What Tomas spoke about.

18

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, the people of Hungary have the right to live free in a democracy that upholds the rule of law, respects their dignity and protects the fundamental freedoms of all citizens. That is actually what sets Europe apart: a union of freedom. History has taught our continent the fundamental importance of defending these basic rights and values, and Hungarians know…

16

Jun

2025

EN Speech

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Statement by the President - 40th anniversary of the Schengen area agreement

Madam President, colleagues, the Schengen Area is one of the EU's greatest achievements. For 40 years, it has meant freedom, prosperity and opportunity to millions of people in Europe. Schengen drives our economy and competitiveness and unites us as Europeans. Without it, we would be weaker and poorer. But let's be clear: the freedom of Schengen can only survive if we protect it, and the growing t…

1

Apr

2025

EN Speech

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Presentation of the New European Internal Security Strategy (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, colleagues, Europe is facing major threats to our internal security. Organised crime is on the rise, hostile state actors are attacking our critical infrastructure and sometimes migration is weaponized at our external borders. This is why the EPP has called for a European security pact to protect our citizens. We welcome that the Commission is now taking crucial steps b…

1

Apr

2025

EN Speech

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Amending Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 as regards the dates from which Member States are to apply certain corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements (vote)

Mr President, colleagues, global instability is on the rise, and I would argue that many European companies are falling behind. We must start to act now. We need to strengthen our competitiveness. The Omnibus package is a first good step in the right direction. This is not only about protecting jobs in Europe; it is to make sure that we again can have growth – growth which is needed to secure that…

31

Mar

2025

EN Speech

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Order of business

Madam President, dear colleagues, as was mentioned, this court ruling came today, only a couple of hours ago. The EPP Group, we are clear in our commitments to the rule of law and democracy, and we fully support the work of our European courts. Let me also point out that this week, here in Strasbourg, we will have a debate on transparency and anti-corruption policies in the European Union. But I d…

12

Mar

2025

EN Speech

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100 days of the new Commission – Delivering on defence, competitiveness, simplification and migration as our priorities (topical debate)

Madam President, Vice-President, a clear EPP priority for the coming years is to make Europe safer and more secure. We need reforms that ensure an independent, free and prosperous Europe, speedy investments in security and defence, and we also need to pave the way for economic growth and job creation and keep cutting red tape. Citizens also rightfully want to have a European migration policy that …

11

Mar

2025

EN Speech

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Presentation of the proposal on a new common approach on returns (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the migration pact was a crucial step in taking back control of Europe's external border and also creating a framework for a more European common approach on migration. I would like to thank the constructive political groups in this House who actually made that happen in the last mandate – extremely important. But one major thing still remains and that is returns. To…

10

Mar

2025

EN Question

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Cutting red tape and simplifying business in the EU: the first Omnibus proposals (debate)

Thank you, colleague Wolters, for your intervention. I understand that S&D is not welcoming this proposal, but I think it is extremely important for our competitiveness and that we understand that we need also to grow our European economy. That is actually also good for sustainability and for our climate goals – we have the most ambitious climate policy on our continent. And my question is – to S&…

10

Mar

2025

EN Speech

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Cutting red tape and simplifying business in the EU: the first Omnibus proposals (debate)

Mr President, Europe is falling behind in growth and competitiveness, and in these uncertain times, we must act decisively and, of course, try to boost our economy. Europe needs a game changer and the Omnibus proposal is a step in the right direction, but more is needed. Growth, not bureaucracy, will drive our economy forward and power the green transition. To deliver, we need two key things. Firs…

12

Feb

2025

EN Speech

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Commission Work Programme 2025 (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the EPP Group is determined to make Europe safer and more secure for our citizens, because without security, there is no freedom. And it is clear that immediate action is required. Organised crime is on the rise, hybrid attacks have intensified, and illegal migration remains a key challenge. The EPP Group welcomes that the Commission has heard our calls. We are fully…

10

Feb

2025

SV Speech

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Escalation of gang violence in Sweden and strengthening the fight against organised crime (debate)

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your The brutal mass murder in Örebro on the black day of February 4 was carried out by a single perpetrator. But Sweden is also exposed to a wave of violence of a seldom seen kind. Bombings of honest people's homes, almost day after day, directed by ruthless gang criminals who seem to shun no means. The Swedish government is now carrying out an absol…

10

Feb

2025

SV Speech

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Situation in Sweden in the midst of the recent mass shooting in Örebro (debate)

Mr President, I would like to thank you. Colleagues. Tomorrow at 12:00 the whole of Sweden will gather for a minute's silence. We are still a country in mourning after ten people were brutally murdered in the worst mass shooting in Swedish history – in premises where they only came to learn Swedish or to educate themselves in order to contribute to our society. The testimonies from Örebro are diff…

22

Jan

2025

EN Speech

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Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, Prime Minister Tusk, thank you for bringing Poland back to Europe. At this crucial time we welcome your strong leadership and your Presidency of the Council. The EPP, and also my home country, Sweden, fully supports your priority to make Europe more safe and secure, to strengthen our defence and support Ukraine. And you are right that we need to take back control of …

21

Jan

2025

EN Speech

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Need for actions to address the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, when the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s, there was hope for millions of people who had suffered for decades under communist dictatorship and oppression. We were right to be hopeful. Just look at the Baltic states: prosperous democracies, and a proud part of the European family today. However, as we all know, freedom is not yet won everywhere. Therefore, we mu…

18

Dec

2024

EN Speech

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Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024 (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the EPP welcomes that migration remains at the top of the agenda of the European Council, because the citizens of Europe rightfully also expect that we take back control of migration. The October conclusions show a clear political will among the Member States, and let me be clear – the EPP Group stands ready to push it forward in the European Parliament. We need a fu…

27

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Stepping up the fight against and the prevention of the recruitment of minors for criminal acts (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, the European Union is actually facing what I would call an epidemic of cross-border organised crime and this is a serious threat to our internal security. Our top priority from this House must be to completely break down the criminal networks and make Europe safe and secure. The targeted recruitment of minors that are used very tactic by the criminal gangs across Europe…

27

Nov

2024

SV Speech

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Presentation by the President-elect of the Commission of the College of Commissioners and its programme (debate)

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your More than five months after the European elections, a new Commission needs to be put in place. Europe needs to be led. Now is not the time for poster politics, it is actually time to start working. But obviously the outer edges to the right or to the left of this house don't want that. It's more important to pose and obstruct instead of actually …

14

Nov

2024

SV Speech

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Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness (debate)

Madam President, Mr Niinistö! Three young men were arrested last month after a blast near the Israeli embassy in Copenhagen. We have had a shooting at the Israeli embassy in Stockholm. Since then, we have received information that the attacks were carried out by gang criminals on behalf of the regime in Iran. The Swedish security police confirmed earlier this year that hostile states are using cri…

13

Nov

2024

EN Speech

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Deplorable escalation of violence around the football match in the Netherlands and the unacceptable attacks against Israeli football fans (debate)

Mr President, Vice‑President Schinas, in Europe and beyond, Jews are living in fear again. The horrific antisemitic attack in Amsterdam reminds us of our darkest chapter in our history. We have to be clear: this was not a clash between football hooligans, as some might say. These were anti-Jewish and anti-Israel attacks, and there is no excuse, absolutely no excuse that can justify this type of ha…

23

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the EPP Group strongly welcomes the clear and coherent position that was taken by the Commission President and the European Council last week. We need to take back control of migration. We have common borders and therefore we need a common European response. With the adoption of the migration pact, we took the first major step that we, and not the criminal smugglers,…

21

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Order of business

Madam President, I think it is clear and already stated that this request should not be supported. It's very clear. It's not about a protocol about Italy and Albania, as you say in what you're asking for. Also, it's not even a final decision in the court, and it's also a decision based on an EU directive that actually will be replaced once the new migration pact is fully adopted. I think it's also…

9

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Strengthening the security of Europe’s external borders: need for a comprehensive approach and enhanced Frontex support (debate)

Mr President, Vice‑President Schinas, colleagues, let me start by reminding you that we had a debate in this plenary on Monday evening about internal border controls and the state of Schengen. Now we're about to discuss the external borders. For me, it is clear that these issues are connected. Yes, the European Union is about free movement. For this to be possible, we must regain control of our ex…

9

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, Prime Minister, the presidency of the Council comes with both great opportunity and great responsibility. Prime Minister, you say that you want to discuss the political priorities of the Hungarian Presidency. For example, you say that you want to reinforce European defence, you want to regain control of the external border. I welcome these priorities. The problem is …

7

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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The reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of Member States and its impact on the Schengen Area (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the protection of Schengen and our external borders is a top priority for the EPP Group. It is key to ensure freedom, prosperity and security for our citizens. Schengen is crucial for the functioning of the single market, and it brings major benefits for our people and economy. But this only works if we have proper control over our external borders. The recent develo…

7

Oct

2024

EN Speech

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Order of business

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Court ruling came just a couple of days ago, on Friday. I think it is too early to have a proper plenary debate. The EPP will instead ask for a proper assessment in the relevant committee –the LIBE Committee. The judgment of the Court could have quite an impact, but it's yet too early to foresee and I don't think we should draw any far-reaching conclusions alr…