What João spoke about.

16

Dec

2024

Speeches PT

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Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention on transparency in treaty-based investor-State arbitration (short presentation)

Mr President, Commissioner, these amendments concerning the rules on the transparency of international arbitration, of course, are without prejudice to having more access to documentation, to having more access to information, in particular by the public, and it is, of course, a positive element. Now, these amendments do not solve the fundamental problem. And the fundamental problem is that, when the public interest is at stake, it must be the courts of the State, it must be international law and, in particular, private international law that serves as the basis for resolving international disputes. Because, when the public interest is at stake, we cannot refer to arbitration the resolution of disputes, otherwise they will be captured by those who, from an economic point of view, have the capacity to influence the action of these arbitral tribunals. We cannot expect that a small state against a large transnational corporation will guarantee the preservation, the defence of its public interest in an arbitral tribunal that is not obliged to apply the substantive rules of law that preserve and defend the public interest. And that is the direction in which we should move and not that of encouraging arbitration.

16

Dec

2024

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Regional Emergency Support: RESTORE (debate)

Madam President, Commissioner, the fires in Portugal, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira or in the districts of Viseu and Aveiro are examples of disasters, the damage to which needs to be repaired. Support is needed for small and medium-sized farmers and forest producers, for small entrepreneurs, for the people who have been affected by these disasters. And it is important that there are European funds that can be mobilised for that response. That is why we shall be voting in favour of this proposal presented to us with the RESTORE programme. Nevertheless, we have put forward some proposals on issues that we think are important. Firstly, it seems to us that the possibility of mobilising and improving the Solidarity Fund and the emergency aid reserve, which are also intended for situations such as this, should not be dispensed with. Secondly, it seems to us that the funds that are used from the ERDF and the European Social Fund Plus for this purpose should be compensated so that they are not missing from the funds for economic, social and territorial cohesion. And thirdly, we propose that this compensation of money should be used for what really serves the peoples and should be made from the money earmarked for war and militarism.

16

Dec

2024

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Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2023 (debate)

Madam President, I begin by welcoming the European Ombudsman and the report she has presented to us on the work carried out in 2023, which is a beautiful portrait of what is the reality today in the European Union, of those who are allowed to do everything and of those who are severely harmed by the European reality, the European Union and its policies. I would like to highlight two aspects of the report presented by the Ombudsman: one on banking scandals and one on migration. The way in which the European Ombudsman intervened in complaints about the actions of banking and financial authorities, including the impact of financial scandals such as the Banco Popular scandal or the LIBOR rate scandal, shows how banks can do everything they want to the detriment of citizens, with citizens bearing those consequences and, with great difficulty, authorities preventing such practices. At the same time, the intervention of the European Ombudsman on migration in relation to violence and abuses against migrants and refugees and in relation to illegal practices of forced returns or other Frontex practices that are criticised by the European Ombudsman. These inevitably make a mark on the lives of migrants. This is a mark of inequality in the European Union.

28

Nov

2024

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Strengthening children’s rights in the EU - 35th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (debate)

Madam President, 35 years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, many of these rights are just a mirage. The thousands of children killed by Israel in the Gaza Strip are the cruelest and most inhuman proof of this reality. There is much to be done to make the rights of the Convention a reality in the lives of children. Parental poverty must be eradicated so that it does not also affect children, by guaranteeing work with rights and fair wages, the strengthening of parental and breastfeeding leave or the universalisation and strengthening of family allowances. There is a need to increase investment in universal, public and quality health and education services, to increase public and universal provision of crèches and pre-school education, to ensure decent housing conditions, balanced nutrition and accessible transport. In order for them to grow up happily, it is necessary to combat the discrimination and violence to which they are subjected and to guarantee them an effective right to leisure and free time, to receive care in the family environment. We need to listen to children and give them an effective opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect them. It's a long road, but it's a road we need to go.

27

Nov

2024

Questions PT

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Promoting a favourable framework for venture capital financing and safe foreign direct investments in the EU (debate)

Mr Assis, the Draghi report says and I quote: “We need a genuine EU economic foreign policy. The EU should coordinate preferential trade agreements and direct investment". End of citation. The report also proposes the creation of a decision-making mechanism for the approval of common external direct investment, i.e. a mechanism enabling the European Union to decide on the external direct investment that is made in each country of the European Union, naturally by companies, by investors from outside the European Union. This, in itself, already means a factor of concern, particularly for countries like Portugal, but it is a factor of even greater concern, because this, together with the policy of facilitating mergers and acquisitions, naturally refers our country to a very difficult role in dealing with foreign direct investment, if it is conditioned by the European Union. I would like to know what the opinion of the Socialist Party is on this matter.

27

Nov

2024

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Rise of energy prices and fighting energy poverty (debate)

Ladies and gentlemen, 20 years ago, Mr Barroso proclaimed the liberalisation of the energy sector, saying that competition would bring down prices. Exactly the opposite happened. Today, we are told that the energy transition and the reduction of energy prices will be achieved through further liberalisation. They are deceiving us again, choosing good pretexts to hide bad politics. The situation in Portugal is an example of this. The production of energy from renewable sources in Portugal is already much more significant than that produced from non-renewable sources. However, the European price formation mechanism makes us pay for energy at the cost of the most expensive non-renewable energy sources. The consequences are in sight. We have the highest percentage in the European Union of people who cannot adequately heat their homes. Small businesses are heavily penalised for their energy bills, but economic groups in the energy sector multiply their profits. We need an energy policy that serves the people and national development. It is not enough to invoke the energy transition. It is necessary to intervene in the formation of energy prices and take public control of the strategic sector.

27

Nov

2024

Questions PT

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Rise of energy prices and fighting energy poverty (debate)

Honourable Member, you have come here to attack the production of energy from renewable sources and I want to ask you a very direct question, from the Portuguese case. Portugal currently produces more energy from renewable sources than from non-renewable sources. But the European price formation mechanism makes us pay the price of energy at the cost of the price of energy produced from non-renewable sources. Why do you not call into question the European price formation mechanism? Is it because it favours energy groups and the far right side with the interests of those energy groups? Is that why the far right does not dare to attack the rules that favour this business, which is done at the expense of people’s poverty, at the expense of the ruin of economies?

27

Nov

2024

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Presentation by the President-elect of the Commission of the College of Commissioners and its programme (debate)

Mrs von der Leyen, voting against this European Commission means rejecting its political programme. People need peace, they need cooperation. They need social cohesion, better wages and pensions, access to housing, health, education, social protection, responding to environmental problems. The Commission insists on policies of militarism, war and confrontation; policies that deny social and labour rights and turn into business all the conditions on which a fair and dignified life depends for those who work or have worked a lifetime. Peoples need economies geared towards meeting their needs, the exploitation of productive resources and national development. The Commission insists on so-called competitiveness policies, with more liberalisation of markets, more privatisations and even more favouring of economic groups, multinationals and banks. People need more democracy, social progress and development. Affirming this alternative that serves the people, we reject the Commission and its policies.

26

Nov

2024

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Political and humanitarian situation in Mozambique (debate)

26

Nov

2024

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Urgent need to tackle the gender pay gap (debate)

26

Nov

2024

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Outcome of COP 29 and challenges for international climate policy (debate)

26

Nov

2024

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Continued escalation in the Middle East: the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region, the need to release all hostages and the recent ICC arrest warrants (debate)

26

Nov

2024

Questions PT

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The Autumn 2024 Economic Forecast: a gradual rebound in an adverse environment (debate)

26

Nov

2024

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2025 budgetary procedure: Joint text (debate)

26

Nov

2024

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Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia (debate)

26

Nov

2024

Questions PT

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Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia (debate)

25

Nov

2024

Speeches PT

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Mr President, general increases in wages and pensions; upgrading careers and working conditions; strengthening public investment in housing and the responsiveness of public services, health, education, social security and culture; support for productive sectors and scientific and technological development; a fair taxation policy with the alleviation of taxes on labour and the effective taxation of economic groups and large fortunes. These are some of the demands that the workers and the Portuguese people take to the streets on November 29, in a major action that was called by the CGTP Intersindical Nacional against the State Budget, which the PSD and CDS Government will make approved, with the support of the Socialist Party and the parties to its right. This is a response that Portuguese workers are giving to a policy that does not serve their interests, that does not serve the development of the country, that does not respond to any national problem, but that satisfies the interests of large economic groups and the financial sector, and that has behind it, in many circumstances, the guidelines of the European Union. We want to express here our solidarity with this important struggle that the workers are taking forward.

25

Nov

2024

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Outcome of the UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 in Cali, Colombia (COP16) (debate)

Mr President, the rate of biodiversity loss is now at rates that experts consider to be unprecedented in the period of human history. The announcement of targets is not enough to halt this trend, particularly in international protocols. Moreover, the European Union is well aware of the failure of such an approach, failing to meet the objectives of halting the loss of biodiversity in the territories of its Member States by 2020. This COP16 has made it clear that, beyond targets, the means are needed to develop policies to meet social needs within the framework of a harmonious and sustainable relationship between human beings and nature. In good time, we have proposed to increase the European Union's budget in this area. Regrettably, it has been rejected here. Alongside the means, the preservation of biodiversity, the restoration of ecosystems needs a profound change in the productive paradigm, responding first and foremost to the interests of the peoples, which EU policies continue to deny.

25

Nov

2024

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International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (debate)

The struggle for a life free from exploitation, discrimination and inequality is a millennial struggle of the human being. But the recognition of women's rights is only part of recent history and, in many cases, even today, it is only a proclamation with no concrete consequence in women's lives. Domestic and dating violence, prostitution, sexual violence, discrimination and harassment in the workplace, denial of sexual and reproductive rights are some of the forms of violence against women that continue to mark our reality. They are one of the cruelest expressions of an unequal society, which does not allow all human beings a full realization. Women's rights must be in the law and in the reality of life, including equality at work, in the family and in society. Denouncing violence against women and demanding policies to eradicate it are urgent tasks. Eradicating violence against women is a fight for democracy.

14

Nov

2024

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EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia (RC-B10-0161/2024)

Madam President, the scheduling of this debate and the corresponding resolution are part of the logic of instigating and promoting confrontation and escalation of the conflict in Eastern Europe, with the serious dangers it entails for the Ukrainian and Russian peoples, but also for the peoples of Europe. The resolution confirms this, first of all, by insisting on the strengthening of sanctions and the omission of their consequences in the worsening of the economic and social situation in several countries, a worsening that is being paid for by workers and peoples. That is also why we have distanced ourselves from the resolution tabled by our group. What is urgent is the creation of initiatives that promote dialogue and the political solution of the conflict, to which this resolution does not contribute, but seeks to obstruct. It is a resolution that highlights the hypocrisy of the European Parliament which, at the same time, covers up and sustains Israel's genocidal policy against the Palestinian people. We need peace, not more war.

13

Nov

2024

Speeches PT

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One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Mr President, Portugal is currently experiencing a difficult situation with regard to health care, particularly in the area of medical emergency and INEM. And some of those responsible for these difficulties in Portugal are sitting in this Parliament. Here sit those responsible for approving policies of privatization of public services and favoring the business of disease, instead of defending the right to health. Those responsible for policies of budgetary constraints, limitations on public investment, obstacles to improving the functioning of public health services and increasing their responsiveness sit here. Here sit those responsible for policies of devaluation of workers, their careers, their professions, their working conditions, their working hours, which, being deregulated, disarticulate work and family life and lead to exhaustion and exhaustion of professionals, and lead to the abandonment of public services and the refusal to present themselves for competitions to be hired when they are needed. This happens in general, but it happens in particular in relation to doctors, nurses and pre-hospital emergency technicians at INEM. And that was all that was missing, was that the workers were now held accountable for the policies imposed on them.

13

Nov

2024

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Order of business

Madam President, the Israeli Parliament has decided to block the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. This inhuman and intolerable decision leaves hundreds of thousands of Palestinians without the humanitarian aid they need, imposing a brutal degradation of their already weak living conditions. The Commissioner-General of this UN agency said that this legislation will only deepen the suffering of the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where people live – and I quote – ‘pure hell’, even putting at risk an entire generation of Palestinian children. The UN Secretary-General found it unacceptable that the implementation of such laws could have devastating consequences for Palestinian refugees. The silence of the European Parliament or the postponement of this debate would mean complicity with this inhuman and criminal decision of the Israeli Parliament. We therefore propose that this debate be held and that it be held now, because it is now that it is urgent.

24

Oct

2024

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Closing the EU skills gap: supporting people in the digital and green transitions to ensure inclusive growth and competitiveness in line with the Draghi report (debate)

Mr President, labour productivity has always risen above real wage developments. The consequence of this is the transfer of wealth created by the workers to capital, and this problem can only be solved by increasing wages and ensuring a fairer distribution of the wealth created. That is the bottom line. However, this debate on competitiveness focuses only on the competitive comparison with the United States and China. Draghi's report is a kind of unconfessed Bible of the European Commission. In this report, workers are seen only as parts of a production cog, their rights and needs are not considered and competitiveness is addressed, giving priority to the creation of pan-European monopoly companies, the concentration and centralisation of capital, the aggravation of the exploitation of those who work. The path of development and social justice is another and must have workers, their rights, their wages, their living conditions and a fairer distribution of the wealth created by work at the centre of political concerns and priorities.

24

Oct

2024

Questions PT

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Closing the EU skills gap: supporting people in the digital and green transitions to ensure inclusive growth and competitiveness in line with the Draghi report (debate)

Mr Sérgio Humberto, in your speech you spoke of the importance of education and training for the qualification of workers. And I want you to tell us: How can this be done by accepting the budgetary constraints that the European Union imposes on us? How is this done – as is currently the case in Portugal – with the government that you support submitting a proposal for a State Budget which, accepting the budgetary constraints imposed on us by the European Union, does not invest in public schools, does not invest in hiring and requalifying teachers' careers, does not invest in hiring and valuing educational aids, specialised technicians? How does all this happen? Otherwise, his speech is a contradiction with practice.

23

Oct

2024

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Need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe (debate)

Mr President, it was not because of a so-called fragmentation of the European railway area that Portugal lost its international rail link, going back 100 years, or that it lost 1 200 kilometres of railway lines. This has happened within the framework of European Union policies, which have promoted public disinvestment in this strategic sector. It is necessary to discuss the consequences of the policies of the European Union and its railway packages on the dismemberment and weakening of the sector, favouring a path of privatisation and concentration in the hands of multinationals. It is in this context of sacred liberalisation that the creation of yet another high-speed public-private partnership between Lisbon and Porto is now under discussion in Portugal, when financing is already guaranteed by the European Investment Bank. Profits are privatised, investments are mutualised, infrastructures serving the interests of multinationals are favoured. It is necessary to strengthen public investment, but in a public management network that serves the country and its regions, integrating its various dimensions and valuing workers in the rail sector.