Speeches

Mr President, it is difficult, in a minute, to make an assessment of this whole debate, so I will be allowed to focus on one issue. I have heard the far right in this House hold the European Union's climate policy accountable for the rise in electricity prices. I have to tell you one thing: Make no mistake. You can't be more wrong. That's not the problem. The problem with rising electricity prices is that there are those who triple their profits at the expense of citizens and users and, therefore, what needs to be done is to be firm in defending the fight against climate change with the policies we have to put in place, but also to look for measures to balance the profits of companies with the real cost of electricity on the market. Mrs von der Leyen, in conclusion, I believe that we have faced this COVID crisis with courage. And courage is necessary, but not only in times of crisis. Courage is needed to build a Europe that is truly on the side of citizens. If you think we need to keep betting, you have the Socialists and Democrats Group on that path.

Madam President, Madam President von der Leyen, ladies and gentlemen, a year ago we held this debate in exceptional circumstances. We faced important challenges: curbing the spread of the pandemic, ensuring vaccination in Europe, historic investments to mitigate the economic effects of the crisis, accompanied by social measures that leave no one behind, and, at the same time, strengthening our democracies in the face of attacks that weaken the rule of law. Looking back, we can take a positive balance: 70% of the European population is vaccinated, the digital certificate has restored one of our Union’s fundamental freedoms – freedom of movement –, we have approved the Next Generation EU and money is starting to reach people, families and businesses. From the Social Democratic family, we have not stopped insisting that these investments must be made with the future in mind. They must be the beginning of a transition towards a more sustainable economic and social model, a true Pact for Sustainability. The Climate Law is an important milestone for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, and this Parliament managed to raise greenhouse gas reductions above 55% by 2030. But we cannot fall into complacency. We've done a lot, yes, but we're only halfway there. One of the most important aspects of the European Union needs to be strengthened: the Health Union. President von der Leyen, when she presented the political orientations of her mandate to this House, promised to make a transition to a green social market economy. But let me tell you that these three elements are far from balanced yet. Undoubtedly, it is in the area of environmental sustainability where the European Commission's agenda has advanced the most, with a whole battery of laws, with the "Fit for 55" package of measures. It is a team effort led by Vice President Timmermans and a sign that collegiality works when all the ideas and energies of the entire College are added together. Among them, socialists miss a law to protect biodiversity. This summer's fires and floods are a clear example of that need and you have referred to it. But what worries me most is that there is an imbalance between the three pillars of this new economic and social model that we want to build, a resilient model that guarantees the well-being of people. To avoid a social divide as we move forward in environmental policies, it is imperative to strengthen the Social Climate Fund. And when I say strengthening the Social Climate Fund, I mean providing it with more economic means and clear criteria in its distribution. In its foresight report a year ago, the Commission said a resilient Europe will come out sooner and come out stronger in the face of any crisis to implement the Sustainable Development Goals. Let us not forget that this is the ultimate goal of any policy, of any strategy: the well-being of people. That is what we must devote our time, our effort to. I think we have not done enough yet, because the pandemic has exacerbated the difficulties and inequalities of an unjust economic model. The most vulnerable groups are those who have suffered the most and who continue to suffer: elderly, children, health and care workers, people with fewer resources and less training, immigrants, who, moreover, let us not forget, are at risk of being scapegoats for populist and xenophobic messages. Further reforms are needed to reduce the level of uncertainty. But this people-centred economy also requires governance reforms, with indicators that take human development into account, and it requires a real social pillar. The Porto Summit was a first step, but we need clear objectives to continue its implementation. I would also like to reiterate a fundamental point: the gender dimension. You made a lot of announcements, Mrs. von der Leyen, this morning. Let me tell you that, for my group, the announcement of the Commission's commitment to present a law against gender-based violence in Europe is undoubtedly great, excellent news. We have been asking for years for this European law to fight against the greatest scourge that exists at the moment, because in the world, in Europe, there are women who lose their lives, who are killed for the mere fact of being women, and we cannot remain impassive in the face of this reality. And let me tell you that I still do not understand how there can be groups in this House that are not willing to incorporate gender-based violence into the European legal order. Let's work to make this so. Migration and asylum policy is also a moral duty – speaking of moral duties – because it is fundamental, because we are seeing what is happening in Afghanistan, and also the need for Europe to speak with one voice in foreign policy. Let's be brave, it's time to overcome unanimity to decide on foreign policy. And the rule of law is fundamental. The European Union is values, it is a defence of the rule of law, and we must be firm. The Commission has taken steps, but it has to be even braver. The Socialists and Democrats Group is going to be on it. Finally, reflecting on the great upheavals with which we began the 21st century, said Jorge Sampaio, a great European and a great socialist, who did not know what the world would be like in a few years, who only hoped to look back and see that we have managed to preserve the values of democracy, fundamental rights, freedom and tolerance. He is no longer with us, but his struggle for those values is also ours, for today's Europe and for future generations. (Applause)

Madam President, it breaks my heart to see how the Taliban have destroyed our country in one day. These words are from Nilofar Bayat, an Afghan Paralympic athlete who was evacuated from Afghanistan to Spain last August, but they are also the words of thousands of Afghan women and girls who do not remember what it is like to live in subjugation. The first lesson to be learned is to accept that a country cannot be transformed without the strong support of the local population. The military intervention – let’s face it – has been a failure, but there is still time for the humanitarian response and for it not to be a failure. It is not time to seek culprits now among allies, but to work together for the stability of the country and the region and for the protection of the rights of the Afghan population. The launch of a reception centre in Madrid by the Government of Pedro Sánchez for the Afghan collaborators of the European Union and their families is a commendable gesture of solidarity. It is now necessary to strengthen a humanitarian corridor, coordinated by the European External Action Service, to repatriate the thousands of people left behind, and allow all governments to grant humanitarian visas and shelter to people fleeing Taliban terror. We cannot proclaim on the air respect for human rights while millions of people sink into despair before our eyes. Let us now abandon double language, turn words into deeds and reach an agreement on migration in the European Union, a pact endowed with sufficient material means and based on the principles of solidarity and humanity. Let us never forget that Europeans are the children and grandchildren of refugees who also fled persecution in search of a better future. The effort made in Afghanistan over the past twenty years cannot become a nostalgic memory. In addition to building schools and hospitals, freedom and equality flourished, particularly for a new generation of Afghans. The Taliban have not changed: They still consider women inferior beings and continue to consider that they have fewer rights than men. Women of the world: let us unite to help Afghan women and girls with all our strength; The brave protests in the streets show that they are full of energy, hope and dreams. The Taliban will be able to conquer the territories, but they will never conquer hearts and minds. I call for the support of this House for Afghan women to be awarded the 2021 Sakharov Prize. The return of the Taliban also marks the beginning of a new geostrategic reality in which the European Union must begin to fend for itself. The time for Byzantine discussions about whether we need strategic autonomy must come to an end. Let us develop a genuine common foreign and security policy that will enable us to equip ourselves, as soon as possible, with the instruments necessary to guarantee the Union's sovereignty. Creating an international operational force that circumvents the unanimity trap would prevent anyone from giving lessons to the European Union again. The fall of Kabul has been a severe defeat for those of us who believe in the progress of humanity. In a world still torn between civilization and barbarism, it is time to show that our European dream has not only made the greatest period of peace and prosperity on our continent a reality, but that it must also be a great legacy to give human response to the global challenges of today and tomorrow.

Mr President, last Friday, in Spain, Samuel was murdered at the age of 24; They beat him to death while yelling "faggot." This latest victim is the horrific realization of where hate speech and anti-LGBTI are leading us; Discriminatory discourses and policies promoted across Europe by far-right movements and their complicit governments, in a homophobic and anti-human rights crusade. Because yes, LGBTI rights are human rights. And, in the European Union, acting against them is illegal. That is why the new law in Hungary must be repealed for violating human rights and for being an indecency and an embarrassment. Because these retrograde laws are a germ of hatred and violence, to discriminate according to who you love, to insult at a Pride march in Zagreb, as happened on Saturday, or to kill a 24-year-old boy. Let me be clear: in the European Union anyone should have the same rights and opportunities to love whomever they love. The Council reacted against the Hungarian government, but action needs to be taken, from the use of the conditionality mechanism to sanctions via Article 7, and once and for all unblocking the Anti-Discrimination Directive. This House cannot accept the whitewashing of anti-LGBTI speeches that are launched from the grandstands that incite hatred, nor did municipalities, stadiums and public places that were illuminated with the rainbow, in the face of the gloomy and dark politics of the Hungarian Government; even Budapest. Let's be clear: Hungary is not Orbán. Finally, let me send a message to all those LGBTI people who may be listening to us, who are afraid to say who they love, who suffer because they feel alone and threatened: We are at your side, we love you and we defend you. Never doubt your dreams or your rights. Those who have no place are the governments that hate and discriminate, not you and you, because you make a Union proud of itself, a Union proud of your freedom and your love.

Mr President, the discriminatory law of the LGTBI community approved by the Hungarian Parliament requires a firm reaction. And I am glad to have heard today from Mr Michel and Mrs von der Leyen a clear position in defence of the rule of law. We know that Mr Orbán is not alone, as evidenced by Poland's infamous "LGBT ideology-free zones" or the regrettable attunement to that ideological drift of the Slovenian government. It's all right now! We are part of a community of core values and principles. It must be borne in mind that the solution is not to signal the exit door to Hungary - we must also say so. Hungary is not your government. Let's not forget. We have other instruments: Let us speed up the Article 7 procedure and move forward with the suspension of funds due to deficiencies in the rule of law. We must also be able to improve our ability to react in an increasingly turbulent neighborhood. The latest act of Belarusian state piracy, Russia's run-ins with illegal annexations of territories, poisonings, cyber-attacks and propaganda, Turkey's defiant attitude in the Mediterranean waters and the use of people on the southern shore to give a pulse to the Union's borders require quick and precise responses, and for this we need to thoroughly explore the possibilities of acting without unanimity with the margin offered by the Treaty. The European Union is not only an economic giant, but has already demonstrated its ability to exercise geopolitics when circumstances require it. Sanctions against Russia following the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 have dealt a significant blow to Moscow, made possible by a remarkable example of unity. Precisely, the relationship with Russia has shown another dividing line between the Member States. While some partners' mistrust of Russia is justified, they are wrong to reject a high-level dialogue with the Russian authorities. Dialogue itself is not a concession. A global power like the European Union has to talk to all actors, even those with whom it has deep disagreements. With neighbors like Putin, Lukashenko or Erdoğan, we need a strategy that combines maximum firmness in response to their abuses with dialogue to defend our interests in the face of common challenges. Indeed, the pandemic continues to transform the global balance of power. The huge gap between the least resourced countries and the most advanced economies has repercussions worldwide: economically and socially, with increasing inequalities, and in the health field, with the risk of new variants of the virus. The European Union must lead both global vaccination and the mobilisation of public funding to ensure access to international liquidity for developing economies. Because a rapid global economic recovery will not only result in the well-being of European citizens, but also in Europe's influence in tomorrow's world.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, believe me if I say that I wish the Slovenian Presidency every success, because its success will be the success of the entire European Union. I have no doubt that Slovenia has the capacity and experience to do a great job, provided that you, Mr Janša, opt for collaboration with this Parliament, with the Commission and with the fundamental principles of the Union. This Parliament is directly elected by citizens. Here you see representatives of very diverse political ideas, and we can only serve citizens if we all make an effort to respect and listen to each other. Only by reaching agreements, without ever renouncing the fundamental values of the Union, can we take forward the necessary laws or policies, such as the Recovery Plan, the reform of the common agricultural policy or the purchase of vaccines. The rule of law is a fundamental element in such cooperation. And let me tell you that it is not a good sign what happened last week in a meeting you had with the European Commission to discuss the rule of law, a meeting that was used to attack the opposition in your country. You know that respect is fundamental in our task: respect for differences of opinion, so that we can move forward together in diversity – this is the only way to build Europe; and respect for the truth, protecting freedom of the press as an indispensable pillar of democracy. The six-monthly presidency of the Union coincides with the 30th anniversary of Slovenia's independence, which has been a model of transition in a country with great capacities and contributions to the common project. All the more so that Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that this legacy is not lost. We will not only be vigilant with the rule of law, judicial independence and freedom of the press. We also have an obligation to ensure the proper use of European funds and, therefore, you should leave here today with the commitment to appoint a delegate to the European Public Prosecutor's Office. You have warned of the problems in the delays of justice, because it is in your hands to be able to resolve this issue. So don't wait until tomorrow to announce the appointment. Do it today, right here, and it will give peace of mind to the Slovenes and the Slovenes, and also to this Chamber. Because what we want here is for no one to be left behind, nowhere in Europe. Because we are in this together, the presidency's motto says it: ‘Together. Resilient. Europe”. That's what we want. I agree with the statement of your priorities: recovery and resilience, strengthening the rule of law and European values. Are you really committed to this? On that path he will agree with us. We European socialists share the priority of advancing enlargement in the Western Balkans and we hope that significant steps can be taken in this regard. But don't forget about immigration reform, which is urgent and must be supportive, balanced and fair. And another priority is the future of Europe: the Conference on the Future of Europe ⁇ I applaud it ⁇ . In September, the first citizens' panels will finally be organized and all voices must be heard. By the way, you talked about how we can improve Europe's voice abroad. I'm telling you: ending the unanimity rule. Mr Janša, you have the opportunity to exercise service leadership not only for the two million Slovenes and Slovenians, but for 500 million Europeans and Europeans. It's a big responsibility. Do not waste it, for the sake of your country and, above all, for the sake of the Union.