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

strasbourg european parliament winter

The need to enforce the Digital Services Act

Debate on: Tuesday, 21 January

GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe - President of the S&D Group

The main purpose of our Union is to ensure a fully functioning democracy through respect of the rule of law and the defence of our citizens’ rights. For this reason, we must use all of the EU’s tools when we are faced with those who attack our freedoms and values, such as Elon Musk and the likes. In this case - the Digital Service Act, the Artificial Intelligence Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, etc. the Commission should commit to no backtracking on EU law and the application of sanctions when necessary. We won’t sit back and allow blatant misinformation and interference in EU politics. It’s time for the EU to ACT decisively!

Press contact: MACEIRAS CASTRO Andrea

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency

Debate on: Wednesday, 22 January

GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe - President of the S&D Group

The Polish Presidency marks a new period, being the first one since the appointment of the new Commission, and will play a key role in shaping the tone for this term. We trust Prime Minister Donald Tusk to stand up for democracy, freedom, and fundamental rights in these challenging times. The European Parliament together with the Council as co-legislators should assume their role with responsibility. We, the Socialists and Democrats, are ready to work to advance and improve the mechanisms we have in favour of our people and in order to strengthen our Union.

Press contact: MACEIRAS CASTRO Andrea

Setting up of the European Parliament’s special committee on the housing crisis in the EU

BISCHOFF Gabriele - Vice-president of the S&D Group for social Europe

Next week, the European Parliament will formally set up its special committee on the housing crisis. The S&Ds, who brought housing onto the EU’s agenda, are proud to have secured this committee with the aim of thoroughly analysing the housing challenges and finding concrete solutions. This new committee will help us ensure decent and affordable homes for all Europeans. Housing is a social good and a human right, not a commodity for trading and speculation.

Press contact: MIKLAVC Petra

The need to detect and to counter sabotage by the Russian shadow fleet from damaging critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea

Debate on: Tuesday, 21 January

MANIATIS Yannis - Vice-president of the S&D Group for foreign affairs, security and defence

The Russian shadow fleet’s repeated damage to Baltic Sea infrastructure is unacceptable and demands stronger EU action, which is why we initiated this debate. The European Parliament’s November resolution already called for decisive measures against this network of often unsafe and uninsured vessels that threaten our infrastructure, security, and environment. It also sustains Russia’s war machine. EU member states must increase the protection of critical infrastructure and extend sanctions as specified in the resolution: addressing any circumvention of sanctions and reassessing cooperation with all non-EU countries helping Russia’s efforts.

Press contact: TUTTLIES Utta

Ceasefire in Gaza

Debate on: Monday, 20 January

SÁNCHEZ AMOR Nacho - S&D coordinator in the European Parliament’s committee on foreign affairs

We commend the agreement on a provisional ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by the Biden administration. It is an important first step, but not definitive. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical, with an imminent risk of famine. In the debate, we will call for increased humanitarian aid, urge the Knesset to lift its ban on UNRWA’s vital activities, advocate for the release of all hostages, and continue to push for diplomatic efforts towards a two-state solution.

Press contact: DEROBERT Nicolas

Geopolitical and economic implications for transatlantic relations under the new Trump administration

Debate on: Tuesday, 21 January

BENIFEI Brando - Chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the US and S&D coordinator in the EP’s committee on international trade

We need a strong and constructive transatlantic agenda on foreign affairs, security, defence, multilateralism, economy and trade, and the rules governing social media platforms. We can find compromises or accept different approaches, but both sides need to respect each other. The S&Ds won’t shy away from tackling these issues during the debate, but it is now time for the Commission to make a clear statement and be ready to use the tools and policies at our disposal to defend our democracy, applying them in full.

Press contact: TUTTLIES Utta

The need for action to address the continued oppression and fake elections in Belarus

Debate on: Tuesday, 21 January

CREMER Tobias - S&D negotiator on the matter in the European Parliament’s committee on foreign affairs

Little has changed since the European Parliament adopted its resolution on Belarusian political prisoners last September. While Aleksandr Lukashenko has since released some individuals, an estimated 1,250 political prisoners remain unjustly detained. Meanwhile, Lukashenko is seeking his seventh term in what he claims is a Presidential ‘election’. With so many political prisoners and opposition barred from participation, this election cannot be considered democratic. Democracy demands free and fair elections. The unconditional release of all political prisoners is a critical first step.

Press contact: TUTTLIES Utta