26/06/2025 | 17:21:17 Thank you, Madam President. Honourable colleagues, Promoting inclusive participation in parliamentary life is not only a question of fairness, it is a fundamental pillar of a healthy, functioning democracy. When politics reflects the diversity of our societies, our decisions become more legitimate, more just, and ultimately more effective. Gender equality, accessibility, and inclusive policies must be more than buzzwords. They should guide our practical actions. We must actively remove the... 26/06/2025 | 15:45:17 Thank you, Mister President. Dear colleagues, For decades, the advancement of women’s rights has helped shape more democratic, just, and resilient societies. We’ve seen growing participation of women in all spheres of life, from parliaments to boardrooms, and this has made our democracies stronger and more representative. But today, those rights are under sustained attack. Across Europe and beyond, we are facing a coordinated backlash, political, ideological, and well-funded, aimed at rolling... 26/06/2025 | 13:38:27 (Undelivered speech, Rules of Procedure Art. 31.2) Mister President, Honourable colleagues, Migration management today is more than border control – it is a test of our shared values, our capacity to cooperate, and our commitment to human dignity. Public and private actors, from coast guards and municipalities to NGOs and shelter providers, all carry an enormous responsibility. But they also face immense challenges. One of the most urgent is the growing strain on infrastructure and... 26/06/2025 | 10:36:48 Thank you, Mme President. Honourable colleagues, The tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean is something none of us can accept. But we must dare to ask the difficult questions: why are so many risking their lives at sea in the first place? Europe’s current approach – built around rescue operations and relocation – has had the unintended effect of encouraging dangerous journeys. Human traffickers thrive on the assumption that Europe will receive all who attempt the crossing. This system... 25/06/2025 | 10:33:42 Thank you, Mr President [spoken in French] Esteemed colleagues, We are gathered here today to reaffirm the vital principle of protecting human rights in and through sport, a mission that speaks to the heart of our democratic values. Sport is more than competition, it is a reflection of the societies we strive to build — inclusive, fair and respectful of human dignity. But as lawmakers and guardians of rights, we must also address the difficult questions. One such question concerns the... 08/04/2025 | 19:23:45 Thank you, Mister President. Dear colleagues, Today, we are asked to consider the idea of putting an end to collective expulsions of aliens. But let’s take a step back and ask, why should we? Collective expulsions allow nations to maintain sovereignty, protect their borders, and ensure security. Without them, governments are left dealing with prolonged legal battles, overwhelmed infrastructure, and the strain of processing each case individually. Mass expulsions serve a crucial purpose. They... 08/04/2025 | 17:42:03 Dear colleagues, Since last November, Serbia has witnessed an unprecedented wave of mass protests following the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy, which killed 15 people. Initially led by students, the protests have spread across the country to include various social groups demanding accountability, transparency, and justice. Protesters denounced the deep rooted corruption in public institutions which undermines the rule of law, public confidence, and and the proper functioning... 08/04/2025 | 11:03:03 Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Madam Kalnina, for an excellent report. Democracy is the cornerstone of Europe's strength, yet it faces a growing threat: foreign interference. From disinformation campaigns to cyberattacks and political manipulation, external actors are actively trying to undermine our institutions, influence our elections, and sow division amongst our people. We have seen how malicious cyberoperations have targeted critical infrastructure, how fake news spreads like... 29/01/2025 | 11:09:42 Thank you, Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, ”Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it” – wise words from the philosopher George SANTANYA back in 1905. I came to think of that quote as I read the quite thought-provoking report of our rapporteur Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO on behalf of our Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media: entitled “Multiperspectivity in remembrance and history education for democratic citizenship”. “Multiperspectivity” may be a newly... 28/01/2025 | 10:56:34 Thank you, Mister President, Ladies and gentlemen, This report concerns the urgent need for the world to counteract the current erosion as regards to our long-standing international rules. Rules for how we should deal with each other as countries. For example, how we shape our foreign policies in order to preserve and strengthen peace; or our efforts to expand our trade to make it available and fair to all parties. Simplified, how we go about making this a better, rather than a worse world...