Lukas SIEPER

Policy topics Lukas SIEPER is active on

What Lukas SIEPER has said (80)

• 2026-06-17 “(15:42:40 – 15:43:18): Thank you, dear colleague. I think we're all agree that in the current geopolitical situation, we would be better off if we didn't get out of nuclear energy at the time when we did it. At the same time, nuclear energy as well as fossil energy just pushes the problem to the future. So should we repeat the same mistake by relying now on energy where the problem is pushed for the future instead of renewables, which is not only solar or wind, but also water, for example, which flows all day, all night in all of Europe. So should we not repeat the mistakes from the past? Thank you. Prego.”
  Energy (green transition)
• 2026-06-17 “Thank you, Mr. President. Maybe before you go, you can give me your attention for one final moment. I think what happened here today is more a matter of article 10.3. But I just want to tell you something before you leave. Now, after you leave, this chamber will be empty again, just as it was this morning, just as it was yesterday. Just as it will be tomorrow, because this chamber is empty. And when we are full, when this chamber is full and we have a topic that moves us, then this chamber acts like a circus. Then we have colleagues who chant at each other, who scream at each other instead of having a debate. And I think this is a disgrace. And I think the European Parliament is better than that.”
  EP seat in Strasbourg
• 2026-06-16 “(11:37:27 – 11:37:54): So you, you said, we need to protect the people. We need to, make a humanistic decision. I'm quite surprised because for me that means if war continues, the only humanistic consequence that we could put into motion would be to take in these refugees and give them shelter. So would you agree with me then if there is no peace in The Middle East, if people still die, if civilians are still threatened, that we in Europe need to give them shelter?”
  Asylum & border control
• 2026-06-16 “(11:12:50 – 11:13:15): Thank you, dear colleague, for accepting my blue card. I was wondering, do you really think that sanctions would stop Israel? Would it really stop Israel from producing weapons? Would it really stop Israel from waging war? And is this a promise that we should give to our citizens that we can stop a state that is perpetrating the violations of international law with sanctions?”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2026-06-16 “(15:28:49 – 15:29:30): Thank you, commissioner, for your explanation. Maybe I I put myself, not clear enough. I'm not questioning that there is support within the business community for this change in policy. My question is how to address the sunken cost of SMEs that established systems to comply with the former regulatory approach because big companies can just switch back like this. SMEs cannot. So how to address the sunken cost problems for SMEs that cannot afford just to switch back now?”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-16 “(11:44:52 – 11:46:05): Thank you very much, madam president. Thank you for dealing with my unconventional request for the fall. People of Europe, mister Kelly was right who said we must look at the facts. The facts tell us that there's no peace yet. That's just a memorandum of understanding, which leaves out fundamental points like the peace in Lebanon or the Iranian nuclear program, it's a huge question mark whether that means there there will be an agreement or just a further round of the war. If that shows us something is that that those who are right, who are exploiting or complaining about the weak role of Europe in the EU, we must make sure that the system of international law international security must be reformed, and the UN Security Council should be either completely, reject or, abolished completely.”
  EU-Iran relations
• 2026-06-16 “(11:14:21 – 11:16:12): Thank you very much. Dear colleague, I think you missed 1st of all, I'm definitely not in favor of Israeli committing war crimes, crimes against humanity, against the Palestinian people. And just for your information, I just met with young Palestinian and Israeli activists before this debate to discuss exactly that a peaceful solution, a peaceful future for both people, both states. I just want to make this very clear. Also, I would be in favor of sanctioning Israel. So I'm not saying that sanctions are not a good idea or are not appropriate in this situation. I'm just saying, you you said we would need to sanctions, Israel and this is our solution. I don't think that is the solution. In the same way as it is not the solution for Russia. If we would have only sanctioned Russia, the war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine would be over in Russia's favor already. I think we need to think about more than that. I think we need to think about things like reforming, for example, the UN Security Council as the UN, as my colleague appears, it stopped serving everyone equally. So I'm sorry that you felt attacked by my statement and my question. I was more asked Now the time any better idea than sanctions to stop what you”
  Relations with Israel - Palestine
• 2026-06-16 “(11:13:58 – 11:14:21): Actually, miss president, as as mister Bottenga attributed a certain opinion to me in his reply, I would do a personal statement instead of a reply on the blue card, which fortunately within the rules of procedure allows me to elaborate a little bit more than just with the 30 seconds.”
  EU political integration
• 2026-06-16 “25:33 – 15:26:45): Mister commissioner, I think if bureaucracy and paperwork serves really no purpose, then we should cut it. At the same time, many, many, many SMEs in the European Union now spent years and years to prepare for this reporting obligations. They invested in software and staff. They established audit systems. And now, of course, the commission says we encourage them to keep those systems. We encourage them to keep what was built up. But I think 1 of the main reasons why we deregulate here now, why we simplify is because many of the SMEs cannot keep up with it. So all of this investment then turns into sunken cost. And this sunken cost only exists because in the opposition to how we would act in a business where you have long term planning, there was no long term planning in our political development in the European Union. Last mandate, we wanted to do this. Now we want to do this. So how, does the commission want to address this sunken cost for SMEs and take this burden off them? Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• 2026-06-15 “(18:04:38 – 18:05:11): Thank you to your colleague for accepting the blue card. I sincerely hope you changed since yesterday. And, let me just say that Germany wants 7 1. I have to I'm just kidding, of course. I was wondering as you talked about the algorithm, which, as you say, influence everyday people's life more and more. In what capacity do you think the, corporations should be obliged to, lay open the algorithms to the state or to the European Union on that matter? Thank you.”
  Recommender systems
• 2026-03-12 “– Mr President, dear people of Europe, I supported this resolution because a rules‑based multilateral trading system is essential for global economic stability and prosperity. The WTO remains a key framework that provides predictability and legal certainty for international trade. However, global trade is under increasing pressure from protectionism and outdated rules. That is why the WTO must be modernised to address new realities such as digital trade, sustainability and fair competition. For me and for the Party of Progress, international cooperation – based on clear rules, transparency and fairness – is essential. Trade should create opportunities while supporting sustainable and fair development. My vote therefore supports strengthening multilateral cooperation and ensuring that global trade remains open, fair and predictable. I wish everyone in this room a very nice weekend.”
• 2026-03-12 “– Mr President, dear people of Europe, I supported the report on package travel and linked travel arrangements, because travellers in Europe deserve clear and reliable protection when booking package holidays. The experience during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that parts of the current Directive were unclear, especially regarding cancellation, refunds and travellers' rights. This report improves consumer protection and simplifies the rules for travellers, to get them clear and safe information about their rights, and better protection in case of problems or insolvency. For me, and for the Party of Progress, strong consumer rights and transparent markets are key priorities. My vote therefore supports clearer rules, stronger protection for travellers and a fair framework for the European travel market.”
• 2026-03-12 “– Herr Präsident, liebe Menschen Europas! Schweren Herzens habe ich gegen diesen Bericht gestimmt. Nicht, weil ich die Tätigkeit der Europäischen Bürgerbeauftragten nicht wertschätze. Ich glaube, dass die Europäische Bürgerbeauftragte das wichtigste Instrument ist, damit wir uns als Institution, als Politikerinnen und Politiker gegenüber der Bevölkerung verantwortlich zeigen können. Ich habe gegen diesen Bericht gestimmt, weil er anstelle einer objektiven Darstellung und einem klaren Bekenntnis zu den in den Verträgen der Europäischen Union festgelegten Werten ideologisch gekapert wurde, und zwar gerade von jenen, die immer wieder behaupten, sich gegen Ideologie stellen zu wollen. Gerade diese Leute haben diesen Bericht übernommen und haben ihn in einer Art und Weise verwandelt, wo er eigentlich nichts anderes ist als eine Erklärung, dass die Kommission doch von dem Kurs der Unterstützung der Werte und der Fortentwicklung der Europäischen Union abrücken sollte. Ich hoffe sehr, dass wir über diesen Bericht noch einmal in einer besseren Form abstimmen können, und dann wird er auch meine Zustimmung finden.”
• 2025-12-18 “– Herr Präsident! Liebe Menschen Europas, lassen Sie uns offen und ohne Umschweife sprechen. Heute wird durch Belarus ein von Russland geplanter hybrider Krieg gegen Europa geführt. Litauen hat den Ausnahmezustand auf staatlicher Ebene ausgerufen. Von Belarus gestartete Heißluftballons verletzen den litauischen Luftraum, stören den Betrieb der Flughäfen und gefährden Menschenleben. Dies sind koordinierte, hybride Angriffe. Gleichzeitig hält das belarussische Regime Transportfahrzeuge von EU-Spediteuren als Geiseln. Es wird wirtschaftlicher Druck ausgeübt, und Lukaschenko spielt sein regelmäßiges doppeltes Spiel. Er spricht von Dialog, handelt aber nach den Anweisungen des Kremls. Das ist bewusste, hybride Eskalation. Russland testet die Einheit der Europäischen Union und die Stärke unserer Reaktion. Unsere Antwort muss entschlossen und geschlossen sein. Ein Angriff auf Litauen ist ein Angriff auf die Europäische Union, auf jedes einzelne Mitgliedsland. In Übereinstimmung mit Friedrich Merz, und das passiert nicht oft, sage ich klar: Der Schutz Vilnius ist nicht nur der Schutz Berlins. Der Schutz Litauens ist der Schutz Europas. Ladies and gentlemen, I would also take this opportunity, as the last MEP present in this year, to thank the Bureau, because I think no one did this – and I can imagine that sometimes it's hard to keep this very colourful group of people here under control. So please extend my deepest thanks to the whole Bureau and to the President. I wish all of you in this room, and everywhere in Europe, a Merry Christmas!”
• 2025-12-18 “– Chers citoyens européens, le régime de conditionnalité lié à l’état de droit n’est pas un simple détail technique. C’est une ceinture de sécurité, et on n’attache pas sa ceinture après le crash. Ce rapport montre que le régime fonctionne. Quand il est appliqué, la corruption est évitée et les cours de justice sont protégées. Quand on hésite, l’argent circule librement et l’état de droit en subit les conséquences. L’Europe est une communauté de droit. En n’attachant pas sa ceinture, on prend le risque de l’accident.”
• 2025-11-13 “– Madam President, I would like to ask the audiovisual service to move the speech that I hold in the wrong topic to the topic where it belongs in the live stream recording. Honourable Members, dear people of Europe, climate protection is not ideology. It is infrastructure; it is energy; it is every euro that we invest today in clean technology as a euro we do not need to pay tomorrow for floods, fires and bad harvests. Every day, Europe records unusually high temperatures. Every week, scientists identify ecosystemic imbalances. Every month, we see a natural disaster happening. We have been warned for over 50 years. Now is the time for responsive science-based legislation. That is why, today, I supported the setting of the new target, even though, in my personal opinion, it is a little bit behind what we actually need.”
• 2025-11-13 “– Madam President, dear people of Europe, our corporate tax system has long been like a puzzle where every Member State kept its own set of pieces. The picture on the box says 'single market', but when you try to assemble it, you discover 27 different shapes that don't quite fit. In the gaps between those pieces, profits quietly slip through. BEFIT doesn't solve the puzzle, but it finally gives us one set of pieces that belong to the same picture. It helps ensure that economic activity and taxation match, instead of letting profits wander to places that had little to do with creating them. And it brings a bit more coherence to a system that has asked companies and citizens alike to trust rules that never fully aligned. For me, this is about making Europe understandable again. A Union cannot function with a patchwork that rewards complexity and punishes clarity. That is why I voted in favour.”
• 2025-09-11 “– Mr President, dear people of Europe, this directive is a real gain for consumers. It ensures that their rights are safeguarded, especially in situations where trust is essential. At the same time, small businesses are not disproportionately burdened – because fair competition requires fair conditions, also for the smaller ones. For consumers, this means less bureaucracy. The complaint mechanism is clear, simple and accessible. This matters, in particular, when it comes to vacation planning, and I think we all know that. Vacation planning should bring joy and not additional stress. And let us not forget the Thomas Cook case, which showed us how vulnerable travellers can be in a case of bankruptcy, stranded at the other end of the world. This directive directly addresses that gap. We are creating security where it has been missing.”
• 2025-09-11 “– Mr President, dear people of Europe, the European University alliances represent one of the most hopeful projects for our future. They show what it means to build a continent not just through trade or treaties, but through shared knowledge, cooperation and opportunity. By connecting universities across borders these alliances help students and researchers to learn from one another, work together on major challenges, and develop common degrees that reflect a truly European education. They make it easier to move, to study, to collaborate regardless of where someone comes from. What matters most is that these alliances include voices from all regions, from big cities and from rural areas alike, and that students themselves are part of shaping them. That is what makes this initiative so powerful. It is inclusive, democratic and forward looking. But ambition alone is not enough. If these alliances are to succeed they need strong public support, clear legal frameworks and stable long-term funding. They must be given the tools to connect education with research, innovation and the needs of society. Most of all, they must remain grounded in the values Europe stands for: openness, fairness, academic freedom and cooperation. These alliances are not just building stronger universities, they are about building a stronger Europe.”
• 2025-09-11 “– Mr President, dear people of Europe, today we face a decisive challenge. Europe must become stronger, simpler and more competitive if we want to safeguard our freedom, prosperity and way of life. The single market is our greatest asset. Yet, red tape and fragmentation hold us back. The reports by Draghi, Letta and Niinistö make one thing clear: we must cut bureaucracy, harmonise rules and ensure enforcement across all Member States. Above all, we must empower our SMEs, start-ups and big industry – the backbone of our economy – by giving them digital tools, access to capital and a level playing field. In a world marked by geopolitical uncertainty, only a united and resilient Europe, driven by innovation and progress, can secure democracy, social justice and progress.”
• 2025-05-08 “– Señora presidenta, queridos pueblos de Europa, el invierno en Europa puede ser duro: las familias necesitan calor, las empresas necesitan energía segura. Necesitamos reglas claras sobre el gas almacenado porque la energía es parte de la seguridad social y económica. Sí, el futuro es energía limpia y renovable, pero hoy necesitamos soluciones prácticas para proteger a las personas cuando hace frío y para evitar crisis. Más reglas no es más burocracia, es más seguridad para todos. Mientras cambiamos el sistema energético, necesitamos estabilidad.”
• 2025-05-08 “– Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, cari popoli d'Europa, il mercato unico è una delle cose migliori dell'Unione europea, ma il mercato deve essere giusto per tutti. Oggi ci sono nuove sfide: le piattaforme digitali, le pratiche sleali, le regole poco chiare. Questa risoluzione è importante. Serve per aiutare le piccole imprese, per proteggere i consumatori e per avere un mercato ben funzionante. Un mercato moderno deve essere anche trasparente e aperto a tutti, non solo ai grandi.”
• 2025-05-08 “– Madam President, dear people of Europe, cohesion is not charity. It is a political promise that no region, no person is left behind. This report reminds us that the gaps between European regions are still real in innovation, in jobs, in future prospects, and that's not acceptable. We need a cohesion policy that matches the challenges of our time, green transition, digital transition and demographic change. That means simpler access to EU funds, stronger roles for local and regional actors, and long-term thinking, not just emergency response. Because when we invest in cohesion, we don't just invest in roads or statistics. We invest in dignity, in democracy and in equal chances all across Europe.”
• 2024-11-14 “– Madam President, dear people of Europe, I have voted today with the reality in mind that despite our best efforts, EU sanctions on Russia have been not as effective as they should be, as we would have wished for. One weapon in the arsenal that Russia is using as a tool of hybrid warfare are those shadow fleets as an attempt to circumvent EU sanctions. We cannot let this happen. I stand along with the rest of Europe. My party, the Party of Progress, stands along with the rest of Europe in supporting Ukraine. But of course, Russia is not only waging a war against Ukraine, Russia is waging a war against every free person in Europe. This is why we do not only defend Ukraine with imposing sanctions like this and strengthening our laws, we are also defending ourselves. Therefore, I call on all my colleagues to also vote for this in the future.”
• 2024-11-14 “– Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for this opportunity to speak on the UN climate conference. We had a vote regarding this topic today, and we see ourselves challenged with the fact that one of our most important partners, not only in climate protection but also in the energy transition, is a country that stands particularly against those changes and wants to keep a fossil-based industry, wants to make money on a fossil-based industry. Of course, this could now lead us to boycott this country, to boycott this climate conference. And as I have spoken out at least a little bit for the first option, I would strongly disregard the second option. We have to face the situation that when we want to save the climate, when we want to save our planet, we need to work together with people who might not earn our trust. So I hope that the next climate conference in Baku, or any climate conference, is visited by way more of the world leaders.”
• “But it's not a point of order. It's not a point of order. It's a reaction. So thank you, dear colleague. Um, I can just tell you two things when you talk about the fact that the only corrective that is needed is the reader. I advise you to research a little bit about the effect that the state controlled media of the communist German Democratic Republic had, or, on the other hand, the state controlled media of the Nazi regime in Germany. So I can tell you from my national experience, the idea that the only corrective is the reader is very, very naive. And you should think about this again.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “Well, dear colleagues, the European industry, which are energy intensive cement, steel, they're the very backbone of our industry. They are the engine of our sovereignty. And Mr. Jaiswal of BSP, who feels that this is a dream. I say, yes, we can change these industries unbureaucratic we can keep them sustainable and European. We need to unlink the electricity price from gas price, and we need to get a transformation price for non-electrified sectors and a European investment sector, which calls for European champions. So hidden champions and and those champions in the city. We need to create products which are that are climate neutral as well. We have the strongest single market in the world. We can and we must try and achieve both of these aims together. Thank you.”
  EU approach to electricity market and prices
• “Payable energy is not just a matter of economy, it's the political frontline of our time. Because energy doesn't mean that we can fulfill the basic human needs like warmth in the winter, but also that we can do work. We are mainly getting our energy from autocrats and we need to change that. We need European energy. We need a massive solar program so that we have solar panels on all public buildings by 2027. We need to extend our network, particularly the charging network. We need better and quicker authorization for wind energy. We need to have more wind energy. Payable energy is not a luxury. It is a basis for social peace and geopolitical independence. Thank you.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “(11:10:34 – 11:11:04): Colleague, I really admire your care for the small and medium enterprises that you expressed in your speech. And I was wondering, would you agree with me that it's bad for the small and medium enterprises if all the big enterprises are accumulated over years and years in the hands of people who are directly linked to government officials like we have seen it in Hungary in the past 15 years. Thank you very much.”
  Rule of law in Hungary
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Dear colleagues, once again I agree with you in principle. The farmers know how to protect the environment. They have been doing this for thousands and thousands of years. But sometimes, and right now in his speech, I feel that the difference is lost between a simple farmer who has one farm and works his land, and big agricultural conglomerates, big farming industry, who have no regard for the environment, who have no regard for the honour and the worth of the land that they work. So where's the difference? There? Thank you.”
  Agriculture (green)
• “People of Europe. The truth is in wine, as has already been said. But I wanted to say it anyway. So wine really reflects something that we're seeing in many European sectors. Increased bureaucracy, increased costs, a result of climate change, a younger generation moving away from classic forms of consumption. Wine, however, is at the same time something that has been with us as a continent for a long time in cultural terms. And so I think the response here can only be a European one. We need targeted support to mitigating climate change and adjusting to it. We need fair rules in the internal market, assistance to production, and we need support for access to new markets. We want European wine to stand for excellence and local production in the future. And given that, we must act. Thank you.”
  Agricultural funding
• “Dear colleague. Once again, do you think that AI generated child pornography en masse is just any other reason to regulate? And don't you think that child pornography generated en masse is not a good reason to update the system to have new rules? And the same, of course, goes for pictures of women generated without their consent en masse. Is this not a reason to take action as a parliament in light of new technological developments? Or do you deny that?”
  Transparency and oversight of AI-generated content
• “Thank you very much, Mr. President. My personal statement will be quite short. I hope the colleague there, over there listens. I just want to tell you that I am, in fact, in a psychological treatment, because you can go to therapy here in the Parliament for free. I think in this toxic work environment with a long hours that we have, it's good for everyone. So go to the medical service, go to therapy like I do. Highly recommend it. Thank you.”
  Budget for EU politicians
• “Perhaps I didn't put my question very clearly. What I wanted to know was whether or not the representatives of civil society Who are, you know, have spoken out on this in the monitoring group, whether they were familiar with the plenary results that we had in the delegation as to the decisions taken there, because the joint resolution decided on their actually addresses those very subjects and topics that were named as important topics in the monitoring group. So whether or not they actually took on board, but on board these decisions, including in the Mercosur context.”
  EU engagement with civil society
• “I hope, Mr. Rapporteur, that you are not too sad that it is just you, me and the Commissioner speaking. The people of Europe. I want to explicitly align myself with the analysis of our rapporteur, Mr. Van Overwhelmed because the independence of central banks is not an abstract economic preference. It is a hard learned lesson from European history. Independent central banks protect price stability. They anchor inflation expectations and they shield monetary policy from short term political pressure. The European Central Bank is a clear example of this principle and practice. Its independence is enshrined in article 130 Tfeu and its primary mandate price stability is deliberately narrow. Why? Because once governments can directly influence monetary policy, inflation becomes a political tool and citizens pay the price. So let us be clear. Protecting central bank independence is not technocratic dogma. It is a precondition for economic stability, social cohesion and democratic credibility. And this is why this report matters. Thank you very much.”
  ECB monetary policy
• “I do apologize, I'm boring you, but this is a parliamentary debate after all. Mr. Sheardown. Now, we did agree that rentals are not such a bad thing. So what are we going to do to make sure that private. The number of private owners who want to rent could increase. So we get a balance there and that we can really have a proper balance in this case. Thank you.”
  EU regulation of short-term rentals
• “Thank you very much indeed for agreeing to the blue card. You talked about a bank heist. I've got a similar question for you. So if this really is a heist. So a bank robbery, and then you've got the robbers in the bank with their hostages, and they've already shot half of the hostages in cold blood. What do you do? I mean, do you go in? Do you negotiate? Do you call them up and say, oh, you know, come on, you know, here's €1 million. Go home, release the hostages. It'll all be fine. Or do you send in, um, a special operational commando? Is that not what we should be doing with Russia? I mean, should we not be, um, taking on the bank robbers rather than allowing them to return home with their duty.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• “Thank you for accepting my blue card. I think would everybody would agree. The idea here is not to create a new set of principles about the European Union's role. The idea is to better define the functions which the European Union should role play in terms of foreign affairs. Just imagine that we were to have a genuine EU foreign minister, a foreign affairs dimension. What role would you give the European Parliament? If the EU were to take over full powers when it comes to foreign policy?”
  EU competences on foreign affairs
• “Thank you for accepting the blue card. You said that they need cheap European fertilizers. Not necessarily green fertilizers. Would you agree with me that in the best case scenario, they would get cheap European green fertilizers? And if so, should we not do everything in our power to make this possible?”
  Use of fertilisers
• “Thank you, dear colleague, for accepting the blue card. I was quite happy to hear that you are in favour of all the goals that the Commission also pursues with this initiative, with this file still in the very beginning, you said that we shall not limit the digital freedom of our citizens. So how exactly then can we regulate without limiting freedom? Is not every regulation, every law a limitation to a certain freedom of our citizens? Is this not necessary, and a sign of the rule of law and of balanced out society? Thank you.”
  Disinformation & online freedoms
• “Thank you that you have accepted my blue card. I was wondering if you are aware of two things. First, are you aware that if a snail started where the Russian army started at the Ukrainian border three years ago, that the snail would now have reached Czechia while the Russian army is still bogged down in the Donbas? This is this is not a picture that I'm painting. That's an actual fact. You can calculate this and send us a check. Do you really think that it is good if Russian tanks roll through your country? I think you know better. Thank you.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Thank you very much. I simply wanted to remind Madame Borsdorf that according to article ten four of the rules, hate speech is something which is unacceptable. And that was what was expressed in her words about trans individuals. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “Thank you, Mr. Chair. I remember the meeting that we had around about one year about this topic, because it was one of the first meetings that I ever had in my life as a member of a committee of a parliament. And I remember that I asked the commission some questions that were also in the direction of a possibility of a plan B, and I didn't get an answer. So I asked the same question again, and I didn't get an answer. And then I'm not sure if I asked a third time, Mr. Chair. Maybe you know that, but I'm pretty sure I didn't get an answer. And I thought to myself, okay, maybe I'm just too inexperienced. Maybe I got an answer, but I don't understand it. And then I went to you, Mr. Chair, and I asked you if I got an answer, and I will not share your reply. Now, I think that's that's something you should do. But I think what is clear here, regardless of the political implications, because in opposition to what my colleague here said, it is of course, also a technical debate, not only a political debate that we are having here tonight is that I urge the Commission to try to understand that you are, while being on paper, civil servants Serving solely, you are de facto the government of the European Union.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Maybe the button was hindered by the energy grid. Dear people of Europe, I listened with interest to my colleague Mr. Tonkin, in praising the Finnish electricity grid, and rightly so. Finland should be proud of it, but turn national excellence into an argument for national solutions is deeply short sighted. First, we have a single economic area. We share markets, supply chains and prices. We have Schengen, where borders no longer define economic realities. Second, energy grids are critical infrastructure in all of Europe. Russian attacks physical, cyber and hybrid have shown us one thing very clearly critical infrastructure is European in its vulnerability. Thirdly, Europe's weakness globally has never come from cooperation. It has come from national solo efforts, an attack on one grid, a problem in one grid. A solution in one grid will not bring Europe forward. European energy sovereignty will not be built by 27 separate solutions. It will be built by one interconnected, resilient European grid. Finland grid is strong, but European grid will only be strong if we act together. Thank you very much.”
  EU energy infrastructure integration
• “Mr.. Chauvin. There's a blue card. Mr.. Zipper. I'm going to give you the floor, but you can't use a blue card all the time. Thank you. Thank you, madam. Well, you can strike me off the catch the eye list in that case. But I do have a question. Mr.. Mr.. You said some really great things. Basically, as far as the problems, you're absolutely right. But somehow you need to talk about rent. Those who rent and companies, construction companies that speculate are people who leave their homes empty to make even more money. Okay. Fair enough. But if you know that 64% is of rentals are in the hands of private owners, of small owners. So do you believe that rentals are bad in that case too?”
  EU housing policy
• “I'm done that I want to use. I just want to tell you guys that every time I'm astonished how people who are part of a discriminated group themselves, who are queer or who are in a relationship with migrant people, actually can say discriminatory remarks against queer people, against migrants. It doesn't go to my head. And I think many in this House should really think about that. Thank you very much.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Um. Dear people of Europe, I would like to thank the commissioners working closely in my field, especially Commissioner Sefcovic, Commissioner and Commissioner Lahbib for their constructive and professional cooperation. Von der Leyen for now Commission president, one year ago I had the pleasure of speaking to you for the first time, and I said that. I didn't think that you'd been democratically elected, but I hope you could show that that was not a problem. You've now pretty much convinced me. I've voted in favor of pretty much all of the commission's legislative proposals. But now I would encourage you to work better on your, uh, PR explain more strike deals that don't weaken Europe. Uh, call out human rights violations wherever they happen.”
  EU public communication strategy
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Thank you, Mr. Rapporteur, for this important work. And thank you to all the shadows. I will continue in German Europe. Dear people of Europe, a few years ago in my hometown of Bergisch Gladbach, there was a serious case of child abuse. The offender had distributed terabytes of pornographic material and his own daughter was the main victim. Unfortunately, German federalism and the fragmentation of responsibility among member states in the digital space was an obstacle to justice. What is important is for lives to be protected. The offenders should not be able to slip through the federal net. Child protection should not stop at national borders. If an offender is acting Europe wide, we must act Europe wide too.”
  Privacy & detection of online child abuse
• “Thank you. Chair. Thank you for the question. You know, at my age, in the EPP. Uh, we are amazed at what we hear. You know that. We didn't know that we didn't have a trade agreement with India. So it's great that we do now. Very important. And the figures are what they are. So well done to the Commission. Thank you for getting the result. You did. Question on public procurement India to date. They've always preferred national companies to public procurement. So to what extent will this agreement allow European companies to go for tenders in energy construction. And what conditions will that be that be under. Thank you.”
  EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
• “(19:30:42 – 19:31:12): That's a pity. But. Okay. I have to phrase differently. So I get you right that, the main problem is, lonely young people are left. But like it. Not accompanied. Unaccompanied, young people. So, would you then agree with me that maybe 1 solution is to allow for them to be together with their family so they have their parents to watch, them so they don't commit crimes here in Europe?”
  Asylum & border control
• “Dear people of Europe, the thing that amuses me most here is the mental flexibility. Many of our colleagues show that. And you've got people. And they say that we should be open to Putin again, that those sanctions against Russia should be dropped. And then they want us just to have a hard line against Trump. Those are the same people who stand up there and who say that they defend the little man and get worked up about the petrol prices. Now, they want us to drop this agreement so that we can have more price rises. Is it a good deal? No. Is it a deal we want? No. Can we in any way depend on Trump? No. Is he crazy? Yes. I think that the best thing that we could do is to sign the deal and to then implement it in a way that's good for us, because anything else would be with Trump.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. To maybe post the additional question quite simply and not naive, because I'm really trying to be constructive here in this House. Sometimes it is hard. Um, who is the aggressor? Who is the one who pursues war? The one who stays at home and maybe disagrees on a political, geopolitical, strategic level, or the one that sends his tanks, his missiles, his soldiers into the territory of a sovereign nation. Are you aware of the concept of war, of aggression? Thank you.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Thank you for accepting the blue card. Well, you talked about the lack of skilled workers. I mean, figures are clear on that. And I agree with you when it comes to training and education. But I'm sure you'll agree with me that, uh, when you. I say that our businesses are saying that we can't find enough skilled workers in our countries. We also have a lot of fear of migration. So how can we use migration to deal with the lack of skilled workers in the energy and other sectors? Thank you.”
  Legal migration
• “You are not only civil servants. You can call the commission president, Commission president, you can call the group of commissioners College. But in the end, you are the government of the European Union. We are the Parliament and we must work together and we must be we must be informing each other proactively and not only in regards to what's written down and what's the bare minimum that the rules of procedure force us to do. But beyond that, and this not only in general, because also right now we have a crisis of legitimacy. The people lose trust in our institutions, and the people lose even more trust in you, the commission then in us, because at least we are in constant communication with the people. So my question is this while you explain that you did everything right on a technical level, and I'm pretty sure you are convinced that is in fact true. Do you think that the way that you did this during the last year is good or bad for the trust of the people in European institutions? Thank you.”
  Transparency requirements of EU institutions
• “Dear people of Europe. The EU Commission's work programme, on paper, shares key priorities with the Party of Progress. Reducing bureaucracy for businesses, fostering digital and green innovation, strengthening social protection and internal security. Let us be friends because we also have 123 open proposals from the previous work programmes. However, this work programme it falls short in one crucial area and this is democratic participation. The Party of Progress believes that Europe must not only work for its people, but with them. Because you and me, we both know that populists, extremists and opportunists work to turn the people against our democracy every day, and that also in here, in this temple of freedom. And that is why we need stronger engagement with the citizens to reflect their voices. Democracy Si itself must always keep pace with economic and social progress. A bolder, simpler and faster union can only be the union of the people.”
  EU engagement with citizens
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President, in accordance with our rules of procedure, I would also like to be able to react to the reply that my colleague will give me. Thank you. Thank you for accepting the blue card this time. I listened very carefully to what you said, and you said that we needed to deepen our relations with India. Do you agree with me that we need to do this in part also to reestablish Re-establish a balance vis a vis the rising dominance of China in that region, especially given your, um, position as delegation chief.”
  EU-India relations
• “Dear people of Europe, last year I did something new. I founded my first company. After all, every member of the European Parliament who takes themselves seriously apparently needs a side hustle. Together with a few close friends, we founded a company that organises raves, techno, electronic music, long nights, short mornings. And let me tell you, nothing kills the spirit of electronic music faster than European bureaucracy. Registrations at the trade office entries and company registers, contract licenses and of course, the existential question, the legal form. And then came the real nightmare. Like every decent rave organizer, we wanted to work across borders. We wanted to work internationally. What followed was a regulatory disaster. So when I read the report of Mr. Repossi, I felt truly understood. We are not there yet. We still have a long way to go. But this report is a serious and necessary step towards a more innovative, more realistic and finally more functional single market. And for European entrepreneurs, that matters. Thank you very much.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “I also think you're the only one who recognized me without my mustache today. So once again, um, the people we found ourselves at crossroads, where we must stand together as Europe. We have always spoken about our unity in the face of global challenges. And now, every day, Trump shows us that we need to prove it, and that we need to test our ability to act as one. And here I wholeheartedly agree with what colleagues have said today and what I myself emphasized just last week. We need to deepen our internal market because if we are not able to do this, how shall we survive on the international stage? Um, coming back to the US, we all know the numbers. Trade between the EU and the US is not a zero sum game. Every day it's 4.2 billion worth of goods and services that flows. We have a modest trade surplus of 3%, but our bilateral investment exceeds €5 trillion. And so this relationship cannot be just a battlefield. It's a place of cooperation and prosperity for both sides of the Atlantic. So my questions in this situation are first, what concrete steps can we take to ensure that Trump not only delays tariffs but abandons them together? We now start with Mexico, who has one month of delay, and Canada as well. One month of delay, but not no guarantee that it stops forever. Uh, second, how can we use the leverage investor protection agreements between the EU and the US to create a stronger and more predictable trade environment? And Mr. Director General Rubinacci, you said we have common interests with the US. Why? And that's what the numbers show. This is objectively true. Is that still the case if Trump simply does not care in his isolationist policy? So to conclude, Europe cannot afford to be divided or reactive. We need strategic, strategic, unified approach. One that defends free and fair trade, protects our workers, and strengthens our global standing. Thank you.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “I'm going to be speaking in German. Dear people of Europe. Danger. Dan, one of the German singers said if you can not tackle violence through peace, then the only thing left is militancy. I think this is perhaps what a lot of left wing activists have. They don't they can't really tackle right wing, right wing violence. There's this, um, hate filled speech as well. But I think you're wrong because our democracy is working. It is alive and it is defending itself in a peaceful fashion in the European Union. Political violence is always wrong, regardless of against whom it's perpetrated. But let us not deceive ourselves about something. If our democracy is going to be removed by any kind of extremism, what doesn't matter which side we'll take up the weapons, we'll fight for Europe so that people can live in peace. Even if we our opinion is different.”
  EU political integration
• “Dear People of Europe, Commissioner, the author mentioned that research and education can become a unique selling point of Europe. And she is right. Throughout history, there have been many centers of knowledge and education. Alexandria, Baghdad. Oxford. Paris. Why not Europe again? Imagine a continent where a student in Lagos dreams of studying in Krakow, where researcher in Mumbai dreams of studying and research in Lisbon over Boston, where Europe doesn't just compete. Where we define what excellence means. This will only happen if we include those in our legislation that love Europe the most. Young students. Young researchers. Commissioner, the act must make Europe the place young minds dream about. Because when we do that. Not if. When we don't. If we do that, we don't just win this future. We become the future the world's want to be part of. Thank you very much.”
  Research priorities within the EU
• “Dear people of Europe, dear honourable commissioners and colleagues. Some of our colleagues seem to think that it is a crime when the Commission proposes new or updated legislation, while this is actually its core job, because we, the people of Europe, we decided to go further together. And this will not change no matter what happens in a single member state. And just as a side note to some of our German colleagues, it is even enshrined in our Constitution. This working programme has my support, especially because it tackles the issues that my generation has to face the industry, saving the climate, social justice and digital freedom. Also on another side note, Mr. Vice President Sefcovic, in your letter, you were tasked to work closer with this Parliament. The US trade deal was concluded in our summer break. And while I understand that sometimes you have to give a child candy when it screams, we had a similar situation now with the Morocco Agreement. This working program is also our working program. Let's work together for the people of Europe. Thank you.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you, Mr. Chair. The European Union stands at a crossroads. On the one hand, we rightfully committed to ambitious sustainability goals from the European Green Deal to our global climate obligations. On the other hand, our companies, especially small and medium enterprises, are buckling under the weight of bureaucratic requirements. Some people say we cannot solve both. The Party of Progress disagrees. The Party of Progress welcomes the European Commission's amendment proposal, aiming at simplifying corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence obligations. This represents a crucial first step towards a more balanced, future ready regulatory framework. Let me be clear sustainability is not optional, but neither is economic resilience. We have to be the green powerhouse of the world economy. That's why we support the proposed reduction in the number of companies subject to mandatory sustainability reporting, exempting companies with fewer than 1000 employees, while introducing a voluntary and proportionate SME standard is a rational correction. It ensures that regulatory efforts are targeted where they matter most without choking innovation in the broader economy. Moreover, we applaud the push to abandon sector specific reporting standards and to maintain the current level of assurance requirements. Let's avoid creating an SG SG sorry ESG industrial complex that benefits consultants more than citizens, something that happens too often within our institution as well. We must also address the trickle down effect where large rooms in order to meet their own reporting obligations. Push complex requirements onto their smaller suppliers. This is not only unjust, it is economically damaging. Let's foster a culture of transition. The new flexibility around the EU taxonomy, particularly the allowance for reporting on partially aligned activities, sends the right signal. Progress should be recognised, not penalised for being incomplete. Sustainability must remain a goal rooted in science but implemented through pragmatism. This is hopefully to the Commission, not a retreat from our climate goals. It is an advanced toward making them truly workable. Thank you.”
  Overall simplification of regulation in the EU
• “Dear people of Europe. I am not adequately dressed to hold a speech in the European Parliament. I am wearing jeans and a t shirt, and on my t shirt there is a funny little rabbit. I'm not wearing a suit and a tie like you saw me earlier today. I am half the age of the average member of this Parliament. I am part of the youth. And while we discussed the budget, one of the most important topics. Young people, they feel left behind in this very discussions. A future ready budget must invest in things that matter for the future of the youth education, internal security, digital infrastructure, climate protection and social mobility. It must be brave enough to fund the future more than the present, because Europe does not fail when the numbers don't add up. Europe fails when it gives up on the next generation. Let's build a budget that works for those who aren't yet here to speak.”
  Size of EU budget
• “Dear people of Europe, of course, it would be wonderful if people did not smoke, if they did not eat red meat, if they did not drink alcohol, if everyone exercised every day and lived perfectly healthy lives. But people want la dolce vita, as our Italian friends would say. And politics must deal with reality, not with moral wishes. That is exactly why the EU cardiovascular health plan matters for the Party of Progress. This plan is about prevention without moralising, about early detection, structure screening and equal access so that lifestyle choices do not automatically turn into premature death. It is about using the European health data space, about EU wide benchmarks, and about turning science into everyday healthcare across Europe. To the rapporteur, I will now go smoke a cigarette. Thank you for your work.”
  EU measures on lifestyle-related behaviours (smoking, drinking, eating, etc.)
• “Dear people of Europe. A few weeks ago, I said in a strategy meeting and a brilliant assistant told me that there is a difference between strategies, projects and instruments, an instrument that is our immediate response relief for consumers and businesses facing high energy and fertiliser prices. That is right. That is necessary. But this is just a band aid, a project that would be more structured, a European crisis fund for fertilisers or faster permits for wind turbines while Putin holds us hostage. But the strategy must be long term. We need European renewable energy industry, independent from geopolitics. Independent from dictators. And the same applies to fertilisers. Why import when we can produce circular ones from waste here in Europe? And that is the strategy independence, sovereignty and security. So I ask you, do we want band aids or do we finally want to heal the world because Europe deserves tomorrow? Thank you very much.”
  EU approach to energy security (home-made vs import sources)
• “Thank you very much. Thank you very much for this blue card. I simply wanted to say that I am shamed by the role of my men or many men. The role that many men play here. So describing the family situation, but also tradwives thinking about this, contemplating this where, uh, that women are being telling other women that they ought not work, that they ought to remain at home and have children and bring up children.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I hope I pronounce this right, Tucker. Now, this is our situation that we have to deal with. This house has said it already. No one is happy. And I don't think that we can change anything with that now. But we have to learn something from for the future, while we now have to stand together implementing this. I think the very first lesson is how to deal with bullies, not to give in. And if I may suggest this for the next time that we find ourselves in a situation like this, Mr. Commissioner, we should impose countermeasures already while negotiating this deal. And the second lesson that we take is that we are not seen as weak in that sense. The European Commission should take more effort into actually communicating their efforts that have been made with the public to convince them that this was not just the best that we could get, but actually something good for Europe. Thank you very much for your work. Thank you for your cooperation.”
  EU public communication strategy
• “Thank you chair, and thank you to the commission for your presentation. The first colleague I heard you today spoke about the need to deepen new markets, for example, with the United Arab Emirates. And that must be one of these coincidences that only this Parliament can produce. Because just now, I came here straight from a demonstration by Sudanese civil society organisations in front of this very house. They protested an event that I always almost made the mistake of hosting, and even where I was tricked into inviting speakers with direct links to the Rapid support forces, this militia has committed some of the worst systematic war crimes humanity has seen in decades. And as countless UN and independent reports have shown, these forces directly are supported by the UAE, with finances and with weapons. It goes without saying that I cancelled this event immediately, and instead I spent the last hour and a half listening to the testimonies of loss and suffering from the very people enduring the crimes of a militia and accompanied by a country we now consider as a possible trading partner. Colleagues, I believe this situation illustrates the core struggle of the European Union today. We want to trade with the world freely, fairly, sustainably, but too often beyond our continent, human rights are torn apart, the environment is devastated, and our morality itself is put to the test by actors we want, in fact, to trade with. This leaves us with a price to pay. Either we uphold our standards and risk competitiveness, or we uphold competitiveness and sacrifice our standards and morality. There can be only one solution. The development of international law. So my question to the commission is this in the current geopolitical climate, given our new strategic position with the trade agreements signed in the last couple of months, how does the Commission see the prospects for the EU to be accepted as a leading force, together with our democratic allies like Canada, Australia and New Zealand in developing international supply chain law and corporate social responsibility. Beyond bilateral trade agreements. Thank you very much.”
  Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
• “Thank you sir. Listen very carefully to you. And I was happy to hear that you are in favour of European integration in this very critical sectors. So I was wondering if you would agree with me that if that is the case, and if we want to reach this goal, we should in no way and never collaborate with those political forces who want to destroy the European Union and roll back on European integration and the shifting of competences from the member States to the Union. Thank you very much.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you. President. I'm sure we'll hear a speech now about how important dialogue with the Parliament and the Commission is. You're going to talk about how we need GMOs in order to make our agriculture sustainable. But I bet there's one thing you're not going to talk about, which is how your attitude has really put the wind in the sails of the extremists in this house. If you want to know what the people think, then listen to what's being said in Parliament. But if now the right extremists go out and say the commission is ignoring you completely, then it's grist to the mill of populism. If you could say a few words about that, I'd be very interested to hear them. Thank you.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you very much. Thank you very much for this blue card. I simply wanted to say that I am shamed by the role of my men or many men. The role that many men play here. So describing the family situation, but also tradwives thinking about this, contemplating this where, uh, that women are being telling other women that they ought not work, that they ought to remain at home and have children and bring up children.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Wow. I fully understand what you're saying, but but obviously we have seen with countries that are talking about today that are outside of Europe, there's perhaps a lack of understanding about how things work here and how things work with parliamentary democracy. And obviously, they see one particular vote or one opinion and think that that stands for all of the institutions. How can we understand that that the Parliament can have a larger role without people just thinking that the folks on the extremes.”
  EU public communication strategy
• “Madam Commissioner, I want to refer to something that Mr. Bentler flagged up with Canada. Everything is right. Canada ticks all the boxes. And when I have a quiet moment, I think about the EU. And I ask myself, what is the EU? Actually, the EU is a legal construct, a supranational organization, a union of values, a union of a common market. But as a concept, as an idea. What is. What is it? Can can Europe alone do what the EU can do? I don't think so. I think the idea of the European Union, this union of common values, this meeting of states on an equal footing, is something that could work throughout the world. Perhaps I'm a bit of a dreamer, but perhaps one day we'll. One fine day we'll also have a union with Canada. Thank you.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Dear colleague, even though you're leaving now, I think I just want to remind you that also it is in certain fields necessary that the state watches all its citizens. I give you one simple example. All of us have to pay taxes. So the tax authorities watch all citizens in every situation. And also, this is a sign of a rule of law, of a functioning state, of a functioning democracy. Democracy and freedom is not the absence of control, but it is balanced. That is balanced out. Thank you very much.”
  EU Supervision of the Rule of Law
• “Thank you, Mr. Vice President. In accordance with the last sentence of rule 178, number ten, I would also like to have the opportunity to react to the answer that Mr. Maserak will tell me. Mr. Mazurek, you talked about the not so democratically elected people in this room. So I was just wondering, as the members of this Parliament are directly democratically elected and the Commission is indirectly through this Parliament, democratically elected, how much time you have spent in your life studying the institutions of the European Union. Thank you.”
  EU political integration
• “Thank you very much for accepting my blue card. I listened carefully to what you said, especially your appeal to, uh, you know, us using cash. Do you? Are you aware that actually the criminals are the ones that really profit from this use of cash? Uh, people who are criminals are drug pushers or whatever? Uh, people, you know, who move underground. So shouldn't we be promoting technologies that make us more modern in society, that, um, can you know, facilitate things for governments and individuals.”
  Means of payment (cash vs digital)
• “Thank you. Thank you for accepting the blue card. I was wondering, you talked at length about the great Italian biofuels And the necessity to not go with an ideological approach on that. So if those great Italian biofuels are not ecological, if they are not green, where does this innovation within the Italian biofuels come from then? And how is it not basically the same thing that you were condemning so heavily?”
  Powertrain choice: EV-only pathway vs. equal support for hybrids, e-fuels, H2
• “Thank you. President. My point of order. As so often before, on article ten, four of the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament prohibiting hate speech in this debate, in the speeches of our colleague Susana Maria Khan, or even Susana Bendeck. Pardon? Sorry. We have seen rhetoric that automatically puts the mere existence, or the knowledge of people of the LGBTQ plus community as a danger to children. We can, of course, have a debate about the point in the life of a child where it should be, or where it should get knowledge about sexuality. But phrasing this, the mere existence of a group as a danger to children, this is hate speech. And Mr. Vice President, we have seen this in this Parliament over and over again. And I think there was a reason that article ten, number four explicitly mentions hate speech. So I asked the Bureau to step up against this because I am sick of hearing this talking point that so clearly goes against our values. Over and over again. Thank you.”
  LGBTIQ+
• “Yeah. There we are again. Um, maybe it will bring you as many clicks as last time. Um, you said that there is no way or illegal migrants have to understand that there is no way that they can make Europe their home. My ancestors were illegal migrants from France to Germany 200 years ago because there was a big war. You know the drill, Napoleon. All this. So my question is, isn't there at least some possibility that through time, also illegal migrants can find a new home in a new place? Thank you.”
  Asylum & border control
• “Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, every single time I'm impressed by the mental creativity of our colleague, Mr. Braun here. I would like to spend all my speaking time debating him, but I think I have other things to say. Um, the new pack for the Mediterranean is, um, an opportunity to strengthen our partnership with our southern neighbours, um, in a way where it's based on a trade and shared progress for us in the party of progress. This is a chance to support economic development that is broad based, inclusive and forward looking. Scientific studies have shown time and time again, that only then, when a country involves all its societal groups into economic development, it will prosper. So together, we can now tap into the full creative and economic potential of our Mediterranean partners. I also would like to debate real quick something else. It was said that this is exporting ideology. I think this is false. I think this is a commitment to the fundamental values of our union, which are dignity, equality and democracy. Only with inclusive growth can we confront the challenges we all share, from climate breakdown to irregular migration. Isolation helps no one. Europe's story always has been decided in the Mediterranean and this already since the Bronze Age. So this brings me to my question. Do you believe that this pact is truly also being understood by our partners as a sign, and that in time of Trump's chaos and China's economic imperialism, Europe is ready to strengthen new alliances based on cooperation, not coercion. Thank you very much.”
  EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood