Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA

Policy topics Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA is active on

What Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA has said (77)

• 2026-07-07 “(09:45:16 - 09:46:21): Thank you, president. I've been talking about, these, ruinous policies in Europe in the automotive industry for 7 years already. We are seeing these, expressions relating to decarbonization, climate change. And every month in Strasbourg, we talk about the automotive sector. And every month, the chains of production is suffering in Europe. Thousands and thousands of people are losing their jobs. And the story of our industry is a story of innovation, and, the last legislature destroyed it all. We used to have a situation where the automotive industry dominated our industry. We produced, more than, we see more than, 90 of batteries produced in China and, transferring them to Morocco, and then we're taking them here. This is what here. And you are, blame you are to be blamed for this, for the cuts in jobs,”
  Battery supply chain: EU gigafactory sovereignty vs. reliance on Asian suppliers
• 2026-06-15 “(17:59:51 – 18:00:13): I think it was a direct reference to me, so I really would like to respond to what the commissioner said, if I may. Pursuant to the new rules, I think you can if you're directly referred to.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• 2026-06-15 “(17:54:09 – 17:55:21): No home, no car, no fatherland. In the 19 seventies, there were bureaucrats which took over governments and made us subordinate to the UN, etcetera. Now back then, we produced almost everything. China barely produced anything, but the opposite is true now. In Brussels, people have been worrying more about gaining power and planning people's lives than promoting prosperity, freedom, and economic independence. We have no people being born. We have no military power. We have no raw materials, so we can have no power. We import masses of fuel, but lobbies have, criminalized oil, gas, nuclear power, and all fossil fuels. We've also done away with heavy industry. So now we're buying cars produced in Morocco. Your unfair trade deals condemn our producers and have destroyed jobs. Social democracy, whether green, blue, or red, has devastated Europe. We need to change everything.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-03-16 “Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 11.5.2026 Written question On 30 January 2026, the Commission opened an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Spain [1] for failing to comply with the reporting obligation under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive [2] . The required report provides an assessment of the conservation status of the habitats and species covered by the Habitats Directive (including the Iberian wolf) based on the status and trends of species and habitats, as well as the main pressures and threats affecting them. The Commission services are assessing the reply by Spain prior to deciding on its follow-up. The Commission recalls that, under the Common Agricultural Policy [3] , comprehensive support is available for livestock protection measures against predators like the wolf and that EU State aid rules allow Member States to compensate up to 100% of direct and indirect costs from wolf-related damages to livestock. Regarding the provisional application of the agreement with Mercosur, the Commission does not share the negative assessment of the Honourable Members. The agreement includes an unprecedented set of measures aimed at protecting sensitive agri-food sectors. Imports of sensitive agricultural goods are subject to very limited tariff-rate quotas that will be gradually phased in. [1] INFR (2025)2214, https://ec.europa.eu/implementing-eu-law/search-infringement-decisions/?langCode=EN&version=v1&typeOfSearch=byDecision&page=1&size=10&order=desc&sortColumns=decisionDate&refId=INFR(2025)2214. [2] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and on wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7. [3] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy_en.”
  Large Carnivores
• 2026-03-13 “E-001057/2026 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The EU financial contribution under Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs), in line with Article 32(1) of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation, has two components. The first covers access to fisheries resources and is paid directly to the partner country’s government. Its use falls under national sovereignty and the Commission doesn’t monitor it and doesn’t have information on final recipients. In contrast, the second component, the sectoral support, is subject to strict monitoring and reporting. Partner countries must provide annual reports on their implementation, activities and beneficiaries. Progress is regularly assessed, including in the annual Joint Committee meetings which govern the implementation of the SFPAs, and payments depend on satisfactory implementation. More details are available in the ex-ante and ex-post evaluations, published on the website of the EU’s publication office 1 . The Commission regularly assesses the impact of SFPAs, including their economic relevance for the EU fleet, through the above-mentioned evaluations carried out before each protocol is concluded or renewed. These consistently show that SFPAs support the competitiveness and viability of the EU fishing fleet, including those of Spain and Portugal. They provide access to key fishing zones and resources not available in EU waters, ensure predictable and secure operating conditions for EU vessels, support year-round continuity of fishing activities, and help sustain sectoral employment and economic activity. The Commission’s conclusion is that SFPAs remain an essential tool for supporting the external dimension of the CFP, contributing both to sustainable fisheries and the economic performance of the EU fleet. 1 https://op.europa.eu/fr.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2026-02-20 “Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission 3.7.2026 Written question The Commission is fully committed to fighting fraud, including that involving Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds. Under Article 22 of the RRF Regulation [1] , Member States bear primary responsibility for the protection of the EU's financial interests (PFIU) and ensuring compliance with EU and national law. The Commission verifies this through a robust control framework, including assessments of national internal control systems and system audits. Several audits, including on PFIU, have been conducted on the implementation of the Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan (ES RRP) and the Commission monitors the implementation of related recommendations. The Commission may act on alleged serious irregularities (fraud, corruption, conflicts of interest and double funding) reported via audits, the European Anti-Fraud Office or European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigations, or other sources. When detected, the Commission may request the Member State to take corrective measures and apply financial corrections in accordance with the RRF Regulation and the Financing Agreement. If not corrected, the Commission may implement reductions and recoveries. Following a Commission request for information, Spanish authorities confirmed that they are investigating the matter and that no contracts related to the individual in question have been included in payment requests to date, nor are they expected to be used for upcoming milestones under the ES RRP. The Commission will follow up with the Spanish authorities to further establish the facts and assess the need for any corrective measures. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/241/oj/eng.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Conditions to access EU budget
• 2026-02-13 “P-000646/2026 Reply ‘Euskadi Ta Askatasuna’/‘Tierra Vasca y Libertad’ – ‘E.T.A.’ is included in the list of persons, groups and entities to which Article 4 of Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP applies, as set out in the Annex to Council Common Position 2009/468/CFSP of 15 June 2009 (Council Common Position 2009/468/CFSP of 15 June 2009 updating Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing Common Position 2009/67/CFSP).”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• 2026-02-04 “Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission 6.5.2026 Written question On 14 May 2024, Spain applied for European Regional Development Fund support to upgrade the Madrid — Seville high-speed railway line, defined as a major project under Article 100 of Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 [1] . In the application, Spain noted that, although originally built according to advanced technical standards in 1992, the line had become technologically outdated ‘ desfasada <QT.END> ’ </QT.END> compared to other Spanish high-speed lines, without this entailing though any reduction in the safety standards of the service being provided. The Commission assessed the application and agreed on 24 June 2024 to co-finance the proposed u pgrades [2] . The assessment did not declare the Madrid — Seville line obsolete but rather recognised the need for infrastructure renovation, as described in the application. Prior to authorising EU co-financing for major projects, the Commission meticulously reviews the information provided by the Member State under Article 101 of Regulation (EU) 1303/2013, including environmental and cost-benefit considerations, alongside other legal provisions such as state aid. Regarding questions two and three, the honourable Member is invited to consult the response to Question E-000254/2026 [3] . As the Commission referred in it, “b oth ex ante and ex post controls are applied to ensure compliance with EU standards in projects funded by the Cohesion Policy Funds and the Recovery and Resilience Facility”. However, the primary responsibility for preventing, detecting and correcting irregularities lies with Member States, which are required to establish effective management and control systems, including anti-fraud measures. Regarding judicial investigations, the Commission monitors developments closely and takes action when appropriate. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/1303/oj. [2] https://spain.representation.ec.europa.eu/noticias-eventos/noticias-0/la-comision-aprueba-110-millones-de-euros-en-fondos-de-la-politica-de-cohesion-para-modernizar-la-2024-06-24_es. [3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html.”
  EU funding for transportation · EU support of rail transport
• 2026-02-03 “E-000419/2026 Answer given by Ms Albuquerque on behalf of the European Commission The Commission supports private sector initiatives in the retail payments market and notes the positive impacts expected from the recent partnership between the national mobile payment solutions mentioned by the Honourable Member. Creating an environment supporting the emergence of such types of initiatives was one of the key objectives of the Commission Retail Payments Strategy and related initiatives, in particular the open banking under the Payment Services Directive 1 and the Instant Payments Regulation 2 . In syntony with the digital euro, which creates a pan-European retail payments infrastructure, such private initiatives are a step in the right direction, contributing to further integration of the European retail payments market, and dependences on non-European payment players. The digital euro and private solutions are complementary and can jointly foster the development of home-grown, cross-border, pan-European payment solutions. The digital euro, as a public good, fulfils important policy goals as a digital form of public money. In particular, the digital euro will provide digital central bank money for retail use across all euro area Member States in both online and offline functionalities, ensuring universal access for citizens and businesses. The European Central Bank will develop standards and infrastructure that private sector may utilise to scale-up their retail payment solutions across the EU. The digital euro will also support resilience, strategic autonomy and monetary sovereignty, and strengthen the role of the euro. Therefore, the Commission stands by the proposal for the digital euro Regulation 3 . In sum, the digital euro and private payment solutions will have complementary roles and strengthen the EU retail payment markets. The Commission continues to support both public and private sector efforts in this regard. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32015L2366. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32024R0886. 3 COM(2023) 369 final.”
  Digital euro · Means of payment (cash vs digital)
• 2026-01-22 “E-000254/2026 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Fitto on behalf of the European Commission Both ex ante and ex post controls are applied to ensure compliance with EU standards in projects funded by the Cohesion Policy Funds and the Recovery and Resilience Facility. These controls include monitoring mechanisms, reporting requirements and audits to verify that EU funds are used appropriately and in line with EU rules. However, the primary responsibility for preventing, detecting and correcting irregularities lies with Member States. Member States are required to establish effective management and control systems, including anti-fraud measures. The Commission's role is supervisory, ensuring that Member States fulfil their obligations and intervening when deficiencies are identified. Regarding the judicial investigations in Spain, the Commission is aware of the allegations of irregularities in the awarding of public contracts in the Koldo case. While the investigation and prosecution of such cases fall under the competence of Spanish judicial authorities, the Commission is cooperating with national authorities to safeguard the financial interests of the EU. The Commission monitors developments closely and takes action when appropriate. In cases where inadequate controls or irregularities are detected, the Commission can take measures such as suspending payments or recovering EU funds wrongly used. The Commission remains committed to ensuring the integrity and transparency of EU financial resources.”
  Rule of law in Spain · Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• 2026-01-15 “Answer given by Mr Jørgensen on behalf of the European Commission 7.4.2026 Written question A year after its adoption, the implementation of the Affordable Energy Action Plan [1] is well underway. The Commission is progressing on all its commitments, including the revision of the state aid framework, the adoption of guidances, or new financing products with the European Investment Bank. Several of the measures fall in areas for which both the Commission and Member States are responsible for action. Therefore, achieving the full potential benefits of the action plan is dependent on measures implemented by Member States, notably on taxation, permitting streamlining or making use of the enhanced state aid framework. Many Member States have taken action during 2025. Frequently, measures taken will require some implementation time until impacts are reflected in the bills. Energy prices in Europe are significantly lower than during the energy crisis of 2022-2023. Price levels diverge among Member States subject to national conditions and measures implemented. While energy prices have decreased since the peak of the energy crisis, they remain at a high level and diverge among Member States. The Commission has therefore continued its action. In October 2025, the Commission recalled a set of seven actions to bring relief to consumers. The Commission will continue to collaborate with Member States to support effective action through the Energy Union Task Force and will adopt initiatives such as a recommendation on electricity taxes and levies, a clean energy investment strategy, a Citizens Energy Package and a support package for energy efficiency financing. [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0079.”
  Energy (green transition)
• 2026-01-08 “E-000041/20c26 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission Pursuant to Article 32(1)(a) of the Common Fisheries Policy Regulation (CFP 1 ), a part of the Union’s financial contribution under Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) is intended to support the cost of access to fisheries resources in third-country waters. This part of the contribution is not earmarked for specific policy objectives and its use falls under the sovereign discretion of the partner country. In addition, as per Article 32(1)(b) of the CFP Regulation, financial assistance is provided to partner countries aiming at the development of a sustainable fisheries policy driven by the third country (the so-called ‘sectoral support’). As such financial assistance is conditional upon the achievement of specific results, programming and implementation of activities funded by sectoral support are subject to strict monitoring by the Joint Committee of SFPAs, through the regular monitoring by the Commission both in headquarters and in EU delegations. Furthermore, SFPAs define requirements for the administrations of partner countries to ensure transparency, accountability and control of these funds, including a mandatory annual report. Further details and examples can be found in the evaluation and analysis of the SFPAs between the EU and third countries published in 2023 2 which includes an in-depth analysis of the sectoral support component of the SFPAs, including beneficiaries, as well as in the evaluations conducted before the expiry of each protocol 3 . These evaluations also show that active SFPAs provide access to important fishing zones for the EU fleet, as part of a network of SFPAs concluded by the EU, enabling the vessels concerned to maintain their activities throughout the year. 1 Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC, OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, pp. 22. 2 Commission: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Fisheries Maritime Affairs F&S, Megapesca Lda and POSEIDON, Evaluation and analysis of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) between the EU and third countries including an in-depth analysis of the sectoral support component of the SFPAs – Final report, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2771/52188. 3 For Morocco: Commission: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, F&S and POSEIDON, Évaluation rétrospective et prospective du Protocole à l’accord de partenariat dans le domaine de la pêche durable entre l’Union européenne et le Royaume du Maroc – Rapport final, Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2771/785958. For Mauritania: European Commission: Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Poseidon, Fisheries Maritime Affairs, Caillart, B., Guerin, B. et al., Évaluation rétrospective et prospective du Protocole 2021-2026 à l’accord de partenariat dans le domaine de la pêche durable entre l’Union européenne et la République Islamique de Mauritanie – Rapport final, Publications Office of the European Union, 2025, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2771/6618550.”
  Funding for fisheries and aquaculture · Fisheries access for developing countries
• 2025-11-28 “E-004723/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to supporting Member States in determining the age of illegal immigrants and reducing the risk of their disappearance or kidnapping. The Eurodac Regulation 1 has lowered the age for registering the biometric data of children from 12 years old to 6 years old, and this should inter alia help law enforcement to follow up on cases of disappearances of the children. The Commission encourages the exchange of best practices among Member States to enhance child protection measures. The Commission can provide guidance and financial support through relevant EU programmes. To safeguard the financial interests and the EU budget, the Commission makes use of all means at its disposal based on the legal framework to ensure that the EU funds are used in compliance with the applicable rules. The Commission will therefore not hesitate to take appropriate measures in case of substantiated evidence that EU funds have not been used in accordance with the applicable rules. The Commission works closely with Member States and with Europol, Eurojust, Frontex, the European Asylum Agency and the European Labour Authority to strengthen the EU’s response to organised crime networks active in trafficking in human beings. Europol, as reinforced by Regulation (EU) 2025/2611 2 , is to ensure timely and systematic coordination, exchange of information and to provide analytical and operational support to dismantle criminal networks involved in trafficking in human beings at the request of national law enforcement authorities. A dedicated operational action of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats Trafficking in Human Beings focuses on child trafficking with a focus on unaccompanied minors. Additionally, the Commission is engaged in dialogue with third countries, including Morocco, to enhance cooperation on migration and security issues. 1 Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on the establishment of ‘Eurodac’ for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third-country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States’ law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes, amending Regulations (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) No 603/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L, 2024/1358, 22.5.2024. 2 Regulation (EU) 2025/2611 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2025 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/794 as regards the strengthening of Europol’s support and enhancing police cooperation, for preventing and combating migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings, OJ L, 2025/2611, 22.12.2025.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters · Asylum & border control · Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• 2025-11-26 “E-004709/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has already, in 2022, introduced a regulatory framework for the type-approval of automated-driving systems 1 intended for specific use cases in small series, thereby establishing a clear baseline for market entry while safeguarding road safety. In line with the automotive action plan 2 , the Commission is now working to boost regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, with a target implementation date of 2026, which is deemed essential for preserving the EU automotive industry’s long-term competitiveness. To remove remaining obstacles in national legislation, the Commission is rolling out cross-border testbeds for autonomous vehicles, providing manufacturers with a unified environment for deployment. At the same time, the Commission recognises that advanced driver assistance systems, such as Tesla Full self-driving (FSD), raise safety concerns because they require continuous driver engagement and responsibility, which must be addressed rigorously. The UN regulation governing such systems (UNR 171 3 ) is under revision to address latest technological innovations. These rules do not block any specific technology but ensure that every assisted vehicle on EU roads meets a high safety standard. Innovative technologies that do not fall within the scope of UNR 171 and can demonstrate an equivalent safety performance may be authorised under Article 39 of the EU legal framework 4 . To date, however, the Commission has not received any request from Member States for such authorisations. The Commission remains committed to balancing innovation with safety and will continue to engage with industry, Member States and international bodies to deliver a robust, future-proof regulatory framework for automated vehicles. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2022/1426/oj. 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025DC0095. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/1899/oj. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2018/858/oj.”
  Driving licences
• 2025-11-05 “E-004368/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The Commission does not intend to delay or repeal the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) or to exclude aluminium from its scope. CBAM is a tool to protect against the risk of carbon leakage by ensuring equivalent carbon pricing for imports and domestic products. In December 2025, the Commission presented proposals to extend the CBAM scope to certain downstream goods in the steel and aluminium sectors and to address circumvention risks. The recently introduced de minimis threshold of 50 tonnes per importer per year exempts more than 90% of importers from the obligations of the CBAM, while maintaining more than 99% of emissions in scope, thereby simplifying CBAM and maintaining its environmental integrity. The Commission will closely monitor compliance with the threshold and assess every year whether it needs to be updated. The Commission aims to boost the uptake of high-quality secondary aluminium by preparing recycled-content obligations in key sectors for aluminium-containing products under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation 1 and the future Regulation on end-of-life vehicles 2 . As per the RESourceEU Action Plan 3 , by the second quarter of 2026, the Commission will also propose targeted measures to ensure sufficient availability of aluminium scrap in the EU. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02024R1781-20240628. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_3043. 3 https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/01c448d6-dc93-40d7-9afe-4c2af448d00c_en.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) · Trade relations with Turkey
• 2025-10-21 “E-004133/2025 Reply The listing of a person, group or entity under the Council Common Position 2001/931/CFSP has to satisfy the conditions laid down in Article 1(2) to 1(4) of that Common Position, which provides definitions of persons, groups and entities ‘involved in terrorist acts’ and of ‘terrorist acts’ for this purpose, and specifies the requirements related to the adoption of a decision by a national competent authority in respect of the persons, groups and entities concerned. Currently, there are 13 individuals and 22 groups and entities, active within and outside the EU, on the so-called ‘EU terrorist list’. The Council reviews the list at regular intervals and, at least, every 6 months. The Council has not discussed the question of ‘Antifa’ raised by the Honourable Member.”
  Rule of law in Spain · EU policy on criminal justice
• 2025-10-08 “E-003974/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The European Maritime Strategy (EUMSS) 1 commits to enhancing the detection and prevention of unauthorised border-crossings and cross-border crime, as well as deepening cooperation with partner countries. EUMSS promotes the respect of international law and supports combatting illicit sea activities but does not make recommendations regarding Member States’ jurisdiction in international waters. The Screening Regulation 2 , which enters into force in June 2026, introduces identity and security checks at the EU external borders of third-country nationals apprehended during an unauthorised border crossing or following a search and rescue operation. The Commission does not have data on the number of criminals crossing EU borders nor on instances of jurisdiction issues over crimes committed in international waters. The 2023 proposal for a Facilitation Directive 3 seeks to establish Member States’ jurisdiction over the criminal offences covered therein to offences committed partially or entirely in their territory, or committed by a national or habitual resident, for the benefit of a legal person established in their territory, or on board of ships or aircraft registered in a Member State or flying its flag. It also seeks to establish Member States’ jurisdiction over attempts to commit criminal offences as defined by the proposal which cause the death of a migrant (such as in the high seas), where jurisdiction would have been established if the offence had been completed. The text is currently under negotiation with the co-legislators. 1 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST%2011205%202014%20INIT/EN/pdf. 2 Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 introducing the screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817. 3 COM (2023)755 final.”
  Asylum & border control · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2025-10-01 “E-003838/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Commission already proposed 1 giving more flexibility to Member States in the setting of value added tax (VAT) rates which resulted in a comprehensive reform recently adopted by the Council 2 . 2. Reducing the level of the VAT standard rate in the VAT Directive 3 is in itself unlikely to bring down the price level, because all Member States apply a standard rate higher than the minimum set in the directive; and as for reduced rates, Member States already enjoy considerable leeway after the last reform. As such, the level of VAT actually applied derives from Member States’ decision rather than from EU rules. 3. Member States decide the level of VAT applied at national level leading to the VAT-based own resources due to the EU budget. They jointly determine the size of that budget via the multiannual financial framework. The total expenditure is largely financed through Member States’ own resources contributions including traditional, VAT-based, and plastics own resources, with the Gross National Income-based own resource acting as a balancing tool ensuring all authorised expenses are paid. Consequently, changes to the national VAT rates do not change the size of the EU Budget. 1 Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 2006/112/EC as regards rates of value added tax (COM(2018) 20). 2 Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of 5 April 2022 amending Directives 2006/112/EC and (EU) 2020/285 as regards rates of value added tax (OJ L 107, 6.4.2022, p. 1). 3 Council Directive 2006/112/EC of 28 November 2006 on the common system of value added tax (OJ L 347, 11.12.2006, p. 1).”
  Own EU resources · VAT harmonisation
• 2025-10-01 “E-003831/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is actively involved in the ongoing North East Atlantic coastal States’ negotiations, engaging in both multilateral and bilateral discussions with counterparts to reduce fishing pressure on pelagic stocks, particularly mackerel. The Commission is concerned with the prospect of continued overfishing and arrangements based on unilaterally inflated quotas by some parties. Sustainable fisheries management is indeed not optional – it is vital for protecting the resource, the EU seafood sector, and communities that depend on it. The Commission will carefully assess any measures by third countries against the legal thresholds under Regulation 1026/2012, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2077/2025 on nonsustainable fishing by third countries 1 , while ensuring full respect for international law. The Regulation applies to the fisheries-related activities and policies of third countries in order to ensure the long-term conservation of stocks of common interest to the Union and those third countries. The EU also has trade defence tools to ensure fair competition, such as anti-dumping or safeguard measures, that the Commission could trigger if conditions for their application are met. The competitiveness of the EU industries, and sustainable fishing are key priorities for the Commission. 1 OJ L, 2025/2077, 14.10.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/2077/oj.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-10-01 “E-003830/2025 Answer given by Mr Kadis on behalf of the European Commission The European Parliament and the Council decided during the last Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) reform in 2013 that Member States should keep the prerogative of distributing or allocating fishing opportunities available to them and leave Member States certain discretion in choosing and designing systems and allocation methods and to adapt them to their specific needs. At the same time, the co-legislators decided to require Member States to include criteria of environmental, social and economic nature (Article 17 of the CFP Regulation). The Commission recently published a vade mecum 1 , which addresses certain challenges related to the systems and methods Member States are currently using for allocating fishing opportunities and the need to better align those systems with the requirements. The Commission is currently evaluating the CFP Regulation, looking at its functioning and impact and providing answers to the five key evaluation criteria: efficiency, effectiveness, relevance, coherence and EU added value. The evaluation will provide a good basis to make informed decisions on how best to continue implementing the policy and to develop the EU’s long-term vision for a resilient, competitive and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture sector with a 2040 perspective. Based on the ‘evaluation first principle’, the Commission is committed to always evaluate an existing legal basis before deciding on a possible revision. 1 Communication from the Commission for enhanced transparency and good governance in the allocation of fishing opportunities by Member States: A vade mecum on the application of Articles 16 and 17 of Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/6227/oj.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• 2025-09-23 “P-003683/2025 Answer given by Mr Dombrovskis on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of media reports regarding the implementation of the project related to the electronic monitoring bracelets for the protection of victims of gender-based violence in Spain. The measure is included in the Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under milestone 472 (Investment in telephone services and online services to support victims of violence against women), which will be assessed by the Commission in the context of the eighth payment request. The assessment of milestone 472 has not yet taken place as Spain has not submitted the related payment request. The Commission will therefore assess the implementation and fulfilment of this milestone only at the time of the eighth payment request, based on the evidence provided by the Spanish authorities. The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a performance-based instrument. This means that payments are made only once the requirements of the milestones and targets, as reflected in the Council Implementing Decision, have been assessed as satisfactorily fulfilled. Under the RRF Regulation, Member States are responsible for the implementation of their RRPs, including the award and management of contracts financed under the Facility. This includes ensuring that all procurement and contractual procedures fully comply with applicable EU and national law.”
  Rule of law in Spain · Gender roles, equality and inclusion · Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• 2025-09-09 “E-003480/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission lacks official information on the gender and age distribution of unaccompanied minors in Spain. However, some studies 1 confirm that a majority of unaccompanied minors who enter the EU illegally are male and in the age break of 15 to 17. The Commission does not have conclusive data to attribute these trends to cultural factors, selective migration, or strategic intentions. Regarding safety concerns, the Commission lacks official information to affirm that there is a correlation between the gender of unaccompanied minors and increased threats to the safety of women in Europe. Unaccompanied minors are afforded specific safeguards, care and support under EU asylum and migration legislation 2 due to their situation of vulnerability. The legislative instruments which are part of the Pact on Migration and Asylum 3 reinforce the protection of unaccompanied minors and the modalities to perform age assessment. 1 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Children's Fund and International Organization for Migration, Migrant and Refugee Children in Europe (Accompanied, Unaccompanied & Separated), 2024, https://www.unicef.org/eca/media/41726/file/2024%20Migrant%20and%20refugee%20children%20in%20Euro pe.pdf; European Migration Network Belgium, Annual Report on Migration and Asylum 2023, European Migration Network – Belgian National Contact Point, Brussels, 2024. https://emnbelgium.be/sites/default/files/publications/EMN_ARM2023_FINAL_100724_0.pdf. 2 See for example Article 21 of the Reception Conditions Directive (Directive 2013/33/EU), Articles 24 and 25 of the Asylum Procedures Directive (Directive 2013/32/EU). 3 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/pact-migration-and-asylum_en.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion · Asylum & border control
• 2025-09-01 “E-003351/2025 Answer given by Mr Hoekstra on behalf of the European Commission The Commission has accelerated work on the preparation of the foreseen review of the CO 2 standards for cars and vans to come forward with the review by the end of 2025. On 7 July 2025, the Commission launched a Call for Evidence and a Public Consultation on the evaluation and review of this legislation 1 . The consultation has closed on 10 October 2025. The Commission is currently conducting an impact assessment, after which the Commission will prepare a proposal for adoption under the ordinary legislative procedure. The impact assessment will explore a variety of options and compare them to the baseline. It will take into account technological developments and the importance of an economically viable and socially fair transition towards zero-emission mobility. Once the impact assessment and the legislative proposal will be published, the public will again be provided with the opportunity to give feedback. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14765-Revision-of-the-CO2-emissionstandards-for-cars-and-vans_en.”
  Road transport environmental policy · Climate efforts
• 2025-08-27 “E-003316/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission was not informed of this specific incident. Annex VI of the Schengen Borders Code 1 provides clear provisions on the procedures for checks in aerodromes. All persons must be checked in accordance with the rules on border checks at airports, including where the airport does not hold the status of international airport under the relevant national law. When the volume of traffic is low, border guards do not need to be present at all times, provided that they can be deployed in good time, in which case the manager of the aerodrome must give adequate notice to the border guards about the arrival and departure of aircrafts on flights from or to third countries. The Commission monitors the correct application of the Schengen acquis in the Member States, including the rules on the management of the external (air) borders through the Schengen Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism 2 . Spain was evaluated in 2022 and is in the process of implementing the action plan to address the deficiencies which were identified. 1 Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on a Union Code on the rules governing the movement of persons across borders (Schengen Borders Code), OJ L 77, pp.1-52, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1717. 2 Council Regulation (EU) 2022/922 of 9 June 2022 on the establishment and operation of an evaluation and monitoring mechanism to verify the application of the Schengen acquis, OJ L 160, pp. 1–27.”
  Asylum & border control · EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• 2025-08-26 “E-003297/2025 Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on behalf of the European Commission The position of the EU towards Venezuela was established in the Statement issued by the High Representative/Vice-President on behalf of the EU on 10 January 2025 1 . Despite developments since then, its main tenets remain valid: the EU stands in full solidarity with the people of Venezuela in their democratic aspirations. The EU will continue to work with all Venezuelans, regional and international partners to foster genuine dialogue towards a democratic transition. Nicolás Maduro lacks the legitimacy of a democratically elected president. The fight against organised crime and boosting cooperation with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in this domain remains a priority for the Commission, as stated by the Commission in its reply to written question E-000632/2025 2 . To that end, the Commission and the European External Action Service will continue to deploy all efforts, through the appropriate institutional means. 1 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/01/10/venezuela-statement-by-the-highrepresentative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-events-of-10-january-2025/. 2 https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/-ASW_EN.html.”
  EU-Venezuela relations · EU relations with left-wing Latin America
• 2025-07-23 “E-003061/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission Under Article 4(2) of the Treaty on EU, national security is the exclusive responsibility of Member States. It is for Spain to assess and manage risks linked to surveillance technologies, including in strategic sites. At the same time, EU law applies in areas such as data protection, cybersecurity and public procurement. Regulation (EU) 2016/679 1 ensures lawful and proportionate processing of personal data, also in surveillance contexts. In addition, the forthcoming revision of the Cybersecurity Act 2 will address resilience of information and communication technology (ICT) supply chains and infrastructure more broadly. EU security cooperation relies on mutual trust and shared responsibility. While there is no indication that Spain has breached its obligations, Member States must ensure decisions do not undermine EU security or trust. The ProtectEU Internal Security Strategy 3 encourages assessment of technological dependencies and risks, including system origin, control, vulnerabilities, and impacts on information sharing. Directive 2014/24/EU 4 allows exclusion of operators on national security grounds, with national authorities responsible for risk assessments. Directive (EU) 2022/2555 5 , notably Article 22, provides for EU-level coordinated security risk assessments of critical ICT supply chains. Under this framework, Member States, supported by the Commission and the EU Agency for Cybersecurity, are developing an ICT supply chain security toolbox to help identify, assess, and mitigate related risks. 1 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation). 2 Regulation (EU) 2019/881 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 on ENISA (the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity) and on information and communications technology cybersecurity certification and repealing Regulation (EU) No 526/2013 (Cybersecurity Act). 3 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on ProtectEU: a European Internal Security Strategy, COM(2025) 148 final. 4 Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC. 5 Directive (EU) 2022/2555 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union, amending Regulation (EU) No 910/2014 and Directive (EU) 2018/1972, and repealing Directive (EU) 2016/1148 (NIS 2 Directive).”
  EU-China relations · EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure
• 2025-07-23 “E-003060/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission In the Communication on the implementation of the EU 5G cybersecurity toolbox of 15 June 2023 1 , the Commission assessed that Huawei (and ZTE) present materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers and committed to avoid exposure of its own corporate communications networks to mobile networks using Huawei and ZTE as suppliers and to restrict these suppliers from relevant funding EU programmes and instruments. The Commission also considered that decisions adopted by the Member States to restrict or exclude Huawei and ZTE are justified and compliant with the 5G Toolbox. It urged all Member States to implement the 5G Toolbox and take measures to mitigate the risks linked to these suppliers. The contract concluded by the Spanish Ministry of the Interior with Huawei can potentially create a dependency on a high-risk supplier in a critical and sensitive sector that would increase the risk of foreign interference. In line with the 5G Toolbox and as announced in the ProtectEU Strategy 2 of April 2025, the Commission will look more broadly at the security and resilience of information and communication technology (ICT) supply chains and infrastructure in the upcoming revision of the Cybersecurity Act, with a view to avoid critical dependencies and de-risk our ICT supply chains from high-risk suppliers. 1 C(2023) 4049. 2 COM(2025) 148.”
  5G · EU policy on screening foreign investment in strategic sectors and critical infrastructure
• 2025-06-24 “P-002530/2025 Answer given by Mr Serafin on behalf of the European Commission 1. The elements described are too broad for the Commission to determine a link to a specific measure under the Spanish recovery and resilience plan. They may refer to target 31 under measure C2.I2 (Construction of social rented housing in energy-efficient buildings). However, this target is part of the ninth payment request and has not yet been assessed, nor has Spain submitted the related evidence. In any case, it is the responsibility of Member States to ensure they protect the financial interests of the Union (Article 22.1 of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF) Regulation 1 ), including making corrections and, where necessary, taking legal action to recover misappropriated funds (Article 22.2.b of the RRF Regulation, with accompanying provisions in the RRF Financing Agreement). 2. There is no legal obligation for Member States to report irregularities related to the Recovery and Resilience Facility through the Irregularity Management System (IMS). However, all Member States have the option to use the IMS on a voluntary basis. So far, Spain has not reported possible irregularities related to this matter in the IMS, though it may still do so later in line with national procedures. 3. Protecting the EU’s financial interests relies notably on national control systems and judicial authorities. They must collect data on final recipients of funds for audit purposes and act in cases of suspected fraud. The Commission cooperates with these authorities, can suspend payments, impose financial corrections, and recover disbursed funds. If a serious irregularity is detected and not rectified by the Member State, the Commission intervenes and cooperates with the European Anti-fraud Office and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility, OJ L 57, 18.2.2021.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Rule of law in Spain
• 2025-06-23 “E-002511/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of this ongoing investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). The EPPO is an independent body responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes against the EU’s financial interests, and it operates separately from the Commission. The Commission does not interfere with investigations carried out by the EPPO and will await the results of the investigation once these can be disclosed. The Commission has been in contact with the European Anti-Fraud Office and the Spanish authorities on this issue. As the EPPO investigation unfolds, the Commission will carefully consider the findings and take any potential necessary steps to safeguard the EU’s financial interests. This may include taking measures such as interrupting or suspending payments, applying financial corrections, or recovering funds. If confirmed, all irregularities will give rise to a specific follow-up, and remedial actions needed to tackle the infringements identified, including underlying systemic issues, will be agreed with the programme authorities concerned.”
  Rule of law in Spain · Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• 2025-06-23 “E-002498/2025 Answer given by Mr Hansen on behalf of the European Commission Land use decisions are a competence of Member States, and the role of the Commission is limited to ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of EU law. Changes in the use of arable land are per se not subject to an environmental impact assessment (EIA) pursuant to the EIA Directive 1 . By contrast, the competent authorities must determine whether photovoltaic plants 2 are likely to have significant effects on the environment and, therefore, need to be subject to an assessment that takes into consideration the effects on, inter alia, the landscape, material assets and the cultural heritage. Moreover, under the Habitats Directive 3 , the authorisation of any project likely to have a significant effect on a Natura 2000 site requires a prior appropriate assessment of its implications for the site in view of the site's conservation objectives. The Commission noted in the Vision for Agriculture and Food 4 the limited availability of fertile land in a context of growing competition for its use and the consequence of climate change puts the farming community in a difficult situation. In response, the Commission will work towards launching an EU observatory on Farmland to enhance transparency in land use changes, as well as loss of agricultural and natural land, among others. The observatory will also have the objective to help Member States make informed decisions on the regulation of farmland. Mindful of the need to balance energy production with other public interests, the Commission has issued recommendations and guidance for Member States on encouraging innovative technologies and forms of renewable energy deployment 5 , like agrivoltaics, as well as on permitting for renewable projects and related infrastructure 6 . 1 Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1–21, as amended by Directive 2014/52/EU of 16 April 2014 - OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1–18. 2 Industrial installations for the production of electricity are referred to in Point 3 a) of Annex II to the EIA Directive. 3 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7–50. 4 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0075. 5 https://energy.ec.europa.eu/publications/communication-innovative-technologies-and-forms-renewable-energydeployment_en. 6 C(2024)2660 final and SWD(2024)333 final, respectively.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• 2025-04-10 “E-001486/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Séjourné on behalf of the European Commission The development of specific business services in Member States depends on the demand from businesses created by the administrative and business environment of each Member State. Furthermore, Member States are competent, in accordance with the rules of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Services Directive 1 and in particular the principle of proportionality, to regulate services on their territory. Information on existing regulated professions in the EU may be found via the Regulated Professions Database 2 , if the profession is regulated by Member States. The database contains information on regulated professions, statistics on migrating professionals, contact points and competent authorities, as provided by EU Member States, European Economic Area countries, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. The Commission does not have information regarding administrative agents, as defined by the question of the Honourable Member, in Member States. In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 3 establishing a single digital gateway to provide access to information, to procedures and to assistance and problem-solving services, information necessary to conduct business activities in other Member States and National Points of Single Contact is available on the Your Europe portal 4 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=LEGISSUM:l33237. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/regprof/home. 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:02018R1724-20250119. 4 https://europa.eu/youreurope/index_en.htm.”
  EU Single Market harmonisation
• 2025-03-27 “P-001295/2025 Answer given by Mr Tzitzikostas on behalf of the European Commission Out of the 1 906 respondents, 881 provided inputs under the question ‘Do you have any other comments or remarks as regards the EU industrial action plan for the automotive sector?’ (634 from Spain); the answers provided show a significant variation, from single-sentence inputs to page-long detailed contributions. In accordance with Article 4(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 1 , the Commission is obligated to protect the privacy and integrity of the individuals who provided personal information. The Commission has therefore presented the main contents of the comments received in the Summary Report published on the public consultation page 2 , ensuring the protection of respondents' personal data and maintaining the integrity of the consultation process. 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2001/1049/oj/eng. 2 https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14487-Future-of-the-Europeanautomotive-industry/public-consultation_en.”
  2035 ICE phase-out: strict zero-emission target vs. flexibility for carmakers · Powertrain choice: EV-only pathway vs. equal support for hybrids, e-fuels, H2
• 2025-03-27 “E-001296/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission Telefonica SA has received the following EU funding under direct management: EUR 723 526 from seven grants signed under Horizon 2020 1 ; EUR 1 658 582 from nine grants under Horizon Europe 2 ; EUR 12.55 million from the Connecting Europe Facility 3 . It has also received EUR 604 533 078.24 from the European Regional Development Fund 4 in the last 10 years. Promotora de Informaciones (PRISA) SA has received the following EU funding under direct management: EUR 1 million in three grants under Creative Europe 5 . The Commission remains committed to taking any necessary measures to ensure compliance with EU law, including EU State aid rules, and upholding the rule of law in all Member States and will continue to work with the Spanish authorities to promote the rule of law, including within the framework of the rule of law cycle. 1 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-2020_en. 2 https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-opencalls/horizon-europe_en. 3 https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/connecting-europe-facility/about-connecting-europe-facility_en. 4 https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/funding/erdf_en. 5 https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe.”
  Rule of law in Spain · EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• 2025-02-11 “E-000620/2025 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 1. The European Green Deal 1 legislation was adopted by the co-legislators in accordance with applicable procedures. It was subject to public consultations, in line with Better Regulation principles 2 , with all stakeholders given the opportunity to submit their opinions and positions. The Commission ensures transparency concerning interest representation in its decisionmaking process by publishing information on meetings held with interest representatives on its official website. Based on the EU programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) Regulation 3 adopted by the co-legislators in 2021, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) supporting civil society’s participation in policy making can apply for financial support of their functioning under LIFE 4 . The management of LIFE grants complies with the relevant legal framework, i.e. the LIFE Regulation and the EU Financial Regulation 5 . The Commission does not prescribe any activities to be carried out by NGOs. 2. The Commission is not aware of payments to media groups, including social media platforms and fact-checkers, to censor content opposing the European Green Deal. 3. The complaint submitted to the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) 6 concerned an isolated event in relation to a Commission campaign on preventing and combatting online child sexual abuse which is an entirely separate policy from the European Green Deal. The Commission has taken note of the EDPS decision and remains committed to respecting fully the data protection rules in place. 1 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en 2 https://commission.europa.eu/law/law-making-process/better-regulation_en 3 Regulation (EU) 2021/783 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013, OJ L 172, 17.5.2021, p. 53–78. 4 https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en 5 Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 September 2024 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast), OJ L, 2024/2509, 26.9.2024. 6 https://www.edps.europa.eu/_en”
  EU engagement with civil society · Accounting and auditing of EU budget · Transparency requirements for interest groups
• 2025-02-11 “E-000619/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The management of the EU external borders is an important EU priority and a shared responsibility between all Member States and the EU. The Commission supports external border management through policy, funding and operational support. This support includes the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management by the European Border and Coast Guard 1 , strengthened Frontex operations, and deploying digitalised systems such as the future Entry Exit System 2 and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System 34 . These efforts are backed by EUR 6.3 billion in funding 5 . The Commission also enhances cooperation with third countries and implements mechanisms to address irregular migration, human smuggling and security risks. Finally, the management of EU external borders is linked to the Pact on Migration and Asylum, particularly through the Screening Regulation 6 and contingency planning. The Commission adopted a proposal 7 for new legislation in the area of returns on 11 March 2025 which needs now to be negotiated by the co-legislators. The aim of the new regulatory framework is to increase the effectiveness of returns of third-country nationals with no right to stay in the EU. The Commission aims to achieve this through simplification, clarity and more efficiency of return processes, including by reinforcing the obligations of returnees to cooperate, and the measures to prevent absconding and unauthorised movements. 1 The national authorities of Member States responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, the national authorities responsible for return and Frontex constitute the European Border and Coast Guard. 2 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/smart-borders/entry-exit-system_en 3 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/smart-borders/european-travelinformation-authorisation-system_en 4 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen/effective-management-external-borders_en 5 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/funding/borders-and-visa-funds/integrated-border-management-fund-bordermanagement-and-visa-instrument-2021-27_en 6 Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 introducing the screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817, PE/20/2024/REV/1, OJ L, 2024/1356, 22.5.2024. 7 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC COM/2025/101 final.”
  Asylum & border control
• 2025-02-04 “E-000494/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission On 11 March 2025, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union 1 . The aim is to increase the effectiveness of returns of people with no right to stay in the EU through simplification, clarity and more efficiency. Credible returns are crucial for a comprehensive approach to migration and a deterrent for illegal migration. The proposal aims also at widening the third countries to which an illegally staying thirdcountry national can be returned, provided that those third countries respect international human rights standards and the principle of non-refoulement and an agreement or arrangement is concluded. The return of third-country nationals subject to return as a criminal law sanction or as a consequence of a criminal law sanction or who are subject to extradition procedures is regulated either by Directive 2008/115/EC 2 or by national law, when a Member State has decided not to apply the Directive in accordance with article 2(2)(b), or relevant international conventions on the transfer of prisoners. Member States are generally bound by the European Convention of Human Rights. As regards criminal detention issues, Member States have committed to respect the standards on this matter drafted by the Council of Europe, such as the 2006 European Prison Rules. Also, on 8 December 2022, the Commission adopted a Recommendation on the procedural rights of suspects and accused in pre-trial detention and on material detention conditions 3 . 1 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union, and repealing Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Council Directive 2001/40/EC and Council Decision 2004/191/EC, COM/2025/101 final. 2 Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals, OJ L 348, 24.12.2008, p. 98. 3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7570”
  EU policy on criminal justice · Asylum & border control
• 2025-01-10 “E-000083/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is committed to protecting freedom of expression as one of the fundamental rights both offline and online. The Digital Services Act (DSA) 1 aims to ensure a safe, predictable and trusted online environment that facilitates innovation and protects the fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter, such as the freedom of expression. It sets out rules and responsibilities for online intermediaries to tackle illegal content (as defined in national and EU law), while safeguarding freedom of expression and information. The DSA does not regulate online content, nor does it define what is illegal content. Instead, the DSA imposes due diligence obligations on providers of hosting services, requiring them to set up notice and action mechanisms for users to report illegal content and to act once they are notified that illegal content is accessible on their services in the EU. The DSA also mandates transparency for content moderation actions. For instance, when certain items of information are restricted on the grounds that the information provided by the recipients constitutes illegal content, the concerned user must be informed inter alia on the reasons, on the facts and circumstances relied on taking the decision and on the possibilities to redress such decision. The Commission opened proceedings against several very large online platforms, including Meta’s Facebook and Instagram in April 2 and May 2024 3 . The Commission is monitoring the functioning of Meta’s services to ensure compliance with the DSA and can open additional proceedings, should this be necessary. The European Democracy Shield will protect and promote democracy in the EU, in full respect of fundamental rights such as freedom of expression. 1 https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-services-act-package; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R2065 2 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_2373 3 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_2664”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2024-12-12 “E-002922/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The measure referred to by the Honourable Member has been announced as part of the Spanish action plan but has not been adopted yet and, therefore, the Commission is not in a position to assess it. Also, the Commission would not assess individual political statements. Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the European Media Freedom Act 1 and to take the necessary steps for enforcement. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will continue monitoring the situation on the independence of media and journalists and may decide to take appropriate action including, where appropriate, infringement proceedings. It will continue assessing all relevant developments related to media freedom and pluralism in all Member States, including Spain, under the annual Rule of Law Report 2 . 1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202401083 2 https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/policies/justice-and-fundamental-rights/upholding-rulelaw/rule-law/annual-rule-law-cycle_en”
  Rule of law in Spain · Disinformation & online freedoms
• 2024-11-29 “E-002699/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of the economic importance of hunting tourism. One of the objectives of the recast Regulation on import, export and transit of firearms is to facilitate and decrease the administrative burden for temporary import and re-export of firearms for hunting excursions in the EU. The full provision of the adopted text 1 quoted by the Honourable Member (Article 11(3) point c) reads as follows: The application for the import authorisation referred to in paragraph 2 shall include the following […] (c): the date and unique reference number of the authorisation, or equivalent, to own or possess a firearm and of the export authorisation from the third country, or where applicable, proof of the exception from that authorisation. The reference to the ‘proof of exception from that authorisation’ acknowledges the fact that some third countries do not require an authorisation for owning a firearm or for exporting a firearm. Hunters from countries with no requirement for a firearms licence can therefore request an authorisation by submitting this proof to the competent authorities. These rules will be applicable 48 months after the entry into force of the recast Regulation 2 . 1 OJ L, 2025/41, 22.1.2025. 2 Entry into application will be 12 February 2029.”
  Arms export from the EU
• 2024-11-20 “E-002591/2024 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission Monthly reports of harmful organisms detected in imported plants, plant products and other objects are based on data recorded in TRACES 1 by the competent authorities of the Member States and Switzerland. The rules on official controls are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625 2 as regards consignments entering from third countries that might pose a risk to plant health in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/2031 3 . The Member States ensure the uniform implementation of these rules. Therefore, the outcome of the official controls performed and recorded in TRACES by the competent authorities of the border control posts of the EU is published by the Commission as occurring at EU borders 4 , rather than at specific points of entry. During the month of October 2024, the competent authorities of the EU conducted a total of 43 443 physical checks on consignments of plants, plant and other products from third countries entering the Union territory. 1 The Commission's online platform for animal and plant health certification required for the importation of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union, and the intraEU trade and EU exports of animals and certain animal products - TRACES: https://food.ec.europa.eu/horizontal-topics/traces_en#traces-at-a-glance 2 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02017R062520220128&qid=1736852032353 3 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02016R203120191214&qid=1736852094734 4 Interceptions https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/plant-health-and-biosecurity/europhyt/interceptions_en”
  GMOs
• 2024-11-05 “E-002416/2024 Answer given by Ms Roswall on behalf of the European Commission 1. The Nature Restoration Regulation (NRR) 1 entered into force only on 18 August 2024 and specifies the removal of primarily obsolete artificial barriers in order to restore the natural connectivity of rivers and natural functions of the related floodplains and to contribute to the EU's target of 25 000 km of free-flowing rivers. The NRR explicitly states that Member States shall primarily remove obsolete barriers that are no longer needed for renewable energy production, inland navigation, water supply or flood protection. There is thus no obligation to remove barriers for flood protection that are still in use. Once implemented, the NRR can be expected to have a positive impact on flood prevention: restoring rivers, wetlands, peatlands, forests and floodplains play an important role in preventing or reducing the impacts of extreme weather events such as droughts and floods. Hence, the Commission is not planning to propose the total or partial repeal of the NRR. 2. The EU has a supporting competence in the area of civil protection. Spain activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism 2 , requesting support in its response to the floods. The Commission cannot take a stance on the Honourable Members’ views of specific national parties. 3. The Floods Directive 3 established a framework for the management of flood risks, aiming at the reduction of the adverse consequences from flooding. The objectives for risk reduction are determined at national level by the Member States themselves, based on local and regional circumstances. The same applies to the selection and prioritisation of measures aiming to reduce the risk from flooding, provided such measures do not infringe on other legal acts. 1 Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1991 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2024 on nature restoration and amending Regulation (EU) 2022/869, OJ L, 2024/1991, 29.7.2024, Member States have 2 years to draw up their National Restoration Plan, including an inventory of river barriers. 2 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en 3 Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood, OJ L 288, 6.11.2007, p. 27–34.”
  Energy (green transition)
• 2024-11-04 “P-002405/2024 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) 1 aims to strengthen cooperation between Member States and ten Participating States on civil protection to improve prevention, preparedness, and response to disasters. Spain activated the UCPM on 8 November 2024. France and Portugal have quickly mobilised the requested waste management machinery and vehicles to assist operations in the affected areas. Other European countries have also expressed their readiness to help. Spain proactively activated the EU’s Copernicus satellite mapping system on 29 October 2024. More than 40 maps have been provided for the affected areas. The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) 2 works on a 24 hours/7 days basis and remains in close contact with the Spanish authorities to channel further assistance as required. 1 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en 2 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/emergency-response-coordinationcentre-ercc_en”
  Climate efforts
• 2024-10-15 “E-002074/2024 Reply As outlined in the reply to Written Question E-000468/2020, under Article 29 TEU, Member States must ensure that their national policies conform to the Union positions; this includes the provisions in Council decisions concerning restrictive measures under the common foreign and security policy (CFSP). It is the responsibility of each Member State concerned to ensure that these measures are properly applied in any given case. The Foreign Affairs Council has discussed the situation in Venezuela at several of its meetings, most recently on 14 October 2024. It will continue to do so as appropriate.”
  EU-Venezuela relations
• 2024-09-09 “E-001661/2024 Answer given by Mr Gentiloni on behalf of the European Commission The independence of the European Central Bank, national central banks and the members of their decision-making bodies is guaranteed at the highest level of EU law 1 . Member States are competent to set the conditions for the appointment of central banks’ governors, provided that they respect and maintain the fundamental requirement of central bank independence. 1 Article 130 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 7 of the European System of Central Banks/European Central Bank Statute.”
  Rule of law in Spain · Rule of law and democracy in the EU (political compass)
• “Thank you. European socialists want to talk about discrimination. Well, let's do it then. So? So, for example, um, people aren't able to afford cars because they can't afford an electric car. People are afraid of Islamic Islamist terrorist attacks, but they're attacked for being Islamophobic. Discrimination for Governments that are soft on crime discrimination. When immigrants get preference, when it comes to public benefits, discrimination, when it comes to young people that have to share flats with unknown people because they can't afford to live in their own places, even though people like Zapatero in Spain are becoming richer and richer. Discrimination against women because they are afraid of being raped. Also discrimination against workers because the trade unionists are working hand in hand with the government. Discrimination that our because our young people are not able to eat pork in school because it's not halal discrimination, because the Christians are not being protected against Islamist terror. The government's discrimination because governments congratulate people when it's Ramadan, but not when it's Christmas. We have subsidies for mosques. That's also a form of discrimination against Christians. But freedom and justice is the flag that's being flown by the patriots across Europe. And we will win. Thank you.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Thank you very much, chairman. Madam Commissioner, here is a circle, and here is a square. You can't square a circle. You can't defend the competitiveness of businesses if you continue want to. Wanting to focus on all of the climate targets. And the Peti Committee will be receiving people of people who have been affected by the floods in Valencia. In that petition, it talks about the lack of prevention measures and lack of anticipation by the government of Spain, which could have prevented the catastrophe. We saw 200 people that died as a result of that. And but the petitioners have criticised the absence of water infrastructure and the and according to the a follow up to the flood plans, only 1% of the work that had been planned had actually been implemented by the Government of Spain. And. For example, in one very important project, there was a timeline for 2022 to 2024. And the and in the polio and. Rivers that needed to be worked carried out. But this work was not carried out. So I call on you to abandon the ideology of the nature restoration law and to focus on protecting European people. And the Commission should also investigate what the government of Spain did badly, so that these errors will not be repeated. And of course, this involves Teresa Ribera, your colleague in the College of Commissioners.”
  Nature protection and restoration in the EU
• “Miss von der Leyen. Two hours and 22 minutes. Millions of Europeans are working to pay your salary. And for mine and all of yours. You've not given them any respect. Massive, uncontrolled migration, a green Deal that's devastating the economy. Censorship on social media. Not lack of transparency in business and overregulation. Climate or restrictions on business. Inflation. Higher taxes, insecurity in the streets and higher crime than ever. This is the Europe that people are experiencing out there. Europe is increasingly weak. You've been the worst commissioner in history. You campaigned with Mr. Fico in Spain for the European People's Party. And you said that fishers and farmers would come out on top, but you've betrayed them with the Mercosur, deal with the US trade deal and with a smaller common agricultural policy with even more restrictions. You have taken the, uh, the benefits and you're not leaving anything for the rest.”
  Von der Leyen
• “Thank you very much, president. People like headless chickens. This is how the underlying commission is working. You can't trick people all the time. Not even the EPP, because you talk about competitiveness. But then you have an agreement in German with the socialists and the Greens. You talk about protecting borders, but then you have an agreement in Austria with the socialists and the liberals. Well, this is a very difficult balance for the EP, and I can see that you are incapable of apologizing. You can't apologize to European rural areas because now you have another Green Deal. And what about cars as well? And you still want to ban combustion engines by 2035. Your policy is to put money into the public authorities, including gender mainstreaming. This was all given by Miss Corvino to the Socialists in Barcelona. And then the parties that voted for this commission rejected investments in defence, security and the military. And now they want to ration. They want to announce a huge amount of public debt to rearm Europe. But in reality, your intention is to make the most of this crisis to control member states military capacities. You constantly talk about sovereignty in Ukraine, but what about sovereignty of member states? Not one word from the Commission about the total bankruptcy of the rule of law in, in Romania and what's happened with the elections there. You also stand beside the Islamist Islamic State, which is massacring Christians in Syria. Now, this is, as I say, it's like headless chickens.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Well, of course, I'm going to have to agree with you, sir, because the climate policies have really led to a huge increase in the price of housing. And what we defend are homes or cheap homes that do not need any domotics in a whole series of things that are thinking about you, because we've got some really great wages. I mean, people can't even dream of our wages outside and normal people can't pay for these homes. So what we need are homes that are cheap, that are affordable, affordable for our young people who can actually start a family. Thank you.”
  EU housing policy
• “President. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm going to speak Spanish. I'm hearing what you're saying. I've got the impression that we're continuing to look at a Europe, but Europe has changed. Let me give you some examples. In Pacheco in Murcia, three illegal immigrants from Morocco 2122 years was held back and put into. They were legal and they were trying to go into France, but they were put in detention and the the police did and uh, the, the, the people wanted justice and they were accused of being, uh, xenophobic. And they still say that the neighbors were xenophobic. And certain groups are playing in public, uh, pools where there was, uh, there were people who, uh, sexually aggressive white people. But many of the crimes committed in 64% were committed by foreigners. So the question that I have for the commission in this new strategy, are they going to try to realise how complex Europe is? There's an increasing existence of anti-European and anti-white racism, and if that is the case. Then we should analyze what in this strategy, why we're hated today. And is it true? So is the commission in this new chapter are going to put a chapter on Christian phobia? There are a lot of said about Islamophobia in Germany and France, but there's also been a lot of aggression against, uh, places of worship that are Christian. Uh, for example, uh, there was a Christian assassinated and by a person from another religion. Mrs. Pereira.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “They cause a crisis, and then they use that crisis to gain power. The people in the centrist parties, the people who've been in charge for the last 60 years, have condemned several generations of young people in Europe to continue living at home with their parents and or sharing flats with lots of other people they don't know. And you're responsible for that. It's called co-living or co-housing. It's a housing plan which hides the situation of lots of foreigners coming into Europe. And it's a fraud. You want to re-establish a market? Well, then you need to, uh, bring down legitimate demand. Expel all of the illegal immigrants wherever they come from. Deportation of illegal immigrants who commit crimes. And then people who live on welfare, including housing benefits, must be tackled. Then we need to free up the land, which has been taken by politicians to speculate with the future of the nation. And thirdly, we need to eliminate or reduce illegitimate barriers to trade. You need to get rid of all of the taxes along the chain, reduce time frames, reduce costs, getting rid of ridiculous requirements imposed by climate fanatics. So fewer plans and more cranes, more owners and fewer squatters. We want less pan-European and more local communities. Thank you.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Thank you. President. We're going from bad to worse with this action plan. The automotive sector is yet another missed opportunity. You just love banning things. You want to ban diesel cars? Petrol cars. By 2035. You recognize that consumers actually don't want this. Sales are in decline, but you insist on dictating to producers what they should produce. And you dictate to, to, uh, drivers what they should drive. All you're proposing is a delay in fines for three years. And apart from the social duty, you're doing it all through subsidies. High taxes. Spend, spend, spend and keeping it off the balance sheet of the companies. If you have leasing with public support, you've got Valencia, Valencia with and Renault in the different regions around Spain. But these problems are destroying the components sector. We've got 15 technology centres and 1000 companies that are in danger of extinction. The question for the European Union is who are you working for now?”
  2035 ICE phase-out: strict zero-emission target vs. flexibility for carmakers · Road transport environmental policy
• “Europe is weak and dependent out of its own doing because of the green pack. Because we've opened the doors for mass migration, we've closed down nuclear power plants, and we've signed agreements with suppliers in the primary sector. We repeat that we're a rules based order as a mantra, but this is no longer part of the international context. Um, sovereign governments are being pressured. We speak of equality, but Hungary is being ceaselessly audited. Um, we speak of human rights, but we're allowing censorship online. We speak of the international order, but we have seen the violation of borders, unilateral action and the recognition of political entities, and we pay the aggressors. Turkey has occupied part of Cyprus since 1974. Morocco is planting UN agreements and publicly retains illegitimate claims on Spanish territory such as Ceuta, Melilla and they still have access to billions in European funds. Gibraltar in Spain is illegally occupied by the UK. Silence. Russia invaded Crimea. And silence. Because you're receiving cheap Russian gas, you could close down the nuclear plants. Obama promoted military intervention in Libya, Syria, Egypt, Yemen and silence. What do we do when Druze minorities are being killed? Or when we're feeding governments that are slaughtering Christians in Africa? We are complicit with drug trafficking and famine on Cuba. Rules have always been the instrument of power.”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “Thank you Mister Brunner. I will speak Spanish now. You've introduced a point that is outside of the discussion which is that of the abuse of children not online but in the role in the street. I don't know whether you're talking about those girls in Amsterdam or the cases of rapes in the UK or sexual abuse went under the protection of the Spanish authority. Now here we're talking about offline protection. I think that I'm rather positive here because Council has gone a step forward and some has been applied. Now I'm happy to see that now you are closer to Parliament's position rather than to the Commission's position where the original proposal was unacceptable. So with the new Parliament, with the previous Parliament this would have already gone through the whole system and it would be approved and it would be authoritative. So I'm happy that the presence of political groups such as ours, the Patriots, the Sub, the Sovereignty and especially this massive letter campaign about Europeans who are demanding the protection of the individual has led to a change in the Commission and Council's position. Europeans don't want measures that don't help that are if want measures that can be considered a generalized monitoring. I'm saying that we don't want to remove privacy by the public powers but we're not in favor of privatization of the personal intimate and family intimacy leaving it in the hands of digital platforms. Now when we were talking about access of age using biometrics as well the Commission in these trialogues is raising the problem of a total removal of any type of European digital ID so let's not fall into this era. I would like to know what the Commission's position is on this because it is going to be one of the discussions today. Thank you.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “Thank you. President. This isn't about tariffs or trade war. It's who is responsible for the death of European economy. Not only do we have a free trade order that's in danger. Trade's import duties, It is regulatory barriers there. The real worry. You didn't say anything about China's dumping months ago. Brussels has spent decades, decades actually raising barriers against our companies, and we've lost trade in the hands of China and South Korea. The socialists and the populists are actually responsible. There's no water in southern Spain, but we in fact invest in hydro in other countries. You've set up speculative companies for CO2 emissions, which damage our countries. And again, we have non-tariff barriers. You meddle in boards by determining who should sit on them in terms of gender. Um, but you have actually spent our money on renewables, and we don't have the luxury of that now. We. You think free trade is giving in to China, its agreements with countries that don't meet the standards we have to. Of course, we reject any kind of tariffs set on our producers. But above all, we also reject your Green Deal and 2030 agenda and your fanatical support for climate change.”
  Climate efforts
• “(11:04:12 – 11:06:19): You, chair. I'm going to speak Spanish. Thank you very much to all of the panelists. 32 minutes of statements, 4 times 8, and I did not hear the word China nor the word India nor the word employment. No mention of workers, sustainability of families. Only the steel industry has lost nearly 100,000 jobs as a result of the additional cost generated by the ETS policy and others, and hiring has fallen 30% since 2008. For intensive industries, the cost of electricity can make up 50% of the cost of production for sectors such as ceramics, fertilizers, steel, and aluminum. This leads to the closure of factories and has an effect on basic household items, on food, and on housing. The impact of the green deal and green industry has a direct impact on family budgets. Europeans recognize that the increase in energy costs linked to the climate transition has a significant impact on the possibility of being fired. For each measure of CO2 that we reduce, China or India triple their production. In Morocco, the cost of electricity is 50% lower than that in Spain, borne by businesses. So what do you say about that? Because all of your projections, well, that's all well and good. But outside of this building, they are of no value, and this has an impact on real businesses. Six countries in May 2026 asked to put a stop to this race towards carbon neutrality. Do you understand that there are 6 countries in Europe who don't understand anything? Is that your point of view? Thank you.”
  Energy (green transition)
• “I will speak Spanish. Well, I had prepared some comments, but I'm going to bin the script now, having listened to everyone here, because it sounds like you still want to save the planet and that you're going to do so by destroying the European economy. The von der Leyen Commission two is a count of, uh. Changing everything in order for nothing to change. Consumers are facing rising prices. Producers are calling for it to be changed. So why are we expanding it to more sectors? Why don't we have a reform that will actually avoid the illegal triangulation, which we're seeing, for instance, via Turkey with processed aluminium, or the new ones, which will come in with steel, with zero tariff steel with India. We're going to see the same triangulation there. On vehicles, you've got supply under your thumb because you've told producers what to do. But when it comes to demand, you can't force people. Consumers don't want them. But you're trying to force consumers to want to purchase something. You want to impose purchase obligations onto commercial vehicles that will affect hundreds of thousands of small business owners in Europe. It's a kind of classic central planning Class on decarbonisation. You've talked about a circular economy. What you mean by that is finance, loss making producers who are exporting. You have to buy CO2 emissions rights with their cbam certificates that importers are paying. Yeah, that's perfectly circular, isn't it? You've got the money going round in a circle. But if you think about it for a second, you realise you need to scrap the whole thing and start again from scratch.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “Thank you, chair. Obviously, we're not going to support this new 5 year plan. Combustion engine vehicle really is a symbol of the European middle classes. And now you're trying to decide in the market, banning them. And now because the demand hasn't followed, you're trying to intervene in demand, and obliging SMEs to buy them, these electric vehicles. So these, companies become electrified sector. Basically, we're looking at, communist, China part Chinese party, levels. They basically, provide most of the resources for, this sector. And we've seen we've seen, about 5,000 jobs, lost in the EU car industry. I'm looking at the left there when I raise those numbers. So we reject this fully. You're asking for consistency, but if you want us to wait in favor of this, well, as of now, don't go and take EP cars, go and take your bike to Strasbourg.”
  2035 ICE phase-out: strict zero-emission target vs. flexibility for carmakers · Powertrain choice: EV-only pathway vs. equal support for hybrids, e-fuels, H2 · Corporate fleet electrification: binding zero-emission quotas vs. voluntary approach
• “(16:43:10 – 16:45:22): Thank you Chair. I'll speak Spanish. I'd like to just summarize what I've heard and read. Thousands of millions say the Commission would have been mobilized through additional financing but the Court of Auditors can't verify this. The methodology established to calculate the money taken in is defective when we can't verify the projects or the achievement of climactic objectives but I think that my colleagues don't seem to care about this for ideological reasons. If one of our Member States were a business and it got a grant and we couldn't identify where that money had come from or what was done with that money then immediately our national courts of orders auditors would issue recommendations and would ask the authorities to start processes against these companies. The money has to be given back. Yet all of this seems okay to you for ideological reasons but we need to check if we can identify the money. We have to check this is there traceability and of course we need to ensure the objectives are being met but for you this seems to be irrelevant. The Court of Auditors have also said that there's no mention in the report about the lack of transparency in the well known scandal about the financing of lobbies and this was used to change the votes of members in the Parliament. So this program LIFE it doesn't work. I think this is what we're saying. The Court of Auditors itself has issued recommendations on this point and I think that the worst thing that the members can do for our taxpayers is that we continue doing whatever we want with this money and I think that my colleagues here who are laughing from the Socialist Party I think that's what they want to continue doing. Thank you.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “(16:43:10 – 16:45:22): Thank you Chair. I'll speak Spanish. I'd like to just summarize what I've heard and read. Thousands of millions say the Commission would have been mobilized through additional financing but the Court of Auditors can't verify this. The methodology established to calculate the money taken in is defective when we can't verify the projects or the achievement of climactic objectives but I think that my colleagues don't seem to care about this for ideological reasons. If one of our Member States were a business and it got a grant and we couldn't identify where that money had come from or what was done with that money then immediately our national courts of orders auditors would issue recommendations and would ask the authorities to start processes against these companies. The money has to be given back. Yet all of this seems okay to you for ideological reasons but we need to check if we can identify the money. We have to check this is there traceability and of course we need to ensure the objectives are being met but for you this seems to be irrelevant. The Court of Auditors have also said that there's no mention in the report about the lack of transparency in the well known scandal about the financing of lobbies and this was used to change the votes of members in the Parliament. So this program LIFE it doesn't work. I think this is what we're saying. The Court of Auditors itself has issued recommendations on this point and I think that the worst thing that the members can do for our taxpayers is that we continue doing whatever we want with this money and I think that my colleagues here who are laughing from the Socialist Party I think that's what they want to continue doing. Thank you.”
  Accounting and auditing of EU budget
• “Thank you. Building a European defense is not the same as building a high rise building or creating an emergency fund. We've spent decades chipping away at what morals family life means. And you have disdained everything in this respect. We've handed over our defence to the US. We've reduced our expenditure for military expenses. We have done away with military service, and we've spent decades trying to control the populations and letting millions of foreigners in who either hate haters or identifies as the enemy. Multicultural society means that many no longer know who is friend and who is enemy. The European Union has never been, cannot be, should never be a military alliance. That's why we have NATO. A real soldier doesn't fight because he hates who is in front of him. It's because he loves what he leaves behind. Nobody loves this war that you are clamoring for. How many of you would actually be prepared to send your children out to war because of the treaties? Paraphrasing Churchill, War is something that is far too serious to leave it in the hands of politicians, especially politicians who have no understanding of what sacrifice and companionship means. You are moving in an in existing borders on the map we cannot follow. Ursula, the southern flank and our domestic flanks are the real threat. Existential threat. You don't seem to be perceiving that.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you. President. Yesterday, El Pais, one of the most sectarian Spanish dailies, said that the rise of the Patriots was putting an end to electric vehicles and yes, quite right. I'm going to we're going to put a stop to your fanatic ban on combustion engines. But that's not all. We've seen thousands of workers being laid off in Germany, Spain and Italy, and they want to call out those who voted in favour of the Green Deal in favour of this band ban in favour of the derogation to our measure, to all those who tax combustion engines. So you ought to be taking accountability in the face of your voters, and you should be the ones paying the compensation for those laid off workers. And what we'll be doing to help our voters is building the best possible infrastructure for our voters, and for all Spaniards and other Europeans. And we're going to be working to build the best European car industry possible. Doing things differently would mean suicide for the European car industry. Hundreds of thousands of layoffs, businesses shutting down, factories doing with shifts, value chains in total crisis. You knew that this was going to happen if you went ahead with this deal, and we're going to put an end to this crazy ban, and we are going to hold you to account because you knew that this would happen. And despite that, or perhaps because of that, you voted in favor of this way forward.”
  Powertrain choice: EV-only pathway vs. equal support for hybrids, e-fuels, H2 · 2035 ICE phase-out: strict zero-emission target vs. flexibility for carmakers · Road transport environmental policy
• “So. I think if your diagnosis is wrong then the results are propaganda 95 pages, which don't talk about the basic problems. Massive immigration. Demand is high and no supply. 3 million people have entered Spain. 3 million people have entered Spain who need a home. And they've really made the market very difficult. Not only ownership but also rentals. So this means that young people and adults cannot own their own home or stable rentals, which are good for both owners and also for those who want to rent. And what about all of those foreigners who've been buying out the markets? And this is because of you, because of your family regrouping and your false insertion policy. So there's a scarcity of housing, but that is not caused by the invisible hand. It's the socialist governments, the EPP governments that have really been abusive on the rental market and using land, speculating, uh, the for the future of young people and you have abandoned policies of protected and social housing, which were so successful gave home to a Spain of owners, which is now going back to, uh, shacks. So priority would be for remigration for people to return to their countries and to build and to reduce taxes, taxes and everything else is propaganda because those that govern the regions and the municipalities, those sitting on this side of the House.”
  Legal migration
• “A European market where European products systematically compete against products from abroad at a disadvantage is wrong. We've got a mass influx of persons, goods, capital, services, without any control, without respecting the rules that we do. This is the law of the jungle. More and more resources are being spent by businesses to respect directives and regulations instead of innovating and creating jobs. This isn't market. This is a planned suicide. Uh. You cannot impose European champions from above. The European Commission is behind this, and it has and suffers from climate fanaticism. And there are very powerful groups that are pulling the strings. And this means that the car industry, steel industry, nuclear power and the primary sector are on their knees devastated by your policies. The free trade agreements, such as the Mercosur, one that have been agreed on by the EPP and the socialists, are obliging shops to close and people are on the streets. And it means that we depend on third countries today, their allies. Tomorrow there might be our rivals. Just ask Mrs. Merkel. Look at what she did and how the European economy became dependent on Russian gas. We need jobs, savings and investment in Europe as well as production. We need to protect what is strategic, make sure that the vital things are protected and that we clinch deals, trade deals where we can really benefit from them. We need sovereignty and prosperity. That's what citizens want and workers want stability, decent wages and housing.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you very much president you cannot talk about a single market because you're the ones who have messed this up we're talking about trading emissions allocations for example that are impoverishing everyone this has been damaging in all of the sectors there's unfair competition with third countries there are not trade agreements which really they favor imports and not European manufacturing. We do not have well functioning businesses we don't have the jobs created that we need people simply don't have the money you're trying to help those you think are vulnerable but this is just buying votes there isn't a real market. We see migrants coming in with their families taking jobs it's affecting wages it means housing costs go up to unsustainable levels these are not people that are contributing they're parasites in the social system. Also on the line I will not act go back to France and call new elections.”
  Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
• “Thank you. President. Pathetic and dangerously fanatical. For 35 years, you've been crushing Europeans by raising taxes and contributions and sanctioning and persecuting. And now, when Donald Trump has tariffs on certain goods in order to protect his own economy, you treat him as a scapegoat. You have created zero capitalism. Where foreign capital and foreign employment is benefited in detriment of our own production and employment. You've ruined agriculture, fishing and industry. By using things such as CO2 or carbon carbon management taxes, which taxes our own production, you've destroyed the European steel production by doing away with gas, oil and nuclear. Only we, the patriots who are in favor of private property are in favor of trade, which goes and we are against unfair competition. Oranges from South Africa, onions from Senegal, textiles from from Bangladesh, ships and cars from China. You've led to money fleeing our shores. And for years we've been telling you that your 2030 agenda and your Green Deal were a condemnation for Europe. Hopefully we will not have better governments that will do away with our globalist agenda. The green deal with lower taxes will do away with prohibitions, and will renegotiate all trade agreements that will lead to protecting European production. Only in this way will Europe become great again. Thank you.”
  Free trade agreements (FTAs)
• “(15:24:08 – 15:26:21): Thank you very much. We're here because Europe's economy is bleeding and the hemorrhage doesn't isn't helped with compromise amendments proposed by the commission. It's just a deceit. This market, of combating a loss of carbon, is leading to a loss of work, employment, and exports with this temporary fund. The only thing the commission is seeking to do is manage social discontent with, the directives, leading to losses and, dismissals, and companies will not provide stable employment. Then the new elections because the fund is going to be concluded in 2029 just to justify, this deceit to Europeans. So I think what has been done here is we've given back the proposal to the commission. We've got the best industry, the best engineers, the best workers, and they've destroyed absolutely everything. The rapporteur wants to include processed products, agricultural products, and also include aid to export, but all of this in exchange for companies accepting this blackmail, with regard to the green deal. They won't use cement or steel. Companies have to use fertilizers, and exporters have to go above and beyond this emissions rights system. And then the states have to fund everything that the commission is proposing with more fines, more, and more, taxes because the taxpayers are paying. Aid is supposed to be for companies that have really suffered seeking to maintain employment, but it's the commission that's the author of this green deal that should be paying for all of this instead of, well, maybe it should come from the, the salaries of the commissioners. And everything on the climate has led to why we're here in the first place, so we need to deal with that. Thank you.”
  Carbon leakage support
• “Thank you. President. Hundreds of thousands of hectares of woodland. Entire villages have burnt in Spain. Thousands of lives destroyed. Um, we, uh, have had the firefighters acting, waiting for the politicians to come to an agreement, and thousands have suffered the consequences. The politicians are saying that it's all the fault of climate change. But everybody knows that. It's the arsonists, those people lighting the match who are who are responsible for this. So, um. They are. Public services are deteriorated, and we've been left to our fate in Spain. So, uh, we've we've heard about competence, regulations, etc., and people are trying, uh, to avoid responsibility. Neither these in front of me or anywhere else. And the result is these wildfires in the summer. Rural Spain, criminalized for decades, abandoned for decades as well. So the politicians should ask, should apologize and go home. Otherwise, it should be taken to the courts to be shown of the how culpable their action has been. Uh, obviously we've seen problems in agriculture, livestock breeding as well. We've seen our forests destroyed, and we shouldn't leave the forest policy in the hands of ecologists alone, because they don't know how to act when the wildfires of life. What about aid in La Palma. There waiting. Still in Valencia, there still waiting as well. Let's see how long it takes to compensate the victims because of from mass migration. They've always got money. Thank you.”
  Management of EU forests
• “Thank you. President. I will speak Spanish. Thank you very much to the four rapporteurs. I've got a question. Why is attention directed only at supposed foreign interference from Russia or any other foreign power, rather than a broader discussion about political interference in the political activities of the member states? There are numerous examples in Spain in YouTube. The first thing you'll see is a banner from Greenpeace decrying certain industrial activities, but only in areas not governed by the left. So that's a Greenpeace campaign. Then there's Red cross. Basically appealing for mass immigration only used in the south of Spain because you don't get those ads in northern Spain. Who's paying for this? Russia or the economist? The cover on the day of the Polish elections, saying that if the poles vote for the patriotic option, Poland will basically collapse economically and socially. Who's paying for those campaigns? Russia. We are focusing only on one type of interference, and the authors of these reports have that ideological slant. Now. Three ministers in Spain have been echoing false information on TV in Spain, publishing false information. And after some time they turn around and say it was wrong. But the government itself is amplifying the impact of false information. European governments are releasing false information and manipulating, and so are European companies. So why are we here focused only on one type of interference and not paying attention to what should really worry us? That there should be plurality and free and fair information in the EU itself.”
  Foreign interference in Europe
• “(10:18:07 – 10:20:05): Thank you very much. Mister Buksade Villalba. A European market where European products systematically compete against products from abroad at a disadvantage is wrong. We've got a mass influx of persons, goods, capital, services without any control, without respecting the rules that we do. This is the law of the jungle. More and more resources are being spent by businesses to respect directives and regulations instead of innovating and creating jobs. This isn't market. This is a planned suicide. You cannot impose European champions from above. The European Commission is behind this, and it has and suffers from climate fanaticism. And there are very powerful groups that are pulling the strings. And this means that the car industry, steel industry, nuclear power, and the primary sector are on their knees devastated by your policies. The free trade agreements such as the Mercosur 1 that have been agreed on by the, EPP and the socialists are obliging shops to close, people are on the streets. And it means that we depend on third countries today. They're allies. Tomorrow, they might be our rivals. Just ask missus Merkel. Look at what she did and how the European economy became dependent on Russian gas. We need jobs, savings, and investment in Europe as well as production. We need to protect what is strategic, make sure that the vital things are protected, and that we clinch deals, trade deals, where we can really benefit from them. We need sovereignty and prosperity. That's what citizens want, and workers want stability, decent wages, and housing. Thank you very much. Please stick your stick to your speaking time, mister Valtsev.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “(17:16:07 – 17:18:44): Gracias. Mister Buksade, you have the floor. The report presented by Anna Caterina Mendez from the socialists prove that the left is going to continue fighting the battle for a mass migration because they're going to need their new voters if they want to win the elections because everyone else has turned their back to them. Now the explanatory statement says that the commission uses language that dehumanizes migration. And saying that we have to prevent migration is not dehumanizing migrants. We all know that migration is being exploited by 3rd countries as a weapon and as part of hybrid warfare. Of course, we have to prevent migration. Europeans are clamoring for mass deportations of those who entered illegally or who are remaining illegally and who are committing crimes and scrounging off benefits. Now from a human point of view, missus Mendes, let me tell you that approximately 50000 people have drowned trying to get to our shores. And the only ones who aren't responsible for this are those who say don't come, but the socialists don't think we have to prevent migration, just quite the opposite. They're saying that 40% of finance has to go to asylum and to promote legal migration to the EU, and you only think that 5% should be allocated to dealing with root causes in countries of origin and transit countries. This is the wrong policy. The wrong policy that has brought us to where we are now. And, you want a 100% financing of NGOs, but to show solidarity and charity with the money of others is not right. This is robbing tax payers of their money. I'm sorry. This report does not take a serious approach with all respect. It seems to be in a parallel reality. Europe has changed. Your voters in Portugal are clamoring for something else. We need funds to carry out deportations because the deportation rate is less than 20%. And to set up these platforms in 3rd countries like Italy is doing is necessary. There's the new returns regulation that we're going to be voting on, And it has been possible for this to see the light of day to some extent, thanks to our group and not your group. That's the new majority here in the parliament, but in the outside world as well. And our amendments the amendments that we'll be tabling will reflect this. And if you want us to go ahead, please bear them in mind. Thank”
  Asylum & border control
• “Thank you very much. First of all, I'd like to congratulate the rapporteur for the work that was done. Um, and I think indeed we are all in agreement where all of the same view as well. I simply wanted to say that or draw attention to none of our voters are going to understand that the European Parliament has a kind of weak position on the fight against crime, against criminality, and particularly when it involves public authorities as well, and as well officials of the institutions of the European Union, because we can't have spaces of impunity involving local authorities, national authorities as well, particularly when we're preaching to them. This is an issue. So I think it's important for us to understand this, that in the treaty it is the laws of the Member States, of course, that play a very important and key role here. The legal tradition. We know what all of that means. It's consolidated over the years, and the council ought to have different political machinations or justifications where we have to understand that basically we have to fight corruption, and it's important to reach some sort of agreement so we can vote of something because other. And I simply wanted to say that if we don't do this, this in an effective fashion, our voters are simply not going to understand what's going on. Thank you very much.”
  EU law enforcement cooperation in criminal matters
• “To produce pain, to invest pain, to create jobs, paying to get richer. We have been infected with climate fanaticism and the ETS, part of the Green Pact has proved to be a death sentence for our economy. Now you, who voted in favor and continue to vote in favor of this, are going to be forced to pay for the CO2 that you produced during the. As you. As you produce. Are you aware of the consequences of this saying that this will result in deindustrialization, workers and sending millions of workers into unemployment, dislocation, outsourcing the ceramics industry and aviation industry in Castiglion of losing out and the. In energy bills are ruining European families or. China and Russia are are growing. We have to revise the whole system. Yes, but we also have to put a pause on the ETS and protect our workers and our families so that they can survive without their hands tied behind their back.”
  Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
• “(17:18:42 – 17:22:44): you very much, Mr. Fernandez Aguilar. The co chair wanted to take the floor. Can I also react at the end? Okay then. So I will give the floor to the representative, Bootsadet, from PFE who also went on the mission. Thank you very much, chair. I I don't have as much experience as mister Aguilar. But regarding this, what was said by the S and D not being incorporated into the reports and the instrumentalization of all of this, for example, as is presented. Well, we don't agree with all of that. We don't agree with the conclusions of the document. There's a serious risk for the rule of law in Spain. Institutions worry about rule of law when they're not the ones governing governing them. But there is a risk for rule of law when the president is called and doesn't appear. Members of the judiciary who hide evidence, for example, do not come when they are called. There's a lot of there's a lot of corruption, and it's so obvious because when they're asked for explanations, they don't they don't come. When it comes to the public broadcaster, also and there's an awful lot of propaganda from our government. We started off the mission, with the general attorney, which, was sanctioned against because of corruption and their political position. And today, we're here talking about this, and mister Avalos from Sanchez's government was accused of corruption. My question is if this happens in any other place where the socialist government doesn't have power, well, then where are we going to go with this rule of law as is talked about by mister Aguilar? All of this shows that, yes, the report is not completely balanced by the 2 co chairs, and we can't reach a consensus for that reason reason. And if we don't have consensus, well, then the report isn't very effective. It's very important to highlight all of that. A mission that starts off with, the general attorney being accused of corruption. And then along the way, we have ministers from the government, transport ministers, etcetera, and from Pedro Sanchez's government. We have a a corruption, case against his wife, and other people around him. And that's the most obvious part that there's a huge, risk to the rule of law. Thank you. Thank you. Miss Garcia. Thank”
  Rule of law in Spain
• “Thank you, George Bush. Let's say it once again. We don't want the digital euro to be imposed upon us because we don't trust Ursula. Seems harmless enough today, but tomorrow it'll be harmful. We just can't be sure. And the commission's proposal actually says the right to make cash payments. And then what does it actually do? It's full of incentives to go digital, so we don't trust it. And millions of Europeans don't trust this constant con. There's this €1,000 limit. There's a 25% fine in Spain to entrepreneurs if they pay more than €1,000 in cash. Nobody likes that except Pedro Sanchez and his clan. And they're raking it in. They are handing out cash in hundreds of thousands to the socialists. And you can see the proof that they're not here in the chamber today because they've been cutting off their cash. They're enjoying having cash. And Digital Europe should be applied in Ferrat.”
  Digital euro
• “Thank you very much. President. The 28th of April, all of Spain black was blacked out. 18 hours of chaos. Transports, roads paralyzed. Road traffic lights off. Critical structures were at risk and at least ten deaths. It was a nightmare. And what happened? Sanchez did not give a single explanation about what took place for this outage. In fact, there is misleading information to the Spaniards. And this is not just a coincidence. Miss Ribera Sanchez, the EPP, the socialists and the green. And in Madrid and in Brussels, they know the experts stated. The regulators, Stated, Vox raised the alarm, and yet those who were bought decided to close their eyes. Vox talked about the risk of the energy crisis and the fact of lack of qualification and lack of the wherewithal and the dismantling of nuclear means that we had to experience this blackout. What a horrible circumstance for us. You come to a black Spain country with just a cash and diesel, saved lives and kept hospitals open. We are going to need an independent investigation to look at an energy model. That means that we have supply, that it's affordable and secure without a fanatic approach. And. We shouldn't be afraid. We shouldn't just have to have survival kits. We need to look at what we in the Patriots for Europe are making a call for.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Thank you. President. Can we play the Titanic soundtrack? Because Europe is drowning, is sinking, and you are playing the violin. You have a European Commission programme for 2025 where you want to approve 63 new regulations. How does Brussels want these companies to succeed if they've got this burden on them? This is an insult and you are betraying Europe. Your ambitions will ruin the people. Have you not heard that you don't create wealth, that you only consume it and a lot of it. What we need to do is to step away from the Paris Agreement and send your friends, Soros to to the cop fishers. Young people have no jobs. Companies are firing their employees, but everybody has higher taxes and more debt. The automotive industry is closing down 35,000 fired by Volkswagen in Germany, and they'll be voting AfD in the farming sector. The EPP you you cheated them again. But it is one of the many suicidal ideas such as the Green Deal and the agenda 2020. Europe needs a radical change and you are doing nothing. I hope that the winds of change bring good governments that suspend the Green Deal, do away with the United Nations globalist agenda and impose this as a priority reindustrialization and prefer European products, lower taxes and burden and administrative burdens. And only in this way will European genius be born again and Europe will be great again. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU