Speeches

The first vote is on Draft amending budget No 3/2025: adjustment in payment appropriations, update of revenues and other technical updates (see minutes, item 5.1).

The competent authorities of the Netherlands have notified me of the election of Mieke Andriese to the European Parliament replacing Sebastian Stöteler with effect from 20 November 2025. I welcome our new colleague and recall that she takes her seat in Parliament and on its bodies in full enjoyment of her rights, pending the verification of her credentials.

The next item is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on the EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine (2025/3001(RSP)). I would like to remind you that we continue with the test of the new format for this debate and there will be no speakers’ list. After the first round of speakers on behalf of the groups, Members who received speaking time from their political groups or non-attached secretariat will be called to speak and will be reminded of their allotted speaking time. Please keep an eye on the screens in the Chamber, where the current speaker and the next three speakers will be displayed. When your name appears as upcoming speaker, I would like to ask you to prepare and make your way to the lectern. The normal rules regarding the blue card and catch-the-eye procedures will apply during the debate.

The next vote is on the decision to maintain the action before the Court of Justice for the annulment of the decision of the Commission on the withdrawal of the Standard essential patents proposal (see minutes, item [x]).

The next item is the debate on Parliament's statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (2025/2983(RSP)). This will be followed by one round of political group speakers with no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue cards. Dear colleagues, today we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Today is a reminder of our responsibility to answer the call to action. It is a moment to act and to honour all the women and girls who have lost their lives, those who survived and all those who continue to suffer – too often in silence. Today, we recommit to this House's proud role in standing up for women everywhere. This week, our Parliament glows in orange – I see many of you have worn the colour today. A light for every woman and girl who has suffered; the promise to every woman and girl who deserves safety, dignity and a life free from fear. We owe women more than awareness – we say this every year – we owe them change. And I am proud of the steps that this House has taken. We have pushed through legislation criminalising more forms of gender-based abuse, both online and offline, and now it must be implemented, and together we can really go even further. In Europe, the numbers are shocking: 30 % of women have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence. This is unacceptable and we must do more. We must do more for every Giulia, for every Paulina, for every Bernice, for every Ashling who was killed in our Europe because they were women. We must also do more for every survivor, like every Gisèle in France and Ana Bella in Spain, who stood tall and dared to shatter the silence. We must do more, for every woman.

Ms Bricmont and Ms Aubry, and I know a lot of colleagues, I have spoken with you also bilaterally to go through what we are facing, this is something of great importance. So, as I made very clear in the Conference of Presidents meeting with your group leaders last week, this is a question that requires full legal certainty, and it also requires a text upon which to ask the questions of the Court in line with the long-established practice of this House. So, that said, I have listened to everyone as I always do, and I understand the gravity and importance of this decision, and I assure you this will remain on the table. Nothing was refused, and we will come back to it at the right time, in line with legal advice, which I rely on, and I hope you do too.

I put the request by Ms Aubry on behalf of The Left Group to a vote by roll call. (Parliament rejected the request) The agenda is adopted and the order of business is thus established. Thank you. Now we will proceed with the 14 points of order. I start by giving the floor, in the order that they came, to Ms Bricmont.

We now come to the order of business. The final draft agenda, as adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 19 November pursuant to Rule 163, has been distributed. I have received 14 points of order, so we will take them after we adopt the agenda. They keep increasing – despite our efforts to the contrary. I would like to inform you, first of all, that I have received from the EPP Group the following request for an urgent procedure pursuant to Rule 170(6): Bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products. The vote on this request will be taken tomorrow. If adopted, the vote will be held on Thursday. With the agreement of the political groups, I wish to put to the House the following proposal for a change to the final draft agenda: The following objection is added to Thursday’s voting session: objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): financing of the 2025 action plan for Tanzania. The deadlines are as follows: Amendments: Monday 24 November at 19:00. Split and separate votes: Tuesday 25 November at 19:00. If there are no objections, this change is approved, and we now move to changes requested by political groups. The EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA and ECR groups have requested that Council and Commission statements on the ‘EU position on the proposed Peace Plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine’ be added on Wednesday morning as key debate. As a consequence, the debate on Council and Commission statements on the ‘Effective use of the EU trade and industrial policy to tackle China’s export restrictions’ would be moved to Tuesday afternoon, as the first item after the votes and the sitting would be extended until 23:00. The EPP, S&D, Renew and Greens/EFA groups also requested that the debate be wound up with a resolution. So, we will vote on both requests: first to have the debate and then to see whether we have a majority for a resolution. I give the floor to Michael Gahler to move the request.

The next vote is on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Spain and France in relation to natural disasters in 2024 and 2025 (see minutes, item 6.20).

The next vote is on the EU-Switzerland agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information: Amending Protocol (see minutes, item 6.19).

The next vote is on the EU-Monaco agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information: Amending Protocol (see minutes, item 6.16).

The next vote is on the EU-Andorra agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information: Amending Protocol (see minutes, item 6.15).

The next vote is on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (see minutes, item 6.8).

Can I please tell you, dear colleague, that this would be voluntary. We are not obliging you to do anything. I can tell you I've also had multiple kids myself. We will now proceed with the vote.