S&D Times - Issue 7

This week – What we did

Election of DROI Sub-Committee’s Chair

On Monday, the members of the Parliament’s human rights subcommittee elected their new chair, our MEP Udo Bullmann.?

With Udo Bullmann, our?Group puts the human rights work into a very experienced pair of hands.

S&D Digital position paper

On Wednesday, our Group adopted its position paper on digital priorities. Past achievements and future goals are at the core of this work, which will allow us to build towards a better preparation of EU citizens for the digital era.

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President Zelenskiy at the European Parliament

Yesterday we welcomed President Zelensky to the European parliament, to the heart of European democracy, where Ukraine belongs.

His words resonated inside all of us as loud as his courageous actions.

We continue to stand by the brave people of Ukraine and help rebuild their country after the war so that they can join our European family.

Next week - What’s coming up

Next week we’ll head to Strasbourg for our Plenary session. Here’s our priorities.

A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age

On Wednesday we will debate the industrial plan proposal from the Commission.

We will to look at the social and labour aspects of the industrial policy. We should aim for human sustainability and not just ecological sustainability. Also, in terms of supporting the industry, the current proposal has no added value, as it is too vague in terms of fresh funding.

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One year of Russia's invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine

On Feb 24 last year, Russia launched a fully-fledged war of aggression against its neighbouring country, grossly violating international law, the UN Charter, and its role as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. To mark this "anniversary", we proposed a key debate with High Representative Joseph Borrell to underline once more the EU's continued support for Ukraine and solidarity with its people, and to discuss how to further strengthen Europe in face of the Russian aggressor. As we said to President Zelenskyy, we stand with Ukraine and we will continue supporting its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity by providing every possible type of assistance, including humanitarian, macro-financial, political, and military. We must support Ukraine now and we will help rebuild Ukraine after the war. We will also support Ukraine's path of reforms to join the European Union, so that the European dream of millions of Ukrainians will come true.

The erosion of the rule of law in Greece: the wiretapping scandal and media freedom

On Wednesday we’ll debate the wiretapping scandal that involved the Greek government.

The way the Greek authorities are handling the clarification of the matter is a signal that the country is already on an advanced path towards an autocratic state. The silence of the EU Commission on the developments, for which the conservative government in Greece is responsible, is massively damaging the credibility of the European Union. Illegal surveillance and spying on journalists and the opposition is a breach of our EU values and principles enshrined in our Treaty. We expect the Commission to take actions to defend the rule of law and media freedom in Greece and Europe. We can no longer stand by and watch member state governments undermine European values and, above all, the principles of the rule of law.

Establishment of an independent EU Ethics Body

For years, we have fought for a single, independent EU Ethics Body that applies across the EU institutions and EU agencies. Now more than ever it is essential to strengthen trust in the EU institutions. An effective ethics body needs to have clear-cut rules and an open sanctions regime so that we can improve transparency and restore integrity in the EU. In December 2022, in response to the shocking Qatargate revelations, we repeated our call for the Commission to put forward a proposal to set up the ethics body. President von der Leyen committed to it back in 2019, but four years later, we do not seem to be any closer. In next week’s plenary, we expect to hear the Commission’s plan on how it will deliver.

Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence: EU accession

One in three women in the EU, around 62 million women, has experienced physical or sexual violence and more than half of women in the EU have experienced sexual harassment at least once in their lives. Six years ago, the EU signed the Istanbul Convention that aims to prevent violence, protect victims, and prosecute perpetrators. Our report, to be debated and voted next week, is a strong signal supporting the Swedish Presidency's efforts for the EU to accede to the Istanbul Convention. The reality that violence is happening in many homes must change soon!

Extension of Special committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, and adjusting its responsibilities

On Tuesday we’ll vote to extend the scope and responsibilities of the special committee on foreign interference. For more than two years, within our special commission, we have been analysing and alerting about the ever more forceful and sophisticated foreign interference by autocratic regimes. The recent revelations of corruption and foreign interference in the European Parliament, known as Qatargate, has illustrated how pervasive and corrosive the attempts to influence European democracies are. That is why the mission of our special committee must not only continue, but it also should expand its responsibilities. We have to make sure that our previous recommendations are implemented. But it is also necessary to carry out a broader reflection on how to provide the European Union and its institutions, starting with our Parliament, with new legislation and practices to reinforce transparency and accountability. It is time to prove that our democracy is not for sale. We must ensure that the 2024 European elections are shielded from all types of attacks.