4. Statements by the President

Verbatim reports

The President referred to the demonstrations currently taking place in Bahrain, Syria and Yemen, and the repression of those demonstrations. He called on the authorities to put an end to the violence and bring those responsible for the repression to justice.

He also drew attention to the Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial Discrimination.

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The President announced that Zoran Thaler had given notice of his resignation from Parliament, and that Ernst Strasser had notified his intention to resign from Parliament. The S&D Group had made it known that Adrian Severin was no longer a member of the group. He had become a non-attached Member.

The President referred to the accusations made in the press against these three Members and pointed out that the Bureau had held an emergency meeting to discuss the matter. He was determined to pursue a zero tolerance policy towards actions of the kind to which the accusations related. The President stressed the responsibility which Parliament and its Members bore. Parliament was determined to cooperate with the competent authorities of the Member States to establish the facts.

The President also mentioned the need for a more binding code of conduct for lobbies operating within the EU.

The following spoke: Sonia Alfano, Bruno Gollnisch, Hans-Peter Martin, Joanna Senyszyn and Martin Schulz.