13
Sep
2023
Watch
State of the Union (debate)
Madam President, Madam President of the European Commission, Commissioners, looking at this mandate, you see the glass half full. Others still see it as half empty. It is with pride that we find, in the fullest part, conditions that the socialists have put in place to support their election. The Porto Social Agenda and European minimum wages; strengthening gender equality; the Green Deal to tackle the climate emergency; the effective penalisation of those who do not respect the rule of law – and we have seen just now how much this costs Mr Orban; the eurobonds that led to the creation of the COVID recovery plan. These were very important measures. But, Madam President, there is still half a glass to fill and you must therefore decide how to end your term of office. And so I have to ask you: how will you put European policies at the service of those suffering from inflation and rising costs of living and housing? I have to tell you, your silence over the course of an hour on those who are suffering the most in Europe today has been glaring. What about those who suffer at our borders? You spoke of the Pact on Migration correctly, but at the same time you come from agreeing with an authoritarian regime to export our challenges to the other side of the Mediterranean. And he also said nothing about how to push for new fiscal rules that will help us avoid recession in Europe and put social cohesion high on the agenda. But I want to tell you, of course, that we enjoyed listening to you, and certainly Mr Weber also listened, giving priority to the Green Deal and the restoration of nature. So it is up to you, Madam President, now is the time to decide how you want to complete your mandate. Europeans are paying attention. The weakest need action. It does not defraud the expectations of hundreds of millions of citizens.