On the second day of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, a debate was held on the crisis threatening the automotive industry in the EU. The discussion focused in particular on potential factory closures and the need to increase competitiveness and preserve jobs in Europe. PiS MEPs Daniel Obajtek, Marlena Maląg, Beata Szydło, and Anna Zalewska participated in the debate.
Daniel Obajtek stated that the European Union is unable to compete with either China or the United States, partly due to excessive regulation and a lack of capital. He also noted that the “old” EU member states want to increase their competitiveness at the expense of the new EU members. He cited Poland as an example: despite being one of the world’s largest producers of electric vehicle batteries, Poland will have to withdraw from production due to a harmful battery regulation, as its costs will become too high. “Europe cannot compete with itself. We must compete with China and the United States,” argued the Polish politician. He added that instead of facilitating the transition, Europe is “putting obstacles in its own way.”
“Following the publication of Draghi’s report on competitiveness, we can use the word ‘crisis’ in every possible context,” noted Marlena Maląg. She pointed out that it affects many sectors, including the automotive industry. “The report’s author points out that, as a remedy, we should lower labor costs, which is very detrimental to workers, but also to their families,” she noted. The MEP noted that the crisis also affects the rail sector, which is facing a downward trend. She cited the Polish company PKP Cargo as an example, where mass layoffs are taking place, in violation of the principles of social dialogue and workers’ rights. “Even though the Polish rail market is the second-largest in Europe, these layoffs do not guarantee that the company will survive,” she noted. She also added that, should the economic cycle reverse, they may even find themselves unable to compete. “If we want Europe to become a powerhouse, we cannot rely solely on cutting labor costs and further implementing the destructive Green Deal,” argued Marlena Maląg. She stated that, above all, a long-term strategy and capital investment are needed, and that restructuring should be a last resort.
Beata Szydło stated that the automotive industry in the European Union is dying, people are losing their jobs en masse, and the economy is in trouble. She said that although this situation is caused by the European Commission’s misguided decisions, the Commission does not intend to learn any lessons from it; on the contrary, it plans to continue its current policy. According to Szydło, this will lead to even greater problems for European industry and significantly higher unemployment. “Who stands to gain from this? Above all, the Chinese will benefit, as they are very pleased to be able to enter the European market with their products,” she said. As she noted, electric cars are supposed to be the alternative for Europeans, but the problem is that people don’t want to buy them because of their very high prices. “And even if they do decide to buy them, they won’t choose those made in Europe, but rather those made in China, because they’re cheaper,” the MEP noted, pointing out that manufacturers in Europe are clearly stating that energy prices are too high and they’re struggling with production costs. “In reality, due to misguided decisions, Europeans have, above all, been deprived of their freedom of choice,” added the former prime minister.
Anna Zalewska referred to a speech by Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, in which the Latvian politician “seems to be ignoring the automotive crisis in Europe.” “Don’t you see the factories closing, the workers being laid off, the electric batteries that are a carbon-intensive mess and made of components unavailable in Europe, and the fact that we are completely dependent on China, and that the Chinese have brought the automotive industry to its knees?” she asked the commissioner, wondering where the common sense was in all this. “Europeans are demanding concrete solutions, yet every document in the Fit for 55 package makes it easier for China to capture European markets,” stated the Polish politician. She noted that in response to this, the EU is “heading to the COP29 climate summit in the capital of Azerbaijan with even greater green turbocharge.” The MEP appealed for common sense and called for “coming to one’s senses for the sake of Europeans.”
