EP Plenary Session - Housing crisis in the European Union with the aim of proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing

Madam President, honourable colleagues, housing is the foundation of rights. Without a home, everything else becomes fragile and precarious: security, work, health, education, and even people’s dignity. Yet today, in Europe — and certainly in Italy — too many people do not have a home; too many families struggle every month to pay their rent or mortgage; too many workers cannot afford to live in the cities where they work.

The housing crisis is now plain for all to see, and it provokes anger as well as shame. We live in wealthy and advanced societies: how is it possible that we cannot even guarantee decent housing for everyone? This happens when economic interests are placed before people’s needs, when the market is left without limits.

Public authorities, if they are to retain any meaning for citizens, must intervene. The solutions exist, but they require political will: investing public resources and taxing large fortunes.

We call for a major public housing plan, limits on short-term tourist rentals, and measures to tackle vacant homes and property speculation.

On the Housing Crisis, Europe Has Chosen the Wrong Side Today

Today, the European Parliament approved the report on the housing crisis, which is now spreading across the continent and primarily affecting working-class people — but increasingly also the middle class.

We voted firmly AGAINST.

Because the proposed “solutions” do not address the root causes of the crisis. On the contrary, they reinforce the same logics that created it:

We tried to improve the text.

Together with my colleagues in The Left, we submitted 35 amendments to truly change the approach of the report. But most of our proposals — reasonable, even moderate — were rejected.

Here are some examples:

This was a missed opportunity.

Real estate lobbyists continue to set the agenda for European housing policy. To achieve real change, we must build a counter-lobby for the right to housing. We need to assert the rights and organise the strength of everyone who is paying the price of the housing crisis.

Housing is a right, not a commodity or a financial asset, and certainly not a speculative good.

Housing for all, poverty for none!

Gender pay and pension gap in the EU: state of play, challenges and the way forward, and developing guidelines for the better evaluation and fairer remuneration of work in female-dominated sectors (debate) 

Mr President, honourable colleagues,

In Italy, despite increasingly higher levels of education — often surpassing those of men — women continue to participate less in the labour market, earn less, and rarely hold managerial positions.

Meanwhile, they carry out the majority of domestic and care work: invisible, unpaid, and often unrecognised even by those who benefit from it. Men, on the other hand, are expected to do the paid work that guarantees autonomy, independence, and power.

This is not the result of free choice. It is the outcome of an ancient and persistent system of power: patriarchy. Women have fought, and continue to fight, to change this state of affairs, and progress is being made. But it still meets too many misogynist obstacles, both inside and outside institutions.

A recent example is the decision by the majority of Giorgia Meloni’s government to reject the proposal for equal parental leave. An embarrassing choice — one that speaks volumes about today’s right-wing government: radically hostile to women’s emancipation and gender equality.

It is true: having a woman at the head of government is not enough to advance policies in favour of women, especially if she insists on behaving like any other man.

One-minute speeches on points of political relevance

Mr President, honourable colleagues,

For over 60 years, Cuba has lived under a United States embargo — a criminal embargo that has already caused too much suffering to the population and has prevented the free development of the island.

Today, however, we are witnessing a new and dangerous escalation: since 29 January, the Trump administration has been attempting to strangle this country definitively with an unprecedented energy blockade. The consequences are severe. The humanitarian crisis worsens every day: blackouts, shortages of essential goods, hospitals without medicines.

We are not talking about abstract geopolitical disputes: we are talking about the real lives of 11 million men, women, and children. This is a collective punishment inflicted on an entire people, a practice that is illegal under international law.

But we know this: for Trump, international law is worthless, and he will do everything in his power to suffocate the freedom and self-determination of the Cuban people, guilty only of living in what he considers his own backyard.

And in the face of this arrogance and inhumanity, Europe remains silent once again. A shameful, complicit, cowardly silence. What more must happen before we understand that the United States represents a danger to all humanity?

Solidarity with the Cuban people.

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Extraordinary meeting 09.03.2026

Rojava agenda in the EP: Draft resolution and sanction request

ANKARA- Speaking before the Rojava draft resolution to be voted on in the European Parliament this week, Ilaria Salis stated that the Kurdish identity and self-government should be constitutionally guaranteed, and that the democratic model is a guarantee of resistance, stability and peace against global imperialism.

On January 6, HTS, ISIS and Turkish-affiliated gangs launched attacks on Aleppo and turned towards Rojava. With these attacks, both genocide was wanted to be committed against the Kurds and especially to eliminate the women's revolution. After the ever-growing resistance, an integration and agreement was signed between the SDF and HTS on January 30. However, despite the agreement, the siege continues in Kobane. Regarding this, activism and diplomatic work continue in the international arena.

Ilaria Salis, MEP of the Greens and the Alliance of the Left (Alleanza Verdi and Sinistra) from the Left Group of the European Parliament, talked about the situation in Rojava and the siege of Kobane and the work they will do in the European Parliament on this issue.

Why is Rojava targeted?

Ilaria Salis said that there are many reasons for the attacks intensified over Rojava and that the women's libertarian, pluralistic and egalitarian structure of the region has become a target. "The political model that has so far become a concrete reality in the autonomous administration in northeastern Syria scares many regional and authoritarian actors, countries such as Turkey or jihadist governments such as the Syrian Transitional Government. Because this model itself goes beyond confederalism and the nation-state model. Of course, this is the first reason why it was attacked. There are two other reasons why the states in the region, especially Syria, but also Turkey, are attacking this model: women's empowerment and social justice. Look, this model is an example not only for the region, but for the whole world. I think Europe should also take this model as a positive example. Another is the idea of pluralism. Pluralism; It allows peoples with different religions, languages and cultures to live in a peaceful and democratic environment. So I think it needs to be looked at from a broader perspective, not just a regional one. I think this is the reason for this attack."

'We will discuss the Rojava agenda in the EP this week'

Stating that it is a great shame that the international community ignores this issue, especially considering the role of the Kurds in creating this democratic proposal in the region, Ilaria Salis said, "I would like to share the work I have done on this issue in the European Parliament and the results we have achieved so far. On Tuesday this week, there will be an agenda in the plenary session on the situation in northeast Syria. On Thursday, we will vote on a resolution after the attacks. We will make a decision, but of course we have to see the final result of this decision. Of course, the decision will be negotiated between different political groups in parliament. I will personally undertake this agenda and participate in the negotiations."

'The first issue is to establish an observer commission to follow up on the agreement'

"Our first main focus in the parliament is on humanitarian aid in the region and monitoring the process," Ilaria Salis said, talking about the topics they will discuss in the EP as follows: "Therefore, we state that humanitarian aid corridors should be opened in all regions inside Syria and across the border, including Kobane. The purpose of these corridors should not be limited to the delivery and monitoring of humanitarian aid. Corridors should never be temporary and should not be under military pressure. We would also like to include in this resolution the need to establish an international observer commission to monitor the ceasefire and compliance with the agreements. Because we know that this is not normally the case and we want to protect civilians. This is the first important aspect we want to include in the decision.

Sanctions on those involved in diplomatic pressure and attacks

The second thing we think we can do from here, that is, from Europe, is to include in the text of the resolution: the EU and European states to initiate and exert diplomatic pressure on the Syrian government and Turkey, the states involved in the attacks. This is to diplomatically isolate these countries and send a message to European states that the political partnership with Syria will proceed fundamentally on respect for human rights, democracy and the pluralistic system of government. In addition, for the Kurdish people and all other peoples who want to live democratically in the region, we aim to impose multi-targeted sanctions on individuals or organizations responsible for human rights violations and other attacks, instead of general sanctions. However, we will call on states that are currently in political cooperation with al-Shara to immediately end this proxy relationship."

'Kurdish identity, language and administration should be guarantors'

"So secondly, states need to exert political pressure on those who are currently attacking," Ilaria Salis said, adding, "The first thing we think is important for stability and self-government in the region is to guarantee constitutional rights and democratic self-government. This means the recognition of Kurdish identity, language, education and self-government, and there must be political guarantors of this. This means that the Democratic Autonomous Administration in northeast Syria should be recognized in an international political sense. These will be our views. However, we will see how this progresses during the negotiations. I will defend these demands on behalf of the left group and we will try to negotiate. We must apply this political pressure and refuse to cooperate at the political and economic level with organizations, states and governments that oppose this practice. For example, Ursula von der Leyen visited the Syrian government on January 9, while the attacks were continuing. The attacks on Rojava started a few days ago. He not only visited, but also promised money to finance the transition process in Syria. Therefore, what we can do is stop such cooperation and put pressure on states that continue to attack the Kurds."

'This revolution is the revolution of all women'

Emphasizing that the democratic confederalism system should be further expanded instead of targeting the model implemented in the region, Ilaria Salis said, "We must make this political system internationally recognized not only in Syria but also in other areas across the border. I think people in the region can find the best strategy to achieve this goal. What we can do from the outside is to put pressure on the international community to exert diplomatic pressure on states that prevent the achievement of this goal. For instance, women's empowerment is not just about gender equality; it's much more than that. Because in this region, women play important roles and positions in political decision-making and in the army. This is unusual; not only for this region, but for the whole world. This is a great thing and needs to be defended. Of course, this revolution is the revolution of all women. The support of women around the world is also related to this, because this model serves as an example for us. I think the pluralist model should be protected and defended. We know that this has a much broader meaning, not just for the Middle East."

'Guarantee of peace and democratic development in the region'

"But if we look at how things are developing at the global level; We are in an environment where more and more wars are taking place, rearmament has started in Europe, anti-war models are being prevented, and the racist far right is getting stronger in Europe and the USA," said Ilaria Salis, adding, "This is based on pluralism; The model, which is based on the coexistence of peoples with different languages, religions and cultures, should not only be defended in the Middle East, but should be a model that should be followed elsewhere as well. Because with this model, the world would definitely be a better place. In my opinion, the confederalism system can be a guarantee of peace and democratic development in the region. But the problem is that the world is not moving in a democratic direction. It is swinging in authoritarian directions, and this is not only in the Middle East, but also in Europe and the United States. This is the general picture. That is why we must defend this model; Because it is the guarantee of peace."

'It is a revolution that needs to be protected'

Stating that peace can only be guaranteed by providing the model, Ilaria Salis said, "The guarantee that we can go beyond the nation-state model can be achieved in this way. Otherwise, there is a risk of increasing the spheres of influence that lead to imperialism. Acting together also strengthens resistance against imperialism. Imperialism; It is a phenomenon that is getting stronger in the world, from the USA to Russia. However, the idea of democratic confederations is a real alternative in today's world. Today's world is gradually drifting into war and imperialism. So this is a revolution that must be preserved, and it is a revolution that must happen for us. We must fight for it every day; But we should also do it in different parts of the world."

Urgent need to address the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan and to achieve a sustainable peace (debate)

Mr President, in Sudan, over 12 million people have been displaced. Epidemics and famine are spreading. Essential infrastructure has collapsed. Refugees find closed borders and degrading conditions.

And yet, the international community, including the EU, is largely ignoring this war; a horrific war that is the toxic result of illegal gold trafficking, of a popular revolution crushed in blood, of a betrayed democratic transition of armed militias sustained by regional and international powers.

Now, Sudan is flooded with weapons coming from all over the world. The EU itself, under the Valletta action plan aimed at stopping migration, used to provide the military equipment. The Emirates are supplying weapons to the RSF, including weapons purchased from the EU.

This must stop. Arms sales to all parties must end. Disarmament is a necessary condition to break the spiral of violence. The current arms embargo, limited to Darfur, is not enough. It must be extended to the whole Sudan.

Let's support the civil society and the diaspora. Let's support those who carried out the revolution.

Situation in Northeast Syria, the violence against civilians and the need to maintain a sustainable ceasefire (debate)

Mr President, in recent days we have lived through deep, dark concern for the fate of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, for the present and the future of the Democratic Confederalist Revolution. We fear the worst. But as our comrades on the ground taught us, we never abandoned resistance. We never lost hope. Now, an agreement with the transitional government of Syria has been signed. If this was possible, it is thanks to the massive, powerful mobilisation of the peoples of north‑east Syria. It is thanks to the rise of the Kurdish people across Türkiye, Iraq and Iran. And it is also thanks to the international solidarity.

Now we must stay vigilant. We must ensure that every single term of that agreement is respected. We are not naive. We know that agreements are often disrespected and always reflect the relations of power. This is why it's up to us to do everything we can to strengthen DAANES. Democratic confederalism is not just a regional project. It is a concrete alternative of peace and justice in a world dominated by nationalism, supremacism and violence. It is for the Kurds, but not only for the Kurds. It is for Arabs, Assyrians, Armenians, Yazidis and Turkmen. It is for women. It is for everyone who wishes to live free. This struggle concerns us all.

And as for the illegal siege of Kobani: humanitarian access now.