Terry REINTKE

Policy topics Terry REINTKE is active on

What Terry REINTKE has said (14)

• 2026-06-17 “(09:34:31 – 09:36:31): '22, Europe faced a dramatic explosion of gas prices after the full scale invasion of Russia in Ukraine. The consequences were inflation, a cost of living crisis, insecurity amongst our citizens. In 2026, this time, Trump started a war against Iran, another skyrocketing of fossil fuel prices. Again, inflation going up, prices going up, insecurity for our citizens. The reasons are so crystal clear. Our immense dependency on fossil fuels is not only making us weaker, it is making us poorer every single day. Common people do not know how to make ends meet anymore, while at the same time, fossil fuel companies are making record profits. So it is on them, but colleagues, it is also on us. Because instead of pushing for the only logical thing, actually ending our dependencies on fossil fuels, we let the far right and also parts of the EPP run around claiming that all of this is just the problem of the ETS. The ETS and the Green Deal, the plan to build European sovereignty and economic success, are the single most powerful tool to fight against exactly these fossil fuel dependencies. And that is why a green Europe means a strong Europe. And if Europe wants to be a global actor, stand up to autocracies in the world, including China, we have to become world champions in this green future. And I cannot hear all the doom talking anymore, colleagues. Yes. We are in a tricky situation. But if this continent has proven 1 thing in the past, it is its ability to master crises if we work together. So this time for complaining is over. Let's fucking do this. Let's fight for a green and strong Europe. Thank you.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “We will hold this commission to account to deliver on your promises. At the same time, colleagues, we cannot discuss any motion of censure without looking at the geopolitical situation that we are in. Brutal attacks in Ukraine, Ukraine, far right gaining ground, and the dismantling of democracy in the United States. Do we really, in this crucial moment, want an institutional crisis of the European Union? What exactly would it solve for us, for Europeans not to have a commission right now, to go through a long process of reappointing commissioners with exactly the same majorities here in this House, and even worse majorities in council? Would the member states magically, suddenly change their political affiliation and move us into a better direction. No, that's wishful thinking. And what we need right now is a clear political strategy because we have to change course. Yes, but we have to pick our instruments wisely. You can never take the greens for granted. We demand to move forward on our issues, but we are ready to engage, to solve all of these problems that are ahead of us. And in the end, Madam President, the European Union is not weakened by yet another motion of censure. Even if some people find it ridiculous, that will very likely be unsuccessful. What is our biggest problem right now is that your own political group is very often not clear on which side of this Parliament. Very much do they want to work with a pro-European majority of the centre, or do they want to go with the far right that hates Europe?”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you, Madam President. Madam commission president. Mr. council president. Dear colleagues, Greenland is not for sale. The Greenlanders have made that abundantly clear. And Europe will defend international rules based order and stand by Greenland and Denmark and colleagues. Let's be honest, this is not yet another diplomatic dispute between the white House and the European Union. Trump wants to destroy the foundation on which we build peace and cooperation, freedom and democracy. Over the past decades, international law and international institutions. And why does he attack Europe and the European Union head on in this? We are democracies. We are close economic partners. We are even NATO allies of the US because the EU can be a global force for democracy and rule of law if we can work together. Colleagues, we have a single market, a force of global strength. We have a social model which might need reforms but delivers universal universal healthcare, mandatory rest days and workers representation to our citizens. Because we have a European Court of Justice that stands firm even in difficult times. Trump does not attack us because he thinks we are weak and irrelevant. He attacks us and tries to destroy the European Union because we have the potential to be strong in this world.”
  Relations with NATO
• “Thanks. Madam president. Commission president. Dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, it is true that many European citizens feel a lack of leadership coming from this commission after a mandate where we were really fighting for the climate, we were moving forward the social agenda with the minimum income, with the minimum wage directive. That was the first ever LGBTQ equality strategy. We are now confronted with an unclarity regarding where you are actually leading us. The simplification agenda, for example, has become an entry point for headless deregulation, not only endangering our climate goals, but also making it impossible for our companies to plan ahead. And they rightfully ask themselves, Will the Commission stand by the commitments made, or will they throw them under the omnibus? This is toxic for our businesses and it creates distrust in our decision making processes. Urgency, procedures and delays of implementation have become widespread and poisoning. The latest example is yet another postponement of the implementation of the deforestation legislation. This has to stop. On the US deal, Madam President, many people felt humiliated over the summer because instead of clearly standing up to the bully in the white House and his tech bros, we have rewarded his erratic attacks on international law. And also, and this has been said before, your late reaction to the atrocities committed in Gaza have created anger and distrust all across the European Union and colleagues. All of this criticism demands clear words and the change of the way how we do politics here. And for this, we need to see action in the Commission work programme on climate, on social. We have a housing crisis, crisis raging all over Europe, the deterioration of rule of law and fundamental rights and yes, also stronger action, as has recently been started on the devastating war in Gaza.”
  Von der Leyen
• “Thank you colleagues. We will not become free in Europe by simply replacing Russian gas imports by another dependency on, for example, imports from the US. Only massive investments into renewable energy and energy efficiency will make that happen. More wind, more sun. More peace, more freedom, and more European sovereignty. That's what we need and that's what we should work for. Thank you very much.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Thanks a lot, Madam President. Madam President and Mr. Vice President, dear colleagues, since its creation in 1993. The European single market has delivered enormous prosperity for Europe, according to the European Central Bank. It has increased our GDP by between 12 and 22%. 12 and 22%. But its true strength is not only economic. The single market has advanced European integration by creating and protecting shared values. The single market stands for trust the trust consumers place in it across the European Union. Online and offline. For fairness towards workers. For justice for future generations to whom we owe a livable planet. And of course, freedom for which citizens and businesses benefit alike. But today, I want to underline that the single market also stands for European security, because it gives the European Union the strength to shape our own future. Completing the single market is our answer, our answer to security policies in the European Union, to American craziness, to Russian aggression and Chinese competition. Lowering ambition and defending national interests over common European strength is simply the wrong path. The European Union now needs bold new steps forward. And let me highlight two priorities for my group. First, we need a genuine circular economy within the single market to reduce raw material dependencies, to advance climate neutrality and to create sustainable competitiveness. And second, we must reduce our dependence on US tech giants for digital infrastructure. This is not only a matter of economic and security, but it's also about risk management. It is about protecting European democracy. What the European Union and the single market do not need is deregulation at the expense of consumers, environmental or social standards. They are our strengths, not our weaknesses. Weakening these standards means weakening the very foundation of the single market itself. So let us enable the single market to continue doing what it has done since 1993, making the European Union stronger and more united. Thank you very much.”
  EU digital & tech sovereignty · Circular economy
• “Thank you. Chair. Madam Minister. Dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, the EU budget should actually start from the consideration of what the people in Europe currently need, what their concerns are. Starting, for example, with the dire situation of last week's immense heat wave. For our survival on this planet, for our well-being, for our economy. We have to act faster. And that is why we have to make sure that at least half of our budget is spent for green objectives in the next funding period. And not only should we spend money for the right objectives, we should actually stop spending money for the wrong ones. No money for fossil fuels, for example. Or environmentally harmful subsidies. Pollution in the European Union should not be encouraged. But instead we should fight. Also, with our budget for fertile soils, clean air and drinkable water. Regarding the cost of living crisis, let's take citizens concerns seriously. We see it across the European Union in every single member state. Housing is a key concern for our citizens. So let us introduce a dedicated housing fund to meet these concerns of our citizens. What we also see across the globe, but also in the European Union, is that NGOs are under heavy attack, not least here in this House by the far right. Together with the EPP. And that is why, for us, it will be key that this budget defends the strong role of civil society for our decision making. For our democratic standards, we need a strong voice from NGOs and we will defend that. And finally, who should pay for all of this? Those who do not pay their fair share. Yet the big tech pros in the US. The best friends of Donald Trump. We should, in our own resources, introduce a tax, a tax for digital services so that we can pay for the needs of this budget. We need the EU to step up her game. And we also know, Mr. Commissioner, that we can only have a majority for this budget in the centre of this House. So let us work together and let us make.”
  Own EU resources · EU policy on sustainability criteria in public funding · Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• “Thank you, Mr. President. Dear colleagues, wildfires in Europe have reached a new terrible record this summer. More than 1 million hectares went up in flames in the European Union this year. 1 million hectares. Our thoughts are, of course, first and foremost with the people in Portugal, in Spain, in France, in Greece, Bulgaria and actually so many other countries across Europe. And a very special thanks goes out to all the firefighters who have risked their lives across Europe to help their neighbors. Also from my home region in North Rhine-Westphalia. That is real European solidarity in action. And we must further step up. Exactly this solidarity in the future. But we must also finally tackle the problem at its root. Last year at this time, people's homes were drowning in massive floods. Now they are burning in flames. Climate change is here to mitigate its destructive consequences. We finally need an ambitious climate adaptation law. And what doesn't help in this crisis is an EPP that is trying to kill the forest monitoring law, while forests are burning all across Europe. Because nature is a powerful ally in the fight against these wildfires. We need to protect and restore it. Wetlands, healthy forests and soils will help us to reduce the risks in the future. And yes, colleagues, let's also talk about money, because we all know that disaster prevention costs much less than dealing with the consequences. And prevention means nature based solutions and nature restoration. But dear Commissioner, how is this reflected in the next European budget? Without a life program, for example, we need a dedicated and meaningful budget for this. And finally, and most importantly, after 2024, the summer of 2025 was again the hottest summer ever recorded. The time for inaction is over. What we don't need is an EPP gambling away our future. What we don't need is Paris killing the Paris Agreement. We need to cut emissions, colleagues. We need a strong EU climate law. Let us act now.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “And then my question for your HPC, and you have spoken about that. The supercomputers that you are developing are basically spread around Europe. How do you make sure that all parts of Europe, Europe have access to this, and especially those with maybe lower levels of digital development, because we have certainly not exactly the same level of digitalization all across Europe. And whether you take this into consideration when you are developing the projects, and then also for you, you have said that I think the supercomputer in Germany is the greenest in the world. And is this something that also for the other projects you are taking into account, how do you make sure that you use, for example, renewable renewable energy sources. And then one last point that I wanted to mention because you spoke about AI in the end a lot, and we have with the AI act, also really looked at an ethical use of AI. How do you make sure that the fundamental rights provisions are being put in place? And um, in practical terms, how does this look like in the development of the projects that you make sure that these considerations that I think were very important for the Parliament in the developing of the of the new legislation in this field, that we also do this in the practical implementation of the project. Thanks.”
  EU policy on accessibility of digital infrastructure
• “Why now? Their gas and heating bills are going up. The European response, however, has to be clear in short term, we have to tax windfall profits for oil companies and we need to provide household support for those most in need. But in the long term colleagues, we need a plan how to get out of our fossil dependencies. And maybe you can help me on this, but I remember that we were actually on track of getting there, that we were working on this plan. And I think if I remember correctly, it was called the Green Deal. We were on course for decarbonising and making the European Union more independent, and this is the cause that we need to stay on. Instead of attacking the Green Deal continuously, we have to work together to make it possible. It is time to wake up and say yes to renewable freedom. This is what we need to do at this stage, and this is what Europe needs for climate, for security and for freedom. Thank you very much.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “Now, incoherence of the far right colleagues. That is no surprise to me. What I found more surprising were the latest turns by German EP, where suddenly prominent voices from the CDU are discussing to move back to Russian gas, or even resurrecting Nord Stream two. Colleagues, what a grave mistake that would be in a world where we have Donald Trump on the one side and Vladimir Putin on the other side, we have only one way to survive as Europeans, and that is to stand strong together. Now you can tell me, colleagues, but this is very hard in a situation when we have one member state that is not following our commonly agreed rules, when we have Hungary that is constantly trying to undermine the strength of the European Union. But the solution to this is obvious. Over the past years, we have gathered evidence and proof that Hungary is not a functioning democracy anymore, that the rule of law has been undermined. And so the article seven procedure is long, long overdue. What else needs to happen? Viktor Orban is attacking the very foundation of his own democracy and of our union. Let's finalise the article seven procedure. Take away voting and veto rights from Orban to protect Hungarian citizens, to protect Hungarian democracy, but also to fight for a strong and sovereign European Union. Thank you very much.”
  Rule of law in Hungary
• “Thank you, Madam President. Madam president, madam Minister, Dear colleagues, these last days our thoughts have been with the people in Iran and the Middle East. After fighting with such courage against a brutal regime killing thousands. Their hopes for change are now caught in a storm of war. Their protection and their security has to be at the center of Europe's response to this crisis. Yes, guided by international law, not by a logic of further escalation and colleagues Europe united must mean that Democratic leaders in Europe stand together. And when one of them is being attacked, especially by the likes of Trump, we all stand behind them. So I also must say, I was really shocked that EPP prevented a clear declaration of solidarity with Pedro Sanchez. What we need now is unity across political lines amongst Democrats only that will make Europe strong. Colleagues. The escalation of the crisis in the Middle East is already impacting European citizens as we speak again. We see fossil energy markets are highly volatile and Europe is too dependent. When Trump starts another war, European consumers pay the price. And maybe the far right cheerleaders of Donald Trump would like to explain that to European citizens.”
  EU-US relations
• “Thanks a lot, chair. And as a new member of Con, not a new member of this parliament, but a new member of court. It's the first time that I'm doing the hearings before before the discharge procedure. So I'm a little bit new to this, but it's very interesting. So thanks a lot for the for the presentations. And I would have a question you have mentioned with regards to fusion for energy, the Iter, and that there has been a higher execution rate than in the last years. However, it doesn't mean that it's necessarily cost effective, it's just better than it was in the last years. And now I was told that there have been some issues with budget overruns and delays, and whether you could specify what you changed in order to to mitigate those and to have a more accurate cost forecasting and, and control over this. Then one point that you might not be surprised about that. I'm asking this as a green. It's about sustainability considerations, whether you have any environmental or social sustainability in terms of your operations when it comes to material procurement or energy use. Whether you take this into consideration and you try to be as energy efficient as possible. And then the last point is on it being a high risk project, how you have managed these risks and how you are working to take that into consideration. Also, relating to the developments of the last years and what development has happened there and how you would how you would assess that.”
  Discharge of EU institutions and agencies
• “Thanks, Roberta. The Commission president. Dear Council president, dear colleagues, what a world we are living in. I was born two years before the war. Before the fall of the Berlin Wall. And I must admit to you that when I grew up. And you can call me naive, I somehow thought that, you know, democracies on this world would become more numerous just with time, and that there would be a basic understanding between these democracies, that we would cooperate with each other on fair terms, with a sincere agreement that we are stronger together, that we work together, and that we base our conflicts on facts and try to find compromise between each other, not only to better the lives of the citizens living in our respective countries, but to better the lives of everyone living on this continent. Now, after the brutal invasion of Russia in Ukraine, the US president and let's be honest, has not only turned his back against the bravely fighting Ukrainians, but against Europe as a whole. And I take note of the fact that the loudly cheering of the far right that we heard when Trump was elected has significantly calmed down over the past weeks because it has become far too obvious what Donald Trump in the white House means for European citizens. He's not only attacking our and actually his own economy by imposing unfair tariffs, but he's attacking our democracies by attacking our sovereignty and decisions that have sovereignly been taken also here in this House.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)