Speeches

Mr President! Here, the right-wing populists spread hatred and incitement unabashedly. They spray their poison and want to play people off against each other. The problem, however, is that the policies of the Commission, the leaders, and the kneeling of the conservatives are increasingly opening the door for the right to move forward. You say you want to talk about women's rights and children's rights? Let's talk about femicide. Let's talk about domestic violence. Let's talk about how we can expand women's shelters! You don't want that, you don't want a solution. Want to talk about children's rights? Let's talk about family poverty. Let's talk about the fact that we don't have equal opportunities in education! Let's talk about people's real problems, about pensions, about social policy! You don't want that, because the super-rich donate a lot of money for your cutlet parties. Dear colleagues, you want to incite hatred and hate speech, you don't want solutions, you don't want answers. We finally want the real debates that really interest the citizens here in this country or in Europe. Do that! Stop your hate-and-hate-politics!

Madam President, The CDU deputy Hildegard Bentele has just stood here and asserted in all seriousness that Israel is just solving the Middle East conflict militarily. I want to say very clearly: Israel is not solving anything. Israel is committing a genocide, a genocide in the livestream, and still gets applause from the conservative corner here in the house. That's unbearable! But Hildegard Bentele is unimportant. Mrs Kallas, you and Mrs von der Leyen and Mr Merz and all the others are still giving the green light to this inhumane policy. Today it was Freedom Flotilla attacked; This is illegal. The blockade of Gaza is illegal. Why are you silent about this? Why don't you condemn that? It needs justice for the Palestinians, it needs peace for the Palestinians – you just talk. Your double standard is no longer accepted by anyone in this world, you finally understand. You have to get up! History will judge you, Mrs. Kallas! It will judge all those who have supported it.

Madam President, Mrs. Kallas, you are proud to have the 19th. Sanctions package announced. But I would like to ask you: What action have you taken now during the genocide of the Palestinians against Israel? When do you want to suspend the EU Association Agreement? I think at that point your double standard becomes pretty, pretty clear. Ladies and gentlemen, for three years now I have been listening to speeches that Ukraine is about a war of ‘autocracy versus democracy’. And of course, the Putin regime stands for an autocratic policy. But is it true that Mr Zelenskyy and Ukraine are so democratic? I mean, Mr. Zelenskyy is not only known for his corrupt offshore deals. It is also the case that in Ukraine at the moment trade union rights are being eroded, any opposition party has been banned, and no matter what one's attitude towards these parties – this does not necessarily stand for democracy! What about workers' rights? What about the unionists who are under house arrest? All this, ladies and gentlemen, makes it clear that this is not a question of democracy, but of harsh geopolitics on your part. I want to make it clear: If you already say – before you sit at the negotiating table – that you now want to install troops in Ukraine, Ms Kallas, as you and Ms von der Leyen announced, that is simply untenable. This is illustrated by: They don't want peace. But the people of Europe stand for peace in Ukraine, in Europe and worldwide!

Madam President, I refer to Article 188(2). You declared our amendment inadmissible. A motion that makes it clear that returns to Syria are irresponsible in the face of systematic violence against Alevis, Druze and Christians. Your decision, Madam President, was not a formal decision, but a political one. Yes, our request put a finger in the wound. The Syrian interim government consists of former al-Qaeda militias and is still courted by Trump and EU presidents. As always, you are concerned about geopolitical influence in the Middle East and about rapid returns and deportations of refugees at any cost. If the Left names this in a resolution, Madam President, will you tell us that it has nothing to do with the subject? Oh, yes, Madam President, that's it. Protection and the basic human right to asylum are not subordinated to political arbitrariness. We defend universal human rights. The EU's policy is cynical and Madam President, I am sorry, but your decision on our amendment was clearly politically motivated by you. We find that unacceptable. We will continue to put our fingers in the wound.

Madam President, I refer to Article 188(2). You declared our amendment inadmissible. A motion that makes it clear that returns to Syria are irresponsible in the face of systematic violence against Alevis, Druze and Christians. Your decision, Madam President, was not a formal decision, but a political one. Yes, our request put a finger in the wound. The Syrian interim government consists of former al-Qaeda militias and is still courted by Trump and EU presidents. As always, you are concerned about geopolitical influence in the Middle East and about rapid returns and deportations of refugees at any cost. If the Left names this in a resolution, Madam President, will you tell us that it has nothing to do with the subject? Oh, yes, Madam President, that's it. Protection and the basic human right to asylum are not subordinated to political arbitrariness. We defend universal human rights. The EU's policy is cynical and Madam President, I am sorry, but your decision on our amendment was clearly politically motivated by you. We find that unacceptable. We will continue to put our fingers in the wound.

Madam President, I too was in Budapest with 200,000 courageous people who did not let themselves be intimidated by Orbán, but demonstrated for equality and against discrimination. I say it clearly: Anyone who feels disturbed by the colors of the rainbow, feels disturbed by democracy, and this obviously applies to Viktor Orbán. But it is also strange that the German Bundestag president refuses to raise the rainbow flag at the Pride in Berlin. One must also criticize Mrs. von der Leyen, who for a long time turned away, instead of positioning herself against Orbán's announcements. Mr Orbán is not only waging a cultural struggle to distract from his socially unjust policies, but he is also clearly an opponent of the rule of law, and we see this in the case of the German citizen Maja T. Maja T. is in solitary confinement, and Maja T. is on hunger strike because she finds unsustainable, inhumane conditions. She's in the hospital now, and the Commission and the federal government need to do something to get her back. Get Maja home!

Madam President, I too was in Budapest with 200,000 courageous people who did not let themselves be intimidated by Orbán, but demonstrated for equality and against discrimination. I say it clearly: Anyone who feels disturbed by the colors of the rainbow, feels disturbed by democracy, and this obviously applies to Viktor Orbán. But it is also strange that the German Bundestag president refuses to raise the rainbow flag at the Pride in Berlin. One must also criticize Mrs. von der Leyen, who for a long time turned away, instead of positioning herself against Orbán's announcements. Mr Orbán is not only waging a cultural struggle to distract from his socially unjust policies, but he is also clearly an opponent of the rule of law, and we see this in the case of the German citizen Maja T. Maja T. is in solitary confinement, and Maja T. is on hunger strike because she finds unsustainable, inhumane conditions. She's in the hospital now, and the Commission and the federal government need to do something to get her back. Get Maja home!

Madam President, 21 months of ethnic cleansing – while in Gaza the rubble is still smoking, people are dying not only from bombs but also from hunger, thirst and systematic destruction. Anyone trying to get relief supplies is shot – not accidentally, but deliberately. It is a policy of attrition, expulsion, inhumanity. Now the US is planning camps – supposedly humanitarian, but in reality places of transport. The goal is clear: Palestine will disappear from the map. The ultra-right Zionists want a Greater Israel and escalate the situation in the entire Middle East. In Germany, crocodile tears are shed, but weapons are supplied. One speaks of peace, but writes narratives that legitimize oppression. And the chancellor says: Israel is doing our dirty work. This should be the aim of the entire reorganization of the entire Middle East. But this order, my fellow Members, will be built on sand. Hands off the Middle East!

Madam President, 21 months of ethnic cleansing – while in Gaza the rubble is still smoking, people are dying not only from bombs but also from hunger, thirst and systematic destruction. Anyone trying to get relief supplies is shot – not accidentally, but deliberately. It is a policy of attrition, expulsion, inhumanity. Now the US is planning camps – supposedly humanitarian, but in reality places of transport. The goal is clear: Palestine will disappear from the map. The ultra-right Zionists want a Greater Israel and escalate the situation in the entire Middle East. In Germany, crocodile tears are shed, but weapons are supplied. One speaks of peace, but writes narratives that legitimize oppression. And the chancellor says: Israel is doing our dirty work. This should be the aim of the entire reorganization of the entire Middle East. But this order, my fellow Members, will be built on sand. Hands off the Middle East!

Madam President, The UN has described the situation in Sudan and its consequences for neighbouring countries, including South Sudan, as the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, but hardly anyone seems to really care. When you look at South Sudan today, you see a sad example of European politics. The situation in this region is also the result of a classic proxy war, and European states were not uninvolved in it. The EU played an active role in the secession of South Sudan, despite multiple warnings that it could lead to power struggles. The EU also trained security forces in South Sudan, which today engage in acts of violence against the population. The conflict is said to be an ethnic religious conflict, but the conflict over South Sudan and Sudan was all about gold and oil. European states were also quick to push for secession in order to have access to it. And now the European institutions are looking away when we have the biggest humanitarian catastrophe there. This is not acceptable, something has to change quickly.

Madam President, If a German fascist, whose party in Germany speaks of the Holocaust as a bird's-eye of history, gives such a speech here, if an Italian fascist, who is in the tradition of European anti-Semitism, says ‘Heil Israel!’ – no, Madam President, then I will not remain calm. These are the anti-Semites in this house. These are the ones who relativize the Holocaust. And these are the ones who, in their racism today, applaud the genocide of the Palestinians. And yes, Madam President, I do not remain calm when I look at the situation in Gaza. Israel not only commits a genocide against the Palestinians, not only questions the complete existence of Palestine, but also starts a war with neighboring states. And the German chancellor responded yesterday: "Thanks to Israel for doing our dirty work". This cynicism, ladies and gentlemen, is unbearable. And yes, I as a human being, I as an anti-fascist, I as a peace-loving human being do not remain calm. I say: The Palestinians need our solidarity. And the hypocrisy of the EU is for me...

Madam President, The world is already on fire – Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan. Wars and more and more armed conflicts. On every front: weapons made in the EU. And as if that wasn't enough, they are now screaming for even more weapons of war. At the upcoming NATO summit, a target of 5% of GDP for armaments, and more soldiers, will be decided. 5% sounds little, but it's gigasums. A billion seconds is 30 years, ladies and gentlemen. And you are not demanding 1, not 100, but Mrs von der Leyen wants to spend up to 1000 billion euros on weapons in the coming years. In comparison, the UN says that it would take about 40 billion euros to satisfy hunger worldwide. 40 billion euros, you don't want to decide? Not more money for education, not more money for health, but for weapons – weapons and debts that can potentially wipe out future generations. They claim that NATO is a alliance of values, a defence alliance. This is a fairy tale that no child in this world believes in anymore.

Madam President, Today we are talking about the human cost of the war in Ukraine. These include the thousands of civilian casualties and the hundreds of thousands of men who died on the battlefield on both sides. This war, like many other wars, has brought unimaginable atrocities. This war must end. Instead, the Commission and the Council say again today that we should not rely on peace negotiations, but on sanctions and arms deliveries. Those who decide on war usually don't. There, on the battlefield, neither Mr. Putin, nor Mr. Zelenskyy, nor a Mrs. von der Leyen, nor a Mr. Trump fights, but the poor from Russia and Ukraine: Poor men who cannot escape the war. By the way, the men and also the women in Israel cannot easily escape the war. Russia has violated international law. No one has the right to break international law. But why isn't the Commission talking about the Israeli government's atrocities and inhumane acts in Gaza? Why don't you talk about the violation of international law in Iran with the bombings? Why don't you talk about peace, but about war, war, war? They do it because they pursue geopolitics. I follow humanity.

Madam President, Today we are talking about the human cost of the war in Ukraine. These include the thousands of civilian casualties and the hundreds of thousands of men who died on the battlefield on both sides. This war, like many other wars, has brought unimaginable atrocities. This war must end. Instead, the Commission and the Council say again today that we should not rely on peace negotiations, but on sanctions and arms deliveries. Those who decide on war usually don't. There, on the battlefield, neither Mr. Putin, nor Mr. Zelenskyy, nor a Mrs. von der Leyen, nor a Mr. Trump fights, but the poor from Russia and Ukraine: Poor men who cannot escape the war. By the way, the men and also the women in Israel cannot easily escape the war. Russia has violated international law. No one has the right to break international law. But why isn't the Commission talking about the Israeli government's atrocities and inhumane acts in Gaza? Why don't you talk about the violation of international law in Iran with the bombings? Why don't you talk about peace, but about war, war, war? They do it because they pursue geopolitics. I follow humanity.

Mr President, Mrs von der Leyen! The Netanyahu administration is escalating the situation in Gaza, wanting to annex all of Gaza. They're silent about it. You talk a lot about Ukraine, yes, but you don't tell the truth either. They say Ukraine must be helped to achieve a just peace. For peace, however, you have done absolutely nothing for three years, and your aid is also poisoned. They're just loans. Loans tied to structural reforms in Ukraine, in the interest of European corporations. Yes, Donald Trump is now actually securing Ukraine's wealth in return for weapons aid. He is seeking an alliance with the Putin regime. But you, Mrs von der Leyen, are not worried about the people of Ukraine, but also want to get more of Ukraine's wealth as a Europe, and you are mainly striving for hegemony in Europe as a whole. Our solidarity – from the left – is honest. We say: Hands off Ukraine, no matter if the US, no matter if Russia, no matter if the EU. We say: End the war – in Ukraine, Gaza and all over the world.

Mr President! More and more trade unionists in Turkey are talking about Turkey becoming a new Bangladesh of Europe. In fact, Turkey is a low-cost production country at the gates of Europe, a guardian of European interests in the Middle East. Syrian refugees in particular are being used as workers without any rights, they are being brutally exploited, and trade union rights are being eroded. All this is also a contribution of the European refugee deal, and you want to maintain that. This has implications for workers, Syrian refugees in Turkey, workers in Turkey, but also for trade unions in Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, the report rightly mentions human rights violations in Turkey, repression against the opposition, and that is all right. But what do these statements mean if there are no consequences at all? They also want to strengthen military cooperation with Turkey. Turkey should supply new cheap ammunition for Europe so that it can advance its own geopolitical interests in the world for a long time. This is hypocritical, this is cynical, and we oppose it as the left.

Madam President, Despite the ban on demonstrations and repression, more and more people are taking to the streets in Turkey. Pepper spray and rubber bullets also leave them unimpressed. They know it's about their future against oppression, for freedom and justice. Commissioner, again and again you are talking here about a struggle between autocracy and democracy, why we need to upgrade here. But what really distinguishes Mr Erdoğan and his plans from that of an autocrat like in Belarus. How credible are all those who now want to deepen military cooperation with Erdoğan and make dirty refugee deals with the autocrat while he tries to stamp out the entire opposition in Turkey? Colleagues, I never believed that the EU would bring democracy to Turkey – only the people on the ground can do that. But all those who are honest about the values must now demand clearly and unequivocally from the Commission and the governments: Worried words are no longer enough. Stop the dirty deals with the Erdoğan regime!

Madam President, It was European history that taught us what war means. Our collective memory taught us that the path to security and peace is mutual disarmament, détente and diplomacy. The EU once called itself a diplomatic power, but the word diplomacy seems only incidental. Colleagues, you are only talking about armaments and military readiness – the report on the Common Foreign and Security Policy also follows this logic. You are mobilizing billions at a rapid pace for arms manufacturers and war, while there is supposedly no money for poverty reduction, environmental protection or public services. They say that in order to protect democracy, it is necessary to upgrade, but in the course of the global rearmament, liberal freedoms are coming under increasing pressure. Autocrats remain your premium partners as long as they match your geopolitical interests, open their markets to you, and make resources accessible. This double standard hurts – so you lose credibility not only abroad, but also here. Along with militarism, right-wing populism and nationalism are also growing – a fatal development. Militarism is also detrimental to the climate. Now you also want to militarize in the EU space programme. At universities, you now want to create quasi-research institutions for war capability. Dear colleagues, we defend the teachings, our collective memory. We say no to this totally wrong course of the EU. We need peace and diplomacy, not military capability.

Madam President, Dividends are rising and workers are impoverished. Currently, two hearts are beating in my chest – worry and hope. On the one hand, the ever louder tones and calls to the workers to tighten their belts. For example, calls for a reduction in working hours or the abolition of public holidays to finance the gigantic rearmament in Germany determine the discourse. All of this seems to be just the beginning. But I say clearly: Those who call for it have done their bill without the workers and youth in Europe who are currently moving and defending themselves. That's the hope. In Germany, for example, colleagues from the metal and industrial professions will demonstrate with their trade union for social-ecological and sustainable jobs on 15 March. The colleagues of ver.di are currently on strike in the civil service for decent wages to live on and also for better working conditions: We are clearly at their side. Any alliance that actually represents the interests of capital will get its counter-movement, and the left will always stand by its side.

Mr President! Competitiveness and rearmament, sham debates on migrants – this seems to be the new ultimate in this House and also in the Commission. Unfortunately, the Commission's 100-day balance sheet shows how remote and far away from the daily needs of the people the Commission acts. While thousands of people struggle to make ends meet, middle classes continue to erode: What is the Commission doing? She takes care of the concerns of the multis. Austerity and austerity for the people and 800 billion euros for the rearmament is the announcement from the EU. While thousands of colleagues fear for their industrial jobs, the Commission does not syllable a word about the needs of the workers, but then says – the reassurance pill: Soon you will be able to work in the defense industry. Ladies and gentlemen, dear Commission, we do not need a reassurance pill for people, we do not need social cuts, we do not need industrial jobs in the defence industry, but sustainable jobs for people and social security. This is the only way to create security for everyone.

Mr. Sieper, I can't squat in your head and of course I don't know exactly what you want or don't want. But the thing is that I come to terms with reality, and the thing is that I come to terms with the history of Europe. If I look at the history of Europe, then there was a time of radical rearmament; That was before the First World War, and that ended in it. The lesson of the First World War, by the way, was that one should invest in diplomacy and disarmament. If you tell us today that deterrence is achieved with rearmament, then I tell you that even in the Cold War it was diplomacy that protected us from experiencing a worse war than rearmament itself. Therefore, really, if you do not want war, Mr Sieper, then please plead for a different course in the EU than for rearmament!

Mr President! Blooming munitions landscapes, blooming weapons landscapes, blooming war landscapes – this is the European Commission’s promise to EU citizens. Cohesion funds, which are actually earmarked to bring living conditions in the EU into line, can continue to be redeployed to the arms industry. Billions have been thrown into the arms industry's throat by the EU for some time, and since the start of the Ukraine war, Rheinmetall's stock has increased tenfold – from €98 to €980. Yes, there are those who party because of wars, and there are those who die in wars, and these are the poor and the workers. You are promoting and nurturing and nurturing the arms industry more than what you are currently investing and doing in the EU for the children, for their future, and that is unacceptable. Armament will not make Europe or the world safer. You claim that this would even strengthen democracy. On the contrary: Militarism weakens liberal democracy. That's why we say no!

Madam President, Commissioner! With your populist proposal for a deportation policy, you actually sent only one signal today: The EU wants to deport – faster, more, more ruthless. And if you're being completely honest, you've made it clear today that you don't even have a plan for how you want to do it. Commissioner, you will trample on human rights with your proposals. You don't even have a list of third countries you want to propose to us, but you seem very confident that you will find enough autocrats in this world to get involved with you on this dirty deal. I find it really remarkable, Commissioner, how many far-right parties have shaken hands with you today in this debate. Commissioner, if you really want to find solutions, including on the issue of migration, you are doing something to ensure that people no longer have to leave their homes. Do something to stop EU countries sending weapons around the world. Do something about climate change, which is becoming a new cause of flight. Do something about how multinational European corporations are plundering the global South. Do something...

Madam President, Mrs von der Leyen said: The time of illusions is over. And she scattered so much sand in the eyes of the population that you can hardly look right. It uses the uncertainty of the population for a gigantic rearmament package. EUR 800 billion: Not for education, for jobs or social justice, but for weapons. This will not contribute to more security and peace here in Europe. No, it doesn't serve our needs. It serves the great power competition that Mrs von der Leyen has repeatedly spoken about in this Parliament since 2020. Dear colleagues, to those who always quote the ancient Romans here that those who want peace should now prepare for war. I want to tell you: Go to the front, but don't yell at the people. You don't get our sons, our children. The people of Europe do not long for war, they long for peace. And our history in Europe has taught us that more and more weapons will not contribute to peace.