Nine months before the next European Parliament elections on 6 - 9 June, President Ursula von der Leyen outlines her Commission’s priorities from now until the end of its mandate. She focuses on a stronger and more resilient European Union, on the EU’s continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia’s aggression, on energy security and EU energy independence, the EU’s twin green and digital transitions, and on protecting core EU values. Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Chair of the S&D Group, gives her statement during the State of the European Union 2023 in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

statement

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

state of the European Union 2023 (T)

State of the European Union 2023: Statement by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Chair of the S&D Group

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/72160030/1694593229084_I244624Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, I now invite Iratxe Garcia Perez on behalf of the S&amp;D group to take the floor. 5 minutes.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&Iacute;A P&Eacute;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), Thank you, President. This is the last debate of the legislature on the State of the Union, and it's taking place at a time of profound change. President Von der Leyen, Commissioners. Thank you very much for your capacity for dialogue and achieving consensus in the Socialists and Democrats group. We are very proud of having made a contribution and indeed have been in a leadership position in terms of historic, in the context of the historic decisions that have placed Europe at the heart of our citizens.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&Iacute;A P&Eacute;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), The response to the financial crisis in 2008, which was weighed down by the lack of coordination and the austerity policy imposed by the right through to the response to the pandemic and Russia's war against Ukraine, led by social democracy, has been marked by unity and solidarity. Our main priority now has to be to push for re industrialisation to ensure open strategic autonomy with an eye on Africa and Latin America.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Alongside re industrialisation, we must make progress on the green transition kerbing the effects of legally curbing the effects of climate change is a legal obligation and a moral obligation. We need to push forward with the reform of the electricity market to accelerate the deployment of renewable energies and reduce electricity prices. And Mrs. Von der Leyen, In the face of those who are climate change deniers, we need to break the silence and send a clear message of support for the Green Deal and commit to pushing through laws on nature, restoration and air quality.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), We are going to be scrutinising it very closely to ensure that you do indeed follow through on that. To generate wealth and new opportunities, we need to strengthen the social pillar. There, Mrs. Von der Leyen I would have appreciated hearing somewhat more of a commitment. Inflation, high interest rates and rising mortgages hinder a fair life project. Public housing is a right rather than as a commodity for speculation, equality and employment. A ban on unpaid internships and minimum living wage and an anti-poverty strategy with binding targets must become a reality.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), We must also protect women who suffer gender based violence. Mrs. Von der Leyen. I share your view that no means no. Of course, now the time has come to take a step further and to incorporate violence against women in the European Union's list of crimes. We must not give up on our fight for social justice because social cohesion not only dignifies people's lives, but also allows us to act with a voice and weight in the world.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Today we are united in the face of an aggressor. Putin is a war criminal who will spend his last days in an international court, and the Commission must come forward without further delay with a proposal to invest frozen Russian assets in the reconstruction of Ukraine. We are united. But let us not be complacent. The time has come to strengthen the unity of the European Union, to make it more flexible so that we streamline decision making processes by moving towards qualified majority voting.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), We must also continue to support the other countries in our neighbourhood who want to unite their destiny with that of the European Union. And while tackling the main challenges, we need to find solutions to other challenges that will mark the future of the European Union. The Pact on Migration and Asylum to avoid the loss of human lives in the Mediterranean.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Mrs. Von der Leyen. European taxpayers money should not be ending up in the pockets of governments who are undermining the fundamental rights of persons. We need a permanent fiscal capacity to face future crises. The reform of tax rules and greater tax justice. To make an economy that is not only more competitive, but also fairer. Business profits must be used to improve the living conditions of ordinary people. The many, not the few.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), Ladies and gentlemen, we live in the European Union, a live project that has built the best place for democracy, rights, equality and solidarity. Today, the alliance between the right and the far right represents the resounding failure of a project based on involution. Mr. Weber, you have made an historic mistake and history will remember you. You cannot call on this majority. Talk about a majority with Von der Leyen and then chase votes chasing other alliances in this chamber.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), There is no going back. We will continue to build a prosperous, open and inclusive union, a union proud of its plurality and diversity, a union that embraces the rule of law, a union more united and stronger in the fight for equality, social justice and a union of tolerance and progress. There is always time for dream. 70 years ago, Europe dreamt of a better future and made it a reality. Today, for another year, we are living that dream. Let us continue making it a reality. Thank you very much.