Debriefing of the September Plenary Session
8-12 September 2025
State of the European Union
On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the Union speech. In October, the European Commission will go on to present its work programme for the rest of the year. The Greens/EFA Group is eager to see to what extent the plans announced in the State of the Union address will be translated into action.
Bas Eickhout MEP, Greens/EFA Group President, commented:
“After a painful summer, in which it became even clearer that Europe's security, economy and democracy are under pressure, President von der Leyen must come up with ambitious and concrete proposals. If Europe continues on the same footing, it will become more vulnerable to blackmail and humiliation. President von der Leyen spoke of leadership and much-needed change with ‘Europe's Independence Moment’, but it remains to be seen to what extent these words will be translated into effective plans.”
Terry Reintke MEP, Greens/EFA Group President, commented:
“For a truly strong Europe, free from the pressure of fossil-loving autocrats and tech oligarchs, we need to build resilience across the board. We heard a message of modest change in today’s speech, now we need to see its implementation.”
Press release | Our post on instagram
Gaza at breaking point
On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Gaza and EU action to combat famine. MEPs from the Greens/EFA Group participated in a Red Line for Gaza protest, wearing red in the plenary chamber and calling on Ursula Von der Leyen and the European Commission to take immediate action.
Villy Søvndal MEP, Greens/EFA Group negotiator for the resolution, commented:
“The EU’s response to the drastic situation in Gaza has been far too weak and ineffective. This is a test of credibility and of leadership for the EU. Firstly, the bloodshed must stop and it must stop now. The EU and all its Member States must continue to work towards an immediate ceasefire.
“Every day that aid is blocked from reaching the people of Gaza results in indiscriminate death sentences for civilians dying of hunger. We urge Israel to restore, and fully collaborate with, the principled, UN-led humanitarian coordination system, to ensure the proper, safe and effective distribution of aid and we firmly reject the current militarised aid delivery model.”
Our Press release | Text adopted | Red Line for Gaza on Instagram | BlueSky
Simplification of cohesion funds
On Wednesday, the European Parliament approved changes to the EU’s Cohesion policy at its mid-term review. While the reform introduces new priorities such as affordable housing and water resilience, it also gives more power to central governments at the expense of regions and local communities.
Moreover, it weakens safeguards on climate and social spending, allows easier access for large enterprises and makes defence a new area of eligibility. The Greens/EFA Group warns that this sets a bad precedent for the future of Cohesion policy, undermining its role as an instrument of solidarity, sustainability, and citizen participation.
MEP Cristina Guarda, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur on the regulation, comments:
“This agreement risks turning a policy of long-term solidarity into a short-term emergency toolbox. Instead of bringing in fresh resources, governments will simply reshuffle existing funds with weaker safeguards on climate, social spending, and rule of law. That means less money for people who need affordable housing, sustainable transport, or stronger water resilience in their communities, while large enterprises and even defence projects are given easier access.
MEP Vladimir Prebilič, Greens/EFA coordinator in the REGI committee, comments:
"By channelling regional development money into defence, we risk eroding trust in one of the EU’s most successful policies. Cohesion should mean investing in people, in communities, and in sustainable growth. Shifting resources away from citizens to subsidise the arms industry sets a dangerous precedent."
Our Press release | Text adopted
Violence against protesters in Serbia
On Tuesday, MEPs debated the wave of violence and continuous use of force against protesters in Serbia. Over the recent weeks and months we have seen an escalation of violence against protesters by the police and by thugs close to the Serbian ruling party, a sister party of the EPP. The Greens/EFA Group has expressed its solidarity with the peaceful protesters and supports their demands, which are fully in line with the goals of the EU integration process. Greens/EFA MEP, Rasmus Nordqvist, and the co-Chair of the European Green Party, Vula Tsetsi, were insulted and threatened on national television by the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, after joining a protest against police violence and government corruption in Novi Sad.
We continue to urge the Commission President and the EPP to stop condoning the autocratic turn Serbia has taken under President Vučić and put pressure on the President and their sister party to end the escalation and stop the violence.
Out posts on Instagram & BlueSky
