Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle
Member of the European Parliament · Renew · NL
“Voorzitter, iedere dag weer gaan onze mensen van de politie en de douane de strijd aan tegen internationale drugsbendes. Door kleine ruimtes kruipend op zoek naar drugs, verstopt op de meest onwaarschijnlijke plekken, geïntimideerd door georganiseerde criminelen die ze proberen te corrumperen.”
“A mim parece-me que isto é um aproveitamento político verdadeiramente indecente do tráfico de droga e é particularmente difícil de compreender como é que é possível fazer este tipo de aproveitamento quando estão em causa, por exemplo, as vidas de profissionais das forças e serviços de segurança, como aqueles que foram, infelizmente, assas…”
“Ten derde, durven blijven investeren in preventie in onze wijken om te voorkomen dat kwetsbare kinderen gerekruteerd worden door drugscriminelen. Narcos is meer dan een Netflixtitel en cosmetische oplossingen krijgen van mij een duimpje omlaag.”
“Colleague Tertsch will remember that, in Spain, the country that I come from originally, we had huge problems with drug gangs in Galicia and they were all home-grown. They were not coming from outside the European Union – they were Spanish home-grown.”
“Madam President, colleagues, this point of order is according to Rules 122, 150 and 154. On 23 June, five representatives of the Taliban regime visited Brussels on an official mission invited by the European Commission – a shameful betrayal of the cornerstone of EU diplomatic engagement: fundamental rights and women's rights.”
“Voorzitter, commissaris, we hebben een explosievenprobleem. Vorig jaar werd in Nederland 1 534 keer getracht een aanslag te plegen met explosieven. De helft van de aangehouden verdachten is jonger dan twintig jaar en verkeert vaak in een psychisch en sociaal-economisch kwetsbare situatie.”
The complete record
Every one of 81 lines we hold for Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 2 of 2.
“I believe that the programme of the Danish Presidency is clearly reflecting this priority as well. As you know, Denmark is traditionally a strong supporter and ally in promoting the agenda of free and fair trade. And clearly there is a huge agenda there. And I can tell you, as Commissioner for Trade, that it is a good feeling to know that you have the support of the presidency and that we share common high ambition in this area. To conclude, Madam President, I just would like to refer to the common Slovak proverb which, if translated into English, says 'good start means good conclusion', and we indeed need a good start on multiannual financial framework negotiations, because we know how difficult they are.”
“I think the debate clearly reflected strong underlying support for Ukraine, the need to work more for a secure Europe and promote a common defence, not to repeat the mistakes of complacency we committed over the last decade, as it was rightly pointed out by the Prime Minister in her opening remarks. The second sectorial priority, which was reflected in many interventions of the honourable Members of the European Parliament, is the importance of the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, where we look forward to advancing legislative files which are currently on the table together with our Danish colleagues. Third, most highlighted remarks have been focusing on the importance of competitiveness and simplification. And I agree with those MEPs who see it as absolutely crucial to respond to the current challenges.”
“I wish you all the luck. 2-0119-0000 (End of catch-the-eye procedure) 2-0120-0000 Maroš Šefčovič, Member of the Commission. – Madam President, dear Prime Minister, honourable Members, first and foremost, I know the time is really, really flying, but I think that also this debate was so clear that it allowed me to be very brief because the discussion among the honourable MEPs clearly confirmed strong, across-the-board support for the Danish Presidency's priorities. I believe that there is a clear recognition of the challenging times we are living and therefore, in the Commission, we very much appreciate that the Danish Presidency's priorities keep focus on how to tackle these challenges and how to deal with them.”
“Madam President, Madam Prime Minister, I fully agree with you – the European Union should have security and competitiveness as priorities. But there will not be real security as long as foreign governments can corrupt our public officials. And there will not be competitiveness in a corrupt system. That is why we need a strong anti-corruption directive. And it is a disgrace that Member States are blocking this at this moment. They are playing political games in a dirty tit for tat: 'If you support my opposition to an anti-corruption directive, I will support your opposition to better green legislation.' We cannot allow this to happen. Citizens are watching, and I hope, I really hope that under your leadership, the Danish Presidency will manage to convince Member States of the need for a new anti-corruption directive.”
“Take away Orbán's rights to keep kidnapping the EU and our fundamental values. Support the Hungarian people. Be the princess who kisses Hungary back to democratic life. 3-0239-0000”
“Mr President, what an obsession with underwear. Dear Commissioner, dear colleagues, last time we stood here to discuss Orbán's attacks on the rule of law, I said he was a bit like the emperor without clothes. But actually, I have come to the conclusion that he's much more like the evil queen from Snow White. He only cares about one thing. And it's not beauty. It is power. It is power to keep stealing from the Hungarian people and all of us Europeans. Mirror, mirror, who can keep tricking the EU into thinking that I'm untouchable? he keeps asking. But the restriction of the right to peaceful assembly, his attacks on the LGBTI community is Orbán showing that he's afraid, he can feel it, his reign is coming to an end. So Commission, it is your role and that of the Member States to break the spell. Freeze all funding.”
“So, if we truly care about mental health in the workplace, we have to talk about what happens at home. We need shared responsibility and not only delegated tasks, and we need policies addressing the root causes, not the symptoms. 1-0332-0000”
“Mr President, Madam Commissioner, nice to see you again. And to the ladies: this is our workplace. And I know that many of you who also have care responsibilities back home will spend a significant amount of your energy not only thinking about what we are doing here, but also what needs to happen there – children who need new shoes, parents who need a medical appointment. Now think of all those female engineers and nurses and bankers and teachers and soldiers and the nice lady of the corner store – they're working and they're still doing the thinking, the planning, the managing. Women are still the default project managers of private life, carrying the same responsibilities but with double the weight. And this has consequences: women burn out more often than men, and the group most at risk are young women under 35.”
“And we must be at their side, and not at his side. Viktor Orbán is a weak autocrat who does not belong in our Union. Member States, please stop the attack against our European unity, values and opportunities. Activate Article 7 now. 3-0294-0000”
“Madam President, Commissioner, Minister, colleagues, the emperor has no clothes. Hungary is one of the poorest countries in the EU, but Viktor Orbán chooses to wage yet another culture war. Two thirds of Hungarians describe the education system as bad, but Viktor Orbán cares more about schoolbooks being kind to him. Hospitals are crumbling down because of government corruption, but Viktor Orbán thinks undermining our international justice system is more important. Colleagues, the emperor has no clothes. When he cracks down on the pride parade in beautiful Budapest, it means he has nothing. He picks on the most vulnerable because he himself is naked. The majority of Hungarians have no issue with the parade. The majority of Hungarians believe in Europe. So no, Viktor Orbán does not speak for the people.”
“Daar maak ik me zorgen om. Bouwen aan een sterk Europa willen we allemaal, maar dat kan alleen als heel Europa meedoet. 2-0392-0000”
“Voorzitter, commissaris, Europa moet fundamenteel veranderen. Maar laten we het fundament van Europa niet met het badwater weggooien. Dat fundament is onze solidariteit. De wetenschap dat we zo sterk zijn als onze zwakste schakel en zo rijk als onze armste regio. Dat is een ijzersterke logica, zoals ook onderschreven door Draghi en Letta. In onze armste regio’s is de steun voor Europa het laagst en juist daar proberen Rusland en China hun invloed te kopen. Het cohesiebeleid is dus van cruciaal belang voor onze democratie en onze veiligheid. Het kan ook nog meer bijdragen aan andere strategische doelen. Dit gaat echter niet lukken wanneer we de tussentijdse evaluatie aangrijpen om geld te verslepen van de arme naar de rijke regio’s. Dat is wat, naar ik vrees, gaat gebeuren met dit voorstel, of dat het risico lopen we toch.”
“Take responsibility. Give us the tools we need. Prevent even more scandals. Protect our reputation and protect the taxpayer. 1-0211-0000”
“Madam President, I would like to start with reminding all of us here that two thirds of all Europeans believe that corruption is a major issue in the European Union in their countries, and that they expect us to combat this with all we have, with all tools, and they expect us to deliver. So, I really have a very hard time – and I'm sorry that I'm not seeing many of my EPP colleagues here anymore tonight – but I'm having a hard time believing that the EPP is serving these citizens, when they are ready to sacrifice the EU ethics body which will be crucial in ensuring transparency within the EU institutions. I am also concerned that the European Commissioner has not mentioned this very prominently in her statement tonight. So, please, EPP colleagues, stop siding with those who are obviously not interested in fighting corruption.”
“Mr President, I'll take the risk. I would like to make a point of order on the basis of Rule 10(7). Based on media reports today on another corruption scandal in this House affecting the integrity of this House, we finally need to implement the EU Ethics Body fully. I call on the colleagues still blocking the group of experts, as a first step, to stop blocking this. (The President cut off the speaker) 4-0153-0000”
“And if we don't do this, we really risk a lot of women conducting unsafe, not legal or illegal abortions at home, especially in those Member States where this right is severely restricted. 2-0280-0000”
“Madam President, in 2023, when the United States reversed Roe v Wade, it had a direct effect on the accessibility of abortion medication in the EU, because American states – fearing further restrictions on abortion medication – stocked up. And that led to shortages, for example in France. Now, the worldwide backlash against abortion, in combination with increasingly restrictive US policies, could lead to stockpiling again and shortages. And that is why I urge this Commissioner to aim to include mifepristone and misoprostol on the list of essential medications. As the Commissioner himself said, it's about providing critical medication there and where needed.”
“De Europese Unie heeft de plicht om vrouwen te steunen wanneer hun overheden ze in de steek laten, zodat zij, net als ik en mijn drie dochters, baas in eigen buik kunnen blijven. 2-0188-0000”
“Voorzitter, condooms, de pil, spiraaltjes en de morning-afterpil: ik heb ze allemaal gebruikt. Ik ben altijd vrij geweest om te bepalen wanneer en met wie ik kinderen zou krijgen. In Europa zou dit de norm moeten zijn. Helaas staat deze vrijheid stevig onder druk. Ultraconservatieve bewegingen investeren honderden miljoenen euro's om deze rechten in heel Europa in te perken. Ze maken voorbehoedsmiddelen moeilijk verkrijgbaar en onbetaalbaar. Ze promoten kansloze, natuurlijke contraceptie en criminaliseren abortus. Vrouwen met een gewenste zwangerschap die een late miskraam krijgen, worden naar huis gestuurd om te wachten totdat hun foetus vanzelf sterft, omdat artsen anders een gevangenisstraf riskeren.”
“Madam President, I would like to make a point of order based on Rule 178(12). I understand this might require a bit of leniency on your side, because we're not discussing a report, and I do appreciate that the Minister is here the whole day – and it's been a very long day, so thank you so much for your statement. However, it is good practice in this House that the Council and the Commission do really react to the questions posed by the Members of this House, and I am sorry to say that I did not get a clear answer on my question. So I would really like a 'yes' or 'no' answer from the Council Presidency as to will you reprimand the Member States who undermine international law, and will you seek strong, unanimous and unconditional support for the ICC in the next Foreign Affairs Council conclusions? 2-0516-0000”
“Wir müssen einfach in die Fläche gehen, wir müssen breiter werden, viel mehr Fälle lösen und uns nicht immer nur auf die großen Fälle konzentrieren, die Europol bearbeiten kann. Wie sehen Sie da eine Lösung? 1-0124-0000 Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle (Renew), blue-card answer. – Thank you so much, colleague, for your question. I do agree that strengthening our police forces at national level is important. But international criminals need a counterpart. They need someone at international level to fight them. And that's why we need a fully operational Europol. It's not this or this, it's together. I will say this, though. We know that there are crimes which are not being prosecuted in Europe because national police forces refused to intervene. So as the case in Malta with the assassination or the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia.”
“And to my colleagues, if you are really serious about fighting crime, then you will support every single effort in this House at European level. And if you're not, then you're just interested in creating clickbait for your socials and I suggest you sit this one out. (The speaker agreed to take a blue-card question) 1-0123-0000 Verena Mertens (PPE), Frage nach dem Verfahren der „blauen Karte“. – Ich finde die Unterstützung der Sicherheitsbehörden richtig und sehr wichtig. Ich sehe es allerdings kritisch, dass Europol ausschließlich operativ arbeiten soll, oder überwiegend operativ, denn ich finde, dass wir ganz dringend auch die nationalen Sicherheitsbehörden weiter stärken müssen.”
“At the beginning of the 20th century, when the American government was fighting their own criminal gangs, the Mafia, they tried closing state borders in and demonising migrants. You know, Mr Inselvini, those Italians, they were really bad. And to the colleagues from PiS: the Poles? Very bad. No good. Well, that did not work. But you know what worked? Founding the FBI. That did the trick. What Europe needs is a truly operational Europol. A European FBI with reinforced means, with oversight and with accountability. Also, Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor's Office urgently need more competences, as they have shown to be extremely effective and instrumental in fighting organised crime. Commission, absent Council, step up to the challenge. Give our common security the priority it needs.”
“Madam President, Madam Commissioner, let me begin by expressing my deepest condolences with the families and friends of the shooting in Sweden and, of course, to the Swedish people as a whole. The far right of this Chamber has only one solution for fighting organised crime: let's close our borders and take back our country. But here comes a reality check. Criminals are laughing at your obsession with closing borders. For them, it's just a line. It's the point where they can shake off the national police. They operate extremely efficiently across borders, using bribes, laundering money through your beloved cryptocurrency, trafficking in weapons and recruiting new – very often very young – members for their gangs. Stop misleading Europeans with your naive idea of sovereignty and invest instead in our EU police and justice cooperation.”
“Mr President, I will keep saying this: Rule 10(4) of the Rules of Procedure make hate speech and offensive language something we should not allow. Hate speech is clearly defined. 'Population replacement' and every other synonym – this is Nazi terminology; we all know that. This should not be allowed in this Chamber. 3-0198-0000”
“Voorzitter, als we onze kinderen het recht gunnen in hun eigen regio te blijven, moeten we anderen ook het recht gunnen om hiernaartoe te komen. Veel Europeanen willen in hun eigen dorp kunnen blijven wonen. Daartoe moeten er huizen zijn, moet het ziekenhuis in de regio openblijven, moet er een school zijn op loopafstand en moet het dorpshuis niet kopje onder gaan als gevolg van hoge energiekosten. Dit betekent dat we vakmensen nodig hebben, van binnen en van buiten Europa: meer dokters en verpleegkundigen, meer leraren voor de klas en meer mensen die zonnepanelen kunnen plaatsen op de daken. Alleen zo kunnen Europeanen in onze regio’s opgroeien en oud worden. In plaats van te investeren in de regio en vooruitgang mogelijk te maken, trappen populisten echter keihard op de rem en slaan ze de deur dicht voor goede vakmensen.”
“Mr President, thank you for allowing my request. I refer to Rules of Procedure, Rule 10(4), that concerns hate speech or offensive language. The colleague from ESN used the term 'population replacement'. This is generally accepted as hate speech and offensive language, and I request that this be scrapped from the meeting and that the colleague be held responsible for using this hate speech. 3-0188-0000”
“Clarity must be given, and the Commission – yes, the Commission is the relevant authority – must open an investigation into these allegations immediately. The Council, under the leadership of Poland, should strongly support this action and if proven, espionage on the EU must be dealt with swiftly and forcefully. 2-0400-0000”
“Mr President, we have yet another debate about the Orbán Government undermining the European Union, and it turns out that Orbán has most likely been spying on the European Anti-Fraud Office, which was investigating his abuse of EU taxpayers' money through corruption and nepotism. Now, in a healthy system, there should be, at the very least, tough reactions from the other governments. But instead, Hungary's fellow members of the Council keep silent. What are we dealing with here? A group of adults keeping a clean house together or school buddies that don't tell on each other? As for the Commission, can the Commission give an advice on whether it is still safe for the EU agencies to operate in Budapest, or to meet with the Hungarian authorities?”
“Criminelen gebruiken dit vuurwerk voor hun aanslagen overal in Europa en dit is een falen van de interne markt, waarvoor een te hoge prijs wordt betaald. Onze politiemensen, hulpverleners en lokale bestuurders hebben er genoeg van. Basta! Het is nu de tijd om Europees in te grijpen... (De Voorzitter ontneemt de spreker het woord) 1-0227-0000”
“Voorzitter, collega´s, allereerst de beste wensen voor dit nieuwe jaar. Mogen jullie en jullie geliefden veel geluk kennen en een goede gezondheid genieten. Helaas zal dat niet het geval zijn voor de duizenden slachtoffers van vuurwerk tijdens de jaarwisseling. Twee Nederlanders verloren het leven, waaronder een kind. In Duitsland ging het om vijf mensen. Elk jaar zien we slachtoffers van heel zwaar vuurwerk, dat in de ene lidstaat legaal uit de fabriek komt en in de andere lidstaat illegaal wordt verkocht of ingevoerd. Kinderen spelen met vuurwerk met de explosiekracht van een handgranaat. Onze straten veranderen in een oorlogsgebied. En dit gebeurt niet alleen met de jaarwisseling maar het hele jaar door.”