Speeches

The session resumed. The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the texts adopted have been distributed. If no comments were received, the minutes were approved.

The next item is the topical debate requested by a political group, Mr Renew (Rule 169 of the Rules of Procedure), on 'Continuing attacks on democratic institutions and the rule of law in Bulgaria'. I would remind the honourable Members that there is no catch-the-eye procedure for this debate and no blue card will be accepted.

The session resumed. The minutes of yesterday's sitting and the texts adopted have been distributed. If there are no comments, the approved minutes.

The next sitting will be held tomorrow, Tuesday 21 October 2025 at 9 a.m. The agenda has been published and is available on the European Parliament's website.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, today women in Europe still earn 12.7% less than men and represent only 34% of STEM graduates. Numbers that remind us that real equality, also from this point of view, is still far away. I believe that true equality means freedom of choice, being able to work, grow up, be mothers or entrepreneurs, without having to give up one's aspirations, including parenting. I often bring my children into this context to try to reconcile all this, even if it is not easy at all. For years with the Gender Equality Week, Taking place in the first week of November, we promote equality and inclusion. This year will be dedicated to talent, which we will explore in all its dimensions. The new Gender Action Plan, approved this week by the Bureau of the European Parliament, is heading in the right direction. It demonstrates the will to make Europe a concrete example for all European, regional and national institutions. But we need more momentum. We must build a true ecosystem of support for families, able to face the demographic decline, offer quality services and make equality a reality lived. My question to the Commission, therefore, is: Are we ready to work together with Parliament in this direction?

The next item is the report by Dennis Radtke, on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2009/38/EC as regards the establishment and functioning of European Works Councils and the effective enforcement of transnational information and consultation rights (COM(2024)0014 - C9-0012/2024 - 2024/0006(COD)) (A10-0029/2024).

The S&D Group informed the President of a decision to amend the appointments of delegations. This decision will be included in the minutes of today's sitting and will enter into force with effect from this announcement.

The next item is the report by Matjaž Nemec, on behalf of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards the revision of the suspension mechanism (COM(2023)0642 - C9-0392/2023 - 2023/0371(COD) (A10-0035/2025).

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, what really makes our understanding of sport European? Not just competition or a result, but accessibility, inclusion, participation. Sport is public health, it is civic education, it is territorial cohesion. That is why European policies must continue to invest in local sports infrastructure, volunteering and the participation of young people and women. Today I bring you a concrete example of how these values can become reality. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the European Week of Sport, in Viterbo the European Parliament and the Commission in Italy promoted the "Half Marathon Città dei Papi", a competitive and free half marathon. Not just an anniversary with a sporting event, but a community that chooses sport as its common language. Demonstration that opened by unrolling a European flag of 600 square meters. Because Europe is also this: 167 sports clubs involved, over 1 000 athletes for the competitive part of ten nationalities, 40 provinces, 15 regions and 194 different cities in Italy. An event that has become a symbol of community and Europe. If we really want to defend the European model of sport, we must start from there, from the streets, from the provincial fields, from our cities, from small sports clubs, because every person who wears a jersey not only dreams of winning, but of feeling part of something bigger.