Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) and Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) are candidates for the position of President of the European Parliament. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Strasbourg

plenary session

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

election of the President of the European Parliament (T)

functioning of the EP (T)

MONTERO, Irene (The Left, ES)

Election of the new EP President: Short presentation by Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) and Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) candidates for election to the office of the President

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) Grazie, onorevole Picerno. Dear colleagues. It is hard to put into words just what it means. For a woman who grew up on an island in our Mediterranean Sea. To stand before you here today.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) To me Europe was worth fighting for. It was never perfect, but we looked to the European Parliament, to this Strasbourg hemicycle, as a symbol of standards, of opportunity, of reconciliation. It was our guarantee of the rule of law, of equality, of democracy, of liberty, of prosperity. It gave us all the chance to dream of a future where our potential is not limited. That's what Europe meant to millions of us. That is what Europe means to me and millions of others still.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) My passion for our project has not dimmed. I want to help build it better. I want to help bridge the remaining gaps between what people expect from Europe and what we can deliver. And so I am here to ask for your trust and your vote, to allow us to continue together for the next two and a half years, and prove to every girl and boy watching today that in our Europe, even these unlikely journeys are indeed possible.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) The challenges coming our way will require strong leadership, whether that is pushing forward legislation that people need from us, negotiating with other institutions, representing the Parliament in member states, or standing up in Kiev, Chisinau and beyond. We need to stand tall and ready.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) This last mandate we have learned that the future is anything but predictable. But come what may, I will keep working with all of you to face the tests when they do come. Friends, two and a half years ago, I stood here after my predecessor, David Sassoli, had just passed away. He was a president who put the dignity of people above all. I promised then that I would honor his legacy.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) I renew that now and with your support, I will continue to work tirelessly to bring people together concretely. This must be a house that cannot be afraid to lead and to change. We have started, but we are not yet finished. We need to strengthen and streamline our operations to ensure that this Parliament can be the legislative and political powerhouse we want it to be.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) This means that we must keep up the pressure to ensure a right of initiative, that we are able to improve our scrutiny and inquiry powers, hold other institutions to account, and address the remaining institutional imbalances.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) This must be a strong Parliament in a strong Union. That is what the treaties intend us to be, and that is what the people need us to be. We cannot accept that our role as parliamentarians is diluted. Parliament reason must be strengthened. Members need to be empowered and supported.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) We must be the ones to be able to say when proposals go too far, or when they don't go far enough. When they are too expensive or when they are simply impossible to implement. We must be the ones who push the legislation that our people want and need, and we will do what is necessary to achieve that.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) This must be a Parliament of debates, a Parliament of respect. A house where we can discuss and argue our corner in lively and active sessions that capture people's attention and their imagination. A Parliament where red tape and unnecessary bureaucracy is cut, where simplification means that we are less about ticking boxes and more about common sense.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) Where any abuse is false and where it is easier to do our job, where every member and all staff feel safe, respected, protected and proud to come into work. We can do that in a Parliament of integrity, where we are accountable and we are open.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) People will look to us for direction, whether it is standing up for our values and the rule of law, remaining the strong advocate that Ukraine needs. Amplifying the voice of humanity in the Middle East.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) As we search for a sustainable peace, or the necessity we have to stick to our commitments and keep our union as a global leader of rights, of equality, of security, of climate, of opportunity, of competitive, free but fair markets with a strong social pillar, that allows everyone to be whoever they wish to be and where no one is left behind.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Roberta METSOLA, (EPP, MT) Dear colleagues, let me conclude by saying that I will never shy away from taking the difficult decisions. My door will always remain open. Members will be treated fairly and with dignity. As president, you know that I am able to both stand up for Parliament, our Parliament and build bridges. I am proud to stand here today, and if you choose to lend me your trust, I will not let you down. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Pina PICIERNO (S&D, IT) Yeah. Thank you. Thank you to, Miss Medicine. And now give the floor to Irene Monteiro.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) Gracias, president.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) Thank you very much indeed and good morning to everyone. Dear colleagues, the European Left is presenting this candidacy to defend a Europe of peace, which is calling for an end to the genocide against Palestinian people, a feminist, green, anti-racist, anti-fascist Europe with rights for workers and social justice for the peoples of Europe.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) We are seeing a war consensus being imposed. 15 years ago, a coalition of austerity was imposed upon us as well, and we still haven't recovered from the fallout. We all know that wars always bring huge suffering for workers and for the popular classes. With war, the price of energy and food rises. Millions of people can't make ends meet. A.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) Usterity comes back and cuts in public services, education, health and pensions and cuts also in public policies, which ensure social justice, the right to housing or working rights. The priority for Europe must be to put an end to the destruction of social rights and support the trade union workers rights, which allow workers to have greater rights. It will be impossible for Europe to develop green policies with social justice.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) Militarization of Europe and, war mongering will increase the energy problem and will avoid protection of animal welfare. We are also seeing questioning of, LGBTQ rights and women's rights. There's going to be a political, economic and religious crisis and that will mean that women's rights will be questioned once again.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) We think back to Simone de Beauvoir on that. Feminism is the democratic strength which has the greatest power in our times. And it's absolutely crucial that we make progress, because more than half the world population, owes us that, we have to ensure legal, free and safe abortions and ensure that those rights and the rights of LGBTQ and trans people are guaranteed, putting an end to phobia on that front.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) We want an anti-racist Europe that welcomes people. Europe cannot support a migration policy on the basis that migrants are a threat, nor on the externalization of borders, nor on the systematic violation of human rights, in infancy and for migrant people.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) We cannot base our migrant policy either on the idea and depending on the needs of labor in economies. And, our migratory policy has to respond to the correct principles. In Europe it's not that we have too many people, but we have the, vulture funds of the major corporations which are converting workers rights into negotiations.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) Peace is the most important issue for Europe. I believe that we have to people know that victory for Ukraine and for Europe in the face of the criminal Putin and the strength is in peace. But we're being led into a war where people in Ukraine are losing, people in Europe are losing.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) But we all see the industrial, complex, on military production in the United States, which is, gaining from this. The peoples of Europe cannot be subject to the U.S. military interests. Workers in Europe cannot pay with their rights the consequences of of war escalation. Colleagues irresponsibly we are seeing a war being forced on us.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) And there's also a genocide. Netanyahu cannot complete this, genocide against the Palestinian people without the decided support of the United States in Europe. Europe cannot continue to be an accomplice of the genocide state of Israel.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) Why don't we break the cooperation agreement? Why don't we impose sanctions on Netanyahu's genocide in the same way it's been done with the criminal Putin? This hypocrisy is unacceptable, and it cannot count on our silence. The priority of humanity right now is to put an end to genocide and the illegal occupation of Palestine.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) We also defend the fight against corruption and transparency in European institutions. We cannot see a Qatar gate repeated once again.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) Ladies and gentlemen, many people here defend, the, the cordon sanitaire against the far right, but the extreme right. Well, we would say that, moderate moderation cannot break the, far right, but they're rolling out the red carpet for them. We can stop fascists by guaranteeing rights.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) On the European left, we believe the time has come to sign up politically, to strengthen peace, bring an end to genocide, the right to housing, public services, labour rights, feminism, anti-racism, green policies, anti-fascism and social justice.

SOUNDBITE (Original), Irene MONTERO (The Left, ES) We have to strengthen the moral, ethical principles and the strength of the law in the face of the strongest. We need to build a Europe based on rights and a better world. And for that we would call for your confidence, your trust, and your vote. Thank you madam.