| Rank | Name | Country | Group | Speeches | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Lukas Sieper | Germany DEU | Non-attached Members (NI) | 390 |
| 2 |
|
Juan Fernando López Aguilar | Spain ESP | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) | 354 |
| 3 |
|
Sebastian Tynkkynen | Finland FIN | European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) | 331 |
| 4 |
|
João Oliveira | Portugal PRT | The Left in the European Parliament (GUE/NGL) | 232 |
| 5 |
|
Vytenis Povilas Andriukaitis | Lithuania LTU | Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) | 227 |
All Contributions (99)
100 days of the new Commission – Delivering on defence, competitiveness, simplification and migration as our priorities (topical debate)
Madam President, I'm sorry. Dear Commissioner, Yes, we must be strong, we must be together and we must act quickly, because the same President, Ursula von der Leyen, chairs the European Commission today, but this is a completely new Commission, in completely new circumstances, with completely new challenges that we are facing. "Security, Europe" is not only the motto of the Polish Presidency. These are concrete actions today. And here I would like to say a few very positive things, because we have just adopted a strategy that includes, for example, the East Shield. This project, which is not a national project, is not a project of the Polish government, but a project that serves the protection of borders from Finland to Romania. It serves the security of Europe. Finally, borders can be supported by European means. Border infrastructure. Finally, I'm sorry. How many years have we lost to finally claiming it? And yet this is security from the east to the west, from the south to the northern ends of our continent. Migration policy must be reviewed and it is good that it is supplemented today with a proposal for a return directive, a new asylum policy or funding. But there must be much more of these revisions, because if we are talking about competitiveness, then why, in the face of these threats that we have today, the European economy should bear costs that, after all, should be eliminated, or at least some mechanisms should be frozen. I am thinking mainly about the ETS mechanism. Shouldn't there be not only a frozen, erased ETS2 password at all? What's the point? Why is he hanging over us, today, 2027? Today's challenges require immediate responses and responses. I am pleased that Commissioner Tzitzikostas is talking about verifying the date 2035. Our voters are car users. As users, they will vote yes or no when it comes to the Commission's actions. Finally, the bureaucracy and simplification, It makes life easier for all citizens. Europe must be for citizens. Europe must be there for them if it is to be accepted by them.
European Council meetings and European security (joint debate)
Madam President, I'm sorry. These are very important days and a very important moment. This is also the moment that citizens are waiting for to stop talking, to be stuck in constant political disputes. We have to act. Security today requires swift action, because that is what citizens are waiting for. Patriotism is no longer about talking. Today, the patriot is the one who quickly launches funds, projects that serve to build security. No one has the right to call himself a patriot who slows down, blocks or votes against this process. And this is also not the moment when we can conduct procedural disputes. From here, I call on Parliament to take a very swift decision and mobilise funds with a strong mandate for the European Commission and a strong mandate for governments and our leaders. Yes, today we need to launch these projects as soon as possible and the pace of decision-making is crucial. Citizens are waiting not only for billions to be mobilised for the arms industry, but also for border infrastructure to be strengthened. We've lost years to donate money in this direction. Today, the first euro has flown, but it is a drop in the sea of needs. We need the East Shield project. This is not a project of the Polish government. This is a project to strengthen the security of the whole of Europe, from Finland to Romania. He must have European support. Funds are needed for so-called dual-use projects, because schools, hospitals, parking lots can also be crucial for security, and these projects must be supported by European funds, European funds. Citizens are waiting for our common sense and quick decisions. Once again, I appeal: less disputes, less talk, less bureaucracy, less debates and resolutions. Faster joint decisions so that the billions proposed by the European Commission can be mobilised for the security of our citizens.
Need for targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine (debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. Mr. Commissioner, I would like to thank you. Mr. Minister, I'm sorry. Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the European People's Party, I want to repeat the slogan of the Polish Presidency "Security, Europe!" and we will repeat it again and again. I hope that it will also become the motto of the whole House, not only for these six months, but for the years to come. We have to meet this challenge and this is our responsibility – “Security, Europe!” Security also for border regions, because they are exposed to an escalation of fear, physical, but also economic losses. Residents of border regions today have great problems with maintaining their businesses, tourism. They're just having trouble with family budgets. We are obliged to give them this help. Marta Wcisło is here in the room – this project is also becoming the flagship project of the European People’s Party. We will demand not only emergency aid, but also a permanent mechanism of the fund to help border regions. Border infrastructure is also a matter of physical security. Fortunately, after the mission that took place in November last year, the first funds were launched, but it is still a drop in the sea of needs. Border infrastructure must be supported by the European budget, because it is the security of the whole of Europe, not just one country or a single region. The ‘Shield East’ project presented by Prime Minister Tusk is a project that is not a Polish project. From Finland to the Baltic States and Poland to Romania, we have the issue of effectively securing the eastern border, because Russia is this threat to the whole of Europe. Finally, I would like to say one more thing. Regions are at the heart of our social and economic life. It is important to maintain cohesion policy, because it is the regions – and the Polish regions, which are a great example of this – that are the most transparent and effective absorption of European funds. That's almost 80% of those funds. This is an appeal to the Commissioner – this policy should be addressed even more consistently to the regions.
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency (debate)
Madam President, thank you very much. Such an important moment, such an important debate, and here are so many screams, lies, attacks and insults. But you have to understand them. They fear responsibility, because whoever steals will be punished. They also feel strong because they have the support of a millionaire. They think it'll do something. No, we are patriots, and they are close to national treason. Because we want a strong Europe, the kind of Europe that European citizens expect. And they want the broken and the weak. That's why we're gonna win and we're gonna win. We just have to be together. There's really no time for empty talk. You want to change the deregulation to simplification? Here we are, but let us act and let us do it now, because Europe must be safe in many dimensions. Border protection is a priority. Physical security as well. Health, food, economic and economic security – that is our responsibility. And there's no more time. We must act, because Europe must feel our effective action. We work for people. We're together. Europe will win and be safe, because we will be together.
Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine (debate)
Madam President, thank you very much. Thank you very much for this topic. The Juknevičienė race, which heads the memory group, does a lot to remember, because this is also our duty as politicians, as people who are responsible for building peace based on nurturing identity. Putin uses history as a military force. Sergey Lagodinsky spoke about it, recalling a very important date. When did the war and the invasion of Ukraine begin? In 2022? No, I don't. After the annexation of Crimea in 2014? No, I don't. In 2010! With the adoption of the strategy, which he implemented with his subordinate. When Viktor Yanukovych became president of Ukraine, do you remember several hours of conferences about history, about the episode in the form of the Ukrainian state, about a nation that has no culture and identity? After all, this was the first fragment of this war and assault, and how many politicians wanted to do business with Putin? Partnership for developmentReminds me of such a project. He arose just then. How important is our response and how important is our action and response to what may happen next year. A few days ago, on December 6, Putin signed an agreement with Lukashenka on military cooperation, military subordination and cooperation of services. And what else? About a common historical narrative for next year, because the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Soviet Russia provoked together with the Third Reich, is approaching. We must be resilient, remember and not let these lies manipulate us. Putin's place is in court, not in political salons.
Presentation by the President-elect of the Commission of the College of Commissioners and its programme (debate)
Madam President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, Security, safety, security – I could say that a few more times, because the citizens of Europe are waiting to strengthen their sense of security, and that is our common task. Military security – we have a war on our continent, at our gates. Energy security, economic security, security in social policy, food security, health security, and finally a rapid response to disasters that are increasingly affecting our regions. Security is not left-wing or right-wing. Security is our common ground, and whoever acts against strengthening security, acts against citizens, your citizens, who are waiting to strengthen their sense of security. At this point, I would like to appeal to Parliament, to all the political groups: it is time to conclude the debate and the discussion on how and how to set up new committees that should support the work of the European Commission. A permanent, large Commission on security matters should act immediately, no later than the beginning of next year. The permanent, large Commission, which will strengthen the legislative process in the field of health, should act immediately. This has been a demand of the Polish delegation of the European People's Party for years. Yes, we should set up both committees as soon as possible, because security cannot wait. This is also what our citizens are waiting for.
2025 budgetary procedure: Joint text (debate)
No text available
EU-US relations in light of the outcome of the US presidential elections (debate)
Madam President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, The election results in the United States of America did not actually tell us anything new that in Europe, in our democratic, common Europe, we would not have known before. Because it is our continent that is at war and the real threat is still coming from the same capital for decades. It is the Europeans, our citizens, who require us to be active and consistent in building common security. It is high time to do this dynamically and efficiently, because alliances – the transatlantic alliance – are a very important element in building this security, but not the only component. That is why it is so important to support with European funds such government projects as, for example, Poland, from the east side of Poland, the Eastern Shield project – strengthening the security of the common border. Borders must be secure. The air must be protected. The idea and project of a European dome, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented, is a project that must find rapid implementation, precisely in the name of this common security. We need to find the money and the means to start a truly well-functioning arms industry. In Europe, we have the potential, we have the equipment – we need a political decision. Europeans need to feel safe and we are responsible for that. I am pleased that we will also have a new Commissioner for Security. I hope that Andrius Kubilius will be very active here.
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency (debate)
Madam President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Prime Minister! I met Viktor Orbán in the late 1980s. Twice I was in Budapest as one of the leaders of the Independent Students' Association. Later – a visit to the University of Warsaw, Mikołaj Górecki, the Fidesz statute we wrote on the Vistula. This is very important because I remember Viktor Orbán as a real man. fighter, a true fighter for freedom, freedom and democracy. He understood what democracy and pluralism were. He knew that the Russians (no sound) They carry death and occupation and threaten freedom, not the other way around. I think that Viktor Orbán from my youth was real and authentic. And I do not want to analyze what happened today that Viktor Orbán is completely different, because he destroys freedom and pluralism, freedom of the media. Hungarian television does not broadcast this very important debate. Is this what democracy looks like? Is this what media freedom looks like? But the most important thing is security, because it is common and ours, European. And I want to say that letting in Belarusian, Russian, European security agents threatens that cooperation with the Chinese police is unimaginable. Unimaginable – remembering the massacre of students in Tiananmen Square. I must say that mentioning the enlargement of Europe – because only a strong and large Europe can be safer – without mentioning the aspirations of Ukrainians, Moldovans or Georgians, but only Serbs, is also very strange. From this point on, I would like to appeal to the Hungarians: Poland and Hungary always in very close relations, Viktor Orbán, fascinated by the Solidarity movement, even wrote a paper about it. Dear Hungarians, we had such a leader who wanted to make Budapest in Poland. But today I have a message for you: such a day will come, show your strength, we see and hear you – Warsaw will be in Budapest.
Order of business
Madam President, in the name of the EPP I would like to strongly support the initiative of a debate including the resolution. I would like to emphasise that in the name of the Polish delegation too.
Announcement by the President – Election of the European Ombudsman
Madam President, thank you very much. Today, all eyes, our attention is focused on the fight against the elements, floods in one part of Europe, fires in the other part of Europe, but I wanted to stress on behalf of the European People's Party that Parliament cannot keep its eyes closed and cannot fail to debate when the government unilaterally, one government, I am now talking about the German government, introduces border controls, undermining, as it were, the foundation of the European Community – the Schengen area. It has big implications, both political and economic. And, understanding the new Rules of Procedure, we will not debate this item during this session, but we ask that this item be the subject of our debate during the next session in October.
Statement by the candidate for President of the Commission (debate)
Ladies and Gentlemen, We represent 27 societies elected in our countries, but I think that just like me in Poland, you, when talking to voters, had the same question: How to build more security? How to guarantee greater security? It is physical security, border protection - I am glad - a bigger Frontex, a common arms market. We need to have more common policies, because Europe is really in danger, we have a war on our continent. Energy security, economic security – Energy Union. Health security – covid has shown how big a challenge this is, how big a task and how big societal expectations are. Social security, because reforms must be wise and accepted. Food security – protecting European agriculture. These are the tasks for the next five years. Security will be listed on a daily basis at the highest level as a priority, as a task, as an expectation. And I would like us to be united in this task, because the enemies of a safer and stronger Europe do not sleep. They are also present in this room. Let us be determined to make Europe safer through our good cooperation. You have to listen to each other. We are different, but remember that we live in troubled times. Disinformation is also part of this war. Cybersecurity – another security task. I appeal to: Let’s be together, let’s build a strong, safer Europe – we will win against our enemies who are awake.
The need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine (debate)
Madam President, once again, I’m very happy to see you in front of us. It is a privilege and honour to be the first speaker in the first debate in the new term. It is an honour. (Applause) Thank you very much. I would like to say several sentences on the initiative we are facing to vote. This is about Ukraine, as it was said, but generally speaking, about our security, our common European security – this is the most important challenge we are facing. So because in Poland, we have a common understanding of this issue, and I can emphasise that we are we have a strong opinion on that. Over the political split, I would like to use my mother tongue and to have an honour to say something in Polish. So please use your headphones. Wysoka Izbo! W imieniu Europejskiej Partii Ludowej chciałbym bardzo serdecznie podziękować za bardzo szybką i sprawną, i pełną zrozumienia pracę koordynatorów, nowych koordynatorów, przedstawicieli pięciu grup politycznych, bo tak szeroko dzisiaj prezentujemy tę rezolucję. Chciałbym podziękować w imieniu Europejskiej Partii Ludowej – inicjatorów tej rezolucji – grupie Socjaldemokratów, grupie Europejskich Konserwatystów i Reformatorów, grupie Renew Europe, grupie Zielonych. Byliśmy bardzo blisko też, żeby grupa The Left, mając konstruktywne poprawki, mogła być sygnatariuszem tej rezolucji. Dlaczego to szerokie spektrum jest tak ważne? Bo mówimy dzisiaj o naszej przyszłości, o bezpieczeństwie jako izba, jako cały Parlament, jako cała wspólnota europejska. I myślę, że – używając cytatu z premiera Donalda Tuska – wszyscy mamy świadomość, że kto pomaga Ukrainie, pomaga dzisiaj także sobie, pomaga Europie, pomaga bezpieczeństwu naszych społeczeństw, które reprezentujemy w tej izbie. I nikt nie ma prawa nazwać siebie patriotą, jeżeli temu bezpieczeństwu się przeciwstawia, jeżeli tej współpracy się przeciwstawia, jeżeli próbuje tę wspólną naszą pomoc i aktywność ograniczać. Mówię o tym w kontekście ostatnich wydarzeń. Dlatego w tym trudnym okresie, kiedy z jednej strony wybieramy naszą reprezentację, ale proces legislacyjny dopiero zaczniemy we wrześniu, po przerwie, Parlament nie może nie reagować na wydarzenia z ostatnich dni. Bardzo ważne wydarzenia, dramatyczne wydarzenia, ale także takie wydarzenia, które powinny spowodować naszą refleksję. Stąd ta rezolucja, stąd ten dokument, który podkreśla kilka rzeczy: Niezmiennie, niezmiennie nasze wsparcie dla Ukrainy, dopóki Rosja nie zostanie pokonana. To ona napadła na Ukrainę. To Putin wydaje rozkazy zabijania dzieci, to on jest ścigany listem gończym Międzynarodowego Trybunału Sprawiedliwości i powinien stanąć w Hadze przed obliczem wymiaru sprawiedliwości, a nie być negocjatorem, partnerem do politycznych rozmów. Jego miejsce jest w Hadze i tam skończy, bo sprawiedliwość i wolność zwycięży. I to jest nasze zadanie europejskiej wspólnoty, by Ukrainie, która dąży do samodzielności, wolności i wyboru europejskiej przyszłości, pomóc – także w naszym interesie. Ukraina będzie miała wsparcie: gospodarcze, polityczne, ale także musi mieć wsparcie militarne. Stąd apeluję o to, by głosować jednolicie nad przyjęciem tego tekstu. Ukraina musi mieć nasze wsparcie w imię naszego bezpieczeństwa. Zróbmy to razem, wspólnie, silnym jednym głosem.
Guidelines for the 2025 Budget - Section III (debate)
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Mr Commissioner, at the very beginning, I would like to thank Victor Negrescu, who was the rapporteur, for the very good cooperation and the job, which was really a teamwork. And this is very good for ECAS, for the future, because it is the first step on the way to adopt the budget. But this first step is really done as a teamwork together with a very good – I think – result because the report is balanced. The result is also unique because not one amendment was tabled from the main political groups. We have a lot of amendments from the radical left, radical right, radical right wing, but I think generally they are out of scope. So if we will go this way, I feel that we will have the opportunity to work together after the elections to adopt the particular budget for the next year. This is a very important year because not only the first one after the elections, but also the year of the Polish Presidency, so I have in my heart also Polish priorities, and I have to say thank you, Victor, once more, that these priorities are also included. We have very tough times, so of course, security is number one, and we have a lot of wording on that, including even military mobility. This is something completely new. But I would like also to emphasise from my Polish experience, our Polish experience, very important paragraphs focused on the rule of law: without rule of law, democracy doesn’t exist. So the special programme dedicated to NGOs, citizens’ rights and values – I was the rapporteur of that – is also emphasised in this report, which is very important. Of course, many of the priorities are mentioned by Victor during his speech. I would like to, in the end, also say that we have to be very careful for the farmers’ expectations. We have to have in mind that the many expectations from the citizens we have to fight also with the high cost of energy. A lot of things are mentioned in the end. Because Victor said something in Romanian, I would like also use this language: Victor, mulţumesc.
Need to impose sanctions on the import of Russian and Belarusian food and agricultural products to the EU and to ensure stability of EU agricultural production (debate)
Madam President, I'm sorry. Commissioner, I'm sorry. At the beginning, note: we are once again debating agriculture, and Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski, responsible for agriculture in the European Commission, is absent. His inaction and lack of reaction – also in this area – is another proof that he should give up as soon as possible. This is demanded by farmers in many European countries. This is even demanded by your boss, Commissioner, by President Jarosław Kaczyński. It's time to resign. The issue is very serious, because we really have a crisis in agriculture and this can be seen with the naked eye. We have protests in many countries, farmers have reason to be uncertain, to really demand action and reaction, because they are not sure if they will be able to sell their products. Russia is indeed dumping, using food as a weapon. We should react accordingly. What is happening on the European market today is the result of an increase in imports of food products, including cereals, from Russia and Belarus at dumped prices. We have imported two million tonnes of grain in recent months and this is a worrying increase. Do you want to know the numbers? The Netherlands – 70% increase compared to the previous land. Similarly Spain, Germany, Italy. As far as cereals are concerned, 40% of these imports go to Italy. I don't want to stigmatize all the countries whose tables I have in front of me. I expect a reaction from the European Commission because the Commission has the tools to implement the embargo. We demand and await, on behalf of the European People's Party, the preparation of a draft for the European Council to impose an immediate embargo. And believe me, we don't need a month to work on a resolution. Embargo immediately. This is the expectation of farmers and this is also the expectation of us in the European Parliament.
European Media Freedom Act (debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. The European Media Freedom Act is adopted on the eve of the European elections. This is an extremely important document. This is indeed a big step forward in guaranteeing and protecting our democracy, because without free media there are no free elections and no democracy. This is quite an obvious statement, but this document stems not only from the work in the Committee on Civil Liberties and our awareness, but also from the report of the Committee of Inquiry on Civil Liberties. It's Pegasus. The scale of surveillance, illegal use of spyware and equipment against journalists is indeed appalling. The death of Daphne Galizia in Malta or the editor of Kuciak in Slovakia are the most dramatic events that have taken place. There is no consent to abuse of power, to abuse of power. There is no consensus that journalists should not feel confident in the protection that we must guarantee them. That is why this part of the European Media Freedom Act is the most important and requires our effectiveness, punishing when there is an abuse of power.
Order of business
I understand we can support the proposal from Renew, but without the resolution, because we have no time. I think it’s not needed. We have to have a clear answer. A debate and an answer from the European Commission.
Order of business
Madam President, I will explain my request in Polish because we have a very difficult situation in Poland. Szanowni Państwo, sytuacja w rolnictwie, jak wszyscy widzicie, jest niezwykle skomplikowana i trudna. Mamy ogromnie zdestabilizowany rynek rolny, rynek towarów spożywczych. Szczególnie w Polsce widzimy to na co dzień. Widzicie Państwo także u siebie liczne protesty. Rolnicy mają prawo być niespokojni o swoją przyszłość. Jest wiele czynników tej sytuacji, ale jeden możemy wyeliminować bardzo szybko, wprowadzając embargo na towary żywnościowe i produkty rolne z Rosji i Białorusi. Dwa lata od wybuchu wojny ciągle płyną z tych dwóch reżimów na rynek europejski towary żywnościowe. Dlatego oczekujemy – i w imieniu Europejskiej Partii Ludowej składam o to wniosek – jasnej odpowiedzi ze strony Komisji Europejskiej o możliwość jak najszybszego wprowadzenia embarga na produkty spożywcze z Rosji i Białorusi. Nie możemy tego tolerować – to jest gospodarczo nieuzasadnione, a moralnie nie do zaakceptowania.
Report on the Commission’s 2023 Rule of Law report (debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. Ladies and Gentlemen - it is above all to Mr Jaki and Mr Tarczyński - why are you shouting so loudly? Why such emotion? You will not shout the truth. The truth is in the report, and it concerns 2023, including the process in which the Law and Justice government of Prime Minister Morawiecki violated democratic principles and, among other things, covered up corruption at the highest levels of power. This is what this report is about. But fortunately, the facts have changed and the future report for Poland will be much more favorable, because we have enrolled Poland in the European Public Prosecutor's Office, from which you brought us out, because we are not afraid of OLAF control, and where there was fraud, European funds will be restored, because they are to serve the society, and full protection of them, because we separate the Attorney General from the political supervision of the Minister of Justice, because public media financed from the pockets of Polish taxpayers stopped using hate, stopped organizing crimes, because we had dramas because of this, death. And this is the responsibility of those haters who were hired out of budget money. Your reign, impunity and lack of responsibility are over. And the responsibility will be, because the commissions of inquiry also work.
Conclusions of the European Council meetings, in particular the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 (debate)
Ladies and Gentlemen, The European Union has shown strength, it has shown unity. Unity in this case is a double force, because it shows our determination and consistency. But it has also shown that in the European Union, the rule of law is the foundation of our community and the rule of law cannot be a field of negotiation and blackmail. This is a very important message and consequence of these December and January negotiations. A lesson also for all those who would like to use blackmail tools in the future. We have difficult months and years ahead of us. That's why I wanted to call for responsibility here. The European Union needs to be more integrated in order to be safer and stronger. This is our common task, so let's not look for artificial divisions between us. Don't build a campaign on confrontation. The real divisions are elsewhere. There is no shortage of selfish European politicians who want a weaker and disintegrated Europe in the name of their own goals. Let us call them by their names, for they are our adversaries. They are Putin's helpers, and in the name of the expectations of our children, future generations, let us build a common and secure Europe, a more integrated Europe, a greater Europe. There will be divisions between us, but let us respect each other, because it is our responsibility not to be swayed by populists and opponents of Europe.
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 and preparation of the Special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 - Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds (joint debate - European Council meetings)
Ladies and Gentlemen, These are very important events. This December summit and this extraordinary summit ahead of us, which will take place on the first of February, is a fundamental moment for building European security. Helping Ukraine is his most important task. Without Ukraine's victory, we will not be safe in Europe. And in this task of building a stronger and safer Europe, we must be together. Security is common, there is one thing. And in this task, we must also be very sensible and focused on what is the main objective – the integration of Europe on the basis of the rule of law. Without acceptance of this principle, there will be no Community. The Polish government, often referred to here today, will be very consistent in this task. Donald Tusk came to Brussels on the first day of his rule in Poland to confirm that we will be a participant in joint activities within the European Public Prosecutor's Office. First declaration – cooperation with OLAF, the law must be the same for all and criminals will be prosecuted. This is a fundamental issue. It doesn't matter if you're a politician or if you're in another profession. Just because a politician goes to prison doesn't mean he's a political prisoner. He's just guilty. And the law must be enforced and equal for all. In this task of restoring the rule of law, Donald Tusk and his government will be consistent, firm and day after day will carry out this task, so that Poland will be part of a democratic and rule of law Europe.
Transparency and accountability of non-governmental organisations funded from the EU budget (debate)
Mr President, thank you very much. Without a healthy, free and diverse civic space, there is no democracy. That is why we must support civil society and its organisations. It's our duty. I am proud as a Pole when I hear about such a high turnout in the last elections. It is the effect of the activity of many organizations and society, which, especially in a critical and important situation, shows its strength when it is well organized. I am proud to have been a negotiator of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme, which at the end of the negotiations reached twice the value at the start of the negotiations. More than 2 billion euros. I am proud that also regranting, the method of financing, gives the opportunity to support local organisations operating locally through operators. I am proud to have a new pillar of European values – EUR 700 million. But that is why transparency, knowledge and reporting are needed. And it is good that this report shows how to do it. But here's a remark, a very important remark, because for the first time I think I fully agree with my colleague Ryszard Czarnecki from the European Conservatives and Reformists, who said that apart from knowledge, one cannot make the mistake of pouring out a child with a bath, because creating additional barriers that will prevent precisely these small organizations from functioning would be a mistake. I'm paying attention to that. Flexibility is needed. Knowledge and flexibility at the same time.
Review of the Spanish Presidency of the Council (debate)
Madam President, the rule of law and democracies are pillars and this is the very foundation of our common European Union. Why am I talking about this? Because no one party can be above the law, and no one politician can be above the law. Building majority by political corruption is a crime. The need of majority in Parliament cannot justify the crimes and criminal cases and you cannot ignore the millions of people on the streets. This is the same situation and as we had in Poland. And thank you, Spanish Socialists, for the very fast reaction when we had demolished rule of law in Poland. You remember the Lex Tusk, for instance. This was the case where immediate reaction was very important, crucial. The Spanish society is very strong and democracy will win, so you have still a chance to do the step back, and not make a mistake as Law and Justice did in Poland. You still have a chance. As a European, you have to do it.
Threat to rule of law as a consequence of the governmental agreement in Spain (debate)
Mr President, I feel the obligation to say several words because I was witness of demolition of the rule of law in Poland. As a Polish Member of this House, I would like to remind you, even from the last month, the case of Lex Tusk. Do you remember? Thank you, Iratxe, thank you colleagues for your immediate reaction on that. Thank you, European Commission, Mr Reynders, for the immediate debate on that because this law was not implemented. So I feel that you still have a chance. I’ve seen millions on the streets, like in Poland, like in Warsaw, with national and European flags. Why? Because the rule of law is universal. It’s a European one. There is no Spanish rule of law or Polish rule of law. There is one democracy and one rule of law, a universal pillar of democracy in Europe. And we have to protect it because we are talking not only about Spain, but on condition of democracy in Europe. And we have to react. And you have still a chance not to go the Polish way because this is only a question of time. Building the majority by political corruption is a crime and crime has to be punished. This is only a question of time. In Poland it will be punished in Spain, too. So let’s think about that, because I would like that. If you are talking about the rule of law, you would like to be credible. We have to be credible as a whole House. No a la impunidad. No a la impunidad.
Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need for the release of hostages and for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire and the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East (debate)
Mr President, dear colleagues, I would like to emphasise the dramatic situation of children in Palestine. We cannot be blind. 5000 kids were killed. 700,000 are displaced because their homes have been destroyed. Thousands are injured. There is a lack of water, electricity. Children have to be protected. But this is not the only situation in Gaza Strip. In the West Bank territory, an 11-year-old girl was sentenced to prison, 12 years – this is cruelty. We have to protect children. We cannot accept it. As the European Parliament, we have to react, and I call on European institutions to act and to react. Children are innocent and there is no black-and-white scenario. The war is not a solution. We have to protect kids, children. Hospitals, schools have to be protected. Stop this war.