Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament

For all S&D priorities during this plenary session, tune in live to our press conference with Group leader Iratxe García. Also streaming live on X and https://lnkd.in/dAsDy_E

🏳️⚧️Today, we celebrate trans visibility, resilience, and pride. But across Europe, trans people continue to face discrimination remaining among the most marginalised and vulnerable communities, targeted by violence, workplace discrimination, housing insecurity, and rising hate speech. While progress is being made in some countries, such as Spain, Finland or Germany, where self-ID laws have simplified legal recognition and access to healthcare, others are moving backward. In Hungary and Bulgaria, trans identities are under attack, with restrictive laws, denial of legal recognition, lack of protections, and escalating hate crimes. Visibility matters, but it’s not enough, we need action. We will keep fighting to ensure that trans people are seen, celebrated, and protected, because trans rights are human rights. ✊🩵🤍🩷

A well-informed society is the foundation of a strong democracy, and we will not allow authoritarian tendencies or corporate monopolies to silence the voices of truth.    In today’s Europe, journalists are not only under pressure from organized crime. Political power is becoming a growing obstacle to free media. We have seen this under Orban’s regime in Hungary, and more recently, Italy has passed a law that would violate the European Media Freedom Act by forcing broadcasters to cooperate with intelligence services—giving up confidential information, revealing sources, even sharing private editorial material.    At the same time, foreign interference through disinformation campaigns, mostly from Russia, along with disruptive actions through social media by figures like Elon Musk, weaken civic discourse, limit access to accurate information online, and undermine our elections.   To protect press freedom, we need robust anti-SLAPP measures and member states must uphold the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). To counter mis- and disinformation, we must strengthen media literacy and need strong regulation, including the full enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA).    This week, with keynote speeches by S&D leader Iratxe Garcia Perez and Vice-President Ana Catarina Mendes and under the moderation of MEP Sandro Ruotolo and S&D Coordinator in the CULT committee Hannes Heide, we discussed how the EU can fight the growing threats to journalists and increasing spread of disinformation and foreign manipulation.    See the wrap-up here ⬇️

🇭🇺LGBTIQ+ rights in Hungary 🇪🇺the new EU Internal Security Strategy ✊Social Europe 💶Savings and Investments Union are just a few topics on our agenda next week. Details & quotes from our MEPs👇

We stand proudly with the LGBTIQ community. In Hungary where the LGBTIQ rights are so much under threat these days - and all across Europe where they must be safeguarded. The EU must stand with it too. That’s why we’ve requested a Plenary debate, in Strasbourg, next week, on Orbán’s pride ban - a severe violation of basic human rights in Hungary. We will not allow hate to win! 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ ✊

Today, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Schengen Area! This European initiative has made freedom of movement a reality, allowing people and goods to flow seamlessly across borders. What started with 5 countries (Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) has now grown to 29, with Romania and Bulgaria joining in 2025! 🇷🇴🇧🇬 A milestone for unity, trade, and connection across Europe! 🇪🇺💙 #Schengen #EU

Passionate about progressive policies? Interested in working in the heart of the EU? Then you’ve come to the right place! The S&D Group is currently looking for French and Latvian colleagues to join our dynamic team, as administrators. Join us! Check out the requirements and send your applications to address indicated in the recruitment ad. https://lnkd.in/gYiUPkTP

We will not back down on workers’ rights! The EU law on adequate minimum wages was a historic achievement, but it is now at risk. While it has significantly impacted wages in several member states, on 14 January 2025, the Advocate General of the EU Court recommended annulling the law. If the Court follows this recommendation, it would deal a major blow to European workers and social Europe, with potentially dangerous ripple effects on other legislative projects. Join us on Thursday, March 27, to discuss what’s at stake! We’ll be live on https://lnkd.in/dAsDy_E #workers #workersrights #minimumwages

In the wrong hands, Artificial Intelligence has been used to exploit, surveil, and manipulate. But now, dangerous systems like emotion recognition at work, real-time biometric surveillance - with some exceptions - and social scoring will be outlawed. At least in the EU. What is biometric surveillance? In a nutshell, nothing short of a dystopian society, one where people are ranked by AI, based on their “bad” or “good” behaviours or interactions. This is already happening in China. But it is definitely not the model we want to follow! No more untargeted facial recognition databases! No more AI-driven policing that profiles the vulnerable! As we stand at the crossroads of innovation and human rights, Europe's AI Act serves as a beacon, ensuring that technology serves the people, not the other way around. Workers won’t be reduced to data points. Citizens won’t be powerless against black-box algorithms. And for the first time, we have the right to challenge AI decisions that impact our lives. The fight isn’t over, but Europe just set a precedent for the world. Now, we must keep pushing—because technology should never come at the cost of our rights! #AI #artificialintelligence #ethicalAI #facialrecognition #biometricsurveillance

Our weekly newsletter is out! Take a look (and register!) at our upcoming events on media freedom & resilience and adequate minimum wages. And check out what our MEPs will be working on in the upcoming days.