Statements by European Parliament’s political groups leaders at the debate "Toghether for a better Europe". This event is taking place on the eve of one of the most important moments for the European Institutions : the State of the Union debate.

Brussels

EU - Greece (T)

social Europe (T)

statement

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

European Semester (T)

fight against climate change (T)

AUBRY, Manon (The Left, FR)

European Green Deal (T)

economic situation in Europe (T)

Recovery plan for Europe (T)

state of the Union 2020 (T)

Together for a better Europe: statement by Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), GUE/NGL Group Leader

Soundbite (French) Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), GUE/NGL Group Leader, In order to make its speech on the state of the European Union, the European Commission must be clear about the real state of this European Union, which is facing an economic and social crisis. At the same time democracy is in danger because some of the Member states do not respect the rule of law, and cohesion is in danger with the victory of some stingy states which imposes austerity control on other Member States.

Soundbite (French) Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), GUE/NGL Group Leader, Social justice is also in danger with companies that take advantage of the crisis to get rich, receive state aid and at the same time lay off workers. The Planet is in danger with fires that multiply all over the world and in Europe the disappearance of half the butterflies.

Soundbite (French) Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), GUE/NGL Group Leader, Finally, our values are in danger: we are leaving thousands of families at the gates of the European Union in the camp of Moria. Then, we have to face the reality and be clear about these challenges in order to provide answers in the upcoming months and years. In order to do so, the European Commission must first recognise these contradictions and learn from them.

Soundbite (French) Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), GUE/NGL Group Leader, That is to set an ambitious green course of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2030. That it should also be consistent with industrial relocation and that it should stop negotiations from free trade agreements with the whole world. Let it use the recovery plan for a real social and ecological bifurcation by making aid conditional on the recovery plan.

Soundbite (French) Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), GUE/NGL Group Leader, Finally, it must also turn its back on the liberal dogmas and the European Semester, which have for too long made the law on European soil. In matters of values and morals it must stop standing idle in the face of the authoritarian deviations of certain Member States and show humanity with a reception plan for the asylum seekers who cross the Mediterranean at risk of their lives.

Soundbite (French) Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), GUE/NGL Group Leader, This is how the European Commission can face today's challenges by radically turning its back on what has been its policy in recent months and years.