What Svenja spoke about.

17

Jun

2026

Speeches EN

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Protecting children’s safety and mental health from the risks posed by social media – our duty to act now (debate)

Madam President, a social media ban for minors means everyone needs to ID themselves on social media all the time. Age verification is the end of anonymity and the free internet as we know it. Child protection is once again the disguise for surveillance. This week, the UK introduced a social media ban and the backlash is massive, and rightfully so, because we see a ban is not working. Sixty per cent of children in Australia circumvent the ban. The evidence for a social media ban is not there. Experts and academics all over the world say it: make the internet safer for kids; don't ban them from it. But too few politicians are willing to do the hard things to fix it. Hold platforms accountable. Make it safer for kids to be online and put digital literacy in the education programme and hold parents accountable. Don't let anyone fool you. We can protect children online without building a massive surveillance infrastructure.

16

Jun

2026

Speeches EN

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Achieving digital sovereignty and resilience for Europe, in light of recent developments affecting access to advanced AI technologies (debate)

Mr President, the big AI innovation is happening outside the EU and, after the cut-off of Europe from the latest Anthropic models, really everyone must see how vulnerable and dependent we are. Yet the voices that cry the loudest over the lack of powerful European AI, the voices that call for European tech sovereignty and mean protectionism, those are the same voices that push the hardest against cutting red tape for European companies. The rest of the world is way ahead of us, and I'm going to say it to everybody who really believes that innovation can thrive in the shadow of the wall of protectionism that you want to build: look at its history, look at how it made people poorer and countries fall apart. Cutting red tape is not about giving into China, the US or big tech. It's about giving room for innovation for our European companies. We will reach tech sovereignty through deregulation, lower taxes, more and affordable energy and more capital so that our smartest minds can just go and innovate.

15

Jun

2026

Speeches DE

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Simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Digital Omnibus on AI) (debate)

20

May

2026

Speeches DE

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High time to deliver on the Single Market, providing certainty and predictability for EU businesses and quality jobs (continuation of debate)

Madam President, In a world that is becoming increasingly uncertain geopolitically, Europe can no longer rely on others. Our economic and geopolitical strength starts here in our own internal market. We need a genuine pan-European home market for our companies. But companies in Europe are still experiencing small-scale regulatory rule every day, from posting to packaging. Many national laws are designed to make it difficult for companies from other EU countries. 27 different rules, 27 different procedures, 27 brake pads for innovation. The following must apply: A product, a service, a set of rules. And: We need to reduce bureaucracy radically. Every single market law needs to be put to the test: What can go? What can make it easier? What puts jobs at risk? Competitiveness is created by competition, not by state-directed lead markets and politically desired products. Europe must not start planning innovation centrally. Now is the time to be brave and think big! If the Commission is serious about a strong European economy, it must finally complete the single market. We see good proposals, but the Commission also needs the courage to oppose the national protectionism of the Member States. Because one thing is clear: Strengthening the single market makes Europe stronger in the world. Those who continue to block it will weaken Europe when we need that strength most.

19

May

2026

Speeches DE

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EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems (debate)

Madam President, We're seeing how fast high-performance AI is changing cybersecurity. Systems such as myth show that technological progress cannot be regulated away. Because just because Europe prohibits something does not mean that authoritarian regimes or hostile actors do not develop it anyway and then use it against us. That's why Europe finally needs a change of course: Away from fear-driven regulation, towards value-based regulation that enables innovation, investment and technological sovereignty. We can no longer be spectators in the global AI race, while the US and China determine the playing field! Cybersecurity also means defense. Our critical infrastructure, in particular, must be protected with the best technologies. We must not be dependent on authoritarian states. For this we must finally release the brakes: less bureaucracy, cheaper energy, digital single market, a capital markets union for large investments, AI and cybersecurity. Because Europe can play a leading role here if we stop seeing innovation first as a risk and finally see it as an opportunity.

10

Mar

2026

Speeches DE

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Single Market: how to move from an incomplete single market to one market for one Europe (debate)

Madam President, In geopolitically uncertain times, there are many things that Europe can no longer afford. At the forefront of this is a semi-finished single market. If partners like the US are becoming increasingly unpredictable, if more and more regions of the world are massively relying only on their own economy, then Europe must finally use its greatest strength and not just talk about it: our common market. And I say it quite honestly: it's as incomprehensible as we get in our own way. Member States defend national rules, national exceptions, national selfishness. It is this protectionism that prevents a genuine single market. Our goal must remain: a product, a service, the same rules, a market. If we now finally expand the single market in services, in the digital, in the energy union or in the capital market, if we now reduce bureaucracy instead of constantly building new hurdles, then we will create what we need: a strong single market that strengthens Europe economically and geopolitically, instead of a fragmented single market that weakens us both internally and externally. Commissioner Séjourné, I wish you every success in the fight for a strong internal market.

21

Jan

2026

Speeches DE

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Preparations for the EU-India summit (debate)

So, Mr Sieper, you are also on the Trade Committee, so I am a bit surprised by these statements. The European Commission, and I am really someone who often criticises the European Commission – but at this point one really has to say that hardly anything is as transparent as our trade talks, such as agreements, the documents are public, accessible to everyone, there are briefings, public briefings, even unofficial briefings on the status of the negotiations, which are not yet public. There are really close agreements. At best, it cannot be said that the EU Commission operates in a black box and bypasses the European Parliament. That's just not true.

21

Jan

2026

Answers DE

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Preparations for the EU-India summit (debate)

Thank you, Mr Sieper. I think you have to take people's concerns very seriously. That is why, for example, I also negotiated very strong safeguard clauses for our agriculture, because I think this is very important. But you also have to be honest. What happened here today is fear-mongering. The accusations that were there to push the Mercosur trade agreement to the European Court of Justice are all advanced. Of course, the EU Commission has the right to negotiate trade agreements. Trade is the EU's primary competence. No member countries are circumvented. Our food standards are not lowered. There will continue to be food controls, and we do not give out of hand the right to shape our own policies. These are false arguments put forward today to scare people of free trade and to stop the free trade agreement. And Democrats, in particular, have to oppose such a thing. It must never be that fears are stirred up. We have to offer solutions.

21

Jan

2026

Speeches DE

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Preparations for the EU-India summit (debate)

Madam President, Donald Trump is the demolition bulb for rules-based trade. Russia is putting us militarily and China is putting us under economic pressure, and the European Parliament is putting Mercosur on hold with the right, left and Greens. This is such an incredible sabotage of our economy and an absolute geopolitical embarrassment. One can only hope that other trading partners such as India will not feel pushed to the head, because you have to say it: Whoever blocks trade blocks Europe's future. Our geopolitical strength lies in our economic strength. We now need more trade, more partners, more European self-confidence, and our companies deserve it. They are innovative, they are competitive. They deserve us to open up new markets to them, rather than just come up with new regulations all the time. The EU-India Summit is now an opportunity to finally conclude the trade agreement with India. The EU is already India's largest trading partner. Let us make more of it now, because foreclosure makes Europe smaller, makes us poorer and, above all, makes us irrelevant. The trade agreement with India is now the strategic step for our future. Let us finally act with India – for Europe, for our future!

20

Jan

2026

Speeches EN

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Tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media by making full use of the EU’s digital rules (debate)

Madam President, so many colleagues shared examples today of how AI is used to harm women. But I still believe in AI making our lives better, making our work days easier, or helping us live healthier lives. But instead, there are too many people choosing AI to humiliate women, to undress women without their consent, to create pornographic deepfakes, to sexualise, to harm and to silence female public voices like politicians, journalists, or attack their colleagues, their neighbours or ex-partners. Let me be clear – AI is just the tool. The real perpetrators are behind the screen and most of the time they are men. Yet creating new deepfakes is hardly ever punished, so women live in fear – we will change that. Women should not be afraid. It should be the perpetrators that are afraid. We will not accept technology being used to roll back decades and centuries of female empowerment, because our digital rules in Europe are worth nothing if we don't seriously enforce them, because AI will only be beneficial to all if we defend all our citizens' rights.

16

Dec

2025

Speeches EN

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Bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products (A10-0254/2025 - Gabriel Mato) (vote)

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Mercosur trade agreement will boost our economy, it will create new opportunities for our small businesses and it will protect and create jobs. It will diversify our supply chains, particularly on critical raw materials. The Mercosur trade agreement will strengthen Europe's geopolitical position. It will make us less dependent on China, on Russia and the moods of Donald Trump. It is the clear signal to the world the EU is a reliable partner. This agreement will also create new opportunities for the farming sector. But I do understand that some farming communities are worried. Politics is about listening and finding balanced solutions and that is why the Mercosur safeguards were created – a safety net for our farmers for the unexpected case of market disruptions. But let me be clear: supporting the safeguards means strengthening Europe and delivering solutions for a worried community. Voting against the safeguards means weakening Europe's geopolitical and economic future.

25

Nov

2025

Speeches DE

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Digital Package (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. Europe is losing out in global competition and the reason is clear: The regulatory wave of recent years is slowing down our companies. While China and the US are moving forward with speed, capital and pragmatism, Europe is captivating itself. We don't need to simplify our digital rules for Chinese or American tech giants. I don't care what Trump, Musk or Zuckerberg demand. As a liberal, I am always ready to challenge monopolies – but that is what we are doing through competition law. Because the truth is, our overregulation hits the wrong ones: small European companies. And meanwhile, the big tech giants are still grateful that we are regulating the competition away from them. Reducing regulation means creating economic strength, securing jobs and enabling AI based on our European values. The digital omnibus is now the opportunity for real departure, for innovation, for growth and for competitiveness. At the AI Act The following shall apply: Protecting civil rights and eliminating everything that innovates Made in Europe handicapped. Because if innovation does not come from Europe, then Europe will indeed become a digital vassal, and we must not allow that to happen.

25

Nov

2025

Speeches DE

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Effective use of the EU trade and industrial policy to tackle China’s export restrictions (debate)

Madam President, Create dependencies and then use them as a political weapon against us: This is China's clear strategy. And this is exactly what is happening due to China's technological dominance and the ever tighter export controls for rare earths. At the same time, China's structural overcapacity, specifically produced for export, is flooding us, not for our own market. This depresses prices, distorts competition and endangers our industry and our jobs. Europe must resist these dependencies. We need more trade with more partners. We must now ratify the Mercosur Agreement and reduce our vulnerability. And yes, we also need to use targeted safeguards – where Chinese overcapacity is flooding our market, putting our companies under pressure. Above all, however, we must make our own companies' lives easier and consistently free them from unnecessary regulation. Instead of more state intervention, we need courage for a market economy again. The EU can no longer be blackmailed.

13

Nov

2025

Speeches EN

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Digital Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Singapore (A10-0187/2025 - Svenja Hahn) (vote)

Madam President, dear colleagues, I am not sure if you are aware, but today actually more than half of the trade services between the EU and Singapore are delivered digitally. We have a trade agreement with Singapore, so it is more than necessary that we update what we have – the rules for digital trade – and that is what we are voting on today. The EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement is the first ever standalone digital trade agreement by the European Union. It provides binding digital trade and sets standards for digital trade, data flows, data protection and consumer rights online as well. I know there have been worries, concerns raised by civil society and the European data ombudsman. We addressed all of these concerns in the resolution, and the Commission has specifically explained that they will pay attention to those concerns in the implementation. So we have been repeatedly ensured that there are no worries that we should have no worries that there are loopholes by the Commission. Our rights are protected and this agreement is not a risk to our data standards. Quite the opposite – it is a huge opportunity to set new digital trade standards in the world. So, dear colleagues, please make history today and support the first ever digital trade agreement between the EU and Singapore. Thank you very much.

22

Oct

2025

Speeches EN

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The ongoing assault on the democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bulgaria (topical debate)

Madam President, colleagues, we see democracy slipping through our fingers in Bulgaria. The EU is on the brink of losing yet another country to state capture, and I'm shocked by the blind eye the colleagues from the EPP and S&D are turning on this. According to civil society reports, key institutions – like the judiciary, security services, parts of the media – are under the influence of a Magnitsky-sanctioned oligarch, Delyan Peevski, with former Prime Minister Borisov and his GERB party allegedly acting as the political front. And while the EPP – his political family – looks away, the ALDE party acted. When Peevski took over our former Bulgarian member party, literally that same day the ALDE bureau decided to end their membership. Because defending democracy means taking action, not making excuses. So when will the EPP take action? The arrest of the Mayor of Varna is the clearest sign yet that the rule of law is failing. A democratically elected mayor detained without due process is a signal to everyone in Bulgaria: stay silent or face consequences. Bulgarian civil society calls on Europe, and I call on the European Commission: act now. Send a fact-finding mission, investigate the case of Mayor Kotsev and be ready to freeze EU funds if needed – because if Bulgaria loses democracy, Europe will lose Bulgaria.

21

Oct

2025

Speeches DE

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Commission Work Programme 2026 (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. Made in Europe We need to stand for excellence instead of bureaucracy. It is good that the Commission is finally taking up ideas from the Draghi report. The 28th The regime is overdue. Initiatives to strengthen innovation are also important. We need speed in artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure or quantum computers. I think it is a pity that Mrs von der Leyen does not seem to be able to listen to the whole plenary debate, but I would like to say it very openly to her: Mrs von der Leyen, I would have liked more courage from you, more courage for the market economy and more courage for the red pen. They want to add 38 new proposals to 111 open ones, but delete only 25 proposals and one law and plan only three new omnibus simplifications. If Europe is serious about competitiveness, it should be the other way around. We need more dismantling than setting up regulations, because the existing omnibus laws are hardly making any progress. And it would be fatal if they became a symbol of Europe's inability to reform. Mrs von der Leyen, you have the courage to think big for competitiveness, energy independence and a real internal market. Because only an economically strong Europe is a strong Europe in the world.

7

Oct

2025

Speeches DE

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New Strategic EU-India Agenda (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. China is expanding its authoritarian influence. The US protects its interests with its elbows. And Europe wonders: What place do we find in this world disorder? We need more trade with more partners. Cooperation with India is an important step for the future of Europe. We need to be clear: Geopolitical strength starts with competitiveness. Without growth, there is no sovereignty – quite simply. Every trade agreement is a step towards European strength. If we want to remain relevant as Europe, we must act and not just negotiate endlessly. The EU is already India's largest trading partner. Let's expand this with the free trade agreement. For cooperation instead of protectionism, for partnership instead of isolation. Our companies deserve that we finally open new markets for them. If Europe wants to grow, it must again believe in itself, in its ideas, in its companies and in its people. That is why I say very clearly: Blocking more trade is blocking Europe's future. Those who are afraid of competition will end up losing prosperity in Europe and influence in the world. That is why, ladies and gentlemen, let us not talk any longer. Let us act literally – with India, for Europe, for our future.

7

Oct

2025

Speeches DE

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Time to complete a fully integrated Single Market: Europe’s key to growth and future prosperity (debate)

Madam President, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen likes to talk about competitiveness, but hinders it when it really matters. Supply Chain Act, Deforestation Ordinance, Taxonomy: With bureaucratic ballast, Europe is not saving the world, it is only ruining our businesses. The single market must once again become the engine of our prosperity, not the brakes of over-regulation. If we want to be strategically sovereign, we can only do so if we finally abolish this miserable national protectionism – a real market, especially for services and workers. Sovereignty comes from strength, not subsidies. Competition creates innovation, not the Commission's planned economy. Chancellor Merz and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil talk about less bureaucracy in Germany. But in Brussels, the Union and the SPD are pushing for more and more regulation. In Europe, only the Free Democrats consistently stand for freedom, growth and less regulation. Europe can once again become an economic power if we finally have confidence in the power of our single market.

10

Sep

2025

Speeches DE

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Implementation of EU-US trade deal and the prospect of wider EU trade agreements (debate)

Mr President, dear disciples, sometimes you think: How do you counter this misogyny? And then you think: Maybe just continue and show them how strong women are in this house. Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. The deal with the United States is a bad deal. Ms von der Leyen did not dare to negotiate harder because we are dependent on the US for economic and security policy. Europe has a choice: Not a deal or a bad deal. Above all, Europe must pull itself together in order to finally get from the cat table to the negotiating tables of the world. We cannot talk about geopolitical relevance; we have to fight for it in trade agreements and with economic power. Mrs von der Leyen would have to set all course for economic growth. Instead, it buried the market economy today in the State of the Union address. Leading political markets; Buy European, Subsidies are supposed to come, but unfortunately, to strengthen the internal market and cut red tape, there were only hollow phrases instead of deeds. Weakening our economy weakens Europe. Without growth, we will not become a world power, we will remain a plaything. Blocking the Mercosur agreement blocks growth and destroys jobs. We will only be strong in the world with more trade and more partners. Let's take advantage of the moment! Minister Bjerre, I am building on you and the Danish Presidency. Ratify as many trade agreements as possible!

9

Jul

2025

Speeches DE

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EU-US trade negotiations (debate)

Mr President! We now need pragmatic solutions with the US and a framework agreement that opens the roadmap for further negotiations. The following shall apply: No deal at any price! We must be prepared to impose counter-tariffs at any time. We must be clear: Donald Trump insists unrestrainedly on the right of the strongest. He wants Wild West trade policy. But just as dangerous are those who oppose it on principle. We just heard it again: The leftists who sabotaged TTIP and still celebrate today as if less trade with the US was a victory. It was a gift to China. But that's exactly what they want. Foreclosure instead of freedom, communism instead of capitalism, although it was capitalism that made us so strong. Preventing trade deals means more expensive products, fewer jobs, less wealth and more influence for autocrats. Europe needs to be a designer again, not a driving force. Blocking free trade strengthens the wrong people – Trump, Xi and populists from the left and right. We now need more trade with more partners for freedom, prosperity and a strong Europe.

8

Jul

2025

Speeches DE

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Preparation for the 2025 EU–China Summit - Tackling China's critical raw materials export restrictions

Madam President, China is flooding our single market with subsidised overcapacity – from toys to steel. I expect Ursula von der Leyen to find pragmatic solutions for fairer competition for our industry at the EU-China Summit. But above all, Europe must not become so naive towards China again. For years we have struggled to free ourselves from these asymmetrical dependencies. We have let ourselves be lulled by China as Germany, as Europe. With restrictions on exports of heavy rare earths, China is showing that it is ready to use our dependencies as a weapon. In the conflict between autocracy and democracy, we must not forget that China is an autocratic regime that only disturbs democracy and human rights. Let us think of the oppression of the Uyghurs, of Hong Kong, of the threats against Taiwan. Now is not the time for appeasement, neither to Trump/USA nor to China. Now is the time for clear edge and closed strength. We need more trade with more partners. I am counting on the Danish Presidency of the Council, Minister Bjerre, to gather the Member States for an offensive for more free trade. We open up new markets and sources of raw materials.

7

Jul

2025

Speeches DE

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Product safety and regulatory compliance in e-commerce and non-EU imports (debate)

Mr President! We as European consumers, our environment and our companies that comply with the law are suffering from the flood of cheap Chinese products. If research shows that well over half of toys from third countries such as China are dangerous, then parents are quite rightly afraid that toys will fall apart on which their babies may even swallow or suffocate. Small European designers suffer because their designs are copied and squandered at cheap prices. People who like to shop online suffer when the new clothes from questionable production are contaminated with toxic chemicals. With this own-initiative report, the European Parliament sends a very clear signal: Illegal and unsafe products have no place in our internal market. We do not need new laws. The Commission and Member States must enforce rigorously applicable law, such as the Digital Services Act or the laws on product safety. We need to strengthen market surveillance, digitalise customs, abolish the €150 free border and ensure that illegal products do not enter our market in the first place. We must take the responsibility of the Chinese platforms to collect taxes and levies as well. Let's make online shopping safe again, that it is also fun and does not serve the exploitation of people or the environment and that the competition is fair.

21

May

2025

Speeches DE

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Single Market Strategy (debate)

Mr President! The bureaucratic hurdles in the single market cost jobs and cash because they keep our companies artificially small. Two examples alone: The posting of workers causes more paperwork than turnover, and all the national rules for product packaging or disposal are simply petty state-owned. It is still easier for small businesses to put their ideas on the shelves outside Europe than it is here at home. This must finally end. That is why I am so grateful to Commissioner Séjourné for the impetus provided by the Single Market strategy. With the Single Market Omnibus, the first step towards cutting red tape in the single market is finally being taken. Now comes with the definition for SMEs also a small mid-capDefinition, and there should be a direct facilitation in the implementation of some laws for these small businesses, as in the case of the General Data Protection Regulation. But that can only be the beginning. I would really like to encourage the Commission: Don't stop with this one omnibus law. Adapt all internal market laws to this new definition. Adapt them better for small and medium-sized businesses and themall mid-caps. Our goal must remain: Innovation must not only be conceived in Europe, innovation must be made in Europe. Let's tackle it, let's finally unleash the single market and the potential for our businesses!

8

May

2025

Speeches DE

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Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. In geopolitically uncertain times, we need to radically expand our single market. Our economic strength makes us an attractive partner. And if partners like the USA are no longer reliable, we must make our home market more attractive, also for our own companies. There must finally be an end to this regulatory micro-statery – a product, a service, a market according to the same rules. We must rigorously cut red tape and put all single market laws to the test. Above all, I would like to remind you: Competitiveness comes from competition. I'm a bit skeptical of disproportionate government interventions like lead markets. This is not a guarantee that in the end the best product will prevail at the best price, but the politically desired product. And I am really counting on the Commission and Commissioner Séjourné to have the courage to make the single market great. Think big of the strategy, don't just think about small things. We need to strengthen our internal market now so that we become stronger in the world. Conversely, the following applies: Those who do not strengthen the single market now weaken us in the world.

7

May

2025

Speeches DE

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Winning the global tech race: boosting innovation and closing funding gaps (topical debate)

Mr President! Heads, capital and AI – that must be our triad if we are to finally put the EU at the forefront of innovation. Let's train the best minds and become a talent magnet. But the smart minds Trump is driving out of the U.S. right now, they're not coming to us. Language barriers, high regulation of research and too high income taxes in many countries make it simply unattractive for highly qualified professionals to come to us. We need to do better. Let's finally create the Capital Markets Union, let's make it easier to invest in Europe, let's make it easier to scale ideas, and let's see failure not as a disgrace, but as a learning curve. Innovation must no longer be stifled by red tape and costs. We need a mindset change: Regulation not out of fear, but only where there are real problems. And we have the courage to simplify our digital laws as well. Tomorrow's prosperity depends on our power to innovate and advance technology. I wish so much that Europe no longer only talks about innovation, but also burns for it and finally acts.