17 January 2025
Polish EU Presidency: Tusk overlooks Central and Eastern Europe’s interests; No agreement to use DSA to restrict free speech; A lasting ceasefire requires the release of all hostages!; Oppression and fake elections in Belarus; Effective border management will disrupt smugglers’ business; ECR stands by the people of Venezuela; The new Trump administration; Further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia; Countering the Russian shadow fleet; Press Briefing with ECR Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki and Nicola Procaccini
Polish EU Presidency: Tusk overlooks Central and Eastern Europe’s interests
On Wednesday morning, Prime Minister Donald Tusk will present the priorities of the Polish Council Presidency to the European Parliament in the presence of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. ECR Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki warns against the Tusk government’s plans for the Presidency, which push for deeper EU centralisation—a direction that does not serve the interests of the EU as a whole. Proposals to weaken unanimity in decision-making and further empower the Commission represent an unacceptable shift towards excessive and inefficient integration, undermining national sovereignty and democratic accountability. At the same time, the Tusk government’s approach—particularly its backing of the EU’s failing industrial, defence, and climate policies—risks neglecting the economic and strategic priorities of Central and Eastern Europe. With external threats on the rise, the ECR Group insists that the EU must adopt policies that strengthen all nations equally and deliver real, measurable benefits for every Member State. With regard to the rule of law and fundamental rights, it is highly unconvincing that the Tusk government presents itself as a credible actor in strengthening the resilience of Member States’ justice systems and supporting civil society, while their current actions in Poland—such as sanctioning so-called ‘neo-judges’ and thereby handpicking court rulings—undermine these very principles. Mr Jaki will take the floor on this debate.
Key debate: Wednesday @ 10:30
No agreement to use DSA to restrict free speech
On Tuesday morning, lawmakers will debate the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) as a tool to protect democracy on social media platforms. The ECR Group warns against misconceptions of free speech: the DSA should not be a content moderation law. Its primary purpose should be to fight illegal content while upholding fundamental rights. Our real priority should therefore be to protect freedom of expression and ensure that the DSA is not used for political purposes. Any measures to prevent foreign interference—even if they have only a marginal impact on freedom of speech—must be implemented transparently and under strict supervision, never in response to political pressure or a dominant mainstream opinion. The ECR Group strongly opposes any steps that could lead to censorship or restrictions of this kind and will always support open debate. Committed to defending freedom of speech, the ECR Group insists that fundamental rights must remain at the heart of European policymaking as digital platforms evolve.
Debate: Tuesday @ 9:00
A lasting ceasefire requires the release of all hostages!
On Monday evening, MEPs will discuss the recent announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. This agreement, which includes the urgent call for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, represents a significant step forward and offers hope for advancing towards a peaceful two-state solution. However, a lasting ceasefire can only be secured if all Israeli hostages are freed and Hamas is dissolved. For the ECR Group, dismantling Hamas, its affiliates, and their terrorist infrastructure is essential to ensuring a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians. Additionally, ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza is critical. This vital aid has been obstructed in part by Hamas, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Debate: Monday @ 17:00
Oppression and fake elections in Belarus
On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will debate the need for action on the ongoing repression and sham elections in Belarus. Since coming to power in 1994, Lukashenka has crushed the opposition and turned Belarus into an authoritarian state. He tightened his authoritarian grip after the fraudulent presidential election in 2020. On 26 January 2025, the usurper Alexander Lukashenka is organising a sham referendum to prolong his rule. Belarus remains plagued by severe political oppression, with 1,376 political prisoners who face dire conditions and inadequate medical care. In its resolution, which will be put to vote on Wednesday, the European Parliament will assess the situation in the country and recommend a series of decisive measures to address the dramatic human rights violations, the fraudulent elections, the creeping annexation by Russia and Minsk’s role in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The ECR Group strongly condemns the Lukashenka regime and calls for solidarity in the fight for freedom of the Belarusians.
Debate: Tuesday @ 17:00
Vote: Wednesday @ 12.30
Effective border management will disrupt smugglers’ business
On Wednesday afternoon, Members of the European Parliament will debate the growing links between organised crime and the smuggling of migrants, a pressing issue underscored by recent reports from the United Nations. The ECR Group strongly emphasises the need for a robust and coordinated response to combat the criminal networks that undermine the integrity of Europe’s borders. Smugglers are the new big criminals of our time. For the ECR Group, the protection of Europe’s external borders is a fundamental priority. Effective border management and enforcement are essential to preventing illegal migration and disrupting the smugglers’ business model.
Debate: Wednesday @ 15:00
ECR stands by the people of Venezuela
On Tuesday, MEPs will debate the political crisis in Venezuela following the illegal inauguration of Nicolás Maduro for a third consecutive term on 10 January. Despite opposition and international rejection of the 28 July election results, Maduro was sworn in without the publication of an official count. This sparked harshly repressed protests, with more than 2,400 arrests and reports of serious human rights violations. The ECR Group remains firmly opposed to Maduro’s illegitimate rule and continues to support opposition leader María Corina Machado and the democratically elected President Edmundo González and stands unwaveringly with all Venezuelans fighting for their fundamental rights. Over the years, Venezuela has become a humanitarian disaster under Maduro’s regime, with more than 7 million people fleeing the country to escape poverty, repression, and political persecution. Those who remain endure extreme hardship, with basic necessities in short supply. After Maduro’s illegal inauguration, the EU must adopt a firmer stance against his regime, including increased sanctions on those responsible for human rights violations and greater support for the Venezuelan opposition. It is time for Maduro to step aside and allow a peaceful and democratic transition to take place. The resolution will be put to vote on Thursday.
Debate: Tuesday @ 18:00
Vote: Thursday @ 12:00
The new Trump administration
The first topic broached by MEPs on Tuesday afternoon will be the economic and geopolitical implications for transatlantic relations as Donald Trump reassumes presidential office. The ECR Group is eager to congratulate the President on his second inauguration on Monday, this time as the 47th President of the United States of America. The new US government will offer considerable opportunities for Europe and the rest of the world to step up. Tackling mass and illegal immigration, fighting crime, emphasising economic competitiveness, growth and jobs, and cutting taxes are just some of the common positions the ECR Group shares with the incoming administration. Calls from the incoming president for European countries to take their NATO contributions seriously are also welcome. The USA is a natural partner to Europe, and the ECR Group is ready reinforce our bridges and to collaborate on a common agenda fostering stability, security, and prosperity on both sides of the Atlantic.
Debate: Tuesday @ 13:00
Further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia
Later on Tuesday members will debate the worsening state of affairs in Georgia. Thousands of Georgians have been taking to the streets in opposition to the policies of the Georgian Dream – a pro-Russian party that is pushing the country into Russia’s embrace. Arrests, violence, and the freezing of relations with the EU are the responses of the ruling party directed against Georgian society. A recent low point came as the elections held in October didn’t meet the basic democratic standard, which triggered the nationwide protests. For the ECR Group it’s essential that fundamental democratic principles, including the right to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, are upheld in the country. The ECR reaffirms its commitment to supporting stability, democratic reforms, and closer ties between the people of Georgia and the European Union. A vote on a resolution will take place during the February part-session.
Debate: Tuesday @ 19:00
Vote: February part-session
Countering the Russian shadow fleet
Also on Tuesday afternoon, the European Parliament will hold a debate on the need to detect and counter sabotage by Russian shadow fleets, which have damaged critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and are used by Russia to evade sanctions and continue pedalling its oil exports. Russia has repeatedly used such fleets to damage underwater electricity cables and other vital amenities. The ECR Group fully condemns this illicit activity and calls on the EU to step up its efforts against what is a key financial lifeline that Russia continues to exploit. Protecting European infrastructure is vitally important. The EU must support actions to counter the Russian shadow fleet by cooperating with NATO, Member States, and private third parties to enhance surveillance capabilities, better track the Russian fleet, and bolster European resilience to attacks.
Debate: Tuesday @ 13:00
Event: The Way Forward to Overcome the Automotive Crisis
On Tuesday, The Fratelli d’Italia delegation in the ECR Group is hosting a high-level conference on the future of the automotive sector in Europe. The event, titled “Revving Up the Engine: The Way Forward to Overcome the Automotive Crisis” will provide key insights into the ongoing crisis in the automotive industry, including the presentation of an exclusive ECR Group survey ‘Perception of the automotive sector’s crisis in Europe’ on how European citizens perceive the current challenges. The guest speaker, Adolfo Urso, Italian Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy , will provide an update on his “non-paper” on the automotive Sector. Link to the events website here.
When: Tuesday @ 13:30
Where: N 1.3, European Parliament, Strasbourg
Press Briefing with ECR Co-Chairmen Patryk Jaki and Nicola Procaccini
The ECR Group will hold a press briefing with Co-Chairmen Patryk Jaki (ECR, PL) and Nicola Procaccini (ECR, IT) on Tuesday at 13:00 in the Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room in Strasbourg. The briefing will take place during the plenary session, providing an opportunity to discuss the key priorities and positions of the ECR Group. Link to the press briefing here.
Press Briefing: Tuesday @ 13:00 - 13:30
Where: Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room (Strasbourg)
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