What Roberta spoke about.

10

Mar

2025

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Proposals for Union acts

I would also like to announce that, pursuant to Rule 47(2), I have declared admissible two proposals for a Union act. The first is on employment protection for the activities of police officers, military personnel, prison officers, and customs and border officials, classifying them as high-risk occupations in the EU. The proposal is referred to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. The second is on the need to extend the period for implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. This proposal is referred to the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, as committees responsible, and to the Committee on Employment, the Committee on the Environment, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on Transport and Tourism, for opinion.

10

Mar

2025

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Corrigenda (Rule 251)

The LIBE and ENVI committees have transmitted corrigenda to texts adopted by Parliament. Pursuant to Rule 251, these corrigenda will be deemed approved unless, no later than 24 hours after their announcement, a request is made by a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold that they be put to the vote. The corrigenda are available on the plenary webpage. Their titles will be published in the minutes of this sitting.

10

Mar

2025

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Composition of committees and delegations

The ECR and Greens/EFA groups and non-attached Members have notified me of decisions relating to changes to appointments within committees and delegations. These decisions will be set out in the minutes of today's sitting and take effect on the date of this announcement.

10

Mar

2025

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Statements by the President

Good afternoon, dear colleagues. We start with a few announcements on my side. First of all, dear colleagues, two years ago, on 28 February 2023, in Tempi, Greece, a tragic railway accident cost 57 people their lives and injured even more. We mark a sad anniversary today as our hearts go out to the victims, to those who lost their loved ones and to the injured who still bear the scars of that day. This House remembers them and honours them. Over the coming months, we will celebrate also the 35th anniversary of the assertion of state continuity of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, enshrining their independence de jure under international law throughout different illegal occupations and annexations of the 20th century. These anniversaries remind us again of the sacrifice of so many for the liberty that we enjoy today, and underscore our determination never to allow another generation of Europeans to be lost behind an Iron Curtain. Tomorrow at noon, we will once again welcome national leader of Belarus, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, to this plenary, along with other brave women from Ukraine and Belarus, who are standing up for liberty in order to mark International Women's Day. May I ask that you are present. I count on you and your colleagues to be here then, because this week will also serve to reaffirm this House's steadfast support for the people of Belarus and their struggle for freedom, including political prisoners. And to express this solidarity and to mark the International Day of Solidarity with Belarus, the European Parliament is once again offering you, as Members of this Parliament, the opportunity to sign postcards addressed to the 1 250 political prisoners who are unfairly imprisoned by Lukashenka's regime. I urge you to join in this action to show them that their sacrifice will not remain unanswered. Last year, this initiative was extremely successful – in the previous mandate, in the previous Parliament. I ask that we make this year's even more so. We know their names, we see their struggle and we stand with them. So this message and this initiative will send the strongest of messages that they are not alone. (Applause)

10

Mar

2025

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Resumption of the session

I declare resumed the session of the European Parliament adjourned on 13 February 2025.

12

Feb

2025

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Commission Work Programme 2025 (debate)

Thank you for this debate; I think it worked very well. The debate is closed.

12

Feb

2025

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Commission Work Programme 2025 (debate)

The next item on the agenda is the debate on the Commission statement on the Commission Work Programme for 2025 (2025/2500(RSP)). I would like to remind you that we will continue with the test of the new format in this debate, and there will be no fixed speakers list. So what will happen is that after the first round of speakers, on behalf of the groups, Members who received speaking time from their political groups or the Non‑attached Secretariat will be called to speak and will be reminded of their allotted speaking time. Keep an eye on the screens where the current speaker, but also the next three speakers, will be displayed, so you'll have a little bit of time to prepare. Then, of course, when your name appears, please come to the lectern. The normal rules regarding blue cards and catch‑the‑eye will apply during the debate. We will have a look at the time towards the end, but I expect quite a lively debate. There is a point of order.

12

Feb

2025

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Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 72) (action taken)

There is one communication from my end in relation to the joint decision by the AFET and BUDG Committees to enter interinstitutional negotiations pursuant to Rule 72(1) announced at the opening of the part‑session on Monday, 10 February, I have received no request for a vote in Parliament by Members or a political group or groups reaching at least the medium threshold, so the committees may therefore start the negotiations.

11

Feb

2025

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European Central Bank – annual report 2024 (A10-0003/2025 - Anouk Van Brug) (vote)

The next vote is on the report by Anouk Van Brug on the European Central Bank – annual report 2024 (see minutes, item 7.4).

11

Feb

2025

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Renewal of the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and Ukraine (A10-0007/2025 - Borys Budka) (vote)

The next vote is on the report by Borys Budka on the renewal of the agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and Ukraine (see minutes, item 7.3).

11

Feb

2025

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Conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (A10-0004/2025 - Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral) (vote)

The next vote is on the report by Paulo do Nascimento Cabral on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol (2024-2029) implementing the Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Cabo Verde (see minutes, item 7.2).

11

Feb

2025

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Formal sitting - Address by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada

Dear colleagues, it is my great honour to welcome to the European Parliament our dear friend Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada. Welcome. (Applause) This month marks three years since Russia launched its brutal, illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Yet, as we enter the fourth winter of war, the world has witnessed the Ukrainian people rise up with courage, with defiance, with an unshakeable determination to defend their land and their freedom against all odds. I am proud that this Parliament has stood with Ukraine from the very first moment – united, unwavering and resolute. And our partnership with the Verkhovna Rada has been critical in deepening our ties with the Ukrainian people and preparing Ukraine for its path towards membership. We will keep pushing for peace, but we must not let go of what we mean by peace. Peace must be just. Peace must be dignified. And it must be based on the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine'. (Applause) And for that Ukraine must be in a position of strength. And that means Europe must do more. More financial support. More military aid. More diplomatic pressure. More humanitarian assistance. Because we know that the defence of Ukraine is also the defence of Europe. This is not just an attack on Ukraine. It is an attack on democracy, our way of life, on Europe. So, it is my great pleasure to give the floor to you, dear Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada.

10

Feb

2025

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Order of business

I give the floor to any colleague that would like to speak against this proposal. Otherwise we go straight to the vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the proposal) So, the agenda is unchanged. The agenda is now adopted and the order of business is thus established. Have a good afternoon.

10

Feb

2025

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Order of business

We now come to the order of business. The final draft agenda, as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 5 February pursuant to Rule 163, has been distributed. With the agreement of the political groups, I wish to put to the House the following proposals for changes to the final draft agenda. For today, Monday, Parliament statement on the situation in Sweden in the midst of the recent mass shooting in Örebro, with one round of political group speakers, is added as the first point. For tomorrow, a formal sitting with an address by Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, is added at 12:00. As a result, the voting session will start at 12:30. For Thursday, the order of debates will change as follows. The debate on 'EU-Mercosur trade agreement' will be taken as the first point on the agenda, whereas the debate on 'Threats to EU sovereignty through strategic dependencies and communication infrastructure' will be the second point. If there are no objections, then these changes are approved. We will move now to a change requested by a political group. For Wednesday, the ESN Group has requested that a Commission statement on ‘Condemning all politically motivated violence, in particular the slingshot attack in Germany and other violent attacks in Europe’ be added as the third point in the afternoon. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23:00. I give the floor to Christine Anderson to move the request on behalf of the ESN Group.

10

Feb

2025

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Signature of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 81)

I would like to inform you that, together with the President of the Council, I shall, on Tuesday, sign one act adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure, in accordance with Rule 81 of Parliament's Rules of Procedure. The title of the act will be published in the minutes of this sitting. ⁂ I would also like to inform the House that I have received three requests for points of order. I will give the floor in the order that we have received them, first with Petras Auštrevičius. Please quote the rule under which you are making the point of order.

10

Feb

2025

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Penalties

First of all, pursuant to Rules 10 and 183 of the Rules of Procedure, and after taking into account the observations of the Member concerned, I have decided to impose a penalty on Grzegorz Braun. At the sitting of 27 November 2024, Mr Brown repeatedly used offensive and discriminatory language in the framework of the debate of the recent legislation targeting LGBTQI persons. This penalty consists of the forfeiture of his entitlement to the daily subsistence allowance for a period of two days, as well as a temporary suspension from participation in all the activities of Parliament for a period of two days on which Parliament meets, starting from today, 10 February 2025, without prejudice to his right to vote in plenary and subject to strict compliance with the Members' standards of conduct. The Member concerned has been notified of these decisions and has not launched an internal appeal with the Bureau pursuant to Rule 184. The penalties are therefore final.

10

Feb

2025

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Resumption of the session

I declare resumed the session of the European Parliament adjourned on 29 January 2025.

29

Jan

2025

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Formal sitting – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

(Interruptions off mic by Mr Braun) Thank you, Ms Hermann, for that moving speech. I must also inform you, Ms Hermann, the father of Simone Veil was on the same train as your father, so the connection with this Parliament is very deep. Please, dear colleagues, can I ask you now to join me in observing one minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Can I please ask for silence from the gallery? We will now stand for a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. (The House observed a minute’s silence) (Interruptions off mic by Mr Braun) Thank you. As the last part of this ceremony, I now invite Sam Lucas and Sadie Fields to play 'Kaddish' by Maurice Ravel, which is based on a Jewish prayer of the same name. (Interruption off mic by Mr Braun) Mr Braun, you leave the Chamber now! I ask that the Member is escorted out of the Chamber now! Please! I think an apology is due to Ms Hermann, and to Mr Lucas and Ms Fields. Please go ahead. (Sam Lucas, cello, and Sadie Fields, violin, performed 'Kaddish' by Maurice Ravel) (Sustained applause) Thank you very much. As this solemn ceremony draws to a close, may we each carry forward the torch of memory, so that hatred has no sanctuary and humanity prevails. Europe remembers! Never again!

29

Jan

2025

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Resumption of the session

I declare resumed the session of the European Parliament adjourned on 23 January 2025.

22

Jan

2025

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Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency (debate)

The next item is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on the presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency (2024/2970(RSP)). Dear colleagues, on 1 January, Poland took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and today we are honoured to welcome the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, to introduce his Presidency's priorities to this House. Dear Prime Minister, dear Donald, witamy – welcome. (Applause) It is good to see you back in the European Parliament. A strong Poland means a strong Europe, and Poland is ready for the challenge of this Presidency. Under your leadership, Poland entered 2025 as a European front runner in economic growth and a leading voice for collective European action on competitiveness and security. Dear Prime Minister, you take the reins as the world around us has become more unpredictable. Increasingly, Europe's way and our unity will come under renewed pressure and I know that in those moments, as we collectively face down these global challenges, Europe will be able to rely on Polish courage and spirit to anchor our Union, and you will find this Parliament as a solid partner in your journey. When we see what Russia did in Ukraine, the dictatorship in Belarus, the instability in the Middle East, Europe will be called upon to do more, to stand up for our way, to lead. And Europe will be ready for this new reality. We must step up and act with determination to ensure that our Union continues to thrive, to ensure that we are able to generate the prosperity our European way relies on, to make people's lives easier, to ensure our people can live securely and in safety. This also means taking steps to ensure Europe secures its own frontiers, protects its critical infrastructure and builds its defence readiness to counter very real external threats and defend our strategic autonomy. And we must go even further, working together to increase our collective security across our Union in all areas, from migration to energy and economy. With Poland at the helm of this Presidency, guided by your leadership and your vision, dear Donald, I am confident our Union can tackle these critical issues and emerge even stronger, even more secure, even more prosperous. The steps we choose to take together in the next six months will be decisive for our Union, and there is no time to lose. The time to act is now. In the words of that great Pole, Pope John Paul II, the future starts today, not tomorrow. So, dear Prime Minister, dear Donald, the floor is yours. (Applause)

22

Jan

2025

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Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024 (debate)

The next item is European Council and Commission statements on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 December 2024 (2024/2879(RSP)). By way of a reminder, after the first round of speakers on behalf of the groups, Members who have received speaking time from their political groups or the non‑attached Members' Secretariat will be called to speak and will be reminded of their allotted speaking time. This means that I ask you to keep an eye on the screens where the current speaker and the next two speakers will be displayed, and then you will be called to come up to the lectern. The normal rules regarding blue cards and the catch‑the‑eye procedure will apply during the debate. Now, I have the pleasure to invite the President of the European Council, for the first time in his office, to address us in this Parliament on the conclusions of the last meeting of 19 December. António, the floor is yours.

21

Jan

2025

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Need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms including against foreign interference and biased algorithms (debate)

OK, that you cannot say. Mr Uhrík, I have to cut off your microphone now. I'm sorry, no matter what, you do not tell your colleagues to shut up, even if you disagree.

20

Jan

2025

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Request for consultation of the European Economic and Social Committee (Rule 151)

I have received a request from the ECON Committee, pursuant to Rule 151(2), to consult the European Economic and Social Committee in the context of the procedure relating to facilitating the financing of investments and reforms to boost European competitiveness and creating a capital markets union. This request for consultation will be deemed to have been approved unless, within 24 hours, a political group or Members reaching at least the low threshold request that it be put to the vote. * * * I would like to inform the House that I have received two requests for points of order. I will give the floor first to João Oliveira. As always, please quote the rule that you are making your point on.

20

Jan

2025

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Composition of political groups

Taner Kabilov and Elena Yoncheva are no longer members of the Renew Group, and now sit with the non-attached Members as of 23 December 2024.

20

Jan

2025

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Requests for waivers of immunity

I have received a request from the competent authorities in Poland for the parliamentary immunity of Daniel Obajtek to be waived. I have also received a request from the competent authorities in Belgium for the parliamentary immunity of Jaak Madison to be waived. These requests are referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs.