- 2026-06-17 “(10:32:07 – 10:33:34): We're about to adopt a historic regulation that will allow us to expel illegal migrants more effectively because of a right wing alliance. It is with great satisfaction that I, state this, but we mustn't stop fighting against illegal migration. The next big project is to deal with legal migration. We know that there has been an increase in the migrant population. They account for 64,200,000 people, almost the same as metropolitan France. And in the EU, 3,500,000, initial residence permits were issued to 3rd country nationals. So the council has the obligation to put an end to family reunification and to curtail us the right to asylum and deal with visa waivers. There are too many of them. And then, of course, there's a Spanish government that is taking the whole Schengen area, hostage by this mass regularization of migrants. These are the issues that need to put on the agenda of the European Council.”
Asylum & border control
- 2026-06-17 “I don't I'm not called Jordan Bardella. My name is Marion Marshall Le Pen, as you know. But if you're interested in the host issue of migration, I can give you more arguments to convince you because the EU really has to look into this issue because this is about our civilization. It's security that at stake. It's about terrorism, the economy. And therefore, I would like to invite you to look into this and maybe ask Jordan Bardella the question next time.”
Asylum & border control
- 2025-07-18 “E-003008/2025 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Virkkunen on behalf of the European Commission The EU is developing its own secure satellite communications infrastructure, IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite), expected to be operational in 2030. It will support high-speed, low-latency applications for both governmental and commercial needs. IRIS2 will enable cost-competitive terminals, also thanks to the re-use of terrestrial 5G mobile networks technology, the use of open standards and interfaces. Access to high-speed satellite connectivity is also facilitated by the Govsatcom programme, which enables the sharing and pooling of resources among Member States. Moreover, Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital supports the deployment of strategic backbone networks contributing to the resilience, security and quality of connectivity within the EU, as well as with third countries. This action includes the funding of satellite infrastructure, notably satellite ground stations and their inter-connection. The forthcoming Digital Networks Act will help boost EU competitiveness and sovereignty by addressing barriers to the development of pan-European satellite services and ensuring a level-playing field by promoting coordinated access to the EU satellite market. In addition, considering the evolution of smart networks and services, the Smart Networks and Services Joint undertaking for 6G is supporting the development of non-terrestrial network technologies and components including experimental infrastructure in cooperation with the European Space Agency. Finally, the on-going review on the future of the EU 2 GHz Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum 1 represents another opportunity to strengthen secure EU communications and strategic autonomy. 1 Commission requests input from stakeholders on the use of spectrum bands for mobile satellite systems | Shaping Europe’s digital future https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/news/commission-requests-inputstakeholders-use-spectrum-bands-mobile-satellite-systems.”
EU industrial funding · EU digital & tech sovereignty
- 2025-05-30 “P-002185/2025 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The Commission closely follows the evolving risk linked to organisations trying to unduly influence the European institutions, including radical and extremist non-state actors, as well as all interference from third countries. The Commission is committed to preventing all forms of radicalisation. The Commission does not fund any organisation that pursues an illegal or extremist agenda or does not fully respect fundamental rights and values. None of the organisations mentioned in the question currently receive funding from the Commission. In line with the safeguards provided in the Financial Regulation 1 for the award of funds, the Commission carries out rigorous selection processes, including different checks on grant beneficiaries based on objective criteria. EU funded projects are subsequently monitored to ensure that they are implemented according to the grant agreement which requires beneficiaries to respect EU values during the project implementation. A person or entity may be excluded from participating in award procedures or from implementing EU funds if they are in one of the situations provided in Article 138 of the Financial Regulation. In such cases, the grant may be suspended, terminated or reduced, and the funds recovered. The person or entity will also be prevented in the future from receiving EU funds for the duration of the exclusion decision. 1 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) available at: https://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R2509.”
EU policy on Islam · Foreign interference in Europe
- 2024-09-25 “E-001819/2024 Answer given by Mr Wojciechowski on behalf of the European Commission The Commission is aware of difficulties caused by bluetongue which have been discussed at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 23 September 2024. Member States may implement eradication programmes 1 . They must maintain a publicly available up-to-date list of disease-free areas. Movements of animals from affected zones must comply with risk mitigation measures 2 and certification. Member States have a long experience in combating bluetongue and coordinating among themselves. The EU can provide financial support under the Common Market Organisation upon evidence that the market is affected by trade restrictions, resulting from the application of veterinary measures for combating the spread of the disease. Strategic Plans may provide support to prevent and mitigate the economic impacts of animal diseases. Support can be provided for risk management, improving on-farm biosecurity and investments to restore agricultural potential that Member States are encouraged to use. An additional support possibility has been put forward by the Commission on 21 October 2024, proposing to introduce adaptations to the European agricultural fund for rural development (EAFRD) 2014-2022 programmes to allow Member States to provide emergency support of up to EUR 42 000 to farmers affected by natural disasters (including animal diseases) or to reinforce measures to restore production potential. Aid for the prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases and to compensate for the damage caused by them may be granted under certain conditions by Member States, without prior notification, under the Agricultural Block Exemption Regulation 3 or, with prior notification, under the Agricultural State aid Guidelines 4 . Limited support can also be granted in application of the Agricultural de minimis Regulation 5 . 1 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for surveillance, eradication programmes, and disease-free status for certain listed and emerging diseases: https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/689/oj 2 For example, with vaccination. 3 Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2472 of 14 December 2022 declaring certain categories of aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European (OJ L 327, 21.12.2022, p. 1). 4 Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural and forestry sectors and in rural areas (OJ C 485, 21.12.2022, p. 1– 90). 5 Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 of 18 December 2013 on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector (OJ L 352, 24.12.2013, p. 9).”
Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU · Agricultural funding
- “Colleagues, in a world where we have China pitted against the US, then Europe has all the interests to have an increased cooperation, cooperation with India, security. First and foremost, India like us, has an Islamic threat that is intense and therefore we should take inspiration from Modi. Also in defence, they have a nuclear weapon, meaning that they have an enormous amount of importance placed on autonomy by purchasing Rafales and scorpions as well. And we should continue to assist in energy as well. It's an industrial power, an emerging one. India is developing is investing much in Decarbonized energy. The nuclear sector is still quite timid. Let us work with New Delhi to build nuclear plants. That should be a priority and entrained. Finally, India is protecting its market, but Europe is opening its market, but without any serious offsetting. So to have cooperation with India, we must not be disingenuous. The way that we have seen the European Commission has been for far too long now.”
EU-India relations
- “We have war on our doorstep. There is an asymmetric war being waged by the mullahs with no concern for their neighbors. Some thought they could reap the dividends of peace without being involved in defense of France, uh, of, uh, yesterday as part of this, uh, blindness affecting Europe. War is catching up with us in Cyprus, in Lebanon, in Dubai. The, uh, Charles de Gaulle and other French military support has been deployed to support our allies. The soldiers are proof of the credibility of France's commitment. But it is also a warning when we see the limitations on our defensive capabilities that cannot always respond at any time. It's true for France, and it is also true for other countries in the EU. That is why we must reaffirm our shared commitment once again to growing our national defense capabilities. That is absolutely vital for our continent. That should be part of our strategic compass. Thank you.”
Defence spending
- “Madam president, today we are examining the application of the Recovery and Resilience Facility worth near €675 billion. This financial instrument is a linchpin in the European Recovery Plan adopted in 2020. Who will repay the €42 billion worth of interest, which is 2 to 3 times greater than what was initially calculated, as noted by the European Court of Auditors. Of course, it is a future generations which is a bit rich for a plan called Next generation EU by creating a common European debt. Brussels opens the door to new own resources and new European taxes. This goes beyond the question of who will repay the debt, but this is just another step on the road towards a federated Europe and a supranational Europe that the people do not want. We must reject this constant using of crises to create more Europe. Being aware of the complexities of Brussels bureaucracy. This makes access to these funds especially difficult for our companies. We know how the commission uses the payment of these funds as a way of blackmailing national governments. We need more vision and protection.”
Own EU resources
- “Last April's Spanish blackout isn't something that just happened. It's not circumstances, as the Spanish government says. It's to do with the energy mix. And it's a warning that should push this Parliament not to have a high percentage of variable energies in their energy mixed. This is something that's increasing energy prices massively for consumers. And behind this green ideology, there's another hidden problem, which is that these fluctuating green energies mean that nuclear energy has to fluctuate its production as well, which leads to higher production costs, among other problems. This blackout is an alarm signal. If we continue with the Green Deal, we are going to have problems in Europe. It's not too late to make the right choices. We need to go for more nuclear and non intermittent energy sources such as biomass and others. Thank you.”
Energy (green transition)
- “Okay then, Commissioner, I hope that you can take the initiative and answer my questions as well. Let me remind you that last November you came to our committee and you said you would support the ban on thermal thermal motors as of this year, strict rules regulating CO2 emissions. But automotive uh manufacturers, uh, continue to invest in electric vehicles. Now, you seem to have noted the call for help from the sector, and that is to be congratulated on. You are to be congratulated on that. But the so-called new CAF rules, which are applicable as of 2025 but remain in force, and you have said that that manufacturer will have three years to ensure compliance. That is not sufficient because you can't ask, eh, automotive manufacturers to modify a market which is not developing or has or Has the economic power that you seem to wish it would have. Now, my question is for you, is the ban on as of 2035 set in stone, or is this one of those things that could be renegotiated? And do you not think that setting up a smart hybrid model, that insuring electric vehicles for small journeys and other models for longer journeys would not be a better option?”
Road transport environmental policy
- “I'd like to pay tribute here to bakers, butchers, artisans, restaurant owners, hoteliers, farmers to all of those for whom the electricity bill sometimes becomes complete anguish, often because of decisions taken here in the parliament. Our companies need energy that's affordable to be able to remain viable and competitive against China or the US, where prices are 3 to 4 times lower. The EU's insistence on injecting more and more intermittent renewable energy into the electricity grid is economic suicide. In France, the third multiannual energy programme, which stems from European bonds, is likely to increase costs by 30 to 40%. Our country will actually have to invest not less than €150 billion to adapt its network to the proliferation of wind turbines and solar panels. It's crazy. This stubbornness is all the more absurd because our country, France, thanks to its nuclear fleet, produces today more than it consumes. Once again, on this topic, you can count on us to be the voice of businesses and business leaders whose difficulties and anxieties seem so difficult to be heard by this Commission.”
EU approach to electricity market and prices
- “Thank you, Madam Chair. Before I put my question, let me just question your decision making here. You have decided that the commissioner can reply directly to those commissioners who have already spoken, but other groups do not have the right to direct a reply. I think that really is unequal treatment of a member.”
Transparency requirements of EU institutions
- “I'll speak French, colleagues. This committee is looking for ways in which we can have further integration of renewables into the electricity market. The wind and solar and. We have experience in those areas over recent years. I'll give you an example about the multiannual programme in France. This has. This is directly linked to the fit for 55 programme. Intermittent energies has a triple has tripled its share in energy generations. The results of this are expensive unrealistic because it means that we'll have a higher Uh, rate of, um, production, which we can't, uh, steer about 40%. Renewables means that. Nuclear will become a. Variable. 47% of electricity from the EU came from renewables in 2024. Um, but what we don't talk about is the extra costs of this evolution, because in the 2000, when we started to introduce obligations on renewables, the price of electricity has increased a lot. That's not all. The intermittent energy means that we have the death of birds, um, the rape of the countryside and and a higher dependence on electricity and gas, as is the case in Germany. We have to look at the limits of intermittent energies and the costs and the environmental impact, and also the. The rate of use of electricity doesn't follow the forecasts. New technology, new new means that we should have a bigger share of new nuclear and and modification of the red tide directive. And we need to look at first and second generation biofuels and also geothermal.”
EU approach to electricity market and prices
- “Members. Biofuels in Brussels are the poor relation of the energy transition. Our group insisted on having this debate, but it's because that these fuels will reduce the price of the petrol pump, reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and reduce our carbon emissions. Technological neutrality means that we should adapt the Renewable Energy Directive, which is disadvantageous to biofuels, because they're limited at 7% in that. At the same time, we want the quality of fuels directive to be changed so that E20 mix blends can be used. First generation biofuels in the standards is absurd, and that's something we'd also like to see corrected in the directive. Let's look at the situation in France. Hybrid rechargeable flex fuel cars would make it possible to cover 10% of the 13% of the fleet, 5 million cars. And that's why we should allow European biofuel companies to be profitable and competitive in the transition in the transport and aviation sectors. Thank you.”
Biofuels (RED II)
- “Thank you, chair. Thank you, commissioner. I'll take the opportunity to give you an invitation. Now in Strasbourg, there is a French company which is currently drilling and investing in geothermal energy and lithium. You know how important this is for batteries for electric vehicles. But coming back to geothermal energy, you said this was an interesting option, but I think it's bigger than that. We have a phenomenal strategic potential under our feet, which is available 24 hours a day. It's local. It would allow us to reduce our dependence on countries such as Qatar or Algeria to reduce our dependence on liquid natural gas from The US.
You know how high the prices are, and it's true that there are some gaps in the plants because there are a few vague mentions of geothermal energy in the Accelerate EU 2026 plan. We know there were no binding goals. There is a lack of funding available, a lack of industrial strategy in place for this sector. So I was wondering whether you had any intentions to be more ambitious here, or could you give any more clarification? I'm sorry. I ran a little bit of time there.”
EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
- “Thank you, I'll speak French. Well, you know that this adjustment will come into force in 2026. It's not an excellent mechanism but for the intensive industry in Europe, you know that they've been extremely critical of this mechanism. The United States have received an exemption for the products which they export to the European continent.”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
- “Ladies and gentlemen, €15 billion. That's the amount in 2022. Our trade balance with China And in. We've seen this turning negative after 3.4 billion in 2024 looking at what's going on. The commission has promised that they're going to listen to the serious concerns of the sector. But what's it got in the package today? Well, certain measures of simplification to be welcomed, but a long way from achieving anything. We need to go away from this green blind approach and de-industrialization of our continent. The ban on internal combustion engines by 2035 has been softened by just a slight change, so we have to continue to fight to make sure that our manufacturers and possibility to produce hybrid electric and internal combustion engines can meet the demand that is already there on the market.”
- “Thank you, Mr. President. There are people here who seem surprised at the fact that the United States are a fierce economic competitor. Think of BNP Paribas. Fine. From the Biden administration. Look at what happened to Snowden. Suddenly there are people who realize the benefits of sovereignty and protectionism. Thank you, Donald Trump, for that. We are still some people are in favor of increasing our trade deficit with China. That's not the answer. What we need is a new economic model. If energy is costing us 4 or 5 times as much as in the US or China, we don't have a strategy. The priority in Europe needs to be to bring down energy costs, and that means to drop the Green Deal, to go for nuclear, to start drilling and to in and to invest in geothermal energy.”
Energy (green transition)
- “Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen gave us a writer in La Sorbonne. They talk to you about free and independent science and the obscurantism of Trump. The president of France shamelessly suggested €100 million should be invested in attracting American researchers, whilst higher education and research in France has seen €1 billion cut from its budget in 2025. 3.5% GDP is given to R&D in the US at least, we're barely struggling to give 2.2%. 2%. We can't keep our researchers because since 2010, the number of PhDs leaving Europe for the US is around 20%. That's been the rate since 2010. So before we start talking about bringing anti-Trump researchers into Europe, shouldn't we start by putting our own house in order and keeping our own researchers by paying them decently and giving them recognition? And shouldn't we think about the way our budgets are going for research? Because if you look at the CNRS in France, for instance, this is this is woke militants destroying the kind of scientific research which can actually generate wealth and jobs.”
Research priorities within the EU
- “My colleagues, in tabling this debate, we wanted to underline the urgency of the discussing doing away with the combustion engine for 2035. This has really pushed the automobile industry to death's door, to the advantage of the Chinese Manufacturers. There are hundreds of thousands of jobs lost in France in five years. 40,000 jobs have been lost. That's more than 10% of the workforce. Entire sectors of industry are endangered at the moment. And I see some people who are pretending to want to help out. The manufacturers are actually responsible for pushing the automobile industry to their store. It is the commissioner, von der Leyen, who started legislation, and then there was a push for this ban as of 2035. It's great to be right in advance, but we've been saying from the very beginning that there was a danger. And then we have another saying that only the fools refuse to change their mind. So we need to learn lessons.”
Road transport environmental policy
- “When it comes to the climate, Brussels is a recipe for disaster, a monster of bureaucracy. The ETS one is in reality a European tax by any other name, a permanent blackmail hanging over the European citizens head. It is the. Climate dogmatism is a programmed obsolescence for our industry and together with the ECR, we call upon the Commission to put a stop to this leap into the abyss. We're looking at a loss of millions of jobs, and it is also something which we we want to hear with the ECR to put a stop to what their policies are encouraging the ETS one with an An ever increasing carbon prices, and its free credit is obsolete and has to be revised from head to toe. Ets two with their surcharges for families of €150, really is a a fatal blow for our households and our businesses. We need to turn the page. Now we see people who are fighting against nuclear power, against the the policies which are designed to support us, that we have never been more dependent on agriculture from elsewhere.”
Extension of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
- “I'll speak French. Madam president, Commissioner miss von der Leyen has announced an unprecedented effort of simplification. But at the same time, the Commission Programme for 2025 provides for the continuation of work on 119 regulations and directives, 46 new drafts that will come on top of the 13,000 legal acts already adopted between 2019 and 2024. Clearly, you have understood nothing about this new, fast moving, ultra competitive world we live in and you continue to ignore the essentials. There will be no competitiveness with European electricity that costs 2 to 3 times more than in the United States and China. That is the key issue. That is the priority that we should be focusing on relentlessly. Don't promise citizens competitiveness when you insist on maintaining the policy of the Green Deal, which focuses on renewables. Don't promise them this when you are thinking of creating new European taxes when You are imposing more and more unfair competition on our businesses with the signature of the Mercosur treaty. It took a US election to open the eyes of the commission. So please bear in mind MacArthur's words lost battles can be summed up with two words too late.”
EU approach to electricity market and prices
- “Thank you. Colleagues. Commissioner. I don't need to tell anyone here that agriculture was very much the poor relative in commission policies in recent years. They're faced with this administrative hell. We need to stand up for those farmers. They spend more time filling in forms than sowing crops. I congratulate Celine Newman on the report. We want to make life simpler for people, for workers. We want to tell the truth about the products on our shelves, and we want to help with their income. But there's this growing anger around the fields of our countries. It's not enough. It doesn't go far enough. Lowering the cap budget does not provide protection. Forcing through free trade agreements and unfair competition in its wake is not protection. It's not about protection when you're having to grub up vines and destroy agriculture just to sell a few more German cars to the four corners of the world. If you don't have agriculture, you won't have growth in France.”
Agricultural funding
- “Colleagues, in the 1990s, we stopped extracting and refining critical raw materials. Now, 30 years on, due to that lack of strategic vision, we're in an unfortunate position of dependence on China. 60% of rare earths and 40% of the refining is coming from China. Export restrictions pose a risk to our industry and defence. There are five key areas where we should act. Reduce use of words if there are reliable alternatives. Diversify partnerships and not use European agriculture as a bargaining chip. Research into new sources in Europe. Recycle and relocate refining capacity. It's pleasing to note that we are starting to take steps in this direction compared to the anti-growth environmentalist growth.”
Sourcing of critical raw materials