Presentation of the programme of activities of the Czech Presidency (continuation of debate)
Speaker: Manfred WEBER (Germany, Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) / Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern e.V.)
Date: 2022-07-06

  Manfred Weber,  on behalf of the PPE Group. – Madam President, I wish to welcome Prime Minister Petr Fiala and to thank you, Mr Fiala, so much for the presentation of the ideas of the Czech Presidency. The Czech Presidency comes at the right moment. Thanks to you Europe is, first of all, back in the Czech Government. As soon as you took office you appointed a Minister for European Affairs, sitting there next to you, Mr Bek. For the first time after 12 years there is again a Minister for Europe in the Czech Government, and that’s why I am convinced that the Czech Presidency will be a pro-European one, a good one and a successful one. And I also want to underline that this is a new government after the government of Babiš. It is also a symbol of the rule of law and also a symbol of separation between business interests and public interests. 
The Czech Presidency comes at the right moment. Ursula von der Leyen reminded us already about the Prague Spring. I want to add their resistance against Nazi Germany and the peaceful revolution in 1989. The Czech Republic is the symbol that brave and determined fighting for democracy and freedom will be rewarded in the end. The Czech Presidency is the best suited to lead Europe when it comes to supporting Ukraine in its fight for democracy, freedom and justice. European democracy and freedom are breathing Czech spirit. 
The Czech Presidency comes at the right moment when it comes to the future of Europe now. We can only survive in confrontation with Putin if Europe is the lighthouse of free democracies in the world. That is why we finally need a convention to renew the idea of European democracy. We must take the people of Europe seriously when it is about European decision-making. 
The Conference on the Future of Europe made it clear we need to strengthen our democracy, and you spoke about this. The Czech Presidency wants to do so. We must introduce and live the lead candidate principle, that people have a say about who is in the future the Commission President. We must strengthen both the European Parliament and the national parliaments. We need a re-parliamentarisation of the European Union. The European Parliament should have full rights on legislative initiatives and decide on the EU budget together with the national parliaments. And that is why the Czech Republic can play there a key role, after the French Presidency had some leftovers for you to continue your work. 
And let me be also clear on this political union idea. I think it’s good that we talk to each other, no doubt about this. But for me, it’s not yet clear what is the key idea behind this political union and I have also to say that this was not part of the debate here in Strasbourg in the Future of Europe Conference. So it’s a new idea. I think we should base our future ideas on the process of listening to people. 
And finally, the Czech Presidency comes at the right moment when we have to focus on the most urgent tasks, and that is about inflation and especially energy security. As a first step, I support Draghi’s initiative to impose a temporary cap on the price that the European Union countries are willing to pay for Russian natural gas. Let us use our European economic power against Putin’s blackmail attempts. 
When the crisis will probably arrive in winter and Nord Stream 1will probably not continue to deliver gas, we need a binding, a legally binding mechanism of solidarity in the European Union. And I think it is also needed, Mr Prime Minister, to go for an extraordinary European Council for this. We need decisions. We have to prepare for the crisis and not wait for the crisis. 
The Czech Presidency comes at the right moment. You can fully count on your PPE Group to deliver. Europe needs your leadership, Europe needs a strong Czech Presidency.