Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (debate)
In fact, I do not think I have been able to really understand the issue, but I note that the data are obvious. We are talking here about a report on the issue of carers and they are mostly female. Eighty percent of caregivers are actually women. And that is why we must ensure that these women do not give up those who are their rights as citizens, do not give up what is fair remuneration for their work and cannot be penalised for dedicating themselves to those who need it most, to those who are most vulnerable. That is why I stand for both this report and the excellent work of all my friends and colleagues.
Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (debate)
Mr Meleti, let me also praise the excellent report here for my good friends, Eleonora Meleti and Rosa Estaràs Ferragut. Mr Oliveira, you are absolutely right. That is why we are so committed to a cohesion policy and we do not want to let this cohesion policy die, because we believe in genuine territorial development of the regions, quality and local public services that will keep people in these regions. We must guarantee conditions for people to settle in these regions in order to promote this integral development of our territory. And these services are essential for those who are most vulnerable, for those who need them most. And there we are aligned in the defense of the public sector, in the defense of those who, effectively, need it most.
Advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, Europe will only be fairer when it takes care of the other, and if it stops dedicating itself to the other, it will no longer mean losing. I therefore greet all the caregivers, formal or informal, who give themselves to those who need them most and are vulnerable. Care is a collective good, not a private responsibility. Therefore, my gratitude and gratitude. Caring should be synonymous with dignity, but in today's Europe it means, for too many women, giving up a career, a salary and a pension. Eighty percent of informal care in the European Union is provided by women, often not by choice but because of a lack of alternatives for their relatives and close relatives. And this has a cost for those who care: lower wages, lower pensions, economic dependence. This is also a matter of equality, cohesion and competitiveness. We need concrete answers. Informal carers need recognition, training and social protection. Professionals in the sector, often with below-average wages, deserve decent working conditions. The Work-Life Balance Directive needs to be effectively implemented, including paternity leave that promotes a real sharing of responsibilities. And with isolation and geographical dispersion, it becomes essential to create local responses. In the most remote regions, inside and in the outermost regions, this need is even more obvious. Programs such as the New Elderly, promoted by the Government of the Azores, show that it is possible for them to actively age in their homes, together with their families, with dignity and direct support. Institutional care is also essential, but it is often scarce and displaced from their communities. Those who care must have rights. And those who are cared for must have quality of life and dignity, and can choose to be also in their home and in their community, through qualified and well-paid people. This is what we demand, this is what Europe must guarantee.
The impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins (debate)
Mr President, first of all I would like to thank our rapporteur and all the shadow rapporteurs for this important report. And yes, of course yes, I agree: nothing like a participatory process of co-management of our quotas of access to the sea by our fishermen as a guarantee of success – and this is what the Portuguese Government has been doing. In fact, what we saw was an excess of ambition in the previous socialist government. This current government has realism, has feet on the ground and is doing its utmost in partnership with the fishermen. It is also felt by the fishing community this sharing of management, this sharing of decisions in access to the resources of the sea and, above all, I also give the example of the Azores: we have set 30% of our sea in a highly participatory process, with fishermen by our side, and now we also have some compensation, which I hope will not be undermined by European legislation. But thank you for your question, honourable Member.
The impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, 'those who dominate the seas dominate the world', said Mahan, who also knew that maritime power is not born of decrees - it is born of the people who see their livelihood in the sea, who know it, who work in it, generation after generation. It is this heritage that we must integrate into maritime spatial planning, which must reconcile environmental, economic and social objectives, integrating the most vulnerable, such as our coastal communities and fishermen. It cannot be done at the expense of those who are already penalised, without compensation, without real participation and sometimes without alternatives. Energy, transport, digital connectivity and submarine cables and also our European security, the protection of biodiversity, among others, are essential and strategic for the European Union, but it is also crucial to ensure that fisheries and aquaculture have a fair place in the design of the use of our sea. After all, we already have an external dependency of more than 70% in this sector. There is an urgent need to increase investment in data collection and scientific research. I reinforce the importance of a European deep sea observatory in the Atlantic and welcome the creation of OceanEye, but it must have more financial muscle. Reliable and comprehensive data are essential for good policy decisions. All this must be done in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the competences and sovereignty of the Member States, and I therefore welcome the approach to sea basins, also realising that the Atlantic is different from the Baltic and different from the Mediterranean. And also the specificities of the outermost regions have to be considered. If "who dominates the seas dominates the world", who will dominate our sea? The answer we give to this question will say a lot about what Europe we want to be.
Madam President, the firm leadership of the President of the Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, even in the face of populist and demagogue movements, by not wavering or retreating, after years of work and dialogue with the various players in the fisheries sector and the blue economy, in the definition of marine protected areas – meeting five years in advance the very targets set by the United Nations and also by the European institutions themselves – has now earned him recognition through an international Peter Benchley Ocean Awards 2026, known as the Ocean Oscars. This is undoubtedly a source of great pride for the Azores, as an outermost region of the European Union and, by protecting around 300 000 square kilometres of its sea, they have created the largest European marine protected area to date. But it is also a pride for Portugal and for the European Union. It is this strategic vision that brings the European Union to the lead in such important areas of the blue economy and the protection of our ocean, also respecting those who live in it, first and foremost our fishermen. Bolieiro, with the humility that characterizes him, dedicated the prize to the Azores, but he is Bolieiro with congratulations and we are all Portuguese and Europeans.
Interim report on the proposal for the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 (debate)
Honourable Member, thank you for your question. I disagree. In agriculture, with this proposal, which we hope will be approved today, we will have about EUR 40 billion more than we currently have. In fisheries, we will have more than EUR 1 billion of what we currently have. In the outermost regions, in POSEI Agriculture, which is so important, we will have EUR 3 billion more than we currently have. So this is a clear demonstration that we are here reinforcing what is the weight of agriculture, fisheries and our regions and cohesion and outermost regions. So I think this is a good document, it is an excellent document. It has corrected the initial course of the European Commission, and we must be pleased and grateful to the rapporteurs. I have already mentioned here my thanks.
Interim report on the proposal for the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, have no doubt. Anyone who votes against this report today will be voting against European farmers, against European fishermen, against our regions and rural areas, against our outermost regions, such as the Azores and Madeira. You can't do more with less. And when we talk about defense, we have to ask ourselves: What is it that defends us? When we talk about competitiveness, we have to ask ourselves: What brings growth? And the answer is clear: Putting food on the table of Europeans is defending the European Union, protecting our common policies, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy and cohesion is promoting competitiveness. Without agriculture and fisheries, without development of our territory as a whole, without cooperation with local and regional authorities, competitiveness and defence will remain what they have always been: words. We need to respect the importance of the outermost regions in the Treaties. Those who want a safer Europe want a Europe with more farmers and fishermen. Those who want a more competitive Europe must not forget our regions. Anyone who wants a stronger Europe cannot ignore the geostrategic potential of the outermost regions, as well as what is defined in Article 349 º, such as the POSEI, Agriculture, Fisheries and Transport programmes. And this report supports all this by correcting the Commission's first proposal. Thankfully that was the case and I am very grateful to the...
Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, if there is no consent, rape is a crime, and this consent must be explicit, informed and given in complete freedom. Here I also mean total freedom, total consciousness, total waking state. We need a robust legal definition that ensures that this concept is harmonised at European level and that, of course, it is shared by all ‑ Member States, because the rights of individuals, of European citizens, cannot vary depending on the Member State in which they are. What European Union, what European project would this be if it continued to do so? Only three ‑ Member States classify the violation on the basis of lack of consent. This has to change, because in some cases we know that the victims are devalued, they are questioned, and this creates greater trauma for the victims, a situation that, in fact, makes them much more vulnerable. We must bet on education using the same code as today's young people. Social networks are rapidly replacing the education that is given in homes and schools, so let's go to social networks to contribute to this debate.
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, what we are seeing in Portugal is exactly a profound reform of the labour market. New times, times of urgency, times of emergency, times of competitiveness, really require new rules. What you said was an initial proposal from the government which has already been reformulated and which is now in the context of social dialogue and which we hope can be improved. And here, we call on all actors, from the trade unions, the bosses, to really improve this proposal and ensure a more agile, more flexible and more competitive labour market in an economy that wants to be more modern.
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, Commissioner, in the European Union, women work between 54 and 67 days of grace per year for men. They earn on average 12% less and the value increases in the highest positions and STEM areas. As a result, they receive about 25 % lower pensions and pensions. They continue to take on most unpaid care, which is still under-recognised, and also in health and education. And this is a clear example also in the outermost regions, where this disadvantage is even greater. Less than 10% of CEOs in large companies are women and even the most skilled continue to face difficulties in entering, remaining and progressing in the labour market. In 2026, in the European Union, this is unacceptable. The Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030, now launched, strengthens the implementation of the Pay Transparency Directive, collaboration with the EIB to support women entrepreneurs, valorisation of the care sector and investment in supporting families. Improving gender equality in the European Union could increase GDP per capita by 9.6% and create more than 10.5 million jobs by 2050. This is competitiveness. The principles should be clear: equal opportunities, equal work, equal pay. We need a fairer, more equal and more competitive Europe. Happy Women's Day to all women.
Extreme weather events in particular in Portugal, southern Italy, Malta and Greece: European response in strengthening readiness, preparedness and solidarity mechanisms (debate)
Amending Regulations on agricultural products as regards market rules and sectoral support measures in the wine sector and for aromatised wine products (debate)
Preventing sexual harassment in public institutions: latest revelations and resignations in Spain and institutional responses (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, combating sexual harassment cannot be optional or forgotten, as has been the case in Spain with the Sánchez Government. Respect and dignity are an imperative, but clearly not what happens in this socialist Spain. We cannot, one day, call for zero tolerance of sexual harassment and, the next day, sweep reports under the carpet and forget the victims, because it is not convenient for us. One in three women has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace over the course of her life – 18% repeatedly. This is also because for too long the answer has always been the same: silence, delay, protect the aggressor, ward off the victim and foster impunity. In Spain, we have politicians who consider themselves unpunished and who find themselves in the right to sexualize women in the workplace, many in a position of vulnerability, through inappropriate comments, gestures and behavior, and through digital means, without consent. The allegations and testimonies that have now emerged in Spain are too serious to ignore. And it is so much worse and regrettable when they are political leaders of a party that calls itself socialist – a defender of women’s rights – that has closed its eyes to several complaints from victims, who have found themselves defenceless and unable to have help or protection. And it is also because of this impunity that about half of our young people between the ages of 18 and 29 have experienced sexual harassment, and that sexual violence is being normalized among young people. Those who talk about equality must practice it, always! Respect for women and the defence of victims of sexual harassment must be above personal, political or partisan interests. And let's be clear, sexual harassment is a crime, and whoever protects aggressors is complicit.
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, Commissioner, I welcome all the dynamism that you have employed in the sector with excellent results. I would highlight, among others, the regulation on unfair cross-border commercial practices, the so-called 'wine package' and also this second simplification package. And, here, let me also thank you for all your support in transforming my proposal to be able, for the first time, to transfer funds from rural development to POSEI, into a concrete legal reality that will make it possible to support farmers in Madeira and the Azores. The path has to be this: simplify administrative procedures by giving farmers more time to do what we all need. Not for secretaries and offices, but in the countryside, producing quality and affordable products for Europeans. Simple procedures, technology and better yields are essential for ensuring food security in the European Union. The single fund for the future of the CAP is not ideal, but it is now possible here in the European Parliament to help protect the agricultural sector, and the rural target also improves the perception of the future of the CAP, with its two pillars. In addition to paying farmers, we also need to invest in rural areas. I would also add the need for the Competitiveness Fund to have a strong agricultural pillar for research and innovation, but also for energy, such as biomethane, biogas and agrovoltaics. With this, we will be diversifying farmers' sources of income and also ensuring their circularity. But we also need an agricultural reinsurance instrument to reduce the price of insurance in the sector. On simplification, I am pleased to see here the position of the EPP, the PSD, well reflected in the document. I shall end, Commissioner, with a regret: I am well aware of your concern and commitment to the ORs and to POSEI. In revising the proposal for the next financial framework, we managed to save the specificity of this programme, but I cannot accept moving from 100% funding, as it is at present, to 15% co-financing. Let's take care of this. We will continue to defend European, Portuguese and OR farmers to ensure the future of the project.
Madam President, Commissioner, gender equality is not a privilege. It is a necessity for progress and for European democracy. Tackling gender-based violence remains urgent. One in three women in the European Union is a victim of this scourge, many in their homes, at work and increasingly online. Digital violence, which affects both young people and women, has led to a move away from public and political life, limiting the right to participate. This is a real attack on democracy and it is therefore crucial to ensure the implementation of the Anti-Violence against Women Directive, which includes the digital aspect. But gender equality is not limited to protection, it also requires economic empowerment and we need to tackle the disparities in the European Union of still 12% in wages and 26% in pensions. Valuing the sectors where there are predominantly more women, implementing the Pay Transparency Directive and supporting female entrepreneurship are steps we need to take now. In addition, women also continue to take on the role of carers in unpaid work, and it is essential to ensure that they are able to participate in the labour market, in compliance with the Directive. Work-Life Balance. Gender equality is, above all, equal opportunities and this begins in education. There are still many disparities in STEM, digital and artificial intelligence, with only one in six ICT specialists being women. We cannot waste talent, much less in strategic areas. Equality is not only a question of social justice, it is also a question of the competitiveness of the European economy. A more inclusive economy could increase European GDP by up to 10%. Ensuring quality healthcare for all women and integrating a gender perspective into scientific research is crucial. I end by noting that women in remote and outermost rural areas face more barriers to employment, health, education and connectivity and are therefore often the first to leave these territories, even though they represent pillars of innovation and vitality for these communities. We have to guarantee your right to stay. The path to gender equality is the path to a fairer, stronger and truly democratic Europe.
The new 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework: architecture and governance (debate)
Mr President, Commissioner, I also congratulate Vice-President Fitto. In fact, after the initial storm of the Commission proposal which devalued the role of the European Parliament, destroyed two fundamental policies for the construction of the European project, which are the Common Agricultural Policy and also the Cohesion Policy, and also ended what is the Common Fisheries Policy, we now have a positive signal and we can start working. In fact, it is essential that we consider that the common agricultural policy is strengthened in this revised proposal, in which we have a second pillar that is beginning to appear. It's not ideal, but it allows us to work. Here too, we have the possibility of involving local and regional authorities more closely in the design and management of European projects and funds and regional policy. And we also have a good sign for the outermost regions. By creating a separation of POSEI here, it is outside the national envelope and opens the door for us to create a wider POSEI, also in the area of fisheries, transport, energy, and this is fundamental. We'll be ready to work.
The new 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework: architecture and governance (debate)
Thank you very much, Honourable Member. In fact, the initial proposal of the European Commission was a step backwards in what were the competences of the European Parliament in respect of a common agricultural policy and a multi-level cohesion policy involving local and regional authorities in the design, management and implementation of European funds. But this revision proposed by the European Commission brings us some good news. Not what we really want, but in fact it goes in the right direction and now allows us to start working. And indeed, for the outermost regions, it meets our request to separate the POSEI envelope from the national envelope for the CAP and to create an autonomous envelope from what we have had so far. Do you or do you not consider this a good measure on the part of the European Commission?
Combating violence against women and girls, including the exploitation of motherhood (debate)
Madam President, motherhood should never be used as a form of violence against women. The impact of parenthood is still disproportionate for women economically and professionally. In 2023, in the European Union, the gender employment gap reached 17% for people with children, while for people without children it was only 4%. Disparities in pay, career development and greater precariousness create situations of economic dependence that reinforce cycles of vulnerability and make it more difficult to put an end to contexts of violence or discrimination. The right to motherhood must be protected, and mothers must be provided with all the necessary resources so that motherhood is not a vulnerability or a factor of inequality. We can only combat violence against women and girls if we understand it in all its dimensions and expressions, so that we also address other types of violence that affect so many of our girls, with truly dramatic impacts. Sharing non-consensual and artificial intelligence-generated content such as videos and deep fake photos on social platforms is unacceptable and must be a criminal offence in all Member States. An identification card must be attached to each profile. Society as a whole must penalize those who share without consent and those who allow this sharing.
