What Elena spoke about.

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EL Written Statement

Decent working and employment conditions in the aviation sector - Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on aviation (debate)

The new highly contagious mutation of the virus, combined with the slow vaccination rates and the relaxation of containment measures, is leading us towards a fourth wave that I am afraid will give the free shot to aviation and tourism. Air traffic has decreased by more than two-thirds compared to 2019. Many airlines postpone or cancel itineraries. And there is a risk of permanently losing the bene…

8

Jul

2026

EL Speech

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Defending European democracy and the integrity of the European Parliament in light of revelations that an MEP was subject to surveillance by illegal spyware (debate)

6

Jul

2026

EL Speech

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Air passenger rights (debate)

Madam President, after 13 years of stalemate, we are finally upgrading air passenger rights. We are pleased that we have prevented the Council from attempting to weaken their already guaranteed rights. We maintained the current levels of compensation at the limit of three hours’ delay; we strengthened the obligation to inform passengers of their right to compensation and limited the exceptions tha…

17

Jun

2026

EL Speech

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The resilience of the European transport sector and the need to ensure the supply of essential goods amid ongoing geopolitical instability (debate)

17

Jun

2026

EL Speech

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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, social media puts children's safety and mental health at risk. Platforms use addictive practices and deceptive design patterns that influence children's judgment and behavior, increasing screen time and content consumption. We need to strengthen the protection of citizens in the digital space and adopt a European strategy to protect children online. A stricter application of the D…

15

Jun

2026

EL Speech

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

19

May

2026

EL Speech

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

Madam President, the European Union is facing an era of cyber threats. Today, artificial intelligence systems can in no time detect and exploit software gaps on an unprecedented scale. But Europe is not sufficiently prepared to face this new reality. Public services, critical infrastructure, citizens and democratic institutions are under threat. European cybersecurity remains dependent on third-co…

27

Apr

2026

EL Speech

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Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU (debate)

Mr President, almost one in five women in the Union has experienced sexual violence and one in 20 has been raped using violence, while the majority of incidents are not reported out of shame or fear. In many European states, the definition of rape requires proof of violence or resistance. This creates protection gaps and leaves out of legal coverage real cases of rape. It leaves unprotected victim…

12

Mar

2026

EL Speech

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Rail transport safety in the EU – lessons learnt from the Adamuz accident and three years after the Tempi tragedy (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the crime accident in Tempi revealed institutional weaknesses, oversight gaps and massive breaches of European security rules. ERA twice checked the RAS before the Tempi accident, in 2019 and 2022, expressing doubts as to whether it can adequately carry out its supervisory work. At the same time, you are telling us that the ERA cannot suspend safety c…

11

Mar

2026

EL Speech

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AccessibleEU and the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities: state of play and the future of EU accessibility policy (debate)

12

Feb

2026

EL Speech

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Recommendation to the Council on EU priorities for the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (debate)

10

Feb

2026

EL Speech

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Presentation of the action plan against cyberbullying (debate)

9

Feb

2026

EL Speech

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World Cancer Day (debate)

20

Jan

2026

EL Speech

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Air passenger rights (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, it took 12 years for the Council to come up with a position on the revision of air passenger rights. Instead of solving long-standing problems, however, with the stance adopted in the negotiations, it chooses to weaken even already established basic passenger rights. The rules on which passengers rely today are a basis for us, and we are determined to improve them ra…

20

Jan

2026

EL Speech

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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, Commissioner, the uncontrolled malicious use of artificial intelligence via deepfakes on digital platforms constitutes a serious violation of fundamental rights and a blatant threat to the victims, who are overwhelmingly women and minors. It should never be possible to use artificial intelligence tools to strip women and minors in Member States of the European Union, and it is not…

16

Dec

2025

EL Speech

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Presentation of the European Affordable Housing Plan (continuation of debate)

26

Nov

2025

EL Speech

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EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024 (debate)

12

Nov

2025

EL Speech

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Protecting EU consumers against the practices of certain e-commerce platforms: the case of child-like sex dolls, weapons and other illegal products and material (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, three out of four Europeans are now buying their products online. Unfortunately, despite the strict European framework set by the Digital Services Act (DSA), illegal and dangerous products continue to be placed on the European market. It is shocking that online platforms sell child-like sex dolls on the European market. This is a blatant failure of the control system an…

12

Nov

2025

EL Speech

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Gender Equality Strategy 2025 (debate)

Madam President, the new gender equality strategy comes at a very critical juncture. To have a meaningful impact on the daily lives of millions of women, it should contain ambitious policies and new legislative initiatives with concrete commitments, timelines, monitoring indicators, accountability and sufficient resources. There is a need for the Union budget to clearly reflect the fundamental obj…

23

Oct

2025

EL Speech

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Combating violence against women and girls, including the exploitation of motherhood (debate)

Madam President, violence against women violates fundamental rights, human rights: the rights to dignity, self-determination, freedom, autonomy and even the right to life. The exploitation of motherhood is due to inadequate policies that exacerbate poverty and inequalities, sustain gender discrimination and deprive women of the right to choose. Exploitation is experienced by women, mothers and wor…

6

Oct

2025

EL Speech

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Intergenerational fairness in Europe on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (debate)

Madam President, we commemorate World Elderly Day in Europe by recalling that justice between generations is judged where it is most difficult: in the periphery, remote areas and islands. Today, elderly residents of several Greek islands are forced to travel to a larger island or the mainland for medical care, specialized examinations, spending their pension on tickets and accommodation, and waiti…

11

Sep

2025

EL Speech

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Summer of heatwaves in the EU: addressing the causes and providing adequate housing and health policies to address record-breaking temperatures (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, Europe is the fastest warming continent on the planet. This summer, the hottest in history, has shown that the climate crisis is getting stronger. In my own country, Greece, the high temperatures of recent years are creating unbearable conditions for citizens, especially the most vulnerable. We need increased European funding to strengthen the resilience of homes in the…

9

Sep

2025

EL Speech

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Cohesion policy (joint debate)

Madam President, the European Union can overcome the multiple crises of recent years through more cohesion and convergence. This is also the aim of the Structural Funds which have helped it to build. Cohesion policy is the most crucial European tool for reducing inequalities. But the Commission's proposal for the new multiannual financial framework does not respond to the real needs of the regions…

9

Jul

2025

EL Speech

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EU Preparedness Union in light of the upcoming wildfire and droughts season (debate)

Madam President, my country, Greece, as well as other European countries in the South and the Mediterranean, are experiencing the effects of the climate crisis once again. The heatwave threatens human lives. The fires again burn thousands of acres of agricultural and forest land, destroy homes and property and leave many times injured and victims. Unfortunately, many Member States are proving inad…

17

Jun

2025

EL Speech

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Latest developments on the revision of the air passenger rights and airline liability regulations (debate)

Madam President, we have waited twelve years for the Council's position on the revision of air passenger rights. But instead of solving the problems of time, the Council is weakening even the already established passenger rights with its positions. Minister, by increasing the delay to four hours for compensation, you are depriving the majority of passengers who suffer enormous hardship of the righ…