Speeches

Madam President, colleagues, Europe is not short of savings. It is short of investments. Every year, billions of euros leave Europe because our capital markets remain fragmented. At the same time, our companies struggle to access the financing they need. We need deeper market integration, fewer national barriers and smarter regulation that actually unlocks the capital. That also means looking seriously at the role of pension funds. If properly deregulated and enabled to invest more broadly across the borders, they can become powerful long‑term investors in Europe's economy. Europe's savings should finance Europe's future. Our innovation, our transition and our competitiveness. The capital is here in the European Union. Now, we must remove the barriers that prevent it from working for our Europe.

Mr President, the recent energy crisis has shown how vulnerable our societies are, especially amid global instability such as the war in the Middle East. We are seeing sudden price spikes almost every day. We cannot always control geopolitics, but we can control our own policies, our regulations and taxes. And, as politicians, we must recognise that we can sometimes be part of the problem. Energy taxes account for about a quarter of the price households pay. Barriers to stronger energy connection across the Union still remain, even though it would help to lower the prices. We do not have enough instruments to counter price volatility of energies, and we are not supporting enough energies that ensure an independent and secure supply, including nuclear energy. The European Union should help the citizens. This is why this mandate must focus more on the social impact of the transition. I therefore welcome the Commission's proposal of this package.

Mr President, colleagues, a woman should not earn less simply because she is a woman. In Europe today, women earn 12 % less than men and then, if they retire, their pensions are 25 % lower. This gap does not appear overnight. It builds over a lifetime. Lower pay, career breaks, fewer opportunities. As an economist who worked on pension reform, I know one thing: unfair pensions start with unfair pay. If we want equal pensions, we need equal careers. That means pay transparency, better childcare and real opportunities for women in high‑value sectors because gender equality is not just social policy, it is Europe's economic strength.

Mr President, 'you are a loser', 'nobody likes you', 'you're fat': not nice, right? I know, trust me – I was there. Imagine being 14 and opening your favourite app to a screen full of messages attacking your looks, your identity, everything that makes you, you. It follows you everywhere – every day, every night. Bullying stays with you for years. 16% of young Europeans face that same pain online and it's heavier: anxiety, depression, isolation that can last for years. But let's be honest, we cannot ask young people to solve this alone. First, we must regulate the platforms that host this content. Only then can we educate and empower users to navigate the digital world responsibly. It's time for the Commission to regulate the platforms. Just as teachers wouldn't let children be bullied in a classroom, platforms cannot let it happen online. Behind every screen there is a child, a young adult, and behind every statistic, there is a human being whose mental health and future is at stake. Let's do something about it.

Mr President, a ceasefire was signed in Syria on 30 January. Any pause in fighting is welcomed, but the ceasefire alone does not mean safety for civilians. In recent months, across parts of Syria, civilians including Kurds and other minorities face insecurity, intimidation and serious human rights abuses. Even after the ceasefire, fear remains widespread. This is a human rights crisis that should concern Europe. Kurdish forces played a big role in defeating ISIS, and as their position weakens, security on the ground becomes more fragile, increasing risks for civilians and regional stability. Europe must stand clearly on the side of human dignity. Protecting minorities and defending basic rights must be central to any engagement on Syria.

Thank you for the question. Actually, this was what I was speaking about in my speech, that we need to adjust what was already done before, because it is causing obstacles to our industry.

Madam President, colleagues, I believe it is essential that we provide industry with stable and predictable conditions in which it can grow, innovate and invest. To do that, we must look honestly at how the market actually works and at the real figures – not only at political ambitions. In the EU, hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrids now account for over 44 % of new car registrations, and registrations are growing rapidly year by year. This growth shows that consumers are already choosing a range of technologies. Alternative solutions can contribute to emission reductions and help bridge the gap where full electrification is not yet feasible for all regions, all sectors, all users. We need a framework that supports innovation, rather than prescribing a single technological path. This is why I support the Commission's pragmatic review of 2035 regulation and placing technological neutrality at its core to ensure a realistic, inclusive and economically sustainable transition for Europe.

Mr President, dear colleagues, imagine losing someone you love, not being able to mourn them in peace, and even being forced to bury them in a place that is itself a crime scene. The Iranian authorities have installed security cameras and built concrete walls around the burial grounds. These acts are not isolated incidents, they are part of a continuing pattern of tyranny that has targeted the Baha'is for decades – from arbitrary arrests to denial of education, confiscation and systematic exclusion from public life. Colleagues, this is more than persecution: it is an attempt to erase the history and identity of the whole community. Europe must stand with Baha'is and with all those in Iran whose faith identity and very lives are under attack.

Mr President, colleagues, the European Parliament has managed to secure more funding for researchers in Horizon, more funding for transport, and additional resources for border management. These are real, concrete achievements, even if they don't make headlines every day – but they show how important this House is for our citizens. We push for policies that support growth while also strengthening our security – and this is why it is so important for Parliament to preserve its role in the annual budgetary procedure. Yes, to a simplified MFF, but with a clear and strong role for every institution: the Commission, the Council and Parliament. Parliament needs to play its part, especially in the implementation of the new Competitiveness Fund, which must benefit all regions and all citizens: from Romania to France, from Sweden to Italy. Parliament needs to advocate for this inclusive approach during the negotiations on the MFF.

Madam President, colleagues, we already know about Orbán's proximity to a bloody Russian president, but we didn't expect him to adopt the methods of Russian KGB. Sorry. Forgive me. FSB, as they call themselves nowadays. Mr Orbán allegedly offered Hungarian officials in the EU institutions to change, to become informants for his secret services. Dearest colleagues, that is not a Netflix plot. It is how the Hungarian regime now operates. If you refuse to sign an informant contract and spy on behalf of the Hungarian Government, you can be branded as a traitor of your own country. After letting Russian citizens unchecked enter the Schengen Area last year, after using Pegasus spyware against the opposition, Mr Orbán now seeks to spy on the institutions of which he is a part of. What will be the next? Falling people from the windows in Brussels? We must stop him and thank you for all your efforts, Mr Commissioner.

Madam President, Madam Minister, dear colleagues, how can an ordinary family make it to the end of the month when they need 15 annual salaries to buy an apartment? How can a young person survive when housing costs are rising by a quarter, year after year? There is one issue fuelling populism everywhere: the housing crisis. In the Netherlands, the far right won on the promise to fix the housing shortage. In Portugal, the far right gained power by pledging to fight soaring home prices. The reality is that the housing market is really going crazy. We need a clear plan for how to boost construction and fight inflation, but we don't need another empty declaration. This is my concrete call to all the leaders today and to you, Madam Minister.

Madam President, dear Prime Minister, this weekend in the Czech Republic, a populist billionaire, Andrej Babiš, won the elections despite the corruption scandals, and he will probably govern with his allies accused of violence on women and hate speech. The trend is spreading, because populists and extremists are leading the polls in Austria, Germany and France. Our liberal democracy is really sick. But Luxembourg remains a fortress – a fortress resilient against the wave of populism and extremism. Let me ask you, Mr Prime Minister: what is the secret? I believe in the young generation. We should give them more space and more power. And I believe that the young generation can heal our democracy.

Mr President, for too long, digital giants have profited from our European market without contributing fairly to our public finances or moderating hateful content. 'You deserve to die – you and your son.' This is what I sometimes receive on my social media. I use social platforms every day. My children do too. I always believed that they should connect people and inspire creativity, but today, too often, they do the opposite. Instead of dialogue, we see hate; instead of facts, we see disinformation, Russian trolls, anti-Semitism, homophobia. This is not the digital European space we stand for. We must recreate this space – a space for people with values, a space for respect, a space for democracy. And platforms must take responsibility for moderation, while at the same time paying their fair share in taxes. These are the sides of the same coin. Social platforms must go back to what they promised us: to connect people, not divide them; to inform, not to poison; to serve democracy, not to undermine it. Let's make sure they do.

Mr President, Mr Commissioner, dear colleagues, the major priority of the European Union must be security for our citizens. Without security, there is no growth, no social justice. All EU policies, including cohesion, must contribute to this goal. Today we have achieved a good result: a tax that enables stronger investment in defence. I welcome the changes to national allocation rules, and I am glad that the rule of law has been safeguarded. But this question is not settled: some governments will try to lower our ambition. Let me be clear: Parliament will remain a watchdog of the rule of law, especially in the next long-term budget.

Madam President, Mr Commissioner, next week, our shared priorities will become reality. But without proper revenues, they will remain just empty promises. That's why we need an own resources package that is politically viable, financially sufficient and stable. As Tom Cruise might say, it may look like mission impossible after so many years of blockage, but we must deliver – there is no other alternative. If we are serious about introducing new revenue streams, we must also be serious about how we manage the budget. We need to avoid fragmentation and we must protect European added value. That means governance of the budget based on genuine partnership with all relevant actors around the table.

Madam President, Mr Commissioner, next week, our shared priorities will become reality. But without proper revenues, they will remain just empty promises. That's why we need an own resources package that is politically viable, financially sufficient and stable. As Tom Cruise might say, it may look like mission impossible after so many years of blockage, but we must deliver – there is no other alternative. If we are serious about introducing new revenue streams, we must also be serious about how we manage the budget. We need to avoid fragmentation and we must protect European added value. That means governance of the budget based on genuine partnership with all relevant actors around the table.

Madam President, 'I am falling, I am falling, I have lost this fight. I leave with honour. I love this country. I love its people. Build a better future for them. I leave without hatred.' These were the final words of Milada Horáková, a politician, a patriot and a fearless defender of democracy. She was executed 75 years ago after a fake trial orchestrated by the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. Today we remember her not as a victim, but as a symbol – a symbol of courage, integrity and resistance against tyranny. Milada Horáková sacrificed herself for the values that define Europe today. In Horáková's time, it was Stalin in the Kremlin. Today, it's Putin, but the goal remains unchanged: to crush independence and to break the spirit of free nations. We must never forget her sacrifice, today more than ever, and we must never stop defending what she stood for.

Mr President, colleagues, on one side, we see the Iranian Government trying to arm itself and destabilise the world; and on the other, young Iranians, especially women, who simply want to dance, study free and enjoy life. On one side, the Iranian people are protesting and standing up for their rights; on the other, the government is sending drones to Russia to kill the people of Ukraine. On one side, we have an Iranian regime that executes more people than any other country in the world; and on the other, Dr Djalali, an imprisoned Iranian scientist who worked with European universities to save lives. We need to pick a side – I already did, long ago. What's happening in Iran concerns us all. If the regime stays in power, it's not only the Iranian people who will suffer. The risk of global escalation is real and its impact will be felt in our homes. We have no time. The EU must act!

Madam President, dear colleagues, the Union reacted swiftly and effectively to the pandemic – we stood united, supported businesses and protected jobs. In a moment of deep crisis, we showed that the EU is not a bureaucratic machine, it is a political community capable of real action. The recovery fund, of course, was not perfect. There were delays in implementation and the use of cross-border projects and ongoing issues with transparency. And despite the scale of the effort, only 13 countries requested loans, leaving billions unused. So the question becomes urgent: what do we do with the unused funds and the bonds already issued? I believe we should invest in our society, especially in defence. I welcome the Commission's recent proposals, because without security there can be no long-term growth on this continent. But we cannot ignore the elephant in the room. We don't have enough revenue to pay our debts. It is like asking a bank for a loan with no plan to pay back. How would any bank react? In two years, we face EUR 30 billion in repayments annually. That is nearly one fifth of the EU budget. There is only one sustainable solution: new own resources for the EU. Member States must act, the clocks are ticking. Let's give the Union the tools it needs for a stable and secure future.

Mr President, colleagues, today we are commemorating the end of the Second World War. The day of victory, courage and hope of those who fought for freedom and democracy because they believed that after the defeat of Nazism the free world would come. But in Central and Eastern Europe, instead of freedom, came another darkness. Those whom we had to call liberators for decades brought only new terror, executions, camps and totalitarianism. Evil is just another evil. Their victims were real heroes, RAF airmen, legionnaires or resistance fighters. They were all persecuted, imprisoned and punished because they meant everything to the totalitarian regime that the Moscow puppets did not have – freedom, heroism and love for democracy. Today, 80 years later, collaboration with evil is once again becoming a serious problem for the whole of Europe. Our democracy even allows some supporters of fascism and communism to still sit with us here in the European Parliament and have the audacity to spread Russian propaganda and lies. I wish we, like our war heroes, had the courage to face evil. Let's start calling things by the right names. A true liberator can never bring about a new totalitarianism. I dedicate my speech to all Czechoslovak heroes, including RAF airmen, who were murdered and tortured by communists after the end of the Second World War.

Madam President, dear colleagues, today we speak not only as elected representatives, but as defenders of freedom and dignity. The suspicious death of the Tibetan spiritual leader while in custody is not just a tragedy – it's a warning. A warning that authoritarian regimes will stop at nothing to silence voices of faith, culture and integrity. We must call this what it is: repression. Repression that crosses borders; repression that violates not only human rights, but human dignity. The Chinese Communist Party seeks not just to govern; it seeks to erase – to erase the soul of the people, their traditions, their leaders. Europe must not look away. We call for an international investigation, we demand accountability and we stand in unwavering solidarity with the Tibetan people. If Europe truly stands for human rights, then we must not allow economic interests to justify our silence.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, North Korea is training its troops in Ukraine. The Iranians are testing their new military technology. President Trump is trying to enrich Ukraine's mineral wealth, and now even Slovak Prime Minister Fico will stand on Red Square applauding the Bucha killers. This is the reality of today's world. We were naive to think, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, that liberal democracy would win. The opposite is happening today. But I don't want such a world for my children. That is why I joined politics and ran for the European Parliament. I think of Ukrainian mothers who fall asleep every night praying for their daughters and sons who proudly defend their homeland to survive another day. For them, we must find peace, not peace at any cost, as some would like, but peace that will ensure the security and independence of Ukraine, because Ukraine is the hope for all democracies in the world.

Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, Europe is losing ground. Years of investment shortfalls and excessive regulation are costing us our global competitiveness. The same goes for defence. There's war once again on our continent. We must be able to ensure security for our citizens. These are the challenges we face. And yes, we need more funding, but not at any cost. We need clear, simple and transparent rules in the EU budget. Today, too many – from local mayors to leading researchers – struggle to access EU funds. They face a wall of bureaucracy and that must change. We also need stable new sources of revenue, with sufficient budgetary reserve in order to be prepared for what comes next. But above all, managing the EU budget must remain a shared responsibility. How can national governments alone decide how to spend EU money in our regions without even asking what those regions need, and without Parliament's oversight? Mr Orbán will channel even more EU money to his pro-government friends. And if Mr Babiš returns to power, he will have even more free rein to continue his old games with EU funds. Mr Commissioner, we need a government that includes all actors and not to give all the keys to the national government.

Mr President, dear colleagues, what do regimes do when they fear their own citizens? In Iran, they imprison, torture and execute. Two Iranian activists were sentenced to death after trials that lasted just five minutes. The crime? Demanding freedom. Repression is deliberately used as a tool of political control to silence dissent and crush basic human rights. But when they try to silence the truth with all their power, independent journalism often remains civil societies' last hope. Radio Free Europe, through its Radio Farda, has long played that role. For years, it has provided Iranians with uncensored news, exposed state abuses and has given voice to those the regime tries to silence. It has helped keep the truth and resistance alive. Today, that work is at risk. With cuts in use in US funding, it's time for Europe to step up. We cannot afford to lose this crucial media, not when it plays such a vital role in supporting those fighting for freedom in Iran. Keeping Radio Free Europe alive means defending the people who depend on it and protecting the values we claim to stand for.