Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Chair of S&D, holds a press conference in the European Parliament in Strasbourg to present the priorities of the group for the plenary session. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strasbourg

plenary session

press conference

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

S&D press briefing by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Chair of S&D

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, Good morning to everyone. And first of all, of course, thank them for attending this regular meeting from the Socialists and Democrats Group to review what is on the agenda of this plenary session, which also has a lot to do with the moment in which we are.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, We are going to discuss throughout this week issues that have been on the agenda of this European Parliament and that have, of course, also been on the agenda of our political group, from which we have been able to lead the great transformations that have taken place in recent years within the framework of the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, We can name important decisions that we are going to take in the area of implementing Green Day and climate policies from the European Parliament, with different decisions that will be taken this week and that have to do with reducing the use of pesticides. We are also going to deal with the topic of unnecessary packaging, an important issue that will bring us to debate this plenary session or the law on the right to reparation.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, They're going to allow me two minutes with this. We often talk about the European Union and how to bring the European Union closer to citizens and possibly decisions or policies like these, such as the Right to Repair Act, because it has a clear impact on the daily lives of European citizens and it is in these policies where it is then very easy and very important to be able to do pedagogy and for people to see what we dedicate our work and our time to and how that affects, as I say, their daily lives.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, We are also going to discuss the Net-Zero emissions industry and how to maintain a European industry, but an industry that is competitive and in accordance with the principles we propose of economic, social and environmental sustainability. And we are also going to discuss a resolution on COP 28, where we hope that once again it will be the European Union that will lead these international debates in the fight against climate change.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, And there, what we hope is that there will be a good tandem between the Presidency of the Council, currently supported by the Spanish Presidency, and where Vice-President Teresa Rivera will play an important role, together with the Commissioner Wopke HOEKSTRA, the new Climate Commissioner, who committed himself to important issues for our political group and that we hope that his presence at COP 28 will be in line with the commitments he made.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, In addition, we also have important debates on what has to do with the Treaties of the Union. This has been a long and interesting debate that has taken place in recent months, not to mention years of this legislature, and since the Group of Socialists and Democrats, what we have sought is to achieve a balance between a Europe that is strong in economic terms, but also a Europe that is strong in social and environmental terms.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, Issues that have to do with gender equality or issues that are correlated, for example, with introducing the Social Treaty of the Union are fundamental. They have been priorities on which we have been working and I think it will be a good reflection that they move forward with the vote on this report. And of course, we cannot forget the debate about the current situation in Gaza. A humanitarian tragedy that is taking the lives of thousands of innocent people, boys and girls, women, innocents that we need to address.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, In this regard, I want to highlight the action that the European Union is taking to achieve a negotiated peace solution. Because the solution that we have referred to both this Parliament and the Council and the Commission of the two States will only be possible under peace, it will only be possible under dialogue, and that is what we are currently making an effort to do.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, I want to point out how you may know that next Thursday Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will be there together with the Belgian Prime Minister in Israel and Palestine. High Representative Josep Borrell has also been there these days, and all these efforts are aimed, as I say, at achieving, once and for all, we seek an end to this human tragedy, which has cost so many innocent lives and where we must continue to be very decisive.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, And to conclude, let me make an obvious reference that this is excellent news for this political group but it is also excellent news for the whole of the European Union. After months of negotiations, Spain will have a progressive government, a government that advances in all the challenges we currently face, economically, socially and environmentally. A government that will be able to face these fundamental challenges and will also lead a clear position in defense of European values. And also a government that will work for dialogue and for coexistence in our country.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, This is excellent news for Spain and above all it is excellent news for the whole of the European Union. I told you, after the general elections in Spain, there is an alternative to the right-wing coalitions that are currently suffering as a threat to the European project. There is an alternative that defends European values. There is an alternative that defends social progress and justice.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, And in that sense, we are pleased as a political group that this government will be able to go ahead with these great transformations, which are definitely going to turn into is improving people's lives. So, I think this is excellent news and one that I wanted to share with you as well. And now, of course, I am at your complete disposal for any questions.

Q&A, Question regarding on the debate on the Amnesty Law and the rule of law in Spain during the plenary.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, Chair of S&D, -

Q&A, Question regarding on Gaza's situation and the peace process. Second question on García's point of view on the debate on the Rule of Law in Spain.

Q&A, Question regarding on García's point of view on Catalan independentism.

Q&A, Question regarding on packaging regulation and the position of her political group.

Q&A, Question regarding on the Middle are in Gaza and two States solution. -