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

European Council meetings and European security

Debate on: Tuesday, 11 March

GARCÍA PÉREZ Iratxe - President of the S&D Group

The security threat we face should be fully be addressed covering three factors: defence, support to Ukraine and financing. We welcome the ReArm Europe proposal, but this should be the first step of many others to follow. The support to Ukraine is part of our security and defence strategy. It’s urgent to strengthen the European defence policy and we must do so with courage, determination and unity. New financing instruments and increased investments are needed in order to reduce our dependency and advance in our strategic autonomy whilst preserving our social model

Press contact: MACEIRAS CASTRO Andrea

Action plan for the automotive industry

Debate on: Wednesday, 12 March

CHAHIM Mohammed - Vice-president of the S&D Group for the Green Deal for industry, energy and climate

Next week, we are discussing the future of the EU car industry. A lot is at stake - preservation of jobs and the creation of new ones, more zero-emission vehicles on our streets and our competitiveness on world car markets. We will call for clarity and a regulatory stability. In this sense, maintaining the 2035 zero-emission target for cars, as well as the intermediary targets, will allow for investment certainty and help keep the EU automotive sector at the forefront of technological innovation.

Press contact: STANCHEV Alexander

Social and employment aspects of restructuring: the need to protect jobs and workers’ rights

Debate on: Tuesday, 11 March

CEULEMANS Estelle - S&D spokesperson in the European Parliament's committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs

The restructuring resolution initiated by the S&Ds, set to be voted on in Strasbourg, must become the European Parliament’s ambitious position on protecting workers when restructuring is unavoidable. This includes ensuring access to information, training, and a decent income. Additionally, it requires investment in innovation and future-oriented sectors to secure Europe’s strategic autonomy and create quality jobs, with strengthened social rights, ensuring a just transition.

Press contact: MIKLAVC Petra

European semester for economic policy coordination

Debate on: Tuesday, 11 March

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

Next week, the European Parliament will adopt its annual reports on the European semester, the EU’s cycle of economic and social policy coordination. For the S&Ds, it remains essential that social justice holds the same value and weight as economic, defence and environmental priorities in this process. The path to competitiveness can only be built on social progress and shared prosperity, supported by a strong and permanent EU investment instrument. Ultimately, the goal is to improve people’s well-being.

Press contact: MIKLAVC Petra

European security architecture, unwavering support for Ukraine, frozen Russian assets, and the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU

Debate on: Tuesday, 11 March

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

Europe must be able to defend itself, which requires a strong European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and common tools. It must also increase and accelerate support for Ukraine. A just and lasting peace for Ukraine and Europe can only be achieved from a position of strength, making solid security guarantees essential. At the same time, the aggressor, Russia, must be held accountable for its war crimes. This means member states should tighten sanctions and seize frozen Russian state assets to support Ukraine.

Press contact: STEIGSTRA Cazper

International Women’s Day and the Roadmap for women’s rights

Debate on: Wednesday, 12 March

Vote on: Thursday, 13 March

Fritzon Heléne - Vice-president of the S&D Group for a feminist Europe

We welcome this Roadmap by the Commission, which includes most of the S&D’s priorities, as a guide for the coming decades to safeguard rights and promote true gender equality. Now we expect the Commission to present concrete commitments in the post-2025 Gender Equality Strategy, with tangible legislative and non-legislative measures. The EU must reaffirm its commitment to women’s and girls’ rights as core values, presenting bold political guidelines that ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health, and work towards eliminating gender-based violence, both online and offline, for a safer, fairer future for all. 

Press contact: STEIGSTRA Cazper

New common approach on returns

Debate on: Tuesday, 11 March

SIPPEL Birgit - S&D spokesperson in the European Parliament’s committee on civil liberties, justice and home affairs

Returns policy is part of a functioning migration system and we believe more EU-level cooperation can improve it, working alongside the implementation of the new Pact. However, we reiterate that highly controversial return hubs cannot be part of the approach. The Commission must carefully consider the message it sends. In an unstable world, we must show that we stand by our fundamental values and on the side of international law, including the right to asylum and the principle of non-refoulement.

Press contact: MURPHY Robin