Speeches

Mr President, we are Europe. We should speak with one voice globally, especially when the topic is difficult. We should defend international law even when it interferes with our interests. And we should celebrate peace, no matter who helped achieve it. However, the ceasefire has already been violated, and this deal is incomplete. So, what can we do to help turn an incomplete ceasefire into lasting peace? Well, for peace, the root causes of the conflict need to be addressed, with Palestinians at the table. And peace requires justice – that means, instead of standing ovations for Netanyahu, we bring him, Hamas terrorists and other war criminals before the International Criminal Court. And it means rebuilding Palestine and supporting an independent, democratic Palestinian State. And we, Europe, can contribute to making that happen. Let's start with pressure on the Israeli Government to let humanitarian aid reach Gaza.

Mr President, so, if a thief steals EUR 60 and after a long trial a judge tells the thief 'okay, you now have to pay back EUR 3' – is that fair? Is that going to make the thief less likely to steal again? And is that going to prevent other thieves from stealing? For years, Google made a fortune knowingly breaking our laws at the expense of journalists. The recent fine of barely EUR 3 billion will simply be the costs of doing business for a company that makes USD 60 billion in revenue every year in Europe alone. It's a small drop taken out of an ocean of profits. The US Government puts pressure on the Commission to give no fines at all, so it's good that something is being done. But what we really need is an independent digital enforcement authority and higher fines. Otherwise, the law will not be about who is right but who can afford to be wrong.

Thank you, Mr Schwab. So, this debate is about our digital independence – a conversation we cannot have without also talking about 'chat control'. So, could I have your phone and see all the pictures and videos that you've shared with your friends, your family, your loved ones? Probably not, right? Then why would we allow strangers snooping on our phones? Because chat control proposes mass surveillance for all European citizens. Germany holds the key to stopping it at the Council meeting on 14 October, and your party is in government and can block it. Can you call Mr Merz and convince him to block chat control for everyone?

Madam President, how many Russian drones did it take to shut down European skies? About five. How many drones are over Ukraine? About 500 every night. If we face that, we're not prepared at all. Ukraine learnt the hard way how to defend itself against drones, and they understand you should not shoot down a cheap drone with a million-euro missile. Their technology is cutting-edge and Ukrainian instructors are in the EU right now, training European soldiers. Putin exploits our weakness and depletes our air defence on his terms. We've let a war criminal drag us into a boxing match and made him the referee. But if we stop being afraid to act, we can respond on our terms. Protect our skies. Build the drone wall. Stop buying Russian gas. Give all the frozen Russian assets and set up a no-fly zone in western Ukraine. Colleagues, Ukraine is helping us, but we don't say thank you enough. So let me say it: Mr Zelenskyy, thank you. And let's back our gratitude up with actions.

Madam President, dear Prime Minister, you said it's up to us to dream about the future, and I agree. 40 years ago, European leaders dreamed of the future in a tiny village in Luxembourg. They decided to do something new. They opened borders. And what started in Schengen proved to be a massive success: the freedom of movement. You also said too many Europeans have lost faith in the EU. But polls show that nine out of ten Europeans want more European integration. From Portugal to Romania, from Greece to the Netherlands, people realise we are Europe. It is not the people who have lost faith, it is the political leaders. The new ideas are here. A European Defence Union, foster EU enlargement, a digital Single Market. But every European Council meeting ‑ no decisions. Today everyone knows Schengen. So I ask you, what future do you dream of? What new things will you do? And what tiny village in Luxembourg will you make famous next?

Madam President, Russian drones in Poland – a major escalation. Drones in EU and NATO airspace are not only another Russian escalation, but also another warning for us. There is a clear pattern: destroying our communication cables in the sea, the attack on the EU embassy in Kyiv, and now drones invade our airspace. Russia is testing us. Colleagues, how we respond today will determine how Putin acts tomorrow. Every Russian escalation is an invitation to another escalation if it is not met with a strong response from us. We need forward defence: I have called for a no-fly zone in western Ukraine to intercept Russian air attacks close to NATO many times before. Let us finally do it. Colleagues, we need a strong and united European deterrence. The drones were shot down by a collective European effort. It shows that we ...

Madam President, colleagues, sometimes I tell my friends I'm going for a run, but instead I end up on the couch, eating a bag of chips, watching 'The Hangover' for the 15th time. When it comes to the single market, this is exactly the EU: big words, bold promises, no execution. We know what we should do: give startups a fast, digital way for legal incorporation; create one capital markets union with a simple set of rules on tax, stock options and employment – a strong 28th regime. Because while we are scared of American tariffs, our own internal trade barriers are costing us three times as much. Despite good resolutions, some colleagues here are tempted by comfort and only focus on deregulation. That doesn't fix our innovation problem. It's like sitting on the couch thinking that our problems will be fixed by eating low‑fat chips. So come on EU, get off the couch and start running!

Madam President, while Trump rolled out the red carpet for Putin in Alaska, the largest air strike on Ukrainian civilians happened. It seems that the more we talk about peace, the more aggressive Putin becomes. The more the US bows, the more bombs he throws, and the more we are paralysed, the more he prolongs this war. We want this war to end as soon as possible and to prevent it from ever restarting. So make sure that Putin realises that he will not gain anything. Conversations about security guarantees are good, but should never become a substitute for making Ukraine win, and the coalition of the willing should never become a substitute for building a true European Defence Union.

Madam President, dear Prime Minister, Denmark has great stories to tell. It gave Ukraine all its artillery so they could fight back. It launched the Danish model for defence investments to help Ukraine win. Now Denmark is targeting Orbán's veto so Ukraine can take steps towards its European future. Denmark holds the rotating presidency for the next six months, and your Minister of European Affairs has said she wants to take away Orbán's veto and voting rights. A unique opportunity to blast through Europe's paralysis with a little Danish dynamite. It's time to do what millions of Hungarians, tens of millions of Ukrainians and hundreds of millions of Europeans have asked for: stop this wannabe dictator. The least corrupt country on the planet going after the most corrupt leader in Europe. Isn't that a story we would all like to hear?

Mr President, dear colleagues, what could the EU look like in 2030? A new European Union from Greenland in the Atlantic to Ukraine in the Black Sea, a new Union with more countries. For the countries joining, it means new opportunities, new freedoms and new responsibilities – 35 countries collaborating together. But we know the EU is already dysfunctional. There's only one solution: reform, treaty reform. Let's create a Europe 2.0 with a European Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, free from the oppressive veto, a Europe that speaks with one voice. This could become a reality by enlarging and reforming the Union – in other words, a new Europe that is bigger and better. Parliament voted for treaty reform already, but the Council refuses to act. They are not even present at this debate, only thinking about the next election, not thinking about the next generation.

Madam President, dear colleagues, without America, NATO doesn't work. NATO's commander: American. NATO's intelligence: American. NATO's weapons: American. And Trump's big betrayal of Zelenskyy in the White House showed us that, at best, the US is unreliable. So how can we make NATO work for Europe? That depends on next week's NATO summit, which only seems to be about how much money each country will spend. A percentage. This is so shortsighted. Spending more money will not protect us. It's about how we spend it. Because if we do what we always did, we get what we always got. We need a European supreme allied commander. We need a European intelligence service. And we need a European nuclear deterrent. Putin will only attack us if we are weak. A European army makes us strong.

Madam President, colleagues, press release: Cyprus leaders agree to open four new crossing points. Crossing points? It's not something you think exists in Europe, but this is the reality for Cypriots. One nation divided, not by choice, but by the geopolitical greed of Türkiye. Along the 180‑kilometre ceasefire line, there are only nine crossing points. Can you imagine that? The opening of four new crossing points is a positive step, but a small one. Now is the time to start the negotiation process on a comprehensive solution. We can achieve a bizonal and bicommunal federation for the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. We can build a common future together. Let's lay the foundations for mutual understanding, recognition of past mistakes and empathy. As a member of Volt Cyprus told me yesterday, the people of Cyprus have already solved it. The leaders need to catch up.

Madam President, dear colleagues, dear Mr Costa, the EU has a black hole: it's called the European Council. If this Union were a galaxy, that is where bright ideas go, pulled in by its gravitational force, never to be seen again. Enable Ukraine to win, remove Orbán's veto, create a European army, Treaty change – for years, the European Parliament has sent ideas your way only for them to vanish. The list of things stuck in the Council is long. Hiding behind unanimity. Afraid of breaking taboos. And the strange thing is that these taboos only exist in the Council, not in the minds of the European people. The threat of war is on our doorstep. Ten years from now, government leaders will regret that they held on to the national past instead of embracing the European future. Mr Costa, please prove me wrong and transform this black hole into a North Star that guides our way to a brighter future.

Madam President, dear colleagues, the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the European Parliament: for over 12 years, Marine Le Pen and 24 others systematically stole more than EUR 4 million from the EU. They used it to grow their far-right party in France. Today they faced justice. It's a great day. Not because a far-right politician can no longer run for the French presidency, but because an independent judge was able to rise above all the political considerations to make sure no one is above the law. In today's world, where more and more wannabe dictators attack judges, it shows that the separation of power still stands strong, and that in Europe the law applies to everyone equally. But every time there is a scandal – a Qatar-, Huawei- or Le Pen-gate – our Parliament becomes more famous for its weakest links, and I'm sick of it. So to my colleagues on the right who block new transparency rules, I say: Do not stop these rules. Stop corruption instead!

Madam President, dear colleagues, what do Putin, Trump and Xi have in common? They are all afraid of a united Europe. Our ambition in this vision for the future of European defence is far too low. Too many of you still believe that 27 Member States should simply do more, instead of doing things together. Too many of you still believe we can sit back and rely on NATO instead of saving NATO through European leadership. And too many of you still believe nation states alone can provide protection, instead of trusting in the protection of a united Europe. Integrate our 27 little armies to fight as one. As President Zelenskyy said, the time has come for the armed forces of Europe to be created. So let's take the first concrete steps today. Make NATO's command and control European so we can operate as one. Jointly procure strategic enablers so we can fight effectively. Create permanent multinational units so we can get 50 extra brigades. Europe is a peace project, but how can we be strong enough to defend it? The answer to that existential question is simple and consists of three things: Unite! Unite! Unite! Let's not wait for war to unite us. Let's unite to prevent war. And to my Dutch colleagues in the national parliament who just voted against the REARM plans from Ms von der Leyen, I say you're making a massive mistake.

Madam President, dear colleagues, Moldova chose Europe. Recently, Moldova was at a crossroads and in its history, and despite all the Russian interference, they chose to walk the path that leads to Europe. In the quickly changing world order, we need to start backing words with deeds. And this growth plan shows that we will invest to lift people out of poverty, build solar panels, schools and hospitals. This growth plan shows strong reforms will make Moldova ready to join the EU. And this growth plan shows Europe chose Moldova. And it tells it tells those that want to join our Union, if you walk the path to Europe, Europe will walk with you. We did this in four months, which for the EU is as fast as travelling at the speed of light. And the Moldovans are not wasting time either. Last week they joined the Single Euro Payments Area. So let's vote in favour of this growth plan and show the people in Moldova, you'll never walk alone.

Mr President, let's play a game. You are an entrepreneur with a new business idea. In which continent would you choose to build your business? In the first continent, you can't hire the best people – borders are closed. You can't plan ahead – regulations change unpredictably. You can't innovate – old, polluting industries are protected. You can't expand – international cooperation is replaced by isolation. In the second continent, you can build your dream team because you can hire international talent. You can trust the system because rules are stable, predictable and fairly enforced. You can pioneer because investments in the green and digital transitions unlock new opportunities. You can skill globally because of open international collaboration. Now, tell me, where would you build your business?

Madam President, 'penny-wise, pound-foolish' – that sums up the impact of the defence budget cuts in the first 20 years of this century. So it's good that the Commissioner for Defence has proposed to start with a big bang of EUR 100 billion as a European investment plan, because the threats are banging on our door so loudly that everybody seems to agree that we need to invest. I agree as well, but unfortunately, the government of my home country, the Netherlands, is still stuck in a 'penny-wise, pound-foolish' mindset. On Monday 3 February, the Heads of State will meet for a European Council meeting dedicated to defence. And my plea here today is that the Dutch Government uses that moment to stop being foolish and change their position on Eurobonds: be wise or we'll pay a much higher price.

Mr President, it's cold outside today, so imagine going outside and standing there for the next six hours. You shiver, your stomach rumbles and you fear the police might beat you for no reason. Sitting on the couch at home with your family would be so much better. But you stay and you go again tomorrow, like you have been doing for the past 55 days, because you want your country to stop becoming a dictatorship. Because you want your country to have democracy and freedom, because you want your country to join the European Union. Now, how would you feel if that same Union, after months of debates, would decide that they maybe, just maybe, make it a little bit harder for the officials of that oppressing regime to travel by plane? European Commission, what are you waiting for? Georgia needs our help! Travel to Tbilisi, support President Zourabichvili, and with a coalition of the willing enforce real sanctions!

Madam President, imagine that everything we do online is like an ocean. In that ocean, social media are islands and some of those islands enable people to connect and participate in the public debate. But in this vast digital ocean, some social media are not islands, but icebergs. Icebergs where you only see the content the owner of that platform wants you to see. Other opinions are kept underwater. Elon Musk has transformed X into such an iceberg. He orders his own algorithms to spread his destructive vision and influence elections in Europe. These icebergs also allow hostile secret services to damage our democracy. Armies of trolls push extremist pro‑Russian political parties like the AfD, and this is happening as we speak. We ask, therefore, the European Commission to rescue our democracy from the armies of trolls and trigger the crisis response mechanisms immediately.

You're talking about censorship. And I'm really wondering if you've read this law at all? Can you name one article that actually imposes censorship? Because this law only stipulates that what is illegal offline is also illegal online. Have you read it at all?

Mr President, we welcomed a Trojan horse into Europe, into our homes, into our pockets. Social media platforms started as a fantastic tool to connect, but have now become secret weapons. In a toxic cocktail of company monopolies, foreign actors, greed of shareholders and lack of regulation, algorithms push extreme content and bot accounts spread fake news, especially during elections. Dear colleagues, like Troy, we focus on the enemy we can see. We focus on finally building European defence. And we should! But if we ignore the Trojan horse sent by hostile foreign powers, it will be useless. Sending Trojan horses is cheaper and can be effective. We cannot allow China, Russia or any unchecked force to influence our elections. We have to enforce the Digital Service Act, create independent audits and transparency on algorithms, and force social media companies to take responsibility if they want to operate in Europe. Only then, the Trojan Horse is dismantled and becomes a tool for entertainment, information and connection again.

Mr President, the party Georgian Dream has turned it into a Russian nightmare. The leaders of this nightmare stole the people's voice in an election that was not free nor fair. And by blocking the roads to the EU, they stole the people's hope. They are illegitimate, unconstitutional, but the masks are off and they reveal their true face – a face the Georgian people know too well, a face of Russian oppression. Peaceful protesters arrested; hundreds assaulted by the police; civil society intimidated; journalists hunted and beaten; political opponents imprisoned, like Nika Gvaramia, who we met here in the European Parliament just three weeks ago. Yet the Georgian people don't flinch: 7% of the population protests daily in the freezing cold. Students, civil servants, winemakers, lawyers, ravers, mothers, grandparents gathering from Tbilisi Square to the mountains of Svaneti and farmlands of Kakheti. I walked with these protesters last Thursday. They demand new elections. A year ago, Georgia received EU candidate status not because of its government, but because of its people. And those people look at us for action. So how can we help? The sanctioned leaders of Georgian dreams – all they care about is their wealth. Fund independent media and other defenders for democracy, and support Salome Zurabishvili, the people's president, the only legitimate leader, also after 29 December. As one of the protesters told me, the real dream of Georgia is European.

Madam President – nuclear threats, assassinations, fire‑bombed aeroplanes, sabotaged factories, destroyed internet cables – every day we read about Russia's terrorist attacks on Europe. But like ostriches, European governments and some people in this Parliament stick their heads in the sand in the hope that maybe the danger will pass. But while these attacks scare us, Putin is terrified, his war economy collapses and he begs Kim Jong Un for soldiers. But he trembles even more at the thought of a well‑functioning democracy right at his doorstep. And meanwhile, Trump might force Ukraine to surrender. Between now and 20 January, when he comes to power, we have 55 days to step up our game. European governments, ostriches, pull your heads out of the sand, move fast, create a coalition of the willing, and put Ukraine in the best possible position for a just and lasting peace. Seize all Russian assets, directly invest into Ukraine's mass weapon production and protect Ukraine on the way to NATO and EU membership.

Mr President, one nation, but two currencies: the euro and the Turkish lira. The euro was chosen, but the lira was imposed. It's the reality for Cypriots. Ever since the Turkish invasion of Northern Cyprus, a wall has arisen, dividing not just the country, but families, friendships and futures. I stand here as a member of Volt, the pan-European movement, but today, more specifically, as the voice of Volt Cyprus. We are bringing the Greek and Turkish communities together at the political level, because we believe we can build bridges and mutual understanding. The time for mere condemnation is over. It is time to focus on what unites the people of Cyprus: their home, their values and aspirations for the future. We've seen in Berlin how walls can fall. In Ireland, how peace can prevail. And together as Europeans we can realise a bi-zonal, bi-communal Federation, a united Cyprus in a united Europe.