Speeches

Mr President, Commissioner, 71% of the European population buys goods and services online. Online trading is comfortable, it's cheap, but it has a lot of risks. Therefore, regulating it well is already unpostponable. We know that e-commerce platforms, such as Amazon, Aliexpress, Temu or Shein, are affecting our commerce in three key aspects. First, in the safety of products we consume: toys, clothes, etc. We all know those products that come to us at home and that do not meet the minimum conditions. Secondly, in the enormous impact they have on the local commerce of our municipalities, which is being suffocated by the unfair competition of these platforms to our European SMEs. And thirdly, in the environment, because we know that these companies abandon to their fate tons of packages returned by customers in Europe and on other continents, which puts the health of the whole planet at risk. For that we have laws, let's apply them: more customs controls, and responsible trade and consumption to protect our environment, our consumers and our local trade.

Madam President, Mr Letta, ladies and gentlemen, thirty years after its creation, the Letta report provides us with a unique opportunity to move towards the future of the single market in three key areas: Firstly, inspired by Jacques Delors, we support his idea of adding a new freedom of movement, which is the freedom to stay in the corner of the European Union that we want. We do not want just a Union where we can move freely in search of a better life: We also want cohesion, opportunities and development in all regions of the European Union, and access to housing to protect rural and more populated areas. Secondly, we need to deepen the integration of the capital market and the telecommunications market because, as Mr Letta rightly says, it is not coherent for us to share a single currency, but we still have digital borders and national prefixes. And thirdly, the fifth freedom, that of knowledge and innovation. We have five years left to go deeper into the single market and make more Europeans fall in love with this idea, as Jacques Delors wanted, against the far right that is here in this sitting Chamber.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Laura Ballarín is not speaking today. They are going to allow me to use this minute to give my voice to an Afghan woman who has sent me a message from Afghanistan, where she is hidden because her life is in danger: My name is Tooba Hotak. I studied law and worked at the Afghan Supreme Court until the Taliban took Kabul. From that moment I was forbidden to work and leave my house without a man and forced to cover my whole body and face. My profession, my identity and my voice have been taken from me. The new law banning women from speaking in public has silenced us even more. We are prisoners in our own country. We are not enclosed by walls, but by laws designed to oppress and control us. I am writing to you with a desperate and urgent plea for help. We need rapid intervention and protection as soon as possible. All we ask for is the opportunity to be free again. I beg you: Do not leave us alone. To all Afghan women: We see you, we listen to you and we act. We call on the European Union to use all instruments to put an end to these laws and to give asylum and work to Afghan women arriving in our countries. No, Tooba, you're not alone.

Mr Elon Musk, your platform is a cancer to our democracies. But we Europeans, we said 'enough'. Meta, TikTok, this is also about you. We will continue to investigate and punish every illegality you permit and, of course, you commit. We already set up a vaccine – a shield to protect our democracy from the disinformation pandemic: the Digital Services Act. Because there is no freedom in fake news. There is no freedom in hate and violence. In Europe, there is no freedom without rules. But we won't stop here. We ask the international organisations to promote global standards, to hold you accountable everywhere and to stop this hate spiral. We remain vigilant. The law of the jungle online is finally over.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, is it freedom of expression to incite lynchings of immigrants following the false accusation of murder of a child, as happened this summer by a Honourable Member who has just intervened? Or is it freedom of expression to feed false theories of electoral fraud or anti-vaccine theses, or to say that the women of presidents of the Government are actually trans men? We do not disguise as freedom of expression and truth what in reality is an apology for totalitarianism: The far right has found in social networks the perfect vehicle to spread hoaxes, in a massive way, with a triple objective. First, to end our democracy from within by filling online public spaces with rage and lies to favor ultra voting; secondly, incentivising hatred against immigrants by linking crime to place of origin, and thirdly, engaging in systematic violence against women with deepfakes and encouraging harassment of women online to silence us. Social networks, thanks to algorithms, that is, in a premeditated way, have become the home of the sowers of racism, machismo and denialism, but we Europeans have said enough, and we ask the rest of the world, as Brazil did, to accompany us on this path.

Madam President, we are lacking medicines in Europe: We have a strong pharmaceutical dependency because many laboratories have moved to China or India. That is why the revision of this pharmaceutical package after 20 years - which I have worked on and which we approve today - is so necessary and relevant. I highlight three elements of the S&D Group: firstly, to end unequal access to medicines between Member States. It cannot be that those smaller or less wealthy countries do not have access to the same medicines as the others. Second, create incentives to boost research into new antibiotics that fight antimicrobial resistance and also drugs for rare diseases. And, thirdly, to protect and encourage advanced therapies developed in public hospitals such as Vall d'Hebron or Clínic hospitals in Barcelona. After the COVID-19 pandemic, we are more aware than ever of the need to support public health and move forward in the European Health Union. Therefore, it is important not to overburden public budgets with costs derived from and excessive patents on medicines and thus also favor industry and innovation, always focusing on the patient.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, the Europe that protects is the Europe that cares about its 450 million consumers. EU consumers have the right to access procedures to resolve their complaints to businesses easily, quickly and less expensively than going to court, regardless of whether the dispute is domestic or cross-border or whether the purchase was made in their local store or online. We need to make greater efforts to invest in and empower businesses and consumers for digital commerce, which has grown exponentially following the COVID-19 pandemic, entailing many risks. With this report we lay the groundwork for better and more popular alternative dispute resolution; so that mediation in consumer disputes is finally adapted to reality, where digital trade is increasing; to combat misleading advertising, dark patterns or unjustified geo-blocking. That is why, ladies and gentlemen, we have every reason to vote in favour of this report: to make it less expensive to defend our rights as consumers and to make alternative dispute resolution worthwhile.

Mr President, Commissioner Reynders, when as consumers we have a problem with a company and we want to claim the damage it has caused us, we have only three options. One, claim directly from the company through forms. Two, file a complaint with a public consumer body. And three, go to an alternative dispute resolution entity to mediate between the consumer and the company. Surely they all sound these situations: an airline that has canceled a flight shortly before departure without any explanation, an exorbitant telephone bill for services that we had not contracted or a package that has never arrived despite having paid for it. When this happens to us we feel helpless and think that if we want to defend our rights we can only go to trial and know that this is time and money that we do not have. That is why alternative dispute resolution entities exist, to have an easier, faster and less expensive tool than going to court to resolve our disputes as consumers. Unfortunately, this tool is still too unknown by consumers and businesses. According to data from the European Commission, in 2019 only 30% of traders in the Union were aware of these mechanisms and were able to use them, while only 6% of consumers who experienced a problem with a trader filed a complaint with these entities. Despite the lack of knowledge, the reality is that alternative dispute resolution gives results, and very good. The rate of positive agreements between both parties when there is mediation is 50% in the European Union; in the case of Spain, up to 56 %. So what has Europe done? Since 2011 we have had a directive laying the foundations for this model, but we know that the framework is not reaching its full potential due to a lack of knowledge and trust on both sides. In addition, e-commerce and digital advertising have grown exorbitantly as a result of the pandemic and, for example, in the case of Spain more than 44% of purchases are already made online. To put an end to this situation, the Commission decided last year to present a proposal to update and simplify the rules, in particular to adapt them to digital markets, and to extend the scope to misleading advertising or unjustified geo-blocking. From this Parliament, as rapporteur, I have worked to provide us with a review that will provide consumers and businesses with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that are more useful, and that is why I welcome progress in three key areas. First, improve the participation of traders, especially in those sectors that generate the most complaints and complaints, by establishing the mandatory participation of operators and airlines. As is already the case in the energy sector, States must offer a public and efficient alternative to the violation of passenger rights in the air sector, which has led to a proliferation of private complaint-handling companies proposing private fares to consumers. Second, increase consumer awareness of these tools by forcing businesses to include specific sections on their invoices and websites so that consumers can access these mechanisms. And thirdly, to oblige companies to adhere to a system in order to always respond within 20 days of the complaint. And, above all, we call on States to provide more resources to these entities so that they can do so. Finally, I would like to thank the Commission for the initiative to revise this directive and the shadow rapporteurs for having worked constructively and for reaching a good compromise. By voting in favour of this report, the European Parliament has an ambitious and responsible mandate. We call on the Council to adopt its mandate soon and we can negotiate so that before the end of the year we have a law that provides for an improvement in the system of mediation and conflict resolution. Consumer rights are a key sign of the European Union and with this legislation we take it a step further.

Mr President, Commissioner, 'green', 'green', 'sustainable' or 't-shirt made with recycled plastic bottles' are some of the many claims that have become fashionable and that we find more and more when we make a purchase of clothes, washing machines or even a plane ticket. In the fight against climate change, consumers want to do their bit and that is why we often opt for environmentally friendly products. On the side of the merchants we find many who also want to do things well and contribute to this transition by making their products more sustainable. However, there are also those who want to take advantage of the fact that "green sells" with false claims. Because we are facing a pandemic called ecolaundering or greenwashing, since in Europe we know that more than 50% of ecological claims give vague, misleading or unfounded information. That is why, as Socialist shadow rapporteur for this proposal for a directive, I have worked with the other groups to eradicate from our shelves the greenwashing through more transparency and more verification in three aspects: firstly, by requiring companies to certify all their claims to an independent and accredited verifier, including on online marketplaces; secondly, empowering consumers with information and transparency on the products they buy in order to make conscious and responsible decisions; and, thirdly, establishing for the first time sanctions for companies that fail to comply with the rules or that cheat so that they do not hide it from us with their false allegations. We want to protect the environment and those companies that do things right. With this legislation, Europe is equipped with the necessary tools to combat those who want to use, with lies and falsehoods, a responsible citizenry that demands that we all act with the environment. I would like to thank Commissioner Breton for the initiative to put this proposal for a directive on the table, and I would also like to thank all the negotiators for reaching a good agreement. We have to protect the environment and protect consumers, because we are risking our future. And, ladies and gentlemen, the police of the greenwashing It's finally here.

Madam President, first of all, as Head of Delegation of this Parliament's Election Observation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I regret that the circumstances did not exist to carry it out last December. A missed opportunity to regain the fragile confidence of the Congolese in their institutions. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 2.5 million displaced people and thousands have been killed by the conflict between the M23 rebel group and state forces in the east of the country, an area rich in natural resources that has been suffering from intense violence for decades. Faced with this situation, the European Union must play a positive and coherent role in three respects. One is to strengthen regional governance and human security and to fully support the Luanda and Nairobi processes. Two, develop a positive trade and investment agenda. Our value chains need to be clean and fair and our agreements to source critical raw materials, such as the agreement with Rwanda, cannot fuel their destabilisation. Three, to promote cross-border cooperation among the four Great Lakes States to stimulate economic development and protect the environment.

Thank you for your question, Your Honor. My parents educated me that women's economic independence was the foundation of our freedom and our security. Of course I respect the decision made individually, autonomously and without any condition, by women who want to stay at home. But I am talking about a phenomenon in social networks that encourages us to live with our partners and take advantage of that time to dedicate ourselves to care, especially to our physical care, to be beautiful for our men who support us. I am absolutely against it and I do see this as a clear and obvious setback.

Mr Vice-President, after more than half a century of working for gender equality at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, we are facing an alarming picture today. In Spain, more than 65% of young women believe that feminism is important to achieve gender equality, while more than 35% of men believe that feminism promotes hatred and discrimination towards men. At the same time, we see trends such as the "girlfriend, stay at home" grow on social networks (stay at home, girlfriend), a viral phenomenon that promotes the removal of young women from the figure of working women to return them to the last century with the help of large platforms and the extreme right. We have a colossal challenge before us. So what are our priorities for this UN Commission? The European Union must lead the way in empowering women and girls, ensuring equal opportunities in all spheres of our lives, including in the digital environment. But it must also respond to the huge ideological gaps that continue to grow, with young men and women living in increasingly separate cultural and social spaces. Let us not allow ourselves to backtrack on advances made after centuries of feminist struggle. Before those who want to revolutionize, let us advance, let us always advance towards a more just and more egalitarian future. (She agreed to answer a question under the blue card procedure (Rule 171(8) of the Rules of Procedure)).

Madam President, Commissioner Breton, you launched an investigation into X for the spread of violent content and hate speech during the Gaza war. It remains unanswered. For its part, Meta has been denounced in the United States for harming the mental health of young people through its addictive designs, which promote eating disorders and self-harm. Zuckerberg's response to families has been "sorry." The networks are infected with ultra-false pornography or hoaxes that criminalize collectives and distort our electoral campaigns. It is a real pandemic in the form of information poisoning and hatred, which the far right uses with a common transmission vehicle: large digital platforms. Our vaccine in Europe is clear: the Digital Services Act, to curb disinformation, hate and also children’s access to pornography. Mr Zuckerberg, in Europe we do not want your forgiveness. We want him to come forward, take responsibility and remedy this pandemic that threatens the health of our young people and our democracies. European citizens demand a digital environment based on trust and truth. We can't wait any longer.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, consumers care about the environment and, in many cases, they make their purchases based on stamps that make them green, sustainable, recyclable, but are they really? In Europe 78% of citizens believe that companies offer misleading green claims. And the truth is that half of them are. That is why, from this Parliament, with the great work done by my colleague Biljana Borzan, we have achieved legislation that allows, first of all, to end the planned obsolescence, extending the useful life of the products. Second, put an end to practices as misleading to consumers as inciting to replace consumables such as ink cartridges or presenting software updates earlier than strictly necessary. And thirdly, start eradicating fake green labels – as sustainable, biodegradable – and lay the groundwork for the legislation we are working on right now: the Ecological Claims Directive. Let's empower our citizens and help businesses reduce their environmental impact while fighting eco-laundering.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we are facing an unprecedented social crisis for Spanish and European youth. Young Spaniards emancipate themselves from their families at the age of 30, four more than the European average, and they spend more than 59% of their salary on paying their rents. In the case of my city, Barcelona, this amounts to 85%. Meanwhile, real estate funds in the euro area have reached a staggering €1 trillion, which is three times as high as in 2010. This situation is unsustainable and continues to worsen. That is why, from the Socialist Group in this Parliament - because I see no one from the European right in this House right now - we are calling for a European plan based on three pillars. First, a greater boost to the construction of social housing by limiting its privatization and improving the instruments for its financing. Secondly, measures to curb speculation: Increasing the transparency of real estate markets, ending the granting of golden visas or reducing short-term resale are necessary steps. And thirdly, further progress is needed on the regulation of short-term rentals to ensure that our cities do not turn against their citizens. Housing is a right and a universal good that cannot be treated as just another commodity. An entire generation is waiting for us. Let's not let them down.

Madam Vice-President, Vice-President Šefčovič, ladies and gentlemen, why do we legislate? We legislate because we want to protect the health of our citizens, advance social standards and drive the growth of our businesses. Legislation is to respond to a changing reality due to technological progress to growing citizen demands or the deterioration of the environment. That is why we believe that the right wing of this House has an irresponsible attitude and that it feeds Euroscepticism with debates like this. After four years of constructive cooperation between the great forces of this Parliament, the European People's Party is now calling for a legislative moratorium, so that we do not move as far or as fast. This position has another agenda, and is to take advantage of it to promote deregulation. As a Social Democratic family, we show our rejection of this path. In the S&D group, we have always advocated a balanced and science-based regulation, because it is impossible to guarantee the future competitiveness of the European Union if we do not bet – with binding commitments and support measures – on the technologies of the future and fight to avoid climate disaster. It is not serious to simplify and say that regulation equals less competitiveness. Moreover, competitiveness allows us to create economic opportunities in line with our strategic priorities as a continent. Of course, the Commission's working methods must move towards simplified regulation, deepen our common market and incorporate the proposals of affected sectors, always ensuring that the regulatory burden is digestible for SMEs. That's where they're gonna find us. In short, optimizing the regulatory burden, yes. Pushing deregulation to disguise climate denialism, no.

Mr President, Commissioner, rapporteur of the report, I grew up hearing that my grandmother's refrigerator was unbreakable or that the battery of the new iPhone was going to last much longer than the previous one. It is not nostalgia for the past, it is the essential demand for a change in the current market to have durable products. For their part, tech giants use their software to control and increase the cost of repairs to your electronic devices with the so-called pairing of parts. According to the European Commission, we produce 35 million tonnes of waste from premature disposal of goods. Consumers who opt for replacement instead of repair lose 12 million euros a year. To protect families and the environment, we must improve the guarantee system for these products, promote independent repair points and, thirdly, ensure that spare parts arrive quickly and affordably. In Europe, we want a market that protects the shelf life of products and puts an end to premature obsolescence. With the adoption of this report, we go a step further in the right to repair so that the environment and our pocketbooks can see it.

Madam Vice-President, which of us have not seen hoaxes and fake news about Israel and Gaza go viral these days? Images that are not real, of conflicts of the past and even generated by video games, that add horror to the horror. Today, our democracies are experiencing a new threat, a pandemic of disinformation that the extreme right has been exploiting for years thanks to a common transmission vehicle: large digital platforms. Like the COVID-19 pandemic, the disinformation pandemic is spreading rapidly. It is highly damaging to the health of our democracies. But Europe also has a vaccine, which is the Digital Services Act, because the spread of hoaxes and hate is always serious. But in conflicts like the one we are experiencing today in the Middle East, it is even more so. With this new law, as Commissioner Breton has said, we will be able to demand that X, Meta or TikTok verify the truth and limit illegal content. Today I want to send a message to these great platforms, to these great giants: We're watching them. Public and civic safety are at stake.

Madam President, the average age of onset of pornography consumption is eleven. 85% of parents with children of that age believe that their children do not consume pornography. We may not want to believe it, but they are seeing it. These data collected by the association Dale Una Vuelta are extremely worrying and have very clear consequences in Spain: the increase in sexual assaults in packs by minors, the use of artificial intelligence to create synthetic pornography and a completely distorted affective sex education based on violence. Statistics tell us that 80% of young people who consume porno have aggressive sexual behaviors. To curb child abuse, we welcome the European Commission's new Better Internet for Children Strategy, which aims to ensure that children are protected from new digital challenges. Also against cyberbullying, of which one in three children worldwide is a victim. Together with the Digital Services Act, the European Education Area, Member States, families and educators, we must tackle with resources and determination the enormous challenge of the internet for children.

Madam President, "And I said to you: “A little guy?” And she said to me: “Ok”’. These infamous words are already part of the history of sport. They represent the worst of machismo and discrimination against women. And they overshadowed a historic feat achieved despite wage discrimination, lack of technical support and even the worst footwear compared to their peers. However, they have also provoked a rejection in our country and a wave of feminism and sorority at a global level that have devastated part of the leadership of the Spanish Football Federation. Because Rubiales hasn't resigned. Rubiales we've all thrown out. The world champions said: "It's over". Because it wasn't just a kiss, it was sexual and power abuse. Because "only yes is yes". But this goes far beyond football. It also goes from sexual abuse to athletes of all disciplines, even when they are minors, as reported by Simone Biles or also the tennis player Angélique Cauchy. Also from other professions: journalists, lawyers, politicians, waitresses... We must put an end to the culture of impunity. And this World Cup has marked a before and after. The whole life's worthless. It wasn't so much that it doesn't have a place anymore. Today in this Parliament we say loud and clear: "It's over".