What Arno spoke about.

18

Jun

2026

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International Day of Play: promoting children’s right to play (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, In the USA, Mexico and Canada, the World Cup is currently running, and everyone is happy when their own national team comes far or outsiders such as Haiti or Cape Verde put a leg on one or the other favorite. In times of such major sporting events, we adults also discover the child in us: We wear the jerseys of our national team, make small flags on the windows of our cars or argue with our colleagues about the right line-up. We adults watch the games and then quickly get back to the serious issues of life. For our children, on the other hand, hopefully this seriousness does not yet exist; Playing is an elementary part of the day. It is important for children to get in touch with other children even at a young age. Social behaviour, respect, communication, mutual consideration – this is much easier to learn in a playful way in one’s own experience with peers than if we parents only explain these values theoretically. It is not without reason that the right to play, leisure and recreation is also enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – even binding. It reads as follows: States Parties recognise the right of the child to rest and leisure, to play and active recreation in accordance with his or her age, and to participate freely in cultural and artistic life. However, this reasonable confession must also be made possible every day with reasonable decisions. Inflation, rising cost of living, rising energy costs, rising social security contributions or even unemployment – more and more low-income people in the European Union are also increasing child poverty, and this is a development that we all need to fight across party lines. Now it doesn't always have to be the most expensive doll, it doesn't always have to be the most expensive football boot, but let's not fool ourselves: Beyond the love we all feel for our children, financial problems can very well have a negative impact on our children's development. As leaders in politics, we must work to ensure that there is at least a basic equality of opportunity in education, that talents are promoted and not the income of parents decides on the future development of our children. And if our children are happy, play with each other, maybe even argue with each other, but then get along again, then we as adults may be able to learn something from it. I can say – you probably feel the same way: If my daughter successfully hits the basketball hoop with a throw and then shines on me, it's more valuable than any world championship title.

20

May

2026

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High time to deliver on the Single Market, providing certainty and predictability for EU businesses and quality jobs (continuation of debate)

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, Today we celebrate Bee Day. The European Commission is using this debate on the single market to lubricate us with beautiful terms such as ‘more competition’ or ‘new quality jobs’. But the reality still looks very different thanks to high energy prices, nonsensical bureaucracy and ideological delusion. In Germany, 10,000 jobs disappear in industry every month. The number of corporate insolvencies is rising to a maximum, a peak in 20 years. Your self-praise is wrong here. Citizens are therefore wondering on Bee Day if you might have a sting. Take German Social Minister Bärbel Bas as an example. There is no immigration into social security systems. Just a few months ago, the same Social Democrat Bas announced measures against social fraud and poverty migration from south-eastern Europe. This balancing act is more than adventurous. Sanctions against the abuse of EU freedom of movement are urgently needed. Today is also International Fair Day – and it is, no joke, this year’s theme is ‘Building trust in politics’. The right measurement will come in the upcoming elections. Then those who have lost measure and center will be cast out. And please pay special attention to the blue bar with the 50% plus x.

19

May

2026

Speeches DE

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Presentation of the Fertilisers Action Plan (debate)

(Start of speech when microphone is switched off) … is of interest to every farmer. It's the livelihood we have. Therefore, it is also utter nonsense that sometimes it is presented, for example – I have no idea – that livestock farmers use CO2 to protect the environment.2 burden or anything. Every farmer needs nature in order to be able to farm. Of course! But it cannot be – I come from the region of Saxony-Anhalt in Germany, where ten years ago there was such an EU system where you were no longer allowed to enter the Elbe dikes, the Elbe meadows, because it was said that yes, somehow the soil could be crushed where farmers have been working for centuries. That's just weird. People, I say it in German, don't want to be fooled, and that's what this EU unfortunately does. We must help farmers, we must not throw sticks in their way. And I also like to call on you not only to be creative, not only to think things up, but to participate.

19

May

2026

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Presentation of the Fertilisers Action Plan (debate)

Mr. Sieper, unlike you, I know a lot of farmers, was himself active in a family business. And believe me, no farmer is scared of anyone at all. Farmers want to be left alone. They want to do their job. They do not want to be regulated. They don't want to be limited. Above all, they want a market economy, which has been common practice here for 50 or 60 years. They don't want a planned economy. And we say what people want. I didn't see you outside today. I haven't seen many of you outside today. Why not? Talk to the farmers and then learn something about it!

19

May

2026

Speeches DE

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Presentation of the Fertilisers Action Plan (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! The colleague had his rubber boots with him, I have the imaginary Mistforke today with: Sustainability standards, documentation obligations, CO2-Accounting, guarantees of origin and reporting obligations - every diligent farmer gets panicked about these terms. Unfortunately, all these horror tools of the Green Deal also part of the fertiliser action plan under discussion today. You can turn around, you can turn around as you like: Farmers don't want green fertilizer, farmers want affordable fertilizer. This affordable fertilizer is produced where energy prices are favorable. We have very high energy prices in Europe. Maybe you haven't seen it yet? Did you miss that? Germany is the sad leader here thanks to the green crazy economic policy of recent years. Billion-dollar packages for the corrupt government in Ukraine, as well as expressions of will to join the EU, and at the same time you are cutting billions of euros in subsidies for farmers – do you seriously believe that the farmers who are also outside today will continue to put up with this? No, no! No to the error of the green planned economy! Our ESN Group is backing our farmers. We will reject this planned fertiliser debacle.

30

Apr

2026

Answers DE

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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)

I can, of course, try to enlighten you, but I think this light is difficult to awaken in you. I listen to your speeches often. So, I don't know what report from the WHO you've read. I have read one that recommends a certain number of kilos and which is even considered healthy, namely protein-rich, nutrient-rich. And that's nothing negative, that's good. I live in a market economy. They like socialism, even in agriculture. But there is no such thing. The market economy means: Demand determines supply. Europeans want to eat the meat, and they should get it. And we have to create the foundations, the structures that farmers can work. Unfortunately, your policy is heading in the wrong direction.

30

Apr

2026

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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)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Almost everywhere in Europe these days the temperatures are climbing to over 20 degrees. And many Europeans take the opportunity to start the barbecue season. You get the grill out of the garage, you get the charcoal out, put it on the grill, grill on it, steak, bratwurst – and then off you go. This has been a good tradition for many years and should remain so. Of course, the green climate hysteric and chives advocate breaks out in panic, tears or snapping breath. Coal is a dangerous climate killer. Cheerful farting cattle also drive the CO2-Imprint in height. And meat? Meat: unhealthy, dangerous. The apocalypse is imminent. No, it's not like that. On the contrary: Meat is healthy, meat tastes good to Europeans. In Germany alone, citizens consumed almost 55 kilograms of meat last year, and the trend is rising. And this is guaranteed by functioning structures in our agriculture. I was very pleased – from personal experience – to read in the report by colleague Carlo Fidanza that the role of regional, local slaughterhouses was emphasised. This is important in order to prevent things as well as animal transports and suffering of animals, if animals are kept on site, slaughtered on site, is produced. This is the future for Europe. And, I say it a bit salop, only a grilled sausage is also a good sausage.

29

Apr

2026

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Discharge 2024: EU general budget – European Parliament (A10-0081/2026 - Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy) (vote)

29

Apr

2026

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Discharge 2024: EU general budget – Commission (A10-0085/2026 - Daniel Freund) (vote)

28

Apr

2026

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Joint debate - Discharge 2024 (joint debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen. Now we already have April, but the Merz is still there – this is bad for Germany. The fact that Mrs von der Leyen, his party friend, is still there is bad for Europe. It must defend a budget here today – or it will be presented – which is also bad for us. Let's take a look at this, and above all you up there, you up there, the young people have to pay back this money at some point, which is taken in here in the member countries, in order to make debts, to finance an EU that often works against our own interests. Billions to Ukraine, one of Europe's most corrupt countries, which even begins to destroy our own infrastructure. Billions for questionable climate projects, for renewable energies and what do I know. Many billions for NGOs, which partly run counter to our own policy – keyword refugee policy – in sea rescue, or those who in Hanover in Germany are spending millions on family members, who set up associations, where money is pumped in, where party friends control their own party friends in the authorities or not. It's all going in the wrong direction. The AfD is not only currently the strongest party in Germany. We're cleaning up this place.

27

Apr

2026

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Protection of the European Union’s financial interests – combating fraud – annual report 2024 (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! First of all, it is very significant that the Social Democrats reject this report against or in favour of combating fraud. As elected MPs, we owe it to our tax-paying fellow citizens that we vigorously defend ourselves against fraud, financial abuse and corruption. Unfortunately, however, the European Union offers open gateways for fraudsters through the growth of senseless bureaucracy. It becomes particularly crass and unjust when personal contacts and political affiliations enable criminal access to the money of our citizens in the first place. This is what happened in Hanover, where a SPD city councillor with the best contacts, together with her social democratic family, founded an association for the integration of refugees. Around one million euros went to the European Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for courses and events that only existed on paper. Especially in the home of Ursula von der Leyen – by the way also Green Mayor, Hanover – one should think that the misuse of EU funds is prevented with all its might. Or was it not politically desirable to stop this abuse? With the AfD, this corrupt swamp of the old parties is in any case drained. Step by step. We accept this order...

12

Mar

2026

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Ban on the sale of nitrous oxide to the general public (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, If you have listened to your colleague from the Social Democrats, you almost have to worry that perhaps one or the other of his colleagues is somewhere with nitrous oxide cartridges - hopefully not! Dear friends, the American dentist Horace Wells discovered nitrous oxide in 1844 and applied it in self-experiment. The good man didn't want to get intoxicated. Rather, the purpose of his practice was to search for a suitable anesthetic to allow himself to be pulled a wisdom tooth without pain. The trial ended successfully, and so nitrous oxide was used for many years at the dentist or for moderately painful surgical procedures as a short-term anesthesia. Incidentally, Horace Wells would not have dreamed himself during his anesthesia that around 200 years later we are debating a ban on the spread of nitrous oxide here in the EU ‑ Parliament. In the meantime, nitrous oxide also plays a subordinate role in medicine. But instead, nitrous oxide is widely used as an intoxicant among adolescents. Side effects include dizziness, nausea, or even fainting with low consumption. In the case of severe nitrous oxide poisoning, there is even a risk of damage to the spinal cord or nervous system, as studies have shown. Especially with adolescents, we must not look away there and must act. In Germany, the Bundestag therefore passed a ban on nitrous oxide for children and adolescents in December. Thus, for example, publicly accessible vending machines with nitrous oxide will be a thing of the past in the future. Especially in young people, the protection against side effects and late consequences must always be in the foreground. So far, so good. And this can therefore also be regulated very well at national level, as shown in Germany. However, a general ban on the distribution of nitrous oxide would not be comprehensible. In this case, it should already be up to the responsible adult to decide whether he wants to buy nitrous oxide for whatever reason. There is no need for patronage of citizens, either nationally or at European level. There is no need for a new culture of prohibition. There may be people who go to the basement to laugh and who experience a few rare happy moments with a dose of nitrous oxide. We can find this good or bad here, but as Members of Parliament we do not have to make regulations for adult people about their consumption behaviour. And finally, I would like to appeal in general for the green ban mentality to disappear from Parliament here. The freedom of our citizens is non-negotiable.

11

Mar

2026

Speeches DE

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Package travel and linked travel arrangements: make the protection of travellers more effective and simplify and clarify certain aspects (debate)

10

Mar

2026

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Single Market: how to move from an incomplete single market to one market for one Europe (debate)

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Today for you: Patriotic rhetoric against political inconsistencies. First of all, congratulations and respect for Women's Day. But my speech is about the single market. Citizens and businesses are oppressed by bureaucrats, Freedom of speech and criticism from ideologues. Heating, energy and fuel sent by lobbyists – and daring and entrepreneurial spirit of von der Leyen suffocated. With green hair: Left-wing mob discovered on the street – He has been unchecked in Parliament for years. You are hypocrites – you must forgive me for that – You tolerate left-wing extremists in your own ranks. We want peace, but you send cartridges. You want war, we want sovereign nations. And despite leftist propaganda on every state broadcaster. Let us fight for a Europe of sovereign fatherlands. People vote for AfD, they want real representatives of the people. No hypocrites, no spinners, no weak quieters. Politics without heart is like ouzo without anise. We want less Merz, we want a lot more Alice. And the trend is our friend here in the EU ‑Parliament – The AfD is growing because everyone in our country is burning for the fatherland.

12

Feb

2026

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Cooperation among enforcement authorities regarding unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain (debate)

11

Feb

2026

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Urgent actions to revive EU competitiveness, deepen the EU Single Market and reduce the cost of living - from the Draghi report to reality (debate)

21

Jan

2026

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Online piracy of sports and other live events: urgent need to address unsolved issues (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen. For millions of sports fans like me, the Internet age is a real dream. At the moment you can see major events such as the Australian Open in tennis or the European Championship in handball worldwide. Or take the victory goal from Niclas Füllkrug last weekend for AC Milan – available anywhere in the world. Of course, the real fan wants to be there live. But if Bayern Munich plays against Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League tonight, this game can usually only be watched by those who also have a paid subscription – and that's right. In the end, the sport is a business and the salary of the footballer Niclas Füllkrug also needs to be refinanced, and that usually goes beyond the broadcasting rights. So far, so good. Online pirates, however, use technical tricks to stream live sports for free via their own portals and to generate illegal profits through advertising there. Although this may seem interesting for the low-income sports fan at first, it is ultimately nothing more than fraud. The EU Commission now considers it a clever idea to regulate this online piracy centrally. It is believed that over the Digital Services Act and the so-called Trusted flagrs Collect user data. Then the sports hater sits in his armchair, annoys himself about the loud cheers of his neighbor and contacts the spying service of his trust that the neighbor is watching football illegally. Ladies and gentlemen, I come from the former GDR. What we do not need in Europe is a new sports stasi – we certainly do not need it. We need strong legislation in the Member States instead. Here, providers of illegal portals must be stopped immediately by blocking orders, so that the corresponding transmission is interrupted during the live events. Here, the criminal energy must be stopped, not only with the consumer, who probably looks at such sporting events quite legally, quite naively also in the net. A total Europe-wide control would be a classic own goal.

17

Dec

2025

Answers DE

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Implementation of the rule of law conditionality regime (debate)

Mr Sieper, unlike you, I come from a country where exactly this has taken place, namely the GDR. There was a Stasi who harassed people, who picked people up. Clarification of a matter was then called, and there were some people gone, who were even gone for years. I never want to get there. And unfortunately we still have a left-wing majority here, which does exactly what has already been described here in the discussion, namely keep people away from elections, in other countries, certain countries, reverse elections. That's exactly the problem. This does not fit into a democracy. That's why it's also said in the USA, that's not how it goes on here in Europe. We will also not be a reliable partner for other countries in the world if we trample on democracy here. You have to write it behind your ears.

17

Dec

2025

Answers DE

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Implementation of the rule of law conditionality regime (debate)

So, I can tell you, I'm here in the current term of office, for the next three and a half years, almost four years. I don't know what happened in the past. The ID group no longer exists. There will be controls. And if there's abuse... (Remarks by Daniel Freund when the microphone is switched off) – Please leave me alone, Mr. Freund! If abuse should have taken place, it will be investigated and then it will have consequences. Quite simply, as is customary under the rule of law. Point. We will also, in this period, use funds for NGOs Investigate where you have been very active in resisting it. Unfortunately, the majorities are now different. And we're going to uncover things there and there's going to be numbers on the table – so and so. And there will be some who will look around.

17

Dec

2025

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Implementation of the rule of law conditionality regime (debate)

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, Friends of the Rules of Procedure! They are looking for a sad example of the hypocrisy of the EU Commission under Ursula von der Leyen. Behind the bulky term conditionality is even a prime example. Think of the non-transparent procedure for obtaining overpriced vaccine doses. Think about buying overpriced masks based on old rope groups in CDU and CSU. Or think of the many billions of euros of support flowing into Ukraine. Corrupt officials fill their pockets and therefore have no interest at all in the end of this war. billion euro to Ukraine - whatever it takes – in a country ranked 105th in Transparency International’s Corruption Index. And such a corrupt country, you also want to take it into the EU – a slap in the face for every decent taxpayer. At the same time, Hungary will be deprived of €6.3 billion for alleged breaches of the rule of law. In Germany, there are state obstructions to the freedom of the press. Here, candidates of the largest opposition party AfD are kept away from elections or not even admitted in the first place. Deputies are legally persecuted, harassed and the entire party is monitored by the domestic intelligence service. There is even talk of a ban here. Should the European Commission take action for breaches of the rule of law? Not known. The new security strategy of the US government has recognized these problems very well. And if you continue to measure with double standards here, the citizens of Europe will soon take the tape measure away from you.

15

Dec

2025

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Breeders' protests following a lumpy-skin-disease outbreak in France: implications of the EU approach on sanitary and on animal health (debate)

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, As a rule, French colleagues have just spoken, and it was about the skin nodule disease. In Germany, too, a case of bluetongue has recently occurred. A disease with a similar course, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and which - this is the good news - is harmless to humans at first, but which massively limits the performance of the cows. The milk yield is limited and the animals are accordingly stressed and die in the worst case. I do not want to see scenes in Germany, France or anywhere else in the European Union where tear gas is shot at farmers, at farmers who fight and fight for their existence. That should embarrass us all. I do not want to see such scenes in Brussels on Thursday, when the European Council is meeting, but there is no need to be surprised. Farmers need to be taken seriously. And those who do not take the concerns of the farmers seriously will also receive such a protest. Therefore: It is only with each other and never against each other.

15

Dec

2025

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Amending certain CAP Regulations as regards the conditionality system, types of intervention in the form of direct payment, types of intervention in certain sectors and rural development and annual performance reports, data and interoperability governance, suspensions of payments annual performance clearance and controls and penalties (debate)

Madam President, Ladies and Gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen, The common European policy, the common agricultural policy in Europe, can only work if our farmers are also able to have added value and pass this added value on to consumers. The report presented – as has been said on several occasions – is heading in the right direction. But he's not the big hit yet. Our ESN Group understands that many of you, especially from the EPP, cannot get rid of the misguided policies of recent years from one day to the next like used underpants. You need a transition to preserve your face. That is why there is a certain amount of approval from us here. However, it must also be clear that these corrections of the current funding period can only be the beginning. Because in the new funding period, comprehensive changes to the draft submitted by the EU Commission are required. Reductions of EUR 80 billion are absolutely unacceptable. And you know that too. The planned complete cancellation of the area aid for farmers of retirement age is a slap in the face of all those farmers who want to continue working or who have to work because of low pensions or perhaps because of ongoing loans. A lot of money is not the solution to all problems. But if we want to have high-quality agricultural products produced together in the EU, then we must also financially inferior to this quality in some form. We must achieve a financial strengthening of the common agricultural policy in the new period. We still need to support young farmers in the future, but without actually forcing older farmers into retirement. We do not need double or triple documentation obligations and constant checks, especially for smaller companies. These farms should focus on their practical work in the fields or in the stable. Nor do we need a Mercosur agreement with a flood of inferior imports. At the end of the year, let's say thank you to the farmers for their valuable work!

25

Nov

2025

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Protection of minors online (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, dear guests! Probably everyone here in the European Parliament will support the protection of children and young people online. But how can this protection be achieved? The answer from the left spectrum is always: new regulation. Data is to be collected, data is to be stored and this data is to be exercised and evaluated to control people’s behaviour – a gateway to a totalitarian surveillance state. To this end, the Commission regulates young people's access to social media such as Facebook, Tiktok or Instagram. Access to content should be restricted or even censored. With pornography or glorification of violence, that makes sense. But in the case of culture, fashion, sport or society, these restrictions make no sense, because here every young person can and should get an impression of himself. Why don't our children walk on busy roads? Why don't they jump off high bridges and why don't they eat poisonous mushrooms? Because as parents, we taught them. And because our kids aren't stupid, they understand. Now the Internet is more complex and we may not always be up to date there. But ultimately, it's no different than the potential dangers in real life: Through education, education and education, we should create an awareness of what we are allowed and what we are not allowed to do. In addition to parental education, the early teaching of media literacy in schools would also be a particularly important component here. In any case, total control is not part of the solution, because free access to information is precisely the great strength of the Internet, also for the citizens of Europe. Should we, as parents, be prepared to protect our children from the adversities of life? Yes, 100%. And this is achieved through education, enlightenment and education.

22

Oct

2025

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Ending all energy imports from Russia to the EU and closing loopholes through third countries (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen! At a late hour, I welcome you to the colorful energy-political fantasy world of green world improvers. There one rejoices at the sun that shines, at the wind that blows, and at the electricity from the socket that costs so little, because the sun and wind do not charge. And to make the world a little better, you turn off the Russian's gas tap and make sure that the Russian goes to the ground before the European Union. Anyone who follows our debate here must think that madness has broken out in this Parliament. Even after more than three years, have you not understood that ever new packages of sanctions are damaging our own economies and that 10,000 industrial jobs are currently disappearing every month in Germany alone? They're gone. Did you not understand that Russia is simply looking for new customers? Through the new Siberia 2 pipeline, 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas will flow to China annually in the future. Putin party, Russia friends, fifth column of Moscow – just keep insulting the critics of your misguided policies. The new old Europe of the fatherlands will once again act in the interests and for the benefit of these fatherlands and their citizens, and this will again include economic relations with Russia.

20

Oct

2025

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A new legislative framework for products that is fit for the digital and sustainable transition (debate)

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, An insolvency wave of unknown size is currently rolling through Germany. According to the Leibniz Institute, 1,400 companies have recently been insolvent per month. Politicians have recently responded to this insolvency only with intellectual incapacity. Three years ago, a now de-elected green economy minister came up with the idea that companies simply stop producing for a while and then continue at some point. But whoever closes his bakery or construction company, usually does not come back. Now you come here with a new bureaucracy monster around the corner. Companies are at an end, and their employees are facing unemployment a few weeks before Christmas. The European Commission is considering new burdens. They want to strengthen consumer rights. They are deceiving themselves in a very deceitful way. This regulation will make products more expensive and thus burden consumers. What's the use of the best information about manufacturers when parents can't even afford the Christmas presents for their children? Ursula von der Leyen is very much reminiscent of the evil old man from Charles Dickens' Christmas story. Let us make all young and old Europeans happy. Let us send this Commission, together with its President, into political insolvency, preferably before Christmas.