News | 11.10.2024

Debriefing of the October I 2024 plenary session

7 - 11 October 2024

Hungary: Exposing the far right
Israel-Gaza: One year later
Car industry
Systemic Gender-based violence in Europe
Moldova's and Georgia's democracies under threat
Housing crisis
Reducing inequalities

_____________________

Exposing the far right: Democrats against Autocrats

Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, addressed the European Parliament. And he made a big show of it, trying to look strong while bashing Europe, refugees and trans people with crazy allegations. But the truth is, it’s a sham. He is only doing this to distract from the mess his government is making in Hungary.

We are calling him out. We are exposing the tactics of the far right - and are calling out the politicians who are working with them or taking over their extremist language.

Tineke Strik MEP, Greens/EFA MEP and European Parliament rapporteur on the situation in Hungary, commented:

“It shouldn’t be normal practice to invite an autocrat who is notorious for violating the EU’s most fundamental values and for flaunting his attacks on the EU, to speak in the heart of European democracy. For the Parliament it is very clear: all these blatant violations of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, the foundation of our European Union, should be met with zero tolerance in the EU.”

_____________________

Middle East - One year later

One year ago, the world witnessed horrific atrocities as Hamas launched brutal antisemitic terrorist attacks in Israel. Hundreds of innocent civilians were killed, and many others kidnapped, some never to return home. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the free flow of much needed humanitarian aid into Gaza. We must demand a permanent ceasefire, the end of terror and a two-state solution. This catastrophic year, and decades of conflict and crisis, must end with peace as the ultimate place to call home.

Monday, Greens/EFA Co-Presidents Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout released a statement, together with the Co-Chairs of the European Green Party.

Ana Miranda, EFA MEP, insisted on the growing despair as the humanitarian crisis deepens:

“The longer the conflict continues, the more innocent lives will be lost. Europe must act now. We need to stop Netanyahu’s government in its tracks.”

_____________________

Car Industry: EU needs massive industrial investments

Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament debated the current crisis in the car industry and the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

“To guarantee European jobs, this firm approach on Chinese imports needs to go hand in hand with green industrial policy that ensures participation and wellbeing of workers. Otherwise, we will never catch up with Chinese carmakers”, commented Greens/EFA MEP Sara Mattieu, Member of the Industry, Research and Energy and Employment and Social Affairs committees,

Anna Cavazzini, Greens/EFA MEP, Chair of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee and Member of the Trade Committee, commented;

“The decision was right and necessary. A level playing field is the basic prerequisite for fair trade. The EU must take a clear stance in response to pressure from the Chinese government.

Press release

_____________________

Fight against system gender-based violence

On Monday, at the request of the Greens/EFA Group, MEPs debated the systemic problem of gender-based violence in Europe. This debate follows the recent media reporting of crimes committed against Gisele Pelicot, Giulia Cecchettin, and Rebecca Cheptegei.

_____________________

Moldova's and Georgia's democracies under threat

MEPs adopted Wednesday a resolution on strengthening against Russian interference ahead of the upcoming presidential elections and a constitutional referendum on EU integration.

Markéta Gregorová, Pirate Member of the European Parliament, Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly, commented:

"It is absolutely unacceptable for Russia to interfere in any way in the elections of a sovereign state in an attempt to influence the results of independent elections in its favour. The EU and its Member States must continue to assist Moldova in improving its resilience to these hybrid attacks, both in cyber security and strategic communications.”

"The current ruling party in Georgia is not far from establishing an authoritarian regime in the country. The suppression of human rights and the restriction of freedom of expression are practices of authoritarians that the government in Georgia is inspired by.”

_____________________

Housing crisis

On Wednesday, MEPs debated the need to ensure housing in the EU and how to encourage investment, private property and public housing programmes. For far too long, housing has been seen as a market for profit rather than a human right.

EFA MEP Vicent Marzà called for an urgent reform on housing in the EU:

“How can we not have the authority to guarantee the right to housing, an essential right? We must all work together to ensure that housing is truly guaranteed for everyone in Europe.”

EFA Press release

_____________________

Reducing inequalities

On Wednesday, MEPs debated taxing the wealthy to reduce inequalities. The Greens/EFA Group has long called for taxing the wealthiest individuals to invest in public services and a green future where both people and planet can thrive.