Speeches

For socialists, a European law against gender-based violence is indispensable, a homogeneous European legislation that allows progress to be made in eradicating the scourge of gender-based violence, ranging from the prevention and protection of women to the punishment of aggressors. It is essential to have a common definition and data on violence against women, with which it is possible to dimension and combat it. Equality and the fight against gender-based violence is a commitment that is implemented with will, policies and budgets.

The next item is the topical debate requested by a political group (EPP) under Rule 169 on child sexual abuse online: protect children, not perpetrators. I would like to inform Members that for this debate there is no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted.

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on the grids package and tackling raising energy prices through robust infrastructure (2025/3026(RSP)). I will have to be strict with the time, taking into account that we have the Sakharov Prize and the votes afterwards.

Mr President, Commissioner, COP30 gives us a true reflection of the world in which we live: competitive, uncertain, frustrating, without traditional leaderships, but, at the same time, still able to sit at the table and talk about the climate and build a common horizon. We have had new protagonists in Belém and that must be celebrated: indigenous peoples, women, civil society, the local world and also new issues that have been at the forefront of the climate conversation, especially adaptation. That's very good news. The bad news is that we are unable to mention the big elephant in the room, that of fossil fuels. It is enormously frustrating to see the enormous addiction of our economy and the enormous resistances and interests behind the ultimate reason for climate change. And the third thing is the great opportunity that lets us see the leadership we've had. I would like to congratulate you, Commissioner, on the great opportunity that Europe and Latin America have had in the eighty countries that sought a horizon without fossil fuels. Of course, leadership is not proclaimed, it is exercised and we have to continue exercising it in our internal agenda.

The next item is the debate on the report by Aura Salla and Irene Tinagli on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2015/1017, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695 and (EU) 2021/1153 as regards increasing the efficiency of the EU guarantee under Regulation (EU) 2021/523 and simplifying reporting requirements (COM(2025)0084 - C10-0036/2025 - 2025/0040(COD)) (A10-0117/2025).

Madam President, Commissioner, over the past few years, painfully, through Washington's unpredictability, Moscow's aggressiveness, the invasion of Ukraine and constant hybrid attacks, Europe has learned that it must take full and autonomous charge of its security. This is the debate we have here today: the reason for the European Defence Industry Programme, joint investments, common procurement and further integration into European industry. We have learned that the fragmentation of our industry is a threat to ourselves. That's what we do here today: bet not only to spend better, but to spend more European and spend much better. That's why we need to strengthen our industry, our industrial base, our jobs: to have a Europe more sovereign and less dependent on the good mood of the presidents of others to defend the security and the voice of Europe in the world.

Mr President, Commissioner, tomorrow, when we vote on the European Union's 2040 decarbonisation target, we will be sending a message to the world. The decarbonisation of Europe is a path of no return: not only do we want to have a clear horizon and with determination and ambition, but we agree to have flexibilities, facilities, on this path. Instruments are not a fetish for us, the goal is the relevant thing. There are three things I want to highlight today. First, tomorrow it is at stake to lead by example, to combat what is the greatest threat to our way of life and our economy. It is at stake to comply with the Paris Agreement and our international commitments. And our credibility as a global actor in climate negotiations and diplomacy is at stake, but we don't just do this because it's our responsibility: We do this because our interest is at stake. We're interested. We are interested because we send a message of certainty and certainty, we generate legal certainty, we send the message to the private world that it has to invest and plan investments. And we know that we are voting for a more competitive and more sovereign, less dependent Europe: less dependent on fossil fuels, from Russia or the United States, and less dependent on Chinese technology in the green field. We are committed to technology and innovation. And finally, we are committed to the pro-European democratic consensus. We are committed to generosity and to being able to reach agreements with the Council and the Commission – the pro-European forces – to continue to move Europe forward. And this is a sign of enormous importance so as not to squander our future.