What Helmut spoke about.

21

May

2026

Speeches DE

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The Union’s preparedness for and response to health emergencies: the case of the MV Hondius and the hantavirus warning (debate)

Mr President! Commissioner! The FPÖ MP Hauser has said so much inhuman nonsense that I want to correct this. The first: He meant, yes, with the Hantavirus a few people died, people died again and again, that's just the way it is. It's unbelievable! Then he said, there's the next plandemie going on. This is a big conspiracy industry. A plandemic that some secret powers are planning, just as Corona was a plandemic, which is again an incredible insult to the many millions of people who died from it. And then, of course, he said he's against vaccinations. On the contrary, I would like to say: I am grateful to all the researchers who are preparing us for possible next viruses. I am grateful that there is research for vaccination. I am also grateful that there are companies that do this. We need these vaccines. And it's really sad that there are still people telling evil conspiracies instead of trusting science, which is the basis for our future lives and for the next generations.

21

May

2026

Questions DE

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The Union’s preparedness for and response to health emergencies: the case of the MV Hondius and the hantavirus warning (debate)

I only have one simple question: What lockdown has just been imposed? Can you explain that? And the second: Do you also believe that this is a plandemic, and was Corona a plandemic?

20

May

2026

Speeches EN

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Repression and execution of protesters, dissidents, political prisoners and religious minorities in Iran

Mr President, dear Commissioner, the streets of Iran are stained with the blood of tens of thousands of citizens murdered for daring to demand freedom. Over 1 600 have been hanged by a regime that used the death penalty as a tool of terror. Their only crime is that they were hoping. Women are beaten, killed for the crime of showing their hair, while the families of the oppressors sip champagne in Paris, shop in Milan and send their kids to the finest schools in London. The EU cannot tolerate a regime that executes its people in the morning while leaders enjoy their lives in the evening. Sanctions must target the IRGC, the judiciary, the supreme leader's inner circle. Their assets in Europe must be frozen. Their visas must be revoked. Their diplomats' outposts, used for repression, must be shut down. And to the Iranian people, I want to say: we hear you. We are on your side. And to the Council: act now. The time for half measures is over.

19

May

2026

Speeches EN

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Europe's response to reduced US military deployments in Europe, particularly at its Eastern flank in the light of the latest US decisions (debate)

Madam President, dear Vice-President, Americans need Europeans; Europeans need Americans. So it's both ways. Americans are not only here to defend Europe, but also for US power in Europe, in the Middle East and in North Africa. Europe is the largest market for American weapons. That should change. I recently visited Ramstein and the FBI in Washington, and I found out that American officials say that we need each other and we should keep on working together. The problem is the US President, because he doesn't like an independent, strong Europe. So that means we have to get even stronger. Regardless of what the Americans decide, we Europeans should take full responsibility for our own defence. A unified European army is the only right way in the medium term. In the short term, we need to coordinate within the EU and cooperate with like-minded countries around the world. All European governments should understand that.

19

May

2026

Speeches DE

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EU governance under pressure – institutional responses to global challenges (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! I quote Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney: “It is my personal conviction that the new world order will be built out of Europe.” And he spoke of common values: Peace, rule of law, democracy. Sometimes you can see better from a distance. Yes, Mark Carney is right, of course, but we need to get faster and better. This is my appeal to the Commission: People have to feel that we are making decisions here, that they are being implemented. Of course, this concerns security, because we have committed ourselves to solidarity under Article 42(7) TEU. That's what I'm saying, especially as an Australian: We all need this! Of course, we also need more industry, more prosperity. This can only be done with less bureaucracy and finally a capital markets union. Please finally do! At the border guards, we also saw that we were too slow. And one more thing: Yes, the friendship with the US, which was important to us, will continue to be important to us – but on an equal footing! We don't like Trump. If we stick together, we're strong enough.

19

May

2026

Speeches DE

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EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems (debate)

Madam President, Madam Executive Vice-President of the Commission! We agree: Artificial intelligence will rearrange our world and we need to do more to keep us from falling behind. The Commissioner recently said the good news: There are 45,000 start-ups in Europe, and 8,000 are engaged in artificial intelligence. But we need a Capital Markets Union, and we really need to talent Get out of the United States. Many researchers are no longer happy in this Trump world anyway. Please bring them here, they can work wonderfully in Europe. Because we must also see the dangers: Cyberattacks can paralyze our power plants, Russia's hybrid war against us is being intensified in many areas, especially with artificial intelligence, especially in the area of disinformation, which we are also dealing with in our own committee. There is also a danger to our infrastructure. That's why there's only one thing: Become independent! And – sorry – the biggest nonsense I have heard again from the far-right: There is talk of national sovereignty. Yeah, how's that supposed to work? There can only be European sovereignty and that is what we must work on, please, together for our Europe. We can do it!

29

Apr

2026

Speeches DE

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Topical debate requested by a political group (PfE) (Rule 169) - Commission interference in democratic process and elections (topical debate)

28

Apr

2026

Speeches EN

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Supporting democratic resilience in Armenia (debate)

Madam President, Minister, Commissioner, Armenia – what a country. At a time when democracy is under siege and autocrats act with impunity, Armenia stands like a beacon of hope, surrounded by autocracies. It proves that democracy can thrive even in the toughest neighbourhoods. Armenia is Europe, with its values, history and culture. Yet Armenia's democracy now faces a very critical test, the parliamentary elections in June. We know Putin will stop at nothing to sabotage this process – we cannot let this happen. People ask me: why do you talk about Armenia, is Armenia important for us? Yes, it is important for us. It's in our neighbourhood. It's a democracy and we want to have trade, we want to have good relations and we need security. For all that, a democratic Armenia is very necessary. One more thing that's interesting – there are so many countries who want to be part of the European Union. Do you know any country that wants to be part of the United States? No, they want to be here because this is the continent of freedom. This is the continent that thrives, this is the continent of human rights – Europe is great.

28

Apr

2026

Speeches EN

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Ensuring accountability and justice in response to Russia’s continued attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine (debate)

Madam President, Minister, Commissioner, Russia is a terrorist state. Russian bombs rain down on Ukrainian hospitals, schools and homes; every day, innocent lives are stolen, families shattered, and cities reduced to rubble. We need more sanctions, we need stronger sanctions, and we have to kick out those Russians who live in peace here in Europe, but are part of Putin's terror regime. One more thing: I never hear from the right wing and the right wing extremists – nobody's here. They never even condemn what Putin is doing to Ukraine. And Donald Trump, he doesn't do it either. On the contrary, he wants to invite Putin to the G20. Mr Commissioner, please, there is no way that any European goes to a G20 meeting with Putin. Please promise that to us, I think that is really very important. To the Ukrainians, I want to say: there is a huge majority here in favour of you. We will not forget you, we will fight for you.

28

Apr

2026

Speeches DE

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Situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2024 and 2025 (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Europe is the continent of human rights, Europe is the continent of human dignity – as the Charter of Fundamental Rights states, which we adopted 25 years ago. And yes, I know that many things are not perfect, but we have the basis for living on a continent where we are doing better than anywhere else. And we have to keep that. Of course, there is danger. There is a danger that there are people from outside who want to destroy our democracy – through hatred on the one hand, disinformation from Russia and, of course, the American platforms that live off this hatred. We have to defend ourselves against that. And yes, the manipulation of elections must not take place, corruption is bad, we have also noticed that, and especially if the media are restricted, then our democracy is in danger. But we have the basis for this, for the best possible world that exists here in Europe. And that's why I'm asking for those rights that scream so loudly: Let's get back to that consensus that we have the basis for it. Let's talk about how we can make Europe even better. And let's not shout around that Europe is supposedly bad. We are glad and grateful that we can live in this Europe of human rights and dignity.

11

Mar

2026

Speeches EN

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Human trafficking and grave human rights violations linked to the recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular from Africa, for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine

Madam President, Russia is a terrorist state. Their list of abhorrent crimes is endless. Russia's deportation and forced transfer of 20 000 Ukrainian children amount to crimes against humanity. These children – stolen, renamed, forced into Russian families – are victims of a systematic campaign. The Vice‑President of the Duma proudly showed himself with a baby that he 'adopted' – no, which he had stolen – and now he is proud he has a new baby. Across Africa and other regions, vulnerable men are being lured with false promises of work, of education, only to find themselves forced onto the front lines of a brutal war. One video, uploaded by the Russians themselves, shows an African mercenary, Francis, with a landmine attached to his body – a horrifying illustration of how the Kremlin dehumanises its recruits. Russia's actions are a shameful stain that will never wash away. We stand on the right side. We want to help Ukraine. We want to help those poor people. I am very sad that in this House there are Members of this Parliament who are still on the side of the war criminal Putin.

11

Mar

2026

Speeches DE

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AccessibleEU and the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities: state of play and the future of EU accessibility policy (debate)

11

Mar

2026

Speeches DE

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Immunity of International Criminal Court officials and the activation of the EU Blocking Statute to strengthen EU strategic autonomy (debate)

10

Mar

2026

Speeches EN

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EU enlargement strategy (debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, what an attractive community we are, the European Union. The Brits want to come back, in the majority, Iceland will have a referendum and there are many countries in the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine that also want to join us. To all Ukraine haters: they are making, like all the other countries, a lot of reforms. They know what the rule of law is. And, by the way, money robbers should be in prison, but not in government. So what do we have to do? We have to support these countries in their work for these reforms because they are necessary and, as I said, we know they are doing it. But we also have to ensure that one or another would-be autocrat cannot stop the process, because that is what they want to do for their political reasons. So what I say is: this veto is wrong. So let us build an even stronger European Union. We need it and we can do it.

9

Mar

2026

Speeches DE

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. The mullahs' terror regime has killed many, many thousands of people in recent weeks alone. And, of course, there are now many innocent victims in the recent Middle East war. But we also have to see that many people in Europe are now also affected. We have also noticed that the energy supply is essential through Putin's attack on Ukraine. Now we notice: Oil is becoming more and more expensive. And there are many people affected, including by the unjustified, rapid increases in oil companies. The Commission should also come up with something. But above all: Now, hopefully, everyone has understood the importance of alternative energy sources, that we – whether it is water, whether it is electricity, whether it is wind, hydrogen – must promote this. And we need an Energy Union in Europe. People will then realise how essential the European Union is. And one more thing: If President Macron says that we need to do geopolitics, that is, to accompany ships through the Strait of Hormuz, we can do so only as a part of Europe – i.e.: Yes to a united Europe for the people of Europe.

11

Feb

2026

Speeches EN

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Systemic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the courageous people of Iran must know we in the European Parliament do not forget you. We stand with you. We have a resolution now, again. Thank you to all parties for the cooperation. The resolution is very clear – again, we say that the Revolutionary Guards, the IRGC, are terrorists. But that's only the beginning. Now we need the consequences. Now we have to do something. So the resolution also says, and it calls on all states, that we have to ban trade with those organisations. We have to know that the backbone of the Iranian industry and the Iranian economy are those Revolutionary Guards, and they are making money in Europe in order to destroy their people. That has to stop. Here we have to be very clear. I really have to say it's European banks, it's Germany and Italy foremost having this trade. That has to stop. And sanctions against persons as well. One more thing, because some people ask me, 'why are you doing something for Iran? It's not important for Europe.' Oh yes, it is. What Iran is doing is also destabilising the whole region – killing their own people, destabilising the region and also Europe with sabotage acts and so on and so forth. So it is also important for us in Europe. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

10

Feb

2026

Speeches EN

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European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system causing a humanitarian crisis (debate)

Mr President, dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, it was a very impressive but also sad experience to go to the Holodomor museum in Kyiv. Holodomor was Stalin's genocide through famine, and now we have Putin's genocide through cold. He is Stalin II – he is a copy of Stalin, he wants as many people as possible killed because he sees he cannot win the war how he had planned it. He wants to destroy the spirit of the Ukrainians – he wants to kill as many people as possible. It is important that we help as far as we can help for Ukraine. Then I hear these people from the right wing who say: 'no, we don't want to help'. So what does that mean? They want people to die – we have to say that very clearly. There are people here in this European Parliament who say: 'no, no support for Ukraine, we don't mind if Europeans die from the cold because the dictator wants that'. Thank you very much, Commissioner Marta Kos. Europe stands with Ukraine – you said it, and I think the majority in this House mean it.

10

Feb

2026

Speeches EN

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European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system causing a humanitarian crisis (debate)

Did Mr Orbán say Ukraine is our 'enemy', and why did he say it?

10

Feb

2026

Questions EN

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European response to the attacks on the Ukrainian energy system causing a humanitarian crisis (debate)

Thank you Mr Dömötör, I just have a question – is it right that Mr Orbán said Ukraine is our 'enemy'? And is it right that you are buying a lot from Russia, so, you know, you are also financing all these war crimes of Russia?

10

Feb

2026

Speeches EN

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Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner Kubilius, thank you for your words, but especially thank you for your work. Finally, we are building up a European defence, and I say that coming from a neutral country. The Austrian liberals already said in 2019 that we need a common European defence. And, by the way, there is also a strong defence industry in Austria, so we will work together on that as well. But there is one more thing – that is disinformation. And today we heard again that the people from the right wing are against the support for Ukraine. Yes, of course, because they're for the support of Russia and that's dangerous for us. And I tell you one more thing: in the Financial Times, the headline was 'Germany's painful estrangement from the US'. We also have to talk about that. 81 % of Germans say they are afraid that the Russians want war all over, but 65 % are afraid of the US as well. So we have to have a strong Europe. And thank you for your work again.

9

Feb

2026

Speeches DE

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Amending Regulations on agricultural products as regards market rules and sectoral support measures in the wine sector and for aromatised wine products (debate)

21

Jan

2026

Speeches DE

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Attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania (debate)

Mr President! I want to bring in a bit of calm, because we live in times when disinformation is stronger than information. This means that people's trust in information must be increased. We know that it has fallen sharply, unfortunately also in the public broadcasters – and I am also talking about Austria here. We know that in many countries, the greater the influence of government policy, the more people's trust in these media decreases. And that is why it is so important that we, together among ourselves in Europe, ensure that free broadcasting is guaranteed in all countries, that journalists can work independently. And ultimately, we do that for our good. Why? Because if the media no longer has trust, then politics no longer has trust either. And this is dangerous for all of us, especially in this challenge we are facing. We are witnessing this in America, where all of a sudden alternative facts become facts. We have the extreme disinformation of Russia, we have the algorithms that often work against us. This makes independent media all the more important, especially for public service broadcasting.

20

Jan

2026

Speeches DE

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Pending approval of the Hungarian national plan for Security Action for Europe (SAFE) funding in light of persistent concerns around the allocation of public funding (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Viktor Orbán sat here when Hungary had the presidency. I said to him: “Mr Orbán, everyone knows that you are corrupt. What does that do to you?" He was completely indifferent. He didn't even wobble with the earwash, as one would say in Vienna. It's all about money. He takes the money where it comes from – for himself, for his people. It's about corruption, we know that. It's not about safety, Mrs. Kallas. You talk about security, you talk about peace – the opposite is true. They haven't defended Ukraine for a day at all. I just received reports from Ukraine. People are freezing there. They urgently need money to help them. And what do you do? They stand here and say ‘We want peace’. They don't want that at all. And one more thing, and I know that from my Austrian friends, these FPÖs there – they worship Trump, you worship Trump. What did Trump do? He has imposed high tariffs on European goods. This puts the economy in Hungary at a disadvantage. She's already so bad. Your friend Trump is hurting you and you keep cheering him. Maybe it's because he gives money. And that's why: If the FPÖ cheers Trump, he will harm Austria. No, we want a strong Europe and an end to corruption in Hungary.

20

Jan

2026

Speeches EN

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Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter – annual report 2025 (debate)

Madam President, I am very grateful that I lived in this Europe. We have the European Convention on Human Rights and last year we had the 75th birthday, but we have to realise it is not a turning point, a Zeitenwende, as Scholz said; it is a Zeitenende, the end of the world how we knew it. It is now four years of Putin's war; he commits all possible crimes and what he is planning is a genocide. We know it. Then we have Mr Trump and I quote Stephen Miller, one of his most important advisors; he says the world is governed by strength, by force, by power. Just a few minutes ago, Trump said on the American television he wants to destroy the United Nations. And what says Soloviev, one of Putin's friends? Humans are made for war. In war, you see the good characteristics of humans. That is the world we live in. But here we have our Europe. We have a strong, united Europe and we can keep our human rights here in Europe. We will work for it. We will fight for it.

20

Jan

2026

Speeches DE

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Brutal repression against protesters in Iran (debate)

(Start of speech when microphone is switched off) ... Mr President, High Representative, ladies and gentlemen! The figures we hear from Iran are frightening, with 20,000 dead and many injured. What I heard today: This terror regime has apparently also brought Hezbollah fighters to assassinate even more people in Iran. We have to face the realities. However, one thing is also the case: This regime has lost something, namely that people are no longer afraid. People take to the streets. That is why we need to support them all the more in different areas. Now I'm sometimes asked: Why? What do we care about Iran? And here I say: Yes, there are many reasons. Firstly: We are also threatened. There has been talk of cyberattacks. Secondly: Many people from Iran live with us, work with us, help us and are a very important part of our society. Of course, human rights also apply to us. Of course we have to look closely there. That is why we must support the opposition even more. And I also ask that it be discussed, is it Reza, are there others? In any case, I believe that we should invite opposition members to join us in the committee to discuss with the people how we can support Iran even more.