Martin SCHIRDEWAN

Policy topics Martin SCHIRDEWAN is active on

What Martin SCHIRDEWAN has said (41)

• 2026-06-15 “Thank you, president, commissioner. Donald Trump is practicing extortion and engaged in a trade war with us. He's threatened to annex Greenland. He has antidemocratic regime change plans. He has embarked on illegal wars, and the European Union is suffering from this. Our employees are suffering from it, and you Versevier Vanderland has signed up to a bad deal. After all the discussion and the votes in the committee, the European Union is still going to be under the threat of all kinds of capricious tariffs. For example, they can invoke arguments such as forced labor, and they can do other things which are simply going to make a mockery out of this agreement that we have reached. In the meantime, of course, people in the steel industry have already lost jobs, they're very worried across the industry. Yet here, the parliament is simply giving away all its negotiating chips and is not implementing any of the anti coercion measures which we actually could invoke against Trump who has absolutely been practicing coercion. I'm glad that my group has decided to stand up against these autocrats and this unfair trade policy. We stand for jobs and for independence from The USA. Thank you”
  EU-US trade relations
• 2026-02-16 “E-000655/2026 Answer given by Mr McGrath on behalf of the European Commission The Commission must carry out its assessment in full compliance with EU law and on the basis of all relevant legal and factual elements. Given the complexity of the file and the involvement of multiple actors in the analysis, it is not possible at this stage to indicate a concrete deadline for the completion of the examination in this matter or possible follow-up measures. The Commission will decide on the appropriate follow-up once its examination has been completed.”
  Rule of law in Malta
• 2026-02-16 “P-000656/2026 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The side-by-side agreement does not suspend ’minimum tax instruments for US companies’. The US corporate tax framework comprises mechanisms that achieve taxation of global foreign profits and secure a minimum level of taxation, similarly to the Pillar 2 standard for a global minimum tax. The side-by-side agreement provides for a coordination mechanism to ensure the coexistence of the US corporate tax framework and the Pillar 2 standard for a global minimum tax. It ensures that US companies in the EU remain subject to the domestic minimum tax, i.e., qualified domestic minimum top-up tax (QDMTT), implemented by the Member States under Pillar 2. The side-by-side agreement is expected to establish a level-playing field for companies on both sides of the Atlantic and worldwide. It is expected to prevent a race-to-the bottom that would undermine global trade and economic relations, while allowing EU Member States to maintain their levels of tax. This is achieved, for instance, by the framework for the treatment of tax incentives and refundable tax credits and ensures that the excessively large capacity of certain jurisdictions to grant subsidies to multinational companies is neutralised or, at least, significantly mitigated. The Commission will assess the implementation and effect of the application of the global agreement on the side-by-side package for the EU. This will ultimately be completed by the same deadline as the stock-take exercise, due to be completed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2029.”
  Tax Havens · EU competences on taxation
• 2026-01-15 “Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission 29.4.2026 Written question The Commission relaunched the review [1] of the Air Services Regulation in May 2025 and the impact assessment process is currently ongoing. A legislative proposal is expected to be presented in the second half of 2026. The aim is to ensure that the EU internal aviation market continues to be consumer-centric, affordable, reliable, socially and environmentally sustainable and globally competitive. In terms of the issue raised by the Honourable Member, this review is considering clarifications and/or amendments to the current regime for temporary flight restrictions on environmental grounds. In accordance with Article 30(8)b of the EU ETS (Emissions Trading System) Directive [2] , the Commission will assess in 2026 the climate impact of the exempted small operators and propose a way to appropriately reduce these impacts. [1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14620-Aviation-EU-air-services-rules-revision-_en. [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32003L0087.”
  Decarbonisation of aviation sector
• 2026-01-15 “P-000176/2026 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Honourable Member will find all relevant information on the use of flights, the destinations and the purpose of the travel in 2025 for both the President and the Members of the Commission on dedicated webpages which ensure transparency of missions for the public 1 . The justification and cost of each mission is published once the billing process is concluded. 2. The mission expenses are covered from the Commission’s global envelope, which also covers other expenses. No specific budget is allocated for transport via private plane. The Code of Conduct for the Members of the European Commission 2 , in particular Annex 2, provides for the rules regarding the use of the College’s global envelope and travel on official business (missions) by Commissioners. The Commission draws the Honourable Members’ attention to its following provision: ‘As a general rule, the air taxi may be authorised only under exceptional circumstances, either when commercial flights are not available to reach a destination or when they cannot fit with the Member of the Commission's diary, or for security reasons. A careful check of all options should be made, including agenda planning, so that the air taxi is only envisaged as a last option’. 3. In 2025, there were no air taxis chartered by the Commission for which the costs were borne by Members or charged to a budget other than the EU budget. 1 See the dedicated transparency section of the websites of the Members of the Commission via the following link: https://commission.europa.eu/about/organisation/college-commissioners_en. 2 Commission Decision of 31 January 2018 on a Code of Conduct for the Members of the European Commission (2018/C 65/06), https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32018D0221(02).”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Budget for EU politicians
• 2025-01-28 “E-000383/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Ribera on behalf of the European Commission A detailed description of the Greek tonnage tax scheme and the related existing State aid procedure can be found in the Commission decisions of 18 December 2015 1 and of 6 November 2024 2 , as well as in the letter of 25 November 2024 recording the acceptance by Greece of the appropriate measures proposed by the Commission in the decision of 6 November 2024 3 . As regards the measures to bring the existing aid scheme in line with EU State aid rules, the letter of 25 November 2024 exhaustively lists the appropriate measures and records that Greece has accepted them and the 18-month time limit for their implementation. These are the changes that Greece has committed to make to its tonnage tax scheme for it to be compatible with the internal market. Concerning the relevant foregone State revenues resulting from these changes, the nature of tonnage tax and likely fluctuations in time make it difficult to provide exact figures. The Commission decisions in this case do not constitute an ‘approval from DG COMP’ but instead are inherent to the specific cooperation procedure for existing aid laid down in Articles 21 to 23 of the Procedural Regulation 4 . There is no ‘approval limited in time to allow for possible subsequent corrective measures’. Instead, as noted in the letter of 25 November 2024, the Greek authorities have 18 months to implement the appropriate measures. 1 Commission decision of 18 December 2015 in case SA.33828 (2012/E, 2011/CP). 2 Commission decision of 6 November 2024 in case SA.33828 (2012/E, 2011/CP). 3 Commission decision of 25 November 2024 in case SA.33828 (2012/E, 2011/CP). 4 Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1589 of 13 July 2015 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, OJ L 248, 24.9.2015, p. 9.”
  EU competences on taxation · Tax Havens
• 2025-01-16 “E-000188/2025 Reply First question: The Council refers the Honourable Member to the website of the President of the European Council 1 , where all missions and their purposes have been published. In line with the applicable rules, the travel by means of private jet was subject to confirmation from the Head of the President’s Cabinet and subsequent agreement from the Director-General of Organisational Development and Services in the General Secretariat of the Council (GSC). Second question: The Council refers the Honourable Member to the website of the President of the European Council 1 , where all missions, including their routes, have been published. The Council does not include the requested personal data in the present reply, due to the data protection requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. Third question: According to the rules applicable to Council officials, only travel on official business (missions) paid for by the following third parties may be authorised:  EU Member State authorities;  international organisations (including other EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies) and international fora, such as the G7 and G20;  public or private universities. In 2024, the following third parties were recorded as having covered costs for the routes travelled by Council officials: EU Member State authorities, international organisations (including other EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies) and public or private universities, including an EU-based think tank. No commercial companies have covered travel costs for Council officials. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/ewph4ckf/250225-pec-missions-expenses-20192024-final.pdf”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Budget for EU politicians
• 2025-01-16 “E-000189/2025 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission The Code of Conduct for the Members of the Commission 1 provides that Members’ mission expenses are covered from the Commission’s global envelope and managed by the Head of Cabinet of the Member concerned (legal authorising officer), who also certifies the validity of invoices. The Head of Cabinet of the President of the Commission may subdelegate this power to the Director of Coordination and Administration in the President of the Commission’s Cabinet. The Commission is sending directly to the Honourable Member a table containing information on the use of air taxis charged to the EU budget, providing preliminary data on the year 2024 2 . Concerning data related to the name of passengers other than Members of the Commission, the Commission does not include the requested personal data in the present reply, with a view to the data protection requirements laid down in Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 3 . In the period indicated by the Honourable Member, no companies have covered travel costs for Members of the Commission. According to the Code of Conduct, Members cannot accept free travel offered by third parties unless it is in accordance with diplomatic or courtesy usage or unless the President of the Commission has authorised it beforehand. As regards Commission staff, the Secretariat-General and the Directorate-General for Human Resources issued instructions to all services in 2023 which rule out the payment for missions by companies. 1 Commission Decision C(2018) 700 final, of 31 January 2018, on a Code of Conduct for the Members of the European Commission and in particular Annex 2 thereof, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32018D0221(02)&from=EN. 2 See Annex. 3 Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC, OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39-98.”
  Budget for EU politicians · Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• 2025-01-14 “P-000120/2025 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission Since 1 February 2025, Mr Lamberts has been a member of the temporary staff under Article 2 c) of the Conditions of Employment of other servants of the European Union (CEOS) in the Directorate-General IDEA (Inspire, Debate, Engage and Accelerate Action), future Policy Planning Staff, as Principal Adviser. The terms and conditions of this position are those established by CEOS.”
  Recruitment policies in the EU
• 2024-12-03 “P-002740/2024 Answer given by Mr Mc Grath on behalf of the European Commission 1.Today, the Commission has received information from all Member States. 2. In relation to the European Arrest Warrant, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Germany on 18 February 2021 and an additional letter of formal notice on 13 March 2024 1 . As regards Hungary, the Commission issued a letter of formal notice on 9 June 2021, an additional letter of formal notice on 16 November 2023 and a reasoned opinion on 25 July 2024 2 . 3. As regards the rights of non-binary people, paragraphs 77 and 78 of the Commission Recommendation on the procedural rights of suspects and accused in pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions 3 describe standards that Member States need to respect. In this regard, Hungary has reported that an independent mechanism for investigating discrimination of any kind committed by the staff and between prisoners is operational. Moreover, according to information received from Hungary, the placement in a particular prison is based on a personalised risk assessment and other protective measures, taking into account the detainee’s health and psychological condition. 1 ref. INFR(2020)2361. 2 ref. INFR(2021)2071. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7570”
  Rule of law in Hungary · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · LGBTIQ+
• 2024-10-03 “P-001948/2024 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission Philippe Lamberts has not been appointed as a special adviser to the Commission.”
  Budget for EU politicians
• “Thank you. President. The wrong priorities. It's on. That's the commission proposal in a nutshell. It is not going to resolve the inequalities. It's not going to resolve the climate disaster or the geopolitical. Political situation. These working families are once again going to pay the price. We have no digital tax for big tech, no financial transaction tax. Miss von der Leyen is, however, planning cuts for public expenditure ensure schools, social infrastructure, kindergartens because the money is not going to competitiveness of our industrial industries but going to defence. The European Parliament once again sees its priorities cut. Unfortunately, this proposal is unacceptable and I hope you will improve it. Otherwise we will.”
  Defence spending
• “That's what it leads to, uh, in the European labour market. Um, so if the particular conditions are changed as far as approvals and permits, then the possibility for further exploitation is there. Um, also the rental explosion, as far as prices, we need some sort of break. We need some sort of limit to be set there. As for now, short term rental regulation. Very correct. What's been said? Uh, I think indeed the ex post principle has to be maintained there. There's an ex ante principle, as in other words, the obligation of Airbnb and Booking.com, uh, that they bear some of that particular burden. I think this would be very important as well. And secondly, I think the issue of of um listed companies, listed companies that are in the housing market. These create great pressure for the housing market, indeed, because of course there's the issue of reaping profits on the on the stock market. So indeed, in order to what they're trying to do is essentially they're speculating there. They are benefiting from this particular crisis on the housing market. Uh, the same thing happened with in the energy market as well. We don't want the same thing to happen in the housing market. So those would be some of the suggestions that I would have from the left. Thank you very much.”
  EU regulation of short-term rentals
• “Thank you very much. Thank you very much, chairman. I'll be very precise and short. Thank you for the various ideas that you've presented, particularly as to how the Commission sees the problems, the housing problems on the market. This is something that the Parliament has exerted a lot of pressure on. Something has to take place because affordable housing is a very major problem here, and with great joy indeed. You've mentioned certain changes as far as the support that will be provided and the legislation around that. In other words, offering local communities to invest in affordable housing in order to alleviate the housing crisis. Um, of course, um, there's a lot of there's what this means essentially, is that the local communities that are well off will be able to offer more, but there are also communities that have problems as far as providing those particular funds. So there has to be a certain amount of regulation in the housing market in order to provide those necessary incentives for private enterprises to get involved in all of this. So the various procedures, approvals and so on and so forth. Two questions. And I'd like to know if this has been discussed in the commission. First of all, the housing market is very susceptible to money laundering throughout Europe. Uh, when when the approval process is simplified, how will you deal with the issue of money laundering? How do you deal with corruption there? And also chain contracts, particularly in the building sector? Uh, exploitation.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you very much for the question. It's always a pleasure to discuss with you. Of course, we have a serious problem. If in Germany, 18 million people are affected by exorbitant rents and that affects tenants who have big companies behind them, but also private landlords, which are enriched by having above market rents charged. And we must act on that. That's the big the main problem. I'm not challenging people's right to rent out homes. It's about certain people and interest groups having to do with. Big construction groups are using this situation and their property in a targeted way to fleece people, and we need to do something about that.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you, Mr. President. In the first hundred days of his presidency, Donald Trump has managed to generate chaos in international trade. We can see the consequences for the economy and the population. Economic performance is declining. Prices are increasing. Working people will be the ones who pay the bill. People who have the least money in their pockets in the first place. And this is no coincidence. The right wing populist Trump is deliberately defending the interests of his economic allies. The US energy sector, the arms industry and big tech. The commission doesn't seem to have understood this. We are in a global trade war. Trade policy is being used as a weapon to pursue economic interests and carve out spheres of interests. Europe needs a clear strategy against that to protect the European economy and European jobs. And that means massive investment in our industry. We need strategic independence for the European Union. And now, you two, Commissioner, know that the initial commission strategy, sticking your head in the sand, thinking it's not going to be too bad. That was naive. And now you want a Trump style deal. And if that doesn't work, then you've got countermeasures up your sleeve.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you very much, chair. My voice is going to be slightly more critical than those of previous speakers. Looking at this deal. Now, the explanations that you've provided, Miss Weyand, are very weak, saying that you want to ensure stability when really stability depends on the mood of who's in the white House. Not to say that lobster can be imported tariff free into the EU is also not much of a consolation for us. Now, here in this committee, we often talk about this. But let me just say one thing. Currently, we are in a situation where we want to ensure that on both sides of the Atlantic that the GDP is maintained, and yet we're going to see that it's going down, consumers are going to see higher prices, industry is going to suffer and jobs are going to be lost. And this is a fact on both sides of the Atlantic. It's completely independent of whatever best possible solution, as you say we might be able to come up with. We have to think about the inequalities in customs duties. Colleagues have already spoken on this at length, but we also need to think about the €750 billion that are meant to be spent on fracking gas and American oil. So what does this mean? It means for our economic and social and environmental transformation, what does it mean for the climate and the environment in Europe? It's an absolute disaster.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “So carrot and stick I understand you want to buy more US fracking gas instead of strengthening the energy independence of the European Union, you're going to create new dependence on fossil fuels. And that is economically, environmentally and socially wrong. And it's very difficult to see what pressure is being brought to bear on the United States. Where is the tough regulation of big tech? Where is the digital tax? You seem not to want to. Go down that road. Apparently you are simply helping. Interested in helping Elon Musk. It's now time to look to our partners Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea and China to create a new world trade order based on fair trade instead of untrammelled free trade and things like the agreement with Rwanda, which is leading to a war in the Congo. Is is not the way to go. We also have seen that the people of Europe don't want t-tip Mercosur. These agreements are bad for social standards, environment and agriculture. So we need a solution that doesn't help oligarchs, but one that helps the population at large and democracy.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• “Thank you. President. Well, once again, we've got a corruption case, but it's the right wingers who are pointing at the commission saying, look at the corrupt thieves. Well, Is that the situation in the European institutions in 2025? Mrs. von der Leyen. You have been so transparent that you've been playing their game. Europe needs the courage for a change of policies that create social justice, that creates peace and protects the environment and the climate. That's what we need from the Commission. And that's why Europe needs a new political idea and a new political leadership. In Trump's trade war, we're going to see our industry and jobs are suffering and you're passive. Sometimes you announce something such as introducing a European digital tax. But no, you're afraid of annoying the big tech companies from the US and China. The Green Deal was sold by you as the Europe's man on the moon moment, but your own political farmer family is working with the far right to roll it back. You talk about climate change, but it seems like the new policies are going to be a climate catastrophe. Your policies damage human rights. You cannot enforce the rule of law. And you're letting people like Orban and Meloni, uh, wrap you around their little finger. And there are breaches of international law in the Middle East and Gaza. You say nothing. And your only idea of diplomacy is reinforcing the profits of defense companies by with hundreds of billions of public money. Where the rest of society is going to be forced into cutbacks. This is your devastating political result. Mrs. von der Leyen, your politics have LED to a situation where the right wing can perform its theatre and make democracy look ridiculous. We need to pull the rug out from under these policies. Mrs. von der Leyen. Your commission. Will find its hardest political opponents in us. Thank you very much.”
  Von der Leyen
• “Thank you, Madam President. Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Weber, miss Hoyer, miss Garcia Perez, the fact that a Democratic vote of no confidence threatens our democracy is rubbish. Every time the train of a football team is playing against renovation, every time a company or a business is threatened with bankruptcy, management has to leave. However, despite ongoing failure, some people in this House want to give the European Commission yet another chance. Yet another chance. This is simply hollowing out trust in the European Union throughout our continent, and this is fundamentally damaging to our democracy. Miss von der Leyen, you say that Europe has to deliver, but you're simply failing to do that. Your policies, which are characterized by whipping up fear and constant mistakes. You have failed the European Union by handing Donald Trump a trade agreement, which will cost us thousands and thousands of jobs and economic disaster. You're concluding one economic agreement after another, thereby sacrificing our farmers and the whole internal markets. People in Ukraine and Gaza are also continuing to suffer, because the European Union has simply cast them into political irrelevance. At the same time, you are undermining our states and the rule of law by failing to fight the fight against climate change. So your efforts to lead European policy making mean Europe now finds itself in the second division in global policies. The time has come for you to leave office. You are politically bankrupt. Ladies and gentlemen colleagues, this current European Commission will not tackle any of the challenges facing Europe economic, social and environmental. And we all know that we have seen this for a long time. Abundant proof has been provided. So the things that you're talking about all the time simply demonstrate that we should be voting in favour of this motion. Thank you.”
  Von der Leyen
• “And thank you very much, Madam President, Ursula von der Leyen. And, you know, we we can see that the political future is on the agenda of this House. And we can see, um, there's, um, a coalitions, uh, from EPP across to the green that are supporting your policy and that. But there's also, um, other, um, majorities as well. So, you know, your own policy over perhaps the past few years is, uh, in being questioned to, you know, tomorrow we'll be talking about, uh, digital, um, rules. And after that is the Green Deal. There's. There's the pressure of the far right. And this is just pure opportunism. However, European people are expecting Solutions for housing crisis, for the cost of living crisis, or the price of electricity or other trade and economic issues. Our housing is is unpayable for many young, many Europeans. Now we need to open our our eyes. We need to look at the housing market, and we need to, um, we need to address the real issues in the housing crisis. We need we need a rent price. We need to deal with Airbnb and booking. We need increase in social housing. We need to address an empty housing as well. We need to look at what is happening. You know, the idea is to build the economy by, um, spending money on defence. But we shouldn't be doing this. We should be spending money on, um, and social spending on on agriculture as well. But Your policy is a danger for the future of our society.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you very much for the very sensible and parliamentary debate. Mr. zipper. My goal, and that's where we differ. It's a good idea to have more public and social housing and that there are more, um, associations behind scientific society associations. That's all right in a political debate. The goal must be by 2030 that European have a roof over their head. Thank you very much.”
  EU housing policy
• “Thank you very much, president. So this new digital package, we're looking at the pre-existing digital privacy standards and looking at the competitiveness of our companies. That has actually been a sacrificed here. We're looking at, uh, more and more tracking, more profiling. And we could say that the commission is essentially selling our, um, data protection, even our AI training with private data, um, for employers. This is what the commissioner wants to allow, um, so you can control your, your employees and, um, you know, essentially just use this for, to improve your competitiveness. Ai and big tech, you know, they're gobbling up our data and the private sphere as well. Um, and it's seeping its way into the workplace as well. It's undemocratic and the EU should actually take a stand here. Investment, innovation and digital protection here in the European Union. But unfortunately you are not cutting the mustard. Thank you.”
  Privacy & digital economy
• “That's fine. Thank you. Thank you very much. Chairman will take the floor under. Catch the eye. Now, I think this is a very interesting debate that we're having across party lines here. We're talking about the future of European industry and particularly the future of the European automotive industry, and how it is under pressure from various sides when it comes to the future. So we have China on the one hand, with huge subsidies that the Chinese state is putting into its automotive industry. We also have the IRA, which was the Biden administration's reaction to the situation. Now, on the other side, there are challenges between these big industrial centers in the US, in China, in the EU. I think we need to be very clear about where there are unfair trading practices. So I'm very thankful that we're having this discussion and this investigation into subsidies. I think we need to think about how we can secure jobs. We need to have quality jobs in the European automotive industry. We need to think about how we can make this industry more future proof. I think just talking about tariffs is perhaps too blunt. Perhaps we can take a slightly different perspective if we look at the German automotive industry. Now, I don't often argue from the perspective of the industrialists, but I think it is, um, useful to look at what they're advocating for, which is more negotiation and dialogue to resolve trade disputes, rather than having an all out trade war that would actually stop the transition of the automotive industry, that would lead to higher tariffs. You're not going to automatically see cheaper cars on the market in Europe, but actually more expensive cars and would actually hinder the future of the automotive industry. Only more expensive cars would come onto the market. And so a lot of people with lower incomes simply wouldn't have the possibility to buy cars. It would really threaten jobs here in Europe, too. So I think it's important that we find other solutions because this isn't in the interest of consumers or employers or industry. Uh, so if we want to have a sustainable future, I think we need to think differently. I think we need to think about really investing in our automotive industry here in Europe. So we don't end up with a spillover, uh, from problems we've seen in other industries like agriculture and pharmaceuticals. So I hope we can hear a bit more about this particular aspect from the European Commission resolving this through dialogue and negotiation. Thank you.”
  Chinese clean tech competition: trade barriers and investment caps vs. open market · Trade relations with China
• “Thank you, Madam President. Finally, after four years of the Russian war against Ukraine, it seems that diplomacy is nigh. The decisions being taken in these days are going to shape the future of our continent for many years to come. Ukraine needs our support in this. Russia must and should pay reparations. But the path you're proposing for that, miss von der Leyen, is highly risky. And I don't understand why the risks aren't being discussed here, because unlike with the interests on frozen Russian assets and the assets of oligarchs involved in the war, many member states. European central Bank, the IMF are warning against using Russian state assets. Why don't we talk about civil reconstruction bonds, which will be given as credit to Ukraine, and then could be paid back with Russian reparations that will be legally clean and would help people in Ukraine. And we also want a haircut long called for by the left and security guarantees which have not been discussed. Now this all has to be part and parcel of a European security architecture. And logically, that requires the agreement of both parties to the conflict and if possible, a mandate from the UN.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Thank you, Madam President. I certainly welcome the fact that ahead of this Chinese EU summit, we're looking at trying to have, uh, a bit of détente in the relationship because we need to use a point of departure here where we can face the challenges of China. And if you want to address the issues of humanity, poverty, injustice, then you need to look at the issues of war and peace. And you have to push for an international rules based order. So the European Union has to do its homework to reach strategic autonomy. We need to have massive investments for the future in our industries, covering infrastructure, making sure that we have independent provision of energy and provision of essential services. We need to be able to react to China and the US on an equal footing. China is the second biggest trade partner with the EU after the US. If we want to have a trade war with them, it would be disastrous. It would risk losing thousands of jobs. We need to work in the name of helping people and helping trade, not a large companies looking at future technologies and critical raw materials and strategic sectors. We need to address these issues and hence miss von der Leyen. It's not just a question of economic cooperation that you should be going to Beijing with, but also a specific diplomatic initiative because for three and a half years we've been experiencing war. And despite all the telephone calls from Trump and XI Jinping and others to Putin, nothing has changed. Maybe China can help. But if you want to change history, come up with a joint European Chinese peace initiative for Ukraine. China is the only international power that can move Putin to reason, and Europe has to work with China to get peace. Now is the time for diplomacy. Thank you very much.”
  EU-China relations
• “Thank you. Thank you. Chair. Dear colleagues. We've been submitting to Donald Trump and it sounds a bit like we're engaging in therapy. He's threatened annexing Greenland And the legal basis for this was repeatedly questioned. Spain was attacked in a very violent manner by our U.S. partner, and yet the European Parliament has not been able to take on a clear position against the U.S. in the negotiations. Our mandate from the Trilogues. The mandate the Parliament gave itself. So to use delegated acts to remain a part of this procedure has all been thrown out the window. The Commission can now use implementing acts to take an active part. And this calls into question some of the essential elements, such as the safeguard clauses, which Bernd mentioned. These have become optional. This wasn't the aim of the trilogue. And the commission can choose whether or not they want to want them to use them. This is not the mandate the electorate gave us. We can't just hide and be scared of the threats uttered by Donald Trump. Instead of taking a clear position in these negotiations. The anti coercion instrument has become a recital. So we've been stripping ourselves of our own instruments. So I'm not sure whether this is therapy or fairy tales. You will know about Charles Perrault or the Brothers Grimm's. All of those tales of lessons learned and punishment. That seems to be what we're engaging in here. And when the fairy tales are over, we're going to have to wake up and smell the coffee, and we'll see that our industry, our sectors are being damaged by these negotiations and that we're shooting ourselves in the foot.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you very much, president. Commissioner. You have a very positive view of this trade agreement. It seems to me, and I think it would be well advised not to be deluded in this area. 15%. 15%. Steel. Aluminium. What about US industry products, products? They can actually come into Europe. 0% Tariffs. You know, they're being imported by us, exported by them. That clearly is an attack on our industrial fabric. And we're talking about thousands of jobs being destroyed because of this. Colleagues have already pointed this out to you. And I think you're fully aware. Now, some have said that this deal is a deal, or rather the trade war. The trade war wasn't started by Europe, but rather by the Trump administration, that government. And yet, be that as it may, you haven't really defended yourself in this trade war. So this deal is a complete defeat. It's a defeat in terms of the trade war, €750 billion that will be invested into oil, etc., 6 billion for the military industry in the USA and so on and so forth. What about digital sovereignty, the legislation that's being passed? You know, we're trying to do our best with DSA, DMA, etc. but look at what we're doing with Google and look at what Trump and Trump's administration is doing. They are threatening with massive tariffs. And this is a discrimination. So that is basically what we're looking at in terms of our digital future. You know, what about energy sovereignty. What about the protection of the environment Commissioner. Commissioner, we're talking about dependence. Lasting dependence on the USA. And I'm afraid in terms of your commission, you know, anything that you're talking about in terms of independence, I'm afraid it's not opposite. It's not actually something that reflects the reality, and we're not going to be in favor of it. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Working poverty. Poverty in old age. Child poverty. You can't fight these things using free trade. Rather, you need courageous investments in industry, infrastructure and public services. However, the only investments that you've come up with are €800 billion for armaments and militarization. At the same time, your commission is recommending measures to make brutal cuts in pensions, health and welfare payments. Your policies are splitting our society today. We've crossed a red line For far too long, you've been silent on the humanitarian disaster and the war crimes committed by the Israeli army in Gaza. Your words are not enough. The association agreement with Israel must be suspended, weapons deliveries discontinued, and the far right ministers of the Netanyahu government must be sanctioned. For three and a half years, the EU has played no diplomatic role in trying to forge peace in Europe. Today, you've talked a lot about security guarantees for Ukraine and sanctions on Russia, but you can't hide the irrelevance of Europe's security and foreign policy. Your record is one of social and economic failure, foreign policy, double standards and subjection to autocrats. 60% of Europeans want you to resign. Do them a favor. Thank you.”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• “Yeah. Thank you Bernard, and thank you for that contribution. I have an impression that we find ourselves in a situation of an extremely paradoxical communication, extremely paradoxical political communication on the part of the European Commission. We had the debate last week in plenary in Strasbourg, and we heard that good progress was being made and that we were negotiating very well together with the US side. And there were considerable expectations and hope that we'd be getting an agreement over the next few days. And then we get the letter the weekend and we hear de facto the same thing from the commission. So I have the impression that the analysis of who we're negotiating with is not really working. So you have this, uh, a letter published by the State Department, uh, basically seemed to, uh, uh, refer to seem to hint at some kind of regime change on the side of the European. So we have the United States that under Donald Trump and they have brought about a change in direction, a very brutal change in direction. They're trying to get their own economic policy, uh, through to defend their economic interests. And they're doing this through a trade war.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Mrs. von der Leyen. Well, I was hoping that your speech would be a bit more of an honest snapshot of the situation. Quite often it seems like you just hear slogans. But for years now, the European economy has been barely been growing. Poverty has been on the increase. We're supposed to be engaging in a digital and sustainable transition, trying to preserve the jobs of Europe's millions of workers. Europe needs to invest massively unless it wants to use its economic power to fall behind in technological terms and face social difficulties. So it seems that the recipe is to deregulate, cut back, and engage in this harmless sounding omnibus. But this is an attack on our social standards, on our data protection and our environmental standards. It seems that there's only money for the defence industry. Public money is being pushed into the private sector. The shareholders are looking forward to it rubbing their hands. But, uh, entrepreneurs no longer have to follow their due diligence requirements. So this doesn't seem to be an answer to our social and economic problems. It's no answer to the geopolitical changes that we see before us. These policies are an attack on the welfare state, on our working population. They have to face high rents, high food prices. Energy is barely audible. So if we don't want to play along, we are pushed into the, uh. The edges are marginalized. You're basically calling for a two speed Europe. I don't understand you want to set the pace, but whenever Donald Trump, uh, pops up that it seems that Europe ends up being divided. Public investment in industry and jobs, in affordable housing in the health sector. And digital, uh, industries as well. That's what we should be doing, just as China has done. Then we need to also be working on improving social justice. And finally, people's lives might actually get better at the end.”
  EU fiscal rules and oversight of national budgets
• “Thank you very much, Madam President. People in Europe are working flat out and they still can't afford their rent. Even just in Germany. Exorbitant rents mean that up to 18.4 million people are in housing poverty. Greedy landlords are banking these people and earning a fortune and short term rentals. And like Airbnb and Booking.com, are making it even housing even more scarce. Rather than strengthening the rights of renters in this report, people are being attacked. Databases of rent debtors rather than transparency registers Europol rather than social policy. That is what your housing policy looks like. Property groups and big investors are rubbing their hands already. Renters are once again left in the cold. Rather than helping people. You're asking for tax breaks for construction companies without any social obligations. At the same time, environmental standards are ditched and squatting is criminalized. What you call progress is actually a gift to the rent mafia and construction lobby. We want that by 2030. Every person can live in a home rather than warm words and empty promises. People in Europe need real solutions. We need a rent cap, more social and public construction, clear rules against speculation and a transparency register for properties. Because one thing is clear housing is a human right. Thank you very much.”
  EU housing policy
• “Think about the €600 billion going from Europe and being invested in the US. We'd be better off spending them here in the EU. There are so many places where investment is required here in the Union, and yet this money is probably going to end up going to the military industrial complex in the US. It's a disaster. What about the digital European internal market, which apparently will continue to be in the hands of big tech from the United States, and they're making pressure on this. It shows that we're absolutely helpless. Really, we are selling ourselves out here on the EU policy side. You could say that the Commission has worked without a mandate and simply capitulated in the face of the white House. This affects the EU's reputation globally because we see just how weak our position is. It damages our partners as well. Those who stood up against this authoritarian trade policy with responding with stronger instruments. And it also damages the rules based trade landscape. So my question to you is what do you think can be done in order to make it better in future? Knowing that the US is only interested in making the deal even worse? Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you to Mr. Lang for giving us an idea of your taste in music. And now we have, in the middle of this debate and the blackmail of Trump vis a vis Europe. And that prompts me to think about and an entirely different album, a metal album, master of Puppets. This is a case where European states are forced by a lot of liquid natural gas from the US and other substances, and new dependence of the US. I think it's a complete madness, and European companies are going to be obliged to invest massively in the US rather than in Europe. It's like paying a ransom, and the High Court in the US has itself said that there was no good legal basis for this agreement, and Trump made it clear yesterday that he has absolutely no intention to honour the tariff part of this. He doesn't. Trump doesn't care about data protection. He's attacking Mexico is threatening Greenland. So even though von der Leyen has agreed to this, I don't think we can take this agreement seriously. We can't ever approve a deal of this type? Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Because what you have presented today, Commissioner, is simply desperately inadequate. The borrowing rules that apply in Europe and the state aid are preventing public investment in social housing in a properly functioning health system, in buses and in Isn't in trains. All the things that people need in their daily lives. In your approach. Investments must come from the private sector or from foreign direct investment. And in both cases, the commission is voluntarily ceding control and therefore handing over our future into the hands of private interests. They will dominate our infrastructure, our public services, or quite simply, they will determine the number of fast charging stations. But in your approach, public money is going to be invested in tanks and drones rather than childcare and social care. Your approach won't solve any problems. Your working programme is designed in order to leave Europe even further behind, in international competition and to deepen the inequality of society and the desperation of working people. What we need is a social policy change. We need public investments now, and we need a commission that has the courage to set the course for the future. But it's not this commission, and it's not this working program that will do it.”
  EU social policy (political compass)
• “Thank you very much, president. Well, you're trying to make do politics with a coalition that's made up of conservatives, Social Democrats, the Greens and the liberals. Will you end up with no opposition? But my group will continue to be in opposition, because the trade deal that you concluded with the United States is an attack on our industrial base and will destroy thousands of jobs and praising that deal really requires a high level of cognitive dissonance. While Donald Trump is rapidly turning the USA into an authoritarian state, you've made European politics subservient to US economic and military interests. You're sacrificing energy sovereignty, our digital market security and climate protection on the Atlantic of the empty phrase transatlantic partnership. This deal is a total capitulation. You're concluding one free trade deal after another Mercosur, Mexico, India soon. And thereby you circumvent national parliaments, the basis of our democracy. But trying to fight over capacity with more free trade is about as illogical as throwing firelighters on the flames of the European economic crisis. Every month, 10,000 jobs are lost in Europe, in the steel sector. 1 in 3 Europeans lives in precarious conditions and has to count every single cent because of the increased costs of rents, food and energy.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “And I, I think we have to move away from the current approach, because if you're trying to cooperate, it looks rather helpless. It look sort of looks as if the European Union is willing to defend itself. And in this, in the face of the very strong partner. The anti coercion instrument has been referred to. Well, yes. Why is this? Why are we not communicating about this and in clearer language. What about changing attitudes about this. And then we've all. We know that economic experts, economists are saying, well, what about a digital tax because there is a key interest on the part of US digital trade. You know, that's one avenue that we could explore as well. Why can we not do this? And then a final question relating to the non-tariff trade barriers that Bente referred to this I would make. I would like to hear extremely clearly from you, given that there is this additional pressure from the United States and this is not being discussed. Well, what about our own legislation? We have this legislation, and why should we be making concessions on it?”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. President. For years now, rents have been too high and people have not been able to afford them. We've got more and more houses House being let through Airbnb. More than 18 million people in Germany are affected. Neighborhoods are being destroyed. More and more people are being forced from their houses if they have low income. There's a fundamental crisis on the market of housing and finally the commissioners waking up. But instead of doing something about the causes, they want to combat it using the market and more private investment. We want to have limits on rents. We want to have limits on Airbnb and other sites, and we want to have a ban on putting old people and families with children out of their homes. There's a right to housing. And that's essential for people who are renting and for the social cohesion in our towns.”
  EU regulation of short-term rentals
• “Thank you. President. Commission right before our eyes. The US under Trump is turning into an authoritarian, corrupt oligarchy. Trump is using trade policy and these punitive tariffs to implement American dominance, and to do that in favor of his oligarch mates. That is a new kind of imperialism. And the commission in this trade war with Trump has not had strategy and has interfered. Just been saying, let's be patient. But, Commissioner. Start taking action. You've got the cards in your hand to do that. We have the digital text. We need to take action against Big Tech. That's long overdue. Then we're looking at a new kind of energy dependency. So it's not going to be on Russians. It's going to be on US fracked gas. What about EU smart energy? It needs to be sustainable and independent. And it's irresponsible to use money from EU taxpayers to pour it into US arms companies. We need an international rules based system, not just this fair trade that only looks at big companies. There's naivety here when it comes to the sensible nature of the Trump policies. We want to look at protecting jobs. We need to have an EU industry policy. We need mass investment in our own future to guarantee our companies and jobs. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Yes, thank you very much. So are our policies to the benefit of our citizens or more the CEOs and the shareholders. These are the questions we have to face. And over the past few years, we have seen a standard of living crisis because we've seen that rents and energy prices have increased enormously. And when it comes to food prices in Germany. They've become gone up 30% since 2020. And Dieter Schwarz has increased his wealth three times over in Germany in the same time. There's an abuse of power price fixing. And in order to tackle this, I think there has to be more done, more interventions when it comes to control of companies, and also a tax on the huge profits of these very powerful companies. There are those who earn billions and they should not be further subsidized. Uh, pay less tax in order to pay more to their shareholders and then, um, proceed to mass redundancies. Over €6 billion has gone into the pockets of Volkswagen over the past few years. And 35,000 jobs are due to be lost. So state aid to Two companies that has to be has to depend on very clear rules. No handouts to shareholders and no mass redundancies. We need an economic policy competition policy, which helps those who don't have very much and is not there to serve the profits of the wealthy.”
  Taxation of windfall profits
• “N obviously, um, war and peace on European soil are not being negotiated in Brussels and Berlin right now, but rather decided in Washington and Moscow and, uh, your, uh, awful references to a transatlantic friendship that has long become a toxic relationship for the EU has produced only anger and made people cringe. Blackmail, humiliation, gaslighting. You say yes to all of this, uh, that the white House throws at you. And we need progressive majorities and politicians who don't, whose knees don't tremble when Washington calls. The aim has to be strategic independence of the EU. That requires a gutsy investment in our jobs, industry, energy, the digital sector, and obviously, of course, also in security. But Mrs. von der Leyen, your proposal for the EU budget doesn't stand up to that. Once again, you're afraid of honestly taxing the Uber rich and big tech whilst you are making generous cuts to schools, kindergartens and support for social bodies. Uh, through your policies, the EU internationally not only has no voice, but inequality is increasing and this is not the way to go about either peace or democracy. Thank you.”
  Relations with NATO