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

Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe

Debate on: Wednesday, 9 October

GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe - President of the S&D Group

Cost of living has become citizens’ main concern in Europe. Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe has been one of the progressives main priorities in recent months. We successfully established a dedicated portfolio for housing under an EU Commissioner and launched an initiative for a new special committee on housing in the European Parliament. Now, it's time to address the problem of housing with an affordable European housing plan to boost investment and protect our citizens from rising costs. We are working tirelessly for affordable housing for everyone.

Press contact: MACEIRAS CASTRO Andrea

One year after the Hamas attack and the crisis in the Middle East (debates on Monday, 7 October and Tuesday, 8 October)

GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe - President of the S&D Group

On 7 October, we commemorate the first anniversary of the brutal Hamas terrorist attack. On this day, our thoughts are with the victims. Over the last year, we have called for a ceasefire that would allow the release of hostages, the entry of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people and to reduce the escalation in the West Bank, Lebanon and Iran. Israeli hostages, 40,000 Palestinians murdered, Gaza destroyed and the Middle East at war. This is Netanyahu’s legacy. After one year of violence, it´s time to put an end to this conflict, and the only viable path forward is to work towards implementing the Two-State Solution.

Press contact: MACEIRAS CASTRO Andrea

Hungarian Presidency

Debate on: Wednesday, 9 October

GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe - President of the S&D Group

Every rotating presidency works for the prosperity of our Union and on our core values. Orbán represents everything that goes against it, and he is demonstrating this again and again throughout the Hungarian rotating presidency. He talks about a ‘new European Competitiveness deal’ but he has turned Hungary into the most corrupt country in the EU. He shakes hands with the enemies of our Union and works in favour of Russian and Chinese interests. Instead of supporting democracy and the well-being of citizens, he consistently threatens their rights and undermines media freedom.

Press contact: MACEIRAS CASTRO Andrea

Taxing the super-rich to end poverty and reduce inequalities

Debate on: Wednesday, 9 October

FERNÁNDEZ Jonás - S&D spokesperson on economic and monetary affairs

International efforts are required to prevent the ultra-rich paying little or no tax and accruing massive fortunes that undermine democracy and increase inequality. Taxation is key to curbing this enormous concentration of wealth – with the ultra-rich 1% at the top – and achieving a fairer, stronger and more sustainable Europe. The Progressives’ priority is to ensure that the wealthiest pay their fair share, thus promoting a fairer economy and more equal society. A global minimum tax on the super-rich would reduce opportunities for billionaires to easily move their money and assets across jurisdictions avoiding proper taxation. Properly taxing billionaires would be a key step towards greater social justice, raising important revenues for governments to provide public goods, address inequalities and finance the climate transition.

Press contact: MIKLAVC Petra

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry

Debate on: Tuesday, 8 October

BISCHOFF Gabriele - S&D vice-president for social Europe

On 3 October, we visited the Audi factory in Brussels to get the facts on the situation there. We visited the modern plant and talked to trade unions and management. 3,000 workers’ jobs are in danger there and millions more in the sector face a grim future. We stand with workers against the selling-off of jobs in Europe. Next week in Strasbourg, we will call for a comprehensive European strategy to protect our automotive industry, environment and workers. Green transition, competitiveness and workers’ rights can and must go hand in hand.

Press contact: MIKLAVC Petra