Plenary focus - November 2022

The 2022 World Cup which is usually a moment for celebration, is this year tainted by the conditions in which it takes place. Behind this World Cup lie thousands of dead migrant workers on construction sites in a quasi-slavery system, huge air-conditioned stadiums for single use that turn the event into an ecological disaster, homosexuality is forbidden - even LGBT bystanders risk conviction if they show their homosexuality in public! These circumstances must be widely denounced and our anger must be heard so that the European Union’s position towards Qatar is hardened, regardless of economic interests. We cannot bring back the dead but the European Parliament must support the creation of a compensation fund for victims and their families and oppose the organisation of future sporting events in countries that do not respect human rights or the planet. No one wants a World Cup played over dead bodies!

Despite the pandemic and the Ukraine war, the European Commission continues to adhere to its fiscal fantasy of a 60% public debt ratio and a 3% budget deficit. This is simply not achievable for many EU countries. Instead of cutting public services to the bone, flexible economic programmes are needed to overcome the crises of our time. A new EU fiscal pact must be dedicated to fight inequality and climate change, not pandering rich financiers on international financial markets.

Palestinians must be able to participate in EU funded programmes in the same conditions as the rest of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement. This will be an important benchmark for Palestinian universities and research centres, as well as cultural institutions or local authorities. At the same time, we will continue working for the exclusion of Israel from participating in EU programmes as long as the occupation continues. We cannot have normalised ties with those who are using our resources to develop military technology to repress the Palestinians or to legitimise their illegal settlements.

The situation in the Mediterranean is shameful and appalling. We have more and more European states refusing to uphold their international obligations on search and rescue, disembarkation and reception. But make no mistake, this is not new, it didn’t start with the extreme right government in Italy. On the contrary, it’s become de facto migration policy. For years, member states failed to uphold their international obligations or to agree on proper responsibility sharing, while racism and false news about migrants was whipped up without challenge. The problem didn’t go away, it’s time now to address it head on so that people don’t get caught up in these political games.

Violence against women cannot be tolerated. It is urgent to end all forms of violence against women, including exploitation in prostitution. Exploitation in prostitution is associated with economic and social difficulties and poverty. More investments are needed in public services for prevention and support for victims and the adoption of public policies that contribute to the eradication of violence against women.

The Energy Charter Treaty is incompatible with the fight against climate change. It is great news that several countries have decided to leave this agreement. But the EU has an alarming addiction to fossil fuels and this treaty protects these investments and condemns governments to remain dependent on the blackmail of the oligopolies. The ECT is a major obstacle to the adoption of ambitious climate policies. Getting rid of it is a major win and a reminder that social mobilisation achieves important victories

This Black Friday don’t support those who exploit their employees. ACTION: Wednesday 08:30 - Action - join MEPs for a game of “Amazonopoly” Visitors bar: WEISS Building, Chamber (H) Level 0