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

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

Debate on: Wednesday, 23 October

GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe - President of the S&D Group

For decades, we have been asking for a holistic approach to the migration challenges. After eight years of negotiations, finally, last May, the New Pact on Asylum and Migration was adopted. Migration is a European challenge that requires a European response, therefore the New Pact on Asylum and Migration is the only possible solution to address migration and it’s the Pact which should be implemented. Our position towards the migration strategy hasn’t changed. The progressives have always opposed any externalisation of asylum or return policy, as this goes against the international law on which the EU law is based, and under which the right to asylum is protected together with the principle of non-refoulement. Any discussion on returns must be based on a legislative proposal. We recall what von der Leyen committed to during the presentation of her political guidelines regarding migration: “We must collectively focus on implementation and support member states in making it a reality on the ground. There will be more to do. We need a common approach on returns – to make them more effective and dignified – and we need to develop our comprehensive partnerships, in particular across our Southern neighbourhood.” This is what she committed to. And this is what we ask for.

Press contact: MACEIRAS CASTRO Andrea

The findings of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland's abortion law

Debate on: Wednesday, 23 October

SCHEURING-WIELGUS Joanna - S&D spokesperson on women’s rights

A three-year UN inquiry into Poland’s abortion law concludes that the near-total ban results in grave human rights violations. The UN Committee recommends Poland to legalise and fully decriminalise abortion. It is unacceptable that, despite PiS losing power, Poland still has one of Europe’s most draconian abortion laws. Efforts led by Lewica to decriminalise abortion failed in Parliament due to lack of support from the ruling coalition, Trzecia Droga, and the conservative opposition, including PiS. The report confirms that legal and safe abortion is essential to ensuring Polish women’s rights.

Press contact: CZERNY-GRIMM Inga

Establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine

Debate on: Tuesday, 22 October

Vote on: Tuesday, 22 October

BENIFEI Brando - S&D spokesperson in the European Parliament’s committee on international trade

As winter looms and Russia intensifies its aggression, it is crucial for the EU to demonstrate effective and timely solidarity with Ukraine. This new aid package by the EU and G7 aims to stabilise Ukraine’s economy, rebuild critical infrastructure, and support Ukrainians in their fight for freedom. Funded by profits from frozen Russian assets, it ensures that those responsible for Ukraine’s destruction bear the costs of its recovery. I hope the European Parliament approves this aid by an overwhelming majority, with all EU member states following swiftly after.

Press contact: CZERNY-GRIMM Inga

EU budget 2025

Debate on: Tuesday, 22 October

Vote on: Wednesday, 23 October

NEGRESCU Victor - vice-president of the European Parliament and EP’s negotiator on the topic in the committee on budgets

Next week, the plenary is voting on the position of the European Parliament for the EU budget 2025. With this vote, we enter into negotiations with the member states in the Council of the EU and the European Commission. These negotiations will not be easy as the Council wants to make major cuts in flagship programmes of the EU. We, the Socialists and Democrats, insist the EU budget 2025 should include our priorities. Among them are health, education and skills, youth entrepreneurship, farmers, small and medium enterprises, access to affordable and decent housing, support to vulnerable and rural communities, social dialogue and trade unions, agriculture, defence and support to people suffering from natural disasters. We also included provision regarding the mitigation of the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the strengthening of the cooperation with our neighbours and partners to the East and to the South of our borders, as well as an increase in humanitarian aid.

Press contact: STANCHEV Alexander