Home Maria WALSH

I voted in favour of this proposal of a €5 billion loan to Ukraine. This is the second, and largest, tranche of a €9 billion EU support package, of which €1 billion has already been disbursed, and aims to help Ukraine cover its acute financing needs caused by Russia’s invasion. We must do what we can to support our neighbour, and future member state, in their fight against Russia’s illegal invasion.

I voted in favour of condemning the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government to undermine European values. The situation has deteriorated such that Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy. The lack of decisive EU action has contributed to the emergence of a “hybrid regime of electoral autocracy”, i.e. a constitutional system in which elections occur, but respect for democratic norms and standards is absent. I am urging the Commission to make full use of all tools at its disposal in a time where EU values are under threat from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

I voted in favour of this report which is taking stock of EU fundamental rights. The report highlights key issues, and calls on member states to better protect freedom, equality and the rule of law. In 2020 and 2021 we have seen pushbacks and violence at the external borders, persistence of discrimination and gender-based violence, and unjustified interference of the media and the judiciary certain member state. Rule of law violations threaten the legal and fair distribution of EU funds, citizens’ rights as a whole, and so I welcome the reminder of the work still to be done that this report presents.