What Roberta spoke about.

Dear colleagues, the sitting is resumed. I have received the following candidatures: Katarina Barley Klára Dostálová Esteban González Pons Martin Hojsík Ewa Kopacz Fabrice Leggeri Javi López Victor Negrescu Younous Omarjee Pina Picierno Antonella Sberna Christel Schaldemose Nicolae Ştefănuță Sabine Verheyen Sophie Wilmès Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik Roberts Zīle All the candidates have confirmed to me their consent to their candidatures and we shall now proceed to the vote.

The following political groups have been formed: – Group of the European People’s Party: 188 members – Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament: 136 members – Patriots for Europe Group: 84 members – European Conservatives and Reformists Group: 78 members – Renew Europe Group: 77 members – Group of the Greens/European Free Alliance: 53 members – The Left Group: 46 members – Europe of Sovereign Nations Group: 25 members There are also 32 non-attached Members of Parliament. The statements concerning the establishment of political groups referred to in Rule 33(5) will be annexed to the minutes of this part-session.

"The tendency to be united is one of the constants of history," said Alcide de Gasperi seventy years ago. “We talk, we write, we insist, we don’t leave a moment’s breath; Let Europe remain the topic of the day." I echo his words, which we must remember in this legislature.

Our Europe must be a Europe that honours them, that honours our common history. There is no better place than here, in Strasbourg, at the seat of the European Parliament, in this living symbol of reconciliation, to remember the past and build the future.

Grazie, onorevole Picierno, dear colleagues, it is hard to put into words just what it means for a woman who grew up on an island in our Mediterranean Sea to stand before you here today. To me, Europe was worth fighting for. It was never perfect, but we looked to the European Parliament, to this Strasbourg Hemicycle, as a symbol of standards, of opportunity, of reconciliation. It was our guarantee of the rule of law, of equality, of democracy, of liberty, of prosperity. It gave us all the chance to dream of a future where our potential is not limited. That is what Europe meant to millions of us. That is what Europe means to me and millions of others still. My passion for our project has not dimmed. I want to help build it better. I want to help bridge the remaining gaps between what people expect from Europe and what we can deliver. And so I am here to ask for your trust and your vote to allow us to continue together for the next two and a half years, and prove to every girl and boy watching today that in our Europe even these unlikely journeys are indeed possible. The challenges coming our way will require strong leadership: whether that is pushing forward legislation that people need from us, negotiating with other institutions, representing Parliament in Member States, or standing up in Kiev, Chisinau and beyond, we need to stand tall and ready. This last mandate we have learned that the future is anything but predictable. But come what may, I will keep working with all of you to face the tests when they do come. Friends, two and a half years ago, I stood here after my predecessor, David Sassoli, had just passed away. He was a President who put dignity of people above all. I promised then that I would honour his legacy. I renew that now. And with your support, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring people together. Concretely, this must be a House that cannot be afraid to lead and to change. We have started, but we are not yet finished. We need to strengthen and streamline our operations to ensure that this Parliament can be the legislative and political powerhouse we want it to be. This means that we must keep up the pressure to ensure a right of initiative, that we are able to improve our scrutiny and inquiry powers, hold other institutions to account, and address the remaining institutional imbalances. This must be a strong Parliament in a strong Union. That is what the Treaties intend us to be, and that is what the people need us to be. We cannot accept that our role as parliamentarians is diluted. Parliamentarism must be strengthened. Members need to be empowered and supported. We must be the ones to be able to say when proposals go too far or when they don’t go far enough, when they are too expensive or when they are simply impossible to implement. We must be the ones who push the legislation that our people want and need, and we will do what is necessary to achieve that. This must be a Parliament of debate, a Parliament of respect, a House where we can discuss and argue our corner in lively and active sessions that capture people’s attention and their imagination. A Parliament where red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy is cut. Where simplification means that we are less about ticking boxes and more about common sense. Where any abuse is fought and where it is easier to do our job. Where every Member and all staff feel safe, respected, protected and proud to come into work. We can do that in a Parliament of integrity where we are accountable and we are open. People will look to us for direction: whether it is standing up for our values and the rule of law, remaining the strong advocate that Ukraine needs, amplifying the voice of humanity in the Middle East as we search for a sustainable peace, or the necessity we have to stick to our commitments and keep our Union as a global leader of rights, of equality, of security, of climate, of opportunity, of competitive, free but fair markets, with a strong social pillar that allows everyone to be whoever they wish to be and where no one is left behind. Dear colleagues, let me conclude by saying that I will never shy away from taking the difficult decisions. My door will always remain open. Members will be treated fairly and with dignity. As President, you know that I am able to both stand up for Parliament, our Parliament, and build bridges. I am proud to stand here today, and if you choose to lend me your trust, I will not let you down.

I would remind you that, in accordance with Rule 14(2) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, no business shall be transacted while a Member is provisionally in the chair unless it concerns the election of the President or the verification of credentials. All the official documents which form the basis for the election of Members will be transmitted to the committee responsible for the verification of credentials, which shall be set up in accordance with Rule 212 of the Rules of Procedure. Pursuant to Rule 3(2), until such time as Members’ credentials have been verified or a ruling has been given on any dispute, and provided that they have previously signed the written declaration of non-incompatibility, they shall take their seat in Parliament and on its bodies and shall enjoy all the rights attaching thereto. Members who are holding an office which is incompatible with the office of Member of the European Parliament, pursuant to Article 7 of the Act of 20 September 1976 concerning the election of the members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, may not take their seats. The eight missing Members who have not yet signed the declaration of non—incompatibility are therefore invited to do so immediately at the stands which are located at the entrance of the Chamber, in order to be able to enjoy all their rights. Otherwise, those eight Members will not be allowed to vote today. I will now hand over to Vice-President Picierno to preside over the election of the President of the European Parliament.

Dear colleagues, today marks the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal – a moment in the timeline of European history that reverberates and inspires still. A date where democracy, freedom and dignity took back their rightful place in Portugal, and it serves as a reminder to us to never take these cornerstone European values for granted. So the symbolism of today is all the more significant as we meet for the last voting session of this 9th legislature of the European Parliament. Let me say very quickly how immensely proud I am of all the work that we have done, of all the laws that we have passed, of all the debates that we have had and of all the challenges that we have overcome together. I think we can look back at this mandate with satisfaction in knowing that we have played our part in writing the story of Europe. Before we go, I want to wish all of you who will not stand for elections well. Please know that there is a stone in this House that will always be yours. To all of you who are running again and will soon be campaigning, I wish you strength, patience and success. Please keep doing what you can to bring Europe closer to the people. This is the last voting session for many of you, including some of our committee chairs, group leaders and vice-presidents of Parliament. It is impossible to name each of the colleagues whom I would like to thank personally from here. But allow me to make one exception: Jerzy Buzek, our President, has decided not to run again. (Applause) President Buzek, I really want to use this opportunity to salute you and all you have done for this House and for all of us. Dziękuję. I also want to thank all the services and the staff of this great institution. Thank you for making everything that we do possible. Thank you for making us proud to serve this Parliament. (Applause) And finally, one more exception: today – after 33 years of service – marks the final plenary session for Steven Wicker, who has patiently, calmly and brilliantly dealt with the preparation and conduct of the voting sessions in plenary. Dear Steven, on behalf of myself and all the former Presidents and Vice-Presidents, and on behalf of all Members whom you served so loyally, I thank you. (Applause) We are not done yet. Our mandate continues until 16 July 2024. We will keep on working until the last minute. We will keep delivering and we will do everything in our power to return this House stronger, more effective, more independent and better able to be the voice of all Europeans for the 10th legislature. I will see you all in July, and now we vote. (Applause)

I will now give the floor to the political group leaders for two minutes each, starting with the EPP Group. I give the floor to Jerzy Buzek – a former President of the European Parliament and a current Member.

Yes, we are informed that, in fact, the opinion should be received on time. So let’s put the request for a change of title to a vote by roll call. (Parliament approved the request) Therefore, the agenda is adopted and the order of business is thus established. Have a good last plenary week, everyone. (The sitting was suspended for a few moments)

Does anybody want to speak against? No? Therefore, we put the request to a vote by roll call. (Parliament approved the request) Therefore, the agenda is changed accordingly. The Renew Group has requested that Council and Commission statements on ‘The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian Parliament, with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles’ be added in the evening, after the Rule 144 reports. I give the floor to Mr Kauch to move the request on behalf of the Renew Group.

– Does anybody want to speak against this proposal? I don’t see that to be the case so we put the request to a vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) For Wednesday, the S&D Group has requested that Council and Commission statements on ‘Recent attempts to deny dictatorships and the risk of Europe returning to totalitarianism’ be added in the evening, after the Council and Commission statements on ‘Forging a sustainable future together’. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to Mr Luena to move the request on behalf of the S&D Group.

We put the request to a vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) We move to Wednesday. The Left Group has requested that the title of the HR/VP statement on ‘Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response’ be changed to ‘Israel’s attack on Iran’s diplomatic premises, Iran’s unprecedented retaliation against Israel, and the need for de-escalation and an EU response’. I give the floor to Mr Wallace to move the request on behalf of The Left Group.

So unless anybody wants to speak against, I will put your request to a vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) For Tuesday, the Greens/EFA Group has requested that a Commission statement on ‘The responsibilities of fossil fuel companies in the cost of living crisis’ be added as the last item in the evening. Therefore, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. The debate would be wound up with a resolution. I give the floor to Alviina Alametsä to move the request on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group.

We put the request to a vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) For Tuesday, The Left Group has requested that a HR/VP statement on ‘Diplomatic tensions between Ecuador and Mexico’ be added in the afternoon, after the HR/VP statement on ‘The situation in Haiti’. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to Mr Scholz to move the request on behalf of The Left.

So now we put the request for a resolution to a vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) For tomorrow, the Greens/EFA Group has requested that a debate on ‘The simplification of certain CAP rules’, currently scheduled for vote only on Thursday, be added as the fifth item in the afternoon, after the statement on ‘The situation in Haiti’. As a consequence, the sitting would be extended to 23.00. I give the floor to Mr Eickhout to move the request on behalf of the Greens/EFA Group.