Speeches

Thank you very much, Mrs Princi! They have identified a variety of measures that are important to strengthen actual female entrepreneurship in rural areas. But this can only be achieved with reliable and stable financing. That is why my question relates to this. You have now tabled amendments to remove gender budgeting, calling into question reliable funding for women in all these areas that you have mentioned. Why do you do this and why don't you stand by the fact that women also have to be financially supported in entrepreneurship?

Madam President, On the weekend I was in Kröpelin with dough whispers. Two dedicated women have set up a café and a bakery there with the help of European funding. With an incredible amount of passion, they not only create jobs, but also places of encounter. They offer courses, bring people together and show how vibrant rural space can be. Such examples are courageous. They show what is possible when support arrives, when commitment meets the right framework conditions, when women in rural areas support our region. They secure supply, create jobs and keep their regions alive. And yet they repeatedly encounter structural hurdles. If you want to start a business, you need access to finance. If you want to unite family and self-employment, you need reliable childcare and a fair distribution of care work. Those who are economically active must not be left without social security in old age. And let me say one thing very clearly in the direction of the EPP: We do not see women and women with disabilities as an unused entrepreneurial resource. Structural discrimination prevents them from participating on an equal footing in our society and economy. It is significant that this finding is called into question. That is why we must all the more promote the amendment today. But for us: Women have the right to equal opportunities, respect and self-determination. That is our standard. And that's the only way we can move forward.

Mr President, Commissioner! The interim report makes it clear what weaknesses the Commission actually has in its proposal on the Multiannual Financial Framework: No clear budget, no planning certainty, no simplification for the beneficiaries and no clear perspective for rural areas, for the regions, for agriculture. That, ladies and gentlemen, is not in the interests of the citizens. And one must also say clearly: The funds that will then no longer come for the mentioned areas, which can not compensate any level. What does that mean? We attach the axe to these areas, and no one takes responsibility for it. I call on the Commission to do so. We don't need less Europe in such times, we need more. And this means that we are not putting the axe to cohesion and that we are not pitting different priorities, all of which are important, against each other. We must live up to our responsibilities. We need clear budgets, clear fund structures, planning certainty, clear participation of the regions, clear prospects for rural areas and agriculture. Europe needs to be closer to the people and not further away. And we have to make that clear.

Mr President! I was recently at the Rostock Goalballclub. I was allowed to train there for one morning. Goalball is an inclusive sport in which two teams try to throw a sounding ball into a 9 meter wide goal. All players wear blindfolds. So everyone has the same preconditions, no matter if someone can see or not. This game requires the highest concentration, trust in the team and respect for each other. This is what our political work is all about. Equal opportunities for all. This is the aim of the Anti-Discrimination Directive, which we in the European Union have been waiting for far too long. The promise must be clear. No matter who you are, what you look like, who you love, how old you are or whether you have a disability, you should be able to shape your life freely. Right now we need these clear signals, because equality and tolerance are under attack. And right-wing forces are trying to destroy our cohesion. What particularly impressed me in Rostock was the strong team spirit. These young people oppose increasing hatred and violence with solidarity and fairness. That gives me courage. Let us work together to ensure that this principle applies everywhere in Europe and that we finally start the fight against discrimination!

Madam President, Commissioner! Gossiping – this is what we do here almost every day. One louder and firmer, the other quieter and hesitant. It's hard to imagine people being arrested for gossiping in public. But that is exactly what happens again and again in Belarus. There, women or even young people are punished because they demand justice. They are carrying protests. Those who think freely risk de-registration, imprisonment and the loss of the future. Many of them are now in prison, while others are in exile. In Belarus, it is enough to gossip together to be considered a threat to public order. We can't look away. Political prisoners must be released immediately. At the same time, targeted sanctions against those who order torture and repression are needed, as well as concrete support for Belarusian students, journalists and activists, both on the ground and in exile, through scholarships, visa facilitation and humanitarian aid. Let us applaud the people of Belarus who are clapping for their freedom – loud, clear and with the strength of the centre of this House. Hope for a European future.

Madam President, Commissioner! The anti-Semitic attack by the terrorist organization Hamas two years ago today marks the worst day in the history of Jews since the Shoah. It was also a turning point for Jewish life here in Europe. Since then, we have witnessed an alarming rise in anti-Semitic incidents on our continent: Attacks on synagogues, hate speech online, Jewish students who no longer dare to go to school, and people who hide their identity. In my home region of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania alone, there was a 77 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents documented from 2023 to 2024. Anti-Semitism has always been a threat. But today it is louder, more visible and more socially tolerated than we have experienced for decades. It is a test of our European values. We need to be clear: Hatred against Jews cannot be justified in any form – not by politics, not by ideology and not by anger over events in the Middle East. Europe must remain a place where Jews can live safely and with dignity. This is also our historical responsibility. Europe was once hell for Jews. Now Europe should be a home for all and not a place of fear. That's what we have to stand for. Never again is now!

I would be interested if you were to incite such hatred against other groups of people here in Parliament as you can actually stand here and say that you are standing up against anti-Semitism. Exactly that – anti-Semitism, hatred – leads to exactly what you have put forward here. They play different groups of people against each other. This incites hatred. This threatens our European values. In the end, this also threatens Jews who want to live peacefully here: this hatred – this hatred against which we all want to act here.

Mr President, Commissioner! Recently, I just wanted to buy a jersey, a women's football European Championship jersey. No matter where I was looking: Nothing to find on the ground. Instead, the shelves full of men's jerseys, although currently there is no championship. A small moment that shows how big the differences are. And that's what it's all about: One of the central concerns of strengthening the European sport model is equality between women and men in sport. Because women do enormous things: in clubs, as coaches, as functionaries, as athletes. They wear the sport – often in the shade, often in unequal conditions. We rightly demand equal pay, fair promotion, equal visibility. With the adoption of the report on the European model of sport, Europe is clearly committed to a sport based on values, participation and solidarity. Sport is more than just an economic factor. It is a public good, a place where people meet, live in community, overcome borders. This foundation must not be undermined by commercialisation or investor interest. Sport must be open to all – achievable, affordable, regardless of origin, gender, skills or income. Sport is more than a competition. It is an encounter, cohesion and a school of democracy, especially in rural areas, where associations are often the heart of social life. This is where investment is often lacking. Many halls and squares are threatened by closures or urgently need to be renovated. This is especially true of young people. A vicious circle arises: Fewer opportunities to exercise, meet, be active lead to withdrawal, lack of perspectives and community. In short: From the sports field to the sofa. That mustn't happen. That is why we need to strengthen the structures: through reliable promotion, fair opportunities and more room for manoeuvre and compatibility with sport. Europe stands for a sport that is fair, diverse and regionally rooted – a sport that connects, strengthens and leaves no one behind.

Mr President! A young student from a small town in a rural region. Your parents have never had the opportunity to go on vacation abroad. She is the first in her family to graduate from high school and study. She doesn’t even know how such a study is going, she has no one to ask – questions such as ‘How do I finance my studies?’, ‘Am I good enough?’, ‘Can I do that?’ torment her. For this young woman, Europe seems far away – an idea on paper, but not part of her everyday life. This is where the European University Alliances come in: They enable exchange, innovation and create a new generation of European students. But these opportunities must also apply to everyone. European exchanges, for example via Erasmus+, must not only be for those whose parents can afford them. It must also be available to young people from rural areas with little money or from difficult living conditions. European cooperation is more than just an advantage for the labour market. It shows that Europe is there for everyone. It is the promise that it is not origin that determines the future, but education. I hope that this student gets this chance from the beginning to realize her dreams. And this is what we are trying to do together with the European University Alliances.

Madam President, Dat Plattdüütsch mutt blieven and a strong cohesion policy too. The proposals on the multiannual financial framework will be presented by the Commission next week. The opening sentence stands not only for one language, but for a whole sense of life. That language, culture and belonging are not old-fashioned, but part of what makes Europe strong. Whether in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, near the Sorbs or elsewhere: There are people all over Europe who want to preserve their language, traditions and regional identity – often without much support. This is where cohesion policy comes in. It wants small regions, cultural minorities and regional languages in the EU to finally be taken seriously. Regional culture and language are not a luxury, they are part of our common European identity. We need a policy that supports exactly that, with visibility, with access to education, promotion, cross-border cooperation and with the space to live and speak one’s own language – of course. Dat Plattdüütsch mutt blieven and all the other languages and cultures as well. This will only be possible if regions continue to play a central role in the future multiannual financial framework. I call on the Commission to do so. Because what makes Europe strong is its diversity and cohesion. This only works side by side with the regions.

Their presentation and the focus on the farmers misunderstands the gathering. It is not a game for farmers and rural areas. This is the mistake that has happened in recent years. We need to bring the two together to create real future prospects for rural areas. How do you want to ensure that only one thing is focused and you even accuse the cohesion funds of falling into the wrong hands? In rural areas, there are numerous people who work every day with commitment for projects, for civic houses, for encounters. You say these are the wrong hands? Something doesn't go together. They play different people in rural areas against each other. In fact, rural areas must pull together and strengthen cohesion. That's important. How do you want to achieve this if you play the people in rural areas against each other in this way?

Madam President, Mr Executive Vice-President! Recently I was in Zislow, a small village in the middle of the rural area of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Beautifully located, characterized by people who love their home. The average age is high, young families are missing, and yet you feel something precious – commitment, ideas and cohesion. The rural area is alive. Not because everything is simple, but because people stand up for each other and actively shape their homes. What is needed is not an expression of pity, but real support, because where people design their home with heart and hand, community is created. It is precisely this cohesion that we must promote. We are talking about a Europe that sticks together. This is precisely the aim of cohesion policy. But cohesion can only be achieved if we think along with all regions. Rural spaces are not a side note. They are a habitat for millions of people. They stand for commitment, innovation and community. If we neglect them, Europe will fall out of balance – politically, economically and socially. It is a mistake that the Commission, with its mid-term review plans and the plans for the new multiannual financial framework, is increasingly focusing on industrial centres, putting entire regions on the sidelines. Not with us! We stand for participation instead of dependence, for opportunities instead of emigration, for the right to live in one's own region of origin, with good infrastructure, fair educational opportunities and a strong public service. We stand for a Europe that leaves no one behind.

Madam President, Commissioner! Culture lives not only in the metropolises, but in the regions, in small places, in committed initiatives. This is where spaces, means and visibility are often lacking. That is why the initiative of the Kulturkompass is all the more important. Culture is more than art and entertainment: It is a link; It creates encounter, understanding and community. It is a space in which differences do not mean separation, but enrich us. At a time when polarisation and exclusion are on the rise, it is all the more important to strengthen this unifying character of culture. It gives us the opportunity to build bridges – between generations, between countries, between realities of life. Culture must be accessible and accessible to all. This is why we need targeted support for structurally weak regions, easier access to funding and, above all, real local participation. This is the only way to make cultural policy more than a compass. It will become a common movement that makes Europe tangible – close, colourful and alive.

Mr President, Commissioner! Imagine: a young student from a small town in a rural region. Your parents have never had the opportunity to go on vacation abroad, and financial worries are commonplace. For this young woman, Europe seems far away – an idea on paper, but not part of her everyday life. But she's not alone. Many young people do not have the chance to get in touch with peers from other countries. They lack the opportunity to really experience Europe because it is too expensive, because the school does not offer it or because no one cares about it. This is where the European School Alliance comes in. It offers young people the opportunity to work together across borders, to discover new perspectives and to make friends. Programmes such as Erasmus+ and eTraining allow students to get to know other cultures, practice languages and understand what European cooperation means. But these opportunities must apply to everyone. European exchanges must not only be for young people whose parents can afford them. It must also reach those who find it harder – young people from families with little money, from small villages, from difficult living conditions. School is the key. They can ensure that all young people can participate in exchange programmes, regardless of their parents' income or level of education. But that only works if we break down hurdles and create more opportunities. This is why we need more financial support for disadvantaged students, digital and local exchange formats, more information in schools to help everyone learn about opportunities and more money for programmes such as Erasmus+ and eTraining. European exchanges are more than just an advantage for the labour market. It changes people; It makes you more open, curious and confident. And above all, it shows that Europe is for everyone, not just for some. It is the promise that it is not origin that determines the future, but education. I hope that the student from the beginning of my speech gets this chance. And who knows, maybe at some point she will be standing here in front of you in the European Parliament and is one of the youngest MEPs and is committed to making sure that even more young people want to discover Europe.

Madam President, Thank you very much, Commissioner. Education must be accessible to all, regardless of social background or place of residence. A strong Europe needs equal opportunities. Erasmus+ stands for what makes the EU strong: Exchange, education, equal opportunities. It has opened doors to millions of young people. However, not everyone benefits: What about the young people in rural areas, the apprentices, the craftsmen, the carers? Financial hurdles and lack of information often hold them back; That shouldn't stay that way. We need better funding for Erasmus+, targeted information campaigns. At the same time, we need to better cover the costs so that everyone can afford an Erasmus+ stay. In all the debates on competitiveness, it is important to: Education is a fundamental right. Erasmus+ is not just about strengthening the labour market; it strengthens social cohesion, promotes intercultural competences and makes a united Europe tangible. In short: Erasmus+ not only produces professionals, but also cosmopolitan, committed citizens. Let's have a real Union of Skills Give everyone the same opportunities!

Madam President, Madam Executive Vice-President! Digitalisation, artificial intelligence and demographic change are rapidly changing the labour market. But this change must leave no one behind. The key to this is vocational training in order to provide everyone, whether at the beginning or in the middle of working life, with the necessary skills to make them fit for the labour market. Programmes such as Erasmus+ or Interreg show how valuable international exchange is. Therefore, we need to further expand the exchange opportunities for apprentices and teachers. However, vocational training must also be promoted, especially in rural areas. Learning does not end with education. Lifelong learning is essential for professionals to keep pace with change. Continuing education is not a luxury, but a necessity. For all the challenges and changes that exist, it is important that we take all people with us and that no region is left behind. The promotion of vocational training is not only an economic but above all a social responsibility. Our task is to ensure that everyone has a fair chance to develop and is actively supported in the transformation of our world of work.

Mr President! A self-determined life in rural areas with good jobs, affordable housing, good education, a barrier-free infrastructure, where young and old live well and gladly. But the reality is often different. More and more people are playing city against country. Women are pushed into traditional roles, young people lack career prospects, and older people have a hard time reaching the necessary care infrastructure. The result: Many people leave their homes and move to cities. That shouldn't stay that way. Local people have the right to shape their future, where they are rooted, and Europe must support them. European cohesion policy offers great opportunities to address precisely these structural shortcomings and to create equal living conditions for all, for example through targeted support for women in rural areas, targeted training, support for start-ups, and improved work-life balance. Such measures strengthen women and also the entire region. They promote social cohesion. We should stop playing young against old, city against country against each other. Our job is to bring them closer together.

Mr President! The future of European security is decided in the Baltic Sea region. Submarine cables, pipelines and ports are essential for trade, connectivity and security of supply. But these critical infrastructures are under enormous pressure. The Russian shadow fleet is specifically mapping maritime facilities. Recent damage to submarine cables between Finland and Germany, Lithuania and Sweden clearly shows the threats. We need to act decisively through infrastructure diversification, improved monitoring and coordinated protection measures at European level. Where there are state threats, we need military protection in addition to civilian strategies. A strong alliance of states in the democratic Baltic Sea region is needed to defend values and resolutely counter threats from autocrats. My hometown Rostock has a special role to play in this development. Rostock is not only an important port location, but also a central coordination point for maritime security issues in the Baltic Sea region. This role needs to be further strengthened. We need to take the helm ourselves instead of continuing to expose ourselves to these threats.

Mr President! Brexit, the re-election of Trump and the elections in Romania: The impact of platforms like TikTok and other social media on our democracy is unmistakable. These events show the consequences of algorithms – driven by autocrats – deciding what content we see. In particular, autocrats try to radicalize young people via social media through anti-democratic, inhumane videos and create a parallel world characterized by hatred, hate speech and the spread of fear scenarios. Where no one else listens to rights, they get unrestricted access to a large audience on social media without being confronted with an actual supervisory authority. There is an increasing disinhibition of right-wing opinions and symbols, true to the motto ‘Get out of the digital space and into reality’. Central information campaigns and media literacy are needed. There is a need for better tracking and monitoring of online hatred, consistent prosecution of hate speech, fake news and incitement to violence offences. Social media should not incite fear and spread hatred and hatred. They are there to build bridges, to bring each other closer, to inspire us. Democracy does not end at national borders or on the Internet. For us, this means telling autocrats to fight there, too, and not making us dependent on the daytime mood of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg or even Vladimir Putin.