However, the most heated debate centred on Amendment 60, tabled by Nils Ušakovs (S&D). The text, while framed in technical language, placed particular emphasis on gender and sought to advance a left-wing ideological agenda of “inclusive” law-making through gender mainstreaming. Unlike the term sex, which refers to biological reality, gender carries strong ideological connotations that ESN cannot accept.
The final vote on Amendment 60 was 12 in favour, 12 against, with 5 abstentions from the EPP tipping the balance. As a result, the amendment was rejected. ESN notes that the clear stance of MEP Marcin Sypniewski played a key role in rallying opposition within the right, ensuring vigilance against attempts to insert ideological language into the Committee’s work.
ESN strongly welcomes this outcome, as it prevents the infiltration of ideological terminology into PETI’s activities. The Group remains committed to defending the sovereignty of Member States and protecting the petition process from being instrumentalised for ideological purposes.
