Plenary Times - What's on the S&Ds' agenda for Strasbourg

We welcome the commitment from EU leaders on support to Ukraine and on advancing the defence union. We need a broader concept of defence that includes industry, but also the defence of our social model. New challenges require more funding. Common debt, based on the model of Next Generation EU and own resources, is the path to follow. We are calling for a competitive, resilient and social Europe, which protects and provides security for all its citizens, adding rights, not cutting them.

We want safe societies for citizens. EU policy has been essential in achieving that, especially for the fight against organised crime. We will carefully assess the Internal Security Strategy presented next week to ensure it meets our expectations. It must address key issues such as attacks on our democracy and the rise of hate and violent extremism in society.

In times of monumental geopolitical shifts that pose unprecedented threats to Europe’s security and democracy, we need Europe more than ever – and that means a more social Europe than ever. Strengthening our security must not come at the expense of our unique social model: quality jobs, workers’ rights, social protection and equality. Europeans will only be truly safe – protected from threats both external and internal – if our continent continues to be built on solidarity, equality and prosperity.

All pro-EU parties in the European Parliament must send a clear message: we stand with the LGBTIQ community, and Pride in Hungary and across Europe. The S&D Group is clear on this. We trust other groups will find the courage to come to the debate with the same clarity. Ambiguity on Orbán’s agenda cannot be acceptable.