Elena YONCHEVA

Policy topics Elena YONCHEVA is active on

What Elena YONCHEVA has said (6)

• “Madame chair, colleagues, I am glad that today we are discussing a topic which is so tightly intertwined with the social security of our community, and we were expecting the proposals of the European Commission for Social Housing. The goal is common, but the approaches towards this goal should be flexible enough in order to take into account the specifics in each and every member state, and I would like to see more ambition in the change of the rules for the state aid which would be allowed. This change will help the local authorities to carry out policies for young specialists that will contribute to the development of the regions. I have specific questions for Mr. Jurgensen. How do you see the role of the European Parliament in this plan, in the European Strategy for housing, and when do you plan the summit on this topic? This was already mentioned by the chair of the European Commission colleague.”
  EU housing policy
• “Colleagues in democratic societies, the right to get come together is a fundamental right. People have freedom of association. They should be able to defend their causes through the freedom of association. This is important. But democracy also has a very clear principle. The power is given by the citizens to the institutions. Civil society has its place, but it cannot be placed above a democratic mandate. If we are to introduce new tools to defend democracy, then we need crystal clear rules, because ambiguity becomes a tool for abuse. For example, who decides which NGOs should observe elections? Who will be responsible if they abuse that power? As for the media, they should be free from political influence and from the pressure of private structures, including NGOs. We risk transferring power from democratically elected institutions to unelected organisations. This is not something to use to defend power, to defend democracy. If we need to defend democracy, we need to use tools that ensure transparency, balance and, um, unambiguity, not instruments that undermine the structure of our democracy itself. Thank you.”
  Regulation of NGOs in Europe
• “Dear president, dear colleagues in the Middle East, the crisis is spreading fast from Palestine to Lebanon to Yemen and now to Iran. People need urgent help, but peace feels farther away than ever. This is already our sixth debate on the Middle East since our new mandate began last July. And honestly, it feels like we keep saying the same things. We call for peace. We ask for actions, but very little changes each time we meet. The situation gets worse and each time our words stay the same. We are stuck in helpless debate while the humanitarian help is so much needed while lives are lost. So I ask our High representative, when will we finally see a real EU plan for peace? We need strategy. The European Union cannot just watch from the sidelines. You must do more. And we must do it now. Thank you.”
  EU foreign policy approach
• “Colleagues. The slow growth in the European Union erodes uh, is uh, ability to reduce inequalities. And Bulgaria is particularly badly affected. Purchasing power in Bulgaria is no more than one third of that. In France. Huge percentage of Bulgarians cannot heat their houses. Housing is unaffordable for young people. What do we here in Europe these days? The some ideas float in the air that we need. Uh, federalism. This is an admission of failure, of the approach that's being used so far. It will mean that everything will be put in a single pot and it will be farmers, industries, citizens that will have to compete for the money put into this single pot. We can achieve results different.”
  EU competences on social policies
• “Thank you for giving me the floor. Colleagues. If we want a strong independent Europe, then we need to focus on hydrogen. We must invest in our own industry and our own independence. No individual state can achieve that alone. Bulgaria must not remain on the margins of this change. We must be part of the new energy map of Europe. We need to combat increasing energy prices. Invest in new nuclear power stations and invest more in bolstering our capacity in the vertical gas corridor. This can help with stability. Thank you.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Ladies and gentlemen, Europe needs an actual climate policy, but one that does not punish Europe's industry workers and energy security. The ETS has contributed to a reduction in emissions. However, nowadays, European companies pay energy bills that are twice or thrice as expensive as those of their U.S. counterparts. This puts in danger key sectors such as steel, chemicals, energy to countries like Bulgaria. This transition needs to be realistic and balanced. Bulgaria cannot afford to lose baseline capacity or a deterioration in its energy independence. Some of the coal fired power plants need to be preserved. They are a reserve that ensures security of energy supply to citizens and industry alike. Renewable energy needs to develop in a clear way that does not risk the stability of the grid. Europe needs a green transition that is based on good reason that preserves industries and jobs in Europe, a transition that protects national energy security and allows each member state to choose a balanced energy mix, depending on its own strategic needs.”
  Energy (green transition)