Speeches

Madam President, "If you need help, ask for it" was the phrase that the president of my country, Pedro Sánchez, told Valencians seven days after suffering the worst climate and humanitarian catastrophe that is remembered in Spain. "If you need help, ask for it" were the words of the same president who, out of sheer arrogance, has despised for fifteen days all the help that Europe put at his disposal from minute one. "If you need help, ask for it" was the macabre response of the Government that vice-presides Teresa Ribera, who today aspires to be European Commissioner, but who, in Spain, while still minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, has abdicated all her powers and responsibilities, because she is responsible for the preparation, prevention and response of a climate disaster. Not only did she not take charge of the disaster, but, without yet showing her face before the Spanish Congress, she lied yesterday in this Parliament by denying that she and her ministry had the competences of the alert and emergency systems, of preparing the channels and of all the investments in flood zones. Dear comrades, this totally invalidates your future in Europe. Europe cannot be Mrs Ribera's hiding place so that she does not assume any kind of political, and perhaps judicial, responsibility in Spain. Teresa Ribera cannot be European Commissioner. What citizens expect of Europe is that it will be the umbrella that protects them, even from their own rulers when they omit their duty to help and help. But we must create automatic response mechanisms that provide vital resources to start saving lives from the first minute, so that what happened in Valencia never happens again, anywhere in Europe, and help comes without depending on leaders who play gods in the middle of the catastrophe.

Madam President, Europe’s southern border – the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla – is at serious risk of collapse due to the constant influx of irregular migrants. Mafias that traffic in people do not randomly choose where they send their boats. The Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla are the three areas that receive the most irregular immigration today in all of Europe. And it's not by chance. They are because the Government of Spain does not defend our borders or our security forces, evades international cooperation, ignores Europe and despises Frontex's help. Socialist gentlemen, the most inhumane immigration policy is the one that does not exist, the one that allows the mafias to roam freely and thousands of people to die in the ocean. The inaction and irresponsibility of the Sánchez government are not only endangering the security of the European Union, but that of the thousands of migrants used by the mafias. And you know why? Because President Sánchez is only concerned about clinging to power and not resigning in the face of corruption cases that lurk in his government, in his party and in his personal environment. It is unacceptable that the same President Sánchez who takes a minute to deliver an amnesty to a fugitive from justice, who does not hesitate to release ETA prisoners, who assaults every day the institutions, as yesterday the Spanish public television, has the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla dying, without help to care for unaccompanied minors or resources to face this serious migration crisis. The real effect called European is called Pedro Sanchez. Europe must act now. And force Sanchez to implement the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, defending Ukraine against dictator Putin, Israel's fight against terrorism in the Middle East and Europe's existential challenge, which is competitiveness, will be three of the four key issues of the European Council on 17 and 18 October. But the fourth, and no less important, has to be the migration crisis. Ladies and gentlemen, irregular immigration is the human and political drama that most urges us as Europeans. It is not a new problem, but the figures in countries like Spain are getting worse every year due to the inaction, incompetence and lack of leadership of politicians like Pedro Sánchez. As we speak here in this Parliament, the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, which are Europe's southern border, are on the brink of the neglect of a president like Sánchez, who thinks that the mafias are holding back by promising roles for everyone in Europe, to more than 250 000 people in Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal, and who refuses to ask Europe for more help to prevent so many deaths in the ocean and to find a solution to the unsustainable situation of unaccompanied minors. Ladies and gentlemen, the real effect called for is irresponsibility. The real effect called Pedro Sánchez and example of this are the more than 42,000 irregular arrivals of adults and especially minors to Spain in these nine months. The Pact on Migration must be implemented and is clear. Our borders are weak and returns ineffective. The responsibility of the Member States for this problem is uneven and the legal mechanisms for entry into Europe are insufficient. If we think this crisis will be solved with empty rhetoric, I announce to you that the problems of the south today will be the problems of the north tomorrow. And the People's Party will continue to demand more resources and protection for our security forces and bodies, more deployment of Frontex and more coordination between countries, because that is how crises are dealt with loyally. Europe must not allow Sanchez to open the doors of irregular immigration from across the continent. Either Europe takes control of its borders or the border crisis will take control of Europe.

Madam President, on 28 July, in the eyes of the world, a tyrant once again stole democracy from the people of Venezuela. It was the last crime of a cowardly man who uses violence, repression, kidnapping and persecution to silence what the polls shout, a dictator recognized only by other dictators like Putin who, even with all his weapons, lives terrified because the voice of the people, represented by María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, resonates more strongly than all his threats. Ladies and gentlemen, Venezuela does not need more silence in the face of exile and death or the double standards of governments such as Pedro Sánchez, who one day calls Edmundo González a hero and twenty-four hours later denies him his status as president-elect, much less the complicity of observers such as Zapatero: Democrat in theory, whitewasher of the dictator in practice, quiet and hidden before the biggest fraud in Venezuelan history who knows why dark interests. Today, our duty as members of the European Union is to recognize the figure of Edmundo González as president-elect of Venezuela. Europe must be on the right side of history: for the eight million Venezuelans who fled tyranny, for the lives taken from innocent Venezuelans who defended freedom, for the opposition, persecuted and imprisoned for defending democracy, for all those mothers and fathers who all they want is for their children to know a Venezuela without the yoke of Chavismo. Europe, this is our cause, this is not about ideologies, it is about leading together the unequivocal defense of democracy: Either you're with her or you're against her. And, to the people of Venezuela, I tell you that you will never be alone: Europe, today a refuge for so many Venezuelans, will remain at your side until democracy triumphs and freedom finally makes its way. For truth and justice, your struggle is our struggle.

Madam President, Madam President von der Leyen, ladies and gentlemen, the European People's Party has won the elections and that is why it is up to us to lead the European institutions with President Ursula von der Leyen. The challenges are getting bigger. There are citizens who simply no longer trust the European Union. If we ignore this, we'll be making a fatal mistake. That is why Europe must move forward and we must be the ones driving that change. We need to complete the single market. We need a European competitiveness strategy that cuts red tape for businesses and, in particular, for SMEs and the self-employed. We must improve technological innovation, focusing on the creation of quality jobs, and we must take care of key strategic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries and livestock. And, of course, we must strengthen our health systems. Ultimately, we must put individuals and families at the centre of our efforts. But it is just as important to strengthen our economy as it is to step up the defence of European values, freedom and the rule of law. That is why it is unacceptable for national governments to amnesty corrupt fugitives in exchange for remaining in power. That is why it is worrying – it is intolerable – that national governments point to judges for investigating their alleged corruption and threaten to silence the critical press reporting on it. That all this is happening today is a democratic anomaly that Europe cannot afford. The future of Europe, the success of the European Union, will depend on what we do with the economy, but above all on how we defend our democracy. Let's do it together. It is our duty as European democrats. That is why you have our confidence.

Mr President, my party and my parliamentary group always condemn totalitarianisms and dictatorships, past and present, such as those in Latin America. The People's Party, born in democracy to defend it and within the framework of the Transition to protect it, will not accept a single lesson from the Socialist Party. The European People's Party, a pioneer in the European project since its creation and firm in the face of totalitarianism, will not accept a single lesson from this sectarian socialism. You, Sanchez's in Europe, use this debate to drop lies about the People's Party. They want us to talk about democratic memory. Let's talk. Its priority partner in Spain, Bildu, carries among its ranks condemned etharras. Yes, yes. That same party that refuses to say that ETA was a terrorist organization despite having more than 850 murders on its record. Party that has risen in seats for the whitewashing of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party. Democratic, moral and necessary memory for its victims, always. They want us to talk about tyrannies, so brave of you with the dead dictators and so cowardly with the living. While they teach lessons of dictatorships, former socialist president Zapatero whitewashes the tyrant Maduro in Venezuela. Or its communist partners in the government who praise the Castro dictatorship, not to mention the murky ties that this Parliament itself denounces from its partner Puigdemont with Putin's tyranny. Abandon your lies and that socialist hypocrisy in Europe to cover up your shames in Spain.

Madam President, Mr Vice-President, Europe works, Europe protects, Europe takes care. Europeans should know that in this Parliament and in this legislature we have taken very important decisions for their health: We have pushed forward the European Health Union, we have approved a pharmaceutical strategy and, today, the pharmaceutical package. For what? To improve patients' access to the best medicines and advanced therapies, to also cover unmet medical needs, such as paediatric cancer, rare diseases or neurodegenerative diseases. Also to encourage industry made in Europe and to improve, above all, our national health systems, which were hit hard during the pandemic. We have the best healthcare professionals, the best researchers and also a pioneering and competitive industry. Protecting the health of Europeans is not an option, it is an obligation. I therefore call on all political groups not to put a brake on the European Health Union in the next parliamentary term. We have made great achievements and progress, and we must continue to do so. Health is everything and without it there is nothing. Therefore, let us always protect it.

Mr President, Commissioner, things happen every day in Spanish politics that in the rest of Europe would be absolutely incomprehensible and inadmissible. But, unfortunately, in Spain, the accumulation of socialist scandals has become an everyday occurrence. Sánchez has pardoned very serious corruption crimes of his convicted partners and reduced the penalties for embezzlement. Its partners – investigated by this Parliament for shady links with Putin and by the Spanish courts for terrorism – are the first Europeans to find corruption and all other crimes absolutely free. You know: While in Europe it is asked to toughen penalties for corruption, investigate connections with Russia and prohibit amnesties to corrupt, in Spain, Sánchez amnesty for terrorism, corruption and a blow to democracy. That is his triple gift to the fugitive from justice who keeps him in power. This is not progressivism of any kind. This is a national and European shame that will persecute the Socialist Party forever. And as if this were not enough, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the PSOE case, known as the ‘Koldo case’: alleged crimes of embezzlement, prevarication and influence peddling in millionaire contracts using European funds. Contracts that are signed in pandemic in socialist ministries and regional governments. And, look, the current third authority of the state -then socialist president of the Balearic Government- took three years to demand from the plot the money paid for health equipment. Some masks, by the way, that turned out not to be what they looked like. We are talking about European funds, MEPs. A tireless plot. Because, in addition to all this, weeks before, they received at the Madrid airport the suitcases of Maduro's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, sanctioned by Europe. And, of course, the former Spanish socialist president Rodríguez Zapatero met with her yesterday in full controversy for the rescue of Air Europa and for Delcy's suitcases. Being bleach of tyranny is a mark of the PSOE. By the way, socialist gentlemen, what was Delcy carrying in his suitcases? Answer me. Every day more information connects the Koldo case with the Delcy case and both have a common denominator: the Socialist Party. I understand your desperation and nervousness. Now they turn on the socialist fan to spread trash and divert attention. We have seen it today in the Congress of Deputies of Spain, with a Prime Minister who, instead of attacking the opposition, should give explanations not only to the Spaniards but also to all Europeans and do the same as the Portuguese Prime Minister Costas did: resign. "Implacable in the face of corruption," say the socialists. But you're amnestiing her. Attacks on the opposition leader, talking about narcos. But if you embrace the vice president of the Venezuelan narco-dictatorship. Resignation of the president of the Community of Madrid, they say. But if the plot is born within the Spanish Socialist Workers Party. European funds are used, an airline is rescued with many unknowns and doubts surround Sánchez's political and very personal environment. Go on, go on with your synchronized attack campaign to cover up your scandals. But the reality is that the PSOE arrived at the Moncloa with saddlebags full of exemplarity and will soon leave it with suitcases full of lies, betrayal and corruption.

Madam President, all of Spain, Europe and the world remember the terrible pain caused by terrorism in Madrid on 11 March 2004. Twenty years have passed and although another twenty years have passed, we cannot forget the victims, the people who lost their lives, the injured with consequences forever and the families who lost their loved ones and, also, all the health, civil and security personnel. Forgetting is not an option: Memory and remembrance always. The fight against terrorism and barbarism must unite us all, without political colours or ideologies. We strongly condemn what happened and, together, we must work to ensure that terror does not threaten us again and endanger so many lives. Europe must always be united in the face of terrorism.

Mr President, Commissioner, let us talk about the rule of law, but also about exemplary action and the fight against corruption. Are you aware of what is happening in Spain? It is intended to erase justice with an infamous amnesty that eliminates the separation of powers, judicial independence and equality of all Spaniards. An a la carte amnesty is being negotiated, outside the European Union, with a fugitive whom Justice asks to investigate for terrorism and on whom this Parliament warns of links with Russia. As if that were not enough, the Government of Spain, contrary to what Europe defends, reduces the crime against corruption, embezzlement. And, in case we didn't have enough, a million-dollar corruption plot breaks out within Spain's socialist government: an alleged scandal of illegal commissions during the pandemic in various socialist ministries and regional governments, which was also able to use European funds for it. Do some research. If you want us to talk about the rule of law and exemplary rule of law in Europe, let's do it. But take note when we alert, take note of this report. None of this can be left on wet paper.

Mr President, Mr Vice-President Schinas, not only are there suspicions about Russian interference in the independence process against the law in Catalonia, but we are facing the first signs investigated by a Spanish judge and published by the media. There has even been an alleged Russian spy sitting in this House, a Latvian MEP with strong ties to Catalan independence. And what's the surprise? That, in Spain, the Government of Sanchez is not only willing to amnesty all the very serious crimes of terrorism, corruption and even treason for links with Russia, but that, instead of supporting the Spanish judges, it allows its ministers to point them out and that the pro-independence politicians slander them, threaten them and accuse them of lawfare in the Spanish Parliament. And all with Sanchez's complicit silence. The Spaniards expect nothing from Sanchez's government. Moreover, we have gone from the meetings of Putin's emissaries with those of Puigdemont in Spain to Sánchez's clandestine meetings with the fugitive Puigdemont outside the European Union. The fugitive began with the support of the Kremlin and has ended with that of the Government of Spain to demolish the foundations of democracy in Spain and Europe. That is why we demand that all European institutions and national governments investigate all of Putin's murky connections in Spain and Europe to the end. Because – let us not deceive ourselves – the Russiansphere is the number one public enemy in Europe.

Mr. President, gentlemen on the left... Are they so nervous about reaping another electoral defeat? Look, the Spanish coast – and not just Galicia – is getting pellets from a container. We could talk about the work that the Xunta de Galicia is doing, the more than 350 people who are working on more than 55 beaches, helicopters and boats at sea. But this does not interest them, because what the left intends is to win in a miserable way in this crisis what it has been unable to win from the opposition. If instead of pellets it were amnesty, and instead of Rueda it was Puigdemont, you would already be acting without refute, so quick to yield to the blackmail of a fugitive from justice, but so slow and irresponsible to reach your shoulder in a crisis that affects everyone. Galicia acts. Do it yourself at sea, which is up to you. Asking them for responsibility is too much, but, if they are not capable, at least abandon political opportunism, lying and manipulation.

Madam President, Mrs Miranda, defending the sea and working in front of the pellets that reach the Spanish beaches is what the Xunta de Galicia does. What you are doing here today is political misery to scratch votes and to make electoralization of this crisis. This crisis falls to everyone, starting with the Government of Spain, which has to collect pellet sacks from the sea. Therefore, on Thursday we are going to debate that, because you want to electoralize and politicize this crisis that is everyone's responsibility.

Madam President, Mr Sánchez, from a Catalan and Spanish to a Spaniard, I am going to speak to you with my hand in my heart and I am going to tell you what millions of Spaniards would like to say to your face. Spain says "no" to an amnesty, to a blow to democracy and to very serious crimes of terrorism and corruption; ‘no’ to an amnesty that you denied in the campaign and that creates Spaniards of first and second; "No" to an intolerable amnesty, according to Felipe González, the socialist president who brought Spain into the European Union. Spain says "no" to threaten judges and set up commissions for the instrumentalisation of justice. And he says "no" to the supreme infamy of transferring the national sovereignty of Parliament to a clandestine table of shame outside the European Union, with an international mediator between the Government of Spain and fugitives from Justice. What a European Presidency. Mr Sanchez, do you really think that a few more months in Moncloa compensate for the destruction of judicial independence, the separation of powers and the equality of Spaniards before the law? Zero in patriotism, ten in opportunism. But how wrong you and your partner, the fugitive Puigdemont, are. Spain does not give up. No one laughs at Spain, because we are a great nation, one of the great European democracies. And that is why we Spaniards will continue to say tirelessly "no to amnesty" in the streets, in the courts and here in Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, Sánchez's amnesty is to sell the dignity of Spain by seven votes to govern. Your account is false, Mr. Sanchez. Here there is no generosity, no greatness, no concord of any kind. Here there is only the personal interest of a politician without principles or words that destroys everything to continue governing. Impunity for power: that's your legacy, Mr. Sanchez. And listen to Europe the cry of Spain. Sánchez's amnesty is the simultaneous decline of European values and Spanish democracy.

Mr President, listen, Europe, to the voice of a Catalan and Spanish woman, who is astonished at the dismantling of democracy in Spain because of the pact between Sánchez and a fugitive from justice. Sanchez, to get the seven votes that will allow him to govern, and Puigdemont, to achieve the amnesty of a blow to democracy and of very serious crimes of corruption and terrorism. Listen, Europe, the cry of millions of Spaniards who say "no" to an amnesty that ends equality before the law, judicial independence and the separation of powers. An amnesty that creates first- and second-class citizens. Listen, Europe, to former socialist president Felipe González saying "no and no" to Sánchez's amnesty. Listen, Europe, this thing Pedro Sanchez said: I will bring Puigdemont back to Spain to stand trial. Only their unscrupulousness and political opportunism are greater than their deceptions. Listen, Europe, to the heartbeat of our laws, our Constitution and our rule of law, which helplessly assist the deterioration of our democracy. Listen, Europe, the end of the counterweights and the lament of the Spanish institutions, all subject to the control of the Government. Listen, Europe, the denunciation of all Spanish judges against a pact of lawfare, It turns judges into criminals and criminals into judges. Listen, Europe, the shame of Spain that has the only European government supported by communists, pro-independence and ex-terrorists. These are Sanchez's partners. This is the Government of Spain. Listen, Europe, to the founding fathers. Don't let Sanchez turn Spain's European dream into a populist nightmare. Listen, Europe, the clamor of the streets and squares of Spain. A nation that proudly defends its freedom and democracy because today they are being harshly harassed and attacked. Sanchez's amnesty is Europe's condemnation. Listen, Europe. Take action, Europe. Long live democracy! Long live freedom! Long live Spain! Long live Europe!

Mr President, since today we are in the general debate on the Council's conclusions and since Europe has always defended the rule of law, the separation of powers and the equality of citizens, let me ask you if you are aware of what is happening in Spain. Do you know that the current president of the Spanish Government is preparing a massive amnesty agreed with those convicted of justice and fugitives in exchange for their votes to continue governing? Do you know that this amnesty will erase corruption crimes committed for ten years and even aims to include those prosecuted for terrorism? Are you aware that this past Monday until the General Council of the Judiciary itself has approved an institutional resolution in which it is indicated that this amnesty is the abolition of the rule of law? Look, don't believe Sanchez's false account that this amnesty is for coexistence and concord; It's for convenience and power. Europe must react to the violation of these principles. Europe cannot and must not allow this outrage. Europe cannot look the other way in the face of the demolition of the rule of law. And let them know that, as a Democrat and as a pro-European, I will not be silent and I will continue to denounce it as many times as necessary. (She refused to have Diana Riba i Giner ask her a question under the "blue card" procedure.)

Mr President, Commissioner, Secretary of State, Europe faces great challenges and threats here and in the world – challenges such as overcoming the economic crisis or protecting our rule of law, and threats such as Hamas’ terrorism against Israel, which seeks to sow terror and take away freedom. We must take firm and united positions and adopt a European roadmap that does not falter. But let me insist that for this we need strong national governments that, in addition to being in the European Union, are with the European Union. What would it look like for a President of the Government, who also holds the European Presidency, to have the Government divided and confronted in its support for Israel after suffering terrorist attacks? What would it look like in any country of the European Union if its acting Prime Minister met to negotiate his investiture with a party that has among its ranks convicted members of a terrorist gang? What would it look like in any European country if its president, in order to continue to govern, granted pardons to convicts and reduced the crime against corruption in exchange for their votes? What would it look like if a president of the government, in order to continue governing, negotiated with a fugitive from Spanish justice to grant an amnesty to those responsible for the coup to democracy in exchange for their votes? Well, this is happening in Spain. The equality of all Spaniards and the separation of powers is being violated. In addition to being inadmissible, it is a truth that must be told and known.

Mr President, Commissioner, Secretary of State, migration is a common European challenge, not just for southern European countries such as Spain. Thousands of lives and the stability of European regions that cannot cope with the arrival of migrants alone are at stake. In Spain we see how the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla are overwhelmed by the massive arrival of migrants. Maritime Rescue and the Spanish Navy rescue and save thousands of people at sea every year. In 2022, they saved more than 20,000 people. For all these reasons, we need a common European migration policy that is in solidarity with those in need of protection, that guarantees the control of our borders so that we have a legal, safe and job-related migration, and that fights relentlessly against people smugglers. Criminal mafias cannot decide who comes to the European Union. We must stop attempts by third countries to use migrants to destabilise the European Union, as happened in Ceuta in 2021 and in Melilla in 2022. The European pact must be realistic, without false goodism, and guarantee cooperation with the countries of origin. I call on the Spanish Government, which now holds the Presidency of the Council, to take it as an absolute priority. And, Mr Sánchez, the Europeans' priorities are not to agree to an illegal and immoral amnesty with an escapee from justice. Defend our rights and take care of the real problems of Europeans, such as what we are talking about today.

Mr President, drug shortages are a serious problem throughout Europe, which is having a direct impact on the health of Europeans. For example, in Spain there is a shortage of more than 900 drugs. That is why we denounce the fact that the European Union has not already put in place a policy of support for the production of active ingredients and medicines, an area which I would like to recall is already included in the Industrial Strategy as a key area of dependency. Within this Industrial Strategy, the Commission is supporting, for example, the production of raw materials, batteries, clean hydrogen and semiconductors, as well as digitalisation. These are all strategic areas, but so is the production of pharmaceutical assets and medicines. We therefore continue to rely on third countries to acquire the active substances. This means that we have shortages, that we have shortages and, therefore, that we are more vulnerable. And above all, the most vulnerable are the smallest in Europe, our children. We know that demand for medicines will continue to increase. Why? Because of the aging of our population, and also because of the increase in chronic diseases. And that's why we can't waste any more time. We demand immediate measures and also that we include them in the pharmaceutical legislative package. Because we need a strong, competitive and, above all, strategic European pharmaceutical sector. That is why, from Parliament and all its political groups, we have asked the Commission to urgently put forward measures to guarantee the production of medicines. I welcome the forthcoming communication to be presented by the Commission, but it is very important to include these measures in the legislative package.

Madam President, Madam President von der Leyen, I agree with you on the challenges ahead and you have our support. But today I must talk about the seriousness of what is happening in Spain, which now chairs the Council. It is unusual and unacceptable that the President of the Spanish Government does not appear in this plenary session to defend the priorities of the Spanish Presidency and that he does not do so in his interest of power. Pedro Sánchez does not want what he negotiates in private to be seen in public. He does not want to coincide with Puigdemont, a fugitive from justice who is here and who demands an amnesty in exchange for making him president. A fugitive whose immunity was waived by this Parliament. An amnesty means denying the existence of crimes and fulminating the separation of powers. It has no place and violates our rule of law. In the European People's Party we will not be silent while the president of my country intends to give in to this attack on the rule of law. The price of Sanchez's electoral defeat cannot be Spain's humiliation. Avoiding this abuse is an obligation for any European Democrat.

Mr President, viruses, diseases and pandemics do not understand ideologies, but neither do they understand borders. The best truth is what science brings us. And the best justice is that we all have access to vaccines. What we have learned from this pandemic is that we must act decisively, united, coordinated and with more transparency. This report gives us, he tells us, the way to be more prepared, to have strategic autonomy, not to depend so much on third countries, so that professionals never again, as happened at the beginning of the pandemic, have to protect themselves with garbage bags, so that we never again have a shortage of medicines, so that patients never again see how their operations or their consultations are delayed, so that we never again have to suffer the consequences. fake news and disinformation. And so I want to thank you from here; thank you sincerely to all the shadow rapporteurs, to all the members of the Commission, because we have had constructive and positive debates, and although, of course, we have had differences, the most important thing is that we agree on the most essential thing, which is to put the public health of our citizens at the centre of our European policies. We have put the protection of our health professionals, who also suffered so much during the pandemic, at the heart of European policies. And, above all, what we have put on the table, as one of the great objectives, is to build the European Health Union to be able to coordinate, harmonize and lead, from the European Union, health policies, so that what happened to us at the beginning of the pandemic never happens again. Therefore, I want to thank you and I am very convinced that the vast majority will agree and vote in favour of this report and we will give a great signal to all the citizens who suffered so much with COVID-19, to so many families who lost their relatives and to so many professionals who also suffered. Therefore, this will be the best signal we can offer to each and every one of them tomorrow. Thank you very much for the support.

Mr President, Commissioner, the report on the COVID-19 pandemic that we are voting on tomorrow is a fundamental pillar in the construction of the European Health Union. After a year of work with experts, professionals, institutions and patients, political negotiations and a constructive dialogue with the Commission President, coordinators and shadow rapporteurs, I ask you to support this report tomorrow. Because we have a great opportunity to tell Europeans that their health is our priority and that we are prepared to deal with any future health emergency. Yes, we have a very good opportunity to show, here today, that dialogue and European consensus win again to improve the lives of citizens and strengthen the European Union. And why is it important to adopt this report on the lessons learned from the pandemic? For the health of all, for respect for democracy and fundamental rights, for social and economic policies and for Europe's role in the world. The report has these four pillars that teach us how to prevent and prepare and in what we must improve and strengthen ourselves to respond to future health crises. We must have answers not only about our health but also about our safety, freedom, social market economy and European way of life. The success of the European response to future pandemics depends on solidarity, unity and effective coordination between the European Union and the Member States and their citizens. It is crucial to remember that we are facing an unprecedented situation and that it has required unprecedented and record-breaking solutions. Even though mistakes were made in the early stages of the pandemic, the European Union responded with all the instruments at its disposal and created new ones, such as the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, our HERA. Europe's leadership, boosting vaccine research and development and making a centralised purchase with massive universal vaccination, has been crucial to saving millions of lives, not only here but around the world. Europe is a success story and, when it is most needed by citizens, it proves to be up to par. We must ensure that health care providers are protected, that there is no shortage of medicines and that patients with chronic diseases or cancer and people with disabilities and vulnerable families are not delayed in their diagnoses and treatments. There are more than 30 million people in Europe suffering from persistent COVID-19, of which we still know very little. Therefore, we ask for more research and to develop comprehensive diagnoses and treatments. We cannot ignore the silent pandemic that affects our mental health. We point out that it is an absolute priority for the European Union and the Member States, as there is no health without mental health. We also underline the importance of building the European Health Union with the One Health approach, which seeks integrated action against all threats to health, whether human, animal or environmental. We call for strengthening Europe's strategic autonomy in health, ensuring access to critical raw materials and strong intellectual property protection. We must increase investment in health and research with more public-private partnership and the firm commitment to a competitive pharmaceutical industry that is ".made in Europe». Respect for democracy and fundamental rights is the second pillar of the report. We have called for the European Parliament to have more power in the decision-making process in the event of health crises and, however great the threat, the governments of the Member States cannot fail to be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and the functions of national parliaments cannot be suspended in the event of emergencies. And in order to have a strong and secure Europe, we must be more transparent in taking action and inform citizens in a clear and coordinated way, always on the basis of scientific evidence. Only in this way will we combat disinformation, fake news and attempts to destabilise cyber-attacks on health infrastructure. We call for further harmonisation in the use of the COVID certificate as a vital tool for exercising freedom of movement safely and ensuring the single market in times of emergency. And we cannot forget the terrible economic and social impact of the pandemic on the lives of so many workers and families. We must be by their side, and with SMEs, the self-employed, who during the pandemic had to close and many were ruined. NextGenerationEU funds should be implemented to help families and the economy recover. We must bet on digitalization, key for the education of our children, but also for the business fabric. We recommend for future health crises that, as a general rule, schools not be closed as long as the health of students and teachers can be protected, because we have seen with great concern how isolation has affected the mental health of our young people. We underline that the European Union must lead international cooperation in global health. We have supported the European Commission in signing the agreement on the suspension of the TRIPS Agreement, on COVID vaccines, proposed by the WTO, and we need to strengthen global initiatives, such as Team Europe, so that third countries have the capacities to produce essential medicines and ensure the health of their citizens. For all this and for much more, which I have not been able to say because it has been a very long report, I ask for your support tomorrow in the vote. Let's do it for all Europeans.

Mr President, Commissioner, we have major European challenges and challenges ahead, such as unity for freedom in Ukraine, the achievement of a growth economic policy with good implementation of NextGenerationEU funds and the management of the migration crisis. But if we want to work for a Europe that also defends equality, economic sectors and employment, institutional strengthening and the fight against corruption, we must also work with our Member States. Because, while here we talk about protecting women, in Spain more than 1,100 penalties have been reduced to sexual aggressors by a law of the socialist government. While our farmers juggle to survive economically, here the left criminalizes their work and harms their products. While our families suffer inflation and the rise of the shopping basket, NextGenerationEU funds do not reach the real economy. While here we ask not to relax the fight against corruption, in Spain the penalty of the crime that persecutes it is reduced because the partners of the Government have requested it. While here it is defended that the memory of the victims of terrorism is remembered, in Spain the Government agrees with those who have taken convicted etharras on their lists. And, while here it is requested that the rotating Presidency be from all over the country, from all over Spain, the President of the Government refuses to communicate to the leader of the opposition the main lines of work. This way of doing politics must change. We must give way to responsibility, to the sense of State and to always defend Europe in all corners of Europe and, therefore, also in Spain.

Madam President, Commissioner, the approval of European funds by this House has been a success. Something that we cannot say about the execution in our country, in Spain. The Spanish regions report a lack of co-governance. The self-employed, SMEs and workers denounce that the funds do not reach them. And therefore something is wrong. Government fails. Since the Government of Spain only succeeds when it copies the Popular Party – it did so with the lowering of VAT, electricity and gas, the VAT on food and now with the guarantee for the housing of young people –, because it also copies the co-governance that we ask for in European funds, a quick execution and that the penalties for embezzlement are tightened, so that no one steals a single euro of public money. It is never too late if the copied measure is good. Therefore, take note of the Socialists. The Government of Spain has reduced the crime of embezzlement because one of its parliamentary partners, with convicts among his ranks, has asked him to do so. Something that exceeds any political and more than political limit. And this is not what I say, but a regional leader of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party in Spain, Mr García-Page. While Brussels calls for tougher penalties for embezzlement, Sanchez lowers them. Therefore, rectify, socialist gentlemen, listen to Europe and stop lying to the Spaniards, but also to this Parliament. So fewer anti-corruption lessons. More facts. That of the first they are left over and of the second, scarce.

Mr President, Commissioner, the first lesson of the pandemic is that health protection must be a priority. Are we aware that deaths from antimicrobial resistance will double by 2030? Are we aware that we are facing a silent pandemic in mental health? Do you know what happened in the cyber attack suffered by one of the big hospitals in Barcelona last month? More than 300 interventions, 11,000 consultations and 4,000 analyses were suspended. Are we therefore aware of what a massive cyberattack on our hospitals in Europe would mean? All these challenges, threats and attacks do not understand borders. That is why we must build a strong European Health Union, to create a shield against these threats and attacks. Europe must lead, coordinate and harmonise health policies with the Member States. Europe has the opportunity to lead the world in health promotion and disease prevention with the best researchers and healthcare professionals; bet on innovation and research to get the best treatments in rare diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative. We need a competitive pharmaceutical industry and we must share the European health data space so that we never again rely exclusively on third countries and to have the best national health systems for our European patients.