Today in Strasbourg, during the ongoing plenary session of the European Parliament, a debate took place titled “Tackling the Crisis in the Steel Industry: Enhancing the Competitiveness and Sustainability of the European Steel Industry and Preserving High-Quality Jobs.” PiS MEP Daniel Obajtek spoke during the debate.
Daniel Obajtek noted that the steel sector across Europe comprises over 500 companies and employs 2.5 million people. “Through EU regulations and green ideology, we will end up putting these people out on the street,” the MEP stated, pointing out that in the last year alone, steel production in Europe has fallen by 10 percent. “If we don’t implement solutions now, there will be no one left to help—steel mills and foundries will go bankrupt,” he emphasized. According to Obajtek, it is essential to provide tools that protect the market from imports into Europe and from low energy prices by introducing contracts for difference or temporarily suspending ETS fees. “These solutions are on the table, but will there be the courage to implement them?” the Polish politician wondered. He also recalled that the European Coal and Steel Community was the cornerstone of the EU. “Therefore, protecting the European market is key. By introducing ‘green regulations’ today that are not in line with economic principles, we are destroying the European market,” he stated.
