Quote of the week by MEP Thijs Reuten, on our event on migration in Rotterdam:
“In the first two weeks after Russia’s invasion, the EU received more refugees than in 2015 and 2016 put together. Russia’s war against Ukraine has shown that when faced with major challenges, member states alone cannot succeed. After years of political deadlock, the solidarity shown by millions of people across Europe to refugees fleeing Ukraine must be matched with the political will to reform EU rules. We believe that solidarity and fair-sharing of responsibility must be at the heart of Europe’s asylum and migration policy. With their direct input, citizens are also helping to shape a new progressive approach, with more EU tools and capacity to respond.”
Upcoming events
This afternoon we’ll be live from Rotterdam, with another #Progressives4Europe event. We’re talking about changing the rules on migration and asylum in Europe to make them fairer and based on solidarity. Join us as we get input from citizens about how to shape a more progressive future for Europe. Live on www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu from 19h15 CET today.
This Sunday we will also be keeping a close eye on elections in Slovenia and France, a decisive moment for democracy, European values and rule of law.
On Wednesday, 27 April, our members in the committee on constitutional affairs will hold a webinar on the Role of European Political Parties in EU Democracy. Guest speakers include our own Iratxe Garcia Perez, Domenec Ruiz Devesa, Gabriele Bischoff and Sergei Stanishev, leader of the PES. We’ll go live on www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu at 14h00 CET.
Next week, our members will be in Strasbourg for the penultimate plenary session of the Conference on the Future of Europe. Progressive citizens, local parliamentarians and our members of the European Parliament, as well as Group President Iratxe Garcia will join. Follow us on Twitter for daily videos throughout Friday and Saturday.
Parliamentary activities
The end of this week will mark a trilogue on the DSA (Digital Services Act). Our main negotiator, Christel Schaldemose, has been leading a relentless battle to see that our main points of concern are taken on board in the final agreement when the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Member States in the Council shake hands on a deal.
We’re kicking off the week on Monday in the committee on international trade with a vote on foreign subsidies distorting our internal market and an exchange of views on a new trade instrument to ban products made by forced labour, a topic extremely important to us.
Also on Monday our MEPs in the committee on women’s rights and gender equality will vote on a resolution drafted by our MEP Robert Biedroń on the impact of the war in Ukraine on women. The European Union must make sure that all refugees fleeing the war, including the victims of sexual violence, receive the help they need, including access to sexual and reproductive health services.
During the course of next week we are also expecting the European Commission to put forward its new set of regulations regarding abusive lawsuits against journalists and civil society (SLAPPs). We will react as soon as the documents are made public.
And don’t forget to stay updated on all our initiatives and reactions on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
