Quote of the week by S&D MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor:
“Finally, Türkiye's Grand National Assembly has approved Sweden's NATO bid. Excellent news and long overdue. It took more than 18 months – with various delays – of diplomatic bargaining and this has eroded Türkiye's image more than benefitted its interests. Time to look ahead. One less obstacle in the way!”
Upcoming events
On Wednesday, 31 January, we invite you to follow our event Right to Disconnect: No Time to Waste, hosted by our members Alex Saliba and Agnes Jongerius. The message is clear: the European Commission must come up with a legislative proposal without any further delay. It is high time to clearly define boundaries between work and free time in the new digital era – to mitigate the significant human toll. The right to switch off is a human right.
Live debate on www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu.
Upcoming activities
Next Tuesday evening, the European Parliament and the EU Council are expected to reach an agreement on the revised “Breakfast Directives,” providing European consumers with clearer labelling for honey, fruit juices and jam. For the S&D Group, it is crucial to help consumers make informed and healthier decisions regarding these products. We have successfully advocated for a traceability system in the honey supply chain to monitor product origin. Additionally, in response to consumer preferences for lower sugar content in fruit juices, jams and milk, mandatory sugar content labelling will be implemented. Thanks to the S&D Group, the outcome will be beneficial for both EU farmers and consumers.
Newly elected leader of the Portuguese Partido Socialista, Pedro Nuno Santos, will join the S&D Group on Wednesday. Journalists are invited to a press point with the PS leader and S&D president Iratxe García at 11am outside S&D Group Meeting Room 4Q2 in the European Parliament in Brussels. The Press Point will be in PT, ES, and EN. Please confirm your attendance to: anna.tauc@ep.europa.eu
On Thursday, we will be keeping an eye on the year’s first European Council summit. As Group President Iratxe García puts it: “It is time to be brave and forward-looking. The Union is facing many challenges and it needs a reinforced budget to deliver. We must be able to ensure long-term, effective and predictable support to Ukraine, while at the same time address our citizens' needs. In the revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework, we need to ensure that the EU will preserve its flagship programmes such as Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and EU4Health, which benefit millions of Europeans. A strong geopolitical stance of the Union is needed in the world, but this cannot be at the expense of the most vulnerable. This is why the solidarity and emergency aid reserve is a must. It is unacceptable that Orbán keeps blocking the necessary reform. He should know that he's harming his own citizens, and also that the rule of law is non-negotiable.”
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