Quote of the week by S&D Group president, Iratxe García Pérez, on the Russian attack on Ukraine:
“Putin’s attack on Ukraine is a criminal act that must be contested with determination. To put words into actions, at our request, the European Parliament will hold an extraordinary plenary session next Tuesday to address Russia’s attack on Ukraine and the EU’s reaction. Too much is at stake: the future of peace and democracy across our continent.
“Furthermore, I welcome new sanctions from the European Council. Putin and all those linked to him must pay a high price for violating international law and invading Ukraine. We must also strengthen our humanitarian aid and be prepared to support Ukrainian refugees on EU soil and in neighbouring countries.”
*
We stand in solidarity with the innocent victims of Putin’s war against Ukraine. At the request of our Group, the European Parliament will hold an emergency plenary session on Tuesday, 1 March, starting at 13:00. MEPs will debate Europe's response to the Russian invasion on 24 February, and adopt a related resolution. Already on Thursday 24 February, a statement by the Conference of Presidents condemned Russia’s attack on the independent state of Ukraine in the strongest possible terms and called the invasion unjustified and illegal. Follow our MEPs’ reaction live here.
Our Group will also hold an extraordinary meeting on the topic, on Tuesday morning.
*
Committee work resumes next week.
Our Group has spent years pushing for more corporate accountability and transparency. A year after S&D MEP Lara Wolters’ report received widespread support, the Commission finally published its draft EU law on mandatory due diligence earlier this week. These rules have the potential to be a game-changer for businesses to stop human rights and environmental abuses all along the value chain. On Monday, Commissioner Didier Reynders will be in the legal affairs committee to present the new proposals to MEPs. The works starts now to ensure due diligence is more than just a tick-box exercise.
On Monday, 28 February, our members in the committee on budgetary control will decide on the discharge procedure of the European Court of Auditors.
On Thursday, 3 March, the committee on industry, research and energy will question the European Commission on high energy prices. Right now, millions of European households and businesses are suffering from huge electricity bills leading to higher prices of products, and difficulties in heating households. Our Group has the lead on this question and we have long been asking other political groups to forward it to the EU Commission. Now, as a result of our efforts, we will finally have an answer during the March plenary session in Strasbourg.
*
As we have seen in recent days, democracy is not to be taken for granted. To further this message and to show solidarity with EU citizens in countries under threat, on 4 March we will be organising a debate event in Budapest, on social justice and defending democracy. More details on the programme and how to register can be found here.
And don’t forget to stay updated on all our initiatives and reactions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
