The security of Europe
Beata Szydło, a former prime minister and current member of the European Parliament for Law and Justice, spoke during a Strasbourg debate about the European Council conclusions from the June 29–30, 2023 meeting. The discussion centered on ongoing developments in the war in Ukraine and the evolving situation in Russia. Szydło stressed that security remains the central priority for Europe and its citizens.
In her view, security means offering robust support for Ukraine and ensuring its acceptance into NATO and the European Union. She argued that a free and secure Ukraine is inseparable from a secure and free Europe as a whole.
Civil society is showing growing concern, she noted, with people taking to the streets over worries about economic security and the future. They want to understand why protests occur in diverse cities, including Paris and other locations, and why farmers and other groups raise objections. These demonstrations, she suggested, mirror anxieties about what lies ahead and the consequences of policy choices at the European level. Relocation pressures and inflation are highlighted as urgent topics that deserve open discussion.
Szydło pointed to the wider effects of European policies on daily life, including how inflation and price volatility impact families and small businesses. She argued that the war in Ukraine contributes to inflation, but so do the evolving implementation choices in programs and projects such as the Green Deal and similar initiatives. The central question, in her view, is whether the European Union delivers clear, tangible benefits to Europeans and if the current path meets the needs and expectations of people across the Union. Protests, she argued, should be taken seriously and addressed with concrete solutions for European citizens.
On leadership within the European Parliament, the former prime minister highlighted responsibilities among the chamber’s leadership. She addressed members of a major political group and criticized how migration policy and related decisions have been handled, urging a focus on what must be done to bolster Europe’s security. Her closing message emphasized the urgency of practical steps to safeguard Europe and to avoid repeating past mistakes in policy execution.
In summary, Szydło framed security as the defining issue for Europe today. She called for stronger support for Ukraine, accountable policy choices in energy and climate initiatives, and a steadfast commitment to European unity and security. Her remarks reflect a clear stance that Europe must address both external threats and internal challenges to preserve stability for its citizens.
Citations: Szydło’s remarks during the Strasbourg debate on the June 2023 European Council conclusions. Additional context is provided by contemporary discussions within the European Parliament about migration, inflation, and the EU’s strategic direction.