Speeches

Mr President, Council, Commissioner, the end of all critical voices in Hungary: that's what Orbán's foreign agent bill could mean. How cynical! Under the guise of fighting foreign interference, he is importing Russian-style repression into the EU, eradicating all actors who promote the values and rights of the European Union, of which Hungary is a member – a membership that comes with obligations and loyalty. The bill flagrantly violates not only many EU laws – like on media and money laundering – but, first and foremost, the fundamental rights and democratic principles of our Union. It will destroy all checks and balances that are vital in a healthy democracy. And when the law enters into force, any targeted entity can be bankrupted within days. So the EU needs to stop this now! As a rapporteur on the rule of law in Hungary, I call on the Commission to request interim measures in the ongoing SPO case, to sue for non-compliance of the 'Lex NGO' judgment and to start a new infringement procedure with interim measures. And Council, I expect from you a very clear stance during the hearing on Hungary next Tuesday, but also serious consequences for a government that acts so blatantly against EU laws and values. Impunity is poison! We cannot allow Orbán to wipe out Hungary's civil society and independent media. We have no time to lose, as every day counts!

Madam President, I present this request for an agenda change in my role as standing rapporteur on the rule of law for Hungary, and in the name – as you said – of the EPP, the S&D and the Greens. I request the addition of Council and Commission statements with the following title: 'The Hungarian Government's drift to Russia-style repression: legislative threats to freedom of expression and democratic participation'. I request for this debate to be added as a third item on the plenary agenda, after the debate on the EU's response to the Israeli Government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip. This requested debate becomes urgently necessary in light of the recent proposal by the Hungarian Government for a foreign agent law, which could cut off all foreign funding – including EU funding – of government-critical actors. This existential threat to Hungarian civil society and media requires immediate EU action.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear rapporteur, the arrest of Istanbul Mayor İmamoğlu is extremely concerning, but unfortunately not a surprise. It reflects Erdoğan's total crackdown on the rule of law and democracy, in which every dissent is met with repression and arbitrary arrests. But I must say the EU is, to a certain extent, a partner in crime, because we turn a blind eye to the human rights violations, and by doing so, empower autocracy and leave democratic forces out in the cold. We are even funding violations by paying for deportation centres, leading to the illegal detainment, abuse and even death of migrants. There is no right to asylum in Türkiye. It is the inconvenient truth that the EU prioritises its own interests – on migration, on geopolitics – at the cost of defending and promoting its values: the values that we pretend to protect against Putin and against Trump. It is high time to act accordingly and make the EU credible again, also for the Turkish people. Choose their side.

Mr President, dear Council, Commissioner, Orbán's further crackdown on society follows the next chapter of Putin's playbook. Under the misleading disguise of child protection, he oppresses the LGBTIQ community and even bans Pride. And behind this icon, he is destroying the right to assembly and freedom of expression for everyone. Citizens are gradually getting outlawed, as Orbán can suspend any protective law and even revoke the citizenship of his critics. He has declared a war against NGOs, judges, journalists and political opposition, calling them parasites that need to be eliminated. He's turning Hungary into an authoritarian police state – surveillance technology included. So if not now, then when? I call upon the Commission to step up further action, and the Council to finally use – actually use – the Article 7 procedure to stop Orbán now, and to prevent him from further blocking and blackmailing the EU. Orbán must no longer be allowed to hold the EU and the Hungarian people hostage.

Mr President, the latest illegal moves towards succession by Mr Dodik are a direct threat to the peace and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its future into the EU. Mr Dodik is not acting in the interest of the citizens of Republika Srpska or their well-being. Acting as Putin's puppet on the Balkans, Dodik stands ready to fulfil any request from Moscow, even if this means war affecting the citizens he claims to represent. He's a convicted criminal whose only goal is to sustain power and enrich himself through corrupted politics. The EU must impose sanctions on Dodik and his partners in crime, freeze foreign assets and issue entry bans and, if needed, without Hungary, to protect the security of the Bosnian and Herzegovinian and the European people. We must, and we can, offer a real perspective to all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina if we respect the rule of law, make these corrupted politicians harmless and start listening to the will of the citizens.

Madam President, Commissioner, the EU return system is in dire need of improvement. Only one in five decisions are followed up by a readmission request by the Member States. And meanwhile, waiting times for asylum decisions skyrocket, hampering speedy returns. We need Member States to take responsibility and clean up their act, but the proposed return regulation lets them off the hook. It blames and punishes returnees and countries of origin. It gives Member States a blank cheque to dump people in legal and humanitarian limbo in third countries without any prospect of a durable solution. So more suffering, migratory movements back to Europe, and millions – if not billions – in wasted taxpayers' money. We had the chance to finally get it right and make returns work by fixing the gaps, forcing the rules and focusing on durable solutions. But this is just a shameless appeasement of the far right. A Trojan horse that, under the false guise of toughness, will only lead us further astray.

Madam President, colleagues, amidst all major recent geopolitical developments and our discussions about increasing European security, we must make sure to pay attention to the developments in Bosnia. In recent weeks, the situation became extremely explosive after the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, took further illegal steps towards judicial succession from the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina in response to his conviction by the Bosnian Constitutional Court for undermining the Dayton Peace Accords. And as Putin's puppet in the Balkans, Dodik may do anything the Kremlin tells him, including waging war. So this escalation requires a rapid and strong EU response, as we are not secure without a secure Bosnia. So the Greens/EFA Group therefore proposes the debate with a title "Commission statement on secessionist threats in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the recent escalation, without resolution", and we would like to extend the meeting on Wednesday then, to 11pm.

Madam President, Commissioner, Ján Kuciak and his partner Martina Kušnírová were only 27 years old when they were brutally assassinated in their own home. This tragedy was the canary in the coal mine for the growing threats that journalists face in Europe, especially those who dare to expose corruption, power abuse and government failure. Did the EU honestly listen closely enough to this deadly warning sign? Seven years since their murder, journalists in Europe continue to be subject to attacks, legal intimidations, online threats and abuse. They have to choose between putting themselves and their loved ones at risk or succumbing to the chilling effect. And not just in Slovakia, also in Hungary, Italy, Malta, Greece. Journalists are the lifeblood of a healthy democracy. They are our allies in exposing and fixing the rotting parts in our foundation. When a journalist's life and safety is threatened, it is one of the most egregious signs of the rule of law decay. The European Media Freedom Act and Anti-SLAPP Directive are good steps, but we must ramp up our efforts. I urge the Commission to also address national SLAPPs; to provide more EU support to journalists facing intimidations; to crack down on the politicisation of justice institutions so threats against journalists don't go unpunished; and to respond to all press freedoms, deficiencies with legal action and budget conditionality. Anything less than that would be a slap in the face of Kuciak and his mourning family.

Madam President, Commissioner, Council, I have just returned from a visit to Palestine where, in Gaza, 60 000 people were killed, where, in the West Bank, people are outlawed, exposed to violence from the Israeli army and the colonists and where humiliation, deprivation of freedom and treatment as second‑class citizens is their daily experience. They fail any protection and are let down by the international community, except for by the ICJ and the ICC. The attacks on these bodies simply aim to discredit international law and to pave the way for the Wild West, where citizens are defenceless against the perpetrators. So far, the ICJ and ICC have stood strong and shown courage. But the best way for the EU to support them is to finally comply with their rulings and arrest warrants consistently, and to stop with double standards.

Madam President, Commissioner, I'm glad to have this debate today because we really need to have a discussion on the reasons why people end up in the hands of smugglers and criminal gangs. And the reason is that they are forced to. The EU-wide anti-immigration policy hype has caused people fleeing war and persecution to resort to desperate measures to reach the EU in the absence of legal routes to do so; and because of the often state‑sponsored violence on their way, and the pushbacks they face at the external EU borders. Even worse, hundreds of millions of EU funds are flowing to Tunisian and Libyan coast guards who are involved in criminal smuggling operations. Libyan actors are being condemned by the UN, maybe that's the report we mentioned, for crimes against humanity. Yet, they are fostered and facilitated with EU money. Ironically, EU funding to stop migration has become a core part of the business model of smugglers that we want to break. Indeed, it's a high time to break that cynical cycle and work on a protective approach towards refugees on the move.

Mr President, dear Council, Commissioner, the Hungarian Government's secret service spying on EU officials – a violation straight from the playbook of adversarial dictatorships, now happening on EU soil. Undermining EU institutions because it may reveal Orbán's corruption actually reveals Orbán's disloyalty and readiness to sabotage the work of OLAF. Commissioner, you refer to OLAF itself to do an investigation, but I urge you, why not launch investigation as the Commission? Because it goes much further than hurting OLAF; it's really affecting the EU as a whole. The scandal also reveals Orbán's complete lack of intention to fight corruption, so I also urge the Commission to be vigilant, keep money frozen and ensure independent and effective anti-corruption policies and practices. We cannot accept taxpayers' monies ending up in the large pockets of the Orbán clan. The Hungarian Government may portray the EU as an adversary for its own gain, but the Hungarian people know better. They know that we are their ally, and we cannot fail them.

Mr President, after fifteen months of bombings, massive killings and total destruction, a ceasefire in Gaza has finally been reached and we celebrate the end of this horror, but at the same time, we really must make sure that this fragile peace lasts. We need to ensure speedy, massive and unhindered humanitarian assistance, including from UNWRA, a full military withdrawal from Gaza, and a quick start of the reconstruction. Any violation of this agreement must be met with the firmest consequences, including sanctions. But the agreement can only be effectively implemented if international law is a solid basis. There is no place for impunity. To hold the perpetrators accountable we must cooperate with the ICC and its arrest warrants, and the ICJ ruling must lead the EU's policies. Genuine peace and independence of Palestine requires that we safeguard the borders of 1967 and end the illegal occupation. Make sure that the Palestinian people can finally enjoy their right to self-determination and live in peace, freedom and dignity.

Madam President, summit after summit, we are presented with heartwarming words about how the Union is not complete without the Western Balkans. But the fact is that we have let down the region for the past 20 years due to internal struggles, disinterest and for electoral gains. We desperately need action, gradual integration into our single market. Massive green investments ‑ make citizens feel the benefits of the EU. But we also need to talk with one voice. A voice that consistently prioritises democratic reforms and respect for European values, that rejects ethnic divisions and backsliding of the rule of law, that defends the rights of the citizens, who are our true allies. For real integration into the EU, we must prove our credibility, and that means ensuring that the citizens of the Western Balkans enjoy the same freedoms and prosperity as we do, and that we act in unity to achieve this. This is the only way.

Mr President, High Representative, welcome. After 50 years of repression, escalated in a 13-year-long brutal war, the Assad regime has fallen. Finally, Syrian citizens have a chance at building a safe and free country. The EU must do everything in its power to help make that really happen and also to hold the Assad regime accountable. But we are still far from true celebration. Look at the unstable situation, the unlawful attacks by regional actors and the level of destruction. Yet, EU countries who often take years to decide on asylum claims now rush to premature decisions, freezing asylum examinations and even announcing deportations of Syrians. This is harming Syrian people, who cannot return in safety now and are still entitled to protection. But it also sends a dangerous signal to neighbouring countries like Türkiye and Lebanon. A sudden, massive return now can only further destabilise the country. So, what the Syrians need is full support, safety and protection wherever they are. They have suffered enough.

I am really happy to hear that you are very well aware of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU, because this is what all citizens of the EU should be protected by and can invoke. And that is very clear in the Treaty of the EU: that our Union is based on those fundamental rights, and one of the fundamental rights is the right to be who you are, to celebrate and express your identity. And this is exactly what the EU is for, to protect every individual citizen against awkward and aggressive policies of EU Member States that try to demolish them and use hate speech against those people.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, last week the EU wrote history. The Commission, Parliament and 16 Member States stood united in the courtroom to fight against Hungary's anti‑LGBTIQ law. The silent majority finally spoke out loud and clear that the attack on the human rights of the LGBTIQ community undermines the core values of our Union. That was what the community in Hungary, after years of hate campaigns, persecution and humiliation by Orbán, was desperately waiting for. This court case shows us exactly how the EU's fundamental values should be defended in a strong, united and interconnected way. Because an attack on fundamental rights is an attack on the rule of law and a threat to Europe's DNA. I urge the Commission to use the EU values as a basis for all actions against violations of fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law, and I urge Member States to join continuously cases of the Commission against Hungary, Bulgaria or Italy. In that courtroom last week, the EU showed real fire and determination. Now, let's keep that fire burning.

Mr President, Commissioner, everyone in the Netherlands must be safe, but the insecurity is widely felt. By aggressive Maccabi hooligans who applauded the destruction of Gaza. By the groups of people who targeted and threatened Jewish people. And now also because of the aftermath, in which politicians in power incite, unadulterated racism and whole populations against each other, purely for their own political agenda. This irresponsible behavior gives more and more people the feeling that they are not at home in their own country and that their right to exist in the Netherlands can always be questioned, purely because of their ethnic or religious background. Let's keep society whole, let's look for each other instead of throwing oil on the fire, standing up against every form of hatred and violence, avoiding every double standard, in our own society, but also at the international level.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, return policies have been the talk of the town for years now. Member States complain about the lack of cooperation by countries of origin, but they are silent about the very small number of readmission requests that they make. They insist on harsher rules to deport people, but they don't mention their bureaucratic failures to return people under the current rules. Commissioner, it's your task to make sure that Member States do their homework and to propose laws when they are necessary, in a manner that is evidence‑based and focused on solving the issue effectively. But in von der Leyen's announcement of a new legislative proposal on returns, she allows Member States to shift out their responsibility. In these so-called return hubs, people will most probably be put in limbo, in indefinite detention, having no rights or perspective. That's not sustainable return. But that's a great way for Member States to circumvent their EU obligations. The Commission should not facilitate this, but ensure that Member States use all the current possibilities and invest finally in effective and equal cooperation with countries of origin. I therefore urge you, Commissioner, not to be distracted by populist rhetoric, but to focus on actual solutions. Spurring tougher and tougher language on returns is the easy thing to do. Actually fixing the shortcomings and acting in line with human rights is the right thing to do.

Madam President, Commissioner, upholding international law obliges us to protect and facilitate the UN bodies. And that is why I stand here with a feeling of embarrassment – embarrassment that through this debate, our democratic House is being instrumentalised for Netanyahu's extremist campaign against UNWRA. The Commission did a full review of all financial assistance to Palestine at the end of 2023. We have had the Colonna Report. Unwra is the most vetted agency in UN history. What more proof of innocence are we looking for? Netanyahu knows better than anyone else that UNWRA is providing vital aid to the Palestinians and it's exactly for this reason that he aims to obstruct, criminalise and dissolve the agency, all to reach the greater goal of making Gaza inhabitable and colonise it. Let us please stick to the facts, uphold European values and support the oppressed, not the oppressor.

Madam President, Commissioner, our House of democracy just served as a platform for the propaganda of Prime Minister Orbán. Because the truth doesn't serve his interests. The truth is that he's a corrupt, disloyal, and ruthless violator of the EU's most fundamental values. Instead of listening to him, we should give the microphone to the Hungarian people who face the daily hardship of living under his autocracy. The teachers, the judges, human rights defenders, journalists and academics who fight for the values that the EU stands for and simply demand the same freedoms and protection as every EU citizen. Yet this man is punishing them with smear campaigns and intimidating investigations. However, a solid majority in this House defends our allies and genuinely joins forces, and we urge the Council and Commission to go all in with our response, just like Orbán does with his destruction. This presidency fails to meet its duty to hold a hearing under Article 7(1). We urge the Council to use Article 7(2) and prevent Orbán from hijacking EU decision-making and the Commission to keep EU funding frozen until the rule of law is restored for real. Be consistent, credible and act with urgency. If we cannot protect our EU citizens against autocrats, our EU democracy is bound to fail.

Madam President, Council, Commissioner – maybe for the last time, who knows? – Orbán made it very clear where his true alliances lie when he extended Hungary's national card scheme to Russian and Belarusian citizens shortly after his controversial mission to Moscow. Of course, this falls under the national competences of the Member States, and a ban on certain nationalities would be discriminatory and run counter to the Treaties. But in the current geopolitical context, with Orbán's close relationship to Putin, this decree is far from innocent: it is a provocation and yet another blatant example of Orbán favouring his ties with Russia over sincere cooperation with the EU and with the Member States. So in any case, at least it's key that the Commission insist on thorough security checks. But in all fairness, the EU cannot pretend to be surprised by this. For so long, the EU has shown far too little teeth in response to Orbán's all-out destruction of the rule of law. The Commission has been hesitant in launching legal actions and has prematurely unfrozen funding. The Article 7procedure has withered in the Council, and we have let this crisis fester and fester, weakening the core strength of the EU, namely its common values. To the extent that now, the external security threat is infiltrating our own community. How much more existential does the threat of Hungary's rule of law crisis need to be before we say 'enough is enough'? I would say enough alarm bells have rung now, and the national card scheme is certainly not the only provocative decree adopted by Hungary. Right after his visit to Kiev, Orbán decided to revoke the housing rights of Ukrainian refugees from so-called 'non-fighting areas', including families with children. They have been evicted this summer, left out on the street in blatant violation of the Temporary Protection Directive. And yet the Commission has remained completely silent on this. The EU has solemnly vowed to stand with Ukraine and with its citizens. Where is that solidarity now? What message are we sending to Ukrainian refugees, to the world and also to the other Member States if we let this slide? So I urge the Commission to immediately act against this violation and to uphold the harmonised protection standards. We must treasure and defend unanimous solidarity and support of the EU for Ukrainian refugees. We must put our money where our mouth is.

Madam President, Commission, on 19 July, the ICJ gave a legal confirmation to the obvious, that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territories is illegal and should end immediately. It states that states should do anything to avoid and stop the destruction, the massacre in Gaza and the occupation. Yet, we have seen two more months of complete inaction by the Commission and the Member States. Two more months of asking politely if Israel could stop. Please stop murdering innocent Palestinians and bombing schools. The time of asking politely is over. There's only one language that this aggressor understands ‑ international sanctions. We need to sanction those responsible for the war crimes, including Netanyahu and the responsible Israeli ministers. We need to stop selling arms. We need to freeze the association agreement. We simply need to start respecting international law, if we expect anyone else to do so in the future.

Madam President, the horrific attack in Solingen reminds us that we must remain vigilant against violent extremism. But we must also remain vigilant against cynical and dangerous spinning of the far right who misuse such attacks for their own political gain, to demonise migrants and refugees. That only distracts from the real solutions we need. And it divides and polarises our societies. Germany's decision to reintroduce border controls violates the Schengen border code and looks like a politically motivated, knee jerk reaction. Tolerating this is inviting other Member States to follow. So I urge the Commission to closely assess the introduction of border controls in Germany and of all other Member States who control their borders for eight years now, and to take effective action to protect our dear Schengen Area. And I urge political parties to focus on real, evidence-based solutions to violent extremism, and to refrain from cheap and false rhetorics that only serve to fuel even more suffering.

Madam President, dear Commissioner, the Russian invasion in Ukraine was a reality check. It made us realise that enlargement is not only vital for the citizens of the candidate countries, but also for the EU to preserve our values and to strengthen our role in the world. But enlargement and being an effective organisation and preserving a veto is not a realistic combination. We must urgently make our House ready for more inhabitants, but also to gain more decisiveness and to prevent blackmail by a single non-compliant Member State. Orbán and Fico show us how vetoes can easily undermine the values and strength that we hold so dear. And this is also why the rule-of-law conditionality must become more effective, both in the current Member States and the candidate Member States. But let us also pave the way to our House. Abolish the veto and enlargement process, support them better, and already involve candidate countries in common policies such as the single market, energy policies and other policy areas. Let them not wait for tangible benefits of accession, which would encourage the EU trust of their citizens. Political declarations and nice words only do not bring that trust, do not push reforms in candidate countries, and don’t make our Union ready for a larger and more meaningful future. So let’s get to work.

Mr President, my group has fundamental concerns about the necessity and proportionality of the mandatory collection of API data, as well as about the transition to automated check-ins only. Still, the text improves the status quo with clear, harmonised European rules on API collection. We also set limits and safeguards. Where Member States now do whatever they want, this revision will shorten the data retention periods and create more safeguards. And finally, after all these years, we bring the collection of API and PNR data in line with the PNR judgment, with clarified selection criteria for intra-EU flights, additional privacy safeguards, and the prohibition of profiling and collecting biometric data. So although API data collection is now mandatory, which we regret, there are also much clearer limits and safeguards. So I would like to thank both rapporteurs, Ms Kanko and Mr Oetjen, for this result and for the good cooperation also with the Commission. And we can conclude this cooperation in the very last voting session of this term, so congratulations for that.