Today in Strasbourg, during the European Parliament’s plenary session, a debate was held on the European Action Plan for Steel and Metals, which proposes measures aimed at “creating a competitive and decarbonized steel and metals industry in Europe”. PiS MEPs Jadwiga Wiśniewska and Beata Szydło spoke during the discussion, criticizing the Commission’s proposal and emphasizing that it fails to address a revision of climate policy —the most significant factor contributing to the poor condition of European industry.
Jadwiga Wiśniewska emphasized that the steel industry is the foundation of the economy. “The European Commission’s plan for steel and metals does not adequately address the high energy prices faced by energy-intensive industries, which are a consequence of the EU’s harmful, ideological climate policy,” said the PiS MEP. In Wiśniewska’s view, “without an immediate suspension of the ETS system, the Commission’s promises of affordable and secure energy supplies are empty slogans.” “I repeat, suspending the ETS is necessary,” the Polish politician urged, emphasizing that without it, the industry will not survive, and Europe will lose a key sector so vital to building European defense. “It’s high time you understood this. What will you use to build tanks and develop the defense industry if the steel industry collapses?” the MEP asked.
Beata Szydło stated that the plan proposed by the Commission “is, unfortunately, worthless.” She argued that the reason for this assessment is that the plan overlooks the most serious factor contributing to the decline of European industry—including the steel sector—namely, the Green Deal. “You’re pretending that it’s not the Green Deal and the regulations introduced through this climate ideology—which is being pushed in the European Union—that are contributing to the collapse of the industrial sector,” stated the former head of the Polish government. Meanwhile, as she noted, China, India, and other countries that produce cheaper steel are shipping it to Europe. “And they’re laughing at our stupidity and naivety as we continue to plow ahead with this ideology,” — Szydło added, pointing out that the Green Deal is causing enormous costs and an industrial catastrophe, yet it continues to be implemented, with billions more constantly being allocated to it. As she stated, “Now they’re trying to repair this damage with yet more costly initiatives, and yet the Green Deal is still being implemented.” “Only a departure from the Green Deal can save industry and the European steel industry,” Szydło emphasized.
