Iratxe García to Tusk: 'Our Union needs ambition and effective action'

On 1 January, Poland took over the rotating six-month Council Presidency, the first since the appointment of the new Commission. In a plenary debate on the presidency priorities with Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the Socialists and Democrats urged Tusk to show courage during a period of geopolitical uncertainty marked by Trump's return to the White House, the Israel-Gaza ceasefire and three years of Russia's war against Ukraine.

S&D leader Iratxe García called for unity among pro-European and democratic forces to face the challenges ahead and asked for an ambitious presidency to strengthen our Union in all dimensions including the full development and implementation of the Social Pillar, Green Deal, Migration and Asylum Pact, the defence and security capacity and resilience instruments against foreign interference and disinformation.

Iratxe García, S&D Group president, said:

"The European Union needs to urgently address the rise of the far right, the only goal of which is to destroy the European project. To do so, we need to tackle the causes of disaffection, which include inequalities, loss of purchasing power and poverty - the breeding ground for Trump's international friends.

"We must advance a strong Social Pillar that guarantees living wages, affordable housing and real opportunities for citizens.

"Our Union will only survive if we continue to implement the Green Deal, the sole instrument capable of ensuring the survival of our planet, saving human lives, and making the European Union more competitive.

"And we can only succeed if we lead a digital transition that serves the truth. Disinformation and manipulation will have no place in our democracies. The Digital Services Act must be our tool to defeat propaganda and protect the integrity of our institutions.

"Migrants have been, and always will be, a source of wealth for our welfare states and our economies. That is why we must continue to make progress in regulating migration flows with responsibility and solidarity.

"Our Union will only survive if we strengthen our defence industry and speak with one voice in devastating wars such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East. Because the future of peace and international law depend on our success in supporting Ukraine and the Middle East."