Frans and Viktor, the protagonists

Unrest in Macedonia, with street riots in Skopje against the government; the Commission’s proposals on migration and the diversified positions of EU 28 governments; the summit of the eastern Partnership of Riga of May 20-21; adhesion negotiations to Turkey; the "traceability" of precious minerals (tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold), which often are the cause of wars and exploitation in Africa; the Directive on maternity leave: these are some of the topics discussed at the plenary session of the European Parliament, held 18 to 21 May in Strasbourg. But the real stars of the week were, for different reasons, the deputy chairman of the executive, Frans Timmermans (The Netherlands), and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, both "guests" of the hemicycle. Solidarity and responsibility. The May 20 session opened with a debate among the three EU institutions – Parliament, Council and Commission – on the Agenda for migrations developed by the Executive past May 13. The topic was on the agenda also because several Countries are opposing, once more, the launch of a true common policy to this regard. Frans Timmermans said during the assembly: "it is not acceptable for people to say ‘yes, stop people drowning’ but at the same time stay silent on where these people should go once rescued" from the traffickers’ vessels in the Mediterranean. "If we want to seriously address migration we need solidarity and responsibility, together." Timmermans reiterated "next week the EU Commission will put forward a temporary relocation mechanism" for immigrants landed on the coasts of southern Europe" to "relieve the countries that are put under pressure by migration." "And later on we will come back to you to co-decide a standing mechanism standing mechanism", i.e., of ordinary legislative activity. Divided political groups. The Vice-President of the Executive referred to other items on the agenda, including the "relocation scheme of 20000 refugees who are presently staying in temporary shelters" in transition countries, between Africa and the Middle East. But there is need for a broader outlook: "We must seriously tackle illegal immigration – by protecting the borders and effectively returning those who are not entitled to asylum – so we can be convincing when we propose the legal migration plan that Europe needs. This is the only way for public opinion to be on our side". To Commission’s plan was met with support by the two major groups of the European Parliament, the EPP and Socialist & Democrats. Endorsements were conveyed also by Liberal-democrats and Greens. The Left wing parties said they oppose the naval interventions against traffickers; while most Eurosceptics, (notably the British and from Eastern countries), as well as the right voted against, focusing instead on determined refoulement initiatives. "Death penalty outside the treaties". Timmermans was again the limelight of the EP a few hours later, on the afternoon of May 20, when Parliament had scheduled a discussion on the situation of democracy in Hungary, threatened – according to different political groups – by the action of the present government. So the prime minister of Budapest, Orban, who in recent weeks returned to talk about capital punishment and launched a sort of poll against immigration, wanted to be present during the plenary to defend his Executive. Timmermans in his speech said: "The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights prohibits any person from being condemned to death, and it is contrary to the Community’s fundamental values." Timmermans recognised that "The Commission understands that Hungary does not intend to actually introduce the death penalty, "because" otherwise we should take measures and sanctions defined by the Treaties ". On the consultation that Orban launched with 12 questions on immigration, Timmermans clarified: "The referendums have a positive value. But this does not apply if they are based on leading questions, or prejudices against migrants." "Europe belongs to Europeans". "In Hungary we are proud that we joined the European Union", Viktor Orban said in his address. Then he vaunted the economic results achieved by his government, that no MP contested in plenary. The prime minister went on: "We want Europe to remain the continent of Europeans and that Hungary remains of Hungarians. Does any treaty prevent it? ". "It is necessary to distinguish – said Orban – between the free movement of citizens and illegal immigration. We cannot provide jobs for all those arriving. On migration we believe that the recent proposal of the EU Commission is simply absurd, almost unwholesome." Finally, on death penalty: "When we joined the EU we didn’t sign treaties preventing talks on death penalty. Here the freedom of speech is at stake." At this point the president of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, said: "There is no human law that cannot be changed. But I know a commandment that says: Thou shalt not kill."