S&D Times - Issue 33

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 1 February 2024

Iratxe García Pérez?–?President of the S&D Group

?Debate on Tuesday,?6 February

"We welcome the crucial decision by the European Council to ensure continued and unwavering long-term support to Ukraine with a Facility aid package worth €50 billion after the reckless blackmailing attempts of Mr Orbán. The European Parliament is now ready to play its role. We stand with Ukraine for our shared European future. However, we still need to move forward and build a budgetary and fiscal framework that allows us to invest in the future and in people. That is why we need a permanent investment tool at European level, based on the success of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF) and the temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE).

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The meeting of the European Council took place yesterday amid farmers’ protests throughout the EU. Farmers must be listened to and their concerns addressed. However, rather than feeding nationalistic sentiment against our neighbours, European leaders must show responsibility and provide answers based on our common market. Measures might be needed to ensure a decent price for farmers with actions all through the chain, from farm to fork, protecting their income and increasing their bargaining power. The voice of farmers must be heard, rather than instrumentalised for partisan or electoral purposes.”

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The fight against hate speech and disinformation: responsibility of social platforms within the Digital Services Act

?Alex Agius Saliba –?S&D?vice-president for AI and a strong digital Europe for all

Gabriele Bischoff?–?S&D?vice-president for a Europe based on the rule of law, values and fundamental rights

?Debate on Wednesday,?7 February ?

“Disinformation is not only jeopardising the democratic principles upon which the European Union is founded, but it has been weaponised by malicious actors to spread fear, manipulate public opinion and erode trust in our democratic institutions. When it comes to the responsibility of online platforms, we have set a new global standard with the Digital Services Act. Companies like Meta and X should be subject to stricter obligations for the dissemination of disinformation. However, we do need strong enforcement and sanctions if the platforms do not comply.”

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Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece

?Cyrus Engerer?–?S&D negotiator on Parliament's assessment of the rule of law and media freedom in Greece

?Vote on Wednesday,?7 February ??

"Until now,?the EPP Group has managed to thwart any debate on the rule of law in Greece and sidestep European Parliament scrutiny of their conservative government in Athens. Condemning attacks on rule of law should not be according to political affiliation. Next week, we are voting on a factual assessment of the situation in Greece, which is alarming. A journalist was murdered and there has been too little progress on the investigations. Greece is the worst EU countrywhen it comes to media freedom! The use of illegal spyware at the very top of?the?government to monitor journalists and political opponents, including the President of PASOK Nikos Androulakis, also an MEP at the time, is another scandal. Among other fundamental rights concerns, Parliament's resolution tackles the systemic pushbacks of migrants in Greek waters as well as the deaths of two LGBTIQ+ activists and the mishandling surrounding those investigations. It is time for the European Parliament to shine a light on a conservative government that has gone unchecked for far too long."

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Quality traineeships in the EU

Alicia Homs?–?S&D MEP and European Parliament's negotiator on the matter

Debate on Tuesday,?6 February?

“The Socialists and Democrats have?long?been?calling for?an EU law to ban unpaid traineeships. Next week in Strasbourg, we will again?urge?the European Commission, in particular its president, to come forward with a proposal without any further delay. We demand a strong and ambitious law, ensuring that all trainees are fairly paid for their work, as well as entitled to the same rights and protection as regular workers. Young Europeans are not cheap or free labour. They should not be trapped in never-ending traineeships before given a proper work opportunity to start their career and independent life.”

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Situation in Serbia following elections

?Andreas Schieder?–?S&D MEP and member of the European Parliament’s mission for election observation in Serbia

?Vote on Thursday,?8 February?

“The political turmoil in Serbia?–?a candidate to become an EU member?–?requires our full attention. Next Thursday, the European Parliament is set to adopt a resolution on the situation in Serbia following the elections marred by alarming fraud claims. The Socialists and Democrats continue to?call for?an independent investigation into all reported electoral irregularities. We reaffirm our wholehearted support for?the?thousands of Serbs taking to the streets demanding justice, democracy and a European future. Serbian president, Aleksandar Vu?i?, and his ruling SNS Party, should finally engage with the people, instead of acting against their interests and attacking international observers.”