Speeches

Mr President, for some Members of the far right - who are just gone because they don't really seem to care about farmers - the problem for farmers is not that they charge little, it is not the big multinationals that squeeze them every day to sell at a loss, it is the evil environmentalists and the evil vegans. Look, stop being ridiculous and put solutions to the real problems that farmers have. It is necessary that there is a remuneration adjusted to what it costs them and, for that, for example, we can create a "Remunerascore", so that the consumer knows how much of what he pays goes directly to the producer. We need to talk about animal health, of course! Let's talk about vaccination against lumpy skin disease, and make it real to avoid sacrifices. Let's also talk about not approving Mercosur so that there is no unfair competition with our farmers, and let's talk about real reciprocity, the same rules for everyone in animal welfare or food safety. Let's also talk - oh, they don't like that! - about fighting the monopolies of the big multinationals, which go against the small farmers. That is why it is important to stop making cartoons and really talk about small farmers and be by their side; Not with words, but with deeds and vows.

Madam President, in six weeks, Armenians go to the polls. Beyond parties, candidates and debates, there is an invisible fight: disinformation, cyberattacks, foreign money – all of these designed to pull Armenia away from its democratic path. Dear colleagues, the Armenian people have earned our solidarity the hard way: through war and siege, through the forced displacement of the people of Artsakh, through genocide and through a weight of history that no people should ever have to carry. Armenia chooses Europe, and now Europe must respond. But our solidarity cannot be turned into a blank endorsement. Our engagement must be conditional on values, on rule of law, on accountability. We must celebrate the reforms, and we must continue asking for democratic standards. This is why the EU partnership mission is a step, but a step that must go further. Because what happens in Yerevan or in Artsakh doesn't stay in Yerevan.

Mr President, six months ago, in the face of Trump's first threat, the president humiliated Europe with the signing of a nefarious agreement in which, before the start of the game, Europeans already lost 15 to 0. In addition, he knelt down pledging to invest European money to buy weapons and fossil fuels from the United States. All in the face of the promise that this agreement would bring us stability. And what has this deal really brought us after six months? More threats and blackmail, more instability and rising prices, more legal uncertainty and Trump's sense of total impunity for skipping international legality with illegal wars. Kneeling before an abuser is never the right way: you have to stand up and bet on Europe, setting the limits. We must apply the anti-coercion mechanism, we must invest in European reindustrialisation and we must end our dependence on fossil fuels by investing massively in the green transition. That is why, for the sake of consistency and dignity, we cannot validate this agreement.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, what you propose in this report is not going to solve the housing problem, it is going to aggravate it, because it is precisely what has been happening all these years, and no one has to explain it to the Valencians, because precisely deregulate to build without limits the only thing that has led us is to an increase in prices and the destruction of the territory by building houses of one million, two million euros, yes, on the coast, destroying the entire territory, while the citizens of the villages could not even access housing. Because not acting against illegal tourist apartments, looking the other way, as this report raises, expels the neighbors from the neighborhoods; Because privatizing public housing and using public money, without any price cap, without any conditionality, only adds gasoline to speculation. That is why we must stop doing what has generated the problem and make courageous policies. For example, put an end to financial speculation on housing, limit the prices of houses paid for with public money, act against turistification and make rents indefinite.

Yes, MEP, Mr Oliveira, I fully agree with you: NextGenerationEU deadlines should be increased in order to be able to be implemented, precisely by focusing on and prioritising access to housing. And yes, there should be specific funds for affordable housing, with the conditionality that they are affordable: European funds cannot be created so that they can then be speculated on as housing. They must be used for the construction, rehabilitation and purchase of affordable housing, and that conditionality is what can change everything. That is why we have to insist on the European Parliament's report on housing, which makes it clear that the Commission can only allocate European money to housing if it is to make it affordable.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, look, today in the Spanish State there are more than 600 000 working families living in fear, afraid that their rental contract ending this year will not be extended, but will start asking them not for €700 a month, but for €1300; with fear that, after killing themselves to work all day, they will have to arrive at their home to pack, leave their homes, leave their neighborhood, leave their city. Put yourself in place when you listen here to debates like the current one, with many words, with good intentions, but not with deeds. They don't need any more good intentions. They need to have their rental contracts extended without them getting on board. They need to be made indefinite. What they need is that they can access a first home ahead of an investment fund buying the home that makes five hundred. And these examples of good practice exist in Europe, and we need them to spread throughout Europe, to make them the norm, to be the norm for all workers in Europe. And for that, we need facts from the European Commission on housing. Words are not enough; We need action, and that's it.

Madam President, this Summit between the European Union and India is very important in the current context to strengthen multilateralism, cooperation and rules-based relations. But a European Union free trade agreement with India that sets aside fundamental aspects of our values or prevents the full development of our industrial strategy can weaken us. Trade agreements – without falling into colonial impositions – should also serve to promote human, labour and environmental rights. Therefore, we ask that the sustainable development chapter be legally binding and with real compliance mechanisms that improve people's lives on both sides of the agreement. We do not expect an agreement like New Zealand's, we are aware of the situation; But we do think it may have more social ambition and more climate ambition than we have seen so far in the meetings we have followed up. We also ask that this agreement not be at the expense of European industry. Today the two markets are profoundly different and opening them without any control can generate many problems. In fact, sectors such as steel, such as ceramics – which is particularly important for my land – or aluminium are already sounding the alarm; also the car, which says that it will not have enough benefits as the agreement is being proposed. Let us therefore hope that this agreement will not be an obstacle to the full development of industrial jobs, as called for by our Clean Industry Pact, and that they will not be destroyed by unfair competition. And I end with one last geopolitical question: Do you have any assurances, Mrs Kallas, that this agreement will reduce the preferential relations between India and Russia?

Madam President, today we are sending a very clear message, one outward: it is possible, in spaces of mass polarisation in which parliaments have become, to reach agreements between very different forces. And we do this by putting the interests and rights of millions of passengers across Europe above the interests of certain large multinationals to do business with rights with which business cannot and should not be done. The second message we send is that we are not going to take a step back and we are going to do it by standing up, clearly, in a united way as we have done until we get here. And the third message is more internally: the Council's lack of respect, the fact that it is not even present today in this debate, is very significant. That is what they have done in all these debates so far. They have helped us a lot in the Unit, but it should be clear to you, gentlemen of the Council, that when you look at this video you will see that we make it very clear to you that sitting next to your son cannot be a business, that going with your carry-on suitcase with the essentials cannot be a business and that delaying flights cannot become a business for airlines.

Mr President, unlike the Valencian Government, which is still more focused on fleeing justice than on repairing the pain of the victims, or Parliaments such as the Spanish State Congress, which are permanently mired in partisan anger, this Parliament – including the European Commission – has been relatively up to the task. This has been the first place where victims have been able to appear and be heard in parliamentary headquarters. And here we have agreed among representatives of democratic forces of different parties and different nationalities so that the funds reach the affected areas and to change regulations that had to be changed urgently. Therefore, thank you on behalf of the Valencians and the Valencians, even if it is not enough. And it's not enough because we have to learn, we have to learn and a lot. Funds cannot be conditioned. Look, right now the Valencian government has changed the law so that it can be built again in flood zones. And it will be done - it may be - with European money. This is unsustainable. We can't afford it. And second, the funds must be sufficient. Look, the Solidarity Fund has been totally inadequate. Only for the affected areas of the Valencian Community, of the Valencià Country, are 81% of the Solidarity Fund funds, and for the rest there are no more funds left. We also need to talk about how structural funds have been diverted to emergency situations. We have achieved it thanks to the Restore and funds arrive. But it cannot be that the structural funds are earmarked for emergencies and not for what they were established for, for essential infrastructure issues. Here I would like to draw attention to the right-wing democratic groups, if they still exist. And the consequences are not only personal, which should be enough argument. They are not only environmental, which should already be enough argument. So are economics. In the Valencià Country alone, the losses are eighteen billion. You tore your clothes this summer with the big fires. Yesterday they voted against protecting forests in a regulation that we had here. They must stop following the far-right trend of denying climate change, because the European economy cannot afford it. Climate change is being fought or wiped out. If you don't do it, if it doesn't seem enough to do it for people, if it doesn't seem enough to do it for the planet, do it at least for the economy.

Mr President, Vice-President Ribera, Google invoices more than 60 billion a year in Europe and, according to all studies, it does not even pay 8% in taxes. On the other hand, a waiter who works, for example, in Spain charges 1,300 euros and pays 19% of his work in taxes. The megarrics are breaking the European social model, evading taxes and deciding – attacking our democracy – what everyone can think, what everyone should think. And this goes through two issues: the first, which has allowed them to concentrate a lot of power; and, the second, that they are allowed to pay less tax. That is why we must end dependence on large foreign technology multinationals, protect data and support European platforms and those that are open. And a tax on the big tech companies must be made effective in a real way throughout Europe. And, above all, get to the end with the fines - like the one you have put - to those who evade taxes, to those who until now have been making the propaganda to Trump. Because here we must show that Europe is with its citizens, and not with Trump and his oligarchs.

Madam President, Commissioner, there are three major problems with European agriculture. The first, which is often paid to farmers below production prices. The second is unfair competition from third countries that enter without our standards. And the third is clear too: the unfair distribution of European funds. Today, you are taking a step forward in the right direction, which is to protect small farmers, make their lives easier and ensure that they will not sell at a loss. And that's very good. But this step forward can be left in nothing if you don't also move forward on the other two big problems. In fact, if you don't keep encouraging the other two big problems. As for the first, unfair competition, Mercosur must stop. It is impossible to move forward if you carry forward the agreement with Mercosur, which will facilitate unfair competition. And, as for the second, it cannot be that you defend farmers if you cut 22% in common agricultural policies, as proposed in the budget. Therefore, stop the agreement with Mercosur, stop the cuts in agriculture and continue in this good direction that you have proposed today.

Mr President, most workers in Europe have experienced this summer worse than the previous one. In Valencia, more than eighty nights have been tropical nights, in which, at night, you could not rest, and most workers could not rest because they can not afford an air conditioner. In my city, in Castellón, more people have died this summer from the heat wave than in some of the worst moments of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, in the face of this, what do the deniers do? Protect those responsible for this climate change. Protect those at the top, divert attention, protect the 180 most polluting companies, protect the megarricos who travel on private planes, because protecting those at the top and denying climate change is attacking those at the bottom. Because fighting climate change is protecting those at the bottom, it is protecting the social majority. That is why we ask the Commission to protect the majority of European citizens and to stop agreeing with the extreme right that denies climate change and only protects those at the top. Because fighting climate change is fighting for the European majority.

Mr President, Commissioner, they bring a bad deal, and we do not have to tell those of us who are against it from the beginning, so are those who are trying to come out and defend their deal. In fact, they should reflect on whether the only ones in this Parliament who are happy with this agreement – and defend it very intensely – are those who are in the service of Trump. We just saw him. The only happy ones are Trump's partners in Europe and, therefore, they should make a reflection, not only because it is humiliating and because it is unequal, but also because it generates absolutely no stability. The only ones who are defending this deal say it will generate more stability. 14 days later, we already had a tariff hike on aluminum. A month later, we already have Mr. Trump saying that he is going to raise the tariffs again, because American companies that do not comply with the legislation that we Europeans have sovereignly given us have been fined. What stability is this agreement giving, if only a month later it is already said that it will be broken? Therefore, we need to advance in compliance with the international regulations of the World Trade Organization and do so as benchmarks, because it is our time. It is time for Europe, if we remain anchored in our values and in those we share with the whole world and stop doing business with those who blackmail us and do not comply with them.

Madam President, Mrs von der Leyen, I would like to ask you whether you have today made a motion of censure yourself, because you have announced just the opposite of what you have been doing in many areas this year. You talk about a strong Europe and then humiliate us and subject us to Trump. You talk about climate change and then agree all the policies related to climate change with the deniers of the extreme right. You talk about housing and what you do is reinforce the budget in weapons and not in housing. And the most serious thing of all is that you, so far, have been silent in the face of genocide. She's been quiet, until now, saying she had no competition. And, suddenly, today I already had the power to announce partial actions, behind the mobilizations of millions of European citizens. To preside over Europe is to lead it, not to go after its citizens, like those in the flotilla that you must protect. To preside over Europe is to be consistent and to exercise its values, for example by acting the same in Ukraine as in Palestine, by acting, by defending universal rights throughout Europe and by exercising Europe's freedom throughout the world.

Madam President, Commissioner, in the last two years alone, the price of rent has increased by 40% in Valencia. Only in two years. In Elx, 70% of the homes in the city's rental market are hijacked for tourist rental, 70%!, and do not go to neighbors. Or in my city, in Castelló, it turns out that there are students who have stopped studying the university career they wanted because they can not afford a room, and that we are seeing happening throughout Europe. That is why we cannot talk about cohesion policies without talking about housing. And you have a responsibility, you have it, you can exercise it, not just the Member State. And that is why I am going to propose two questions to you. The first is that the cohesion funds that are dedicated to housing can only be dedicated to affordable housing and that if they are allocated to affordable housing, that these homes cannot then be transferred to the free market, that they cannot be speculated on. And the second, that the funds are not recentralized, because they have to go to those who know most what their citizens are suffering: cities and regions. And to that end, Commissioner, you have an obligation. Because we can't talk about cohesion without a decent roof.

Madam President, Commissioner, in my country this summer we are suffering from two historical events. The first, which has been the warmest month of June in history, with four degrees above what is usual at this time. And, at the same time, we are also suffering today from closed fire stations – for the first time in history in summer – and no forest reinforcement for the summer season. These are the diabolical consequences of two issues. The first is climate change – of course, of course – but also because we have negationists in governments, in our governments. And that is happening in my country, but it will happen and it is happening also in other countries in Europe. That is why we need courageous measures that really make it possible to increase funding for emergencies caused by climate change and to better coordinate the European rescue mechanism. But the Commission must also take courageous steps and stop agreeing with those who deny climate change. A year ago you and I spoke on the phone, almost a year ago, and I thank you for that, because of the floods that killed 228 people in my country, and in the emergency services they are now telling us that they are worse prepared than at the time and that is unacceptable. That is why we need more resources and we need better coordination of emergency services.

Madam President, Commissioner, in my country this summer we are suffering from two historical events. The first, which has been the warmest month of June in history, with four degrees above what is usual at this time. And, at the same time, we are also suffering today from closed fire stations – for the first time in history in summer – and no forest reinforcement for the summer season. These are the diabolical consequences of two issues. The first is climate change – of course, of course – but also because we have negationists in governments, in our governments. And that is happening in my country, but it will happen and it is happening also in other countries in Europe. That is why we need courageous measures that really make it possible to increase funding for emergencies caused by climate change and to better coordinate the European rescue mechanism. But the Commission must also take courageous steps and stop agreeing with those who deny climate change. A year ago you and I spoke on the phone, almost a year ago, and I thank you for that, because of the floods that killed 228 people in my country, and in the emergency services they are now telling us that they are worse prepared than at the time and that is unacceptable. That is why we need more resources and we need better coordination of emergency services.

Mr President, Commissioner, you are going to have a lot of work if you really want this European regulation on freedom of the media to be implemented, among others, in my country, in the Valencià country. Why do I say this? Because Article 6(2), which says that editorial independence must be guaranteed, especially of the news media, shows that they have not read it directly, because in the midst of the crisis of the DANA, of the floods, the director of news media ceased because he was too critical, to seek the truth, and they did it in a totally political way. Article 6(3) speaks of the creation of internal bodies to guarantee the plurality and independence of journalists, and it turns out that, being far from being breached, because in the Law this body already existed, now with another Law, behind, they approve to load this body of independence of journalists and also change the Law to put the finger on the political direction of the censor of the previous public television. Moreover, not content with that, they directly attack the conditions of the workers. That's why I ask him: how will you ensure the implementation of this Regulation...

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, it has been ten years since the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled – very clearly – that charging for the carry-on suitcase is illegal, because it is an essential part of the journey and because airlines do not take responsibility for that suitcase. Therefore, they cannot charge for it. And what have some companies done for ten years? Well, look, ignore the law, laugh at the courts and get fed up. Forged - and a lot - because just in 2024, just for the illegal collection, I insist, of the carry-on suitcase, these companies invoiced €10 billion in Europe alone. In the meantime, every week we receive hundreds of complaints from citizens – from passengers – about breaches of their rights. And what happens when a minister finally exercises his powers and decides to fine those certain airlines for these abuses? So quickly - and after ten years - the Council reaches an agreement, not to protect or extend passengers' rights, but to reduce them and to legalise an issue that has been ruled illegal, which is the issue of carry-on bags, and, in addition, with an urgent procedure and limiting the capacity of this Parliament. Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot and will not allow it. That is why I call on us to dignify this Parliament and not only to vote against this proposal when it comes to Parliament, but also to extend the rights of passengers and to act truly for who we are. Because this Parliament was elected by all citizens and not by Ryanair's Board of Directors.

Mr. President, Mr. Commissioner, Trump's tariff policies are not a trade war. They are, above all, an attack on our values and our democracy. It is a struggle between the oligarchy and the Democrats. We've seen it in two episodes recently. First, it has become clear with the rejection of the Commissioner's proposal to generate a space of zero tariffs between Europe and the United States, as well as with the rejection of the visit of the Spanish Minister of Economy, which ended with a direct criticism of the taxes we have in the European Union, a direct criticism of our social, environmental and labor protection. That is why we ask you, Commissioner, not to give in to blackmail, to strengthen our workers and our economy, to strengthen our environmental legislation and - above all - to stop agreeing with the Trump administration's Trojan horse here in Europe, which is the extreme right that wants us weaker and more divided. Therefore, we tell you loud and clear that you do not give in to blackmail and that our values and our democracy are not for sale.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing a critical moment in the European institutions. Millions of workers are distrusting Europe and embracing populist far-rights. And we cannot make the mistake of thinking that, suddenly, millions of citizens have become radical far-right extremists. That is, among other things, because Europe is failing them, because they feel unprotected, because we are not solving their day-to-day problems. And we have time to change that and make Europe truly social. And that means, among other things, effectively implementing the Minimum Wage Directive; means protecting workers from digital platforms who still lack basic rights; means strengthening collective bargaining to improve wages and also conditions; means making progress in reducing working hours to improve the quality of life; means betting on the "made in Europe'and to fight relocation, and that the new European plan for affordable housing really puts young people and families at the centre. We are on time, we can do it, and that only happens for a much more social Europe.