The S&D Group called on the Presidency of the European parliament to take strong action against far right Polish MEP Janusz Korwin-Mikke, following his outrageous and racist remarks during a plenary debate on youth unemployment, today in Strasbourg.
Taking the floor in the Chamber, Mr Korwin-Mikke referred several times to black people calling them by the "N word" and arguing that the "minimum wage should be destroyed as we would be treating 20 million young Europeans like n---rs".
S&D vice-president Tanja Fajon MEP said:
"Socialists and Democrats are actively advocating the European values and fundamental rights of each citizen. Referring to black people in this way is the worst insult of racist discrimination and humiliation. We strongly protest against such comportment and speech in our chamber and call upon all our colleagues to express their united voice to condemn such remarks. Any such act demands strong consequences."
S&D vice-president Jörg Leichtfried MEP said:
"Mr Korwin-Mikke's behaviour is a political scandal and a shame for this House. I urge him to apologize or step down from his mandate."
Claude Moraes, MEP and Chair of the European parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs, added:
"What we heard from Mr Korwin-Mikke were statements which were deeply unacceptable and we call for appropriate action to be taken."
Cécile Kyenge, MEP and member of the European parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs and former Italian minister on migration, said:
"This morning's statement contained very serious content and has stained the dignity of this parliament. What Mr Korwin-Mikke has preached did not only offend those that have a different skin colour, but everyone who is inspired by the European values of dignity and equality. We must start fighting very hard to eliminate racism inside this Chamber and throughout Europe".
