Speeches

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.

Madam President, Yes, people are insecure – they are afraid of war and authoritarianism. They want freedom and security. But the danger is not only from foreign oligarchs such as Musk or Russia, but also from local oligarchs, who are accumulating more and more assets and thus concentrating power and currently also crying out for military readiness. Currently, the demands are overturning: Trump calls for 5 percent rearmament with the AfD, that is, half of the German budget. The Greens are demanding 150 billion euros for military equipment, and the NATO Secretary General says: This requires cuts in pensions and social benefits. But the truth is: Massive rearmament has never prevented war. Militarism does not lead to security, but to the dismantling of democratic rights, strengthens authoritarians and the readiness for war. We need security and freedom – this is possible in social security, this is possible with an active peace policy. We don't need barbarism.

(Start of speech when microphone is switched off) ... that you allow the question. I know you don't put so much emphasis on facts, so I'd like to ask you briefly about your feeling. How does it actually feel for nationalists and fascists like the AfD to finance the election campaign in the tow of US elites and get support from Elon Musk? The second is: In recent years, you have presented yourself as if you were in favour of peace, but have currently demanded 5 percent rearmament in the Federal Republic of Germany alongside Donald Trump. Why do you actually do this, to act alongside the United States and not to stand up for sovereignty and peace? How do you sell it to citizens?

Mr President! Finally! This expression could be seen yesterday in the different faces in the different parts of the region – the joy of a ceasefire. But it took 15 months, and you have to ask: Why did it take so long? Why did the EU remain silent for so long or did some states like the Federal Republic even send weapons into this war? Why did so much blood have to be shed? So many children have been murdered, and those children who have not died say they want to die, according to a study – every second child in Gaza is so traumatised, you have to imagine. And just a few hours before the ceasefire began, Netanyahu again gave the order to bomb. Children were murdered again. All these war crimes, ladies and gentlemen, must be condemned. And Netanyahu has also said that he doesn't want lasting peace. This can't be done. We don't need a ceasefire, we need a permanent ceasefire, and for that we need justice for the Palestinians. We must finally recognize Palestine within the 1967 borders. Member States must do so if they are serious about a two-state solution.

Thank you, Mrs. Bentele, for allowing us to ask. Did I understand you correctly? You think this ceasefire agreement is a pact with the devil because illegally detained Palestinians have also been released. What would you rather have been? That the bloodshed continues? How many more people should have died so you wouldn't be so cynical? Can I assume that you are on the line of your party leader, Mr. Merz, who has even accused the traffic light government, which has always delivered more and more weapons, of not sending enough weapons to war? Isn't that cynical? Don't be ashamed of it...

Mr President! Dear colleagues! Did you notice? From the outside right, but also the liberals and the Union, almost no one is involved in this debate on collective agreements and the strengthening of the rights of trade unions. I think this attitude already illustrates a lot about the policies of these parties. And yes, of course – it is precisely in these times that trade union rights and workers’ rights need to be strengthened. The truth is that the rights of employees are getting more and more under the wheel, especially in times of crisis. Record dividends to shareholders and corporate owners, and colleagues who are currently worried about their jobs. More and more people are working and have real wage losses with rising prices. Something needs to be done about this, Commissioner. The truth, however, is that the turn of the century is accompanied by attacks on the right to strike. The truth is that the calls to the workers are getting louder and louder to moderate themselves. But when do the calls come to the employers that they finally have to participate fairly? When will workers' rights and social concerns finally come to the fore in the EU? Commissioner, when you talk about social partnership, I ask you to refer to workers' rights and not to the interests of corporate owners. Because if you mean the second, it's...

Madam President, In war, the truth dies first: This statement expresses what applies in every war, without exception. This also applies to Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as to European or NATO wars in the past. Disinformation, half-truths and narratives that are built to legitimize one's own actions and to sell them to the population as necessary, at least to calm them down. But colleagues, wars are nothing more than barbarism. On the other hand, a strong peace movement is needed. And this strong peace movement is needed in Russia, yes, but it also needs it here. Their story is that the war has fallen from the sky. Any reference to NATO's role in this war is defamatory. They pretend that NATO is a lamb of innocence. What is the prehistory of the war? It is part of the fact that there were negotiations between the US and Russia about Ukraine. This includes NATO's eastward expansion. Dear colleagues, these statements in no way legitimize Russia's war, but they help; Talk about the context, helps, to find a solution. But it presupposes that you want one. With you, I doubt that you even want a solution to an end to the war. They prefer to upgrade in the EU...

Thank you very much, Mrs. Strack-Zimmermann, for allowing the request. I would say that the war-torn peoples of Syria have a longing for freedom, equality, democracy, peace and justice. It is true that in Syria not only great powers such as Russia or the USA have been raging for decades, but also Israel has been acutely bombing and Turkey is sending the jihadists against the progressive forces in Rojava, against the Kurds. The Federal Republic of Germany is the country in Europe – above all with a participation of your party in the government – which has been supplying arms to Israel for months without exception and is also proud of it; And it is the country that once again delivered 250 million euros in arms in October. Ms. Strack-Zimmermann, how do you want to contribute to sustainable peace in this way? With weapons in the region certainly not, right?

Madam President, Disasters, floods, climate killers – that is what defines our everyday lives. Yes, and on the other hand, there is a need for strong civil protection and prevention. But what comes to your mind again? In order to militarize this area now, talk about the fact that you now also want to talk to trade unions. In collective bargaining rounds, however, call out to colleagues and workers – curb yourself! After decades of yelling for cuts in all areas of life, colleagues, say now: We also need to militarize all areas of life. Imagine: Last year, the Federal Government cut civil protection in the Federal Republic of Germany. And now the Federal Republic of Germany is calling for a discussion of 4% of GDP for rearmament. All you're talking about is armament and militarization. You want to be capable of war. Colleagues, what we need is social security. You can't do that against the climate killer. In this way, you cannot actually counteract disasters preventively. We really want to advance civil protection.

Thank you, dear colleague, for this request, it only seems a little ridiculous to a person with my biography. I come from Turkey, I come from a religious minority in Turkey, I have Kurdish roots, and I fight with many people here for democracy and freedom. I know that in this region in the Middle East, many people are also fighting for democracy and freedom. But the bitter truth is that, of course, countries on the European continent have also repeatedly interfered in the Middle East in the past. The bitter truth is that even forces such as the Al Qaeda At that time, the United States was strengthened in its struggle with the Soviet Union. That's why we, as the Left, say: We on the left are always and everywhere fighting for democracy and freedom. The Islamists are not my brothers in spirit, but your brothers in spirit.

Mr President! Women's rights are an indicator of the state of societies, according to the guidelines of the feminist foreign policy of the German Foreign Minister Baerbock. It goes on to state that: Access to education and financial resources are unevenly distributed, which is why feminist foreign policy combines principles with a pragmatic approach. How pragmatic, one can actually see at the Hau-Ruck border sealing and at the deportations of the German Federal Government these days. Deportations to Afghanistan, where 23 million people are starving, to the only country where girls are only allowed to go to school until sixth grade, to the country where women are not allowed to speak publicly, have to cover up completely, have no right to health care. After 20 years of NATO bombing Afghanistan, ostensibly to fight for women’s rights and against the Taliban, they now want to negotiate rapid deportations with this very Taliban. That's cynical. Yes, women's rights are a yardstick for societies, but obviously also an arbitrarily used pawn of the prevailing politics – at least that's what some people think. We won't let that happen. We say: Women, life, freedom – always and everywhere – solidarity and human rights!