Speeches

Madam President, colleagues, what has happened to our Jewish brothers and sisters in Belgium and in the Netherlands, and in other places of Europe, is not only shocking, it is a disgrace for Europe. Jewish citizens are once again afraid to walk safely in European streets. That should alarm every one of us. Let us stop hiding behind vague words; antisemitism today often comes from radicalised environments fuelled by hatred against Israel and against the Jewish as such. If we are serious, we must have the courage to name and confront these sources. Synagogues are guarded by soldiers with automatic weapons. This is a tragic symbol of our failure. I refuse to tolerate attacks against our Jewish friends. The perpetrators must face the harshest possible punishment. And if they are illegal migrants, they must be deported immediately – no excuse, no hesitation. European identity is built on Christianity and Judaism. If we cannot protect Jewish life, we are betraying Europe itself. No second Kristallnacht: not in Europe, not ever again.

Madam President, being a lawyer who even taught more than 20 years international and European law, let me share the following thoughts. The effectiveness of the European Union does not depend only on the quality of the legislation we adopt, but above all on its proper and timely implementation by Member States. Without enforcement, even the best law remains merely words on paper. At the same time, we must be mindful that EU law does not exist in a vacuum. [Inaudible] should respect national legal systems and traditions, striving for coherence with them wherever possible, and avoiding unnecessary fundamental conflicts. Better lawmaking at the European level means legislation that is not only ambitious, but also realistic and compatible. We must therefore insist on consistency, transparency and accountability. Infringement procedures must be applied without hesitation where a law is violated. At the same time, we should report Member States in preventing breaches through clearer guidance and better cooperation. In conclusion, strengthening monitoring mechanisms is not about centralisation, it's about credibility.

Madam President, dear colleagues, Madam Commissioner, I propose to support this file as protecting depositors and preserving financial stability is essential. At the same time, the framework introduces a broader set of tools, deposit guarantee schemes, including earlier intervention in certain situations. The key question is, therefore, how these tools are applied in practice. The use of the risk-cost principle must remain transparent, well-grounded and consistently applied to ensure confidence in the system. Moreover, the framework must preserve the right incentives across the system. Stability relies not only on intervention tools, but also on responsibility and sound risk management. We should therefore closely monitor the implementation of this framework, and remain ready to adjust it where necessary to ensure that interventions remain limited and do not create unintended incentives. Intervention must remain the exception, not the expectation.

Mr President, Members of the European Parliament, the ongoing violence in north-east Syria is a humanitarian tragedy, with devastating consequences for civilians caught between warring parties. Families are displaced, children live in fear, and basic security is under constant threat. as parliamentarians committed first and foremost to the security and dignity of our nations and of people everywhere, we must recognise that the European stability has a direct link to peace in its neighbourhood. Therefore, we call for a durable and verifiable ceasefire that protects civilians without enabling endless military escalation. A ceasefire must be anchored in respect for local governance structures and be supported by concrete steps towards humanitarian access, reconstruction and regional stability. We urge the international community, including the European Union, as partners, to prioritise civilian protection, uphold humanitarian law and avoid policies that deepen conflict. Europe's role should be one of principled diplomacy, ensuring that peace, order and respect for sovereign communities prevail.