Speeches

Mr President, if I were not an MEP, I would like to be a member of the European Court of Auditors. And why? Because I would work in an institution that is absolutely professional, reliable and gives us good advice on how to deal with European funds. Indeed, the 2024 annual report confirms once again that the accounts of the European Union give a true and fair view of the overall error rate. The weakness of the European Union, which fell from 5.6% to 3.6%. That's real progress. At the same time, however, we must, and the Commission must, take seriously the clear warning – the growing number of irregularities under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, known as the Recovery Fund. This should be a wake-up call for further action by the European Commission. Instead of creating new financial mechanisms within the RRF structure or planning new funds without firm guarantees, we must first find out whether the current system really works. Supervision, accountability, transparency must be preceded by enlargement. The conclusions of the European Court of Auditors' accounts are not a criticism. They're a recommendation. Let us learn from them and strive for simpler, more sustainable and more reliable European funding.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, I would say that you have made a brilliant speech if you did not forget the aspect of the Committee on Budgetary Control, which is actually trying here to ensure that every euro that citizens of the European Union receive goes not just to oligarchs, but to things that are connected to the European Union. We in the Committee on Budgetary Control have said that there must be three mechanisms that must work. First, the rule of law conditionality mechanism. We have to use it without hesitation. The rule of law doesn't work, we stop money. It's a dot. We also need to be smarter against fraud. This means that tools such as EDES and ARACHNE must be mandatory. You don't have these tools, you don't get money from the European Union. And we have to say that the European prosecutor's office must be on the front line of this fight and here without any compromises.

Madam President, yes, I have a point of order. Markus Ferber's card doesn't function. Also, it's really shameful that we are having technical problems here. Also we will call for a repetition of the vote.

Mr. Kaliňák, thank you for the question. You should address this issue to the CONT secretariat, which processed the report. Otherwise, I think you're mentioned quite often in our security services. I think your visits to the Russian embassy and running out the back door or your cooperation with Voice of Europe, which belongs to the pro-Russian disinformation scene, and many politicians have been paid for this cooperation, are very well known and it shows the decline of a certain democracy and culture in a person who should advise the prime minister.

Madam President, I will be also strict. Madam President, let me start a little in person. My korene vedú aj to Slovakia. The old father came from Trenčín and part of my family still lives in Slovakia. Every year I come back here and I feel at home. Therefore, what I want to tell you today is not just a political speech by an MEP, but the confession of a person who cares about Slovakia. I remember a time when we Czechs looked up to Slovakia with admiration, when you adopted the euro, when your economy was growing, and when you showed that even a smaller country could be an example of a modern and economically advanced open society. It is even more painful today to see where Slovakia is moving. Billions of European funds disappear in projects that do not serve the Slovak people, but irresponsible politicians and their friends. Control authorities, which are supposed to stand on the side of the honest, are paralyzed. Where hundreds of lawsuits have been filed in the past, there are now barely two a year. During the inspection mission, we heard stories of farmers being blackmailed, whistleblowers facing intimidation, and journalists risking their lives for writing the truth. I, too, have faced intimidation and death threats from my family. This only confirms that the problem is really serious and systemic. After the visit, we forwarded over 300 suggestions to the European Commission and I firmly believe that these will be investigated.

Mrs. Konečná, my grandmother always said that a bad goose always speaks up. She meant it in connection with the hunting of my family, which had a tradition with us. So when the goose was shot, she always started making noise. I think there is a lot of evidence of your activities and your meetings with various Chinese companies, your activities at the Iranian embassy and your meetings with Russian diplomats. I think it's up to the police and the secret services to prove it to you.

Madam President, democracy in Europe is under threat today as never before, both physically and online. Russia is funding extremist parties in Europe that tell us who is an agent and who is not, spread Russian propaganda, carry out cyberattacks, but also abuse migration to weaken the European Union. Meanwhile, China is supplying low-cost technology for mass surveillance, investing in media and infrastructure, and influencing elections and public debate. And this directly threatens fair elections and media freedom. We have elections in the Czech Republic in October. Social networks have strategically overwhelmed troll farms and spam campaigns. The solution is not censorship or control of the Internet. The answer is informed democracy. We must give people truthful and verified information and protect them from lies and propaganda.

Colleague, thank you for what you said. I have one question for you. Do you think social media should be anonymous? Should troll farms overwhelm networks of politicians with content generated? Or do you think that someone who is on social media should show an ID card?

Madam President, fellow Member, I was delighted to hear your speech. So show us at last the rational solution to deal, for example, with the United States. Why don't you show us how to handle it yourself? Say that you will go there instead of Commissioner Šefčovič and that you will show how you agree with Donald Trump. I often see speeches on your social networks criticising the European Union. Show me something constructive that you have done during your time here in the European Parliament.

Thank you, dear colleagues, I have one question: do you think that some decision of ethics body will have an impact on the behaviour of some groups that are not respecting the law, that are systematically misusing funds? There are, in this group, many decisions of the courts that the members of this group were stealing money, including Marine Le Pen. What do you think, how will they behave?

Thank you, dear colleagues, I have one question: do you think that some decision of ethics body will have an impact on the behaviour of some groups that are not respecting the law, that are systematically misusing funds? There are, in this group, many decisions of the courts that the members of this group were stealing money, including Marine Le Pen. What do you think, how will they behave?

Thank you very much for this great question. I was expecting this question, and I think this is not something that is linked with ethics. This is normally fraud. Also, we cannot use any ethical standard for someone who doesn't know what ethics mean. Also, we need a criminal investigation and to bring the people to court. And I think it's very important to say that stealing the money of European payers, it doesn't mean nothing with ethics, it means that it's fraud – it's fraud. And all these groups we need to bring to court. And I think it's the most important reaction on this behaviour of some misusing the funds.

Thank you very much for this great question. I was expecting this question, and I think this is not something that is linked with ethics. This is normally fraud. Also, we cannot use any ethical standard for someone who doesn't know what ethics mean. Also, we need a criminal investigation and to bring the people to court. And I think it's very important to say that stealing the money of European payers, it doesn't mean nothing with ethics, it means that it's fraud – it's fraud. And all these groups we need to bring to court. And I think it's the most important reaction on this behaviour of some misusing the funds.

Mr President, I thank a colleague from an extremist group for a fun insert during this evening. Dear colleagues, allow me to continue this debate seriously. The misuse of European funds is an attack on citizens' trust in the European Union, and it does not matter whether it is committed by left-wing or right-wing extremists. Today we are faced with a serious case that shakes the confidence of the European Parliament. The European Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the possible misuse of EUR 4.3 million from the European Parliament's Fund by the Identity and Democracy Group, of which the French party was also a member. Rassemblement national led by Marine Le Pen or the Czech SPD. The group, which has presented itself as a defender of national interests and an opponent of Brussels democracy, is now suspected of seriously violating the rules it was supposed to protect itself. Money earmarked for parliamentary activities is not an ATM for groups to cash in for their friends, it is money earmarked for a political group to function. And we, as the European People's Party, consistently insist on transparency and respect for the rules and responsibilities of all political actors, regardless of ideology.

Mr President, I thank a colleague from an extremist group for a fun insert during this evening. Dear colleagues, allow me to continue this debate seriously. The misuse of European funds is an attack on citizens' trust in the European Union, and it does not matter whether it is committed by left-wing or right-wing extremists. Today we are faced with a serious case that shakes the confidence of the European Parliament. The European Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into the possible misuse of EUR 4.3 million from the European Parliament's Fund by the Identity and Democracy Group, of which the French party was also a member. Rassemblement national led by Marine Le Pen or the Czech SPD. The group, which has presented itself as a defender of national interests and an opponent of Brussels democracy, is now suspected of seriously violating the rules it was supposed to protect itself. Money earmarked for parliamentary activities is not an ATM for groups to cash in for their friends, it is money earmarked for a political group to function. And we, as the European People's Party, consistently insist on transparency and respect for the rules and responsibilities of all political actors, regardless of ideology.

Madam President, Commissioner, President of the European Court of Auditors, ladies and gentlemen, if there is one single institution in the European Parliament that everyone from left to right agrees is doing a great job, it is the European Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). This office has really shown fantastic results in those few years and months. It exposes fraud, unravels complex corruption networks, prosecutes financial crimes committed against European taxpayers' money. And that's what really matters here. The most vocal critics of the EPPO are often those who have reason to be afraid. In the Czech Republic, we say that ‘poor geese are the first to lag’ and we can see this in all Member States. For the rest of us, discharge is the first impetus, the impetus, for the EPPO to become a strong, effective and respected pillar of European security and the fight against fraud and corruption. My goal for the next four years is clear. I want the EPPO, OLAF, Europol and Eurojust to work more closely together. And I think that must be the intention of all of us. Ladies and gentlemen, I don't want any more speeches, I don't want any more papers to describe. I really want to make realistic organizations here that work seamlessly together and chase down real criminals. The EPPO is a key part of this vision, and it is therefore a great honour to recommend granting discharge to this institution, and I look forward to the next four years.

Mr President, today it is like this déjà vu, to see you here again, but let me take a look at opinion the LIBE Committee. In addition to being a coordinator of the EPP in the Committee on Budgetary Control, I am also a member of the LIBE Committee, where I worked on budgetary discharges on behalf of the European People's Party. And I'll tell you one thing. The time when socialists and communists were secretly discussing and promoting their agenda is long gone. I thank my colleagues from RENEW and ECR for the very substantive and constructive negotiations. Together, we were able to establish a clear position. Europe must be safe. Frontex, Europol, OLAF, EPPO are not empty abbreviations, they are the pillars of our security and the fight against corruption. And today we have made it clear that we want to strengthen them: more officers for Frontex, more resources for Europol, more operational OLAF and the strengthening of the Public Prosecutor's Office. I am proud that we have a majority that does not look back, but forward, that cares for Europe to be strong and functional, but above all safe. Without it, ladies and gentlemen, there will never be any prosperity here.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, let me begin by saying one important word: Thank you very much. I thank all my colleagues, rapporteurs, shadow rapporteurs, but especially all the teams that have done an incredible, huge amount of work. Without you it would not be possible to complete discharge. This is an unbelievable result of cooperation across committees, factions, but above all, people. I am pleased that CONT has succeeded in setting up a culture of cooperation that is factual, effective and constructive. I believe that we will maintain this approach for the rest of the mandate. Above all, I hope that it will be transferred to the plenary, where we sometimes hear ideological cries rather than arguments. This year, we recommended a discharge for almost all institutions and agencies. It is the result of honest work, a clear methodology and a factual assessment. We did not play politics and "we did not chase our egos", as is sometimes the practice in this plenary room. And all the more important to say is that budget control is not and never will be an ideology, but it will be a responsibility. In recent months, however, one topic has dominated the debate more than another – non-profit organisations and their influence on European decision-making. There's a lot of speculation, half-truths and deliberate manipulation going on around this, but I'd like to make it clear to you here. The European People's Party has never asked for the rights of non-profit organisations to be restricted, we never wanted it and we never will. But what we insist on and what is important to us is transparency. If non-profit organisations take money from the European budget, it is our duty to know how it was used, across the European Union. And that's it. Why the Left or Greens make this the end of the world, I really don't understand, and I'm quite sorry. For the first time in history, a single institution will be granted discharge, but without an accompanying resolution. This is the European Parliament. It seems odd to me, at least. We have demands on everyone else, but we are not able to be critical of ourselves? That's not right. And I have to say, I'm terribly sorry. Unfortunately, as is usually the case, neither the Council nor the European Council will receive discharge. Unless they accept the founding Treaties and submit to an independent budgetary discharge, there can be no other way. But we can't solve it. There has to be an end to the break. That is why, Commissioner, your key historical task for the future is simply to "bang on the table", to meet and engage in dialogue with the President of the European Council and the Council. And I firmly believe that in the time I've known you, you've been in the right place, and you can work it out. Finally, let me say that, without fundamental reforms, discharge cannot be granted to the Asylum Agency. I am incredibly sorry, but CONT made it very clear: "We will want to see changes in this agency". Discharge is not a form of criticism. Discharge is a way to make the European Union better. Please, let us remember all who are gathered here in this room.

Mr President, your pronunciation of my name is better and better. Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy. Without it, there is no freedom, only oppression and dictatorship. Today we stand to draw attention to serious violations of the rights of journalists in Cameroon. They are unjustly imprisoned, tortured and some have lost their lives. All this because they were doing their job – informing the public, condemning corruption, drawing attention to human rights violations and revealing the truth. In Cameroon, independent journalism is under attack. Journalists are arrested without due process, convicted in a military tribunal, accused of spreading fake news and threatening the state. Many have paid the ultimate price – the price of their lives. Families are still waiting for justice and international organisations have repeatedly warned of human rights violations. The situation is not improving there, which is why we, as the European Parliament, want to condemn it consistently. We call on the Cameroonian authorities to immediately release the unjustly detained journalists. We demand fair trials and the protection of journalists who risk their lives for the truth. Cameroon must end the practice of military courts for civilians and stop using the anti-terrorism law as a tool of repression. But words are not enough. Cameroon is a trading partner, and if the situation does not really improve under this pressure, we must be prepared to put economic pressure on it. That is why I am glad that all of us here assembled today have agreed on the text of this resolution, and this resolution is being submitted to Parliament without amendments.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, two weeks ago, four children and their grandmother were burned to death in Velké Šariš, Slovakia. They lived in a settlement without water, electricity, sewage and roads. This is not an example from the Middle Ages, this is the case of Slovakia in the 21st century. This is the reality of one Member State of the European Union. And I think we need to change that. This is where he keeps cursing about where the money's going. All right, all right. I decided a few years ago to show that this situation could change. That's why we started and came up with the HERO pilot project. This project uses microloans to help people build a house with their own hands where they can live. The house is ordinary, costs about €25,000, but these people have to fulfil three basic things – they have to work legally, their children have to go to school and they have to repay these loans. If they can do that, the loans are given to them and they build their own house. Yes, it is nothing luxurious, but the house is enough and it is certainly a way to get from the medieval conditions of the present to conditions that correspond to the 21st century. That's strategy, that's the way.

Madam President, you know, we, who have experienced a time when our parents secretly listened to the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe, remember that time, even as young children, we were not allowed to talk about it. And I think today is a time when we have to spread free information where there is no freedom. If we here, democratically elected MEPs, sleep in a democracy, then we will wake up in a time of dictatorship. If you sleep in the democracy, you will wake up in dictatorship. And I think it's very clear message. That's something we should remember. That is why we must reject all extremists who talk about money. Freedom and democracy, human rights cannot be measured by the money we invest in them. It is necessary to constantly take care of them, and it is necessary to preserve the radio, which spreads free information.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to ask you: What is freedom of speech for you? Do you think there should be something like Radio Free Europe that actually changed the communist regime in Eastern Europe? Or do you think there is freedom of speech in countries like Russia, Iran or China?

Madam President, four and a half million orders to leave the European Union and only a 20% success rate. Yes, unfortunately, this is a system where we risk the trust of the citizens of the European Union. The new proposal promises to change: a unified system, strict rules, real consequences for those who ignore our laws, return centres in third countries as a pillar of this proposal. It is an effective, rapid, humane solution that will ensure that those who do not have the right to remain on the territory of the European Union do not disappear to unknown places. But this can't be the end! We need to continue with the reforms: tighter control of external borders, a strong Frontex, effective cross-border cooperation and a system that will not only mandate but also execute. And I think we need to work on that in the next proposal.