Debriefing of the May 2025 Plenary Session
CO2 standards - cars and vans
On Thursday the European Parliament voted on a Commission proposal to delay the 2025 CO2 emissions target for cars and vans. The Commission's proposed change to the existing regulation means car manufacturers do not need to comply anymore with meeting CO2 emission targets set for the year 2025, watering down already existing rules and creating unpredictability. In the end, Chinese car manufacturers will be the ones to benefit. The Greens/EFA are deeply concerned about the future of the EU car industry and demand planning certainty and massive investments in e-mobility infrastructure to make the European car industry competitive on the international market. The Greens/EFA call for clear targets and major investment in e-mobility to secure Europe’s green future.
Downgrading of the wolf/habitats directive
On Thursday, MEPs voted in favour of downgrading of the protection status of the wolf in the Habitats Directive. The Greens/EFA Group is against downgrading the status of wolves, as well as the downgrading of other species. There is no scientific justification behind this decision, which is based on political grandstanding and sets a dangerous precedent for EU decision making on wildlife and conservation issues. The Group is also strongly opposed to any weakening of the Habitats Directive, which is a cornerstone of EU environmental legislation and provides a foundation for the Green Deal.
Gaza
On Monday, MEPs rejected a request to debate Israel’s attack on the Freedom Flotilla, a civilian ship delivering aid to Gaza — a concerning refusal to address a serious humanitarian incident. In response, the Greens/EFA Group strongly condemned the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to expand its military offensive across the entire Gaza Strip, forcibly displace civilians to the south, and seize control of humanitarian aid delivery. On Wednesday, the Parliament renewed its urgent call for Israel to immediately lift the blockade on Gaza, ensure unhindered access for humanitarian aid, and warned against Israel’s new unilateral aid mechanism, which risks further undermining impartial humanitarian access and violating international law.
Greens/EFA Press release
Instagram post on blockade of Gaza
Cohesion funds
On Wednesday MEPs voted in favour on the position of the European Parliament on the urgency procedure put forward after the Commission proposal which proposed targeted amendments to Cohesion Policy regulations to address new geopolitical and economic challenges.The EPP and far-right are selling out Europe’s regions for political point-scoring. Diverting cohesion funds away from their intended purpose - supporting regional development - will undermine both prosperity and security in the long run. The Greens/EFA voted against the urgency procedure and will continue to advocate for proper democratic scrutiny of all cohesion policy amendments, ensuring that regional development remains the primary goal of EU funding.
Russian gas
On Tuesday MEPs voted on ending EU dependency on Russian energy by stopping the import of Russian gas and oil and phasing out Russian nuclear energy, while ensuring stable energy supplies and prices across the Union. This is a long-overdue breakthrough the Greens/EFA have consistently fought for. The EU is finally ending its toxic dependence on Russian fossil fuels, which for too long funded Putin’s war machine and destabilised democracies.
Golden passports - Malta
This week, the European Court of Justice ruled that Malta's 'golden passport' scheme, which sells citizenship for cash, violates EU law and must be ended immediately. The Greens/EFA Group have long opposed golden passports and strongly welcome the ruling, which reaffirms that EU citizenship cannot be bought. The European Commission must now scrutinise Member States’ residency by investment schemes to ensure they do not carry the same risks as the golden passport schemes. We also call on the Commission to follow up on Parliament’s call for legislation that regulates these schemes, aiming for harmonised standards and transparent procedures across the EU.
