What Idoia spoke about.

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Written Statements ES

The devastating floods in Spain, the urgent need to support the victims, to improve preparedness and to fight the climate crisis (debate)

The main objective of the S&D Group in requesting the debate was to highlight the need for immediate support to the victims of the recent floods that have devastated large areas of Spain – which have particularly severely affected the Valencian Community – and to fight the climate crisis that underlies these natural disasters. This disaster is not an isolated phenomenon, but a clear symptom of the effects of climate change, which requires coordinated and forceful action from the European Union to protect our communities. The debate revealed a painful division of views on climate change and the response to natural disasters. We argue that the gravity of the situation requires a genuine and responsible commitment from all European representatives. We reiterate our commitment for Europe to urgently provide the necessary support to the affected communities, to defray the emergency, reconstruction and social and economic recovery of the affected urban and agricultural environments, as well as to work on prevention measures that mitigate the effects of future disasters. We will not allow distraction strategies and political attacks to stand in the way of a safer, more sustainable and more resilient Europe.

21

May

2026

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European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Stop destroying videogames’ (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, imagine buying an e-book and discovering years later that it is no longer accessible because someone has decided to deactivate it. That happens today with many video games, and video games are part of the lives of millions of households in Europe. They generate talent, innovation, jobs and creativity, but they are also artistic creation and European cultural heritage, and Europe cannot allow this digital culture to disappear because it is no longer profitable. Anyone who buys a video game has the right to know how long they will be able to use it and what will happen if the service disappears. This debate is neither against innovation nor against the sector; It will defend transparency, consumer rights and digital heritage. That is why we call on the Commission to act by listening to consumers and not just industry, and that the future Digital Equity Act protects consumers, especially younger ones, from abusive practices. Video games are culture and Europe has a responsibility to protect both innovation and people.

20

May

2026

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The cases of human rights and environmental defenders Andrie Yunus and Muhammad Rosidi in Indonesia

Mr President, Indonesia is a strategic partner for the European Union and we want to continue building a strong, stable and forward-looking relationship with Indonesia and ASEAN, but precisely because we believe in that relationship, we speak clearly: a strong partnership cannot be based on economic or geopolitical interests alone, it must be based on shared principles. Human rights and the protection of those who defend freedoms must be one of them. Andrie Yunus was attacked after denouncing the expansion of military power, Muhammad Rosidi for confronting illegal tin mining. Both cases reflect growing pressure against human rights defenders, environmental activists, journalists and trade unions. We call for prompt and independent investigations in the civil, not the military, jurisdiction that do not remain only in the material authors, but that those who ordered or covered up these attacks be investigated. In the European Union we very much appreciate the open dialogue with Indonesia on human rights and we also call on the European Commission to monitor the supply chains of European companies operating there. Cooperation and collaboration yes, but on a basis of shared values.

20

May

2026

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Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (debate)

Mr President, Madam Vice-President, 16 billion hours are needed. Those are the hours women spend on unpaid care work around the world. In Europe, 45% of the population provides unpaid care, and the vast majority are women. So, the question is inevitable: If women spend much of our lives caring, why do we still treat care as secondary and invisible? Because without care, our societies, our economy, and our lives simply wouldn't work. Therefore, we must begin to treat care as what it really is: an economic, social and human rights issue. As long as there are no accessible and affordable services, we will continue to push thousands of women to reduce their working hours, to leave employment or to give up starting a family. In an increasingly ageing and long-lived Europe, we need a European guarantee of well-funded care, quality public services and real protection for carers, because to bet on decent care is to protect our economy, our society and also our own old age.

20

May

2026

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Recent proposals to fight poverty in the EU (debate)

Madam President, this first European anti-poverty strategy was necessary and urgent, because behind the figures there are real lives. Today more than 93 million people in Europe are on the poverty line, not to mention the 20 million children who are also poor and that we have more and more working poor. That is why we value measures such as the strengthening of the European Child Guarantee, the fight against residential exclusion or the recognition of poverty in old age, which already affects one in five older people in the European Union. But without concrete and decisive action today and without sufficient funding, we will not be able to eradicate poverty tomorrow. Fighting poverty means ensuring decent employment, fair wages, affordable housing and real social protection. It also means strengthening the European Child Guarantee with sufficient funding and moving towards a European directive on minimum incomes, because rights cannot remain on paper. Europe now has the opportunity to show that it can improve the lives of its citizens, but we need political ambition, sufficient resources and real commitment from all countries.

19

May

2026

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

President, the European Union is facing unprecedented pressure. Geopolitical instability is joined by climate change and technological disruption, along with great uncertainty. We have seen how Orbán paralyzed us with decisions. We see the Commission's weakness in trying to pressure Netanyahu. We also have serious difficulties in responding to Donald Trump's threats. We therefore need to go beyond the unanimity principle. Our institutions need to be more agile in key areas such as foreign policy. Europe cannot remain paralyzed by slow decision-making as global crises accelerate around us. Europe must adapt, and the choice is whether it does so with ambition or doubt. In my opinion, we have to do this with ambition and determination. We must provide our institutions with an agile governance that allows us to continue defending multilateralism, democracy, the rule of law and successfully tackle future enlargements. That is why I ask the European Commission whether it will put forward proposals for further development of the existing instruments to meet the challenges.

18

May

2026

Questions ES

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Negative trade-related effects of global overcapacity on the Union steel market (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, steel is a strategic sector for our industrial sovereignty. Global overcapacity and production and unfair competition are putting unbearable pressure on European steel, and also threatening other essential industrial sectors. Europe needs to act with determination. We need more transparency in the global steel market. We need to defend low-emission green steel, as well as secure supply chains. We need greater coordination between international partners to ensure fair competition with a long-term view. Europe has a long steel tradition. Behind every tonne of steel are highly skilled people, stable, well-paid jobs, with enormous social value for our industrial regions. To defend steel is to defend our productive capacity, our technological leadership and the future of industrial quality employment. And that defense must be accompanied by a clear commitment to decarbonization, with ambitious industrial policies, strategic investments and trade agreements consistent with our climate and industrial objectives. So let's support Made in Europe more.

10

Mar

2026

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Tackling barriers to the single market for defence - Flagship European defence projects of common interest

Madam President, strategic autonomy is not built on speeches, but on concrete decisions. And the time has come for the European Union to take a step forward. We can no longer talk about security and strategic autonomy while keeping our defence capabilities fragmented and remaining overly dependent on third countries. There will be no Europe, stronger, safer and better equipped to protect its citizens without a genuine technological and industrial base of its own. That is why we must bet on a European preference that strengthens European supply chains, removes barriers within the Union and ensures that this effort benefits all Member States and not just a few. But this effort also requires skilled workers, quality employment and a firm commitment to training. We must attract talent and ensure that a high-tech sector like this can develop strongly, with positive effects on innovation and other civil industries. That's the way. Less dependencies, more coordination, more skills, better jobs and more Europe.

10

Mar

2026

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European Semester for economic policy coordination 2026 - European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2026 (joint debate)

Madam President, Madam Vice-President, I have worked for this European Semester to ensure convergence, stability and growth, but also social cohesion, which is our European identity. Because Europe cannot be guided by the Competitiveness Compass alone if we want a strong, competitive and secure Europe, we also need a Semester that measures and ensures what makes us better and unique, our real competitive advantage: quality employment, investment, social cohesion and a just transition for all. Europe has already learned at too high a cost that austerity breaks trust, widens inequalities and weakens the European project. That is why I am convinced that we cannot repeat it and we are not going to do it. Competitiveness cannot be built at the expense of the social dimension. That is why our agreement means that, in addition to competences, the fight against poverty, access to housing, public health for all, social protection that guarantees essential care and services should not be left in the background: that safety net that strengthens Europe and the armour. I am convinced that a social Europe is not the brake on competitiveness, but precisely the opposite: your engine.

9

Mar

2026

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Gender pay and pension gap in the EU: state of play, challenges and the way forward, and developing guidelines for the better evaluation and fairer remuneration of work in female-dominated sectors (debate)

Mr President, we still have a serious pay and pension gap problem. Women are still concentrated in the lowest-valued and lowest-paid sectors and are also the majority in part-time employment. And the result is clear: poverty has a woman's face during working life, but also in old age. Many retired women today live on pensions that do not allow them to live with dignity. Therefore, our duty is twofold: closing this gap for the present and for the future, but also protecting today's older women. The Commission has presented its intergenerational equity strategy with young people and future generations in mind, but forgets those who are older, older women. Don't they have the right to adequate services? Don't they have the right to a decent life, to a decent pension? I ask the Commission not to forget the elders: They need a strategy that responds to their problems.

11

Feb

2026

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Addressing subcontracting chains and the role of intermediaries in order to protect workers’ rights (debate)

11

Feb

2026

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Developing a new EU anti-poverty strategy (debate)

11

Feb

2026

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International Day of Education, fighting inequalities in access to education (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)

22

Jan

2026

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A new action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights (debate)

Madam President, Madam Vice-President, I want a Europe that protects, that offers living wages, that guarantees housing and in which children are not condemned to poverty. The new action plan should serve to correct errors and reinforce it. It cannot be a catalogue of good intentions. We need guaranteed rights and sufficient funding to achieve the results. Just this week, the International Monetary Fund warned of a tsunami in the labor market. 40% of posts are already affected by artificial intelligence; in advanced economies, up to 60%. Without rules and guarantees, this change does not mean progress or better wages, but precariousness, inequality and insecurity. The new plan should ensure inclusive employment. We need to fight ageism and age discrimination; a plan that strengthens solidarity between generations and improves the working conditions of carers. The care economy is essential. This new action plan should be a qualitative leap forward: move from big words to clear commitments. Without cohesion there is no Europe, Madam Vice-President.

21

Jan

2026

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Preparations for the EU-India summit (debate)

Madam President, I take this turn to make a wake-up call to all those colleagues who voted today to weaken Europe, sending a message of weakness to our trade and political allies. To paraphrase Canadian Prime Minister Carney, the question for Europe is not whether we adapt to this new reality, the question is whether we adapt by building higher walls or whether we try to do something much more ambitious and novel. The EU-India Summit is about that, it is an opportunity to close the fringes of the trade agreement that we have been working on for years. But above all, it is the opportunity to send a powerful message that we can build a different world in parallel to the United States, Russia or China. We must build bridges between everyone else, seeking what unites us and putting aside everything that has separated us so far. We Europeans are a reliable partner and loved by many countries. We must take advantage of it. Let's have self-confidence and vision for the future. And, above all, let's not waste time.

17

Dec

2025

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The urgent need to combat discrimination in the EU through the horizontal anti-discrimination directive (topical debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the rise of intolerance and extremism is leading to a rise in discrimination. Hate speech and prejudice are the order of the day. We are certainly living in very dark times, and Europe is the only hope for many people, that is why the need for the horizontal anti-discrimination directive. Women, migrants and people with disabilities, among many other groups, deserve Europe to resolutely combat all discrimination. Most of these groups – it is true – already have specific anti-discrimination strategies in place by the Commission, except for one: the elderly. They remain unprotected: their voices don't count and their lives don't matter. This Directive is a guarantee for older people to have more protection of their human rights. I therefore call on the forthcoming Council Presidencies and the Council as a whole to listen to this Parliament and put all their efforts into unblocking this proposal. Delaying their approval is denying equality to millions of people, and we can't wait any longer.

26

Nov

2025

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Fishing opportunities 2026: ensuring the sustainability of fish populations, marine ecosystems and coastal communities

26

Nov

2025

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EU strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities post-2024 (debate)

26

Nov

2025

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Implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (debate)

25

Nov

2025

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Political situation in Myanmar including the humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, we must condemn the continuous and permanent violation of human rights that the Junta has been carrying out since the coup d'état in 2021: against the Rohingya especially, but also against other ethnic and religious minorities. We must reject an illegitimate electoral call of the Junta, made in clear violation of democratic principles, with persecutions, massive displacements and continuous arbitrary detentions. We must denounce it because the Board, with these elections, what it seeks is to legitimize itself, and there are countries willing to help it. And the only credible path to peace and democracy is through an end to violence and the devolution of power to a transitional civilian authority that restores democratic institutions and legitimate civilian leaders. To recognize these elections would be to betray our values and abandon the people of Myanmar. That is why the international community must stand firm. Without freedom, without rights and without guarantees there is no legitimate choice possible.

8

Oct

2025

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Establishment and functioning of European Works Councils - effective enforcement (debate)

Madam President, in these uncertain times, workers need guarantees to protect their jobs. And the proposed reform is going in the right direction. Above all, I would like to thank the rapporteurs for their excellent work. This new business culture, which should prevail in these times, must have the voice of the workers, with the role of the unions to succeed in the disruptive transitions we face. Unfortunately, the Spanish PP, once again, does not understand what democracy is and in my opinion I do not think it knows very well what the work that day-to-day entrepreneurs and workers face. And in my opinion, and in my experience, it is much more successful to navigate crises – be they digital transitions, green transitions or company crises – with a sincere and accurate dialogue between employers and trade unions to address this success. And I also find regrettable the attitude of the employment spokesperson of the Spanish Popular Party, who, being president of the Intergroup on Social Economy and Services of General Interest, I think should step aside because she does not believe in the participatory democracy of workers in companies. Because the social economy, cooperatives, precisely go from that and have demonstrated their success and resilience in a time of crisis that they have had so far.

7

Oct

2025

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Time to complete a fully integrated Single Market: Europe’s key to growth and future prosperity (debate)

Madam President, Europe must move forward, Commissioner. As Letta says, with more market integration, yes. But also with more common public policies that guarantee social Europe. Therefore, more integration, yes. But also more social Europe. We must combine the risks and opportunities to advance the competitiveness of our economies and our businesses. But it cannot be done at the expense of Europeans' rights, of labour rights. The commissioner quotes Jacques Delors. Well, follow their example: economic growth with social progress. Because, if we do not do so, the enemies of the European project will win; the external ones, but above all the internal ones. Populists and the far right. Because we cannot ignore our European citizens in this advance of Europe in the integration of markets and their policies.

6

Oct

2025

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Intergenerational fairness in Europe on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons (debate)

Mr President, Commissioner, we all know someone who lost his job after fifty years and, today, with more than sixty, he has not found another. And we also know young people who are denied a decent first job opportunity because they lack experience. Ageism affects both and we still live life in thirds: third of training, third of work and third of retirement. But now we live longer. Therefore, we must be permanently trained, because jobs are transformed and cannot be set aside simply because we are years old. We must defend healthy and active longevity. We must combat ageism, which is also the only discrimination that does not have a European strategy. In employment, ageism drives out adults and young people when we should bet on intergenerational teams in companies. In housing, young people cannot afford a first home and many older people are isolated in their homes due to lack of adaptation. In caregiving, many young families do not reconcile work because they have to take care of their elders or their little ones. Many older people suffer from a lack of access to complete health, as seen in the pandemic, where many were evicted simply because they were older. We must unite young and old: their political participation and voice are key to building a stronger European democracy. Commissioner, with the International Day of Older Persons at the heart of this debate and with your strategy of intergenerational equity as a framework, we can work to ensure that this is a guarantee of rights for older people and, at the same time, also serves as an intergenerational pact uniting and creating networks of solidarity between generations.

17

Jun

2025

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Implementation report on the Recovery and Resilience Facility (debate)

Madam President, I thank the rapporteurs for their work and for taking into account the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. We are at a crucial moment for the future of Europe and it is essential to take stock, but also to project towards the future. The Recovery and Resilience Facility has been our European response to an unprecedented crisis, based on European values of justice, equality and territorial cohesion. It has therefore worked: it has prevented the fragmentation of our internal market and has helped to reduce economic and social divergences between states. Inclusive reforms, such as those in Spain, have reduced poverty and created quality jobs in strategic and emerging sectors like never before. It has helped mitigate the social impact of the pandemic, protecting jobs and businesses and improving the situation of the most vulnerable, including young people and people in rural areas. Therefore, another Europe is possible: has taught everyone that public investment is not an expense, but a competitive investment for the future of Europe. Recovery and resilience mechanisms are proof that, when we act together, we are much stronger.