European Parliament Marks School Violence Victims and Celebrates Four Decades of the Schengen Area
The plenary session opens with tributes to victims of recent school killings in France and Austria, alongside significant discussions on Schengen and international issues.
During the opening of the plenary session on June 16-19, 2025, in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola expressed profound sadness over the recent violent incidents involving schools in France and Austria.
On June 10, a tragic stabbing incident in Nogent, France, led to the death of a school assistant, while a former pupil in Graz, Austria, shot and killed nine students and a teacher, injuring additional individuals.
President Metsola emphasized that 'violence and hatred have no place in Europe, and no place in our schools,' asserting that 'schools must remain safe spaces of learning and growth – never of fear.' In memory of those who lost their lives, she invited all present to observe a moment of silence.
Following the tributes, President Metsola led commemoration efforts for the fortieth anniversary of the Schengen Agreement.
She remarked that the Schengen area represents a notable example of successful European cooperation, stating, 'Around the world, the Schengen area is looked at with admiration.' She urged members to recognize the necessity of continual commitment to preserve and strengthen the Schengen framework, stating that it should never be taken for granted.
The session proceeded with the announcement of several changes to the agenda.
The statements regarding the assassination attempt on Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe and the threats to democratic processes in Colombia were replaced with a statement from Kaja Kallas, the Vice-President/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
A joint debate focusing on the Middle East, particularly the escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, was also scheduled for discussion later in the session.
In matters regarding parliamentary immunity, President Metsola conveyed that Polish authorities have requested the waiver of parliamentary immunity for Grzegorz Braun from Poland and for Giusi Princi from Italy.
Both requests have been sent to the Legal Affairs Committee for consideration.
Additionally, the committee has deemed the request to waive the immunity of Helmut Geuking from Germany as inadmissible.
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, alongside the Committee on Public Health, announced their intention to commence interinstitutional negotiations following established procedural rules.
In a related development, MEP Ondřej Kovařík from the Czech Republic announced his resignation, effective July 31, 2025.
On June 10, a tragic stabbing incident in Nogent, France, led to the death of a school assistant, while a former pupil in Graz, Austria, shot and killed nine students and a teacher, injuring additional individuals.
President Metsola emphasized that 'violence and hatred have no place in Europe, and no place in our schools,' asserting that 'schools must remain safe spaces of learning and growth – never of fear.' In memory of those who lost their lives, she invited all present to observe a moment of silence.
Following the tributes, President Metsola led commemoration efforts for the fortieth anniversary of the Schengen Agreement.
She remarked that the Schengen area represents a notable example of successful European cooperation, stating, 'Around the world, the Schengen area is looked at with admiration.' She urged members to recognize the necessity of continual commitment to preserve and strengthen the Schengen framework, stating that it should never be taken for granted.
The session proceeded with the announcement of several changes to the agenda.
The statements regarding the assassination attempt on Colombian Senator Miguel Uribe and the threats to democratic processes in Colombia were replaced with a statement from Kaja Kallas, the Vice-President/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
A joint debate focusing on the Middle East, particularly the escalating military tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, was also scheduled for discussion later in the session.
In matters regarding parliamentary immunity, President Metsola conveyed that Polish authorities have requested the waiver of parliamentary immunity for Grzegorz Braun from Poland and for Giusi Princi from Italy.
Both requests have been sent to the Legal Affairs Committee for consideration.
Additionally, the committee has deemed the request to waive the immunity of Helmut Geuking from Germany as inadmissible.
The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, alongside the Committee on Public Health, announced their intention to commence interinstitutional negotiations following established procedural rules.
In a related development, MEP Ondřej Kovařík from the Czech Republic announced his resignation, effective July 31, 2025.
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