Speeches

The European project was born from solidarity and the need to move forward through the implementation of sound social and economic policies. To date, the EU has been a beacon in the world as a more advanced rights-based bloc, with decades of social progress attesting to its success and expansion. However, if the EU does not offer a better life for the majority, we run the risk of people turning their backs on the project. We call on the Member States and the Commission to take ambitious measures to show their determination to ensure a decent standard of living, sustainable and inclusive growth and upward social convergence. In times of crisis, only a renewed focus on Europe's integrated social, environmental and economic project will ensure its future success. We are convinced that putting people's well-being at the centre of all policies is both a realistic goal and an ethical imperative of our time. Socialists are committed to a different recovery, which prioritises progress and social justice, social and civil dialogue and respect for fundamental social rights as the basis for the green and digital transitions.

Madam President, Vice-President Mînzatu, in a world where inequality has become the great problem of our time, the root cause of disaffection, polarisation and lack of horizon, to defend public education is to defend a more complete, more perfect democracy. Claiming a dignified and equal education, regardless of your origin or last name in your mailbox, is deeply transformative, because education is the best engine of equal opportunities. And some will say to us, "We already have that," and I will say to them, Let's not fool ourselves, today everything we took for granted is at risk. Cuts, underfunding and segregation have powerful allies in those who deliver discourses of misunderstood freedom that, in reality, only justify a smooth and clear track for a few and an obstacle course for a vast majority. Schools should be our civil temples today: Without them there is no equality possible and without equal opportunities there is no complete democracy.

Mr President, Commissioner, whoever evades taxes, sponsors the underground economy and breaks the law in order to profit from the work of others cannot go unpunished. Piracy of live events harms the European audiovisual sector and erodes funding for the European sports model that creates jobs and supports grassroots sport and inclusion. We cannot wait any longer, we urgently need legislation. We have already underlined this in a report in the last parliamentary term: We must focus on the owners of illegal websites and not on the fans or consumers who often use the service without being aware. We need a mechanism that pursues these websites with fast and reliable mechanisms. And in this fight we also need the work of the operators, because sport is popular culture and we need to enhance it. Therefore, we ask operators for responsibility, reasonable prices, easy access, transparent conditions and legislation from the European Commission. Together we must arrive at a fair and equitable system.