Need for an adaptation of the EU legal framework on sustainable biofuels (debate)
Mr President, I would like to draw attention in this debate to a topic of concern to my country: the biogas macroplant to obtain biofuel that is planned and planned in A Laracha, A Coruña, in my country, Galicia – where there is still no regulation for this type of macroplants. This legislation is also lacking in Europe. The project has a wide social rejection for the possible risks to health, the environment and the proximity of population centers in Natura 2000 and also has a serious defect of information and public participation. This type of projects must have other dimensions, be located in industrial areas and comply with the regulations. As the neighbors say, something stinks.
Political repression and humanitarian situation in Cuba (debate)
Thank you for accepting the "blue card" question. I wanted to give you a couple of pieces of information for the honourable Member to answer. Do you know how many Cuban doctors have gone out into the world? I'll give you a hint; more than 50 000, less than 70 000. So how many will it be? You, if you can, answer me. Do you know how many vaccines Cuba has given the world, some during COVID-19? I'd also like you to answer it. And, in addition, I want to say, not to you, but as third Vice-President of EuroLat, that Cuba has the right to participate in that Assembly - this is already a part of a motion of order - because it is a full member and will be in Mexico, in that State that is able to tell the truths clearly.
Political repression and humanitarian situation in Cuba (debate)
Madam President, when hyenas smell blood, they laugh. This is what happens to many here, they don't care about the Cuban people at all and they laugh. Cuba's situation cannot be analyzed by ignoring the context of the blockade, the permanent aggression to which it has been subjected for years and the decades of embargo by the United States. Every country in the world has voted against it, except the United States and its lackeys. It is deeply irresponsible to speak of a failed state when, in reality, Cuba faces a forced and externally induced scenario. Can you tell me which country in the world will be able to withstand 64 years of illegal blockade? Stop Yankee propaganda and have decency for once. No people can withstand such a situation, least of all in conditions of dignity as the Cuban people do. And Europe must continue, Mrs Kallas, to make that solidarity with Cuba, which is deserved because we are talking about the consequences for a people. Cuba has helped humanity with vaccines and doctors. But what is happening is a collective punishment by Trump that is suffocating Cubans. Let us not allow the hyenas of imperialism to allow an invasion of Cuba. As we say in the BNG, "Cuba yes, yanquis fóra!"
EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems (debate)
Madam President, Commissioner, Europe is vulnerable. The advance of artificial intelligence causes uncertainty. It threatens in my country, for example, 270 000 people, 10% of the population, four out of ten jobs, that is, in total, 38% of employment. That's not new, the technology is not neutral. We must also see this social dimension: is occurring in technology companies, with massive layoffs worldwide, and that is why we must carry out a rigorous, regular analysis and also protect cybersecurity. We in Europe must have control of technology and not the other way around. AI has to be considered a public service – including cybersecurity – and it has to be regulated with public programmes for redundant and delocalised workers. In addition, we already know – as the UN says – that it will affect more women, who are underrepresented in AI-related jobs, since social and economic structures will reproduce models of discrimination. And yes, we are vulnerable: the malicious use of AI, disinformation and fraud.
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Mr President, we want the European officialisation of my language, Galician. A language that celebrates its day on 17 May. This Sunday, thousands of people demonstrated in Santiago de Compostela with the motto "we want Galician", to denounce the linguistic emergency and demand policies that guarantee the use and normalization of our language in teaching, culture and public services. An urgent change in institutional policy in Galicia is needed to reverse language setbacks. In my country, the government diminishes the language. This year's Galician Letters Day was dedicated to an indomitable woman: Begoña Caamaño. And here I want to claim your rebellious voice: "Your name is flag, wind spinner, Circe, Morgana, fool against time." And I want to claim it with a little song: Alas, Begoña, companion, free woman and feminist, with joy for flag, in the eyes rebelliousness.
The impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins (debate)
Mr President, as a Member of the European Parliament galega of one of the most important fishing nations in Europe - as the Commissioner, who was recently on our land, is well aware - I would like to emphasise that Galiza is a sensitive fishing area, a land in which the organisation of fishing, mussel farming and aquaculture requires planning for a rigorous maritime area, which is not at all well done, with a consistency between fishing, energy and biodiversity. The ordering of maritime space in certain areas means that there are projects in my country such as a macrocellulose called Ence, in one of the most important productive areas, or what was the threat of the Altri macrocellulose, which finally was not realized due to social pressure. The Commissioner had the opportunity to speak with that platform that denounced this project that could have an interaction in the estuaries. We have to defend our artisanal fishing and shellfishing in years when there are really those who do not defend the sector with their policies, as in the case of the Government Galician, and we need small-scale fisheries and aquaculture to have their rightful place in the maritime fishing area in the face of so many threats.
Cali fund – follow up from the COP16 UN Convention on Biodiversity (debate)
Madam President, at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, on biodiversity, we took a historic step: create a fund to share the benefits of digital genetic sequence information. From our parliamentary group, the Greens/EFA Group, we welcome it because it introduces geographical, economic and social fairness. For the first time, companies in rich countries that profit from free access to biological data must help protect the biodiversity that low- and middle-income countries guard to convert private profits into collective investment. This is the direction that more countries in the world want to take, such as Colombia itself and the Global South, fed up with external interference, fed up with extractivist practices, fed up with neocolonial policies such as the Global Gateway - their big bet, the bet of the European Commission, by the way -. However, this fund is voluntary, and much remains to be done. What does the European Commission do? It removes the LIFE fund and promotes omnibus decrees that dismantle all the progress of the last legislature, including the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. They meet privately with governments, businesses and researchers to discuss, among other things, how to operationalise the fund, how to mobilise contributions, how resources should be allocated and how to ensure transparency and trust. But, Commissioner, they forgot to invite civil society. There were no representatives of local communities or indigenous communities or defenders of human rights or the environment. Instead of protecting valuable biodiversity protection laws, the Birds and Habitats Directives or the Water Framework Directive, the Commission is introducing exemptions from nature protection requirements in these Directives, granting the status of primary public interest to industrial projects. We know this very well in my country, in Galiza, with projects such as the Doade mine or the Touro mine. Europe is experiencing a collapse in biodiversity, it is undermining its own protection laws and that is why I ask the Commission: How do you intend to maintain the political momentum and support the launch of the Cali Fund? What is the position of the European Union to ensure adequate, predictable and sustainable funding? And finally, how will the Commission help to clarify governance arrangements and ensure a fair, transparent and effective profit-sharing mechanism?
Madam President, as a Member of the European Parliament, I want to denounce the kidnapping of the citizens of Europe and other countries in the Global Sumud Flotilla. The Israeli Navy committed an act of armed piracy in international waters, in European waters. We need to condemn and ask for diplomatic protection for all the Global Flotilla. We need also to speak with the Government of Greece ...
Women’s entrepreneurship in rural and island areas and outermost regions (debate)
Madam President, there is only one word to define what rural women need: Empowerment and recognition. Today, in Galicia, my country, rural women represent 27.8% of the primary sector, a key sector, as the Commissioner is well aware. However, even though years later they are in greater numbers in this important sector, they work under conditions of inequality. And what do they need? Equal pay, labour inclusion programmes and public services adapted to the needs of each territory to stay, institutional support to reconcile, dependency policies that do not oblige women to compulsory care for the elderly, digital inclusion programmes, digitalisation of rural areas. For this reason, I have included specific amendments to the performance to invest with tangible results in rural areas. And I also want to take this opportunity to greet a woman who is here today, who was the Secretary for Equality in the government of the Junta when we ruled and who carried out many programs for the defense of the rural environment: Carme Adán. Thank you so much for being here.
How to secure a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector in light of the need to ensure food security, farmers’ resilience and the challenges posed by animal diseases? (debate)
Madam President, I represent, as a Member of the European Parliament. galega, to one of the most important agro-livestock countries in Europe and we are very concerned about the health situation of the agro-livestock sector Galician. I would like to tell you, Commissioner Hansen, that it was a pity that you did not receive Ana Pontón, the leader of the opposition. galega, on 2 March and I hope it will in the future. In addition, I want to tell you because we had very clear proposals about what really happens in the real agricultural sector, not in which the Galician Government often tells you about issues that are not the real ones. Let me give you an example: I ask you, Commissioner, for a change of criteria, because in the face of the arrival of any emerging disease, the livestock sector must be shielded and immunized. Contagious nuclear dermatosis in cattle is a threat to the meat and milk sector, an economic threat, but also a threat to the fixation of the population. Livestock must be immunized and, therefore, must be vaccinated before the disease arrives. There, the Government Galician you do not have a plan and that is why there is an urgent need to make this criterion more flexible, Commissioner. I hope that at the next meeting we will have, we will talk about this issue.
Mr President, Commissioner, talking about the rule of law is talking about freedom of the press. As a Galician MEP, I want to denounce the case of manipulation of television and public radio in my country, Galicia. A case of political manipulation by the People's Party government against press freedom, a case of control and manipulation already denounced in 400 sentences. This service for more than 400 weeks, for more than six years, Commissioner, has been making partial stops at work and demanding actions against the abuse of power by the People's Party government, against the lack of independence, against the unprecedented dismissals, against the contempt of one's own language, the Galician language. Even the report monitoring the implementation of the European Media Freedom Regulation in Spain last year specifically mentions Galicia for having adopted a new law that puts the independence of the public service at risk. In Galicia, as in Hungary, the media are manipulated with public policies. Look at this situation, Commissioner, which is not the first time I have denounced it. We need to keep monitoring this case.
State violence in Minneapolis and the rule of law in the United States (topical debate)
Madam President, I would like to address the previous rapporteur on the basis of Rule 10(4) of the Rules of Procedure, on offensive comments, regarding the consideration of an illegal person, because I believe that offensive and hateful comments are already around, and therefore I want to submit it for your consideration, because they are racist debates. This is a racist consideration.
Presidential elections in Honduras, the non-recognition of the outcome by the incumbent administration and the attacks on opposition members of the National Assembly
Madam President, as an observer of the European Parliament in the elections in Honduras, I would like to confirm that on election day the people of Honduras came out freely and massively to vote, but the pre- and post-election situation has been full of flaws, alerts, legal obstacles, lack of transparency and, above all, political polarisation. On the data transmission system, what to say?, we were able to check its defects live: the duration of the recount for more than one month and that 30 000 votes have not been counted. But above all, we saw live, and also through the networks, the interference in the process by President Trump by supporting the candidate Papi to the Order - at the order of his master - and by threatening to cut off funding if the Honduran people did not vote for his chosen one. On top of this, Trump releases the former president sentenced to forty-five years - nothing more and nothing less - for drug trafficking, in whose mandate peasants, environmental defenders, such as Berta Cáceres, and human rights journalists were murdered with impunity. Juan Orlando Hernández, tried and extradited to the United States for drug trafficking, is now released by Trump just in the election campaign. Isn't that interference? Our Group is very concerned about the interventionist interference of the President of the United States in the political and electoral processes in Latin America, including unilateral interventions, which weakens international law and peace and puts democratic stability and, of course, international stability at risk.
Situation in Venezuela following the extraction of Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition (debate)
Madam President, the illegal and illegitimate military interference and aggression against Venezuela and the kidnapping of its president is a very serious attack on international law and the sovereignty of the peoples. We express our firm condemnation of imperialist interventionism and Trump's aggression, and also our solidarity always with the Venezuelan people. It is the law of the jungle, the Monroe Doctrine updated to a Condor 3.0 Plan to install the hegemonic system of domination with wars, looting, blockades, false news and military aggressions, as the Caribbean country has suffered. And attention: alert against threats to Colombia, Mexico, Cuba and Greenland. Simon Bolivar already said it: America wants to plunge us into misery in the name of freedom, the freedom to own oil and natural resources. And what has the European Union done?: a simple statement that demonstrates servility to the United States, the same United States that has displaced the far-right Corina Machado, which is no longer useful for imperialist strategy, the same one that disparages the Nobel Peace Prize and intends to give it to Trump. What a humiliation for the Spanish PP and for Vox. The European Union should have supported international law and condemned illegitimate and illegal aggression. But what are we going to expect if he hasn't condemned the genocide in Gaza in two years?
Preventing sexual harassment in public institutions: latest revelations and resignations in Spain and institutional responses (debate)
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen of the PP and the PSOE, remove the accusers from your parties and do not come and give lessons in feminism, because you have a lot of dirty laundry to wash. We have to be on the side of women, both if the allegations refer to the president of the Diputación de Lugo, as to the Fisheries Counsellor of the Xunta of Galicia — that the PP government kept him in office for four months, concealing the complaint against him for sexual assault. Manda (inaudible word) He resigned with applause. This complaint, of course, only went on public television in my country. Besides, gentlemen of the People's Party, do you remember Nevenka Fernández? He is still waiting for a public apology from his party for the sexual and labor harassment he suffered 25 years ago. And to PSOE, we tell you that inaction is never a good decision. Right now, we advocate zero tolerance for macho violence. Come from wherever you come from and affect whomever you affect. Cases of sexist violence cannot go unpunished and we must always be on the side of women. We're sick of it. Feminism is more necessary than ever.
Recent developments in Palestine and Lebanon (debate)
Mr. President, Israel continues to violate the ceasefire in Gaza, the illegal occupation and the apartheid It allows illegal settlements in the West Bank to become more and more numerous. Just look at Oxfam's recent report, which says the number of settlements is high and clear. But, in addition, I ask the Commissioner: Can the Commission confirm to me, after the question I asked in May, whether the European Union is trading in agricultural products coming from illegal settlements? And I want to know because I am going to go all the way on this issue and I hope my colleagues will too, because if we are trading in products from illegal settlements we are complicit in genocide and we are complicit in apartheid and we are also complicit in occupation. The obligation to prevent genocide has not stopped, Commissioner and also Mrs von der Leyen. What have we done, what has the European Union done when Francesca Albanese's report Genocide in Gaza, a collective crime Does it say that relations with Israel should be suspended? The European Union is the largest trading partner and has to suspend the Association Agreement.
