Speeches

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, more than a month after this scandal began, the feeling of anger and disgust has not changed. The European Parliament, our home, has been undermined by tenants and guests who have had as their only value their own gain, trying to trample on the fight for human rights, so important in this institution. Now is the time for responsibility. It is necessary to bring out the truth to the end, punishing the guilty. It is necessary to renovate this same house to make it as impenetrable as possible to future external and internal threats. We fully cooperate with the judiciary to clarify, including the choices on the waiver of parliamentary immunity that we are going to examine. We need new rules, more checks on lobbying, strengthening the transparency register, which is currently being used poorly, and establishing an independent and accountable European body on ethical issues by the end of the parliamentary term. And it is necessary to ban for at least five years the mechanism of revolving doors between public and private for former parliamentarians. This also requires more ambition than the proposals put forward so far by the Presidency. The house of European democracy has been violated. But let's be clear, you can't allow anyone to sell or buy it. We will continue to fight for our integrity.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it is very important that the European Parliament has decided to make these reports on video games and sports. It is a theme that must be treated carefully, with care, also enhancing actions such as the PEGI approach, which has been put in place, which allows you to have clear rights and transparency, as well as the work that we have carried out to increase the protections and enhancement of the positive aspects of videogames, which are many, learning, cognitive development. Obviously the risks must be verified, they must be contained, they must be controlled, but I think that with an action like the one we are carrying out we will be able to enhance a sector that creates a lot of work, creates opportunities and that must be one of our areas of commitment in Europe to have a healthy and safe gaming environment for all.

Madam President Metsola, Prime Minister Kristersson, ladies and gentlemen, Sweden is taking over the Presidency at a crucial moment in history. For example, we need to continue working towards a greener Europe, which confirms its role as a global leader in the ecological transition, climate neutrality by 2050 and a reduction in net emissions of at least 55% by 2030. Let's not stop, let's not step back. There is also a need for solidarity between the countries involved in migration. You cannot ignore this need. You cannot postpone the work on the Pact for Migration until 2024. This approach is unacceptable. Europe cannot remain hostage to vetoes of the sovereign right, doing harm to its citizens, blocking common solutions. Finally, as rapporteur for the regulation on artificial intelligence, I look forward to starting negotiations with you, together with my fellow co-rapporteur, Mr Tudorache, but know from now on that Parliament will stand firm in defending people's rights against all forms of mass biometric surveillance and will not accept compromises on the downside. Good work to all of us for a Europe that is more united, stronger and closer to its citizens.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, among the many shortcomings of an unfinished Union in many areas, the internal market is undoubtedly one of the most successful projects for a united Europe, for its image in the world and for economic development, as well as for the benefit of European consumers, who are among the most protected worldwide from unsafe products and other risks. A success that should not be taken for granted, but rather must be continuously updated and supported. I am therefore proud to have worked as rapporteur on the internal market programme that finances its functioning within the current multiannual budget, and no less important is the work we are doing with many colleagues to modernise the legislative framework in the area of the digital single market, among other things, with the world's first horizontal regulation on artificial intelligence, on which we have worked hard, together with Vice-President Vestager, who is here. In short, only if we are united as Europeans can we give our continent a future. Let us do it more and better, giving even greater strength to our economic and social integration to overcome the crises of our time.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the fight against external interference and disinformation, now more than ever, must be the priority for this Parliament, which is clearly under attack by external actors seeking to destabilise our democratic institutions. We must react, our democracy is not for sale. What the European Commission has announced, a plan to defend European democracies, is a sign of awareness that must be implemented with concrete and courageous actions. It is no longer time for optional recommendations. But the European Union does not start from scratch. Thanks to the work done by the INGE Committee - I am thinking in particular, among others, of the work of my colleague Majorino and the work of my colleague Glucksmann, who have identified the weaknesses we need to work on. I am thinking of the need for the independent European body for public ethics, the transparency of relations with stakeholders, all the risks associated with actions of all kinds that carry out the realities of foreign countries, in particular authoritarian countries, and many issues have also been mentioned in previous interventions. Europe's credibility is at stake and so is the credibility of the European Parliament, which is by no means a small thing, in defending human rights. These years, achieving with this commitment also important results, must not be soiled by a story and a disgusting story.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the veto on the establishment of a common European debt; a veto on the gas price cap; a veto on the entry of certain countries into the Schengen area; Orbán's latest blackmailing veto, later lifted, of 18 billion euros in aid to Ukraine and the European minimum tax on the turnover of multinationals. A European Union full of nationalism and selfishness does not work. That is why, in order to put an end to the iron arms between Brussels and the Member States, and between them, it is finally necessary to abolish the right of veto and build a true supranational democracy. Today, European citizens are asking us to decide quickly on the most important issues, namely completing an energy union, increasing social security and wages, defending the rule of law, and creating a common European defence. The Conference on the Future of Europe and the resolution voted by this Parliament last June point the way in this direction: the establishment of a treaty reform convention for genuine European integration. I also say building different levels of integration, allowing those who want to do more without preventing it from those who want to do less together. States that want to move forward must be able to do so, a united Europe can do more, better and faster. We listen to the demands of European citizens and do not veto the future of the new generations.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the nationalist right is growing in Israel, the Palestinian National Authority is experiencing a serious crisis in the West Bank and Hamas is holding civilians hostage in Gaza. Faced with this lack of politics and the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, Europe cannot limit itself to condemnation but must now create a just peace for the peoples involved. The resolution we are going to vote on tomorrow goes in this direction: two peoples and two states with Jerusalem as their sole capital, following the 1967 borders. The illegal Israeli occupations in the West Bank must end, as must the blockade of Gaza and, at the same time, action must be taken against Hamas, which still calls for the destruction of Israel and carries out anti-Semitic terrorist acts. I am convinced that the European Union, taking the leadership of a new international conference, can and should finally be a decisive diplomatic actor in relaunching a real peace process between Israel and Palestine.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the investigations are revealing an aberrant situation, which must lead the whole of the European Parliament to be united on what needs to be done. I am shocked and disappointed but above all furious at the probable involvement in a criminal affair of parliamentarians, former deputies and assistants who have for years attended, as colleagues, these institutions. Justice will take its course to ascertain responsibility, but I want to make it clear that any attempt to influence my party, the Democratic Party, has failed and we will make sure that it continues like this. Our delegation was the one who, also within our own political group, chose to vote firmly on the strengthening amendments of the Left Group on human rights and workers' rights in the resolution on Qatar, rejected by the right, as well as having submitted tough questions to High Representative Borrell in recent months on the World Cup. We will take every initiative necessary to bring out the truth and ensure the honorability of our work and our battles. In addition to the announcement of a new anti-corruption law by the Commissioner, an important initiative is the creation of an independent European body on ethical issues. We have always voted for it and we expect, now, that even those political groups that opposed it will change their minds. It is time to go all the way and save our democracy from those who want to destroy it for personal interests or those of other states.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, these are dramatic moments for the European Parliament, dragged into a scandal of unprecedented gravity. As President Metsola has said, we are under attack by those who want to influence our democracy and we must square up to punish corrupt people and those who have acted to tarnish the dignity of our institution and of the European Union. We will do our checks and we will do our part, but today we still need, more forcefully, to continue our work on all the issues that honour the European Parliament, and no doubt the Child Guarantee is the perfect example. Without the push of the European Parliament there would have been no child guarantee; Without the European Parliament's push today there would be no political demand for its €20 billion budget increase to cope with the human tragedy caused by Putin's war in Ukraine, which spills over to millions of displaced children and families seeking protection, but also to millions of families in Europe struggling to get to the end of the month due to rising bills and inflation. This Parliament has already called for an increase of EUR 20 billion in four resolutions, and on Thursday we will vote on an amendment that I tabled to the report on the multiannual financial framework, together with 80 colleagues from different political groups, to reiterate this position further. Dear colleagues, dear Commissioner, I appeal for our institutions to be able to show the whole world that our work, our mission, is to be at the side of those in need. Strengthening the child guarantee is not only a necessity, but a necessary acknowledgement of reality; Strengthening the Child Guarantee today, especially at this time, would be a source of pride for Parliament, for all the institutions, for the European Union.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in Italy the new right-wing government of Giorgia Meloni has been in office for a month and instead of dealing with the real problems of the country has already attacked the humanitarian ships Geo Barents, Humanity, Ocean Viking, a shameful action, with the sole aim of sending a message apart from the electorate on the skin of human beings. This is counterproductive. Today we need a shared solution at European level. The Mediterranean Action Plan is an important proposal, but more needs to be done to coordinate search and rescue operations. The first country of arrival criterion should be removed and Member States' solidarity and responsibility should be strengthened, not only by focusing on returns. My Italian colleague Mr Bartolo is doing a great job in this regard, also on behalf of our political group. Migration is a global phenomenon and as such needs to be addressed. EU countries will only achieve results if they can cooperate, with shared solutions, starting with those that are most ready to take them forward. We must move forward in this direction together.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the first meeting of the European Political Community was a success because it managed to create a forum in which all the countries of our neighbourhood were able to participate and express themselves, even in those situations of tension that we are observing, indeed the context of this meeting led to lightening them, as was the case with the approach between Armenia and Azerbaijan at this meeting. Now we need continuity of action and credibility, to shape a platform that can facilitate a common response to the threat brought to our borders by Putin and act in an increasingly coordinated way to face the consequences of the war, which affect everyone. Be careful, however, to consider the European Political Community as an institutional alternative to joining the Union, in particular for the countries involved in the Eastern Neighbourhood. I believe that it will be our task in the coming months to discuss how we can incorporate this political Community into the framework of the Treaties and better define its areas and limits, guaranteeing a central role for the European Parliament, as soon as the Convention which we have called for to profoundly reform this union opens its work.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, could one ever imagine in Germany a portrait of Adolf Hitler at the Chancellery? In Italy, however, the second office of the State, Ignazio La Russa, asserts that removing a portrait of Mussolini from a ministry is a shameful cancel culture, but the President of the Senate La Russa must be ashamed, because anti-fascism is the foundation of our Republic born from the Resistance. But Italy is now in danger of losing its compass for other reasons. How can we fail to remember today Berlusconi who, after initially condemning the Moscow war to hiccups, now continues to renew his historic loyalty to the Kremlin's master, going so far as to affirm without shame that he has recently exchanged gifts and letters with Putin, despite the sanctions, and that he is the first of his five true friends. This serious drift of the European People's Party affects not only Italy, but many other countries. It is time for the true moderates and liberals to take another path, just as it is necessary for the left to be able to play its part without hesitation. In Italy we will not look at this dangerous drift and we will carry out a tough opposition, in the interest of Italians and Europeans. Europe and Italy deserve a real alternative, out of the old compromises of the past, that can give hope to those who have lost it today. We'll do our best.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, anti-European and anti-Ukraine propaganda is everywhere between the Member States and Italy. Time passes, but a certain right appears of Putin, self-styled guardian of the national interest, but in reality with his gaze turned to the Kremlin, continues to wink at authoritarianism, ignoring persecution of minorities and forgetting the gag to free expression. Silvio Berlusconi, a prominent leader of the EPP, said on live TV that Putin invaded Ukraine to "replace Zelensky's government with a government of good people". The League continues not to denounce the cooperation agreement signed with Putin's party, United Russia, and maintains a veil of ambiguity regarding the relations that have also been the subject of investigation with Russian worlds, as well as regarding Matteo Salvini's secret visits to the Russian embassy in Rome, a few hours after the invasion of Ukraine. I remember then how the Moscow regime scientifically used anti-Ukrainian media throughout Europe, spreading fake news, pointing to Ukrainian refugees as dangerous criminals or presenting them as wealthy men who arrived here without real need. This is not a witch hunt, but a matter of national and European security and also a matter of humanity. In the face of a regime that violates international law and threatens to use atomic weapons, there can be no ambiguity. We need unanimous condemnation and strong actions such as those announced by the European Commission in defence of the integrity of our democracy and which we support with all our strength.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it has been more than seven months since the Russian army, on the orders of Vladimir Putin, began to invade Ukraine. Now confronted with the facts and the failure of its plan, the Russian regime is acting increasingly criminally and blackmailingly. The European Union must be united in condemning the illegal annexations that took place through farce referendums and must instead strive to bring to the table all the main world players to work for a just peace. On Thursday, the European Political Community will meet for the first time, a project born to immediately give a stable anchor to European integration and the security of Ukraine. Let's move forward in this direction. Europe's autonomous role and strong voice can be decisive in preventing an escalation that sees Russia and the United States implant a new Cold War bipolarity. We don't need it. Instead, we need courage and ambition. The world has changed. It also changes the European Union, overcoming divisions and working to build lasting peace.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner Dalli, in recent years the European Union has tried to invest a lot in creating, with new legislation and good practices, an accessible ecosystem that would allow all citizens, regardless of their disability or not, to spend their lives and live their interpersonal and social relationships with the greatest possible degree of freedom and independence. Transport, services, workplaces, websites, procurement, built environment: Everything is tailored to each one. Unfortunately, this effort has not yet been adequate. There is a lack of coordination and coherence of measures and actions, a lack of a universal approach to the design of public and private interventions. Establishing the European AccessibleEU Centre is a small step in this direction, as indicated by the European Union Strategy for Persons with Disabilities. A place of research, of expertise, knowledge and exchange, a valuable resource for national and local authorities who want to design with the universal approach, but need guides for technical aspects. Let us not waste this opportunity to create inclusion and move forward in this direction.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, at last, the single charger will soon become a reality not only for mobile phones but also for laptops, e-book readers, earphones, cameras and other devices, which we will no longer be obliged to buy together with the cable, finding ourselves then with various unused chargers in the house different from each other. A seemingly small improvement in the daily lives of individual consumers, but which will lead to annual savings of EUR 250 million at European level. This is a big step in terms of sustainability. We think that the reduction in e-waste is estimated at around 1 000 tonnes per year. I would therefore like to congratulate the rapporteur Alex Saliba on the excellent results achieved very quickly, a sign that when we have clear and concrete proposals, even in limited areas, Europe is able to stand up to large companies and large companies for a goal that must unite us, namely to improve people's lives step by step.

Madam President, Madam President von der Leyen, ladies and gentlemen, 'we have hope when we do not close our eyes to those in need, when we do not raise walls at our borders, when we fight all forms of injustice'. These words of David Sassoli must also be remembered today and are a warning to all of us. Our Europe, as you rightly pointed out, must open a convention to reform itself, to abandon the right of veto, to finally have the necessary powers to protect our citizens from war, from inflation, from the European cap on energy costs, which is still blocked by the nationalist right in Poland and by the ultra-liberal right in the Netherlands. The defence of democracy package you announced today is very important. I hope that the League will vote for it, after abstaining on a resolution on the same issues, the only party in my country, Italy. Unfortunately, the Italian right has not broken with these ambiguities and, with Fratelli d'Italia by Giorgia Meloni, hopes for Trump's return and flirts with those who achieved Brexit. This is why they are, as always, against our interests as Italians and Europeans. But nationalism has already lost on this continent and, despite the shameful complicity of the so-called moderates, even at this time it will be stopped. I'm sure of that.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, drought kills. We are still looking for the missing in the collapse of the Marmolada secateur a few days ago, after victims and wounded. A terrible tragedy that tells us that there is no more time. Even the right is forced to admit, after years of denial, that climate change is before our eyes today, it is undeniable. It is a phenomenon that leads to the rapid disappearance of glaciers, to a terrible drought, it is a macroscopic manifestation of something that happens around us. After this very heavy heat wave, we see the risk of a drought, the worst in decades, which drains rivers and water reserves with very serious damage to the environment, agriculture and citizens, we see it in Italy and we see it in Europe. What are we waiting for to radically change our economic systems? What needs to happen to open everyone's eyes? We work together because there really is no more time.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, in order to be aware of the Russian influence in our democracy, it was not even necessary to hear the words of my colleague Donato in this Chamber a short while ago, just look at what is happening in our territories every day. Let me give you some examples from Italy: the then League Councillor Edoardo Rixi even decided to go on an official mission for the Liguria region in Crimea immediately after the illegal annexation to Russia, the Councillor of Fratelli d'Italia in Piedmont, Maurizio Marrone, for years qualified as a representative in Italy of the Donetsk Republic and still does not answer when questioned about this link, and Salvini, in addition to links with Putin, recently tried to organize a trip to Russia through the Russian ambassador to Italy without the knowledge of President Draghi. I could move on. There is a right that, especially in some countries, has not fully overcome its ambiguities in relations with Putin and his entourage. It is therefore necessary to continue with journalistic and judicial investigations and to strengthen the instruments of protection of our democracy, first of all to make it work and show that, with the culture of rights and freedom, we are stronger than any authoritarianism.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, today, for the first time in its history, the European Parliament will launch the procedure for convening a convention to reform the Treaties establishing the Union. It is a turning point that has been awaited for many years, as today European citizens are asking us for more social protection, higher wages, more commitment to defending human rights, more investment in sustainable development. We must listen to them and to respond to their demands we must abolish the right of veto and open up a real constituent phase for a new Europe. At the European Council on 23 June, our governments will have to respond to their public views. The time for conferences is over, it's time to decide. For those who want a more united, stronger Europe, to decide more together, they must be able to do so, they must be able to move forward. It is the time for a united Europe, it is the time for courage. Let us not disappoint our citizens, let us build a better future for Europe, all together.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, it is inconceivable that a Parliament representing 500 million people, the only European institution directly elected by the citizens, should not have the power to propose bills in full on its own. The European Union is certainly an atypical organisation, a real political experiment in constant evolution because it has to adapt to a changing world. But now we need to go one step further. Tomorrow we will vote on a resolution calling for the Treaties to be amended and the Convention for a New Europe to be launched. And we shall also vote for this report, which is of crucial importance, linked to it, on the European Parliament's right of initiative. A key element in rebalancing the institutional balance vis-à-vis the Commission and the Council for the benefit of citizens. A request that was expressed by citizens during the Conference on the Future of Europe. A commitment that we must honour. In the document we put in black and white a real clear negotiating mandate: At the next revision of the Treaties, the European Parliament must have a full and direct right of legislative initiative. But it is crucial, at the same time, to strengthen the current ways in which the European Parliament still exercises an indirect right of initiative. President von der Leyen has promised to always respond to the demands of the European Parliament adopted in our legislative own-initiative resolutions. It is not enough, we must demand more, we must have the legal guarantee that this will happen and that is what we are asking for in the request for a revision of the 2010 Framework Agreement. I conclude on the subject of the Rule of Law initiative procedure under Article 7 of the Treaty. It is a scandal that the repeated actions of the European Parliament have fallen into the void of the chancelleries of the Member States, which are co-responsible for abuses of law and rights. This is all the more reason to reposition the Eurochamber at the centre of not only legislative but also political activity, which is a fundamental safeguard for citizens throughout the Union. It's time to change things.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, 19 April was a dark day in the history of the trade union movement in Belarus: As many as 18 trade union leaders and independent representatives were arrested on charges of violating public order. This event is only the culmination of a tragic process that began with the 2020 elections and continued with the blockade of civil society and human rights organisations. The European Union has been acting firmly for two years through severe sanctions against the authoritarian Lukashenka regime, which today directly supports the war of its ally Putin in Ukraine. It is necessary, in addition to renewing the sanctions, to reiterate our solidarity with the people of Belarus, in particular those citizens who take to the streets demanding freedom and democracy. We therefore call for the release of all opponents, leaders and trade union representatives arbitrarily detained for political reasons. Today we say stop to Putin, but we also say stop to Lukashenka.

Yes. I think the transnational lists will be a good opportunity for all of us. It’s not true that they will put us far from our voters. Instead, we can be really able to Europeanise elections and to not talk only about our national priorities, but also looking from the campaign already to the next mandate, to priorities and what we will fight for. I think it’s a very good improvement. It will be a good change for a European Union that will be more and more united and able to offer European parties with a real system where our heads of the lists can be our to lead our fight for a more political and so stronger European Commission. So, yes, I could run for that.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the moment of truth for Europe has arrived. With this resolution, after having approved today the transnational lists for the next elections, the European Parliament accepts the citizens' request that emerged in the Conference on the Future of Europe. Let's start a treaty reform convention. Anyone who says it's not a priority is wrong. It is a fundamental step to achieve concrete objectives such as the Defence Union to integrate the Social Progress Protocol into the Treaties, for the Health Union, to overcome the right of veto and to deepen integration in the federal sense for those who can and want, but at the same time to continue enlargement starting from a confederation around the federation, as proposed by our PD Secretary Enrico Letta, to give a European perspective of peace and security in a short time to the countries of our neighbourhood such as Ukraine. Today Mario Draghi has traced this path with pragmatism and ideality together. We need a new constitutive phase for the peoples of Europe and never before is the maxim of a wise "to make Europe or not to do it, there is no proof". Let's move on and we won't regret it. (The speaker agreed to respond to a "blue card" speech)

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Vice-President Vestager, artificial intelligence presents many opportunities and potential benefits in many fields, if used in accordance with our fundamental values, while respecting human dignity and the environment, for the good of society. This is our European model. A year and a half of work of the Special Committee has allowed us to explore the fundamental aspects of these technologies and the impact in the various economic sectors, the social fallout, the geopolitical implications. Implications that require a leadership role of Europe in affirming its model for artificial intelligence, in the work on global standards, because the technological one will be one of the main theaters on which the future structure of international relations will be played. This requires a united and competitive internal market, in which everyone is able to innovate in compliance with the rules, from privacy to competition. That is why we are working on the regulation – which you, Vice-President, also mentioned earlier – which will be a key element in the development of a true European industry in this field. Among the various ideas contained in the report, I mention in particular the proposal for a legislative initiative on the use of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Teleworking has accelerated and made clear not only the benefits in terms of efficiency, but also the potentially harmful effects of the use of these technologies on workers. Monitor the performance Without their consent or without their knowledge, without prior consultation of their representatives, as unfortunately we see happening, it must not be allowed in Europe. At the same time, we will have to tackle possible abuses of real-time biometric recognition in public places for security reasons. We don't want a surveillance company. I would therefore like to thank the rapporteurs and all my fellow Members for the constructive discussions over the past few months which have led to a balanced and dense text of proposals, which is very useful for the legislative work that awaits us.