't depend on a conflict somewhere else.
Speaker 82
Excuse me? You don't want to? Alright. I will now go to the floor, Missus Rojava.
You have one minute, please.
Missus ROJAVA
Many believe that politics and integrity don't go together. I believe they do if one dares, of course. Our responses to the Middle East situation are predictable, too slow, and, above all, ineffective and selective.
So when Mertz speaks about Trump in a way that normalizes dangerous escalation in Iran, that's not even realpolitik. It's irresponsible. The EU must not follow the imposed rules of escalation, even less legitimize it. This is no distant geopolitical game.
This is a crisis created by genocidal Israeli prime minister and his puppets. And while they wage war, European citizens foot the bill. One bill at a time, all Europeans are being punished for a war we did not start, but we can help end it.
Diplomacy is powerful if one dares through a clear, united foreign policy stance. That's the fastest way to ease the energy crisis, and we must, of course, stop our dependence on others because we are vulnerable.
With that.
Missus ROJAVA
It's time we dare be firm and credible, have the integrity there, think for ourselves, stand for international law, peace, and the protection of our EU citizens. It's possible to do all three.
I promise.
Ondřej Knotek
Thank you, madam chair, dear colleague, commissioner. It is naive to think that Europe will be able to do without fossil fuels in this century. The means that a green deal and renewables, yes, they will be important, but there can't be too many, and people don't want them because they are not cheap.
So the climate targets of European Union must be redesigned and we must use our own resources like our own gas. We must invest in nuclear. And when we have enough of that, then we can think of reducing or stopping fossil fuels.
But now we need fertilizers, steel, and glass, and we must support them by no ETS. And if you do understand that, it will be detrimental for Europe.
Thank you.
Colleague.
Lukas Sieper
I'll speak German. Well, thank you for accepting the blue card. Now you come from a group that's constantly against the secular economy and renewables. So exactly the reason why we're dependent on dictators like Putin and geopolitical crises such as the one we're seeing with Iran.
Now, do you think that we could have prevented this crisis if we had gone for solar and wind energy years ago? I mean, would that mean the energy prices were lower? And, I mean, when did you lose the ability to believe? You said we simply wouldn't be able to manage it.
Ondřej Knotek
It's clear that there is an oil crisis once per some time.
Once in thirty years, it can happen, we can manage it. Your solution is to replace one dependency with another dependency. So, if you just replace oil and fossil fuels by renewables only, you will maybe lose the dependency on countries delivering the fossil fuels, but you will increase the dependency on countries delivering the metals.
For example, or some technologies, some green technologies. So the answer is having diversified mixed diversified technology, and not just focus on one shot.
Lukas Sieper
Kolik, I'm wondering if you ever read about renewable energies.
About how solar energy, wind energy, and water energy work. Because if you did, you would realize that all of this we can produce here. We have the sun, we have the wind. We have the water in Europe. So the only thing that we would be dependent on if we would go for renewable energies in Europe would be European nature, and I personally think that's a pretty damn good thing.
To depend on.
Ondřej Knotek
Don't you think? As I said, renewables will always have a share. But you need metals that are not in Europe. Okay? So you replace dependency for another. So also the dependencies must be diversified from the sources and also on the suppliers.
Niels Fuglsang
Thank you. Thank you, colleague. So would you agree that, okay.
So we will need some metals for renewable energy. But in contrast to oil and gas, which we don't have in Europe, 98% of the oil and gas we consume, we import. In Europe. In contrast to that, the metals we can get that also from Europe. We can reuse the metals to a much larger degree than we do today, and we can also have mining projects in Europe so we can provide for ourselves.
That's not possible, oil and gas. Because we don't have it. So we need to import it. Would you recognize that there is a difference here? Definitely, we shall increase the rate of circular economy.
Ondřej Knotek
And, once we are ready and we have the capacities, we have enough, let's say, metals on our European continent to recycle and go without major imports, then we can cut off the fossil fuels. That's it. That's the strategy of smarter states.
They also go outside of the fossil fuels. Just the speed is, in line with the speed up of this self sufficiency circular economic other sources. The problem of this part to this house is that you want to do it right now.
That's the problem.
Speaker 90
Thank you, Mr. Ripazzi. It's your time to get to the floor. It's okay. Thank you very much. Thank you.
René Repasi
Madam. And president, commissioner, colleagues. Trump has launched a war in violation of international law, and the EU has turned its back. The Strait of Hormuz is closed, and European citizens are paying the price.
Is our own fault. Because we have delayed our development of vehicles and investment in renewable energies and allowed oil companies to make record-breaking profits. And now we have to deal with this. And it is our citizens who are paying the price on a daily basis.
Now the bill for the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, whether it is correct or not, should be borne by the oil companies. Or those who have declared the war should pay the price.
That is true justice. And this means that we need an EU windfall tax now. Thank you.
Alexandr Vondra
Nobody talk. Good morning.
Ladies and gentlemen, you've read the recipe of the European Commission, and this reminds me of 1920, Guerrero. And the Russian or the Soviet state Planning Commission for renewal recapitulated it in the famous sentence, the power to the Soviets, and electrified the whole country. And we know what the result was.
So let's not repeat those errors. Certainly, I'm in favor of cutting dependencies on fuels from dictatorships. I am in favor of electrification. But ladies and gentlemen, we mustn't have the most expensive electricity in the world, and blackout risks. For that.
And this is a reality today. The European Commission tells us wear sweaters and take cold showers. Well, we are not paying you for this kind of advice. We are paying you for allowing the full development of nuclear energy.
Where's the taxonomy, and that will set the conditions straight? We have gas, we have coal, and we can extract them temporarily.
You have one minute.
It. Hot sauce.
Please, it's working. Really destroyed now.
Alright. Sorry.
Herbert Dorfmann
Okay. Thank you very much. Colleagues.
Dependencies are things we become aware of when prices go up or there are bottlenecks, and we're seeing that with fertilizers now. I mean, at the end of the day, these fertilizers produce energy, and they come from the areas of the world where energy costs the least. I.
Gulf States. And all of this is coming at a time when farmers need to fertilize, and they need to do that so that they can produce food for Europeans. Otherwise, our food supply is in danger. So we need a short term strategy, but we also need a long term strategy. So we need to ensure that we have energy available in Europe.
Perhaps surplus energy could be used to produce fertilizers at a sensible price. We also need to use the slurry more. It's not a waste product. It's a valuable raw material. We also need to invest in research and development of new forms of energy.
And we need to look at plants and proteins as well. So all of that needs to be part of the commission's strategy on fertilizer? Thank you.
Thank you.
Niels Fuglsang
There's one thing this crisis makes clear, is that we need more renewable and more energy efficiency. 98% of the oil and gas that we consume in Europe we imported from foreign powers, often foreign powers that we don't, with whom we don't share values.
And it's hurting our citizens, the high prices that we are seeing. It's hurting our industry. We need to build on the Green Deal. And that's why I am genuinely puzzled by large parts of this house.
Who work to dismantle the green deal. The speakers that we've had on this floor previously actually voted to just dismantle or to reject the climate target for 2040.
The EPP group I saw on social media, they call the phasing out of combustion engine cars by 2035 a, quote, historical mistake. Why do you do this? I mean, you think that post will and that policy will age very well when you look at the prices for oil and the prices we can foresee and the dependency that we have.
Why not change the policy in a green direction so that we get independence from fossil fuels? That's what we need. Makes the historical mistake? Well, perhaps you should look in the mirror.
Thank you very much.
Stanislav Stoyanov
Thank you, madam president.
The crisis in the Middle East has shown us again how vulnerable is the EU as a result of perennial shortsighted and ideologically motivated decision-making. High energy prices are strangling our industries.
Price spikes and unavailability of fertilizers are putting our farmers under pressure. There are very few countries exporters of energy and fertilizers, some are near active war zones, others are in tense relations with the EU.
There is a real risk of shrinking yields and further increases in food prices.
This crisis should be overcome, and the best option would probably be targeted support for farmers to help them purchase already expensive European fertilizers. These funds, however, will come from the taxpayers' pockets. Again, they will foot the bill.
It's important that the EU taxpayers' money should stay in the European economy. It's high time for common sense.
Thank you.
Gilles Pennelle
Mr. Penel, you have one minute. This international crisis once again sheds light on the failure of the European Union's energy policy. As Germany and mister Weber and other heads of states such as Macron's Hayer have sabotaged and weakened the role of nuclear, which is a source of decarbonized stable energy. You've therefore increased our reliance on imported fossil fuels, especially gas, and exposed us to geopolitical tensions.
Ms. Vondelein recently recognized that sacrificing nuclear energy had been, and I quote, a strategic mistake. One more. Today, our citizens are paying the price for their daily life. For that strategic error.
The tensions in the Middle East are intensifying the fertilizer crisis, which is exacerbated by the degrowth policy of the European Union. Food is increasing in price, and many farms are threatened with closure. Faced with the international crisis, the European Union policy is lagging behind.
We now have to work on our sovereignty and the return to the European power. I don't believe you're capable of it.
Speaker 82
You have to stick to the time because we have a lot of cash DI requests. So if you want to take most of it, then please stick to the time. Missus Caten, you have one minute, please.
Well.
Assita Kanko
The situation in the Middle East and the energy crisis have caused problems for farmers. There's a lack of means of production. Prices are going up. I mean, there is a crisis in the food sector, which we can no longer ignore. Around 20% of farmers are finding it more difficult to produce food. And if the crisis in fertilizers isn't dealt with, then there are gonna be massive problems in the near term.
We need alternative fertilizers for our farmers. The situation in The Middle East is also going to worsen the situation with regard to dependencies? I mean, are we gonna end up just more dependent on China if we move towards a clean energy transition, we need genuine solutions here, please.
Walter Baier
Thank you. Thank you very much, madam chair, commissioner, colleagues. Now we, our citizens, wanted to protect their security and their well-being, but how many more indications do we need that things aren't going well? Every time there's a crisis, a geopolitical upheaval, we are forced to face the truth that the EU depends far too much on others for its energy and its security.
No. I was in 1976 during the first energy crisis, and then when we saw the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and the attacks in the Middle East.
Every time there was a new energy crisis, the citizens that pay the price. This isn't an ideology, the no of energy sovereignty. It is a question of power, of independence, of our ability to stand up to those who are controlling our energy supply.
We are too vulnerable. And Article 72, paragraph seven of the treaty, it's not a throwaway line there. It is a commitment to a true commitment. We need a defense community as quickly as possible because the EU needs to be a union that can defend itself and its values.
Thank you.
You have one minute, please.
You, the president.
Speaker 104
You satisfied now. You demanded a ceasefire with Iran, and in doing so, you have granted breathing space to a regime built on terror.
A regime you chose to shield. As a European, I'm deeply ashamed. It seems that for the European Union, the lives of ordinary Iranians have no value. You have, de facto, been saving an Islamist regime.
When executions by the regime intensify, as they almost certainly will, how will you justify this moment? You indirectly stood with the mullahs against the US and Israel. You got the ceasefire, but your friends are still keeping the street closed. And making us pay the price.
If you want stability, removing the regime would be a real step towards it. Thank you.
Speaker 105
Months of fire and murder in the Middle East. The fragile ceasefire of the Americans, which has led to the closure of the Strait Of Hormuz and the response of Iran, have led to prices going up of gas, petrol, and fertilizer.
We're looking at a new navy conflict in that strait, and it's dragging European countries into it. This is a way of protecting high prices and of taking advantage of them. People are paying the price, and companies are making money off them.
On May 1, our workers' party are demanding no blockade, reduction in prices and VAT on external imports, and proper collective agreements for workers.
Speaker 106
Thank you, madam president. The consequences of this war are many fold.
However, one group that has been affected by them are farmers. The fertilizers have been very important in agriculture, and the prices have exploded. This has particularly affected small farms. The situation is clear.
Europe is dependent on the imports of fertilizers, and price hikes contribute to higher prices of production and thus higher food prices. However, our farmers in Croatia, and I'm certain in other European countries, do not want to raise their prices. They are looking for subsidies so they could continue producing healthy and local food at affordable prices for our citizens. In order to make this possible, we need to secure financial measures for fertilizers and to boost local production. This is a matter of our food security.
And without food security, there is no global security. We need to act urgently. I welcome the announcements of the commission, colleagues. If we do not protect our farmers today, tomorrow we will not have the food.
Speaker 107
The. Situation in the of Hummus has showed us once again just how dependent we are on fossil fuels. We are dependent on dictators, authoritarian states. Who have bought fuel from Russia and who are dependent on the US.
And despite the crisis, despite the problem, we have seen this as a structural problem. And we are at the mercy of multinationals. Who set the prices for our fossil fuels? And our citizens are forced to pay these prices.
The EU has to commit to stopping the usage of fossil fuels and provide subsidies and investments in renewable energy. As winter arrives. This is important for our society. The commission's proposal needs to set to go further with measures at state support for wind power.
Paulo Cunha
Thank you, President. Well, the crisis in the Middle East is showing the need to boost the EU's diplomacy and humanitarian aid. I mean, this is showing our economic and diplomatic weakness.
These increases in the energy prices and fertilizer prices show how dependent we are externally and how vulnerable our economies are to geopolitical shocks. This is not your average crisis. This reflects a structural vulnerability that still hasn't been resolved.
We need a brave and coordinated European strategy. That includes the pooling of fuel reserves and the protection of consumers and businesses. But we need an overarching strategy to decarbonize our economy as well.
In Portugal, for example, we've shown that investing consistently in renewable energies enables us to reduce dependencies, stabilize costs, and improve things for our citizens. 75% of Portugal comes from renewables. And that's also why we need to electrify the European Union. We need common energy infrastructure for Europe in the context of a single energy market, and we need that now.
The Portuguese example shows that the energy transition is already something that can contribute to competitiveness, resilience, and a European strategy. We need to be able to work together as allies.
Thank you.
Gonzales.
Speaker 109
Well. Thank you for accepting my question. Well, we know that during recent months, Portuguese and European citizens have suffered as a result of increases in petrol and natural gas prices.
But the problem here as well is the profit. Gallup announced a 41% increase in profits. BP announced a 130% increase in profits. Now we believe that these profits are excessive, and we've asked the Portuguese government to tax these windfall profits.
Paulo Cunha
Now can we count on you and your parliamentary group in that demand for Portuguese government? Well, thank you very much. Both the Portuguese government and the PSD group in the European Parliament have brought up this need to tax these windfall profits.
We have an opportunity here for more tax justice. We need to reduce taxes on those who have the lowest incomes and increase them on those who have the highest incomes, of course.
Thank you.
You have one minute, please.
Speaker 110
The ongoing Middle East crisis makes us identify consequences here in Europe: growing proverb poverty, increasing social inequality, and social tensions. Rapidly increasing prices of energy, fuel, transport are hitting hardest, not only those who are vulnerable or low-income families, but also middle-income families.
More and more people are being forced to choose between necessities. And this is not the Europe we were aspiring to. That's why I urge the commission to take immediate measures to mitigate the consequences of this crisis.
To include concrete proposals in the upcoming poverty strategy and the European pillar of social rights. We need to reinstate the sure instruments present proposals for targeted income reduce energy prices. Support must reach those who are in real need.
This crisis once again will test the EU's social and economic resilience. That's why the European Union needs to act immediately.
Have one minute, please.
Cristina Guarda
Chile. Do we realize that President von der Leyen today didn't even mention agriculture? I understand why, because for some people, industry compared to small farmers such as me is obvious. But to ignore the issue, not to admit the effects of her strategy based on importing fertilizer and low-cost food, will not save anyone, not farmers and not families.
A packet of pasta at 90¢ by the summer could be over a euro, an increase of 10% because of the increase in the cost of fossil fuel created fertilizer that goes through the Strait Of Hormoz. This is one of the prices we are paying for our reliance.
While Africa is facing famine, in Iran and in Lebanon, people are dying for a pointless war. Based on diabolical economic interests by men who many of you consider allies.
So I'd like to ask the commission to do the only sensible thing. Create a European strategy so that agriculture is no longer reliant on external forces. Invest in the circular economy for small families and farmers. Thank you.
Very sorry to interrupt.
Speaker 82
But we need to stick to the time. Mister Fracos, you have one minute, please.
Emmanouil Fragkos
Thank you very much. We are looking at weak leaders. We are looking at musical chairs. We are supposed to have Beethoven as our anthem, but now we're seeing that the loudest music is our reliance on energy. Even before these wars, we had the most expensive energy of all.
Today, those of us who are worshiping our passivity are condemning us to poverty. We need to disconnect our energy now. The connection between Greece and Cyprus should have happened yesterday. East Med should have happened yesterday.
And once again, these public works need to take place from Finland to Portugal. We all have an interest in this. Let's look the truth in the face. It's in all of our interest.
It's about self-respect. Thank you.
Thank you.
Benoît Lutgen
Madam Chair, commissioner. Now a farmer came to see me and said that now you work for Europe, so tell me something. It takes me an hour to get to work, an hour drive there, with the cost of fuel. It's completely impossible.
Now why don't you go and can you take that message to the commission? And he's right. Because he doesn't have a plane. He doesn't have a private jet, or a private chauffeur. He doesn't earn €30,000 a month, but he has to go to work.
And the responsibility which the EU bears for this is enormous. This crisis without the Americans would never have happened if Trump hadn't decided to attack Iran, illegally. While the Strait of Hormuz would remain open.
Fine. But during this war, oil multinationals have been making €80,000,000,000 worth of profit per day. This is a vast amount. So why aren't you acting? Why aren't you taxing these profits? Why aren't you providing subsidies for our citizens? And finally, tell Trump to stop.
I'm using Spanish, president.
Nacho Sánchez Amor
Well, it seems that war is only painful when it hits us in the pocket. For two months, we've been talking about Polo politicians' responsibility for this illegal war. Lack of a plan, lack of communication with allies, the victims.
But the right way only wants to talk about this war when it hits us in the pocket. So that shows who's responsible, I think, a little bit. But we've talked about Russia. We've talked about what's going on in Ukraine, the damage, the cost of reconstruction.
Does that go for Lebanon and Gaza as well? I mean, we're calling on Russia to pay for the war of Ukraine, but are we not gonna call on Israel to pay for the reconstruction of Gaza and Lebanon? I mean, we're talking about a joint investigating team in Eurojust. We're talking about an international court. We're talking about terrible crimes. I mean, we're doing that for Ukraine, but are we gonna continue to talk about the war in Iran as a disaster for which no one is responsible?
Speaker 82
I mean, all of this is undermining the EU's credibility on the international stage. Thank you.
Christophe Grudler
In. The Middle East, a war that we didn't choose, is today dictating our energy prices. Bills are spiraling, and it's the lowest earners, SMEs, and farmers who are paying the price for that every day.
The commission wants to accelerate the EU. According to their plan. That's fine. But in order to accelerate, we're going to need fuel. And that fuel is the massive funding that we still don't have.
The response is not to run into Moscow's arms or to give in to the blackmail issued by Washington. Diversify is fine. But it's not a strategy. The real answer is to produce our own energy at home. To do that, we need to turn the announced a decarbonization block into an electrification bank. It should be a huge lever to help with our independence.
Speaker 116
We should massively electrify now. This is the only way out. It's our sovereignty. Is at stake. Kevin, Mister Critter, you have a blue card. From Mr. Zegchowski.
Thank you very much.
Tomáš Zdechovský
I have the questions for you. Also, do you hear me? Yeah.
Yes. I have it to the questions. Also, you said that the solution is electrification of Europe.
Do you think that in the short time, we can solve it in another way? Give advice to mister Shevzovich on what he has to do with this situation and how we can really manage it, European Commission, to unblock this situation. Also, do you have here any view of the situation from your perspective? What can we do together? Thank you very much.
Christophe Grudler
Thank you. Well, clearly, the industrial accelerator I'm the parliament's rapporteur from the AE Trade Committee, and that will enable us to accelerate electrification. We are looking forward to the report presented in June.
In industry today, 30% of processes are electrified, we can get to 80% easily. And we need to boost electrification of transport. And at that point, with our massive electric production, we'll have more growth, more autonomy, and more decarbonized electricity.
Speaker 119
Madam President, colleagues. The crisis in The Middle East has direct consequences for Europe, for our energy prices and our security of supply. SMEs, industry and families are the most severely affected, and we need to take measures to respond to this.
But we are extremely uncoordinated. Kerosene has to be available across Europe, whether we're talking about airports in Berlin, Paris, or Rome. Secondly, decarbonization is important, but we need the technology.
Electrification alone is not enough. We need to sustain production of energy, a smart mix, not focusing on one sole source. Finally, I have a request. We have to speak with one voice.
Energy commissioner says we have a big problem. The transport commissioner says, nope. No problem here. We can only solve this crisis together if we speak with one voice. Thank you.
Speaker 82
Thank you. You have a blue card, Mr. Gissek. You have a blue card. You wish to take it? It's from Mr. Bischoff.
Speaker 120
Thank you, President. Commissioner. The situation in The Middle East once again shows us that the utopian climate policy, which has been promoted by the European Union, cannot withstand the geopolitical situation.
Yet another energy crisis, this one might lead to a food crisis. High prices of gas mean high crisis of fertilizer. The only activity that the EU undertakes is demanding additional payments under the ETS and CBAM.
What has to happen for us to go back to make a u-turn? You are pushing production outside of Europe. You are putting in our security. We need to do something else.
More industry, more production, farming in Europe. This is in the interest of all of us. We should not be pursuing this climate policy and buy food from South America. Strong Europe can feed itself and heat itself, it must not be helpless.
With respect to every crisis.
You have one minute, please.
Finland tank.
Jatianhak, thank you.
Speaker 121
Well, yes, sir. The crisis in the Middle East is having serious global consequences. Also for tiny Austria, which is where I come from. More than 6,000 drone and rocket attacks have come from Iran. And they have struck facilities in the United Arab Emirates.
And this is a facility that's also run by Austrian companies. That's caused problems for them on the stock market. But then the effects don't only, of course, affect petrol companies and our oil supplies.
Fertilizer supplies are also being affected. 30% of our fertilizer comes through the Straits of Hormuz. We work closely with Gulf states, and I think what we need to do is speed up strategic partnership agreements with the Gulf states.
Thank you.
Domotor, you have one minute, please.
Csaba Dömötör
The. War In The Middle East has struck the EU at its heart once again because of the increasing costs of energy. We have seen how much the increase in cost has been, €24,000,000,000 over the last two months, and the cost for families is even higher. The cost of oil has gone up 45%, for natural gas up to more than 30%, and this is a consequence of decisions taken earlier.
A decision not to invest in our own energy sources or widening our sources. This was a curse over, now we have a witch hunt now against the multinationals. So the question is, does Europe have enough energy sources? We need a new plan.
I don't know what has to be done for these intelligent people here to understand that we need to change direction. We cannot sit back and do nothing. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you, Health Force.
Kathleen Van Brempt
Dear colleagues, a devastating conflict in the Middle East.
They're also dragging the rest of the world into chaos. And as always, ordinary people, whether it's in Europe, in the rest of the world, or in the region, are paying a very high price. And Europe is standing by, and watching it happen, and the reason is a very inconvenient truth. It is because we apply double standards in our foreign policy.
When Russia violates international law, we act, and rightly so. We impose sanctions that united take clear positions. When others do the same, our responses become very cautious.
Kathleen Van Brempt
When violation happens, constantly in Gaza, in the West Bank, and now also in Lebanon, we must act. The EU-Israel Association Agreement must be suspended.
Please, we have to act now.
Thanks so much, dear colleagues.
Jaak Madison
First of all, thanks for all the two decades of over regulation, over taxation.
Speaker 128
When the prices are going up, you're just whining and blaming Trump. Trump is guilty. Some of you from the Greens are saying that, oh, the nurse has to try one hour in the morning to work, and now the fuel price is over €2 per liter. Yeah. But, you know, in the EU, over 50% of the fuel price is going for the taxes, while in the US, only 20%.
It's thanks to you, this nurse, is paying over €2 per liter. You're saying about the green energy. Yes. We have done it for the last seven years, the green ideology, and the prices are just going up. Can we catch all the fossil fuels? No.
It's impossible by technology. You know about Estonia from my country. We have the best expertise in the whole world for oil shale. We could produce the cheapest energy ever. We have also produced actually gasoline from the oil shale, but we can't do it.
You know why? Because we have the emission trading system for climate change. It's thanks to you. And then you're whining, oh, Trump is guilty. Trump is guilty. Look into the mirror.
You are guilty.
Maximilian Krah
In. Europe, there is a shortage of kerosene.
Look, Lufthansa has canceled 20,000 flights. Many Germans won't be able to go on holiday this summer. But then here, we hear from the commission that we know from the commission that this shortage is a direct result of commission policy. And it's therefore, many places in Germany are no longer competitive.
And then, when it comes to the global climate, we are even more dependent on outside Europe. We've destroyed our own. What's the commission solution? It's about an observatory to monitor fuels so that things can be redistributed. This is like in the Soviet Union or in former East Germany. Everything needs to be saved.
Then the commission has over 3,000,000,000 wants to have over 3,000,000,000 extra euros. But it's important to know one thing, those who are responsible for the loss of welfare, well-being, prosperity are CDU, SPD and the Greens here, and they can be voted out of office.
Speaker 130
Colleagues, the conflict.
In this context, which.
Means that people are going to have to do with less, and that is shameful.
And we want to ask the commission to support the member states when it comes to implementing the new strategy, and we need to look at supporting the access to fertilizers today rather than wet. And we also want to work on making the application processes more efficient when it comes to being able to use those. Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Mika Aaltola
Madam president, commissioner, the strait has been blocked for over a month.
And the consequences are already being felt in our energy markets. Yet the headlines do often overlook the longer-term consequences that are beginning to unfold. If this crisis continues into May, we are likely to face significant fertilizer shortages next year. That means higher food prices for ordinary families across Europe.
Geopolitical crises are never isolated events. The decisions we make today and those we delay will shape living standards for years to come. EU's response must therefore be coherent, strategic, and firmly grounded in the long-term interests of our citizens. Europeans cannot afford to cost shortsighted decisions. We must act responsibly, protect our next generation, and ensure that our policies are trumped by strategy.
Not by impulse of unreliable leaders from abroad.
Speaker 82
Thank you. We are going to go through the CATCHDI procedure. I received so many requests. 21, we don't have the time to take them all. So, we'll take as much as possible.
Please stick to your time. We will start with Mister Jonsky. 491 Mister Yonsky, 491.
Wait. Yes.
Thank you, Cha.
Dariusz Joński
It is a very important discussion because it refers to all Europe, even though no EU country started the conflict in the East. It touches all of us. This is why the European Union must really have its own energy independence because disinfects our price, our security, and our stabilization.
Therefore, do not listen to the populists.
Dariusz Joński
Who do not want wind energy. We should build it like in Poland.
Then build nuclear plants as we do it in Poland.
We will build the first one soon, and we're discussing the second one. And thirdly, reacting to crisis and conflict situations as we do it. We lowered taxes so that the fuels are cheaper.
Both oil and others, we have the cheapest prices in whole Europe.
And we must change ETS with these prices.
So that our European economy is competitive. The revision must be done.
Speaker 133
And, fifth of all, Europe is too important to give it into the hands of populists. Missus Maria Grappini, 542.
Donnelly.
Commissioner, colleagues.
Maria Grapini
Again, we are debating a very important subject, but this is not the first time we've debated it. The president of the commission is telling us what we should do from 2019, but she never does anything actually.
Yes. We need the single market, one market. We need the solidarity plan. We need to cut out speculation from the energy sector. We've been discussing all of this for years.
But, commissioner, I think we need to take it seriously now. Clear measures to cut energy prices, because we are dependent. But when did we create this dependence? When the war in Iran started? No.
We had this dependency for a long time. Of course, we can't expect miracles overnight. Let's do something, because citizens are tired of hearing we should do this or that. Let's do it.
And one more thing, Mister Weber is a great hypocrite. He's no longer here, but he says that the motion in my country was voted by an extremist party, yet he votes with the extremists right here in the European parliament.
Thank you, President.
Paulo do Nascimento Cabral
Commissioner. We've seen a rise in geopolitical instability, and it just confirms that we are very much dependent on those who produce synthetic fertilizers.
When it comes to phosphorus and potassium and other forms, we're very dependent. Now we've seen more than 60% increases in fertilizer prices. So measures have been taken by the European institutions, but we need to go further. We need to trigger CBAM for these synthetic fertilizers.
And when it comes to nitrates, we also need to take measures, 170,000 kilos per hectare per year that's being used. So we can use the instruments that we have to try to support these fertilizers.
We need to look into biomethane as well. So that we can make sure that in the agriculture sector, we're playing our part to guarantee strategic autonomy.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
Thank you. Thank you very much. Commissioner, this is one of those times when the title of the debate is a bit misleading. Now there is a crisis in the Middle East. But the crisis is an illegal war which was triggered by Trump and Netanyahu, with very harmful consequences for the European Union.
The strategy needs to look about taxing those big oil companies that are making huge profit profits. We also need to get over the double standard, which is jeopardizing the legitimacy of the European Union and its reputation.
There wasn't one mention in Miss Vandelion's speech of suspending the association agreement with Israel that breaches human rights. And does not comply with the European treaty. And when it comes to denouncing the attacks on Lebanon and the war in Iran, and also the apartheid in Israel against the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip? Thank you.
Missus Sardone. 700.
4 10.
Speaker 137
It's a tough crisis.
And we're seeing very high bills. What is your big doing? Well, it's got a plan to accelerate the EU. What's in that plan? It has got social solar panels.
More green deal, but it looks like you haven't understood a thing. The citizens are asking for something else. They want lower taxes, less bureaucracy, less environmental rules. They're looking at these spendings, and we've been asking for derogation from the stability pact.
You did that for arms. So why can't you do it for the energy crisis, to help families and companies? No. That's not what's happening, and Dombrowski is saying, first, we need to have a recession.
So that's like going to the casualty and then giving the patient the medicine after they've died. Do you understand? We need to try to prevent a recession. You need to treat it beforehand. So do not let this disaster happen.
Wake up.
Speaker 140
President, commissioner. The Iran war is making the energy prices rise, and it's stopping fertilizer production. We need to, what we're seeing is that the ships are not going, and the farmers are struggling.
What is the commission doing? They're talking about transition. They're stopping use of fossil fuels. They've got subsidies for wind turbines that are only going to work in 10 years' time. That's not a solution.
It means just waiting and waiting. You've had years. You've been looking at working against synthetic fertilizers and nuclear power, and so on. Enough is enough. We need to be producing gas and nuclear power.
We need to let the farmers farm. And we need to make sure that we don't have insecurity for food. We need to look at the synthetic fertilizers, not banning them.
We don't want a green utopia. We want people to be able to warm their houses, and we want our farmers. We need to be able to do that this autumn and not in ten years' time.
Thank you. You, Chairman.
Georgios Aftias
Sixty days with additional cost, as Mrs. Von der Leyen said earlier, 27,000,000,000 for the countries and the citizens.
But there is then Southeastern Europe, which pays a very, very high electricity bill because there is no connectivity. Greece, Cyprus, Italy, Bulgaria, Romania, etc. And this cost falls on the shoulders of citizens and businesses.
So I request from the commission to intervene immediately, because we don't only have the consequences of the war. We have this super huge cost that the Southeastern Mediterranean and the Southeastern countries pay.
Do it now and do it quickly. Thank you very much.
Gracias, presidenta.
Senorita, thank you, president.
Cristina Maestre
One of the key impacts of the war is being felt in the oil price and in the cost of fertilizers. The president of the commission hasn't said anything about the negative impact. We've seen a 60% increase in the cost of fertilizers. And the fertilizer sector in Europe has seen its activity drop by more than 70% in recent times. So we have to do something about it.
It's not just the farmers who are having to pay the price, but also everyone, all consumers, with their grocery shopping. So we need to deal with this through the customs duties that we applied to fertilizers, so that we can temporarily bring down these overheads for the agriculture sector. Of course, we need to look at organic fertilizers as well. And see this sector, this industry as a strategic sector that needs our support.
And finally, we need to support farmers. The Spanish example is one that could be followed and emulated elsewhere.
Colleagues.
Valérie Deloge
Currently, farmers are not using their tractors, not because they don't want to, but because of the cost of fuels. We've seen prices go up to more than €2 per litre.
For GLR. And this could lead to skyrocketing bills for those who use many liters. Each year. And not even talking about increases in fertilizers, these are the specific effects of globalization that you wanted.
Farming is too dependent on international markets, and that means that war in the Middle East completely jeopardizes whole sectors. And farmers are only able to use the measures that the process has given them.
And we have the assistance in Brussels simply isn't enough. And this is what they call sovereignty. This is not agricultural policy. This is just simply a Band Aid on the issue, but this commission has simply not done anything about it.
Lukas Sieper
People of Europe, a few weeks ago, I sat in a strategy meeting and a brilliant assistant Chile told me there's a difference between strategies, projects, and instruments. An instrument that is our immediate response, relief for consumers and businesses facing high energy and fertilizer prices.
That is right. That is necessary, but this is just a Band-Aid. A project that would be more structured, a European crisis fund for fertilizers or faster permits for wind turbines, while Putin holds us hostage. But the strategy must be long-term.
We need the European renewable energy industry. Independent from geopolitics, independent from dictators. And the same applies to fertilizers. Why import? When we can produce circular ones from waste here in Europe. And that is the strategy.
Independence, sovereignty, security. So I ask you, do we want band aids or do we finally want to heal the world? Because Europe deserves tomorrow. Thank you very much.
Nobody got the president.
João Oliveira
Thank you, President. President of the European Commission is being quietened. She's staying quiet. Because of pressure from Donald Trump. So von der Leyen doesn't say a word to condemn the aggression against Iran and Israel's actions, the invasion of Lebanon, the killing of Lebanese people, and more than 1,200,000 displaced in Lebanon.
And so she's being told to keep stum, to be quiet by Donald Trump. When you've got 90,000,000,000 yen being used to fund the wars. And so supporting this policy under the leadership and guidance of multi emissions. So Von der Leyen says nothing. She says nothing.
We must put an end to the neoliberal control of the energy sector, the fixed prices as they see fit, not one measure that is being taken to control prices and to support farmers, to support industrials. Producers, and allow them to be productive.
Thank you.
Speaker 146
From the line really sounds like Vladimir Lenin himself today speaking about her devotion to elect electrification, but she does not, and you most honorable ladies and gentlemen, you also don't address the real causes of the so-called crisis because it is a permanent crisis.
It's not a crisis, it's a result. Of some deeply wrong decision. The decision of November 1947, the UN resolution 181, that enabled the creation of the Jewish state located in Palestine.
So this is the real source of our troubles of so-called crises, and the good news is that whatever was voted over once can be voted over again and revoked.
Thank you.
Your time is, thank you very much.
Speaker 82
You need to respect the institution and the people you are working with, so we will put a note to the presidency. Thank you very much. Missus Winslow. 752. Thank you.
Madam WICHLOW
I will be speaking Polish. Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, a while ago, we could see sentiment populism on the right side. Of the ECR Polish Peace Party politicians. Who blamed the European Commission for high prices of fuel. And of fertilizers, and they forgot that it was their idol who caused the war in the East, and they forgot that for years they made Europe dependent on the Russian fertilizers, and that in Poland, they led to a huge loss of nitrogen plants. Ladies and gentlemen, yes, indeed.
Today, the nitrogen sector needs support. We need the ETS revision. Farmers cannot be those on whom we put all the costs. And those plants, the Polish Pavlovsky assorted plants cannot be the ones who will suffer due to the regulations of ETS.
Claire Fita
Thank you, Adam. President. The benefit for some is now making many Europeans poor. Energy prices are rising, and companies are making indecent profits in France. The fuel distributors have actually seen their margin increase by 500%.
And like Spain, we need concrete measures to protect the Europeans. And the first thing to do would be to tax max profits. We need to have these financial resources to be able to redistribute them and to be able to invest in our energy sovereignty, and we need to do that now. Before those huge profits disappear.
Europe needs to take action, and it's not the people who need to be paying, but the people who are profiting.
Commissioner Sevkovich.
Maroš Šefčovič
Thank you. Thank you very much, madam president. Madam Minister, honorable members of the European Parliament. The lengths, the breadth, and political charge. If this debate truly reflects turbulent times.
The whole world, including Europe, goes through.
Let me start by a clear statement that we all want the ceasefire in Iran and in Lebanon to halt. And we support the ultimate goal to reestablish peace and stability. Through diplomatic means. This, of course, includes restoring full and permanent freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz without any talks.
And this applies to all straits and all waterways around the world.
As I'm sure you are aware, 85% of traded goods are transported by ships. And therefore, for us, the biggest trader in the world, this is of utmost priority. My second point relates to the issue of energy, climate ambition, affordability, and jobs, which was referred to in most of the intervention of the honorable members.
And as it was clearly presented by the honorable minister, this was a priority topic of the leaders in the European Council debate in Cyprus, and this is, I want to assure you, across the board top priority for the whole commission. We all share the same goal, enshrined in EU law. That Europe will be climate neutral by 2050. We have been very clear about the priority of electrification. And this is absolutely crucial.
Because electricity today, and despite all the efforts in the last decade, represents less than a quarter of our final energy consumption. Less than in the US, less than in China.
And energy commissioner, Daniel Orgenstein, was present here, observed the debate, and he's working hard on the grid package adopted in December, an electrification action plan, and energy security plan to be presented to you in June.
We just simply have to focus even more on how to increase the proportion of electricity in overall energy consumption and how to boost sustainable electricity production. Let me recall that before the artificial intelligence boom, our projection was that by 2050, we will need at least three times more electricity than today. With AI, it will clearly be much more.
In the current European budget, we still have €95,000,000,000 available for energy. So let's use it wisely for electrification purposes. I also heard very clearly the calls for tackling the immediate challenges linked with protecting our industries. Protecting our jobs, agriculture, farmers, affordability for our citizens, and protecting the most vulnerable members of our society. And I would like to reassure you that we are working hard on providing all possible solutions to these challenges, and we are ready to work very closely with this house. And, of course, with the council in this regard.
Thank you very much, madam president.
Speaker 82
Thank you very much, Commissioner Sevkovich. I will now give the floor to the council deputy minister for European affairs, Miss Marilena Rawana. You have the floor.
Marilena Raouna
Madam president, honorable members, commissioner, last week, European leaders met in Cyprus. We hosted president Zelensky, having delivered on the 19,000,000,000 loan to Ukraine and the twentieth sanctions package. EU leaders discussed specific measures to address the repercussions of the war in the Middle East, focusing on energy prices, our contribution to de-escalation and last stability, on safeguarding freedom of navigation.
The one Europe one market roadmap with concrete targets and timelines was agreed and cosigned between the three institutions. And as was mentioned, following an initiative by president Christodoulidis, a discussion took place on how we translate the letter of article 42 seven into concrete operationalization.
All the discussions, including on the new MFF, were really about how we accelerate on the path of European strategic autonomy, of European independence, and because some members raised the question of what is our strategy, our long term strategy, that is the answer. That is the vision. European strategic autonomy and independence.
In Cyprus last week also, president Christo Dulidis hosted a meeting between the EU and regional leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and the secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, demonstrating also Cyprus' long standing role as a bridge between the European Union and this vitally important neighborhood. It was a frank and substantive exchange that confirmed a shared understanding that the security challenges facing our wider region are deeply interconnected. And that our responses must increasingly reflect that reality.
Together, we sent a clear message: Restraint must prevail over escalation, and diplomacy must remain at the forefront. Forefront. At the same time, this moment creates a window for more strategic cooperation between the EU and the region. The pact for the Mediterranean is a vital platform, and we need to build and expand that strategic cooperation.
Allow me this comment, I've listened very carefully to each and every intervention. And I want to underline this because later today, I will be attending a plenary discussion in this house on antisemitism. We all have a responsibility for what we say and what we do.
Speaker 151
With zero tolerance to antisemitism. The USB and wired colleagues, please, colleagues.
Please, colleagues.
Marilena Raouna
The European Union can and must still be a driver for de-escalation and solutions to this crisis. Not as an observer, but as a driver. And diplomacy remains the only way forward. A sustainable solution to this crisis must address the security of maritime routes, stabilize energy markets, and assure access to raw materials and fertilizers. The EU will continue to support negotiations. We will continue to address our security concerns and protect our interests, upholding international law and law of the sea, and we will work hand in hand with the commission, with this house, on concrete actions to address high energy prices, in a tailored and targeted manner.
Because, as the commission president stated, there is no one size fits all. We have a toolbox, and we have a roadmap. Included in electrification, renewables, interconnections, and addressing dependence on fossil fuels. And we will work to deliver.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 82
Thank you very much. The debate is closed. The sitting is suspended, and it will resume in a few minutes. With the votes.
Roberta Metsola
Will start with one round of political group speakers on the recommendation by Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar amendment of the European electoral act allowing members to vote in plenary by proxy voting during pregnancy and after giving birth. This is an important round.
Can I please ask for some silence? So I will give the floor first for one minute to Anna Miguel Pedro.
Hold. On. Hold on. Yes. Go ahead.
Ana Miguel Pedro
Madam President, this is a proud moment for the parliament. It sends a powerful message. No woman should be forced to choose between her career and embracing the beautiful, yet demanding experience of maternity.
We know what the physical and medical requirements are for pregnancy. And we don't want these women, because of their temporary physical state, to be excluded. And to be sidelined. Maternity should never stand in the way of women participating in public life. Maternity isn't an obstacle.
It is life. And women shouldn't be penalized. This is a key political moment. It was a priority for the EPP, and we felt that it was essential for us to do this.
When there is political will, we can act swiftly in a responsible way.
Decision for the woman in this room. We are opening a door for all the women who will come after us. And for that, men and present, we thank you. Thank you very much.
Roberta Metsola
Now for the group, I give the floor to Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
Thank you, Madam President. Dear colleagues, we are about to complete a long-awaited targeted reform of the European Union Electoral Act. And you know what it's about. It's about precisely meeting the needs and the situation of our female colleagues who are about to give birth or have just given birth.
So that they don't have to make a choice between their voting rights and maternity. Because they can actually do both by the reform we are about to complete. It wasn't easy because it's a very special legislative procedure.
It took our vote in November largely majority, I thank you for that. But it also takes the unanimity of the council. The council has taken some months to make up its mind.
And that actually comes with some amendments that make sense in order to review also the rules of procedure and the statute of the European Parliament members. But now we are having a chance to make the right thing at the right time, actually it is long overdue.
And I thank you in advance for your kind support of this report that we are about to adopt. Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you very much, Mr. Lopez Aguilar. Can I please ask for some silence? Thank you. Next, for the PFE group, Marika Ehlers.
Thank you, madam president.
Marieke Ehlers
As a proud mother of four, I welcome the council agreement to allow proxy voting for members of the European Parliament during the final stage of pregnancy and early motherhood. This is a practical and proportionate solution for a very specific situation. When mothers can no longer travel for medical reasons, yet remain fully committed to their mandate.
It sends an important signal to women across Europe who wish to serve in public office, that motherhood should not be an obstacle to democratic participation.
At the same time, it is a strictly limited amendment. It must not be interpreted as opening the door to wider reforms of electoral law, or to any generalization of proxy voting beyond these circumstances.
The Patriots for Europe remain fully committed to supporting families. Balancing public service and family life is never simple, but today's agreement makes that balance more achievable. Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you very much, Miss Ehlers. Now for the ECR group, Tobias Bozhenski.
Tobiasz Bocheński
Madam president, honorable members, proxy voting proposal offers a fair and practical solution for female members of the European Parliament during pregnancy and after childbirth.
But allowing them to delegate their plenary voting rights for a limited period, ensuring they can continue their parliamentary duties. It enables female members to continue exercising their parliamentary mandate while taking into account the specific health and logistical challenges linked to maternity. This supports equal opportunities for women in politics without creating unnecessary complexity.
We have to establish clear legal safeguards for proxy voting. The statute for members and rules of procedure must be amended. ECR supports this reasonable balance reform. Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you very much, Mr. Boschenski. Now for the Renew Europe Group, Sandra Gozi.
Sandro Gozi
You. Thank you, President. Proxy voting is about freedom. Nothing less. It's about making equality real.
Not rhetorical. Pregnancy must never become a structural penalty. A barrier that limits representation.
So if you are truly serious about gender equality, if you are truly committed to democratic representation, the path before us is clear. Yes. There are still issues to be addressed in our electoral law.
And now data is text. That stood basically unchanged since 1976, and the parliament has already represented a comprehensive electoral reform. We call upon the council once again to enter into serious negotiations.
But today, colleagues proxy voting stand before us as a responsible answer to an urgent and concrete need. A powerful message to our citizens and national parliaments, so called let us vote for proxy voting.
Daniel Freund
Colleagues. We, parents. Have to take important decisions on a daily basis for our children. But there's one decision that we as parents should not be taking here in this parliament. And that's we shouldn't be having to choose between having children and being present for a vote. We have had that situation in the past.
Mothers were losing their right, possibility to vote when they had children, and we're going to put an end to this. It's a step forward. It's a step towards greater equality, and we can be proud of that.
We, as the Greens, would have liked fathers too to benefit from this possibility. But right now, we need our colleagues in the national parliaments to get on board and support this proposal. We need to ratify it quickly.
Right now, in this chamber, we have pregnant women in the room, and I think we should have a quicker ratification process. It should be quicker than the gestation period. We can have a solution quickly.
Thank you.
It's. On.
Nikolas Farantouris
Thank you, madam president. Dear colleagues, this vote is on a draft council decision to allow women MEPs to vote by proxy in plenary during pregnancy or after birth of a child.
Childbirth. I wish to congratulate our colleague and friend Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar from the SMD for his effort. And his work. This is a significant moment for our house. This is a significant achievement for our parliament.
I would also like to praise my colleagues and friends in the constitutional affairs committee who voted almost unanimously on Monday. Let's now all vote for this. Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you, Mr. Farantoures. Now for the ESN Group. Christina Anderson.
Christine Anderson
Madam President, all of us respect and want to protect motherhood. We share the objective of supporting mothers in this house. However, allowing proxy voting for members who are pregnant or have recently given birth raises a question of democratic principle. The mandate belongs to the elected member. It is in our constitutional understanding strict, personal, nontransferable, and nondelegable.
It has been entrusted by the citizens and should not be exercised by anyone else. Of course, we should accommodate mothers. Maternal leave must be possible, and remuneration and allowances must not be affected.
Colleagues, I recognize the dilemma we're trying to solve. Being a member of the European Parliament is not an ordinary job. It is a duty and an honor, but it's also a public office.
Citizens elect a person a human, and they understand the times a private life takes precedent. So let us support mothers. Let us improve practical support without changing the core principles. But let's also be careful not to weaken the strict personal nature of the mandate.
Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
On this important issue for all of us. The report by Mister Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar on the amendment of the European Electoral Act allowing members to vote in plenary by proxy voting during pregnancy and after giving birth.
It's a consent vote on the text we received from the council. By roll call, the vote is open, and we need 360 members.
Boat. Is closed. A little bit more than 360 members.
Alright. Let's see how many more of those we have today. So we go to the report by Mister Daniel Freund on the discharge 2024 EU general budget commission. Decision on the discharge of the commission and executive agencies.
Vote decision as a whole.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Vote on the decision on the discharge of the ninth, tenth, and eleventh European Development Funds. Decision as a whole. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Motion for a resolution, paragraph two, original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check. It's clear. Vote is closed. Adopted amendment eight. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 23, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment nine, by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 31 by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Rejected amendment one. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 10 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 30 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 11 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. Amendment 36 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 12 by Rokow. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Rejected amendment to who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 32 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejecting amendment 13 by Rocco, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected amendment 33. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 34, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 14, amendment three by Rocco.
Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Original text in two parts. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 14. Barocco vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
Amendment 15 by Rokaw. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 15 original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment seven by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected amendment 16 by Rokaw. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 24. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Paragraph 20, you want to check amendment 24? Amendment 24. 4. Pretty clear. The vote is closed. Actually, rejected.
Paragraph 20 I, original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 47 by Rockville. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected 48 by Rocko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected 49 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 4. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 46 original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopt Amendment 25 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected paragraph six original text by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Adoption.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted amendment 35 by Rocco, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 17 by Rockville. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 18 by Rockall. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 103, original text in two parts.
First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Let's check this second part.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Paragraph 104 in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Paragraph 105, original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, 106 in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Was against? Who abstains? Adopted. The second part is in favor.
Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Paragraph 107, original text in two parts. First part is in favor. Was against or abstains adopted. Second part was in favor, was against.
Who abstains, Adopted 108 original text in two parts. First part was in favor, was against, who abstains, adopted. Second part was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
37 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 109 original text and four parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Third part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Fourth parties in favor, who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. One 17 amendment 50 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected, we vote on the original text in two. First part is in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 38 was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 39 by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected 120 IX original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment five, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 19. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Six, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 40 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted. 41. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted rejected.
I give the floor to mister Arnold Bausermehr, to move an oral amendment to add a new paragraph to the paragraph one six six.
Arno Bausemer
Bian, thank you. For a week now, German media have been talking about the misuse of millions of euros from the active fund. So we have the following oral amendment. The report notes that EU funds from the AMIF managed by national authorities have been provided for projects with very high co-financing rates, and stresses in this context the case of projects, the Spec Cafe Kornsberg Hannover in Germany that was launched and led by SPD members.
And also the Intergazions Abbeid Kronzberg, which received €924,479.8. That's 90% of the total project costs. Notes that such financing decisions must be taken by national authorities. These are led by the managed by the SPD in Germany.
That we express serious concerns about the effective use and added value of these funds, and called for full revision of the allocation of this funding and return of the money to EU taxpayers.
Roberta Metsola
I would ask whether there is any opposition. I see it's already being made clear.
So, oral amendment cannot be taken.
We move to the next post. Amendment 42. Who's in favor? Who's against? Webster's rejected.
51 by roll-call. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected 52 by Rokow. The vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted 53 by Roko. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
43. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 177.40.7. Original text, in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Webster's adopted.
Second part by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted paragraph 200, amendment 54. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
We vote on the original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Paragraph 201 amendment 55, who's in favor, who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. We vote on the original text.
Who's in favor? Was against? Who abstains? Adopted. Paragraph 202 amendment 56 by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected.
We vote on the original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Paragraph. Two zero five, original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who was against, who abstains, adopted.
Second part was in favor, was against, who abstains? Adopted 206 in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Was against? Who abstains? Adopted. The second part was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Amendment 44 was in favor, was against, who abstained, rejected. 57 was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 20 by Rocco. Voters open. Vote is closed.
Rejected. Amendment 21 by Rockall. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 22, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 26, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. 27. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected by 28 Rocco.
Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected, 29. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected, 45. Barocco vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected 46 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
We vote on the resolution as a whole by Rokaw. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
We move to the report by Mister Gerbrandi on the discharge 2024 EU general budget European Parliament. Decision on the discharge. Vote on the decision as a whole. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted.
There's a motion for a resolution. It was clear. Amendment 27 by roll call vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. 28. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 29 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. 30. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 31 by Rockville. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. 32 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected. 33. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected, 13. Original text in two parts.
First part, who's in favor? Who was against, who abstains, adopted. Second part was in favor, was against, who abstains, adopted 34 who's in favor, was against, who abstains? Rejected 21 original text in two parts, both by rope.
Call. First part, vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. Second part, the vote is open.
Vote is closed. Adopted paragraph 26, original text was in favor. Was against. Abstains, check. 26.
Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. Original text in two parts. First part was in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. 36. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
38 by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected 18. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Paragraph 39, original text in four parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Was against, who abstains, adopted. The third part was in favor. Was against. Who abstains? Check.
Third part. The vote is closed. Rejected. Fourth part. Who's in favor? Was against? Who abstains? Let's check this as well, fourth part.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 10. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 11. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 39 by Rokaw. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 15 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 12. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
The vote is closed.
Vote. Is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Paragraph 51, original text. In two parts. First part, who's in favor? Was against, who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Was against, or abstains. Adopted amendment 41 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 42, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 23 in two parts.
First part, who's in favor? Who was against, who abstains, rejected. Second part was in favor, who's against, who abstains, rejected. 43 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected paragraph 59, amendment 44. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. We vote on the original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Was against, who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Was against? Who abstains? Adopted, 65 original text.
Who's in favor? Was against, who abstains, adopted 67 original text in two parts. First part was in favor, was against, who abstains, adopted. Second part was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment one.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment two, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected, 68 original text in two parts.
First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Second part of 68.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is closed. Adopted amendment. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 45. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment five. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 3. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 74 original text, who's in favor? Was against, who abstains? Adopted amendment 14 by Rocco.
Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Disclosed. Rejected amendment six. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. The paragraph 80, amendment 46 by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
We vote on the original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment, well, let's check this, actually. The original text on paragraph 80, amendment 46. Sorry.
The original text. Vote is closed. Adopted. Amendment 24. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Let's see. Please show your hands. Amendment 25. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 47 by roll call.
Voters open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. 48 by roll call. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
49. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 50. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 51. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 52, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
53 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote.
Is closed.
Rejected amendment 16.
Roberta Metsola
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Again, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote. Is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Paragraph 105, amendment seven. Who is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. We have all the original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Second part.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment eight. Who's in favour? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 106 original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Let's check this. However, just in case, 106. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 19. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 20. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Rejected. 21. Who's in favor? Do you want to check 20? Let's vote, let's check 20.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected to Adopted. Adopted. 21. Who's in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote.
Roberta Metsola
Is closed. Adopted paragraph 1 2 2 amendment 26, by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 13, by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected Paragraph 1.30, original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment nine. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Paragraph 137, original text in two parts. First part, who is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Was against, who abstains? Adopted paragraph 138 amendment 22 by Rokow.
Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. We vote on amendment 54. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Rejected? Original text in two parts, both by roll call. First part, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Second part vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted. I give the floor to mister Anne Bausemeir to move an oral amendment to delete paragraph 139.
Yeah.
Arno Bausemer
President, ladies and gentlemen, I do hope that we all agree in this parliament that for the year 2024, we're going to only take into account facts and occurrences that took place during 2024. That's why I propose the deletion of paragraph 139, because the matters concerned don't fall within the time frame.
Roberta Metsola
Any opposition to the oral amendment? We need 39 members. You okay? Oral amendment cannot be taken. We move to the next vote. Paragraph 140 amendment 55. Who's in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected.
We vote on the original text in two parts.
Roberta Metsola
First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check. Second part.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 56. Who's in favor? Who's against? Webster rejected. 57 by roll-call. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 17. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Check. 17.
At Rejected.
Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
59. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Recite an original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
K. It's clear.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted. Vote resolution as a whole by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted. Now we move to the report by Mr. Tredico. On the discharge 2024 EU general budget, European Council, and Council.
We vote first on the decision to postpone the discharge.
We vote on the decision as a whole. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, so the decision is postponed.
Now we vote on the motion for the resolution. Amendment one, who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 29 original text. Was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 2 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment six by Rocko. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 30, original text by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted paragraph 39, original text. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check. 39.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted amendment 3. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Amendment four rejected. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment five. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Paragraph 55 original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Webster is adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted Paragraph 58, original text in three parts. First part, who's in favor? Who was against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote.
Roberta Metsola
Is closed. Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Third part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. It.
Vote on the resolution as a whole by roll call.
Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Adopted. We move to the report by Mister Tridico on discharge of the 2024 EU general budget. Court of Justice of the European Union. Decision on the discharge.
Report on the decision as a whole. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. We move to the motion for a resolution. Amendment two by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Rejected amendment three by Rocco voters. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment six was in favor. Was against. To abstain, rejected amendment 5 was in favor.
Was against. To abstain, rejected amendment one by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment four by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by roll call. Vote is open.
Is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Move to another report by Mister Tridico on the discharge 2024. Now it's on the court of auditors. Decision on the discharge, vote on the decision as a whole.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
We move to the motion for a resolution amendment seven, in two parts. Vote by roll call. First part, the vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Adopted second part. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Adopted Paragraph 17, original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Webster is adopted. Second part was in favor, who's against, who abstains? Let's check this.
Second part.
Roberta Metsola
The vote is closed. But adopted amendment four. Who's in favor? Who's against? To abstain, reach rejected Paragraph 39 original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against. Two abstain.
Adopted. Second part was in favor.
Roberta Metsola
Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment three, who's in favor? Who's against? Check the second part of paragraph 39. Okay. Vote is closed. It's an adopted amendment three. Who is in favor? Who is against? Abstains? Rejected amendment one.
Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Check. Amendment one. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment six, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Let's check this as well. Amendment six. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment five. Who is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment two rejected. Who is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check. Amendment two. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Paragraph 77 original text in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote.
Roberta Metsola
Is closed on the first part. At Adopted second part. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
The next report by Mister Tridico is on the discharge of 2024 for the European External Action Service. We first vote on the decision on the discharge, the decision as a whole.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopt We mo motion for a resolution amendment 4. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Reject Paragraph 10 original text in two parts.
First part was in favor.
Roberta Metsola
Was against, who abstained, adopted. Second part was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment three. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Adopted amendment seven.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Amendment seven.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. Paragraph 27, original text in two parts. First part was in favor. Was against, who abstained adopted. Second part was in favor, was against. Who abstains? Let's check the second part.
We'll disclose Rejected Amendment nine by Rocco, vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 10 by roll call. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 11. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 29 original texts in two parts.
First part was in favor. Was against, who abstained adopted.
Second part was in favor, who's against, second who's against, who abstain is adopted. Amendment 12 was in favor. Was against abstain rejected Paragraph 30 original text in two parts. First part was in favor. Was against, to abstain, check.
First part.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is closed. It's adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopt it. Paragraph 31 original text, who's in favor, who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment won by roll call.
Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment to who's in favor? Who's against, who abstains, rejected. Paragraph 52, original text, who's in favor, who's against, who abstains, check.
Vote.
Roberta Metsola
Is closed. Adopted paragraph 53. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Let's check this as well. 53. Vote is closed.
Adopted. Amendment five. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopt, let's check this. Amendment five. Okay.
Vote is closed. It's adopted amendment six. Who's in favor? Who's against? To abstain? To reject it? Paragraph 71 original text by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Paragraph 73, original text. Who's in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Check. 73.
Vote.
Roberta Metsola
Is closed. Rejected. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by roll call. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted. The next report by Mr. Trudyko.
Is for the discharge of 2024 for the European Economic and Social Committee.
First, we vote on the decision on the discharge, the decision as a whole. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment three. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Rejected amendment two. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment one. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
We move to the next report by Mister Tridico, on the discharge of 2024 for the Committee of the Regions. Decision on discharge, vote decision as a whole. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Adopted.
Motion for a resolution, amendment two. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment one. Who's in favor? Who is against? Check. Oh, you are putting your hands up early. Vote is closed. Rejected.
We vote on the resolution as a whole by roll call. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Next report by Mister Tridico is the discharge for the European Ombudsman. Decision on the vote on the decision. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Motion for a resolution. We vote on it as a whole, by roll call.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. Next report by mister Tredecor is to discharge for the European data protection supervisor. The first report on the decision as a whole is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Motion for resolution amendment two, by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment one. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
We vote on the resolution as a whole by local vote. It is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
We move to the report by Mister Thore Decor on the discharge for the European Public Prosecutor's Office. First, the decision on the discharge. We vote on the decision as a whole. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Motion for resolution, amendment one. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains rejected? Amendment two by Rocco Votizome. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment three. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 105 original text. Who's in favor? Was against, or abstains, adopted. Paragraph 106.
Original text was in favor. Was against, abstains, adopted 107 original text in two parts. First part, who was in favor? It's against.
Obtains adopted. Second part, who's in favor? It's against. Who abstains? Adopted.
We vote on the resolution as a whole by Rocco. Vote is closed. Adopted. Now we move to the report by Miss Monica Holmeyer on Discharge 2024 for many agencies.
We start with the discharge for the European Union Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators. We vote on the decision as a whole. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted the agency for support for Barrick.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted the discharge for the translation center for the bodies of the EU. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. European Centers for the Development of Vocational Training. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote. Disclosed. Adopted.
European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. European Banking Authority.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, European Center for Disease Prevention and Control. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, European Chemicals Agency. Who's in favor? Was against web stains, Adopted European Environment Agency was in favor, was against, who abstains, Adopted Fisheries Control Agency was in favor.
Was against. Who abstains, adopted. The Food Safety Authority was in favor. Was against, who abstains, adopted the Institute for Gender Equality. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
It's okay. It's okay. It's clear.
Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Insurance and occupational pensions at our Josefavor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted Innovation and Technology Institute. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted European Labor Authority, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted European Medicines Agency, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted drugs agency, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted Maritime Safety Agency, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted Agency for cybersecurity. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Agency for railways was in favor, was against. Who abstains? Adopted. Euratom Supply Agency. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, European Securities and Markets Authority. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted European Training Foundation. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, European Union Agency for Asylum.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, EU agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security, and justice. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Agency for Criminal Justice Corporation. Who's in favor? Against? Who abstains? Adopted. European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted agency for the space program. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted agency for fundamental rights.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted 43 by Rocco.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. Amendment seven was in favor. Who's against, abstains, rejected paragraph two, original text in two parts. First part was in favor, was against, who abstains, adopted. Second part by Rocco.
Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected amendment eight was in favor. Was against, who abstains, rejected amendment nine by Rocco voters. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment two. Who is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment three, in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Was against, who abstains, rejected.
Second part was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment 10 by Rokaw. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 31. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 11. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 26 by Rokow. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 12 by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 27 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Reject amendment 28 by Rokaw. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
Amendment four. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment 32 rejected. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment five rejected. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Rejected amendment 33. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 13 by Rocco.
Vote is open. Voters closed. Rejected amendment 44 by Roelco. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Adopted Amendment six. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 45 by Rokaw. Vote is open. Vote disclosed.
Rejected. Amendment 34. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 46 by Rockville. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected 47 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 14. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 15 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Rejected. Amendment 16 by Rokaw.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 36 was in favor. Was against.
Or abstains? Check.
Vote.
Roberta Metsola
Yeah. Both is closed, and it's broadly a top Amendment 17. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 18, who's in favor? Was against. Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 37.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 19. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 29 in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Was against, who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Amendment 13, two parts. First part, who's in favor? Was against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. 38. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Adopted 39. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check this as well, please. 39.
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 20 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected paragraph 118.4, original text in two parts.
First part is in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment 21, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 22.
Who's in favor? Was against. Who abstains, rejected? 23 was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected? 24 was in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 40. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Reject amendment 41. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted. 42. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Vote on the resolution as a whole by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Adopted. We now vote on the report by Csaba Molnar. On the discharge 2024 for joint undertakings. We start with the clean aviation joint vote on the decision as a whole.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted circular bio-based Europe joint undertaking. Who's in favor? Who's against? Webster's adopted clean hydrogen joint undertaking? Who's in favor? Was against but stains adopted Europe's rail joint undertaking. Who's in favor? Who's against or abstain? Adopted European Cyber Security Competence Center. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
European Joint Undertaking for ITER and the Development of Fusion Energy. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopt it. Global Health EDCTP 3. Joint undertaking. Who's in favor? Who's against? Lip stains? I remember this from last year.
Adopted innovative health initiative joint undertaking. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, CHIPS joint undertaking. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted single European Sky ATM Research 3. Joint undertaking. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted, smart networks and services joint undertaking.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Adopted. So we move to the motion for a resolution by voting on it as a whole, by roll call. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
So next is the report by Mister Dimitri Tjodras and Mister Piotr Muller on the simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products. Give the floor to the co-rapporteurs.
First to Mr. Tziodras, then to Mr. Muller, shortly for one minute each. Mister Siodras first.
Can. You press the button? Can the microphone be switched on? For mister Teodor? Yes.
Go ahead. No.
Thank you.
Dimitri Szodras
Dear president, dear colleagues, I'll be very brief.
Today's vote has to send a clear message: Europe can deliver similar, smarter rules without compromising on safety. From the start, all of that was clear. Reduce unnecessary burden, and surely get certainty while maintaining the highest level of protection for human health.
This strong signal was only possible thanks to the constructive cooperation across political groups, and I would like to sincerely thank my co-reporter, Piotr Miller, and all colleagues for this.
Thank you.
Ladies.
Piotr Müller
And gentlemen, this is an important step in terms of the simplification of the cosmetics and fertilizer production. We are now removing the unnecessary bureaucratic burden, and we are competing with some Asian products. The next step should be the control over the products that are imported into the European Union. In order that we make sure that we support our European producers, but also abide by the rules that we impose on the European companies.
I'd like to thank all the political groups for their cooperation. I hope that the next steps will be taken very soon. And I'd like to thank the rapporteur as well.
Roberta Metsola
And now there is a proposal to reject the commission proposal amendment 90 by Roco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected. We vote on the draft legislative act. Amendments by the committee responsible block vote. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment 108. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 36. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 109, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 40, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment 110. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment 42 rejected. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment 111.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 43. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted 116 by ROCO.
Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
One two. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. One 3. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 117 by Rokka. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
104 by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected 95 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Rejected 59.
Roberta Metsola
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. 96 by ROCO vote is open.
Nine false.
Roberta Metsola
Yeah. 99 false. Because the fifty nine went through. So we moved next to amendment 96. K? Vote is closed.
Rejected. Amendment 105 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote disclosed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 61. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment 97 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected 101 by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 98 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected 91 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected 92 by Rokow. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 102. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Let's check this 102. The vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 93 by Rokow.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 103. Is in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
Amendment 21. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendments 114 and 100 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 115. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Check. One 5.
Vote is closed. Rejected. Vote on the commission proposal by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Okay. It's adopted, so I give the floor back to the rapporteur's address.
Dimitri Szodras
I request the referral back to the joint envy adimco for the institutional negotiations in accordance with rules 61 and 75 of the rules of procedure. Thanks.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you very much. Now we vote on the referral back. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Okay.
So the report is referred back to the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations in accordance with 260 paragraph 4. Now we move to the report by Miss Nerudova. On the market stability reserve for the buildings, road transport, and additional sectors.
We start first with a proposal to reject the commission's proposal, amendment 11. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Reject. Now we vote on the draft legislative act. Amendments by the committee responsible block vote. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted.
Amendment won by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted amendment four by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted amendment aid by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Adopted amendment 10 in two parts. First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Let's check the second part.
Good.
Roberta Metsola
Clear. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 25 by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 20 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 26 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 21. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 22.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment 16 rejected. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. I give the floor to Mister Yate Kosdova to move an oral amendment to add a new recital after recital one.
I will speak in Polish.
Speaker 180
We would like to put forward this amendment now. In the face of the economic crisis and the global political situation, which has translated into the skyrocketing energy prices, there's a danger of transportation exclusion.
Now it is two, if it is to cover the construction sector and transportation sector, will mean higher prices for our citizens. In order to avoid just that, particularly for the dose of lower income families, ETS two needs to be suspended.
Roberta Metsola
Thank you, Mr. Osdoba. Is there any opposition to this oral amendment? Okay. Cannot be taken. We move to the next vote. Amendment 12.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 13, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 14. Who's in favor? Who's against? To abstain.
To reject amendment 15, who's in favor? Was against. Who abstains? Rejected 17 by Roka. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 18. Who's in favor? Was against, who abstains? Rejected 19. Who's in favor, was against, who abstains, rejected. Amendment 23 by Rokow.
Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 24 by Rokow. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Rejected.
Vote on the commission proposal by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Danuše Nerudová
I request the referral back to committee for inter institutional negotiations. Thank you very much, Miss Nerudova. So now we vote on the referral back, by roll call.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
So the report is referred back to the committees responsible for inter institution negotiations in accordance with rule 60, paragraph four. We now move to the report by Mister Christophe Clairjean on the European Chemicals Agency and amending regulations.
I give the floor to the rapporteur for 2 minutes.
Christophe Clergeau
Madam la President, colleagues, we've been talking about chemical products, PFAS, and pesticides. And we often are divided on those issues. And when we deal with poor proposals from the commission to try to improve things, such as on the recent omnibus we just voted on. We accept compromises, but there are opportunities to move forward. And that is what this EcoTex is about.
Voting in favor of this, you will strengthen it. You'll improve its capacity to assess risks. It will also allow them to take into consideration emerging risks, and you'd be able to support the strengthening of cooperation, European agencies, and the One Health approach and in the ex prism approach. So thank you very much for all of the work.
Involved in this, and thank you very much for the vote that's now going to follow.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. We say massive. You get the vote, you get the floor back.
Christophe Clergeau
I request the referral back to committee in order to start negotiations with the council and the commission pursuant to rule 6 t paragraph 4.
Thank you. We vote on the referral back.
Roberta Metsola
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Then we refer back to the committee for inter-institution negotiations in accordance with rule paragraph four. Now we move to the report by Mister Bernd Lange on the international cocoa agreement, vote by consent, roll call, vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted to report by Mister Yaroslav Bzoch on the EU-Iceland agreement transfer of passenger name record data to prevent, detect, investigate, and prosecute terrorist offenses and serious crime. Consent vote by ROCO vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted report by Miss Yaris Lapsoch on the EU-Norway agreement on the transfer of PNR data for the prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution of terrorist offenses and serious crime. Consent vote by ROCO vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted Report by Mister Johan Danielson on the EU, USA, Iceland, Norway, Air transport agreement. And the EU, nigh Iceland, Norway ancillary agreement on the application of the air transport agreement.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is closed. Adopted. Now the report by Mister Matthias Eke on the mobilization of the European Globalization Adjustment Fund for displaced workers, Liberty Belgium.
I give the floor to the rapporteur.
For two minutes.
Matthias Ecke
Thank you very much indeed, President. Colleagues. In Liège, in Belgium, more than 500 people lost their jobs in the Liberty Steel plant. We're going to vote on the release of funds from the Globalization Adjustment Fund to support these people. Now the Globalization Adjustment Fund is an expression of solidarity in times of restructuring to promote vocational training and education and allow these people to find a job elsewhere. But let's be honest, this is not going to replace a more solid industrial policy in the long run.
We must protect the steel sector and industry faced with unfair competition from elsewhere. So we need protective measures in Europe to protect jobs, but protective measures alone will not be enough, and we need procurement policies, use the Accelerator Act, and transition towards green steel. So let's put together protection with modernization, so that we can be competitive in the long run. That's why we need to quickly release these funds so that we can support the people directly affected, and take the necessary steps to create jobs here in Europe.
Roberta Metsola
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? We vote on the resolution as a whole. By roll call, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted. Now we move to the report by Miss Anna Strolenberg on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025. Amendment 22 by Rocco, the vote is open.
The vote is closed. Rejected. 23 by Roka. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected 39 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected 40 by Roko. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected. 41. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 50 by Rocco.
Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected 68 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote disclosed.
Rejected 51 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 24. Who's in favour? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph nine original text by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted. 52 by Roker. Vote is open. The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is closed. Rejected. 25 Barocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. 62 by Rokka. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected 26 Barocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected. Amendment 15.
Roberta Metsola
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
16 in two parts. Polled by roll call. First part, vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
Second part, the vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 27 by ROCO. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment 17 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 18. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment three by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Right? Who's against? For, abstains? For, rejected. 28 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
29. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 30 by Rokaw. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
31. Who's in favor? Who's against? Abstains? Rejected. 42, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected by 20 Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected 53 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected 64 by Rokaw. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected 65 Barocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected 43 original texts in two parts, vote by roll call. First part, the vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. Second part vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 32 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected 54 by Rokaw. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected 47 original text and two passed both by a roll call. First part vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted the second part. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted. 55 by Roko.
Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. 69 by Rokow. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Rejected. 48 original text and two pass bought by Rokoff. Part, your vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Adopted. Second part vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. Paragraph amendment 32 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
We vote on the original text by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment 66 by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected 43 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected 54 original text by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted 56 original text in two parts. First part by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopt a second part by Roko. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected. 57 original text by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted 56 by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph six original text by Rokaw. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Adopted paragraph 61 by the original text by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted 64 original text and two pass vote by Roe. First pass vote is open.
Vote is closed. Adopted. Second part vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
Amendment 34 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected 67 original text in two parts, both by roll call. First part, the vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted the second part. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted 57 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected paragraph 69, amendment 58 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Original text by Rokaw. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected. Paragraph 70, original text in two parts, vote by roll call. First part, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted second part. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
The vote is closed. Rejected amendment five by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted paragraph 74, original text in two parts. Vote by roll call. Vote first part, vote is open.
The vote is closed. Adopted, second part vote is open.
Is. Closed. Adopted amendment six, by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment seven by Rocco. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment aid by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Rejected paragraph 92, original text by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted 96 original text by Rokaw. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted. One zero one original text and two parts bought by Roe. First part vote is open.
The vote is closed. Adopted second part, the vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. 46 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. 35. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected.
36. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 37. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 38.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 45. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Original text of 108 in two parts. Vote by roll call.
First part vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted the second part. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
Adopted.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 59 by Rocco, vote is ok. Vote is closed. Rejected 60 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected. Citation 17 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted citation, 27, by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Adopted. Citation 28 by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected. Citation 44 original text in two parts, bold by roll call. First part, the vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted.
Second part, the vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 20, no. Citation 45 by Rokaw. Vote is open. Citation 45. Vote is closed.
Adopted. Amendment 21. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment nine, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 10 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted. Amendment 67 by Rokaw. Vote is open.
Voters. Club. Rejected amendment 11 by Rokaw. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 12. Who's in favor? Was against, who abstains? Rejected amendment 13 by Rokaw. The vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Roberta Metsola
Amendment 14 was in favor. Was against, who abstained, rejected. Amendment 47 by Rocco, the vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 48 by Rokaw.
Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected. Recital with original text in two parts. Vote by roll call.
First part, the vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted, second part vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted.
Recite LAC original text by Roko. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 49 by Rokov. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected. Recital AJ first part by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted second part by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Recital AL by roll call.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted the title a o by roll call. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted second part by Roquel. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected or cited AQ by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted recital a zed in two first part by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed. Adopted second part by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted, recital b in two parts.
First part by Rocco, vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted second part by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted recital BC in two parts. First part by Rokka. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Adopted second Pal Bairoco vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted amendment one.
Roberta Metsola
Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Adopted. Amendment two by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected.
Recital B M by roll call. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted recital b v, by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted. We vote on the resolution as a whole, by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted. Now we move to the report by Mister Constantino Sarvanites on the commission's 2025 rule of law report, paragraph five, original text in two parts. Vote by roll call.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted. Second part vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted amendment 18 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment one by Rocco. Vote is open.
The vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted in paragraph 15, in two parts. Vote by roll call. First part, the vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Adopted the second part. Vote is open. Bless you. The vote is closed. Adopted amendment 19 by Rockville.
Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 15 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected. Amendment 16 by Rokaw. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected 17 by Roko.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected. Amendment two by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment three by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 4 by Rockville.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment five by Rokaw. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected paragraph 100 by Roko. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Adopted paragraph 401 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Adopted amendment six by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected.
Amendment seven by Rokow. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. So a vote on paragraph 112, original text in three parts. First part by Rocco, the vote is open.
Vote is closed. Adopted the second part by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted third party by Rokaw.
Rejected.
Amendment aid by Roquel. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Vote. Is closed. Rejected. Amendment nine by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected paragraph 117. Original text by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Adopted amendment 20 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 10 by Rokow. Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Roberta Metsola
Rejected amendment 13 by Rokaw. Vote is open. The vote is closed. Rejected amendment 11 by Rokov. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 12 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 14 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Reject. We vote on the resolution as a whole by roll call. Vote is open.
Roberta Metsola
Now we have the report by Mister Dainuszalimas on monitoring the application of European Union law in 23, 24, 25.
Amendment one, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment 20, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 2? Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected paragraph 2 original text in 2 parts.
First part, who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted. Second part by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Adopted amendment 3.
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment four rejected. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Amendment five. Who's in favor? Was against or to abstain. Rejected.
Amendment 21 was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Amendment rejected. Seven by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 17. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected amendment 12 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 22 by Rokow.
Vote is open.
Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment aid by Rocco.
Roberta Metsola
Vote is vote. Is closed. Rejected amendment 23. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 24 by Rocco.
Vote is closed. Rejected November 16 was in favor. Who's against? Who abstains? Adopted amendment nine. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. 25 by ROCO. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 18 was in favor.
Was against, who abstains, rejected, 26 was in favor, who's against, who abstains, rejected.
13 by Rocco, the vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 19.
Roberta Metsola
Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 14 by Rokow. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment 27. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected 28 by Rocco.
Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected 29 by Rocko. Vote is open. Vote is closed.
Rejected amendment 10. Who's in favor? Who's against? Who abstains? Rejected. Paragraph 48 original text. Who's in favor? Was against or to abstain, adopted amendment 11 by Rocco. Vote is open.
Vote is closed. Rejected amendment six by Rocco. Vote is open. Vote is closed. Rejected amendment fed 15.
Who's in favor? Was against. Abstains adopted? We vote on the resolution as a whole. Barocco vote is open.
Almost there.
Approved.
Roberta Metsola
Now we move to the motion for a resolution tabled by the pet committee on the protection of EU companies, jobs, and products against unfair competition from third countries.
I give the floor to the committee chairman for 2 minutes. A few more votes. Come on. It's a lot, we're almost there.
Thank you, madam chair.
Thank you.
Bogdan Rzońca
These reasons for this resolution come from petitions submitted by entrepreneurs in Poland.
Is a resolution warming.
Warning.
Bogdan Rzońca
Companies from China, for example, buy companies in the EU and then use them for unfair competition. We know they use cheap and unhealthy materials in production. That is why we must strongly protect fire companies in the EU. Therefore, let's support fair producers and protect consumers. This is what this resolution is about.
Thank you.
Roberta Metsola
Now we vote on the resolution as a whole. Who is in favor? Who is against? Who abstains? Adopt it. We vote on the objection to genetically modified soybean.
Resolution as a whole, by roll call. Vote is open.
Vote. Is closed.
And it's adopted. Have a good afternoon.
Speaker 201
We. Are gonna restart the plenary. The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the decks that are available. Please leave the plenary if you don't want to attend the next debate. Any comments? I understand no.
Then the miniature is approved. We are gonna move to the next item on the agenda, that is a topical debate. Request by a political group under the rule 169.
In this case, commission interference in the democratic process and elections.
I would like to inform members for this debate, there is no catch the eye appreciate your and that no blue cards will be accepted. Now we are moving to the author.
Of the debate that it's Mr. Vander Diese. You have the floor for minutes.
President. Members of the House.
Speaker 202
Social media is trying to influence elections.
That's the conclusion of the US Congress. This year.
Since February, we've been asking for a debate on this matter. It was rejected twice. We've had hearings in three committees. We've initiated them, but that too was refused. We've made parliamentary questions, but we've never had answers to them. The parliament seems to fear debate. On this.
It doesn't want to hold the commission to account. The commission too has tried to influence elections. What's Van der Leyen trying to hide? The American Congress is trying to get involved.
The big tech giants could be put under some pressure. But it turns out that meetings were held behind closed doors. The public never found out about them. The commission has exerted pressure on social media companies so that legitimate opinions could not be silenced.
Opinions. Were eliminated. A handbook was drafted by the commission for the big tech companies as to what should be deleted. Anti EU comments, anti migrant opinions, anti LGBTQ opinions should be deleted.
Criticisms against climate change. Shouldn't be allowed. Criticism against the EU should not be allowed. That's going to be censored. TikTok has four censored 45,000 reports ahead of the elections.
The commission has also been involved in 12 elections, Slovakia, Netherlands, Romania. Even the 2024 European elections saw commission interference, and we see the same thing each time. The platforms are brought together.
Guidelines are set out, and the commission decides what type of content is considered as risk content. During the elections, for example, reports were posts were censored when they said there were only two genders.
The commission obviously considers it dangerous to tell the truth. Why is the commission scared of alternative opinions? We can't only have the same opinion, the freedom to have the same opinion as our governments. That's not freedom.
The commission, well, wants people to be able to pay for, we want family values. We want people to be able to afford energy. We want to listen to the people.
But the commission has hidden behind a wall of censorship because it's afraid. It doesn't want to hear what people really have to say about their administration in this commission. This commission has gone off the rails. Even Charles Michel, the president of the council, has warned against this.
He said, everyone knows and everyone has seen how the commission is gathering more power to itself. And managing things that are not within its remit. That's a centralization of power to the Commission, and that is a danger to European democracy.
Michael McGrath
Thank you very much, now representing the European Commission, Commissioner McGrath.
You have the floor.
Thank you very much, chair.
Michael McGrath
Dear honorable members, thank you for the invitation to participate in this exchange of views this afternoon. Our union, free and fair elections, are at the heart of our democracy. And only citizens may decide their outcome.
Conducting and organizing elections are the competence and responsibility of the member states. This is a competence that the Commission fully respects. Let me be clear. Commission does not interfere in the conduct and the organization of elections.
Our role is to support member states depending on their needs and wishes, using tools at our disposal to support and assist them in ensuring fair and secure elections free from interference. Threats around elections are particularly worrying. Undermining the integrity of electoral processes and democratic institutions. Safeguarding democratic integrity is a shared responsibility across all levels of governance. That is why we have developed a robust toolbox to maximize, support, and complement member states' efforts.
In full respect of the allocation of competencies of the European Union. Firstly, the EU digital rulebook including the Digital Services Act, the political advertising regulation, and the AI Act all play an important role. The political advertising regulation provides for EU common transparency and accountability standards for the dissemination of political ads, contributing to the integrity of electoral processes, supporting an open democratic debate. It bans political ads by non-EU country sponsors during the three months leading up to any election or referendum in a member state.
The Digital Services Act is another important framework. Shielding elections from threats and endangering the integrity of the information space. It provides that very large online platforms and very large online search engines should assess possible systemic risks stemming from their services to elections and civic discourse.
Secondly, over the years and in response to direct requests from member states, the Commission has provided non-legislative support which takes multiple forms. A recommendation from 2023 on inclusive and resilient electoral processes. Facilitating information and best practice exchanges, including through the European Cooperation Network on Elections, and developing practical tools with and for national authorities.
Particular, these tools include a checklist on election integrity, a risk management matrix for elections, a compendium on evoting, and a guide on good electoral practices for citizens with disabilities. Thirdly, the joint communication on the European Democracy Shield presented in November by the commission and the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy is a landmark initiative to safeguard, strengthen, and promote strong resilient democracies in the European Union. It covers actions which will be gradually rolled out by 2027, covering three main priority areas, including to counter foreign information manipulation and interference and disinformation campaigns, building on mechanisms in the commission and the external action service.
In the last European Council, leaders called upon the commission to work with member states with the support of the high representative to further enhance our resilience against attempts to undermine Europe. The commission is fully committed to delivering on this mandate. With the shield, we have considerably reinforced our capacities, including by setting up the new European Centre for Democratic Resilience. The center started its activities in February. It is a coordination and cooperation framework among member states and relevant EU institutions.
It works as a hub to support member states based on the best expertise and experience available across Europe upon their request and in full respect of their competences. All member states of the European Union are participating in the center.
Center will facilitate information sharing and support operational cooperation and capacity building to withstand common threats, in particular, phishing, and disinformation. The center started working on several priority areas as they were endorsed by the member states. In the coming months, it will, for example, draw up a handbook providing a practical overview of EU legislation and policy instruments relevant to the protection of electoral processes. The center has also started working on a blueprint for countering foreign information manipulation, interference, and disinformation.
Building on the expertise available in the member states and at European level. And finally, the playbook of hybrid threats against our democracies grows thicker every day. But together, we have the right tools to prevent this from playing out, and to fight back.
Defend our democracies, and build democratic resilience in our societies. I look forward to the contributions of the honorable members. Thank you very much, commissioner. Next speaker is Mr. Mando.
Lukas Mandl
Thank you very much, president, commissioner.
Thanks, actually, for participating in our debate, commissioner, and for not interfering in the democratic process or elections. Participating in a debate is what every commissioner is supposed to do. This is the whole part and the whole meaning of the democratic process.
Dear colleagues, what sore losers they are because they are now imposing and suggesting that it's the commission that won't interfere in democratic processes and elections. After losing the election in Hungary.
No. Ones who took the decision in Hungary were the Hungarian citizens. And especially as an Austrian, I'm very thankful to them because it strengthens Europe in its entirety. It strengthens Central Europe. It strengthens the bilateral relation between Austria and Hungary that we will have a decent government in the future, and we will have a majority in the Hungarian parliament with colleagues which will take decent decisions in the very center of the political spectrum.
It's Trumpism that has been voted against. In Hungary. It's the political center that has been voted in favor of in Hungary by the citizens. That also means that maybe the climax of extremism is already over. Of right extremism as well as left extremism.
Of Trumpism as well as of wokeism. The political center, the decency of the political center, the state's responsibility of the political center is what the Hungarians voted for. And, I'm very hopeful for Europe in its entirety that this future will sustain and will be good for every generation.
But since the extremists have put on the table this idea of the commission interfering in democratic processes and elections, let's ask the question for a second: Who is actually interfering in democratic processes and elections in Europe? Exactly.
You are friends in Russia. Putin, Russia is interfering in our elections. And you are part of this interference.
That's a matter of fact.
Lukas Mandl
And that's what we have to discuss. Don't be such sore losers, accepted democratic decisions such as the one in Hungary, and tried to observe the political center with decent and straight responsible decisions.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. Mendez. For one minute. Representing S and D Group.
Thank you very much.
President.
Csaba Dömötör
Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, it's obvious that this debate requested by the far right isn't just a debate to talk about the integrity of electoral processes.
Oh, no. It's another example of their strategy to spread their mistrust in democracy and to promote disinformation. The commissioner said, and rightly so, that all this is the responsibility of the member states and not the commission. So the only thing that the European Commission can do and must do is to promote integrity and transparency. But for those who are asking for an end to interference and meddling in elections, are then the same ones who hail Russian trolls and Trump and their interference.
And when they very openly promote disinformation, when Mister Vance visits Hungary, then everyone gives him a round of applause. The whole of the far right applauds him. That is why the far right isn't fighting manipulation.
They don't want, on elections. They actually feed off this manipulation. But we're going to harness all the tools available to fight against hate speech. In the EU.
Csaba Dömötör
This has been in this house, often you talk about foreign interference, and usually, you mention Russia or the United States. So there is a strong sensitivity in this particular regard, which immediately evaporates when the Brussels institutions meddle.
Let me just quote, say, 5 examples. Before the Hungarian elections, two weeks before, the so-called quick reaction system was launched. By which social media contents were curbed, and we were not to post questions about these contents. No one answered them.
I'm happy that the commissioner is here. The deadline for responses is over, yet we didn't receive any. Then so-called civility civic NGOs are supported, which then have political activities during campaigns. Thirdly, secret services are also active during elections.
Hungarian government members were eavesdropped on. And when back then, miss Merkel was eavesdropped on by the Obama government, there was a major scandal, but see obviously, this is allowed in case of Hungary.
And, of course, the rule of law procedure is the strongest instrument you have. The commission a few days ago made it very clear, saying that €17,000,000,000 were frozen, which deteriorated the competitiveness of Hungary and had an impact on the decision of voters.
She said that so bluntly. As I quoted. Of course, after the elections only, and the same thing happened in Poland. Colleagues, voters can make decisions without any meddling from here. The voters are always right.
We observe their decisions. And, in terms of the European funds, the votes the voters decided, you can start paying the funds. But it's a good lesson for other member states.
If a government or party is in office, which is not liked by the left-wing mainstream, then they will be penalized. As it happened in Poland, in Hungary, and maybe in France in the future. And if someone steps out of line, then anything is allowed to go against them, which deteriorates democracy.
Speaker 201
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. Jackie. For one minute and a half representing the ECR Group.
Speaker 24
Thank you. Thank you very much, president and commissioner. You said that you're not interfering in member-state elections. But what were you doing when you blocked EU funds to Poland? And then unblocking them after the government changed, even though no legislation had changed.
What's interfering if not that? You say that you don't interfere, but look. I've got a report from the Congress here. US Congress, and there are emails from you there.
Which of them is not real? Because if none of them are fake, if the data is not fake, then it's telling us what's really happening. It says 100 secret meetings in which you exerted pressure on social media platforms to censor content.
For example, populist rhetoric, anti-EU content, satellite data, anti-immigrant texts. So opinions which a lot of citizens in this EU hold. If that's not interference, then what is interference? I would also say that in your twenty twenty-five workshops, there was a heading winning back our country.
Now that post was classified as hate speech, but this is Chinese type censorship. I think you've gone far beyond your remit here. If we are to fight for something in this house, if we are to represent values, then it has to be the freedom of speech. That's something to defend.
If you think that your opinions are better, then you won't be worried about confronting your opinions with other people. Opinions. But if you're afraid, then you'll carry on censoring things, and we're going to fight against that censorship.
Speaker 206
The next speaker is Missus Kayer for two minutes, representing the new Europe.
Valérie Hayer
You, president, colleagues. I'm talking in this debate to speak out about hypocrisy. The hypocrisy of the far right. They dare to denounce the interference of the commission in the democratic process of the elections. The interference of the commission, honestly, is that how low you can think? If we're going to talk about interference, real interference, then we ought to be talking about that of your friends, you so-called patriots.
You and the are nearly €9,000,000,000 granted by a Russian bank in 2014. And as if by chance, since then you haven't spoken out against Putin, you supported Ukraine. We saw that in the last plenary.
And Fidesz, the foreign affairs minister, picked up on for having passed data to the Kremlin about discussions in our institutions or the AFD with its parliamentary assistants linked to Russian intelligence and financial links that are more than dubious with Moscow.
And since we're talking about elections, look at 2024. Presidential election canceled in Romania because of Russian interference, massive purchasing of votes in Moldova, revelations on Voice of Europe funded by Russia to influence the European elections.
And still, you dare to talk about interference by the Commission. You are no better than Vladimir Putin, who claims that Europe violates human rights when every day he is massacring civilians in Ukraine.
So what I would want to say here is that we will not let you twist words, because that is what you're doing when it comes to freedom of expression. Is what you're trying to do today is when you talk about interference.
Do you really want us to believe that you are standing up for freedom of expression? What were you doing when you were in power in Poland? For example, in Hungary? You silenced journalists. You set aside the judges. You attacked women's rights. You encouraged homophobia.
You speak out against interference. Well, fine. But start by looking at your own house. Put your own house in order.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mister Busselagar for one minute representing Green's Group.
Speaker 210
Dear colleagues, I have to agree with Mister Saye that it's quite ironic. It's ironic to have the far right request a debate on election meddling.
That is very ironic. It's ironic because Alice Weidl, the boss of the IFD, got a lot of likes from Nigeria. And I'm not sure it's because she's so very friendly to foreigners in her speech.
It's ironic because Victor Orban is really the pinnacle of a person that undermined free speech in his own country by following dissidents, by closing down opposition media, and by making sure that fake news actually is ruling the whole country.
One recent example is that he said that if the opposition gets elected, dogs and cats will be taxed very heavily. I mean, this is the level we are seeing here.
So it's really ironic to hear you speak about the freedom of speech when you're really just parroting words from Putin. We can see that real democracy can win against the election meddling, and we have seen it in the recent Hungarian elections. Democracy will win against autocracy.
Thank you.
Speaker 201
Thank you very much. And the next speaker is Missus Vorvendek for one minute and a half representing as a group.
Speaker 211
I'm in a post. Recently, Ursula Fandarian proudly acknowledged that her stringent financial pressure contributed to the government change in Budapest. This is imperial arrogance at its best. Hungarians know this. Often, our fate was decided in imperial centers, so we are not surprised by this interference.
But you are always worried about democracy. Nonetheless, no one, there's no alarm ring. Why not? Probably, you believe that for interference, which is against your opponents, are democratic, whereas those who are against your interests should be abolished.
Maybe something new to my liberal colleagues, but this attitude is not democratic at all. You acknowledge having blackmailed my country, whereas you didn't see anything about the open censorship on social platforms.
On the manipulation of Facebook algorithms. My party's leader is banished from Facebook. For less in Romania, you abolished the outcomes of elections. Probably that was plan B for Hungary too.
Had the results been different? But this time, your plan worked but you should be wary because what can be done against a member state, which is in theory equal, can be done against anyone who does not fall in line. If you don't raise your voice against double standards, you will be for the final dismantling of democracy.
Speaker 206
Now with this, we are ending the first round of the political groups. I was flexible with the time, but I will kindly ask all the members to respect and stick to the time that we have.
Liudas Mažylis
Thank you, mister chair, commissioner, colleagues, Free elections do not mean the right to manipulate. To claim that the European Union is supposedly interfering in elections by requiring transparency from major platforms under the DSA is, therefore, misleading and dangerous. Verifying fake accounts or scrutinizing the impact of algorithms isn't interference.
By contrast, Russia engages in genuine interference, and we've seen this repeatedly in France when Russian cyber groups were linked to the leak of confidential emails and the spread of disinformation. We saw it again in Moldova, where networks connected to Moscow encouraged vote buying, illegal party financing, and attempts to distort a referendum on relations with the European Union. Against this background, the allegations that the commission is supposedly exerting pressure on social net commission networks and platforms, whether in these countries or elsewhere, are unfounded and simply untrue.
Since July 2024, EU institutions have been steadily developing tools to counter third-country interference in democratic processes. We've created a democracy shield, it is based on transparency, media, and citizen engagement.
The European Parliament has also set up a dedicated committee. It is the duty of the European Union to protect citizens from foreign money, bot hacking, and disinformation campaigns. Thank you.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Van Brent. For one minute.
Thank you all for seaters.
Kathleen Van Brempt
Thank you very much.
The far right has problems with democracy. We've known this for a while. And proof of this is this afternoon's debate. Let's take a look. You're the ones who tried to influence the results in Hungary with Trump, Vans, Putin, and look at what's happening in Romania, Georgia, and so on.
Democracy is under pressure. And it's not in Europe. It's not the EU, the commissioner, the European Parliament who lie behind this. You are responsible for this. The far right wants to undermine democracy.
But I think that the time has come to face reality. The Hungarian people are the ones who have sent you packing. They've sent you home. They're the ones who have chosen. And the truth is that it's extremely important for the people to continue exercising this right.
Thank you.
For one minute.
António Tânger Corrêa
Senior. President.
Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, $17,000,000,000. Have been handed over by the European Commission, and that's for NGOs, for independent media, and other organizations. The aim being to guarantee special treatment. It's not Russia. It's the European Commission doing that.
António Tânger Corrêa
This is a commission that was created here in this Parliament. And with the support of Mr. Soros, they are aiming to justify what they are doing. We have the DSA.
António Tânger Corrêa
They aim to censor the freedom of expression of EU citizens.
This is what happened with USAID as well. And I think that says it all.
Grazie.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 216
When we talk about interference in democratic processes, we often think of external threats. But as a psychiatrist, I know that these deep ideas actually come from inside. Look at the Green Deal and Qatar Gate. There's a very subtle difference between interference and protection.
A mother that protects is good, but if you're overprotective, then the child doesn't grow. It stops choosing. It just doesn't thrive. So we have to be careful. A lot of citizens want a change, and this is a sign.
In my profession, when a patient changes behavior, we have to listen to him or her because behind this change in behavior, there is a reason. There's perhaps a request for autonomy and change.
Europe really wants to protect against interference. It wants to guide so much that it has stopped listening. A healthy society isn't one where everything is controlled, goes according to plan, and is correct. It's somewhere where citizens can express themselves freely even if they make people feel uncomfortable or even if they make mistakes. That's what democracy is about.
If we want to avoid interference, perhaps the first step is to be less scared and trust our citizens more.
Thank you, President.
Speaker 217
Thank you, President, Commissioner. These so-called patriots are shameless. We have Auburn, who gets Russian and American support for his attempt to win the election. On X, you have accounts that have 60 or 70,000,000 fans advertising Auburn.
Mister Musk likes all that, then they lose the election, and then they complain about it. It's interesting that now Austrians here, the FPO, which also stands for Putin's friends in Austria in German, is saying let's do what Austrians have been doing, disrupting the media, destroying the judiciary, engaging in corruption. Millions are being sent out of Austria and going to corrupt all banisters.
We have a pincer movement attacking us from Russia and America. You are puppets playing along. Come back to the rule of law. Come back to decency. Give up corruption, and then we can work towards the best for Europe.
Thank you.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mister Stakis for one minute.
Speaker 218
Thank you, President. And let me speak directly to my colleagues from Orban's political group.
In Latvia, we have a saying, You have to know how to lose. And this debate should not be happening because nobody here is confused about who interfered in the Hungary elections.
It wasn't Europe, it was Kremlin, and it was Trump. The fear campaigns, the false flags, Russian bot armies, and JD Wentz. Sitting American vice president flying in to tip the scales in European election. That was real interference. Directed in the heart of Hungary's democracy.
But the Hungarian people were smarter than all of it. They survived, Orban survived the relationship with Putin, they saw the corruption, and they rejected it. And choose a different future. So, yes, Zaudeid Iyamak, you have to lose with dignity and stop serving those who try to steal democracy in a European country. And thank you, Hungarian people, for the right choice.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mrs. Anderson. For one minute.
Thank you.
Christine Anderson
For months, we have warned about the commission interfering in elections in the member states. We raised concerns about Romania, about pressure on platforms, about the expanding reach of the Digital Services Act.
And then the American Congress did what this parliament refused to do. Investigated and found the commission did interfere in free speech and in elections. You chose to ignore the report and our request for a committee and plenary debate. And not only did you dismiss the concerns of the majority of the US Congress, you went out of your way to invite a single voice of the opposition, a Democrat, and by doing so, you confirmed everything the report is accusing you of. You pick and choose opinions.
You want to steer discussions in this house, in Europe, and across the pond. The First Amendment says the state stays out of speech. You are doing the opposite. You want to limit free speech. You aim to shape public debate and narratives, and seek control over what people think and say.
Luis-Vicențiu Lazarus
Chair, dear colleagues, I've been in the United States in Washington, and I met members of this commission from the House of Representatives, the legal commission. And I presented a huge file with everything that happened in Romania. Because what happened in Romania is very important, their candidates were forbidden without any decision by any court to restrain their rights.
And elections have been canceled, Anthony Blinken came on December 15, the former secretary of state, and said there is Russian interference in Romania. Today, no one can prove it. Not even the president of Romania. But elections have been canceled.
And the discussions I had with the American Legal Committee, I noticed this, and then I'd like to quote you from the report. When Vera Zoruba, former vice president of the European Commission, met the head of TikTok, he asked her, do you want us to discuss election in your opinion, or do you want us to talk about American elections as well? And you said, yes. I want us to talk about both.
Final question. Why did Vera Zorova want to talk about American elections? Is this not a clear interference of a vice president of the European Commission in the elections? And this is all the interference of the commission is proven.
Madame PICHOVIC
So, ladies and gentlemen, let me turn to the so-called patriots. Are you joking? Really? You're upset because Auburn lost the elections, and now you're looking for a scapegoat, but it's your own damn fault. Look at the parties that you're sitting together with.
Le Pen's party in France, a 9,000,000 loan from Russia. The Italian party which has been sentenced in court for paying for elections with Russian money. Fidesh has failed. But they came down because of a scandal linked to the tea.
Someone was just reporting back to Lavrov. And then in Austria. A cooperation pact was signed with Putin's party, and a minister has been invited to their wedding and danced with Putin.
Check it. It's real. The in Belgium, who is ratifying the pseudo-elections in Donbas. What do you think? People are blind that they can't see what's going on? This debate is about the fact that the right is not a sore loser.
You lost, and now you're crying about it. You're crying about the fact that Putin has lost his channel to Europe. No one's gonna be able to report back to Wavrov. Any more.
Hungary is a failure for you. There'll be further failure. You'll lose again, and it's a good thing that you will be losing.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is vice president Descalde Mosse. One minute.
Christel Schaldemose
Thank you very much. It is difficult for me to understand why we spend time on this debate because the premise is completely wrong. The commission does not interfere with the democratic processes.
And elections. We try to protect them. It's free and democratic elections.
The citizens and us, we ensure that democracies are not manipulated. By a foreign institution. We have seen divisions in Moldova, in Hungary, and other places. And that is why the European Union has tried to fight misinformation. Among other things, with the democracy shield.
We have to ensure free elections without money manipulation from other countries. We require strong democracies in Europe to have a strong European Union.
Marit Maij
Forshitter. Democracy, President.
The EU slogan goes democracy in action. What democracy then, when the parliament wanted to try to ban this possible debate on electoral interference? Where was it when the commission was using the digital service act to censor the Internet and prevented millions of citizens from freely expressing their opinion?
Where is the democracy in this parliament? When my group, the patriots, the largest opposition group, is excluded under the pretext of protecting democracy. All critical voices are being gagged. It's time we woke up to this Brussels nightmare. And it's time that we put a stop to this politics of virtue signaling.
Speaker 206
If you try to censor the voice of the people, then you are not a supporter of the next speaker, Missus Stidlov, for one minute.
Speaker 223
Thank you, President, members of the house. The problem with the liberal left majority in this house is that democracy for you means what you think to be right. And you fight with any other opinion.
And, of course, you're wrong. Yesterday, Daniel Obayntic had his immunity withdrawn for defending Christian values. But you yourselves have scandals, and what do you have within your own groups. You don't want to talk about interference in the Polish presidential elections. But during the campaign, information came out about that. Interference.
Recently, we've seen films online in which an activist explained how EU or from organizations that you fund can be used to fight political opponents. To miss I would say well, Putin met Tusk in Sarpod, and Denil Tusk has gave his blessing once upon a time to Anglo Merkel's Nord Stream two.
Speaker 224
Ladies and gentlemen, the patriots have a lot of time to waste. They've chosen to inflict a farce on us. They've demanded a debate on the supposed interference of the commission in European elections.
I'm sorry to say, but this is crazy. Who brought Orban down? Orban, your friend, it was the Hungarian people because of the poverty that they were experiencing, because of what was happening.
However, your friends in power in Washington and Moscow don't really know what is really happening to try and save their allies. But you're not talking about this. No. What you're talking about is about a MAGA report in the congress as if they were the referees of our democracy. As if it were to them, we would have to turn to know what to think.
Are you real vessels? How low are you going to sink? These attacks against our democracy is one of the worst scourges of our time, and the parliament realized, and that is why it has extended the mandate of the committee that I chair.
Thank you for your trust. Now to the patriots who are against this, I turn to you and say that you don't need to make much of an effort to deserve your name and to convince us that you're constantly working against Europe and against your homelands.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mister Volgin for one minute.
Petar Volgin
Evel Bayskat, The European Commission likes to portray itself as a staunch defender of democracy and pluralism.
However, its actions demonstrate that it is the exact opposite of what it claims to be. The European Commission acts like the Roman Inquisition. The Inquisitors fought with fire and sword against any opinion they believed was heresy. The European Commission declares divergent views heretical.
If a politician or a party believes that nation states are more important than supranational institutions, that the green deal is classic nonsense, or that the LGBT ideology is perverted, they are immediately sacrificed at the stake of political correctness.
The European media and NGOs, which it subsidizes, spare no effort in discrediting truly independent parties. During electoral campaigns, they constantly tell people to vote only for Brussels' loyal politicians.
If the European Commission isn't happy with the outcome of an election, it does all it can to have it declared void, as it happened in Romania. Obviously, the Roman Inquisition didn't disappear. It has just changed its look.
Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Vice President.
Lukas Sieper
I'm afraid this will be a little bit going in your direction, in your mind, but mister vice president, to connect LGBTQA plus with perversion. It's as yesterday, hate speech. It's a breach of article 10, number four of the rules of procedure, dear colleague.
This is the border of the freedom of speech, the freedom of opinion that exists in this house to protect the dignity of people. And only because you are different, you have no right to hate. These people in this house on this floor. You can go outside, you can think what you want, you can say what you want, but here we have a certain level of decency. That is required, and you can talk when you have the floor.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. We will take note, and we will analyze interventions in this debate. The next speaker is Missus Konecna. For one minute. It was a point of order.
The next speaker is Mrs. Konegna for 1 minute.
Kateřina Konečná
Thank you, chair. Dear colleagues, in a normal situation, the citizens elect a government for their country, and that then proposes the chair of the commission. Unfortunately, the commission under Funder Lyon does not like this normal state of affairs, evidently.
On the contrary, the commission is now trying to enforce on the people of the member states certain political candidates. In respecting the will of the people as expressed in democratic election, the commission shows an open antagonism towards governments and also certain MEPs who dare to defend their national interests.
You know, if these were only words, then perhaps I would not have to be making this speech today, even though it's also despicable as such. But if there are tons of money going to certain media and NGOs for promoting narratives that are likable to commission the commission, then there is something damn wrong. And then, of course, there's the threat that if the people elect the wrong way, the commission may block EU fund money to them, just like in the case of Hungary. Therefore, I ask the commission to stop turning the union on its head and to stop interfering in member state elections, because the power can only come from the will of the people in a democracy.
Thank you.
Brando Benifei
To say that Europe interfered and led to Orban being toppled is to look away from that. Mistakes now. Between the twenty-first and the twenty-fifth, Meta reduced the visibility of political content, and political channels in Italy lost 70% of content.
During the electoral campaigns, there were also issues. We cannot accept a system where billionaires decide the public debate. We cannot accept a democracy that is filtered by invisible algorithms. This isn't the free market. It is concentrated power that distorts democracy.
We want transparency. And, of course, the EU has to investigate because what is at stake isn't just the market communication, what is at stake is democracy itself. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Next speaker is Joachim Matim Frias.
Gracias, Europa.
You, president.
Jorge Martín Frías
If things get difficult, then we have tools like in Poland and Hungary.
Of course, saw that in Romania, we'd do it in Germany if necessary.
These are statements made by Ursula von der Leyen and the commissioner in regard to the elections.
The European Commission is interfering in national democratic processes. It has done it. It has recognized it, and it presented as something legitimate.
And it's not just that, but sometimes they also count on the sympathy and support of the European Parliament. Yesterday, Mister Weber asked for Article seven to be applied to Hungary without seeing the outcomes, revealing that what was a tool is actually being used for political interference. And the most serious thing is what this reveals.
Democracy only counts if the commission candidates win. We see blackmail on governments freezing funds using the DSA to silence dissent and reopen and close proceedings, opportunity coinciding with electoral calendars and member states.
Ladies and gentlemen, the commission interference is the only transparent thing in Brussels.
Thank you.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mr. Bartulica. For one minute.
Thank you, colleagues.
Stephen Nikola Bartulica
Today, we're talking about who is going to control the narrative.
The DSA treats speech as a commodity, which needs to be regulated. And we know that freedom of speech is a fundamental right for every free society. It is not the government that needs to decide which opinions are admissible.
When it comes to Croatia, if Croatia accepts this model of managing the official domain, then we will have a situation where the political leadership will be too powerful. They will be able to decide what is the truth and what is untrue. We have seen during communism what can happen when the government has this kind of power.
We want to protect our citizens. Citizens can decide for themselves. What is true and what is untrue, not the bureaucracy in Brussels.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Joveva. For one minute.
Missus ROJAVA
You. Don't have to think for very long to see who's behind the title of this report about alleged interference from the Commission in democracy. It's the Patriots, of course. Patriots in name only. In actual fact, they're defending foreign interests.
Not European ones. This twisted game, accusing people of what you're doing yourself, is something that we're used to from populists. But what we can see in this debate is the propaganda.
The commission quite rightly froze funds for Orban's regime. European taxpayers can't pay for the corruption of those who are now fleeing the country. Let's look at real interference. Real interference is when the US vice president gets involved in Orban's election campaign or when Israelis get involved in election campaigning for Orban's lackey, Yancha, in Slovenia.
So the title of the debate is wrong. It's not the commission is interfering. It's that it's not doing enough against actual interference from abroad. Now say that would be patriotic. So the title is a bad attempt. It's a bad script.
Speaker 231
It's a bad piece of theatre. It's very clear who is defending Europe here, and who is selling it off. Those are the real patriots. For one minute.
Speaker 232
As. Far back as February 3, the juridical committee of the House of Representatives noted that the EU was involved in censorship and influencing elections.
Speaker 233
This debate that's taking place today was blocked for 3 months. And why was that? Because you were caught. You were caught. Because this report from the Americans is based on an analysis of eleven years' worth of communications. Those are hard facts.
Communications between the EU Commission and the tech businesses.
And what did they find? They found that legal, legitimate political opinions were being censored as hate speech, and academically verified facts were being censored as disinformation. And here, you're talking about attacks of the US and Russia, like a pincer attack on the EU.
Well, Voice of Europe, they even mentioned your colleagues here, and that is a very best example of how you want to influence the elections in the European Parliament through the Voice of Europe affair. It was an attack. There were 27 seats in this parliament.
Speaker 234
We'll never allow that to be funded if the speaker has been in trouble.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. Are moving to the next speaker. The next speaker is mister Kalinak for one minute.
Erik Kaliňák
In. The Slovakian elections in 2020. Two. The commission posted on TikTok that posts were made about banning the sexualization of or tried to ban opinions saying that children shouldn't be and what have you. And these are normal political opinions.
TikTok was then put under pressure by the commission, and TikTok gave in to that pressure. We have documents about the commission and TikTok's actions, and the same for other platforms.
They say the commission is not reacting. There were no reactions to US diplomatic notes. I mean, is the commission so weak? Or was there really interference from the commission in member state elections? The sooner we find out that, and the sooner Van der Leyen goes, the better.
Matjaž Nemec
Dear colleagues, today's debate proposed by the extreme right is completely misplaced.
The limitation of illegal content and this information online, it's not interfering. It is the opposite. It is the protection of our democracies, like it or not. Interference in the European elections came from outside the EU.
Like what we have experienced in my home country, Slovenia, this is a real threat to the serenity and to the elections. Dear colleagues, in the last Slovenian election, we witnessed serious interference by a private Israeli intelligence agency called Black Cube. Credible reports show links with the biggest opposition party, who is likely to form a government in the next weeks. This is a case of not only foreign influence in the electoral process.
This is a treason by their colleagues. This is, and this is not an isolated case.
Black Yps were involved in the Hungary election in twenty eighteen, even convicted of interference in twenty sixteen Romanian elections.
So we need an urgent action from the EU. Call on the democracy shield activation by France and Slovenia remain unanswered from the commission. So we need the action now. Thank you so much.
Paolo Borchia
This. Is the umpteenth example of hypocrisy where everyone has forgotten how many hours this plenary has spent denouncing how badly things were going in Hungary. But, obviously, this time around, what happened isn't a violation, at least to your eyes. You've forgotten how much money was given to the press that sides with you and the cowards that you grabbed by the collar because they simply weren't the friends of Brussels.
But there's some great news in this debate. Finally, the Hungarian people have gotten your respect. But remember, that people's respect is there not just when they vote in favor of those who you want them to vote for, I think that this confirms the fact that the EPP just rubber stamps what the left wants.
And this debate also shows that the future is difficult. Next year, there are debates, excuse me. There are votes, elections in Italy and other countries, and democracy has a lot to fear.
Speaker 238
Thank you. For years, some have decided that they had the right to decide who is democratic and who isn't. I went to Budapest as an electoral observer, and I can tell you that everything that has been said about Orban was made up. Some talk about bogus elections, a farce. They talked about participation and so on. And I can assure you that, of course, there's the issue of Saurus.
They were saying that Orban was a dictator. But if he were a dictator, would he have accepted the election? Would he have allowed elections to take place? But when someone here is labeled as an anti democrat, it's simply because they don't tow the Brussels line, woke ideology and political correctness.
So obviously, someone tried to influence the elections. European citizens don't need a teacher or a tutor that tell them who to vote for. So once and for all, let us accept and protect the self-determination of people without any prejudice and without interference.
Thank you, Mr. Vice President.
Nikola Minchev
Dear commissioners, dear colleagues, people must trust that their representatives are chosen by their votes and not by foreign manipulation. In Bulgaria, we are on the frontline of a hybrid war, where disinformation constantly seeks to destabilize our democracy. This is why the commission's voice is vital.
Nikola Minchev
It is a duty to protect the union. Real interference is foreign actors seeking to advance their own and the antidemocratic agenda by distorting debate, manipulating voters, and influencing elections. And somehow, those who shout interference when the commission speaks fall quiet when foreign actors are truly interfering. The clue is in their silence.
Well, we will not remain silent. Democracy belongs to our citizens. All Europeans deserve the truth, and we will defend it. Thank you.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. And next speaker is Mister Jungen. For one minute.
Marc Jongen
The biggest danger for democracy in Europe is not Putin or Trump, but the EU Commission run by Ursula von der Leyen. The US House of Representatives report shows that there were hundreds of meetings between Big Tech and the commission and censorship NGOs. And the commission was telling the platforms what should be deleted and what opinions were allowed.
X Book and Facebook were being threatened with penalties if they didn't toe the line. Issues like men and women's sport and COVID theories were being sent. And if they weren't, then there were threats.
In Romania, the elections were canceled without any proof of alleged Russian interference. Anton Hofreiter was saying they wouldn't recognize even the election if Urban won. Also, arbitrarily withholding EU funds was a threat that was made. And that's not democracy. This is cynicism of those in power in action.
You don't want free citizens in Europe. You want subservient citizens. Many of us will follow the US Congress's opinion, and we'll do the same here in Brussels when the majority has changed.
For one minute.
Yesterday.
Fabrice Leggeri
In Romania, then in Hungary, then France, Italy, or Poland, the same methods appear. Pressure on platforms, context for the political debate, all in the pretext of fighting disinformation. The outcome is clear in Hungary.
By weakening Viktor Orban, the commission radicalized the debate, and it has led to the emergence of even tougher forces. So it has stood as an arbiter and has been a factor in disorder. In France, we say there'll be here, there'll be a law against foreign interference.
But who defines interference? Europe and on the front line of Macron to serve their political interests.
It's always the same people, the same leaders, the same people in influence who are trying to frame this debate. We have people like Natalie Lazo, former minister under Macron, and chair of the committee on the so-called democratic shield.
And we understand that behind this fight against interference, what there is above all is a will to discredit the main opposition, the Rassemblement National, all of the patriots in Europe.
So the question is clear. Can we be both the referee and the player? A democracy worthy of its name should say no. Thank you.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mister Piberia. For one minute.
Speaker 243
We've had enough of lessons from Brussels regarding transparency, correctness, freedom, and freedom of speech. Especially since these lessons are given by a hypocritical administration which does not practice what it preaches. How can they, I forget, the commission talk to us about democracy and free elections when the commission itself is involved in election interference.
How can I talk about observing the sovereignty of member states when the guardian of these principles uses instruments such as the DSH to censor censorship of the public opinion and the media? Online media? And how can we talk about impartiality, about transparency? And when we talk about the fact that this commission issues opinions and launches accusations based on the reports of so-called fact checkers who receive money from the European Commission. Let's not forget the house of representatives reports that showed what kind of pressure the commission put on online in order to limit political contact, especially conservatory political contact.
We need real freedom of speech in the European Union if we want to uphold the principles of the European Union, not this mess.
Mr. Siper, for one minute.
Lukas Sieper
Be more transparent, and it's not so easy for them. Dear people of Europe, another debate with just one goal. To dismantle trust in Europe under the false pretext of protecting it.
It starts like this, with doubt.
Speaker 244
With distortion, but let me be very clear, it will not work. You can poison the debate with lies, with fear, with hate, but we will never give up Europe. You can call this union a failure, call it corrupt, call it a lie, call it the enemy.
But we will never give up Europe. You can divide our people, nation against nation, neighbor against neighbor. But we will never give up Europe. And to those who sometimes think there's just too many of them.
Listen.
Speaker 244
There is more of us who believe in freedom, more who believe in democracy, more who believe in Europe. So no matter how loud you shout, we are more, we are stronger, and we are not going anywhere.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Missus Sayat Kowska. For one minute.
Speaker 246
The European Commission is not a custodian of the treaties, but is holding sovereign nations hostage against funding. For a thousand days, NRP funding was withheld in order to force a change in government, that's what happened.
Day after your favorite one, the money was unblocked, although no legislation had been changed. That's not a rule of law. That is just paying money to your vast vassals. You are basically cutting off money to anyone who doesn't kneel before you.
You've done the same in Hungary. The Hungarians and the Italians were threatened as well. If things went the wrong way in the election. This is democracy, according to you. You're blackmailing countries, and you are holding member states hostage.
You have to member states are asking for their own money. We should take the money away from you. We should check whether or not it's really worth paying EU contributions from the member states.
Member, maybe the money should go in the other direction, and the sovereign countries should actually start starving out the EU institutions.
Guido Reil
Thank you, President. I don't need to know more than that this quotation from Ursula von der Leyen that was given in Die Zeit was really a response to a citizen's question whether she should have dealt more strictly with Orban. And she said the unelected, well, the unelected president, von der Leyen, said on this, well, we were very strict with Orban.
€17,000,000,000 was frozen, and for a country like that, that's a significant sum. And when it came to the competitiveness of Hungary, it became very clear. And the voters reflected that at the ballot box.
That is the understanding of democracy of the Commission President. I don't need to know or say any more about it. Strange things happen in this EU in 2024.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Mister Laslo. For one minute.
András László
Politics. And elections of EU member states is a massive scandal that elites in Brussels want to sweep under the rug.
President von der Leyen has publicly admitted that the European Commission was incredibly strict with Prime Minister Orban. The €17,000,000,000 of EU funds that were frozen, she said, were huge for a country of such size. She also said that the impact was clearly visible in the deterioration of Hungary's competitiveness.
Not only that, Hungary was also fined €200,000,000 plus €1,000,000 per day because we don't allow illegal immigrants into Hungary. The European Commission also activated its rapid response system to monitor the online activities and to interfere in the election campaign.
We know from the documents released through freedom of information requests in The United States, the commission doesn't do, that the commission has, in fact, interfered and pressured tech companies to suppress conservative political speech in all European national elections since 2023.
This is a major violation of the EU treaties. President van der Leyen, as well as all commissioner and staff involved, should be investigated and held accountable. Thank you.
Nicolas Bay
President, the European Commission likes to give democracy lessons to the whole world. Every time there are elections, the same information comes up. Disinformation, interference, protecting democracy. Behind these buzzwords is a dangerous threat.
Trend. Opinion surveillance, meddling, contesting, and so on. We saw the European Commission meddle in various issues. There were guidelines for the very big platforms before June 24. Case against TikTok, during the Romanian elections, Britain and in mask and ex-experts and fact checkers, involved in the public debate.
The European Commission cannot become the ideological referee. It cannot decide which opinions are and which ones need to be sidelined. So we want total transparency on the contact between digital platforms, the Commission, and all those involved in elections.
We don't need a Ministry of Truth here in the EU. We need free peoples, free elections. Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 206
Now we will have the commissioner, McGrath, representing the European Commission, closing the debate and replying to the interventions.
Michael McGrath
Thank you very much, Sharon. Can I thank all of the members who contributed to this lively debate? This debate is yet another vivid example that our union is a place where all voices can be heard and everyone can express their views openly.
For free and fair elections are not only about procedure. Are about trust that every vote counts, trust that every vote is cast freely, and trust that every vote is free from manipulation or interference.
Distrust depends on the integrity of our information space. And today, that integrity is under attack. The digital environment in which we all operate offers many opportunities for people to express their views, access information, and interact with one another. Yet this same space has seen an increasing presence of online manipulation techniques such as fake accounts, bots, and artificial amplification of content. These are only facilitated and amplified by the development of AI.
We will continue defending freedom of speech. But legitimate engagement must not be confused with coordinated manipulative behavior bypassing the free will and expression of voters, nor should we mistake algorithmic application for free debate.
Democracy's watchdogs, free media, and civil society organizations face increasing economic, political, and sometimes legal pressure. Foreign interference threats to the integrity of electoral processes are particularly worrying. Hostile actors can also rely on illegal financing, political campaigns, threats and attacks against journalists or politicians, or cyber attacks to disrupt elections. These are existential threats that go to the very core of democratic societies.
The only sustainable and effective way forward is a whole of government, whole of society, and whole of cycle approach to protecting our democracies, firmly rooted in our values. It is in this context that last November, the commission adopted the European shield, and it is also in this spirit that we engage actively with this parliament special committee on the European Democracy Shield.
We want to collectively preserve a democratic space where people can freely express their views, confront opinions, access a variety of information sources, and freely vote, all this without interference. We remain committed to supporting member states in ensuring that elections remain in the hands of our citizens, and we should all respect the decisions of our citizens.
We express them.
Thank you.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much, commissioner. With that, we are closing this debate, and we are moving to the next item on the agenda, that is the commissioner's statement. The need for targeted criminal provisions and platform responsibility to effectively address severe bullying and online harassment.
Speaker 201
To start this important debate, we have Mike commissioner Mike Califf, that will represent the European Commission on this item. You have the floor.
Dear.
Victor Negrescu
President and honorable members, the European Union continues to be globally a front-runner when it comes to the protection of children's rights. This is reflected in both our legal and also in our policy frameworks. The flagship legislation here is the Digital Services Act. This ensures a safety-by-default approach.
Safer Internet, by setting very high standards for the protection and the empowerment of all minors online. And this is the strongest tool that we have in our arsenal. And we have shown, the commission has shown time and again that it is not afraid to use it. Everyone can already see what the real implementation looks like. From TikTok to Grok, and more recently with Meta, the commission has acted swiftly and without hesitation.
I would like here from this podium to thank our services in the commission for their dedicated work, to thank my colleague, executive vice president, Hannah Verkunen, for her strong and firm stance on this important fight. This is what credibility looks like in practice.
Setting the rules and enforcing them. But the commission is not stopping there. We understand that we have a duty and a responsibility to provide clarity on what the obligations in our laws mean.
On what we expect, this is why the commission has developed a blueprint for an age verification solution. This is based on the highest possible standards when it comes to privacy and to data protection.
And yesterday, as a college of commissioners, we adopted a recommendation that paves the way for this to be accessible to all European citizens on their devices. We are clearly laying down the actions that we expect from member states, and we are defining an EU-wide governance.
Moreover, the president has now convened a special panel on child safety online. And on potential age restrictions. The panel brings together experts from the medical, tech, and education sectors. They are also joined by youth, by children, and by parents' representatives. And they are currently assessing what more can be done at the European level.
Are constantly in touch also with the European Parliament intergroup on children's rights. And their recommendations will come before the summer. Because let's make no mistake, this is an issue that needs our urgent attention.
With a quarter of children aged between 12 and 17 years of age, 25 percent of children in Europe experiencing cyberbullying, we have to act quickly. Behind each of these numbers is a person. Behind each of these numbers is a parent, a son, a daughter, and a precious life.
So we cannot afford to hear more heartbreaking stories like the one of Coco, which this chamber heard about last month. And we need to act fast. So, yes, the commission agrees with you, honorable members, that cyberbullying is a serious threat to young people and to their well-being.
This is why, as a college, we sent a strong message with the dedicated action plan on cyberbullying. Stronger together, safer online. We included therein, for the first time, a common understanding of cyberbullying.
A definition. Because understanding creates awareness, and awareness helps to break stigma. And to effectively address this issue. It is also important to remember that at EU level, cyberbullying does not exist in a legal vacuum. There are existing rules that already criminalize it.
When it involves hate speech, incitement of violence, or online abuse. Notably, under the framework decision on racism and xenophobia, and the directive on violence against women. Beyond this, the action plan focuses on three pillars.
First, protection. Here, we make full use of our existing legislation, but we also look at where we can better address cyberbullying in the future. This includes the upcoming review of the digital services guide, Act guidelines under Article 28, and the ones on trusted flaggers. Similarly, we will consider cyberbullying during the ongoing evaluation of the audiovisual media services directive and its review.
The second pillar is prevention. More digital literacy, by teaming up with partners like Safer Internet Centers and the Better Internet for Kids platform. And finally, empowerment. It must be easier to report than bully people online.
We must break silence around cyberbullying. And reporting must make a difference. For the time being, this will be implemented using existing tools. Some measures will be implemented by the commission, and for others, we will team up with member states who can also do a lot.
In addition, strengthening the child guarantee will also contribute to ensure that the protective, preventive, and empowering measures make sure that every child feels safe online as well as offline, with his or her rights and their dignity fully respected.
Speaker 206
You, very commissioner. Now we are moving to the round of political groups, and the first one, it will be Mr. Tobe. Representing the EPP Group. For two minutes.
Tomas Tobé
Thank you, President, Commissioner, colleagues.
The EBP Group is committed to a simple but very important principle. What is legal offline must be legal online.
Tomas Tobé
It is a matter of justice. Yet, across Europe today, this is still not reflected in the law.
Last month in this chamber, we listened to Jackie Fox.
From Ireland.
Tomas Tobé
About the horrific impact of online abuse.
Which ultimately led to her 20-year-old daughter Nicole Coco Fox taking her own life. Unfortunately, her story is not an isolated tragedy. Cyberbullying is one of the most pressing online safety concerns of young people in Europe.
Today.
Tomas Tobé
But Jackie Fox also showed us something else. That justice is possible. In Ireland, has made severe online abuse a crime. It has closed a legal gap and provided victims with clearer protection. And this is the standard that we should uphold across our entire union.
Because protection and justice should not depend on where you live.
It should be the rule across the Union.
That is why the EPP group is calling on the commission to start the work with a proposal to have a European caucus law. We need clear, strong, enforceable EU rules that criminalize severe online abuse.
And finally, colleagues, it is unacceptable that since the start of this month, we lack a clear legal framework to stop the spread of child sexual abuse material online. Also here, we need an initiative from the commission and, of course, together in this house.
Let there be no doubt, abusers must be held to account, and let us stand. On the side of the victims. Thank you.
Speaker 206
Thank you very much. The next speaker is Vice President Barley. For one minute and a half. Representing S and D Group.
Financ.
Katarina Barley
Thank you. The Internet does not forget. The many victims of cyberbullying and digital violence know that all too well. These people live in constant fear that humiliating moments will be repeatedly shown online. And reach a nearly unlimited audience.
Deepfakes make the problem even worse. One in six young people in Europe have experience of digital violence. One in eight of them admit that they have already bullied other people online, and these are incredible figures. So what can we do? There are potential perpetrators who themselves may be very young. They need to understand the impact of what they're doing, and victims need to know how to present themselves. Victims need easy access to reporting systems, reliable support, and support for mental health.
In particular, for vulnerable groups, we must ensure that protection is in place. But the problem with cyberbullying cannot be resolved alone with individual approaches. The responsibility to deal with this cannot remain with young people. We must deal with the business model. Media literacy and digital education are important elements to ensure that, in the long term, we create safe online environments, but platforms should be forced to take responsibility.
The health and safety of young people must come before the profit and greed of tech giants. With violent, pornographic, shocking, and dangerous content. They are trying to make a profit.
The DSA forces them to provide a better level of privacy and protection for minors. In order to achieve this, the commission has set out clear guidelines. This includes that there should be child-appropriate adjustment to algorithms, effective moderation around the clock, warnings, references, helplines, restrictions on comments, complaints procedure for children, and swift and effective deletion of inappropriate content. Unsurprisingly, however, the platforms have not taken up these recommendations, and that is why we need to step up the pressure.
Our standards are not just a request or a friendly warning. They are an obligation. If you want to work on the European market, and we demand them.
Jaroslav Bžoch
Thank you very much for the floor. Dear colleagues, Cyberburi is not a fringe problem. It's a systematic failure of our environment online. Children and adults often face attacks which have no real consequences for the perpetrators. According to polls, every sixth child has encountered some form of cyberbullying, and these are only the cases that we know of.
If we are being serious, we need not only declarations, we need specific steps defining responsibility for online abuse, and we need enforceable responsibility of large platforms. They earn their profits in Europe, but they don't feel responsible for what happens to their products.
Even though many people say that they were at some point in their lives witnesses of online abuse. But there is an uncomfortable truth. We are failing in education, not even parents have the basic skills online. They often leave their children unsupervised on WhatsApp or other chat platforms, where they can chat in closed groups without any supervision whatsoever.
According to Eurobaramative, 40 percent of grown up feel they do not have sufficient knowledge to supervise their children online. If we don't consolidate the law, education, and responsibility, we will never deal with these problems.
Speaker 255
This is not about regulating the Internet. This is about protecting the weakest among us.
Thank you very much. Mister Cavidanya.
Stefano Cavedagna
Madam. President, one out of six children has been the victim of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is the main reason why people phone the relevant centers that we call the blue numbers in Italy. These are numbers. They are real lives, real children, who aren't getting help online or offline.
This is a serious problem, and we must tackle it head-on in a serious manner. We have to fight against this phenomenon, which knows no borders, but we shouldn't fight against it with new directives and more bureaucracy.
Let us make sure that we implement and enforce legislation that we have. Yes. Platforms should shoulder responsibility, but there should also be parental controls, and parents should play their role.
Italy has already shown the way with the law 1724 and Decree 99 stroke 2025. Thanks to all of these, Meloni has set up a comprehensive system. Parents and teachers also have to be put in a position where they can play the role.
Speaker 257
It shouldn't be about ideology, because sometimes this is what happens in this house. Thank you very much. Missus Siflova Ostrijonova.
Ľubica Karvašová
They bully and are bullied. One in 6 teenagers experiences online bullying.
This is the reality of the Internet that we know today.
I often hear that the Internet is a free space. Well, it is not. It is a space where algorithms reward hate. The more you attack someone, the more likes you get.
Group chats where men encourage one another to drug and assault women and exchange tips on how to get away with that. A pro-government extremist who spreads hateful speech, and colleagues even here among us who normalize. This behavior. And yet, we leave everyone to navigate this space on their own. And that is not fair.
It is our responsibility here to set the rules. Especially for children. Cyberbullying must be a criminal offense across the European Union. And I don't know about those sitting in the far end of this chamber, but I refuse to live in a Europe where the loudest voice is the one that intimidates. The most.
Thank you.
Markéta Gregorová
Dear colleagues, mostly from EPP, as you initiated this resolution, if you truly want to tackle cyberbullying, let me give you one piece of advice. Call your fellow party member Ursula von der Leyen, and tell her to enforce the DSA properly. Tell her that we need to have social media with safety by design, where safety comes before profit, and where our values are reflected in platform's algorithms. Tell her that age verification and banning minors from social media is not the solution to all of our problems. But most of all, remind her that economic interests like Germany selling more cars to the US must not come before our safety when she negotiates with Trump.
Call your numerous ministers across Europe, and tell them this. Stop cutting funds for education and NGOs fighting against this issue. Enhance education, empower parents, and don't push back on pending modifiers. And finally, don't spread hate. Make sure that women, the queer community, and everyone else feel safe and welcome in Europe.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mrs. Sarah Sanchez.
Thank you, President.
Commissioner.
Speaker 261
The techno oligarchs are doing business with online violence. I think you need to connect two realities. Firstly, a New Mexico jury in the US said that Meta should pay an enormous fine for hiding points to enable sexual exploitation of children.
And then there has been another ruling, this time in Los Angeles, which again found Mehta guilty of addictive design on Instagram. So what do these rulings tell you? They tell you that violence on digital platforms is not an accident. It has to do with design. It's deliberate encouragement of violence.
And secondly, you can go to a school where bullying takes place. Any school where this takes place. And you know what you want, you need prevention, training, clear rules, protocols, ways to report, to deal with machoism and racism, involvement of families, and above all, it's important that the school actually wants to deal with the bullying.
And what is happening with digital platforms is that the response is to say that those who have ownership are not responsible. That they just want to do business without violence. And there is no real social pressure.
Instead, you have algorithms which actually fuel this violence, and mean that these are not safe spaces, because Trump's friends do not want to face up to this. They actually just want to make profits.
Because cyberbullying is bullying, and the platforms are like schools where the bullies have taken charge. And so until we face up to the fact that those bullies are in control and they own the digital platforms. All that we do in the institutions will be a dead letter.
What we need is clear rules to deal with violence. Thank you.
Speaker 232
Colleagues. The Digital Services Censorship Act is not enough. It hasn't fought against cyberbullying, and so now we have more restrictions. And once again, SARS NGOs are getting more competence or should get more competence.
Colleen Fernandez is case showed. We had the usual sus with hate aid involved in that. So what's this really about? It's about censoring the opposition. Let's just look at the fact.
In Germany alone, in 2025, there are 40,000 reports of Internet comments made. And then just this year, in February alone, on one day, 140 houses were searched. I mean, imagine that. That's the sort of intimidation that's going on because of what people say on their online.
Robert. Havok, former minister, was called an idiot by a pensioner, and they then ended up being sentenced by a court. But he's actually just stating a fact.
Thank you very much, Mr. Lenars.
Jeroen Lenaers
Thank you, madam president. Last month, we sat in this chamber and we listened to Jackie Fox as she shared the story of a daughter, Coco, and how online bullies ultimately, and tragically, pushed her to suicide. A very powerful speech, and we rightfully gave her a standing ovation.
Last week, I met another mother. Whose son took his own life after intimate messages of him were circulated online. Her grief is unimaginable, but what haunts her still today is this. No one can tell her with certainty that those images of her son are no longer circulating somewhere on the web today. And what if there had been a simple button for her son to push to delete these images permanently.
Perhaps Glenn would still be alive today. And this is the reality behind our legislative gaps. We rightfully celebrate here in this parliament when we're successful in getting nudifying apps banned.
But what good does it do if we fail to stop the harm they produce if we can't even detect the material they produce? We cannot protect victims by tying the hands of those who could prevent abuse from spreading.
Yes. The creators of such content are responsible. Those who share it are responsible. Those who enjoy it are responsible. But we must also be honest.
If we fail to equip our systems to stop it, if we hesitate to close known legislative gaps, we carry a share of that responsibility. We need proportionate voluntary detection of child sexual abuse material so that platforms and authorities can act before harm and abuse multiply.
We owe victims and their families more than standing ovations. We owe them an action. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Missus Incheer.
Commissioner.
Evin Incir
Colleagues, while digital spaces offer connection and learning, children and youngsters are also exposed to serious risks. As cyberbullying and harassment. Cyberbullying and harassment harms mental health, confidence, and safety tackling.
It must be one of our central work. We already have some of the necessary tools. We have the DSA, the Digital Service Act. We have the AI Act and the General Data Protection Regulations set clear protections. But they must be fully enforced.
Online platforms must take responsibility and face consequences if they refuse. We also need an effective age verification system on online platforms with a clear minimum age to better protect minors from harmful content.
With strategies like better Internet for kids, we have a direction. Now we need a stronger oversight, more transparency, and above all.
More.
Actions.
Thank you very much, Mr. Stanik.
Madam.
Tobiasz Bocheński
President, colleagues, the action plan for a safer Internet goes in the right direction. It protects children.
It raises the issue of prevention, and it implements coordination. But let's be frank. Safe Internet is not created in institutions. It is created at home. No application, no strategy, no action plan.
Will replace parents who take interest in their children who know what they're doing online, who set limits. As patriots, we refuse the illusion that every failure can be resolved by another EU initiative.
Europe should help. It should not be replaced. It should support. It should not take over the responsibility. Cyberbullying is a major issue, but its roots are not technological.
They have to do with the environment, the society, and the relationships. We have to strengthen the family. If we want to protect children, we have to start there. Thank you.
Mrs. Aleska.
Missus Aleska.
Anna Zalewska
President, commissioner, yes.
Hate is a deadly serious issue, but it's difficult to talk about it in the parliament when the parliament has this firewall around groups and can't talk to its opponents.
It's difficult to talk about this subject when hate is also coming from this pulpit here. Where wokeism is promoted, where some members of particular political groups are creating memes that dehumanize and hold in condemnation. And basically stop us from having a serious debate about this.
It's difficult for me as a Pole where in my country, our government says that there is a horde of haters attacking their opponents. But we must do something. Of course, we have to do something.
The platforms have to be held accountable. Yes. We need education, and not just education of children, but also of parents so that they can keep an eye on what their children are doing.
Psychological support is necessary. Rapid reaction and capable provisions are required. But we don't want limitations on our freedom. We don't want more red tape, especially when that's not actually going to change anything.
Speaker 267
Thank you very much, miss. Thank you very much, Madam President, Commissioner McAlef. Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues have already said that one out of six teenagers is the victim of cyberbullying, and one out of eight admits to have taken part in cyberbullying. And this is the main reason.
Cyberbullying is the main reason for contacting safer Internet centers. And I'd like to ask you how many more suicides and how much more self-harm are we going to allow before we do something about this? Cyberbullying is something urgent.
It's an urgent health issue, and we need to speak to the platforms. We need penalties against them if they don't do what they should. The DSA has to be implemented fully without the temporary suspension of platforms that don't toe the line.
And we should go further with a harmonized digital majority. There's also a hotline in France, a cyberbullying hotline, 38, and I think this is something that we should also do in other parts of Europe.
Speaker 268
Commissioner Mikhailov, I know you will rise to the occasion. Let's put an end to platform impunity. Our children's rights are non-negotiable. Thank you very much, Mr. Lagodinsky.
Sergey Lagodinsky
18% of all children, one in six children, are victims of cyberbullying, and this is not normal. It cannot. It may not become the new generational normalcy.
We cannot accept this.
Sergey Lagodinsky
But with structural solutions. What's the difference? Age verification or social media bans are quick fixes. They are not going into the real solution.
And the real solution is the business model. How do we tackle that? By DSA.
DSA implementation is what we need.
We need to switch off the recommended systems by default. We need to crack down on dark patterns. We need to mandate platforms to share their data with researchers. And what we need is a ban on notifiers, something that this house has proposed and something that the EPP together with some representatives of the commission and with the German government have hijacked yesterday during the negotiations for AI act.
Omnibus. And this is the unacceptable truth, and this truth has to be changed. We need a ban of nudifiers to combat CSAM.
Thank you very much.
Catarina Martins
Missus Martens, thank.
You, president. Commissioner. With the digital platforms, the real crime is the business model. Violence is fundamental to that model. One in six of our children has been victims of cyberbullying, and one in every ten children has been on the receiving end of violence, insults, hate, or images shared without consent.
We have cyberbullying in schools, or cyberbullying directed against women. They're not the same, but they're both fed by these machines. The cultural breeding ground for all of this is the manosphere.
And that is something that some of you in this chamber actually stand up for. So what we need is prevention. We need there to be real consequences for the real crimes that are destroying lives.
Digital platforms cannot be some kind of legal offshore structure. The Digital Services Act should have real consequences. Otherwise, it's no point.
Miltiadis Anadiotis
Thank you very much, Mr. Anadiotis. Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, cyberbullying isn't just a mere digital phenomenon. It constitutes a genuine threat to dignity, privacy, and even to the very lives of our citizens, especially young people and children.
Nowadays in the EU, we're still going about our business without a common definition or a single criminal framework. Perpetrators are hiding behind anonymity, and anonymity is a fundamental element of the freedom on the Internet, but it's turning into more of a shield of impunity. We cannot allow the protection of anonymity to crush victims' rights, the right to privacy, the protection of personal data, and safety.
We mustn't ignore a danger that is lurking there. How can we make sure that the necessary protection of victims will not lead us to curtailing freedom of expression? If we impose excessively harsh penalties on the platforms, will they not take down content en masse? And preventively, even if it is legal, content, just to cover their backs. That is why we have to be careful because this could lead to self censorship. So we need clear rules, balance, and accountability.
Without freedom, we cannot have a safe digital environment, but we cannot have a safe digital environment without responsibility either. So we need a balanced approach, strong victim protection without breaching fundamental freedoms.
Speaker 273
What Europe needs to think about isn't safety or freedom, but safety and freedom. Thank you very much. Miss Dupont.
Madam.
Christine Anderson
It erodes trust in society, and it can ultimately, and we just heard the reminder of Caucus example here, put the life of children at risk.
Contrary to their public humiliation, in group chats and social media forums, gaming channels, effectively in real life, victims far too often suffer in silence.
Because they feel not seen.
Christine Anderson
They feel not taken seriously, that their interest and their vulnerability do not matter. For years now, reports and warnings have been skyrocketing. By now, one in six children between the ages of 11 and 15 in Europe alone states that they have been victim to cyberbullying. It's high time to end that.
For that, we need a clear mixture of short, mid, and long term.
Instruments, instruments that we need to strengthen because they are already there, and new ones where we need to deploy the possibilities.
Digital literacy and prevention, including all relevant actors, are important. Further support helplines and ease their usage across the EU are also very important. But we also need to assess the possibilities of streamlining EU's and member states' approaches, foster a common understanding and definition, and if needed, streamline criminal law.
Ultimately, we need to strengthen law enforcement's capacity and possibility to react and plead to ourselves. Let's not simply accept that there are legal gaps and put them forward as normal.
Let's act. On it.
Thanks.
Christel Schaldemose
Missus Shaldimose, vice president, Cyber.
Bullying is not just a word on the screen. It has real consequences for real children and young people. And we know the life on social media. Cyberbullying is just one of many negative consequences.
That our young can meet. And for far too long, the platforms have earned money from harassment and humiliation. We cannot accept that.
With the DSA, we made an important step.
Christel Schaldemose
We said that what is illegal offline is also illegal online, and we gave the platforms responsibility. But we're not quite there yet because it continues to happen. We find them, but not enough is happening. So we have to talk about stronger frameworks that go for the criminal area as well.
I think we have to think about whether the platform should be held responsible when we can see that time and again they do not do enough to protect our children and our young. We have to take our responsibility seriously.
Speaker 276
We have to make sure that something happens so that we can protect our. Thank you very much, missus Magoni.
Isabella Motadoni
Thank you very much, madam president. Thank you, commissioner. Cyberbullying isn't an exception nowadays. It is a daily presence in young people's lives. More and more people check or Google cyber bullying and how to protect themselves from it. It is happening more and more even in primary schools, but the most worrying data is that most victims don't seek help. Cyberbullying remains invisible even when it is in people's daily lives.
And it doesn't turn off when you turn off the screen. It is part of your identity, school's homes. So the question is, how widespread is it? The question is, why aren't we managing to stop it? Because we act too late, because we don't prevent enough, and we tolerate online, but we wouldn't tolerate it offline.
We need families and schools that are prepared. We need platforms that act quickly. Because digital freedom without responsibility isn't freedom. It is abandonment. Thank you very much.
Thank you. You, chair.
Shut up, you stupid bitch.
Speaker 278
You are just a token diversity hire. What an insufferable and dull individual.
You are a fucking traitor in Ivargo to the Irish people. These are just a handful of the cons left on my ex-account. When I report them to x, and to Ireland's national media regulator, nothing happens.
Women in politics are 27 times more likely to face online abuse than their male colleagues. These abuses and threats have happened to half of female parliamentarians. Abuse and threats like this are part of our daily life.
Therefore, I am calling on the commission to step up and introduce strict, targeted criminal provisions. Jackie Fox stood before this very parliament a while ago and spoke about her 21-year-old daughter, who died by suicide.
After receiving a slew of horrific online abuse. This house has a duty to protect European women in the digital space, to protect our daughters, our sisters, and our mothers. Come on, women. Together, we can do it.
Colleagues.
Kim Van Sparrentak
No child or woman should ever have to go through with COG.
Coco had to go through. Let her suffering not be in vain. And today, everyone here from left to right will commit to stop online harassment. But last night, we could have banned all Notifier AI tools and tools to generate child abuse in Europe.
And then the Christian Democrats, conservatives, and PFEs stalled negotiations on this topic for eight hours, ending in no deal because banning AIs that generate images of your exposed breasts and exposed buttocks without your consent is, according to them, too much.
Companies.
Kim Van Sparrentak
They would prefer only to ban AI generating female nipples or fully naked bumps. By being so overly specific, we risk arbitrary results and actually legitimize abuse. AI creating an image of you with a G-string or just covering nipples with stars would suddenly be a legal thing.
You aren't supporting a ban. You support a menu for abuse. I call on all right wing politicians that have committed to end online harassment today, talk some sense into your colleagues.
Notifiers are abuse, hopefully, we can ban this form of cyberbullying once and for all.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Javier Zarzalejos
President, commissioner. Well, if we are having this debate today it is because we do feel that neither the European Union nor member states are providing the right responses or at least are providing them in the right time.
Technology seems to be outpacing us. As if we were unable to address the reality of children's digital lives. And, yes, we need to take decisions. Let me put an example.
Because while I am confident in the positive outcome of the current negotiations with the council on a permanent cease and prevention regulation. The fact is that now, at this very moment, we lack a legal framework for allowing the detection of child sexual abuse material online.
Yes. We need clear definitions. We need the amortization of criminal provisions. We need strong enforcement of the EU rules. The digital space is increasingly challenging, to say the least, for children, for their integrity, for their mental health, and for their education.
And we should consider a whole range of measures. Most of them can be based on actual legal instruments. Enhanced risk assessment with a specific focus on minors. Specific mitigation measures including appropriate parental controls or effective age verification mechanisms, detection measures, human content moderation, effective and accessible mechanisms ensure that the swift action required when the civil bullying situation or a cease and desist material is identified or reported.
If cyberbullying, sexism, if grooming, and sexual distortion are entering our homes and target our children, it is due to a great extent to a sense of impunity of perpetrators, and that must end.
Thank you.
Speaker 283
Mister Zarzalevos, there is a blue card for you.
Please, madam Vizniewski, for thirty seconds.
I'm here.
Jadwiga Wiśniewska
Thank you. Thank you very much. President, I am convinced that we are all concerned. I'm convinced that we are all concerned about the welfare of children.
The. Fact that the regulation on protecting children didn't go through the parliament is something that we all lament. But I wonder, sir, if you don't think we should effectively use the DSA in order to protect children.
Mister Salsalejos.
Javier Zarzalejos
Yes. Once the interim regulation expired, the DSA is probably the only legal instrument that we can use, but it is insufficient. We need a specific regulation concerning the specific risks, threats, and the measures to protect minors. That is what we are doing. But in the meantime, I think we should consider measures to prevent any legal gap in the detection and reporting of child sexual abuse online.
Brando Benifei
You. Very much, sir. Mister Benifay, thank you very much, madam president. Commissioner, in Italy, 34 percent of teenagers have been the victims of cyberbullying. This is the product of platforms that make a profit on HATE.
We have to change course immediately. The commission has said that Meta doesn't stop the 13-year-old kids from using it, and we know what the impact is. They knew about this, but they chose not to act. Teenagers, LGBTQ, and minors are paying the highest price. AI has turned this into systematic violence.
Just recently, in ACRI in Calabria, 200 miners saw their own images turn into deepfakes. And this is just the beginning of what could be a real, landslide and slippery slope. We have to make sure that we implement rules with real penalties and sanctions.
We have to ban nonconsensual nudifiers, and we have to invest in schools' psychological support, and the proper culture. Let us not waste any more time. Thank you very much, mister Torcelli.
Marco Tarquinio
In. These last three seconds, somewhere in Europe, a child has received a message that is humiliating him or her in front of others. He or she cannot delete it and cannot defend himself or herself because it's online. But online humiliation is never-ending.
You've all said it, one out of six adolescents report that they were bullied online. And there's also, I would say that given the situation, we need more school, more awareness raising, but also more family. It isn't enough to be scandalized when you hear about the most recent bully. When were the ones who just come up with hate online.
The government tried to bolster prevention, but now, at the moment, we need the courage to take the next step. We need true accountability, true rules, but without exploiting this because if we want to fight against cyberbullying, we need pragmatism and not ideology.
Thank you very much, missus Henriksson.
Anna-Maja Henriksson
President. Commissioner. We heard from Jackie Fox in this chamber, and her emotive description of the terrible bullying and attacks on her daughter. Tragically, she then took her own life. Now that should have been a signal to all of us.
Jackie's daughter is not the only one, and it shows that we as a society have failed. We have failed to protect our children and young people sufficiently in this digital world in which we now live.
This house has to now take a step forward and say enough is enough. We must demand that platforms do more. They bear a heavy responsibility, as do the perpetrators, of course.
In the past, bullying was in the school playground. Now bullying is coming home with the children as well. We have to take that seriously, and we adults also have enough responsibility and must Mr. Stoltenberg, Mrs. Stalenberg.
Anna Strolenberg
Billions to create addictive and inescapable online worlds. Pennies to deal with the fallout of it, tech companies have spent fortunes tweaking algorithms targeting even younger users, and creating the most eye-catching online worlds.
But the moment their users are there, they are on their own.
Speaker 290
Unrestricted cyberbullying has nothing to do with me, says Zuckerberg.
Anna Strolenberg
Or harassment epidemic and sounds like a you problem, Musk would say.
The result is serious.
Anna Strolenberg
Deep fakes, sexual abuse, grooming, and online widespread violence. And this violence affects everyone, but women are targeted most.
Especially young girls.
Anna Strolenberg
Politicians, journalists, women are actively pushed out of the public debates, afraid of being abused. And these problems are not accidental. They are built into the system. Algorithms boost what polarizes, sexualizes, it amplifies what shocks.
We must hold these platforms to account.
It's them who we must take the lead in bringing this harassment epidemic to an end.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, Missus Glavik.
Sunčana Glavak
Thank you, colleagues. You are disgusting. You are looking at me in a disgusting way. What kind of hair do you have? These are the statements why cyberbullying needs to be criminalized.
These provisions are only in a few member states. And it is not defined what cyberbullying is. Children in the European Union need to be equally protected regardless of where they live. This is not a virtual problem. This is a real problem.
And it is connected with depression, anxiety, and other disorders. This is why I call on the commission that they don't stop with recommendations but that they work for targeted legal provisions.
In Ireland, we now have prison sanctions for perpetrators of cyberbullying. We know how many children are victims. These are real lives. These are not only numbers. And violence does not have an ideology, but it does have consequences.
And we have heard what these consequences are, and this is why we need a common, clear framework, because cyberbullying leaves a digital trace forever. We need to act now and criminalize cyberbullying.
Thank you.
Marc Angel
And dear commissioner, dear colleagues, one quick anonymous click for the aggressor, long-lasting consequences for the victim. Online spaces have become a fertile ground for harassment and cyberbullying, especially affecting children.
Parents feel powerless. Children continue to suffer. Families are left alone. To deal with tragedy.
Marc Angel
Children across our union deserve the same level of protection regardless of where they live.
That requires a coordinated and consistent European approach.
And as socialists and democrats, we have welcomed the commission's action plan seeking to build a common understanding of cyberbullying, improving reporting, and strengthening prevention. But let us be clear. We already have a strong instrument. The Digital Services Act, the AI act, give us means to act against harmful content and unsafe systems. But implementation remains patchy.
Why does Europe still hesitate to hold platforms accountable even when the well-being of our children is at stake? We call on the commission and on the member states to fully enforce existing rules and ensure that platforms take real responsibility, and we also want streamlining of criminal law in the union and in the member states. This is about protection, dignity, and safety, and our children deserve nothing less.
Thank you.
Özlem Demirel
Vice president. Commissioner, Commissioner, if parents are having to bury their children, something is going wrong in the European Union. It's not the right order. And it shouldn't be the case that the mother of a murdered daughter feels that she has to fight forever to explain here in the European Parliament.
What has happened to her daughter? Something has gone wrong in the European Union Commission, and it's not acceptable that we are now starting to deal with this. In legal terms.
The Internet is not a public playground. And the Internet is not a marketplace. On the Internet, companies earn money, and those companies have a responsibility. It's not a free public space. Every second, money is being earned, and we don't just need one conference after another.
We need a commission president that really deals with these companies to protect our children. It's not acceptable that children are dying in the European Union. Act now and stop talking.
Thank you.
Lena Schilling
Colleagues, today, I'd like to speak for those voices that we can no longer hear. The voices of young people who are not living in playgrounds, but their lives are broken down into comments.
And it's great that we're having another debate about how we can solve this. But dear EPP, you have the power to change the lives of these people. We're here today, and then we all leave the room, and we say how important that was.
We didn't change anything. And we have the tools in our hands. You have the tools in your hands. Yesterday in the trialogue. And in the future, there will be many other issues coming up, for example, on the DSA.
But at the end of the day, it's young people across Europe, and they count on you. They want you to finally take responsibility that you owe to them. There are so many people who have stood here and said we owe this to our children, but we really do owe them. And instead of that, in Austria, the People's Party has decided that the NGOs that are actually dealing with this to support children, those NGOs should be weakened and their budget should be cut. You should finally shoulder your responsibility and listen to the voices of those children who can no longer speak.
Thank you very much, Missus Adamovich.
Magdalena Adamowicz
President commissioner, how many more children will have to take their own lives before we call cyber violence a crime? How many children will see their photos used by AI to create pornography? How many women will be blackmailed with the threat of publishing private photos? How many children are gonna be dragged into dangerous games online? Cyber violence is keeping people awake at night and causing damage, and nobody can deal with it alone. And the content lasts forever. Online.
And people don't want to continue living under these conditions. Photographs illegally distributed online have caused, for example, Coco to take her own life. We want that sort of, we want a law against that sort of thing for the whole of the EU, and that's why I've drafted a resolution.
And I call on all of you to vote in favor of it. Cyberbullying is taking lives, but the perpetrators are still enjoying impunity.
Let's see.
Presidenta, thank you, president.
Commissioner.
Marcos Ros Sempere
Names can be deceiving. We call it cyberbullying, for example, as if the harm remained on the screen online, but that's not how it is. Online bullying continues after you switch off your phone. It continues with the child in their bedroom. It pursues the child on its way to school.
It creates fear, anxiety. It creates a lack of self-esteem. And we need to say that's enough. It's not acceptable that one in 6 children in the European Union say that they have suffered from cyberbullying. And we do have the tools at our disposal.
We have the Digital Services Act, which is in force. Why are we not using it? Why are we not enforcing it in full? Why is it that there are huge rich companies who are making money out of our attention and the attention of vulnerable people? Why don't we remove them from their websites? Need to confront this abuse with a law in our hands and continue to make progress in awareness raising and education, as is said in the report that we are drafting, because although the bullying is called digital, the consequences are profoundly real.
Thank you.
Laura Ballarín Cereza
Time had come to take action and to make this an offense. A lot of people turned to me and said, can we not do something to stop this? So much news about nonconsensual images shared on WhatsApp, images of women and children, because it's always women and children in our images that are circulating on the Internet.
And every time we hear about mental health issues, suicides, or attempted suicide because of cyberbullying. We realized that there is irreparable damage. This kind of harm isn't allowed in the physical world, so it shouldn't be allowed in the digital world. Education, training, awareness-raising, are key. These are tools we have to harness to create a true culture of respect and responsibility.
And all political parties and groups should set the example. What is also clear is that current legislation has loopholes, and we need criminal law frameworks that are harmonized. So that cyberbullying and online harassment are treated as the serious crimes that they are, so we can make headway? Thank you.
Speaker 302
Every. Day like you, I read another story of a child harmed by the online world, another statistic, another life changed. And when children are on platforms they're not supposed to be on, harm only increases.
Speaker 303
Today, the European Commission has preliminarily found that Meta may be in breach of the Digital Services Act, for failing to properly prevent minors from accessing platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
This absolutely matters. Because when age safeguards fail, children are exposed earlier, longer, and more intensely to environments where cyberbullying thrives.
Algorithms amplify harmful content, and abuse spreads faster than it can be contained. I'm proud that Ireland has taken action that targeted laws on cyberbullying. Since 400 charges and summonses issued.
That shows progress. Shows accountability can work. But one country acting alone is simply not enough. We need an EU-wide legislation that holds both perpetrators and platforms accountable, real enforcement, clear rules, and real consequences. We need to do this for the mother called Jackie Fox, and, of course, we owe it to Nicole Coco Fox.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Mr. Lopez Aguilar.
Thank you, President.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
Commissioner McAuliffe, cyberbullying, no doubt, affects all Europeans. It affects millions of people across the 27 member states. And it particularly hits vulnerable people, women, children, I'm sure. And it's not just something which moves us. It's something which should encourage us to act.
And it can't just be about parental control, and it's not just about digital literacy, nor is it just about coordinating national strategies. We need to have a European-level response. And first and foremost, we need to deal with the big tech platforms and their unacceptable business models because they are undermining fundamental rights. So we really value and we need to ensure that they comply with the Digital Services Act and all the European legislation. We need to have exemplary penalties if they do not take down illegal content.
But secondly, the commission has come forward with an initiative to make cyberbullying a European crime. Clear definitions, common standards, and common penalties applying to all European criminal codes so that we can also deal in criminal legal terms with cyberbullying. It really is something which deserves to be described as a crime.
Speaker 304
Thank you very much. Please respect your speaking time. Thank you very much. Mister Arias Echevarria is next. Thank you very much, Madam President, commissioner. The European measures against cyberbullying are not commensurate with the gravity of the situation. They do not rise to the occasion.
The cyberbullying plan tries to clearly define the problem. We have to offer clear solutions that are decisive. Ireland has shown us the way, and Jackie Fox, Coco's mother's valiant speech and testimony, encourages us to do something about this.
I listened to her a few weeks ago, and we were all extremely moved in the chamber. It is clear that we're not doing enough. As was mentioned in the previous plenary, we want to continue the legacy of Coco's Law. We need harmonization of the criminal law.
We need to impose obligations on platforms. We need penalties if the rules are not respected. Cyberbullying knows no borders. Inaction is not a solution. We have to take action on a European level.
Pina Picierno
Let us harness Jackie's example so that what happened to Coco never happens to anyone else. Thank you very much. Vice President Picerno. Thank you very much, president. Online harassment and cyberbullying have to lead to consequences.
We mustn't think that because they're committed online, there shouldn't be consequences, because it has a huge impact on the lives of children, minorities, women, teenagers. We're talking about a huge impact. Sometimes the impact is dramatic. And the perpetrators need to be made aware of this. And perpetrators should not be given the possibility to hide behind the anonymity provided by the Internet.
Of course, we have made progress with the DSA, the AI Act, but these steps are not enough. More than anything, often, there's a lack of implementation. So as we just said, when we talked about online gender-based violence, we have there is an urgent need to come up with a clear European definition of cyberbullying. We also need clear prevention measures and punishment of these crimes. All of this has to be enshrined in EU treaties. We need prosecution across the EU.
We know that the effects of cyberbullying can be terrible. We're talking about terrible scars that have a huge impact on people's lives. And we're called upon to take action. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Mrs. Doherty.
Regina Doherty
Thank you, President. I want to speak directly to anybody who has ever been abused or attacked online, and, unfortunately, there are far too many.
But I want you to know that we see you, but we also clearly see the need to protect you.
When I was a kid, when you got home, at least the bullying stopped. Now it follows you into your home.
Into your bedroom, into your pocket, into your thoughts, there's literally no escape from it.
And the truth is some of the people in this house don't want to admit. We all should want to see what's illegal offline, illegal online, full stop.
Ireland didn't wait. After the tragic death of Coco Fox and the relentless courage of her mother, Jackie, who you all met last month, we acted, and we brought in Coco's Law.
We made it a crime to abuse, harass, or exploit somebody online, and now there are real, tangible consequences. So you have to ask the commission, why is Europe still dragging its feet? Because right now, our laws are not keeping up.
Platforms cannot keep profiting from abuse.
While pretending they're powerless to stop us. And we in Ireland have proven that this can be done. So the question now is, what's Europe waiting for? Thank you.
Mister Cunia, please.
Paulo Cunha
Thank you.
President. Well, cyberbullying is something we're seeing increase right across the European Union. It's one of the most visible parts of a terrible digital crisis that's affecting our youngest citizens. We're seeing that particularly in the digital sphere, and that means that victims have nowhere to hide. They're bullied at home or at work, and then they're also bullied at home. Via their mobile phone.
We need to provide a clear response here. The law in Ireland shows that it is possible to allocate criminal responsibility for bullying online. And also to help the victims. Now the path from here is that we need to recognize that the Internet is not somewhere where everything is allowed. What you do online must have consequences.
But we can't act only on those who commit these crimes. Platforms have a share of responsibility as well. They can't continue to benefit from models amplify abusive content. They need to act when they fail. They need to be held responsible when they fail to protect victims.
Speaker 307
We also need to prevent what's happening and protect people. We want to see the commission moving forward. Thank you.
Mister Kelly, please.
Kramagos.
Seán Kelly
Ultron, commissionaire. Thank you, president.
And commissioner, questions are posed in the shattered lives of those left behind.
What did we do to deserve this? What could we have done to prevent it? Why us? We, Jackie Fox's daughter, Nicola, was tragically taken from her, she turned these questions into a mission.
She pushed. She marched. She fought, and through her strength and determination, saw Coco's Law enacted in Ireland, which criminalized the vile cyberbullying that led to Nicola's death. In the three years since Caucus Law was enacted, there have been almost 100 prosecutions for cyberbullying in Ireland.
Behind each of these prosecutions is a victim. There is a person, a family, an entire community who deserve justice. Coco's Law is a means to that end. And is already deterring would-be bullies from these two elections in the first place.
I thank my EPP colleagues in particular who have enthusiastically championed the cause of making Caucus law a European law. Must act now. We've seen the impact caucus law has had in Ireland. We must make Caucus Law a European law, and we must do so now.
I. Hope that we'd be able to pass this law soon.
Seán Kelly
With the support from the parliament here. This is something that Coco and her mother Jackie both deserve.
Speaker 283
Many thanks. Thank you. That concludes this debate. Well, we now move on to the catch-the-eye procedure. We have 7 people signed up. We can take all those speakers. But colleagues, I would nevertheless ask you to stick to your speaking time.
So, Missus Carberry, please, first.
Nina Carberry
Thank you. You, madam president. Imagine a child too frightened to walk into their classroom.
Too frightened to face someone abusing them online. Around 1 in 4 young people in Ireland experience this. And it goes beyond bullion. Last year, 1.2 million children across 11 countries reported being targeted by deepfake sexual abuse. These numbers are horrifying.
And just this week, European police raised serious concerns about a growing online network. The Com. Encouraging children as young as seven and eight to self-harm and to harm others.
Clear action is needed urgently. In Ireland, Jackie Fox has led the way. After her daughter, Nicole, died by suicide following sustained online bullying. Jackie turned unimaginable grief into action. Her campaign led to Kocher's law criminalizing severe online abuse.
On sharing the intimate sharing of intimate images without consent. That same protection must now be extended across the entire the EU. So, commissioner, just as Jackie showed determination in Ireland, Europe must now show the same resolve now.
Thank you.
Speaker 311
Senoras, Ladies and gentlemen, the digital era gives opportunities but also risks. The way in which we communicate has changed. Online protection needs to be a priority, particularly for minors. Cyberbullying and online sexual harassment, we all see how necessary it is to protect children from these threats.
Need to find solutions from different approaches, support for families, limiting access to platforms, as well as the responsibility of young people. And anybody who commits these crimes should not go unpunished.
We have techniques to do this, and we shouldn't make the mistake of giving that responsibility to organizations that don't act independently, and it could expose young people to more risks. So let's trust those who have competence in this.
Our forces of law enforcement bodies. And we have to respect privacy, of course. We want safety in all senses. Otherwise, this is not a solution. You're looking for an excuse to threaten other rights.
Thank you.
Thank you, mister Tinkinen, now, please.
Speaker 312
Thank you. Thank you very much, Kim. Indeed. President.
1984 is George Orwell's 80-year-old dystopian novel. And in this, in the novel, every step and every thought of the citizens are followed by the state. Today, this has become a reality where people are arrested for their contributions.
On social media. George Owossod proved an example rather than a warning, rather than an example to follow. And I believe that EU measures to be taken across the cyberbullying could they are a devastating phenomenon, but please do not use this as an excuse to launch new EU initiatives to promote the surveillance of online activity.
Speaker 283
The EU should be an economic union or was Buchwitz remain a fiction? We have, mister, please.
Murtze Mersk.
Speaker 313
Thank you very much. Well, we're talking about children who commit suicide.
Here.
Speaker 313
Children who went online are also perhaps children who wanted to take their lives. But were prevented from doing so for whatever reason. Now there are also children in Ukraine who suffered, children in Romania suffered as a result of the war because they couldn't leave their homes at times.
But the European Parliament and the Commission haven't really done anything to help these children. I mean, so many children are left without education. They're left illiterate, and that's because of your policies.
I mean, you don't seem to worry when governments effect, violate, excuse me, children's and women's rights, unless they're on side. Mister Sokol, now please.
Tomislav Sokol
One in 6 young people are victims of harassment online. Violence of digital platforms is expanding rapidly and leaves long-standing consequences, especially on young people and children despite existing European legislation. Cyberbullying is on the increase. Unfortunately, victims are not evenly protected.
Safety should not depend on where one resides. At the same time, there are more and more complex forms of harassment, from sharing intimate content to challenges posed by AI. This requires a unified EU answer.
We need to urgently act at the European level in order to implement the existing legislation, to implement the existing sanctions for cyberbullying, to restrict access of children to the Internet, and to invest more into preventing violence online. At the same time, awareness-raising should be a key tool to fight against this problem.
Speaker 315
This is the right of every individual, irrespective of the country where they live. Thank you.
Thank you, Missus Viznevska. Now, please.
Jadwiga Wiśniewska
Thank you very much, President. Chad GPT was asked the following question. How can we destroy the young pop young generation? The answer was very scary. You should give them smartphones and limited internet access. Make them dependent on screens.
And make them think that this is freedom. And this is not a hypothesis. This is not a hypothetical scenario. This is the reality, the everyday reality of millions of children, and this is the source of cyberbullying, Internet dependency, and pressure on social media. These elements of the same system those children live under constant pressure, which is depleting their mental health and leads them to a huge number of suicide attempts.
You have been discussing this issue. You then go out of this room and you smile and you laugh. Every moment, every minute, in every place, young children are subjected to violence which breaks their hearts and souls, and they choose the ultimate road they have at hand.
If we don't, if we're not effective in combating cyberbullying, this will go nowhere. We need to restore education to schools. We need to strengthen and shape the system. Thank you, mister. Thank you very much.
Speaker 316
Madam president, dear colleagues, we need to enforce the responsibility and make platforms accountable.
We need to hold them accountable for content that is published on such platforms. Otherwise, we will not be able to deal successfully with cyber violence.
It is important to prosecute those who are using violence online, but it's not enough.
Because the provider may not say I am giving you this tool. It's at your disposal, and I'm not responsible for what is happening. This is unacceptable. Plus, there are also the algorithms which are promoting aggressive content.
So my message is, the operators, the platforms need to be held accountable for the contents, for what is happening on such platforms. Otherwise, we will sadly keep witnessing such tragedies of young people, adolescents, and children.
Thank you.
You have the floor.
Victor Negrescu
Thank you. You, president, and thank you to the members for this exchange. And it's quite clear for me and for whoever was part of this discussion that this is work focusing on saving lives. It is very clear also our vision is in this respect.
We know that globally and around the world, people are watching us. People are watching what we do. Relation to the digital world. And Europe will continue to set an example globally. Europe will be a place where every child, every young person, every woman, every person with a disability who is targeted especially in the digital world can grow in a safe environment.
Europe is a place that will continue to be guided by values where people are protected, supported, and empowered to thrive in the digital world. Where their fundamental rights are respected. We also have to step up to make our tools work even better.
Our focus as a commission is to deliver concrete results. The action plan that we have presented in February is about protection and empowerment. We are equipping children, parents, educators, communities with the tools that they need to prevent cyberbullying. To report it, and to respond effectively to it. We are also strengthening support systems.
So that no child is left behind. When facing abuse. But support success will depend on strong cooperation with and support from the member states. Only by working together can we turn this ambition into reality.
I very much welcome here the support of the European Parliament to uphold this priority. And before concluding, I would like to say a word about the issue of CSOM. The current gap is not where we want to be. We must move faster. What we face now, this gap is affecting millions of people, millions of children, and thousands online. What pains me mostly is that this is a situation that was easily preventable.
So now I would say that there is heightened responsibility on co-legislators, to move with urgency and to deliver a long-term solution. My final message is to people, especially young people, and I see young people also who are in this chamber right now, who are going through a tough time.
Both in digital environments, but also in physical ones. Also, to parents who feel lost, to anyone who is listening to this exchange, and once more information. My message to you is speak up.
Help is available. Contact a safer internet center. Ask for support, and most importantly, you are not alone. Thank you.
Katarina Barley
Thank you. You, commissioner. Thank you, colleagues. There are seven motions for resolution that have been tabled. This concludes that debate, and the vote takes place tomorrow.
The next item on the agenda is the council and commission statements on the need to combat anti-Semitism and protect Jewish life in Europe following the recent attacks against the Jewish community in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Welcome, Commissioner Kabilios. Let me give the floor to Minister Raouna for the council to kick off the debate.
Marilena Raouna
Madam president, honorable members, commissioner, allow me to commence by unequivocally condemning the recent despicable anti-Semitic attacks targeting our Jewish communities across a number of EU member states. Antisemitism has no place in Europe or anywhere. We stand in full solidarity with our Jewish communities across Europe, and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring their safety and security.
The presidency welcomes the European Parliament's decision to place this very important issue on the plenary agenda. Because the growing number of antisemitic incidents and the proliferation of antisemitic narratives on the Internet are of utmost concern. And it concerns not only those who are directly affected. It concerns us all. Antisemitism not only violates fundamental rights of Jewish people, but also erodes European democracy and security, collectively, and the very values on which our union is founded.
Against this backdrop, the European Council and its conclusions of eighteenth December 2025 invited the commission and the member states to intensify the council declaration on fostering Jewish life and confronting antisemitism of fifteenth October 2024, including as regards the protection of Jewish institutions. The council declaration paved the way for concrete measures to fight antisemitic hate speech both online and offline, as well as to ensure the safety and security of Jewish people. Those measures include the adoption of national strategies for combating antisemitism, the promotion of intercultural dialogue and educational programs, as well as measures to improve the recording of antisemitic incidents.
On this last point, the EU has a framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, which is a strong legal instrument to combat antisemitic hate crimes and hate speech.
However, it is necessary to further improve the recording of antisemitic incidents and the reporting by the victims. In this regard, I would like to highlight the vital support of the Fundamental Rights Agency with its reporting and data collection, and the contribution of the EU agency SEPL in developing appropriate training for law enforcement officials to improve the recording of antisemitic incidents.
Let me also refer to the contribution by Euro within the framework of the EU Internet Forum to support coordinated action by member states' law enforcement agencies, to prevent the dissemination of violent extremist and terrorist content online.
Thank you very much.
Speaker 318
Thank you. You. Let me now give the floor to Commissioner Kubilius, please.
Madam.
Andrius Kubilius
Chair, honorable members, just a few hours ago, two men were stabbed and seriously injured in London.
Only because they are Jews. They have our deepest sympathies. There can be no place for antisemitism, violence in our society. So let me thank the parliament for organizing this important debate.
Antisemitic attacks on violence have risen manifold since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023. The horrific Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia in 2024 when 15 Jews were killed while celebrating Hanukkah served as a stark reminder of what extremists are capable of.
And the uncomfortable truth is that we cannot exclude the possibility of similar acts. In Europe. We have already witnessed attacks in Liège and Rotterdam and against a Jewish school in Amsterdam.
2026, in Europe, Jews are being attacked, facing hatred and discrimination on the streets, on campuses, at work. Many no longer feel safe to express their identity in public. Antisemitism is first and foremost a threat to Jews. And that alone should compel us to act. But it also undermines the fundamental values at the heart of the European Union.
Democracy, human dignity, the rule of law. The message of the commission to our Jewish citizens is clear. Antisemitism has no place in Europe. We stand with you, we are fully committed to ensuring that you can live here safely and with dignity. At European level, we are addressing antisemitism head-on.
We continue to implement the EU strategy on combating antisemitism, fostering Jewish life. To support communities build up security around synagogues and community centers. To combat anti-Semitism online, where 90% of European Jews reported encountering hate speech last year.
To strengthen Holocaust remembrance and education. To support research and data collection. And to increase funding for community resilience and security. Vulnerable members, antisemitism is also a driver of radicalization and violence. It is present across almost all extremist ideologies.
This is why we have strengthened our response with the new European Union agenda on preventing and countering terrorism. It enhances cooperation, intelligence sharing, and early detection of radicalization. We are giving particular attention to protecting vulnerable communities and places of worship. Synagogues and community centers continue to require police protection.
And we welcome that member states have increased security measures. We're stepping up our fight against radicalization and violent extremism online. The commission has recently launched a €5,000,000 call for projects under the community empowerment and engagement program. To protect young people and vulnerable groups from manipulation and harm spread by terrorists and violent extremists on digital platforms.
Last March, the commission hosted the tenth ministerial meeting of the European Union Internet Forum with the participation of member states, online platforms, and Jewish organizations. The forum resulted in concrete follow-up. A blueprint for joint response when attacks occur, a handbook to better identify and respond to antisemitic hate speech online, and an action day where law enforcement agencies from 18 countries, together with Europol and alliance service providers, identified nearly 2,000 pieces of illegal antisemitic content that were sent to platforms for removal.
With the terrorist container line regulation, platforms must remove extremist content within one hour. By 2025, our 100,000 pieces of such content were removed voluntarily and 2,000 more were taken down by order. However, this effort also depends on awareness and reporting.
Therefore, vulnerable members, I encourage you to share this information widely and engage civil society, as law enforcement relies on signals from citizens. Honorable members, our immediate focus at the moment is on security measures.
But our ultimate goal must be a Europe where Jews can live freely, openly, and without fear. I thank you.
Jeroen Lenaers
Thank you very much. President. Preparing for this debate, I understood that two Jewish people had been stabbed in London. And that adds to the attacks on the schools in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and in Belgium. This is a wave of very serious threats.
Must stand firm against antisemitism. And constantly fight this phenomenon.
One. Holocaust survivor said that she would spend her life helping others. Let's remember that message. The generation of those who survived Auschwitz and deportation is a generation that is disappearing. But we must not forget the mess of the memory of their struggle against antisemitism.
We want Jewish people to feel safe in the street. And when Jewish children don't feel safe going to school, it's not just a problem for the Jewish society. It's a problem for the whole of society.
So we have to imagine or plan extra security. In any case, this is not about building higher walls.
People.
Jeroen Lenaers
Should be able to walk the streets wearing a hoodie and not be victims of intimidation. We have to be brave and encourage the whole of society to stand side by side with the Jewish community and fight against this tyranny. We have to learn the lessons from the past.
Speaker 321
Never again is not just a slogan. It's a mission that requires a duty of us.
Thank you, Mr. Assis. Yes.
Colleagues.
Francisco Assis
Antisemitism is one of the most ancient and tragic lessons we have learned here in Europe. The transition from the nineteenth to the twentieth century and the introduction of national socialism in Germany, we heard that antisemitism is a form of socialism, which is damaging our society. We have to think about this.
The growing attacks on Jewish people means we have moved from words to action here in Europe. This is happening in schools. There are cases where children have even had to move school for this. So we have to be very clear. And when we say that there are types of anti-Zionism which are very close to antisemitism.
Because Zionism forms the heart of the identity of the Israeli state. Now there is it's a very dangerous idea that the crimes committed by the Israeli state in Gaza means we are justified in attacking the Jews, it wipes history clean from the crimes committed by the Nazis.
Our day in which, we decide that revenge is possible, that means we're opening the gates to the possibility of such a horrific event being repeated. The fight against anti Semitism needs to be from the heart of our fight here in the EU.
Thank you.
Speaker 323
Very much. Well, we have seen an increase in antisemitic incidents since the attacks on Israel. There have been many anti-Semitic incidents in 2024. And 08/1967 was the figure recorded in 2025.
And. We're seeing a certain model of antisemitism which is meaning that Jews are less free to live their lives as they would wish to. The mainstream media and others are guilty of stoking fear, but we also have universities defending Hamas.
We have demonstrations apparently against the Israeli government. And all of this funded by various parties, Dutch Jews are living in fear. And people have simply been left to their own devices. They've been left alone to face this issue.
We need to fight antisemitism from wherever it comes. We're seeing an increase in antisemitism from the far right as well. And in my party, we simply cannot have Jews not feeling safe in their neighborhoods in the Netherlands. In The Netherlands, we've made several proposals to fight antisemitism. And it's good that we are discussing this here in the parliament.
Speaker 324
The Jewish community has a friend which is the PVV political party. We won't let Jews down.
Bert-Jan Ruissen
Thank you. And now for the ECI, Mr. Royston.
Thank you very much, madam President. Colleagues, we've just heard the news from London. Two people were stabbed. Seriously injured, one person was stabbed literally in front of a synagogue, and this follows on from attacks in Liège, in Rotterdam, and at a Jewish school in Amsterdam.
Madam President, I understand that many Jews are seriously considering leaving Europe. Because they no longer feel safe. Faced with this tidal wave of antisemitism and attacks. In Europe, we must never accept that fellow citizens have to flee from Europe. The big question is, can we still turn the tide? The answer is yes, but to do so, we will have to thoroughly overturn the current policy, which is much too soft.
We need strict rules that are enforced firmly. If you chant from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. You will go. To prison. If you downplay the Hamas Jew hunt of October 7, you should also go to prison.
That's the approach we need. But we also need a good education. The fact that many schools are no longer saying anything about the whole course is unacceptable. Universities also need to do much more to fight anti-Semitism on their campuses.
Let's not forget the evil influence of radical Islam. If we don't stop them, I'm afraid these attacks will continue. And what we have just seen will have just been the beginning.
Thank you. Thank you, Shun.
You. Renew.
Mister Asmani.
Yeah.
Speaker 327
Thank you. President. Every year, we commemorate the dark page in our history, the Holocaust. Every year, we remember the victims, and we say never again. Every year, we look back and consider our past, but we also need to look forward because anti-Semitism has not disappeared.
Quite the opposite, it is increasing across Europe. In the month, the Jewish community in The Netherlands and Belgium was shaken by a series of attacks. Attacks on synagogues in Liège and Rotterdam, and an arson attack in a Jewish quarter in Antwerp.
And bombs in a primary school in Amsterdam. A primary school. So let me turn to the commission and ask you, what will you do about this? We have a strategy which dates back to 2021. We have an action plan. We have a vision.
But what can you do specifically? Because never again cannot just be an empty slogan. It is a verb. It is a call for action and determination. Thank you.
Madam.
Speaker 328
Simon Weil, former president of the European Parliament and Holocaust survivor, defined antisemitism as poison. There was a knife attack this morning in London, an explosion in front of the Senator of Liege, and in front of a Jewish school in The Netherlands in March.
Anti-Semitic acts and violence are increasing everywhere in Europe and in the world. Fed by the suspicion of double allegiance and the unacceptable conflation of Jews, Israelis, and the action of Netanyahu's government.
Too many testimonies in his show the extent to which antisemitism has reached everyone and everywhere. It's insidious, and it's terrible for those who are targeted. But we can't have silence because that's complicity. We can't use antisemitism for political purposes either, because that just feeds into the hate.
This discrimination is part of a system that we need to fight together. The fight against antisemitism is part of the fight against all kinds of discrimination and racism. It needs clear political commitment and also resources.
Also particularly for those organizations such as the UNIA, the Belgian anti-discrimination institution, which are the heart of the fight.
Kiné.
Rudi Kennes
Thank you very much, Mr. Kene. For the left, thank you, Elder.
For Elder. Thank you very much, Madam President.
Jews no longer feel safe in Europe. That's the reality. Attacks against Jewish institutions are the proof. We have to condemn all attacks against the Jewish community as we would condemn attacks against any other community.
Persecution by far-right parties of Jews. We, it's something we shouldn't forget. And today, that trauma is used to suppress any legitimate criticism of Israel. Anybody who expresses an opinion contrary to what Israel says is accused of denying the holocaust and says that we're not learning the lessons of the antisemitism of the past.
But the Israeli identity and the Jewish identity are separate, and confusing them is what leads to antisemitism. But this confusion is at the root of these people who support anti semitism. In fact, if you do not speak up against the Palestinian genocide, you are acting according to the wishes of those who create that confusion.
Katarina Barley
We have to condemn the crime of genocide, which is happening in front of us.
I'm going to be a little more strict with the speaking time. Now we move on to group speakers.
Christine Anderson
Madam Dupont will kick us off. Madame presidents, commissioner, the latest Europol's assessments and reports, including the mentioned joint action day and the results of that, backed by the findings of our fundamental rights agency, state again a worrying and an unacceptable reality.
Since the horrific attacks of October 7, antisemitic offenses, hate speech, online and offline harassment have significantly surged. Physical attacks against monuments, against synagogues, assaults on people reached an unprecedented height.
New and old networks and groups threatened not only Jewish life and culture.
But by doing so, individuals and society, all of us, Jewish security and safety is our security.
And safety.
Christine Anderson
So the colleague rightfully asked, what can we do? And I think, as frustrating and disastrous as it is, we need to further strengthen the physical protection for Jewish sites and synagogues.
We need to strengthen our fight against those intolerable acts by fostering the information exchange between law enforcement and intelligence on that terroristic threat, because it's nothing less than that. By strengthening our security and law enforcement tools to react to that. By monitoring and acting against online radicalization, as it was rightfully mentioned. By tackling the online recruitment of attackers, including those when it's about minors.
Doing so.
Christine Anderson
Acknowledging that this is not only about antisemitism. It's not only about logistic terror. But it's part of a hybrid attack on all of us.
Again, geosecurity and safety is our security.
And safety.
Thanks.
Lukas Sieper
Madam Dupont, will you accept a blue card from mister Siper? Thank you.
You, colleague. You've mentioned quite a few important things that I agree with. But I would just say that here in the European Parliament, we have a party which is, in Germany, very closely linked to anti Semitism.
Now would you agree with me that we should absolutely not be working with that kind of party even at the local level?
Christine Anderson
I don't think the CDU has been working with the linker. Party. Well, thank you very much for the question. You've quite rightly said that there is a clear recognition, really, that we shouldn't be working with the AFD.
But let's also be aware that there is not only far right, the far left is also antisemitic. And when it comes to the fight against antisemitism, we shouldn't distinguish between different political parties.
Okay.
Next, Mr. Hayder.
Hannes Heide
It's a president in here. Thank you.
Vice president, commissioner. Well, on Internet platforms, the scale of the Holocaust is played down and even denied. Jews are refused access to restaurants. Antisemitic comments are increasing massively. 96% of Jewish citizens report experiences of antisemitism.
Acts follow words: arson attacks on Jewish cultural institutions, synagogues, and schools in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, and Liege. The descendants of Jewish freedom fighters were at an event to commemorate the anniversary of freedom from Nazism and fascism, and they had to be escorted by the police in Milan.
Every attack on Jews is an attack on our European values and identity. Antisemitism in Europe is a problem for the whole of society, saying it's something that comes from migrants with Islamic backgrounds is too reductive.
Education should be part of our strategy against antisemitism. Every school child at least once in their life visits a holocaust memorial. Criticism on Netanyahu's government is legitimate and a democratic necessity, but we should stick to the definition of antisemitism from the international Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
Next, we have Mr. Vero.
Alexandre Varaut
On. The same day. Amsterdam afterwards. The anti-Semitism wave is striking even in the city of Anne Frank. Today, it was London.
Tomorrow, it could be Berlin or Madrid. We're not journalists. We, as politicians, have to name those guilty. And we have to take action. These perpetrators are well known to us.
We see them. We even see them around the parliament. The perpetrator is anybody who gives anti Semit alibi. It's the alliance between ex far-left Islamism since the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Or a few miles from Paris today, where the Muslim Brotherhood of France and Baud declared their contempt for Jews. And to save their elections, they are willing to dance on the ashes of Gaza.
This morning, during the votes, at 01:30, you rejected an amendment that condemns the attacks on the Jewish community. I was very proud to be in the opposition.
Thank you.
Next, madam Kanko.
Assita Kanko
This Monday, a man was attacked by three other men in the Brussels metro and his David Star was ripped off.
They did not steal anything from him. They wanted to take his dignity and his right to exist away. Let's be honest. We all know deep down why in Europe we need to protect Jewish schools, neighborhoods, and institutions. Some of us have the courage to say it out loud. Others not only remain silent, they also try to deny the reality of antisemitism.
And today, as we speak here, two Jewish men have been stabbed in London by terrorists who subsequently tried to attack the police. We all know why these men were stabbed.
Because they exist. It is the same exact reason why schools have to be watched, be protected, synagogues to be sometimes hidden. Not antisemitism. But the contrary of it has been seen as shameful.
Dear colleagues, there is only one correct reaction to the brutal attempt to silence Jewish voices and destroy Jewish existence. That is, to be honest, and to have courage. The courage to defend the Jewish right to exist, the courage to protect our civilization from falling.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, you.
Next speaker, Madame Vilmes.
Thank you, President.
Speaker 338
The Jewish community is at home in Europe. That's not something that is or can be debated. The Jewish community is at home here and has to feel at home.
However, extremely serious incidents have affected the Jewish community in my country. My country is Belgium, and we're not spared from anti-Semitism. Something that's being used from bio those abroad, but it's also being fed by external conflicts. And, also, some people's desire to cause confusion and to conflate various causes. So given that context, it's quite hard to understand why Belgium doesn't have a strategy to fight anti-Semitism.
The commission said that the strategy should be in place by 2021. I. E, two years before the seventh of October attacks and all that followed from that. So my question is, commissioner, how are you going to adapt and boost this strategy given the new reality that we currently face? We need to see action, and it's crucial to update the statutory strategy so that we actually act.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Reinier Van Lanschot
A family closes the curtains, afraid to be seen as they practice their faith.
A woman hides her Star of David necklace as she walks down the street.
A child sits in a classroom behind bulletproof glass. This is unacceptable. But it is the sad reality for Jewish people in Europe. After centuries of persecution, Jewish people can walk down Amsterdam streets full of memorials, but they still open their newspapers to see an attack on a synagogue in Rotterdam and an explosion at a Jewish school in Amsterdam.
Antisemitism is a poison that is rising again. So we should stand in solidarity with Jewish communities, punish hate crimes, speak out against intolerance, and invest in prevention through education. It does not matter how many memorials we build or moments of silence we hold for the dead.
If the living cannot live in peace. Thank you.
Thank you.
Mr. Schiltuis
17 attacks against Jewish targets in European countries. This is a coordinated wave of violence and instability. Honorable members, This anti-Semitism doesn't appear from nothing. It grows when hate speech is normalized. When division is promoted, and when certain politicians act irresponsibly.
And an awful lot of that is happening in my country. Let me give you an example. The Reina Sofia Museum, a public institution, familiar to all of us under the Minister of Culture, is currently being investigated for inciting hatred.
Because they used a slogan, from the river to the sea. And we all know that this is a slogan calling for annihilation. Of Israel, and this is happening in a public museum financed by taxpayers. And as I said, this is not an isolated incident. It's a symptom, and it is a result of the underlying politics.
One of the ministers was the minister for culture who's an ME here, was unable to condemn the attacks of October 17. This is what we have to denounce. We cannot condone certain attacks, and remain and condemn others.
Seems that our politicians are speaking out when it suits them because if we tolerate this violence, we will see more violence on our streets. There is no more time to ignore this problem.
Thank you.
Speaker 343
Madam President, dear colleagues, we firmly condemn the attacks against the Jewish communities in the Netherlands and Belgium. These incidents are the sign of a rise in the trend of antisemitism in Europe. For our group, the protection of the lives of the Jewish community is imperative. We cannot compromise.
We're not talking about isolated attacks. Hate speech online boosts hatred. We need specific measures to end these networks. We need to combat antisemitic misinformation. We need strict rules for online platforms.
Real protection for the Jewish communities. We need to demand that this law is enforced without exception, and particularly Holocaust education. We need to take action before this hatred turns into violence.
Speaker 344
It doesn't matter what Israel does. Does anti-Semitism have no place in Europe.
Thank you. Mr Knut.
Danke Frau Forsytseinde.
Speaker 345
Dank, colleagues, what has happened to our Jewish brothers and sisters in Belgium and in The Netherlands and in other places of Europe is not only shocking. It's a disgrace for Europe. Jewish citizens are once again afraid to walk safely in the European streets. That should alarm every one of us.
Let us stop hiding behind wagyu words. Antisemitism today often comes from radicalized environments fueled by hatred against Israel, and against Jewish as such. If we are serious, we must have the courage to name and confront these sources.
Synagogues are guarded by soldiers with automatic weapons. It is a tragic symbol of our failure. I refuse to tolerate attacks against our Jewish friends. The perpetrators must face the harshest possible punishment.
And if they are illegal migrants, they must be deported. Immediately. No excuse.
No hesitation.
Speaker 345
European identity is built on Christianity and Judaism. If we cannot protect Jewish life, we are betraying Europe itself. No second Kristallnacht, not in Europe, not ever again. Thank you.
Thank you.
Beatrice Timgren
The October 7. October. 2023, Hamas led an attack against Israel, and this resulted in mass murder. And since then, anti-Semitism in Europe has grown, including in Sweden, where there have been antisemitic slogans used inciting hate. This has become perfectly normal to see on the streets.
Attacks on synagogues in Rotterdam, tax in Amsterdam, and Lille. And then just today, stopping in London. These are not one offs. This is the logical consequence. Of the hate propaganda, which is raging across Europe, led by the Islamists. We have to see where this hate is coming from.
Speaker 348
There can be zero tolerance against antisemitism, and extreme Islamism. Mister Kurner, please.
Speaker 349
Only. A dead Jew is a good Jew. Kill all Jews. These kinds. Comments have appeared during recent days in Berlin on the streets, and I can't tell you how ashamed I am that in Germany, these kinds of words are once again to be found on our streets.
I'm very grateful for the fact that sending out a strong message by this debate. We and the European Parliament are against antisemitism. But the fact is that there is one political group who hasn't said anything on this issue today, not one speaker comes from the ECR group to which the AFD belongs.
And the left group has sent just one speaker to this debate who criticized antisemitism, but also said that we need to also speak out against the so-called genocide in Palestine because otherwise you're playing into the hands of the anti-Semites. So we really need to speak out against the fact that these extremist parties on both sides are not doing enough against anti-Semitism.
Thank you, madam, Ben Taylor.
Speaker 44
Colleague Moritz. It was quite right on house walls in Berlin. You can read, the only good Jew is a dead Jew.
Kill all Jews.
Speaker 44
This isn't hidden. This isn't concealed. It's at the heart of our cities. Jewish quarters have become high security neighborhoods, and this is too much. Particularly concerning is that antisemitism is appearing in our secondary schools and universities where Jewish students feel particularly vulnerable.
In Berlin, Laraf Shapira was beaten on the streets. A Jewish student and two Jews were stabbed on the streets of London today simply because they were Jewish. Words become violence. Antisemitism is spreading and becoming normalized.
This happens in political discourse as well, and leads and is called harmless anti-Zionism. It is legitimate to criticize Israel, but this is going too far now. If it is no longer possible for around 1,000,000 citizens to go to work in restaurants or go to the synagogue.
Then we have let them down. We have broken our promise. We swore that the Jewish system should feel safe, and they said never we said never again. But hate and violence against Jewish people seem to be sanctioned.
Thank you, madam.
Speaker 351
President, commissioner. When citizens no longer feel safe on the street, when Jewish businesses are closing, when hate becomes part of our everyday life, we cannot sit back in silence. Antisemitism is not a problem faced solely by the Jewish community. It is a test for our European values. So Europe has lived through this complicit silence before, and we have tolerated it for too long.
We need to speak out today. If these crimes go unpunished, then antisemitism will reign. The crimes of the Nazis have been relativized by many. We're not just forgetting our own history, but committing to taking dangerous steps forward. Today, this our history has been weaponized against our Jewish citizens. So we need to attack antisemitism.
We need to stand up and say that we stand with our Jewish citizens. They must be able to live freely and safely. Thank you.
Thank you.
Madame Tovelieri, please.
Speaker 352
On April 25 in Milan, we saw something serious. There was a far left gang that attacked protesters. This should make us all reflect, because this is not just about anti-Semitism. It's the umpteenth demonstration of a consolidated truth. The far left is now attacking anybody who thinks differently from them.
Today, the Jews. Yesterday, law enforcement. Tomorrow, journalists or political adversaries. This is a spiral of hatred that has been growing for years all over Europe. So the question is very simple.
Where will all of this hate come from? We can't play it down anymore. So we would like to ask for the European Union to leave its ambiguous state and have the courage to take distance from people who are using violence in the squares and undermine freedom of expression.
Dear next, Retna is tech.
Son of the.
Speaker 354
Ladies and gentlemen, I definitely condemn the acts of hatred that have been recorded recently in Belgium, in the Netherlands, also in the UK. Anti-antisemitism must be condemned immediately. We need to react. At the same time, we look at the broader perspective. Hundreds of thousands of Jews from all over the world visit Poland, my country, and they visit the monuments to the Holocaust. The former concentration camps and cemeteries. That are linked to the memory of the Holocaust.
They visit Krakow, Auschwitz, Novosont, and other towns and villages. These are pilgrimages of respect, and they are received by Polish hosts. With due respect. This underscores the fact that we can do that, and this is even more, this makes the recent attacks even more concerning in those member states that used to preach to my country, Poland, about the rule of law. We need to react everywhere in the same manner, without double standards.
Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker is Missus Tedroscu Mave.
Thank you.
Speaker 355
It seems to be very hard for Jews to go to the streets at the moment. It's not about whether they take an umbrella with them or not, or whether they show the star of David in public. Or not.
I mean, it's very difficult to protect yourself, for example, from arson attacks or stabbings or explosions, as we've seen recently in Amsterdam, when The Netherlands, Belgium, and London. So I think this really is something that reflects on our society.
If we're going to talk about human dignity, freedom, and human rights, I mean, that's all very well, but it costs nothing to just speak. We need to ensure that these rights are enforced properly. These aren't theoretical discussions. These are actual limits on the daily lives of these people.
We call ourselves a free society. And therefore, it's not enough simply just to remember Nazi crimes against the Jews in the past and close our eyes. When the grandchildren of survivors are being put through antisemitism.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
What we've seen since October 7 is something we need to reflect on.
Tagila.
Mister Lopez Aguilar, now please.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
You. President. Thank you, commissioner. Hate and violence have no place in a European Union that's based on values and ruled by law, that gives equal dignity to all people. These are an integral part of European diversity, which unites us.
In law. So any discrimination against Jewish communities strikes at the heart of the European Union. We've had parliament resolutions, and this is why we have an intergroup against antisemitism that I have chaired.
But just as it's unfair and it's out of place for Netanyahu to call anybody who criticizes Israel, including people at this podium, anti-Semites. Anybody who criticizes their disproportionate reaction in Lebanon or their genocide in Gaza is called antisemitic, and it's absolutely inappropriate that Jewish communities in Europe should be suffering any discrimination for issues that they have nothing to do with. So I have a very clear message.
Antisemitism must be fought because it strikes at the heart of European identity, which is its diversity. Thank you, chairman.
Danke schön.
Speaker 358
In Europe, over the last few weeks, antisemitic attacks have multiplied. In Amsterdam, a Jewish school was targeted by explosives in Rotterdam and Liège. Synagogues were attacked. These are not isolated facts. This is the reality, every day reality.
The Jewish community is the main target of terrorist attacks in Europe. In France, French armed forces are present in front of synagogues at all times. This has become a habit, and this is a hatred, a tenacious murderous hatred.
Supporting the Jewish community, it shouldn't just be empty words. A series of declarations and statements should lead to a feeling of responsibility. Let's point the finger at those who are causing this, and we cannot fall into complicity in Europe.
No one should be afraid of being Jewish. This promise is no longer respected today.
Thank you, Mr. Schmidt.
Now, please.
Speaker 140
Thank you, Madam Chair. Colleagues, well, we have seen anti-Semit attacks. And, when those attacks took place in Amsterdam last year, Europe didn't do anything. We've seen explosions in Rotterdam. We've seen attacks in Liège as well.
And it turns out that 95% of attacks take place against Jews. We've also had these stabbings in London. The suspect has been arrested. But that doesn't do away with antisemitism. And we're seeing a pattern here.
European Jews in Europe no longer dare to wear their kippah. They're frightened to go out on the streets. Europe needs to wake up and say, we will not tolerate antisemitism in the EU.
We need a strategy against antisemitism, and we need coordinators in every member state, not just to the European Union. Level. There can be no excuses. Never again.
Four on the.
Katarina Barley
We move on to catch the eye. We have 5 requests for the floor. We're going to take all of those. Mister Lopatka, please.
Thank you.
Speaker 121
Colleagues, a statistic was published in Austria saying anti-Semitic attacks have increased dramatically over the last few years, 1,532 documented incidents in Austria. And these are attacks on the Jewish way of life. They show just how important it is not just to hold debates, but to work together against all of this, even if there's a slight sign of antisemitism here. We want that there to be a single day where no incidents are heard of.
We all have a historic responsibility, especially in Austria. We have a historical responsibility to protect Jewish lives. Therefore, I am happy to have heard a fine speech here today. I want action to follow.
Thank you.
Speaker 312
Thank you very much. Well, Europe finds itself once again in a situation where we have to hold a mirror up to ourselves. Antisemitism in Europe hasn't come from nowhere. It's a direct consequence of political forces in Europe that are demonizing Israel.
And I'm talking here about Islamists and the naive left. The naive left are normalizing a value system that shouldn't be normalized at all. These Islamists have been allowed into Europe with a mistaken migration policy, and they've been welcomed by the left. And the consequences are being felt by the Jews. In Europe.
As long as there are sympathies in Europe for forces that fantasize about destroying Israel, well, antisemitism won't disappear. We need to act against Islamists if we want to do it with antisemitism. Thank you.
Lukas Sieper
My colleague here. Colleagues.
My colleague put it very well indeed. Let's look from left to right. There are very few here from the far right or the far left. They weren't even turned up.
I think one thing has become clear, I think the fact that we've heard from so many German and Austrian members of parliament here today, it shows that they have understood their duty. They understood their responsibility, and this is important. It's important when you look at who sits back without acting, they feel they are distant from antisemitic behavior.
Those who praise Donald Trump, are they not complicit with antisemitism? When you hear from the left, how far is their position from antisemitism? Even your colleagues, those you work with, they are perhaps not too far from antisemitic positions themselves.
Thank you.
Speaker 361
On Mister Tahesh now, and then we're going to have Missus Ivanovich after that.
Speaker 362
On Jewish communities in other lands and Belgium are not isolated tragedies.
They are the direct consequent consequence of years of failed education and policies, uncontrolled migration, cultural relativism, and passivity in the face of hatred and antisemitic actions.
Antisemitism adapts to every era.
It might begin as mockery or vandalism, but it always ends in violence and death.
In every case, antisemitism starts with words.
Words that demonize Jews and justify violence.
We have seen this pattern be helped before. The time for tough and uncompromising actions is now. First, we must implement education rooted in truth, because only truth defeats anti-Semitism at its source.
Second, we must restore law and order in Europe. Reassess immigration and asylum policies, so that all who live here respect our laws, traditions, and freedoms. If they don't, they must be deported.
Every Jewish, European Jewish heritage is inseparable. From Europe itself. Protecting Jewish life is essential. To preserve who we are. We must draw a clear line.
Zero tolerance for antisemitism. Zero excuses and zero hesitation to enforce the law. Thank you.
Speaker 313
Thank you very much. I will never agree with settling disputes by violence either at a micro or macro level. On the contrary, violence only ever makes a situation worse.
Arabs, Syrians, Jews, Palestinians, they're all Semites. So please don't insult the European pop population by calling us anti-Semitic. I think that European voters didn't vote for you so that you would insult them.
If you insist on looking at isolated cases, if there are madmen who carry out attacks because, of course, we talk a lot about Israel's attack on Palestine. And crimes against humanity in Palestine.
But we mustn't say that all Europeans are antisemitic. No. European citizens are not. But you have to ask why Netanyahu was killing Jews in the streets of Tel Aviv when Jews were calling for the end of the genocide in Palestine.
Thank you.
Katarina Barley
Well, that concludes our speakers list. Let me now give the floor to Commissioner Kabilis. To conclude.
Madam.
Andrius Kubilius
Chair, honorable members, let us leave this debate not only with words of solidarity but with a renewed determination to turn every commitment into tangible protection for Jewish communities across our union.
The constant pressure of hostility and harassment on Jewish communities in Europe has led to a growing trend of self invisibilization. Jews withdrawing from public life, and concealing their identity, even considering leaving Europe altogether.
As a result, 34% of Jews in Europe say that they at least occasionally avoid attending Jewish events, and 40% avoid visiting certain Jewish sites because they do not feel safe there as Jews.
Three quarters of Jews in Europe avoid wearing symbols that could identify them as Jewish in public, at least occasionally. The European Union's member states' financial support for Jewish community infrastructure for civil society organizations working against antisemitism remains essential. These efforts contribute to strengthening resilience within communities and promoting broader social awareness.
Your level, the project to your agenda to prevent and counterterrorism published on February 26 this year, sets out a way forward to reinforce Europe's collective response to evolving terrorist and violent extremist threats. The agenda sets out a comprehensive strategic framework, which also proposes specific measures to tackle the spillover effects of geopolitical developments on the EU's terrorism threat landscape. It reaffirms that protecting all faith communities, including the Jewish community, from hatred, discrimination, and violence is a core European commitment. The commission is actively working with member states to strengthen security coordination and protect public spaces and religious sites.
Concrete EU level support has been included. The European Union quick guide on the protection of places of worship from 2021. European Union protective security advisory missions, which since 2022 we have supported vulnerability assessments of places of worship in member states and the protection of major religious events.
Our poll remains fully ready to support member states in investigations involving terrorist offenses. Ultimately, the fight against antisemitism is about more than protecting our own community. It's about defending the democratic values on which the European Union is built.
A Europe in which Jews can live openly, safely, and proudly. It's a Europe in which democracy, pluralism, and fundamental rights are truly upheld. The European Commission will continue to use all the instruments at its end to ensure Jewish life can flourish in Europe.
I thank you for this debate.
Marilena Raouna
I would like to extend from this podium sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack, the anti-Semitic terrorist attack that took place in London just a few hours ago as we are holding this debate.
Madam president, honorable members, commissioner, Europe was built on the foundations of diverse cultural, religious, and humanist heritages. The European visionaries pronounced never again, and never again will perpetually echo in all European capitals.
Today and every day. And it is incumbent on each and every one of us. In defining and implementing our policies and actions, the union must continually strive to combat all discrimination based on any ground referred to in article 21 of the charter of fundamental rights.
Let me reiterate once in the strongest terms that antisemitism targeting our Jewish communities has no place in Europe or anywhere else. I outlined in my introductory remarks a number of actions that are being taken as did the commissioner. You can count on the council to continue our efforts in combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life. The Cypriot presidency will be hosting in June an interfaith conference also addressing this matter.
Thank you very much.
Katarina Barley
Thank you very much.
Minister, and thank you colleagues, for this very respectful debate that concludes the debate. The next item on the agenda is the Council and Commission statements on Roma inclusion, equality, fundamental rights.
Delivering on Europe's values. During this debate, there'll be only one speaker per political group. And there will be no blue cards or catch-the-eye procedure. Commissioner Labiv, welcome. Let me begin by giving the floor to the minister on behalf of the council, Missus Rona, please.
Marilena Raouna
Madam. President, honorable members, commissioner, I thank you for this opportunity to address Roma inclusion, equality, and fundamental rights. This is a policy area that risks being neglected, as we deal with all the current geopolitical issues and international crises. Roma faced long-term social challenges faced by some of our most excluded communities. Only last week, you hosted the annual Roma week, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss the most topical issues and boost the commitment on this vital issue.
Today's debate provides an opportunity to reaffirm the importance of working to improve the situation of Europe's Roma, far too many of whom still live in deep poverty and are denied the opportunities that most of us take for granted.
In his latest report, the Fundamental Rights Agency has painted a stark picture of the current situation. Although modest progress has been made in the field of employment and housing, the cycle of exclusion, disadvantage, and intergenerational poverty continues.
The opportunity gap between the Roma minority and the rest of the European population remains wide. The challenges are serious, and they affect Roma populations in areas such as education, housing, as I have mentioned, health, and social services. And given that all these areas are interlinked and long-standing patterns of disadvantage, it is no surprise that the employment rate of Roma is also lower than that of the population as a whole.
Honorable members, exclusion and discrimination have a common root cause. Long standing racism against trauma. Sadly, this prejudice and the resulting discrimination are still with us. A social challenge of this magnitude requires action at all levels.
Civil society organizations do valuable work, and EU institutions have an important role to play. Member states that possess the key competencies and policy instruments, including in areas such as education, where life chances of the future generation are determined, have a critical role to play.
The council recommendation on Roma equality calls for equality, inclusion, and participation for member states to intensify efforts to combat Roma discrimination, including with the support of EU instruments. The anti-racism strategy adopted by the commission in January 2026 recognizes discrimination against Roma as a form of structural racism. The strategy also confirms that addressing these various challenges requires stronger enforcement of EU equality frameworks, more targeted adequately funded inclusion measures, and crucially, meaningful Roma participation in the design, monitoring, and implementing of policies that affect them.
At the end of the day, this is about equality, it's about inclusiveness, and it is a matter also of justice. By improving the lives of the Roma community, we strengthen Europe's social cohesion, resilience, and competitiveness.
Thank you very much.
Commissioner Labib, now for the commission, please.
Thank you, madam chair.
Hadja Lahbib
Honorable members, dear Minister.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak, on an issue that goes to the heart of what disunion stands for.
European values are the foundation of our union. They are in the treaties, but across the European Union, around 6,000,000 Roma continue to face significant barriers.
To full inclusion.
Hadja Lahbib
This house represents the voice of all our citizens, particularly those who have been marginalized and too often forgotten. They are counting on you just as they are counting on us.
As Vanessa Rao now just mentioned it to Roma Sorvey, in 2024 the fundamental rights agency gives us a clear picture of progress and of what still needs to be done.
Roma now have better access to jobs, health care, and decent living conditions than in 2016. But the data also remind us of the challenges that continued anti-gypsies ongoing discrimination, segregation in schools, and gender gaps in employment.
This is not the Europe we believe in. And it is not the union of equality that we are building. Roma equality is about changing attitudes and mindset in all of society. We must advance Roma equality through unity, justice, and real participation. The Roma strategic framework has set a direction to turn our values of equality, inclusion, and dignity into real opportunities.
For the people.
Hadja Lahbib
We are halfway to 2030. Now we must deliver. This year, we have taken concrete steps.
In January, indeed, we adopted the first anti racism strategy. It names anti-gypsies and fall what it is. A serious and specific form of racism.
And in March, our new gender equality put a spotlight on something that too often goes unseen, the specific discrimination faced by Roma women who navigate multiple barriers at once.
Two more initiatives are coming, the EU anti-poverty strategy is expected to address many of the challenges faced by Roma communities directly. On housing, the commission will propose a council recommendation against housing exclusion, and we will ask member states to support vulnerable persons in precarious housing situations and to address homelessness.
But strategy only matters if they reach people's daily lives.
And that is why funding matters. EU funding has also made a difference in classrooms, in job centers, in communities, and that must continue. Of course.
Between 2021 and 2024, we supported more than 5,400 civil society organizations, including Roma grassroots groups, through the citizen equality rights and values program.
Cohesion policy funds also play an important role in supporting Roma communities, fostering desegregation, and combating discrimination. For 2021 to 2027, around €22,000,000,000 from the European regional development fund were to inclusive growth, implementing the European pillar of social rights. Parts of this funding went. To Roma inclusion.
Such support for infrastructure and equipment strengthens equal access to mainstream equality and inclusive services in the areas of employment, childcare, education, housing, and health.
We are proposing in the next MFF to more than double the for equality up to 3,600,000,000 through the new EU AGRA program. And this will fund the fight against gender-based violence, support democratic parties, and promote equality across the EU, including for Roma people.
Just yesterday, this house adopted the interim report on the next MFF, and I want to really want to recognize the work of the co-reporters, Sigrid Mauricean and Carla Tavares, the determination that this budget must work for people reflects the value we share.
Honorable members, I met Roma leaders last November during my implementation dialogue. They asked for what we owe them. Equality rights, life, indignity, equal opportunities. And so I renewed that commitment here in this chamber. People Roma Roma people deserve equal rights, life, indignity, and equal opportunities.
Thank you.
Katarina Barley
Thank you very much, commissioner. On behalf of the PPE group, Mister Tomasz Dahofsky will speak for two minutes.
Tomáš Zdechovský
Thank you very much. Commissioner Damiapanovay.
With that system, Rome, ladies and gentlemen, I'm not a Roma man, but I stand for the Roma community. I'm one of those who were on the frontline. I was one of the initiators of the Roma Week. We can spend hours talking about discriminations, about how things do not work, about how 80% of Roma people, say in some villages in Slovakia, don't have running water or electricity in their homes. They have no real floor.
Is that a problem.
No. Oh.
No blue card.
Tomáš Zdechovský
Okay. So you see homes without real tile floors. In some homes. It's not about the European money or the lack of it. It's because many projects, well, the money goes elsewhere.
Perhaps they have new houses planted around the Roma village or some parks, and the people cannot send people to school. They have no electricity, no water. The children do not have shoes.
So what is the park for then? To be a Roma man means to be proud. The Roma people are people with a great pride. And the Roma inclusion is not at an ideal stage. But we are getting the step-by-step. The Roma be even more proud, and can change the world.
Thank you.
Thank you. Thank you very much.
Katarina Barley
I would like to remind you that the president has already said that at this point, we have no blue card and no catch the eye. Right now, I would like to give the floor to Mister Krzysztov Smisak for two minutes.
Krzysztof Śmiszek
You, madam chair, madam commissioner, madam minister.
First, let me express my gratitude for holding this debate about this important topic, but also let me express a bit of disappointment that this debate takes only a few minutes, and I think that the issue deserves more time for everyone.
But to the point, Esmerejepova, a Macedonian Roma artist, said once identity is not a barrier. It is a voice. I strongly believe that once every voice is heard, inclusion becomes a reality. And only when we ensure that the Roma community is heard, we can truly talk about the steps we are taking to strengthen the inclusion, equality, and fundamental rights of the largest minority in the European Union. Only then can we truthfully claim that we live by the founding principles of human rights, that all humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights, regardless of skin color, ethnicity, cultural background, or religion.
For that reason, I would like to give the speaking time to Doctor Johan Natalevich, cofounder and the president of the Foundation Towards Dialogue. Dedicated to creating a future in Poland where the Roma community is treated equally. Nothing about Roma without Roma. I will read out her speech in Polish.
The batch of Montenio. In this debate about the Roma and Sinti, we need to highlight the following. Europe does have strategies and recommendations. So the question is, not whether we should act, but how to act, how to implement those strategies so that we work, so that they work.
We have had a lot of experience, and we can see that there are still a lot of barriers that persist linked with poverty, because the anti-gypsies still hamper the access to education, housing, and health care. Sometimes this is not discrimination as such. But some consolidated institutional practices and access barriers exist.
Ukrainians, refugees from Ukraine, are in a particularly difficult situation. We need to make sure that the Roma communities have a sense of agency and are participating in the development of those practices. Only then will such policies be more than empty slogans. This is also about our values. Those values should be universal and should also apply to the Roma people who are fully-fledged citizens of the EU.
Katarina Barley
Thank you. On behalf of the patriots for Europe, I would like to give the floor to Afro Dita Latinopolo. One and a half minutes.
Afroditi Latinopoulou
Just in the last ten years, the European Union has given over three and a half million euros of our money to integrate Gypsies. These people are living at the cost of other citizens.
And they are trading arms. They are selling drugs. Stealing. They are marrying off children. And according to them, 3.5 million euros were for them to integrate.
How are we going to integrate Gypsies? Let's stop subsidizing criminals. These are not good people. The good people are their victims. Let's call things as they are. They are gypsies, and they live as gypsies.
They don't give money to good people. There are too many charges for self-employed people and normal citizens, which is strangling European competitiveness. Some of our biggest companies are leaving the continent for tax reasons, leaving people without work.
The number one reason is because of all of the millions of Europe, the money that we throw in the bin for subsidizing Muslims and Gypsies. We are tired of the socialist policies which subsidize inequality, and give money to drug users to take their drugs. So they are getting high on the state. It's enough.
Katarina Barley
Thank you very much. On behalf of Renew Europe, I would like to give the floor to mister Christo Petrov. For one minute.
Hristo Petrov
Just. A moment. Please wait a moment. I will give you the floor in a moment. Let us finish debate.
Samira.
Hristo Petrov
Vulgarica, Anburo, I will speak Bulgarian, if I may.
Madam commissioner, colleagues, last week, I had the chance to spend some time with 12 wonderful Roma young people studying business administration, medicine, economics, and others.
Any normal person will enjoy their company, will enjoy communication with them, and they show how important good education is.
At the same time, there are some very popular video clips in Bulgaria.
They show some ignorant, funny Roma people.
Claiming that this is the community as it is.
But the EU child guarantee, the EU funds, the European social pillar should focus on education that will resolve the problems we are discussing. When you invest in education and family care, you guarantee success in every country in the world. Thank you.
Katarina Barley
On. On behalf of the Greens European Free Alliance, I would like to give the floor to Maritussan.
Madam TOUSSAINT
Stigmatizing. People for their identity, that's called racism. And it is a crime under the law. And I regret that such comments can be made in this with impunity. It's absolutely unacceptable what you have just said, madam.
And I hope that the hate that you have put out into the world will come back to you twofold, because it's absolutely unacceptable. In France, last year, seven motherboards were murdered in broad daylight.
A victim of this hatred we've just been talking about. That is what anti-Roman sentiment gives rise to. 6,000,000 people around Europe are travelers. It's anti-Roma. You look around this room, there's no one speaking for Roma.
There's no Roma because the anti-Roma sentiment does not belong in the past. It is alive and tolerated across the EU. Families are still suffering across Europe. They are suffering from discrimination when it comes to accessing health care accommodation. Their children are still educated separately.
Walls still divide our societies. These are not my opinions. These are facts, documented facts. Sometimes, first, it is unable to access the accommodation. Sometimes, firemen firefighters in France were unable to access fires.
We need to apply European law to ensure violations are punished. All member states need to recognize the forgotten genocide of the Roma population.
Katarina Barley
Thank you very much. On behalf of the left, I would like to give the floor to Madam Estrella Galan. One minute.
Estrella Galán
Thank you very much. President. Well, let me take this opportunity to apologize to all the Roma for the racist insults that they've heard. They should be respected in this house, and I hope this racist woman is sanctioned.
And please take that off my speaking time. The Roma are the main minority in the European Union, 12,000,000 people. And that is something that we can be proud of in Europe. It's part of our diversity.
But when people don't like diversity, the same thing has always emerged. Suspicions and racist discourse, which we've also seen in this hemicycle. For centuries, the Roma have been persecuted. They've been expelled. They've been criminalized.
By the law. And in too many conditions, they still live in conditions of poverty, segregation, structural poverty, and unacceptable levels of school failure. But, we constantly talk about integration, and that makes us feel less guilty.
But the fact is, I mean, question is, have we done enough, or are we just doing the same thing again, but just dressing it up in nicer words? We really need to act, I think, and that means taking what the Roma population wants seriously.
We need appropriate funding, and we need to ensure that we don't have citizens who are subject to different standards. History doesn't repeat itself unless we look the other way. Thank you.
Katarina Barley
Do the thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to Mister Mazurak for one minute.
Stanisław Tyszka
Exactly what we need. No more of your pointless and expensive programs to support minorities. People in Europe should have the same rights, but also the same responsibilities. So stop calling Europeans racist.
Stop talking nonsense about some systemic discrimination of minorities in Europe because we see who is really discriminated in the European Union. We see how your ideology is affecting real life and the consequences of real life for the ordinary people.
You are actually the biggest racist of Europe. You leftists hate the native white European population. You hate the European nation so much that you want to do everything possible to destroy it. You want to erase the European nations and replace them in our own countries with those doctors and engineers imported from the third world countries. And that's why I am against all of those minority programs, because they are aimed only at the destroy and the destruction of the European nations.
And we need to secure the win of common sense and defeat Ursula von der Leyen and her commission, because this is the struggle for the survival of European nations.
Barsojinkuye.
Bar, thank you.
Katarina Barley
I understand that article 202, item one, you're going to speak on that. I'm giving you the floor, please. Go ahead.
João Oliveira
Thank you, President.
Well, article 17810 envisages the possibility of asking questions of interventions. Now I'm not going to call for sanctions against those races who made terrible racist comments against Roma communities. But what I would like to have had is the opportunity to have debated those racist views.
Because when in Portugal, you talk about Roma living in substandard housing, etcetera. I recognize a situation that needs to be corrected. When we talk about Roma who can't get jobs because people don't want to look at their CV. Well, that's discrimination, and that needs to be fought, and something needs to be done about it.
I mean, we're not talking about privileges here. We're talking about the basis of a democratic society. And so that's why I would have liked to debate the members who made racist comments. But because we couldn't have blue cards in this debate, I was not able to do that.
Katarina Barley
This item was foreseen to be conducted without questions from the room and without the blue card procedure. This is why I am going to ask for your statement to be transcribed, and I will convey also the transcript of the statement by missus Afrigicela Lavapuolo to the president of the European parliament.
There is no space in this room for statements that go against the dignity and challenge the dignity. And now, on behalf of the European Commission, I would like to give the floor to Missus Lai Larbib.
Lukas Sieper
President. With the greatest of respect for your position and your mandate as vice president, I wanted to remind you of 02/2002. According to your interpretation of the rules of procedures, Oliveira has made a comment that wasn't a point of order. After his contribution, you said this would be a point of order. You said a request to a point of order should take precedence over all other requests to speak. This means if you postpone the point of order to the end of the debate, this means that for certain statements which are attack or run contrary to the values of the parliament, the colleagues must be given the floor immediately rather than wait until the end of the debate.
Speaker 378
I hope you will take that in the spirit in which you should attend it. And points of order in future will be granted immediately after the contribution to which they were. Thank you very much.
Honorable.
Hadja Lahbib
Members, thank you for this debate.
We'll start by saying that sometimes it's difficult to be the commissioner for equality. And to have to hear such kind of thing inside this room.
But I've heard you.
Hadja Lahbib
You have spoken clearly today.
The commission takes it very seriously, and our actions prove it. Our upcoming report on the implementation of national Roma strategies will help member states focus their further actions across all relevant fields. Our goal is to encourage measures that truly make a difference.
For Woma communities, measures that are practical, accessible, and that everyone who wants to be involved can take part.
In it.
Hadja Lahbib
It can be education. It can be health care. It can be everything. But you would agree with me that strategies and funding alone don't change lives.
People do.
Hadja Lahbib
Each of us from the institution, national ministries, local authorities, civil and Roma communities, place a crucial role in turning resources into real results. A union of equality means everyone is included, everyone is protected, and everyone counts. This is the standard we hold ourselves to.
Thank you.
Katarina Barley
Thank you. Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to madam Rauna.
Marilena Raouna
Honorable. Members, thank you very much for this debate. Thank you, commissioner, for the information provided. Let me conclude by noting that one of the important topics that was recently discussed during Roma Week concerned transitional justice.
The past shapes the present, and in that form, also shapes the future. And bringing the truth about Roma history to light is a vital part of the ongoing process to promote Roma inclusion, equality, and fundamental rights. In this spirit, the council has already called for efforts to promote equality, including through measures to promote awareness of Roma culture, language, and history. This also involves respecting the memory of the Roma Holocaust and pursuing reconciliation processes in society.
Fostering historical awareness is vital for reducing prejudice. It is vital for addressing language, narratives, and prejudice that have no place in a union for values that leaves no one behind.
And I wish to end on a positive note, and by nature, an optimist. While there is a serious distance that we need to cover, what we see is that there are steps being taken, steps taken also by the commission. We have the anti-racism strategy, and this is the path we must continue to walk together.
Thank you very much.
Katarina Barley
Thank you very much, minister. I would like to now close this debate. In on this item. Let us now move on to the next item on the agenda, Statement by the Commission, danger of normalizing relations with Russia, including its participation in major cultural and sports events.
On behalf of the European Commission, I would like to give the floor to mister commissioner McAlev. The floor is yours.
Thank you.
Victor Negrescu
You, president, honorable members, Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine is a brutal one. It's targeting a sovereign nation, it's a war that is going far beyond any battlefield. It's a war that's being fought with conventional means, but it is also a hybrid war. A war that is targeting identity, culture, and memory. Ukrainian cities continue to be attacked.
Cultural heritage deliberately destroyed. And with this, a coordinated campaign of disinformation, propaganda, and misinformation is actively being pursued. Now, as this war continues, we have a clear choice. Whether we want to maintain our resolve to hold Russia accountable, or whether we will allow a gradual normalization.
For us, and for me, this is clear. Normalization is not reconciliation. And silence is not neutrality. Silence is complicity. Allowing Russia to use sport and culture as broad platforms for propaganda, while its aggression continues, sends a very dangerous signal.
That such actions can be tolerated. This is a false neutrality that the European Union cannot accept. What we are seeing here is a clear attempt to weaponize sport and culture, for legitimacy.
Since the start of this war, the European Union has stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine. We can never match the sacrifice the Ukrainian people are doing. Our support has always been consistent. On a financial, on a political, as well as on an administrative level. We have acknowledged that what the Ukrainian people are doing is crucial for our democracy, for our freedom, and for our future.
And in many sectors, we have mobilized support for Ukraine, including in the cultural sector. In this sector alone, since the start of the war, we have mobilized €50,000,000 to support Ukraine's cultural and creative sectors.
Support that has been a vital lifeline to Ukrainian artists and institutions working to preserve the national identity while their country is under attack. We are also stepping up our efforts. When global partners withdrew, the International Center for the Study, Preservation, and Restoration of Cultural Property did not stand alone.
The European Union stepped in with 250,000€ in support through the Ready Project. This strengthens the resilience of cultural heritage against both natural and made disasters. With a dedicated focus on Ukraine. We are also supporting Ukraine in establishing a dedicated cultural heritage fund.
And we are mobilizing like-minded partners like The United Kingdom, which has matched our most recent contribution. As commissioner, I have also launched the Team Europe Approach for Cultural Heritage in Ukraine. Bringing together 76 pledges from 24 member states, as well as the commission.
At this point, I also want to say a few words about the most recent developments. What we are facing now is a situation that risks undermining all our efforts. This is not new.
Russia has been, for a while now, trying to use European stages. A coordinated way and in a focused way. Recently, there were some reports that have shown that sanctioned organizations are organizing cultural events, film festivals, in member states, using culture for propaganda. The most recent example that I've read about in the press was an example that involved RT, Russia Today, portraying Paralympic athletes in a film festival as heroes in the war, alongside Vladimir Putin.
Then there is the recent decision of the Venice Biennale to invite, and I repeat, I stress, to invite Russian authorities to reopen the national pavilion. This is another example which is deeply incompatible with the European Union's position.
And it was met with a firm response from the European Commission. In response, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency has formally notified the organizers of its intention to withdraw a 2,000,000€ grant unless this decision is reconsidered. The European Commission also addressed this issue directly with the Italian government in March.
I. I have to express my full support to the culture minister, Alessandro Giulli, for his clear position based on strong principles. This is a position that I fully support, and so I need to tell him thank you, Alessandro.
Received.
Victor Negrescu
An invitation from the Venice Biennale to attend and be present. I would have very much liked to attend. To celebrate Europe Day there, with the Italian cultural sector which I deeply love and admire. However, as long as the Russian authorities continue to be invited, while Ukrainian people continue to be targeted, attacked on a daily basis. I cannot be present.
Similar. Challenges are also evident in sport. Russia continues to instrumentalize sport for political purposes. Recent decisions which were taken by organizations like World Aquatics to readmit Russia do not stand in isolation. We have seen this trend building up.
From the International Paralympic Committee, granting wildcards to Russian athletes, to the International Olympic Committee shifting its position, and even calls by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to bring back Russia. To world football. The idea here is to set a precedent.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian athletes train under bombardment, with destroyed infrastructure, and in some cases, loss of life. Our position is clear. My position is clear. It is not the passport of an athlete that matters. The passport has nothing to do with this.
It is that sport must never, as it was in the past, be used for political propaganda. Flags, anthems, and uniforms are not neutral. Allowing them is a political choice. There is also a real safety and security issue here for host countries.
So, my message is that the governance of sporting bodies is now being tested. These decisions do not happen in a vacuum. And they carry political and security consequences.
Thank you.
Katarina Barley
Thank you very much. Thank you very much, commissioner. I would like to give the floor to the EPP mister Pecato Veri, one and a half minutes.
Pekka Toveri
Madam president, mister commissioner, dear colleagues, Russian war in Ukraine is going badly, and Russia's economy is crumbling.
But Russia can still afford to wage information campaigns and corrupt our politicians, business leaders, and, unfortunately, also sports leaders. Russians are infiltrating themselves back into the European sports arenas with the help of corruption.
It's not about sports. It's about spreading the Russian message and influence.
A good example is mister Vladimir Lisin, Russian oligarch, Putin's friend whose metallurgy supports Russian war in us. Just last year, he bought his Russian chairman candidate a position as the president of the European Shooting Confederation.
How? By promising shooting confederation and its member organizations €23,000,000 of his blood money. If they vote for his candidate.
A clear and blatant pride.
Pekka Toveri
Which, unfortunately, many people take.
And how is it possible that mister Lishen is not shanked and he can freely operate in Europe? It seems that Lishen owns some metal metallurgy companies in Belgium, so the Belgian government has shamefully blocked sanctioning Lishen in the council.
We need to stop Russian encroachment in European sports even when it's not easy.
Let's start it by forcing our member states' leaderships to do the right things.
Katarina Barley
Thank you. You. Thank you very much. On behalf of the S and D group, I would like to give the floor to mister Hannes Heide for one minute.
Hannes Heide
Thank you, Madam Vice President. Commissioner. With the ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes from sports events. What is this? This just shows that we stand with Ukrainian athletes, a Russian athlete running behind, promoted behind a Ukrainian athlete.
This is not acceptable. Putin is using sporting events as part of his military campaign. Just a few days ago, a modern sports arena in Ukraine was attacked by the Russians. Russia has to pay for this.
Russians are taking selfies with Russian athletes and their medals. If you don't want them to see these online, they need to be sanctioned for their participation in the Paralympics. This is according to the rules of the very found federation. The federations have to take more responsibility for their decisions, and they can no longer allow Russian athletes to participate. Such steps are necessary.
Katarina Barley
And I would like to thank Madam Carlos for her support. Thank you very much.
I would like to give the floor to Mister Paolo Borgia. For Patriots for Europe. One minute.
Paolo Borchia
Sport, music, art, and culture have always been vehicles and instruments for dialogue between peoples. But commissioner, as a representative of the Venator Region in the European Parliament, I find your words very serious. This is a moment when we need to open, not close.
You've really betrayed the Olympic spirit because there is a sacred moment at which weapons should be put down, and peoples at war need to enter into dialogue. I think there is a very worrying side to the title of this debate. The danger of normalizing relations. I think normalization is the preparation for dialogue to be resumed, that conflicts can come to an end.
This is a conflict which we all know who is the aggressor and who is the attacked. There should be no mistake about it, but reading this title, I think that this Europe always needed an enemy.
Adam Bielan
If you mean your group over a piece, I would like to give the floor to Miss Adam Bian on behalf of the ACR Group for one minute. Madam president, any attempt at normalizing relations with Russia would be naive. Our government has always warned against that, and that would be go against the rules of our security policy.
Normalization via cultural relations, it was similar to what Angela Merkel did via Nord Stream. And every invitation extended to a Russian sportsman is goes against Ukraine, Russia is an aggressor. They want to rebuild their neo-imperial influence.
At the moment, when civilians are at risk in Ukraine, at a time when we are constantly tested by hybrid war, allowing for that would mean admitting to our weakness, and it would also mean that Kremlin can define its zone of influence by force.
We must remember that sport and culture constitute tools in expanding this zone of influence. We must not agree to that. Thank you very much. And now I would like to give the floor to madame on behalf of Renew.
One minute.
Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann
President, colleagues, commissioner, for years, Russia has been waging a brutal war against Ukraine. It is, been isolated on the world stage, but is trying to return to the largest stages in the world in sports and cultural events. In this way, it gets prominent support from the International Olympic Committee.
Christie Coventry, the IOC president, talked about introducing normality back to the Olympics. The former IOC president Thomas back talked about normal business as usual with Russia. And Gianni Ventini, the FIFA president, is doing the same.
I wanted to invite Russia to the World Cup.
Such representatives of sport are not known for their integrity.
Russia is seen at the red carpet rolled out, and this is a new low for them. Sport is not apolitical. Sport leads to acceptance on the world stage. And once this war is over, once the Ukrainian people can live in peace, only then will we welcome them back.
Nela Riehl
So on behalf of the Greens, European Free Alliance, Nella Greens, four years of brutal war in Ukraine, Russia's being welcomed back onto the world stage. The Paralympics last month, the upcoming global swimming championships, and the Venice Biennale.
Readmitting Russia, these events do nothing but send a cynical message of accepting war on our continent, a message of softening the sanctions because of what? It's been so long? This is crazy.
Putin is still decimating a nation, and just because it has probably been over 4 years, it doesn't make it less illegal. It doesn't make Ukrainian suffering less real. Why? Let him normalize war under the guise of culture and sports.
Let me be very clear. Russia does not deserve a pavilion at the Biennale. Russia does not deserve a European stage while kicking our European values with its feet. I called for this debate so we can show collectively in this house, we won't allow European culture to be exploited as a tool for war propaganda.
Katarina Barley
Jim Kuibert, thank you very much. I would like to give the floor to Miss Murato on behalf of Goa and Gail. One minute.
Thank you very much.
President.
Carolina Morace
In ancient Rome, they used sports events to distract and control the people. They used to call it bread and circuses. Very little has changed over the last 2000 years.
The European Union continues to treat art, sport, and culture as instruments of pressure to influence public opinion and to legitimize its own political choices.
I care.
Carolina Morace
You'll note that convince me that war is fair. Art, sport, and culture are free, and they are intended to unite, not divide. They should create, you know, build bridges, not burn them.
Unfortunately, today, the European Union is penalizing athletes and musicians just for being born on the right or wrong side or because they think differently to us. Taking money from the Venice Biennale for a Venetian like me because of the presence of the Russian pavilion is a political arm twisting. It's not showing that Europe believes in peace. It's showing that we want to escalate in political propaganda.
One last question.
The speaker is cut off.
Katarina Barley
Do you need it? On.
Behalf of the ECR, Freilich. Please stick to your time. We will probably be working till midnight today, because the votes took a lot of time.
Speaker 386
So please, will you want to prevent Russian citizens from taking part in sports again? That's actually totalitarian in nature. I mean, yes, Russia attacked Ukraine, and we fully denounce that. But, what can Russian sportspeople do about that? Collective punishment is a retrograde civilizational step. It's utterly immoral.
I mean, we're not talking about excluding American athletes. Despite all the wars, Nicaragua, Panama, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Iran, etcetera, etcetera. Where was your collective punishment then? Where was your indignation then? Nothing at all.
Pursuant to your logic, the United States should never have been allowed to take part in the Olympic games because they've been involved in wars everywhere. And don't misunderstand me. I mean, that would have been wrong too because American sports stars can't do anything about their government's policies, and neither can the Russians. As I say, I mean, you are dividing people on the altar of sport. And I think doing that is a sign of weakness.
I mean, you've done nothing in Ukraine. You've been pumping billions into this corrupt government in Ukraine. And achieved nothing. You talk about peace, but Missus Strack Zimmerman, you don't want to see diplomacy to try and achieve peace.
I mean, basically, internationally, no one takes Europe seriously. Brussels is being left out of everything. What you're doing is basically a policy of symbolism, and culture will suffer. You can't do any more than that, political insignificance. I mean, it's a real shame to see Europe has sunk that deep.
Thank you.
Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz
Would like to give the floor to Mister Bartramischen Kevit. Madam president, Russia is coming back to the international arena via the Venice Biennale. Their pavilion is not modern art. It is Putin's circle.
Circus. He is opening, he's reopening his pavilion there. The paradox is that over the last 2 years, thousands of Ukrainians have been murdered. By this regime. Pietro Andrino Buela Forco and the general director of the Benale have become soldiers of Russia.
In terms of propaganda. I would like to invite the European Commission not to wait for the explanations from the Italians. You should stop their financing immediately. Thank you very much. And now I would like to give the floor to Mr. Reutten for one minute.
Thijs Reuten
Things have changed. Russia's still the aggressor. Daily war crimes, brutality, hybrid warfare in Europe, no desire for real peace.
And why then let Lavrov's daughter represent Russia at the Biennale? Why then allow athletes to compete under their own flag and maybe even champion Russian crimes? No normalization. Not in sports, not in culture, nor anywhere else like in the G20.
What has changed is the moral compact compass of decision. For example, in sports governance allowing Russia to come back to the stage.
To all those sports governance executives that Strack Zimmermann, my colleague, mentioned, I say, you have trouble recognizing right from wrong. You have stopped attaching consequences to the unacceptable. And at the Paralympics, we saw what it leads to.
It emboldens a Russian athlete to even turn his back on the Ukrainian flag. I have no doubt that sports and culture can be forces for good, uniting people, building bridges.
But people who claim that this is true for Putin and his cronies are either dangerously foolish or one of his complicit supporters.
Thank you.
Speaker 390
Thank you. Colleagues, we are taking actions and limiting relations, hoping that all measures will create enough pressure for the aggressor to stop aggression, logical and simple. Today, it is increasingly possible to see attempts to bring back Russian athletes to international sports events and Russian artists to international art events. Russia is striving to enter into that rotten world in the inverted commerce.
Which is trying to destroy it with all its might.
It strived in this area as it used to strive to keep its children going to Western universities. Or to buy luxury villas and yachts in the so-called hated West.
Can we say today that Russia has already stopped bombing and killing? Is it really willing to stop the fire and negotiate so that we could agree to allowing its athletes and artists back to the international arena? No.
Before Russia returns to international sports, its athletes should be trained to rebuild what has been destroyed in Ukraine, and it will only be possible to consider normalizing relations once Russia draws conclusions about its murderous and predatory behaviour.
Speaker 392
Madam President, Commissioner, dear colleagues. The reintegration of Russian athletes at the last Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina is particularly serious and worrying. What happened in the Olympic and Paralympic Committee and in the Italian government to fold to Russian pressure? This really requires an answer.
We can't accept Russia being included in international sporting competitions while the war in Ukraine is ongoing. It's created thousands of deaths, including athletes. I'd like to remind you of the initiative that we led within this parliament to require the IOC to lift sanctions on Russian athletes that war, or rather who Ukrainian athletes who wore helmets in homage to their friends killed by the Russians.
This memory should be expressed, and the expression differs according to culture. The lives of young people deserve respect. And it should have the unanimous condemnation of an organization that claims to the values of the Olympics.
Ville Niinistö
Madam president, Putin and Russia use every inch of conciliation from the international community as a weapon to claim legitimacy for their lies and their brutal violations of international law.
This cannot be tolerated.
Ville Niinistö
There cannot be any normalization or even talking with Russia as long as they are not ready to take responsibility for their war crimes and stop their brutal war on Ukraine. We cannot be naive in Europe, or we are played as fools. Being weak is fuel for Putin's war.
Sports or cultural events are for Russia a key tool for achieving international legitimacy and spreading propaganda. It is not about innocent individuals participating. It is about state-sponsored participation under the Russian flag and corruption promoting the power of Putin's regime. Every Russian athlete in Russia is enforced to support the rest regime, many willingly and many financed by the state and spreading its lies.
Putin has a long history of playing with false propaganda, and we cannot allow it to have any room. We must stand strong in support of Ukraine, and the pressure must be where it should be, stopping Putin's brutal war.
Thank you.
Speaker 395
Honorable colleague, Nenisto, you are the chairman of the delegation to the EU-Russia parliamentary cooperation committee. For the United States, Witkov communicates with Russia. Trump communicates with Russia. Indians, Turks, Gulf states, Israelis, Pakistan, Pakistanis communicate with Russia, but you chose not to communicate with Russia.
No one asked you to agree with them, but the point of your job is to keep diplomatic contact. What is the point of you being the chairman of the delegation to Russia if you decline to speak with the Russian parliament or government? Do you sincerely believe your approach serves the best the European citizens? Thank you.
Ville Niinistö
Since 2014, after the illegal annexation of Crimea, European parliament has frozen any contacts with Russian state actors, and that is the correct thing to do. Russia has violated international law within Europe, within our neighborhood, and they are also threatening EU members by different hybrid attacks. We cannot tolerate that happening. And there is no point in negotiating or discussing with a partner that uses every move from our side to move to their direction to enforce their propaganda to work more against us.
So the only thing where we need Putin to talk is to give up his war on Ukraine, and it's the Ukrainians who need to do the talking.
Speaker 397
Thank you very much. Now I would like to give the floor to Mister Margotenga for one minute.
Thank you.
Benoît Lutgen
President, commissioner. Colleagues. I have a very specific question. You don't want the Russian artist to participate in competitions in Europe because Russia is waging an illegal war in Ukraine, but you have no problem with accepting the participation of Israel in these competitions, including Eurovision.
Well, Israel is happy to execute children, rape and murder prisoners, occupies Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine, but you're happy to dance and sing together with the representatives of the Israeli state.
No to Russia, yes to Israel. This is hypocrisy which is undermining you completely.
Commissioner.
Benoît Lutgen
Massacres are all one and good when others are committing them. When it's your allies, that's fine. But when you take the floor and talk about human rights and you two colleagues, because you have double standards, citizens no longer listen, just hear a blah blah blah because they know these values are empty. They know you have no principles.
Speaker 398
So if you're willing to be bought, you want to make up some ground that excludes Israel from Eurovision.
Katarina Barley
Japan Postal. Right now, I would like to give the floor to Mister Volgin for one minute.
Only.
Petar Volgin
Individuals fanaticized to the degree of insanity could claim that normalization of relations with the Great power might be dangerous when culture, science, or sport are sacrificed at the altar of ideological intolerance.
This is very alarming.
Petar Volgin
In the past, the Nazis banished talented people from universities and theaters only because these people were Jewish. Then came the Holocaust. Today, in the heart of Europe, concerts are being canceled only because Russian performers were invited to participate.
Very recently, the European Commission slashed funding of the Venice Biennale only because the festival decided to reopen Russia's pavilion.
At the same time, EU taxpayers' money is funding performances with no artistic value.
And no interest on the part of the public. We know that in ancient Greece, they were stopped for the Olympic Games to take place. Today, however, the EU leaders are doing the opposite.
Katarina Barley
The advance always leads to worse. Madam Rod Nevadelova, for one minute.
Katarína Roth Neveďalová
Thank you. Thank you very much. Colleagues. Politics doesn't belong in sport. We're talking about who should be involved in culture, who should be involved in sport.
But, on what basis should the European Union be deciding who can do what or who can't? Do what? I mean, isn't it pretty poor that we're supporting our principles selectively here? Where were your sanctions in the past? When it came to Israel or the United States? If we're going to sanction sportspeople on the basis of what their sportspeople do, well, that's collective punishment. That's something that we shouldn't be seeing in the 21st century.
Katarína Roth Neveďalová
Shouldn't be stopping Russians from taking part in sports event.
In Europe.
Katarina Barley
I mean, really, the artificial intelligence that prepared your speech, cop commissioner, did very well for one minute.
Legitimization of war crimes.
Speaker 400
Both the red carpet rollout in Alaska, the return of Russian teams to sports competitions, and their participation in the Venice Biennale mean one thing.
The legitimization of war crimes.
Imagine if you did this to Hitler, and then you would understand what it means to open the door to Putin at the G20 meeting in Miami.
To Putin, who has already morally lost the war in Ukraine, and now we must focus and increase pressure on this evil of the twenty-first century.
The EU, the European states that will participate in the G20 must already make it clear. They will not be in the Trump residence with the war criminal Putin.
We must not be afraid to maintain a strong backbone now. This is our responsibility to future generations.
Katarina Barley
Thank you very much. I would like to give the floor to Pinapicerno. You have the floor.
Pina Picierno
Thank you, madam president. Dear colleagues, the war in Ukraine is not only fought on the frontline, it's also fought on stages, while Russian missiles are striking theaters, striking civilians, striking Ukrainian museums.
Accomplices of the regime in Russia are exhibiting in international affairs or participating in international sports competitions. This is not openness or dialogue. This is using culture to project an image of normality, to try to make us forget the crimes of the Kremlin.
And we cannot isolate the ridge Putin regime diplomatically but then welcome them culturally, because it's the same regime, the same criminal machine. So while the war is ongoing, our institutions cannot give a showcase to these aggressors. We have to be consistent for political reasons, and it's a moral obligation too.
Mister Kaminsky has the floor.
Speaker 403
Listen, gentlemen.
This heinous war against Ukraine is ongoing. We received news every day about murdering the civil population. There is no single foundation for normalization of relations with Russia. In this post-Soviet Russia, this is one of the many instruments of displaying how strong authoritarian regime is. This is not about Dostoyevsky. It's not about Chekhov.
This world has been entirely destroyed by communism. This is now the part of the so-called Russian mirror which is justifying endless expansion. Mr. Putin would like to see the Russian anthem going back.
But I can remember about some other murderous villain that is Adolf Hitler. The Olympic Games are not about displaying Russian flags with blood of victims.
Speaker 404
Mister Madam chair, colleagues, by using sports and culture, terrorist Russia tries to further divide the international community. Russia is desperate to return to the world's most important cultural and sporting event.
As soon as possible. The well known Potemkin Strativ, when the public is deceived and presented with false, beautiful, and continues to this day like many others. I am ashamed that the International Olympic and Paralympic Committees, some international sports federations, as well as major cultural events such as the Venice Biennale are flirting with terrorist Russia.
Sports organizations and art institutions acting in this manner openly collaborating with Russia and Belarus that continue the military aggression. I welcome the European Commission's decision to withdraw the planned funding for the Venice BNL, and I call on the EU and its member states to jointly hold support for those who have blood on their hands and who now are trying to whitewash their uniforms.
Speaker 218
Colleagues I'd like to thank Latvia and the Culture Minister who has drawn the member state's attention to the fact that Russia is being given a platform in the Venice Biennale, and other member states have woken up now.
I thank all those who signed the letter addressed to the European Commission. Calling for the funding of the Venice Biennale to be withdrawn. Now the fact is that Europe must do everything it can, everything that it can to prevent Russia from participating in such events. Suddenly, this is not being done. We have the tools, but the political will is lacking.
And while Russia continues to kill and commit crimes in Europe. We cannot allow for any exceptions. Normalization is not neutral. It's support.
Mister.
Speaker 407
My thought is very simple. Our geographical position will not change.
Whether we like Russia or not. It will be here tomorrow, and it is right at our door, and that is what makes it necessary to structure a renewal of European discussion with Russians in order not to be dependent in this discussion on third parties. And that's why I proposed to some colleagues, to our European colleagues, to renew the dialogue. And no matter how we organize, it must be possible to renew dialogue with Russia.
Colleagues. This is a quote. This is a quote of the French president Emmanuel Macron, which was published on February 10 in the Deutsche Zeitung, Le Monde, Financial Times, and El Pais.
The founder of the Renew Europe fraction stresses that a renewal of the dialogue with Russia is needed. Right now, it is in the interest of Europe and whether you don't want to punish Israelis, U. Palestinians or Americans who kill people in Iran.
Those of you who make sportsmen and arts people into terrorists, you undermine the most important interest of Europe, which is peace, peace for Ukrainians and Europeans.
Łukasz Kohut
No. Russia. Is already here, and social platforms are the intermediaries for the rest of propaganda. And this propaganda is attacking European integration. The algorithm which is guided by the digital oligarchs, from across the ocean, is just a fuel for the Russian narration. A strong European Union is not something that the Kremlin is happy to see.
That's why we need to build the federal state of Europe, as we have the necessary wherewithal for that purpose. We'll never agree on the normalization of relations with Russia, and we'll never allow them to participate in sports arenas.
Because let's not forget that the Russian aggression started with the illegal annexation of Marcos Ross Semper.
Commissioner.
Marcos Ros Sempere
We cannot pretend that things are normal. While bombs continue to fall on civilians.
Cannot allow Russia to return to large-scale cultural and sporting events. That's not neutrality. It's normalization. And normalization always benefits the aggressor. And the Kremlin uses these actions outside but also within its own country, uses it as propaganda to feed its far right nationalism and the idea of a great Russia who despite Western sanctions continues to be recognized.
That's why excluding Russia is a form of weakening its propaganda machine and of disproving the story that Putin tries to tell his population. Culture and sport should represent freedom, coexistence, and dignity around the world.
Cannot convert them into a podium for those who are bombing civilians, violating international law, and getting rid of human life. This wouldn't be a just step for the Ukrainian people. We need firmness and consistency. We shouldn't make any concessions.
Mister Nikola Minchef, one minute.
Nikola Minchev
Thank you very much, Madam Vice President. Dear mister commissioner, dear colleagues, I have just one question. Why should Russia be rewarded? It continues to kill civilians. It continues to destroy Ukraine's cultural heritage and sports infrastructure. Hundreds of Ukrainian athletes and coaches have lost their lives.
And hundreds of sports facilities lie in ruins. Normalizing relations with Russia means legitimizing its actions, legitimizing the terror inflicted on millions of innocent people. Is nothing normal in the lives of athletes, artists, and civilians in Kyiv, Kharkov, Odessa, and in countless other towns and villages across Ukraine?
Daily life is defined not by culture or sport, but by sirens, death, and destruction. By excluding Russia, we deny the Kremlin a powerful propaganda platform, and uphold the rules-based international order. It is as simple as that. If we allow Russia to return, we send a dangerous message.
That aggression can be forgotten, that accountability can wait. No reward for aggressors. No concessions to violence. As long as this war continues, there can be no business as usual. Thank you.
Thank you.
Benedetta Scuderi
Need to repeat that we should normalize these relations with Russia for sporting and cultural events. Events. Is that a principle that applies all the time? Or is it only one that applies when it suits you? Because what about Israel and Eurovision and the Olympics? And you're saying, well, sport and culture have to be neutral.
That's the answer then. And we still haven't suspended the association agreement with Israel, and there haven't been any sanctions yet. Either we think that you cannot normalize relations with countries that bomb civilians and occupy territories and violate international law, or we're saying that the crimes committed by some are okay and others aren't.
And here, again, in the plenary, we have quite rightly found a time to talk about the Chinese violation of human rights. But what about the request for us to talk about the death penalty in Israel on a racist basis.
Been rejected since November. These are double standards here. And this is damaging our credibility. We're talking about European values as though they're universal, but they're only being applied when they suit you.
João Oliveira
Thank you, President. As Benedetta Scuderi compared two situations and pointed to the hypocrisy. That exists when you have a certain attitude vis-à-vis Russia, but you have a complacent approach with regard to the Palestinian situation.
The invasion of Lebanon and the massacre of Lebanese people. And the terrible consequences of Israeli aggression in Lebanon. So what I'm trying to say is, do you believe or don't you believe that cultural and sport events are an opportunity for the European Union to take decisive action to try and bring the war in Ukraine to an end, rather than continuing to fuel it.
Benedetta Scuderi
I don't think you can exclude those things. We have to ask for Europe to take action diplomatically as it can to address conflicts and to work for peace, but that doesn't mean we need to legitimize or normalize relationships with countries that are committing war crimes and which are violating international law, and that also applies when it comes to Russia, but it cannot only apply to Russia.
That is what I was saying. So Europe needs to make sure that there is respect for international law, and it needs to work for peace. It needs to make sure that all laws and values are respected when it comes to everyone.
Sahra Wagenknecht
Thank you. United States and Israel are waging a war of aggression against Iran, against international law. Are athletes and artists from the USA or Israel excluded from a range of cultural and sporting events? No.
Of course, they're not. Germany is delivering weapons to Israel despite the genocide being perpetrated against Palestinians and the politics of displacement in Lebanon, a German sportspeople or artists excluded? No.
Of course, they're not. Should sportspeople and artists from the United States, Israel, or Germany be excluded? No. They shouldn't be. But nor should athletes and sport and artists from Russia or Belarus? Now they are being banned from taking part in international sporting events. And now Missus Callas wants to stop supporting the Biennale in Venice because Russian art is being displayed there.
That's nothing but Russophobia, that reminds us of the worst of the Nazis. If anyone wants to cultivate racism and hate, then they're jeopardizing Europe. We have to end this practice.
Sport and culture bring people together, and that's something that we need now more than ever before. Thank you.
Liudas Mažylis
Thank you, president, commissioner, colleagues. Sports and culture have never been politically neutral spheres, especially for Russians who have always used them as a tool of geopolitical power. When Russian aggression escalates, we react and then we are lenient again.
But what has happened now? Maybe it's some sort of a democratic revolution that Russia is participating as an equal member in Venice Biennale and in the Winter Paralympic Games. This is happening while Russia's bloody aggression against Ukraine continues, and without any accountability for the crimes committed in Ukraine, Russians continue to destroy museum libraries and historical monuments.
They steal objects of value from the occupied territories. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian Olympian who paid tribute to the victims of the aggression is disqualified. Isn't this a double standard? There are no more red lines, only silent agreement to the dismantling of the international order.
Russia's exclusion from the cultural and sporting spheres is not a punishment or revenge, but a legally and morally justified necessity. Thank you.
Magdalena Adamowicz
Sports and culture are above politics. They say. No. It's a lie. Normalization does not take place all of a sudden.
It takes place in stages. Quietly. And this year's Biennale in Venezia, Russia will open its pavilion as if nothing happened. Just like that, an international world aquatic organization returned Russia to its full rights.
Do we really want to see Russian triumphs while Ukrainian sportsmen, instead of training, have to rescue their colleagues from the remnants of bombed buildings. What will Russians show the Ukrainian land with the blood of innocent? These are not just culture initiatives.
These are special operations which are aimed to make us believe that the hangman is normal. The normalization of crime takes place with every ban that is suspended. Every exhibition opened.
We must not allow that. I believe in the strength of culture and sports making a community, but only when they save humanity. Ukrainians die, and we must not applaud the murderers.
One minute.
Madam President, I speak Romanian.
Dan Barna
Normalizing aggression is the supreme victory of any dictator.
Every time a Russian athlete with no personal blame receives a medal or an artist funded by the state is celebrated anywhere in the world, they are then used to whitewash their government.
We cannot allow the athletic venues of the world to become laundromats. For the international reputation of Russia. To invite Russia back to major events, while its missiles still strike Ukrainian hospitals and schools, doesn't make us inclusive. It makes us accomplices. It tells Putin that if he waits long enough, our moral determination will slowly fade away.
This will tell him that we put more value on a football match. Than on the lives of the people buried in Bucha or Mariupol. There is no neutral flag for such a regime, which seeks to destroy the sovereignty of its neighbors.
Solidarity with Ukraine is not a seasonal trend. It's a commitment to the values that such cultural and athletic events should celebrate. Thank you very much.
Katarína Roth Neveďalová
Thank you. You. Thank you for accepting my blue card. Unfortunately, I felt alone without colleagues. I would like to know, all of you are saying that Russian sportsmen athletes can't participate.
Do believe that, speaking, neighboring countries, let's say, bombarding neighboring countries like Lebanon, we will be discussing it later on.
Don't you believe that Israel is at least, shouldn't be participating in international events? Or, let's say, the United States.
Many colleagues were speaking about culture. Heritage. They were bombarding Iraq, now Iran. Killing civilians. Should you apply the same principles to these two specific counts? Thank you.
Dan Barna
Clearly understood. The way the world is today in this day started when Putin attacked Ukraine.
That was the flame who burned the world in this moment. And Putin attacked Ukraine without any excuse. This is the main problem. This is why we are discussing today exactly this topic.
Thank you.
Katarina Barley
You. Let's begin the procedure of catch DI. And we have more requests than time. If you don't exceed the time, I will try to give the floor to everyone. And the first one to take the floor is Mrs. Chiswa.
Madam WICHLOW
No. Thank you very much. President Donald speaks Polish. Now ladies and gentlemen, sport is a tool to connect people, but this connection is impossible because the war in Ukraine has been going on for many years now. I really want to ask the Russian sportsman to step on the red carpet while the blood is shed in Ukraine.
Now cryptocurrency, there's this scandal in Poland. Now those cryptocurrency was supposed to be support for the Polish sportsmen, and they only received tokens. And not the actual prizes. Now the same money is financing some of the law and justice party members who have fled to Hungary. These, these are dirty money.
An attempt to enter the European markets through culture, through sport. And we cannot agree on that as long as the war is going on in Ukraine, and Russia is deceiving people.
Thank you. You, madam president.
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis
Commission you.
Are the way you are in the world of sports. So sports and culture are an arena where peace shall reign, and people can come together.
But you can't have an aggressor going into the arena.
The Putin regime is aggressive, and has brought humanitarian law to its knees. Now Russian sportsmen and women are again being allowed to participate. Should have some rules that apply. Should have nothing to do with the regime. That acts in such a way that peace is coming under threat.
We certainly do have double standards here.
Małgorzata Gosiewska
The same should apply to I can see Missus Gushevsky wants to take the floor. Yes. Thank you. Today's sports is a huge dose of adrenaline, titles, records, sports stars, and inspiration for young people and for children.
Normalization of relations with Russia and allowing them to culture and sports events globally brings a huge risk. It's a powerful tool in the hands of Kremlin. Do we really want to open the door to Russia? First of all, Russia uses such events for the success propaganda. The presence on sport events legitimizes the regime and gives it an image of a regular, normal state, while in reality, it is a criminal state with war crimes. It reduces the international unity, and it shows that rules can be broken without consequences.
Now this strikes the foundations of security for Europe. Every Russian sportsman or artist who has their state symbols is an ambassador of crime. There is no consent for that. Thank you.
Reinier Van Lanschot
It's remarkable that the far left and the far right use the same arguments about inviting Russia to sports and cultural events. I will not give arguments, but names. Oleksandr Peleschenko, a European weightlifting champion, died on the front line on 05/05/2024.
Yuri Gjerpatenko, a conductor, was murdered by Russian soldiers in 2022. Katerina Jachenko, a talented gymnast, killed in a Russian attack on Mariupol. She was 11 years old. I could read another 500 names of Ukrainian athletes and artists who will never compete or create again. Or thousands of names of people who cannot play football, write, or compose because they are fighting for their lives on the front lines.
But I only have one minute, so I will instead say, until every Ukrainian is free to trade a gun for a paintbrush, to swap bunkers for sports fields, their participation of Russians in cultural or sporting events is an insult to the memory of the dead and mark of shame for any institution that hosts them.
Thank you.
Miss Konechner.
Kateřina Konečná
Again. And again, there's all sorts of nonsense. Here. It's done at the cost of the taxpayers. We're seeing oil and gas prices rise.
We're seeing people facing problems. And now we're talking about whether or not Russia might be able to go to a cultural or a sport event. Event, and this would be normalizing the relations.
And you're doing this for Russia, but you're not doing this for the US or Israel. What do we want to do here? Are you dependent on Washington? Isn't it enough that they have just been? What about instead of talking about the Russian sports and singers, we need to talk about what is happening elsewhere, and we need to think about ending the association agreement, and then we need to end the delivery of these weapons.
Speaker 423
And instead of having these Russian adventure, Mister Kelly has the floor.
Seán Kelly
Why was Russia excluded from participating in major cultural and sports events? Because without provocation, it invaded Ukraine, destroyed its infrastructure, committed all sorts of crimes, particularly in Bucha, as has been pointed out by Valenshavkov, killed many of their athletes and coaches.
And now we're supposed to let them back in. What has changed? Nothing has changed. The invasion continues. The destruction continues. The killing continues. So it's very obvious that when Russia leaves Ukraine, or preferably is driven out by the brave Ukrainian people, then the situation will be normalized and I can come back into all these wonderful sporting events.
In the meantime, they have to be excluded, and those who are calling for their inclusion, particularly the heads of sport bodies, need to be called out and not allowed to do so.
Commao Glutron.
Victor Negrescu
Thank you. You, President Klond. Thank you, colleagues. Let me repeat something which I said in my introduction and in my introductory remarks in this debate. This is a war that goes beyond the battlefield.
This is a war that is an assault on Ukrainian identity, on its memory, on its future. So the first message here is that this port bodies the sports organizations. No politician, myself included, should ever interfere with your autonomy. On the way sporting events are organized. This is a fundamental principle in sport, we all recognize. We will never interfere in the way you design competitions and the way you organize sport. This is not our role, and it should never be.
But we will never stop reminding you of your responsibility. We will never stop reminding you of the mistakes that happened in the past. Of what happened in 1976 when the FIFA World Cup in Argentina was used by the dictatorship to sports watch the atrocities that were happening there. We'll never stop reminding you of what happened in 1936 in Nazi Germany.
When the Olympic Games were used as instruments of propaganda by the regime. We want to learn from these mistakes. We don't want to repeat these mistakes. And it's your responsibility as a sporting movement to also govern sports in a way that is responsible.
Sport is not happening. In a vacuum. Away from what's happening around the world. This is why the sporting movement took a decision back in 2022 when the war of aggression started in Ukraine.
That at least coming from these countries, that are responsible for this unprovoked aggression, should never be allowed to use these sporting events as propaganda. While athletes coming from these countries are only allowed to participate with neutral colors, without flags and without the symbolism.
So what's changed since then? Nothing. So why should the decision change? In the cultural sphere, over 500 cultural sites have so far been damaged and destroyed, not by accident. This is not an accident. These are targeted attacks on symbols of memory, of identity, of Ukraine. Each attack is an attempt to erase Ukraine's past and to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people.
Ukraine resists. But so was must we. In firmly standing with Ukraine. We can never go back on this. And to those who argue that it is now the time to move on, that culture and sport are in some way transcending beyond politics, I say this.
There can never be normalization without justice. It is a betrayal of the victims who have been scarred by Rashaan Aguirre's aggression. And it tells dictators everywhere around the world that their crimes will not be forgotten.
Our values are not negotiable. We will continue to stand with Ukraine, with its heritage, with its athletes, and with our people. Until they are free. Thank you.
Katarina Barley
Thank you. Thank you very much, commissioner. Mikhailov. This debate is now closed, and we're moving on to the next item on the agenda. That is the situation in Lebanon and the support for the peace effort.
And the humanitarian access. On behalf of the European Commission, I would like to give the floor to Commissioner Labip.
Madam.
Hadja Lahbib
Chair, honorable members, de-escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and its devastating impact on civilians remain a source of grave concern. We welcome the recent direct talks between Lebanon and Israel as a step towards de-escalation. It is imperative that direct talks continue, paving the way for a durable and sustainable solution, one that ensures stability and security for all. For these efforts to work, the ceasefire must be respected by all parties.
The recent violations put civilians' lives at risk.
They also undermine dialogue de-escalation, and diplomacy, the only path for world peace in the region.
These violations must stop. We have consistently insisted on the need to uphold international humanitarian law. And that civilians and aid workers must be protected at all times. The European Union has acted to address the humanitarian and economic fallout from this crisis.
This was at the center of the Foreign Affairs Council last week in Luxembourg, which was attended by the prime minister Salameh. We commended the government for its leadership in the emergency response, supporting displaced population, coordinating relief efforts, and maintaining basic service under extreme pressure.
We have provided €100000000 for humanitarian aid and a humanitarian air bridge. The seventh will coincide with my visit to Lebanon next week. We have also activated for the first time an innovative ACOWFP emergency preparedness fund, already approving its worth in Lebanon where it has activated twice in March. On top of the humanitarian aid, we have mobilized additional measures under a 1,000,000,000 package to support the government-led emergency response.
We are provided access to cash assistance, health, education, and we are reinforcing the national operations room, which coordinates the emergency response. Last week, we signed a 45,000,000 direct grant with Lebanon's Ministry of Social Affairs to deliver cash assistance to the most vulnerable Lebanese households. This complements the €10,000,000 already allocated for vulnerable households affected by displacement, channeled through the government shocks responsive safety net.
Additionally, we finalized a 25,000,000 program to support conflict-affected areas, further strengthening the state's capacity to respond in this critical moment.
The EU remains steadfast in its support for Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the state's monopoly on the use of force. Beyond addressing immediate needs, assistance extends to strengthening public institutions, the Lebanese armed forces, and the international security forces, as well as laying the groundwork for post-conflict recovery.
We must be clear.
Reforms cannot wait.
Hadja Lahbib
The economic justice and governments' reforms Lebanon has committed to are new, more urgent than ever to rebuild trust in state institutions.
Progress, particularly on the banking sector reform, would unlock private investment, facilitate additional international financing for reconstruction, and enable the EU to scale up our support further. The Lebanese people deserve stability, security, and a functioning state. The EU stands ready to accompany Lebanon on this path, but the time to act is now.
Thank you.
Speaker 425
Thank you very much. Thank you very much, commissioner Lousson. And now for the European People's Party, we speak to Walter Baker. What is yours? Thank you.
Walter Baier
Madam commissioner, president, colleagues, as is often the case, the fire that was agreed on by Trump seems to be just on paper. We have seen what happened with Hezbollah. There have been air attacks as well, and the LF is moving further into the South of Lebanon, and more than 1,000,000 people have been displaced, including 400,000 children. And then once again, the UNIFIL mandate, so the interim peacekeeping trips for the UN which guarantee stability in the South of Lebanon, will run out at the end of the year. And with that clear support for the Lebanese authorities, then this means that all of the progress that has been made will disappear.
And regional stability here is something that must not be underestimated. The current government shows that it wants to implement thorough reforms. And this is something that can only happen if Europe is a strong partner. And supports these reforms and works to guarantee the change in Lebanon.
It's up to us, the commission, and the other member states to continue to guarantee that support. Let's do so.
Speaker 425
Thank you very much for Socialist and Democrat Alliance. We'll speak Luci Anunsiata.
Good. Good evening.
Madam MANUNCIATA
This is the fifth time since 1978 that Israel intervened in Lebanon. What is exactly the final scope of this continuous interest in controlling Lebanon? The explanation is to find the text of the current negotiation between the two states.
Israel has asked the government of Lebanon as a condition to discern if Ebola. While maintaining for itself the right to take all needed measures of self defense at any time against any attack in Lebanon's territory.
The fact Israel and The US have this old obsession from both countries to make Lebanon a protectorate, leaving in the Hana Bay route government and ruling of the population while keeping in its own hand security from where to control the land of the Middle East.
Yet Lebanon is still part of Israeli territory. Lebanon is an independent state with a strong relationship with Europe and particularly France. Europe is also deeply involved in the fend the peace in Lebanon with the long term mission UNIFIL deployed at the border of Lebanon and Israel.
The killing of two French soldiers by the Israeli army is obviously. Thank you. A prerogative to send a message to all of us. In this sense, the sorry.
Speaker 425
I have to switch off. We are far behind the schedule. And we please, more or less, keep time. I can give some 10 seconds, but not more. Thank you.
Next speaker, Pierre Romagnon.
Pierre-Romain Thionnet
Madame la commissaire, Madam commissioner, colleagues.
Allow me, first of all, to pay my respects to the two French soldiers who lost their lives. In the South of Lebanon during an exercise. And also the four blue helmets from Indonesia who lost their lives in the same mission.
Sometimes, they're misunderstood, but this mission is key. In supporting Lebanon and the population and regularly destroys Hezbollah's munitions. A return to peace in Lebanon must be our top priority. So all must be done to ensure peace.
As well as the main obstacle, it is taking its orders from Tehran and is infiltrating villages in the south of the country. The Lebanese army is the only legitimate army in the country.
No foreign army will be able to do better than them. To guarantee peace. And this is why it's our role to support the building up of the Lebanese army.
Let us not turn away from what's happening in Lebanon. It's our honor, our credibility, and our word that's at stake here. Thank you.
Alberico Gambino
Your open conservative reformist will speak Alberto Gambi Alberico Gambino, part. Thank you, president, colleagues. The ceasefire in Lebanon is an important step, but it needs to be fully respected by all parties.
It is essential that there is support provided to the Lebanese authorities because only if they're strong will they be able to guarantee long-term security and stability. But let's be clear here. This will not be possible for as long as it has is operating as an autonomous armed force which is making the security in the country unstable.
So this is why the UNIFIL mission is playing a crucial role on the ground. And that is why I would like to remind you of one episode which really impacted the local authorities. There was a site that was destroyed in the site of Lebanon. And you had Italian soldiers from Uniphil, and they restored the site with great dignity. And this is the respect that is required for all the religious communities. And I'd like to call the fact that the commander of UNIFIL is Italian.
And I would like to encourage him and UNIFIL. Europe must continue to support Lebanon and its sovereignty and its long-term peace. Thank you.
Glorizards.
Christophe Grudler
More. Than 250 civilians have been killed in Lebanon since the beginning of women, children, a ceasefire was announced. But it's constantly being violated. This magnificent country is slowly being removed from the map, and its people are being abandoned.
I say this seriously. I've had enough of us looking on from afar, powerless when we think about Lebanon. I'm very concerned about the stability of the region. Scared to see that UNIFIL will end at 2026 without a replacement, whereas we need a force on the ground.
Do see what's happening on all sides. I'm worried to see a sovereign state humiliated without the ability to defend itself. Worried to see the blind strikes being made by Hezbollah and Israel.
Europe has ways of acting, in a negotiate an association agreement with Israel. But what levers are we using to ensure respect for the ceasefire, and guaranteeing real humanitarian access? The Lebanese people don't deserve this fate. They deserve a Europe that acts on their behalf.
Leoluca Orlando
Commissioner. The Lebanese government is working on reforms and to disarm Hezbollah, but the Lebanese people are still suffering attacks from Israel, and that's happened for years. And in the last few weeks, we've seen more than 2,000 killed and 800,000 people displaced. And this is a country that has been subject to different conflicts and to the attacks by Israel as well.
And this is something that's very relevant for the EU. In 1959, there were journalists and media who were killed, and many of them had been targeted by the Israeli army.
So what does the EU waiting for to distance itself from these criminals like Trump and to suspend the agreement with Israel. Are they waiting for more deaths? We need to take up our responsibility as Europe commissioner.
We would need to have another progress, and we would be needing to take Netanyahu to quote tweet. Can't be closing our eyes and our ears. Commissioner, this has been going on for years, that it is time to end the killing madness of Netanyahu's government.
Commissioner.
Speaker 429
I want to ask you about the things you did not mention.
How much blood needs to be shed so that it's enough to quench the thirst of Netanyahu. Violence, blood, and death is what Israel is spreading across Lebanon. Thousands have died, hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and the international community is silent.
So it accepts the violation of international law. So you can remain silent if you wish, but we will never put up with this silence. And with keeping equal distances from everyone.
We wanted to safeguard dignity for all people, immediate ceasefire, protection of innocent civilians, and stop giving awards to Israel. Please punish Israel.
Florio. Montero.
François-Xavier Bellamy
Florio Montero. And he says, Germain, two French soldiers who died just a few days ago. Serving the French nation and the blue helmets. Just a few days later, the French government declares that it will not accept Sal or Hezbollah. But what a shortsighted situation that when we're failing to understand what's going on in Lebanon right now, you can criticize Israel as much as you like. But nothing will wipe out the simple fact that Lebanon would be at peace right now.
If Hezbollah had not begun a suicidal war against Israel as acting as a proxy for Iran. Jeopardizing democracy through the actions of an Islamist militia bringing death to our soil as well. So putting Israel that's being attacked by hundreds of rockets on the same level as a militia that's trafficking cocaine on a global scale and is in with all the criminal gangs is really a misunderstanding of what is happening, and the scourge that currently reigns in Lebanon.
We need to guarantee sovereignty by eliminating Hezbollah. And as set out in the UN resolutions, and it's in this objective in mind that we must act, with all means at our disposal.
João Oliveira
Thank you. Mr. Bellamy, I have some very simple and obvious questions. It's to do with what we hear from the EPP in this house. You recognize that Israel is invading Lebanon.
Do you recognize that it is an illegal incursion? Yes or no? And do you think, do you agree that war crimes are being committed through the bombardments and the bombing? And the rescue workers, hospitals, and so on being burned.
Speaker 433
Are those war crimes? Yes or no? Two more than 2,000 Lebanese who've lost their lives. Please, call again.
François-Xavier Bellamy
Israel has no territorial cranes in Lebanon. And Israel wouldn't have put a foot in Lebanon and wouldn't have made any shots towards Lebanon unless Hezbollah decided to attack Israel.
You don't want to see the reality. But that's the reality. And I'll just say something simple. All of the civilians that you are lamenting are connected to this Islamist militia. That you never criticize.
You never attack, and you never condemn it, even though it is the very cause of the suffering of the Lebanese people today, and that's what we need to liberate Lebanon from as soon as possible.
Speaker 425
You have a right for but you also on a KSI. You have to choose. We are, as I said, okay. So, thank you. You quit the KJ.
You would like to continue. He would like to second round to call blue card procedure. So 30 seconds again, please.
João Oliveira
Obrigado, president. Thank you, president.
Mr. Bellamy. If you look at the Golan Heights, and the South of Lebanon. We're hearing the news of the bombing of rescue workers, of firemen that are trying to rescue people and come to the aid of civilians.
And you going to stand here and legitimize what Israel is doing and say there are no war crimes? Mister Vilamey, the EPP's attitude and the majority in this parliament sanction war crimes perpetrated by Israel. That's the problem.
Please go ahead.
François-Xavier Bellamy
Me mister. Well, sir, you can shout about this as much as you want, but the truth is that every civilian victim is a tragedy. The only surprising thing here is that you don't see any war crimes there, even where international law is quite explicit.
That Hezbollah is hiding among civilians to make them human shields. That is a war crime, sir. But for the rest, you can talk about war. But today, Lebanon is discussing things with Israel in a historic peace, and we hope that will be successful.
You cover Hezbollah. You cover for them, but we want peace and security for the Lebanese people, and that's perhaps what makes the difference between us.
Please.
Jaroslav Bžoch
Commissioner, I think what Lebanon really needs is less EPP French colonialism over Lebanon.
This is what Lebanon needs less, certainly, after this shameful intervention here. So 2,300 Lebanese killed, 1,200,000 displaced on the strip of the homes they built with their hard work. 35 villages occupied one third of the sovereign country's territory.
All of this is the work of a supremacist government that the commission avoids mentioning, except today. Thank you for your support, commissioner. So you know that we have condemned Hezbollah violence and Iran's autocratic system, just as we condemned Netanyahu's war crimes. The latest was committed yesterday with the murder of three paramedics.
Not only is double condemnation possible, but it is our duty. We need concrete measures reinforcing the Lebanese army, the effective disarmament of Hezbollah, and the respect for the territorial integrity of Lebanon, which means the full withdrawal from Israel from the south of the country.
Plus la reconstruction que vous mentionniez avant. There are double standards here. During the last four years, Europe has officially denounced the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is not happening neither with Lebanon, nor with Gaza.
Speaker 425
I have to be clear to everybody. I said that we are behind the schedule. So Jaroslav Jock is the next speaker.
Jaroslav Bžoch
Colleagues. The situation in Lebanon is just a brick in between these attacks. Operations are all continuing. And Ceballus Ciblin are still becoming victims of the conflict. Hispola is not tied to the ceasefire.
And it's not subject to the government. The security corridor in the South of Lebanon is not just by chance. There are shots coming from Israel. And if it can't stop attacks, then it's going to create its own security space.
And don't think we should overlook this fundamental principle. Because otherwise, the ceasefire is just going to be an illusion. We need realistic solutions, because otherwise, the conflict will continue.
Małgorzata Gosiewska
Now. The situation in Beirut and in Lebanon as well is deteriorating. This conflict is spilling over to other areas, as if the Israeli army is attacking the south of this country. Bombing and bombardment are aimed at civilians. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to flee.
Now the Lebanese ministry of health, we know that more than 2,000 people died from the start of the conflict. And particularly dramatic is the fate of the Christians. The symbol here is the death of Father Pierre, who attempted to rescue the life of one member of his congregation.
Now the Israeli attacks are ongoing. We demand the truth be upheld immediately. And we want to protect the Christian community in this country. We cannot leave them alone.
Thank you, President.
Barry Andrews
Last month, I visited Beirut and spoke to people who had left South Lebanon for their own safety. They showed me photos of their homes, of their fields, their villages, concluding in many cases that they would not be returning. Since then, the demolition of buildings has continued with relentless ferocity.
And then came April 8, the US and Iran agreed a ceasefire that offered hope but didn't apply to Lebanon. In the confusion, Israel gave us Operation Eternal Darkness. As others discussed peace, starting at 2 PM that afternoon, Israel hit with no warning.
100 targets in ten minutes across Lebanon, 300 were killed, of whom 100 were women, children, and the elderly. The European Foreign Affairs Council sat down to contemplate this one of the deadliest single bombing campaigns in the region.
And once again, concluded that this massacre was fine, that it was laughably somehow consistent with the EU's expectations of its trading partners. I give the last word to Yair Lapid, who is the leader of the Israeli opposition. And he said for the thousandth time, it has been proven that military force without a diplomatic plan doesn't lead to victory.
Lebanon deserves better. Thank you.
Speaker 440
Chair, commissioner, colleagues, Lebanon is once again being torn apart by war. What we are seeing in Lebanon, we have seen before in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes hitting densely populated areas, civilian infrastructure destroyed, hospitals damaged, humanitarian workers targeted, entire communities displaced. We are seeing more than 1,300,000 people who have fled their homes. These are clear violations of international law.
Civilians are paying the price with their lives. Since the ceasefire began, at least 195 people died, including journalist Amal Khalil, killed while reporting. And while the situation has become more acute, it did not start now.
A report by the Lebanese Ministry of Environment describes the impact of Israel's military action in the country over the past 2 years as an ecocide. A shocking environmental footprint of a war that is impacting public health and food security.
This moment calls for clear leadership. The EU must sanction the association agreement with Israel, sanction war criminals, and ensure access to humanitarian aid. And the entire international community must show its presence and commitment to accountability mechanisms in the country, particularly in light of the departure of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon next year.
We need to achieve more than temporary and fragile ceasefires. The Lebanese people deserve lasting peace, dignity, and respect for their human rights. Thank you.
Speaker 442
Israel. Impunity. It is such that the agency now announces the crimes themselves. Dalia, the area in Beirut is going to resemble Gaza. That's what we're hearing from them.
This destruction is going to be along the same pattern that we saw in Palestine. Now even before Ezbollah was established, systematically portrayed as the single cause of this conflict, we were seeing incursions to Lisbon, massacre in Hula in a village.
There was an occupation in the South in 1992, and an incursion right into the capital. So there's a doctrine destroy, fragment, displace, in order to better annex. This. What can we expect from an estate that has already violated the cease on two occasions? That has displaced more than 1 million people, including journalists and ambulance drivers.
Well, why is this happening? Because there is organized impunity. We must break this impunity and suspend the association agreement with Israel. Stop arms exports, and sanction the war crimes. As long as impunity reigns, the massacres will continue in the region.
Thank you.
Speaker 444
Thank you very much, chair. Thank you, commissioner. We're discussing the situation in Lebanon. Lebanon is suffering from a situation of endemic violence, chronic instability, and I think the Lebanese people deserve a better future. For this reason, the European Union needs to have clear ideas and needs to clearly identify who is responsible for this instability in Lebanon. Within Lebanon, there's a state within the state, which is called Hezbollah.
Is called Hezbollah, and it's not only carrying out violence against its own people, but it's extending instability across the Middle East. Until Hezbollah disarms, there won't be any proper way of securing stability and peace in Lebanon. That reason, the European Union in the short term needs to do a number of different things.
Firstly, it needs to help the Lebanese government, of course, with humanitarian assistance. Including those that have been approved by the European Commission, but it also needs to help the country to manage and to provide the necessary services that the population needs in the midterm. We need to get more involved in Lebanon. And I think that when the conditions on the ground allow, the European Union should hold a peace conference, a regional peace conference in the area to try and establish not only peace in Lebanon, but also to help other countries in the region. And for that reason, we have to start work now so that when the conditions allow, we'll be able to launch this peace conference in the area. That is what the population of Lebanon deserves, and it's what we ourselves have to provide.
And thank you very much.
Francisco Assis
Thank you. Next speaker, Francisco Assis.
Thank you, President. Situation in Lebanon is too tragic and too complex. To analyze it. With simplistic approaches. And simple dichotomies.
It's true that Hezbollah is a serious problem, and the Israeli army is legitimate in its attempt to try and neutralize Espolet. As you know, Hezbollah is waging a proxy war on behalf of Iran. And there's no point in questioning that. I think there's no debate around that fact. But the Israeli response needs to be proportionate.
And it needs to respect the principles set out by international law. Unfortunately, in recent years, this has not always been the case, too many times. And so we have the European Union being called upon to act.
And we cannot have a simplistic view of the good against the evil or those who are in the right and those facing those who are the wrong. We know the situation is tragic. And the European Union cannot afford to ignore it.
Thierry Mariani
Yesterday. France paid tribute to its third soldier who died in Lebanon. He was 31 years old. And he had a child. French soldiers are in Lebanon, for peace and to try and maintain a fragile balance.
Given what the other players in the region are doing, nobody can deny the reality of the figures of the conflict today, which opposes Israel and Hezbollah. Since the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas on October 7, almost 1,200 people have been killed. More than 4,000 deaths and 16 injuries in Lebanon.
Than 1,200,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Lebanon. That's almost 1 in 5 people in the country. Civilians have been bombed. Infrastructure has been destroyed. There's also another problem.
That's almost 700,000 Syrian refugees who still haven't been able to return to their homes, whereas the new Syrian president has been in his post for more than a year. Since all given all of this, the European Union continues to close its eyes.
Why isn't the European Union able to ask for an immediate ceasefire in this conflict that is so nearby? The European Union has lost some of its credibility with its constant double standards.
Each civilian who dies requires the same indignation and gets the same attention whether they are Israeli, Palestinian, or Lebanese. What we must do now is to support Israel's efforts and those of Lebanon to reestablish peace, to sign a peace treaty in the region that is the best solution for guaranteeing both Israel's security and the security of Lebanon.
Speaker 447
So President, commissioner, colleagues, 1,500,000 people have been displaced inside the country, and we have had villages razed. And there have been 500 deaths, and there has been irreparable heritage destruction. It's brought them into the wall, but the war, the rules haven't been respected.
We need to look at what the reality is here. We need to look at the conflict in Lebanon. We need to be lucid about what is happening here. We have disappeared from the diplomatic stage here.
And we have been looking at markets over history. We need to think about what has happened in the past. What do European countries do to protect the children in Yarum Yerushal? What is happening when we've heard that there were calls from Macron to tell him not to touch Lebanon, but then you didn't even pick up the phone. We need to find our role again and our place.
It's time for us to make a real commitment to protect the Christian minority.
The next speaker, Billy Callaghan.
Billy Kelleher
The situation in Lebanon is truly dire. 1,200,000 people displaced, Israel occupying Southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, villages being razed to the ground. Already, a country that was in turmoil and under huge pressure because of Hezbollah undermining it and carrying out a proxy war on behalf of Iran, but also the flow of refugees into Lebanon over many years.
We have simply abandoned this. Irish troops have served bravely as unifill members in Southern Lebanon for many years. And we will be leaving UNIFIL at the end of this year. But as it stands, we will be leaving a region in turmoil.
Is it too much for us to ask for the implementation of a ceasefire? Support peace efforts, and humanitarian access. Is it too much for us to ask Israel to comply with international law? Israel acts with impunity because we have granted it immunity. It simply can disobey any international law, humanitarian standards, and at will, bomb and kill people while we know at the end of the day a diplomatic effort is required to bring stability to the region and security to Israel.
Thank you.
President.
Speaker 449
The EU must immediately suspend the association agreement with Israel, given the violation of human rights. Which has degenerated here, and it is degenerated to genocide. There have been experts from the UN who have been looking at. We are just having a debate without a resolution.
And then this is a tragic comment. Which is happening here when we've seen what's happened in the Italian government, the Italian as well, and said that there's no reason to block this agreement. But then we've had this ceasefire, but it's been violated by Israel as well.
More than seventy million seventy thousand have been killed, and then we have seen that there have been schools raised to the ground, and we have got 8,000,000 people who are. And we've got lots of people who are being attacked by the idea if we're seeing that there are bombs here as well. And that this war is going on.
And then, of course, on top of that, you've got the violation of international law elsewhere. It's very, very serious. There's some who's being attacked and then there are people who are being attacked.
So what's gonna do we have to do here to make sure that there is some sort of humanity and dignity as well? You and that we need to think about what's happening with the international law. We need to have credibility.
Speaker 450
We need to suspend the association agreement between the EU and Israel.
Next speaker, Hildegard Ben Telle.
Speaker 44
Dear colleagues, a ceasefire without enforcement is not stability. It is a pause before the next escalation. This is the risk we are facing today in Lebanon. While diplomatic talks between Israel and Lebanon are taking place in Washington, Hezbollah refuses to stop aggression.
Israel, this is a well-known fact since its foundation: security is not negotiable. After October 7, Hispola has strongly increased its attacks on northern Israel, leading to thousands of internal refugees. The threat by the terrorist organization is concrete and imminent. His Pola as well as Hamas, by the way, must finally be disarmed. This is not only a political demand.
It is a clear obligation under the UN Security Council Resolution 1701 from 2006. The authority of the state of Lebanon has been systematically undermined to an extent that entire parts of the Lebanese population are under the rule of Hezbollah.
Since Hezbollah is now lacking support from Iran, this opens a historic chance for finally sidelining them, restoring state control and turning between Israel and Lebanon from a state of war to a process of normalization.
Therefore, this is the moment for the EU to push both actors to pursue diplomacy. Diplomacy led to the Abraham Accords, the most stable peace framework in the Middle East until today.
I regret that the EU last played a prominent role as a peace broker in the Middle East in the nineties. At that time, Europe was trusted by all conflicting parties. I encourage the member states and the Commission to work on regaining this.
Trust.
Colleagues.
Evin Incir
Eu must urgently work for accountability and justice. The international community, including the EU, can't continue accepting the unlawful attacks of Netanyahu. Netanyahu will be remembered as one thing, and that is the prime minister of war.
Slaughtering innocent people. He claims he's attacking Hezbollah, Hamas, and the mullahs of Iran. But if that would be the case, how come so many innocent people are being killed? Because the vast majority in Lebanon are innocent people.
What does international law mean when it's only implemented when it's convenient for some and not implemented when it's not convenient? International law came in place after the second world war because we said what happened should never ever happen to anyone.
That refusal to suspend the EU-Israeli Association Agreement is a shame. And undermine the trust in the EU.
Colleagues.
Evin Incir
Let there be an end to the hypocrisy. Let's suspend the EU-Israeli association. Agreement.
Thank you.
Speaker 238
A few months ago, I visited Lebanon. And with my own eyes, I was able to see the destruction here, and especially the suffering of the people as a whole. And it is particularly of the Christian community as well because they've been the victims of a conflict for many years now. And we know, that's very serious in Lebanon. And Europe is working, and it's expressing its concern, but it could provide the right humanitarian systems.
We need to think about the diplomacy, as we need to make sure that they have respect for the ceasefire as well. We've had more than 2,000 killed, and many people have been displaced as well. And, yes, of course, we do need to find something that would give us hope as well.
We need to find this anchor of faith, and we need to find this curry. As we heard, there was a child who had died in the bombings in Beirut, but then, there was joy when the father arrived. And that child is the sign of the coexistence here and the possible peace. And we need to have this in our hearts. We need to have this picture of this child here who was very pure and innocent.
Speaker 425
But you you're not allowed to, according to rules, to show any picture, so please take in account as of in the future. Next speaker, Antonio, sorry. Irene Mantaro. Excuse me.
No. Please don't worry.
So it will be done.
Thank you. It's okay.
Oh, it's a maximum.
Okay.
Speaker 454
Thank you, President. Strange things are happening around the world. Did you know that fifteen minutes before the ceasefire was announced, in Iran, there were thousands of purchase agreements for oil? And Trump has a drone company that's, and there's also a betting company where you can get rich betting on the outcomes of the war.
That the father is waging. So profiting from genocide. And Iran, Gaza, Lebanon, what do they see? Hospitals bombarded, children burnt alive. In Europe, we've got fuel prices skyrocketing.
Flights are being canceled in Germany.
Speaker 455
These are not perhaps strange things. Perhaps these are just the results of your policies. Why do you support this war? How can you possibly do business on the back of war? Following the oil price, but hopefully, it will be no higher.
Speaker 425
So next speaker, Antonio Lopez, is Turis White. I would appreciate it, I appreciate it's okay.
Don't worry.
Speaker 456
Okay. Thank you, President. Our mission as the European Union is clear. We need to help Lebanon with the phase of reconstruction, peace, and prosperity. Especially for the Lebanese people.
That should be our duty.
Speaker 456
Lebanon's government is demonstrating strength and unity. It has taken a firm stance against Hezbollah. And most importantly, many Lebanese citizens are also voicing their opposition, particularly among the Sunni and Christian populations, there is a growing resistance to presence.
But Hezbollah is seeking to rebuild its capabilities, with Iranian financial support likely to resume. These risks undermine efforts to demilitarize Southern Lebanon and threaten the already fragile fire.
We need to immediately support the Lebanese armed forces and help them to disarm once and for all, Kresgebola.
Speaker 456
Let's think about the Lebanese people, not about the association agreement, and so on. Just about the Lebanese people. Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Speaker 459
Thank you, President and Commissioner. Once again, I'm here to talk about war crimes. And, really, I hate repeating myself, but I have to. And I'll never stop calling them out, and I'm never going to say that we're talking about BC, but Israel is occupying Lebanon.
We're talking about humanitarian aid, but the Israelis are violating with their four layers of attack. They bombed a building last week, then they bombed the security cord, then they bombed the rescue cord, then they bombed the ambulance that had come from a nearby city to offer help.
There was a ceasefire, but yesterday, Israel bombarded the south of the country as well. And killed the rescuers. And we're saying that Israel is a good partner, but in Lebanon, you've got over 1 million people who are displaced by this good partner.
This action must have consequences. This impunity here, what about the impunity of Netanyahu? We're talking about Putin and Hamas and Hezbollah, but we need to think about the consequences. And the consequence must be to suspend the association agreement with Israel.
Otherwise, the European community is going to see people die under the rubble of Beirut the way people have been dying in Gaza.
Özlem Demirel
Thank you. You, president. The March 11 in Beirut. Delal, one of many civilians living in a tent like so many others, preparing dinner for her children when the bombs start landing. On the ground.
She saw dead bodies, men injured, but saw two severely injured, unable to move or escape. And then, as the next bombs landed, he died. And all I can see every time I close my eyes is this man crawling away, and the perpetrator of all of this is Israel.
Israel is advancing in its destructive frenzy. Farming has become impossible. The Israeli ministers have said it very clearly. They want to build a bigger Israel. And we see what happened in Gaza.
And with regard to Gaza, the European Commission stays silent. You must suspend the association agreement with Israel at long last, and ensure that weapons are no longer delivered to Israel.
That's what the protesters are calling for.
Thank you.
Speaker 461
Commissioner, I want to express my full support and solidarity with the Lebanese people. This ceasefire must be recognized as a real opportunity for de escalation. We need to reinforce diplomatic efforts to maintain stability in this country.
Because my home country, Cyprus, is right next to it, and we can see the glow, let's say, of the missile flying over Lebanese airspace. We cannot speak of EU solidarity whenever we see fit.
We need to extend our solidarity with the Lebanese people, support them, and provide assistance to those that have been struck. This is our responsibility, and peace will not come only with our words, but we need to be consistent in our actions.
Speaker 464
We were told that if Israel were allowed to commit genocide in Gaza, it would not stop there. Next would be the West Bank. Iran, Lebanon, and today, that is what we are witnessing. In Lebanon, entire neighborhoods have been leveled.
2,500 people killed and almost 8,000 wounded by Israeli bombs. In this house, we rightly say that Ukraine must be defended, because Russia will not stop at Ukraine. It is the same with the Israeli death cult.
If Israel faces no consequences, why would it ever stop? Last Thursday, the EPP, Finnegan's party, vetoed a debate on the new Israeli death penalty for Palestinians only. On Friday, the supposed Christian Democrats met with the pope.
Stomach-churning hypocrisy. We must end the EU-Israel Association agreement because if international law only applies to some, it applies to none.
Speaker 465
Carmagos have drawn. Not content with their genocide in Gaza, Israel and war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu have extended their crimes towards the people of Lebanon.
Reports of the Israeli defense minister has ordered the destruction of homes inside Lebanon tells us clearly their aim is occupation and annexation. And whilst all of this is going on, the EU still refuses to suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
Some of our governments are even still selling weapons to Israel to help facilitate their crimes, occupation, and annexation. Shame on them. If we are serious about a lasting ceasefire, we need the occupying IDF to withdraw from Lebanese territory. We need to help rebuild and recommit ourselves to peace and to justice.
I want to pay tribute to the Irish men and women, both past and present, that have served us with pride as peacekeepers in Lebanon. Netanyahu should be imprisoned for war crimes, not causing further devastation for the people in Lebanon and Garmogiv.
Thank you. Next speaker, Ingeborg Terlach.
Ingeborg Ter Laak
Hezbollah Hizbels Lebanon.
Hezbollah's taking Lebanon on hold each and is pushing the country into a war again. The bombs are irresponsible and destabilizing the entire region. Israel has the right to defend itself, and that right is not unlimited.
So much has been destroyed by the war that more than 1 million people have had to leave their homes. Political philosopher Hannah Arendt said, safety is not separate from morality.
Sustainable peace requires limits. In war two, and this war has two sides as well. Hezbollah, which is escalating the conflict, and Israel, which is responding disproportionately. President, we must help Lebanon to free itself of its fallout.
We need to provide humanitarian help for everyone who's lost everything, but we need to have diplomacy to prevent further escalation because we need to have human dignity, and that will help build lasting peace.
Next speaker, Delara Burghardt.
Delara Burkhardt
Fian, thank you very much, president. The civilian population in Lebanon is suffering. And for the people on the right, not only Christians, we're talking about 205,250 deaths since March, 1,200,000 people who've had to leave their houses, people who are having to live on the streets in Beirut with family members without knowing whether they can return to their homes. They are living with daily fear of attacks, drones above their heads, and also a cease that is being violated by Israel and Hezbollah. And for this reason, this house has to give a clear signal the protection of civilians is an obligation under international law for all sides.
That's why the EU has to work. It has to intensify negotiations, consider sanctions for violations of international law, and also condemn the safety zone in the South of Lebanon. But we need one thing above all, a peace, a ceasefire that is worth its name, that is reliable.
Thank you. Alright.
Speaker 470
President, commissioner, the Lebanese Republic has become another victim of expansionist policies from Israel and violations of human rights by Israel. No state has the right to invade another country or to be aggressive towards it. And that's why Israel has become the single biggest threat to peace in the world.
War crimes, and genocide being committed, and also the apartheid against Arabs within Israel. The civilian population is being bombarded. There's even occupation of the southern parts of the country. More than 2,500 dead, 1,200,000 displaced. And it's a continuation of the genocide committed in Palestine.
The country needs to be stable and respected internationally. It should no longer be the victim of Israeli expansionism. The European Union must condemn and speak out against this, and allow the people of Lebanon to decide their own fate freely.
Speaker 355
Speaker Alice Theodorescu: No.
Other armed armory is there beneath that river, and Hispaniola needs to be disarmed. This is a revolution that's been going on for 20 years. Although the other Lebanon was part of the UN resolution, there have been 10,000 people who've had to leave their houses.
And despite the skewed media image, there are lots of Israelis who have had to leave their homes because Hezbollah has been armed and has been attacking them.
And this. Has been done in parallel to the state, in parallel to the Lebanese army. And for as long as that's happening, there will not be any stability. And we need to remember that the civilian population will pay a very high price.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
Commissioner President, we cannot afford to have another Gaza in Lebanon. Hundreds of people have been murdered. Since the beginning of the ceasefire. More than 1 million people have been displaced. And when families return, they won't find their houses or their neighborhoods. They'll only find desolation and destruction and no hope.
When did we forego humanitarian diplomacy? To guarantee help to aid and to protect civilians and humanitarian workers' basic infrastructure, did we forego all of this? When did we forego politics that solves conflicts? When did we betray our own commitments? There's article two of the association agreement between the European Union and Israel. It's very clear. It says that this requires the implementation of international law and international humanitarian law.
That's enough. How much more are we going to take of this destruction? Have to be consistent. Once and for all.
Speaker 425
Thank you, colleagues. Now we have a cage I procedure, and I have five speakers. And we'll start with Juan Fernando López Aguilar.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar
Today's. Debate. Refers to a humanitarian situation in Lebanon, and it's a misnomer because it's not an accident that caused this. It's an illegal war of aggression perpetrated by Netanyahu with Trump's complicity.
But not one reference from President von der Leyen against this illegal war. Which should be condemned. Because the ongoing war is really standing in the way of finding a lasting peace with Iran.
Let us not forget that this parliament supports Funul and the United Nations, but who are also suffering and sometimes killed. By Nations of Op Operations. But the articles of our treaties stipulate that there's a humanitarian clause in any agreement that we subsign up to, which means that we should suspend the agreement with Israel.
Madam.
Lukas Sieper
Commissioner, you said that today, sometimes it's difficult to sit and listen to the debate. I found this debate very difficult. I think it's difficult. No one says that it doesn't matter whether Lebanese or Israeli civilians die.
Because it doesn't play a role. They're civilians. They're people who haven't done anything. All they've done is they've been in the wrong place at the wrong time. When I was little, I was always a weird kid.
I wanted to be an officer. In the army, but not any army. But with the blue helmets. I thought that it must be wonderful to be a soldier that just has one job, protecting civilians.
But today, we see that this system has failed. And that's why we look at this whole situation. I think there's just one question. What can we do? What can we do so that we have something once again like peacekeepers who really do protect civilians? And maybe there'll be dark blue helmets in the future.
Thank you.
Benoît Lutgen
Thank you, President. Israel invades and is occupying a large share of Lebanese territory. And the consequences are terrible, devastating. Devastating. More than a million displaced people, hundreds of bombs landing in urban centers, journalists being killed.
First, they strike the car, then the journalist runs away into the home. The house is then bombed. You know, these are war crimes beyond imagination. And then when Russia invades Ukraine, the parliament say, well, we're going to sanction the aggressor, Russia, and we will support the Ukrainian army.
What are we doing about Lib Lebanon? Well, no sanctions against Israel.
No real support.
Benoît Lutgen
And we're saying that we don't want the Lebanese army to be equipped to really combat Israel. So, really, their only choice is to simply surrender and be massacred by Israel. And surrender their territory to Israel.
So that's what we are supporting by maintaining the partnership agreement with Israel. It's unacceptable. It must stop.
Speaker 105
The. EU supports the occupying forces of Israel by adopting its pretext and the land invasion in Lebanon. It is complicit in the death of 2,000 people and the displacement of 1,000,000 more.
Israel violates the fragile ceasefire. It pillages Lebanese villages and cities at the border, because it wants to create a security zone, and it has set its sights on maritime zones.
At the same time, they continue the genocide in Palestine. They continue the settlements in the West Bank. And now they have passed a law that foresees the death penalty for Palestinians.
The some EU governments say hypocritically speak of sanctions against Israel, but at the same time, they just want to secure a better place for their companies in this region.
Lukas Sieper
But the peoples extend their solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people. So we need to suspend the association agreement. Then it's Pablo. It's Andrew Cates.
Arthur.
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis
Thank you, President, honorable Commissioner.
I believe that if we now put on the table a definition of an aggressor, the definition of war crimes, and the international criminal law aspects. And if we try to evaluate the actions of the Netanyahu government in the Gaza Strip that's occupied in Lebanon in Gaza. And if we try to see parallels with Putin's war crimes, there will be no difference.
So I understand fully how complicated your situation is when we, on our behalf, confirm what you are thinking as well.
And it's obvious that the suspension of the agreement between the EU and Israel is really legitimate.
And we should convince the council and push it, but we have to be determined.
Speaker 425
We are closing KSI procedure, and I would like to ask to take the floor for the commission. Commissioner Labib, the floor is yours.
Speaker 476
President. Honorable members, I think there's one thing that we can all agree on. Too much bloodshed. There's been too much bloodshed in the Middle East and in Lebanon. Also in Gaza.
I too wish to pay my respects to the French soldiers who lost their lives in Lebanon and the thousands of Lebanese people who've lost their lives in Lebanon and the 1,200,000 Lebanese people who are struggling to survive far from their homes, from their fields, and their old lives. 1,200,000 displaced people who are living in tents, sometimes many kilometers away from their home region.
The European Union has acted swiftly, and we must owe it to ourselves to recognize that. We, the humanitarian front, we've immediately deployed means. Yes. It's a large sum and a small sum at the same time. It's too little to really tackle the destruction that's going on.
We have a buffer zone that's been established. And that really makes it very difficult. I would like to see the European Union do more than just be a donor. Obviously, being a donor is important, it should be a credible mediator and make diplomacy and dialogue re-emerge. And that's exactly what Europe is doing, and that's what it must continue to do.
So I think it's unfair. I hear many of you saying the European Union is doing nothing. The European Union should suspend the association agreement with Israel. Well, what European Union are you actually pointing the finger at as if it was some distant entity in Brussels or Strasbourg? Well, the European Union, that's you.
Speaker 476
The European Commission has put proposals on the table, amongst others, it has proposed a partial suspension of the association agreement. And a partial suspension of the Horizon program. And this was not accepted by the council.
So please convince them to speak to your capitals, and get them to change their minds.
If you wish.
But don't accuse the European Commission of doing nothing.
Speaker 476
And for partial suspension, you need a qualified majority. And for total suspension, you need unanimity. And that's even less likely to happen in English.
Hadja Lahbib
I think that as we conclude, I'm pleased also that we are all reaffirming our collective resource to prevent further suffering in Lebanon. This is the most important thing. The recent escalation has inflicted hardship on people.
And while we welcome, of course, the direct talks between Lebanon and Israel as a positive step, this must translate into a lasting ceasefire. And a political solution.
So the European Union will continue to engage with all parties to ensure that diplomacy prevails and that the voices of those most affected, especially Lebanese families, are heard. The EU's response to the crisis, as I said, has been quick and firmly rooted in solidarity, from humanitarian aid to crisis response, including cash assistance, health care, education.
We are standing by Lebanon in its hour of needs.
And I will visit Lebanon, as I said at the beginning, I think next week to assess the humanitarian situation firsthand. But our commitment is long term, by strengthening the Lebanese armed forces and the internal security forces, we are investing in Lebanon's long term resilience.
And many of you have also raised concerns about the end of the UNIFIL mandate. It will end by the end of the year.
In New York, the UN is reflecting on options post UNIFIL, and it seems that they are considering different options centered around strengthening the UN's call and armed or unarmed UN military observer presence, monitoring, observation, reporting on the blue helmet, and maybe dark blue helmet.
Who knows? And, I would also like to repeat, this structural reform needs to advance. Reforms are the foundation for rebuilding trust in the state and unlocking private and international investment needed for recovery.
The Lebanese people have endured.
Enough crisis.
Hadja Lahbib
The time to act is now. And the EU will remain a steadfast partner in this effort. You can count on the commission for that. Thank you.
Thank you, commissioner.
Speaker 425
This. Conclude this item on the agenda. We move to the next item for debate. The commission statement. On Sudan's crisis, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan? And that's all right.
Hadja Lahbib
You, mister chair, honorable members, as we enter the fourth year of this devastating war, our thoughts are with the people of Sudan.
With the families living through violence, hunger, and displacement.
With the children whose future is being stolen by this conflict. Today, many crises compete for our attention, but allow me to start with one clear message.
Sudan remains a top priority for the European Union.
I stress this again, just a few days ago in Berlin, and once again at the Foreign Affairs last week in Luxembourg.
Unrebel members in the past, I have called Sudan a sea of suffering.
But today, it has become a tsunami of suffering.
Hadja Lahbib
Sudan is now one of the deadliest conflicts on Earth. And the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, more than 33,000,000 people need assistance. 60% of them are children.
The future of Sudan.
Hadja Lahbib
Despite 3,000,000 returns, Sudan remains the world's largest displacement crisis. Nearly 14,000,000 people uprooted from their homes. Nearly 20,000,000 people face acute food insecurity, and famine is being used as a tactic of war by one of the parties to the conflict.
Sudan is also a protection crisis. Millions of people face daily threats to their safety and dignity.
Both sides continue to use tactics that harm civilians and violate international humanitarian law and human rights law.
Drones are changing the face of this war as well. Targeting trucks and warehouses filled with food for people facing famine.
Hospitals are attacked, civilians and aid workers killed. Or injured. Humanitarian infrastructure has been destroyed, and attacks on markets have cut off access to goods, and disrupted the economy.
Sudan is also a gender emergency.
As one partner recently told me, the war in Sudan has a face. The face of a woman.
Being a woman should not mean being a target. Yet, women and girls are paying a terrible price.
Sexual violence is widespread, rape is used as a weapon. To terrorize communities. Women and girls are the most affected by hunger and the most at risk when they are forced to flee.
Twelve million people are now at risk of gender-based violence, a 350 percent increase since the conflict began. In Sudan, war is not just fought on the battlefield, it is fought on streets and in homes against civilians. We continue to see repeating and appalling violations of international humanitarian law.
In the face of this immense suffering, the European Union has remained firmly engaged. We are supporting the humanitarian response with all the tools at all disposal.
Through funding, of course, but also through humanitarian air bridges and sea freight, and through strong advocacy, often side by side with our EU member states.
Since 2023 and the beginning of the conflict, the European Union has made available close to €1,000,000,000 for Sudan and neighboring countries. Nearly €600,000,000 of that has gone to Sudan itself.
In March, I convened the fourth humanitarian senior official meeting on Sudan in Brussels. We brought together international partners, EU member states, UN agencies, NGOs, and Sudanese local responders.
That meeting sent a clear message.
We must keep up strong humanitarian aid, strengthen coordination, and better support local responders. They are so often the first and sometimes the only lifeline for people in need. They are the backbone of the response, the quiet heroes of Sudan. We must support them in every possible way.
And just two weeks ago, in Berlin, the International Sudan Conference sent another strong signal of international support. The conference was organized by Germany, and hosted by the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, the African Union, and the United States.
And I had the honor of sharing the humanitarian segment of that conference. The result was close to €1,500,000,000 in pledges. Despite competing crises, Team Europe alone mobilized for this year more than €811,000,000.
Once again, I think that Europe shows a leading role in responding to this crisis. And this includes a new EU humanitarian envelope of €323,000,000 for Sudan and its neighboring countries. But let us be equally clear about one thing: Humanitarian aid alone cannot solve this crisis. Food cannot replace peace.
Medicaid cannot replace justice. Shelter cannot replace a ceasefire. What Sudan needs is an end to the fighting, respect for international humanitarian law, and a credible path to peace.
The people of Sudan deserve nothing less.
Thank you.
Thank you. You, madam commissioner.
Lukas Mandl
I give the floor to Mr. Mandel.
Chair commissioner colleagues, Since April 2023, the crisis in Sudan is, by far, the largest humanitarian crisis we have on Earth. And we should ask ourselves from time to time why other smaller crises with maybe more political impact, more clear ideological roots. More present in our political debates than this largest crisis on Earth where people are suffering, children, women, and men have been suffering since April 23, and each year here in the plenary of the European Parliament, we do not only discuss the crisis, but we also foster humanitarian aid from the EU side, which becomes even more important in times when aid investments are cut over the world.
It's again the World Food Program, WFP, very unideological, helping starving people. Continues to assist over 3,300,000 people each month. Majority of whom are facing emergency levels of food insecurity. Only in February, WFP distributed a lot of food and $12,000,000 in cash.
The one food program depends on the funds from the states, especially from EU member states, that funded. And to help in this crisis is not only a human question, which is clear, and would be enough to decide in the right direction. It's also a question of Europe's security and Europe's dignity to be among the supporters.
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