Call on the European Commission to urgently propose a directive to prevent, respond and end gender-based violence

An opinion by the Greens/EFA Group

On International Women’s Day, we call on the European Commission to propose a comprehensive and inclusive directive to prevent, respond to and end gender-based violence online and offline.

We desperately need stronger action on social rights

Greens/EFA opinion ahead of the launch of the EPSR action plan

The COVID-19 pandemic is having profound health, economic, employment and social impacts. We desperately need a stronger Social Europe. Here are the Greens/EFA's proposals ahead of the launch of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Georgia’s crisis is the EU’s problem, too

An opinion by Greens/EFA MEP Markéta Gregorová

As Georgia will celebrate the first anniversary of the so-called 8th March Agreement, we, as the European Parliament, need to send a strong signal in order to let Georgians know that we watch the situation very closely and care about their democratic future.

Live animal transports across the EU are out of control

Over a billion farm animals a year are transported across the EU and to third countries, often in poor conditions that breach EU law.

Protecting people's rights online

Influencing the new EU law on digital platforms

The European Commission has replied to our crowd-sourced model law on how online platforms should deal with content moderation procedures whilst respecting fundamental rights. Read it here.

New GM technology has no place in sustainable farming

New report shows that new GM technology won’t solve the problems of industrial agriculture and will undermine nature, climate protection and the European Green Deal.

Greens/EFA debriefing of the plenary session

8 - 11 February

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included: the EU’s Vaccination Strategy, the Economic Recovery and Resilience Facility, the de-facto abortion ban in Poland, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the report on ayslum border procedures, the situation in Yemen, and the nuclear power plant in Ostrovets.

E-WASTE IS JUST LIKE LOVE

Don’t throw it all away

Have you ever heard about premature obsolescence? Negligent – and sometimes intentional – design practices that reduce the lifetime of products. We want a common EU market that favours products that last. Good for your pockets, good for consumers, and good for the planet!

Flash - Plenary session 8-12 February 2021

Greens/EFA priorities for the part-session

During the plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and/or vote on COVID vaccines, new circular economy action plan, recovery and resilience facility, report on border procedures, Ostrovets nuclear power plant, combating human trafficking, ghost flights in Europe, de facto abortion ban in Poland,...

Maritime Spatial Planning

Striking a Balance Between Ocean Conservation, Development and Supporting Communities

New study shows that effective Maritime Spatial Planning does not view the marine space through prisms of exploitation and economic development, or environmental protection alone.

World Cancer Day/Beating Cancer Plan - quote from Tilly Metz MEP

Health

Thursday 4 February is World Cancer Day and the day before, the European Commission published its Beating Cancer Plan. The Commission's proposal contains many elements designed to make life easier for patients, relatives, carers and survivors, including: An EU platform to improve access to cancer medicines aimed at supporting the re-purposing of existing medicines; and a Cancer Diagnostic and Treatment for all initiative for improving access to innovative cancer diagnosis and to reduce unequal access to personalised medicine and cancer care.

Navalny sentenced - quote from Sergey Lagodinsky MEP

Russia

The Moscow District Court has sentenced Alexei Navalny to three and a half years in prison for allegedly violating parole conditions. "This verdict and the crackdown by the security forces and judiciary show that Navalny and the demonstrators have hit a nerve. The Russian people need the backing of the European Union" said Sergey Lagodinsky MEP, Greens/EFA group spokesperson on Russia

New Frontex Scrutiny Working Group

Quote from Tineke Strik MEP

MEPs from the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) Committee have agreed to set up a Frontex Scrutiny Working Group, to look into allegations around the EU's border security agency's role in the illegal 'pushbacks' of refugees. The working group will carry out a fact-finding investigation, gathering all relevant information and evidence regarding alleged violations of fundamental rights in which Frontex was involved. The final report will also come up with recommendations on how to prevent fundamental rights violations in the future.

Ban Biometric Mass Surveillance

Join the Campaign!

Governments are experimenting with highly intrusive facial recognition systems and other biometric mass surveillance in public spaces in the EU. We think they have alarming consequences for fundamental rights and want them to be banned.

Greens/EFA debriefing of the plenary session

18-22 January

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included: presentation of the Portuguese Presidency, EU global Strategy for COVID-19 vaccination, Inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation, report on decent and affordable housing, the EU Strategy for Gender Equality, debate on the situation in the EU external borders, debate and resolution on human rights situation in Turkey, and the reform of the EU’s list of tax havens.

Let’s rebuild a fairer, greener and more sustainable trade policy

Greens/EFA proposals for the EU trade policy review

The EU Trade Policy Review is a unique opportunity to fundamentally rethink and reshape our rules to ensure EU trade is fairer, greener, more sustainable and better for people and planet. These are some of the Greens/EFA's highlights.

Flash - Plenary session 18-22 January 2021

Greens/EFA priorities for the session

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and/or vote on Portuguese Council Presidency, vaccine strategy, new President of the US and the current situation, access to decent and affordable housing for all, EU gender strategy, TEN-T regulation, technical support instrument, more fish in the seas ...

We can only win against Covid if we act together

An opinion by MEP Anna Cavazzini

With the advent of a new vaccine, hopes are now rising that there could be an end on the horizon. However, the vaccine itself has presented a number of logistical and diplomatic challenges, as many governments have begun playing the politics of division instead of pulling together to save lives.

The EU ethics body

A new institution fighting intransparent lobbying and conflicts of interest

The EU institutions have some of the best ethics rules for lobby transparency and against conflicts of interest including revolving doors. Yet, the implementation of these rules is fragmented and politicised.

Greens/EFA debriefing of the plenary session

14-18 December

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Council Conclusions on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Rule of Law and Climate Law, the presentation of the Digital Service Act (DSA), the Drinking Water Directive, transitional provisions for Agricultural Funds, the European Year of Rail 2021, a new Strategy for European SMEs, and the future relations between the EU and the UK following Brexit negotiations.

Stop the import of GM crops destroying nature

After 50 resolutions, Commission must finally heed Parliament’s advice

MEPs Tilly Metz and Eleonora Evi argue that the EU must no longer be complicit in the destruction of primary forests, expansion of monocultures and use of toxic chemicals banned in the EU through the continued import of GM crops.

CAP 2020

Where have we come from? Where are we now?

Confused about the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and everything that's going on around it? Check this article and get a green perspective.

A bad day for human rights abusers

An opinion by MEP Heidi Hautala

The European Parliament has for several years called for a new tool to sanction human rights abusers worldwide. Finally on 7 December the EU Council adopted this regime which will allow the EU to impose travel bans and asset freezes on the grounds of trafficking, arbitrary arrests, slavery, as well as the more serious crimes...

Fighting for your rights online

Did you know that the EU's internet rules haven't changed in 20 years? The reform of the rules through the "Digital Services Package” has the potential to be either a threat to fundamental rights or a major improvement.

Plenary Flash 14-18 December 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the session

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and/or vote on digital services act, the conclusions of the European Council meeting, water legislation, new strategy for European SMEs, European Year of Rail, Council configuration on Gender Equality, ...

No place for fossil fuels in the Just Transition Fund

EU agreement

The Just Transition Fund is the first instrument of the European Green Deal. Thanks to the Greens/EFA, co-legislators agreed to remove funding for natural gas projects from the final text entirely.

Agreement on the rule of law a good base for action

EU Summit

Statement by Ska Keller MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, on the agreement reached at today's (Thursday 10 December) summit of EU leaders on a binding rule of law mechanism.

How green will transport be in the future?

The European Commission adopted its strategy on Smart and Sustainable Mobility on 9th December 2020, which sets out a vision for the transport sector in 2050. Here is a quick overview of the main issues and what is missing.

The end of fossil fuels

There are many obvious and urgent climate policies like implementing a greenhouse gas budget, reforestation, halting destructive trade agreements, putting the money where it should be. But why don’t we just stop all fossil fuels?

6 ways to make EU industry climate neutral

An opinion by MEPs Henrike Hahn, Damien Carême and Michael Bloss

We need a greener European industry, to keep our air fresh, our planet cool and to get a competitive, resilient and sustainable economy.

Terrorist Content Online Regulation

A threat to freedom of speech, media, arts and sciences

Preventing the recruitment of terrorists is an important objective. We want incitement to violence, glorification of terrorism as well as bomb-building instructions published by terrorist organizations to be removed from the Internet. But the means to achieve this goal, as proposed by the Commission and supported by Council, are problematic and threaten fundamental rights.

Greens/EFA take on the plenary session

23-27 November

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the sustainable single market, tackling homelessness in the EU, Industrial Strategy for Europe, LGBTIQ Strategy, Pharmaceutical Strategy, Abortion Rights and Rule of Law in Poland, and the outcome of EUCO debate regarding MFF.

A home for everyone is possible

Time for the EU to step up ambition on homelessness

And yet, right now, at least 700,000 people across Europe are sleeping rough or in homeless shelters, an increase of 70% in ten years and it continues to rise. It doesn’t have to be this way. With your help we can change it. Sign our petition

Getting out of the red: The Greenhouse Gas Budget

When the European Union decided to propose a European Green Deal to try and reach the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, they had to start with one important thing: reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission laid out their plans and proposed their own targets. Unfortunately, the targets that have been set are not being backed up with policies.

Plenary Flash 23-26 November 2020

Greens/EFA priorities

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and vote on tackling homelessness rates in the EU, planned obsolescence, LGBTI equality strategy, new industrial strategy, abortion rights in Poland, pharmaceutical strategy, MFF/Recovery Plan, ...

Time for real EU action on housing and assistance for the homeless

Earlier this year, the Commission launched a public consultation on its action plan to put the European Pillar of Social Rights into practice. There’s still time to respond and call for action on housing rights in the EU.

Update: Von Der Leyen promises to fix the CAP despite her refusal to withdraw it

On Friday October 24, Bas Eickhout, together with more than 40 other Members of the European Parliament - supported by over 3000 citizens - sent a letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen asking her to withdraw the CAP proposal, since it no longer aligns with the Commission's priorities on climate and biodiversity. Last week we received a reply by President Von der Leyen.

How Trees Can Stop Climate Change

Trees are literally the lungs of the earth. They act as a ‘carbon sink’ absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and turning it into oxygen. After oceans, our forests are the world’s largest carbon sinks.

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary session

19-23 October

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence, deforestation, gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy, the state of the Energy Union, the Energy Charter Treaty, serious security threats through the sale of EU passports and visas and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

It’s (already) time to save the Green Deal

A blog by MEPs Benoit Biteau and Claude Gruffat

The farming population is in freefall, with Europe having lost 50% of its farmers in 20 years. Consumers are demanding healthier food produced as close to home as possible.

Put rights and freedoms at the centre of the upcoming Digital Services Act

A blog by MEPs Alexandra Geese, Patrick Breyer and Marcel Kolaja.

The farming population is in freefall, with Europe having lost 50% of its farmers in 20 years. Consumers are demanding healthier food produced as close to home as possible.

Gender equality in EU's foreign and security policy

Info mail on the report by Greens/EFA MEP Urtasun

"The European Parliament will adopt the first-ever report calling on gender equality in EU’s foreign and security policy. While several countries around the world have already adopted a foreign policy with a strong focus on gender equality, the EU continues to lack one. This is why we call on the EU and its leaders to promote a gender transformative vision of foreign policy that protects and promotes women’s human rights" said the rapporteur

Plenary Flash October II 2020

Greens/EFA priorities 19-23 October

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and vote on the Common Agricultural Policy, Digital Services Act, Artificial Intelligence, Gender Equality in EU’s foreign and security policy, State of the Energy Union, ...

We want good food

Tell your MEP

Did you know that over 30% of the total EU budget goes into the European Agricultural Policy? We should have a say on it! If like us, you also want your food to be ecological, local and produced by farmers that earn a dignified income, email your members of the European Parliament now!

Renovation Wave Strategy Communication

Info mail

The European Parliament adopted the Cuffe report* on “maximising the energy efficiency potential of the EU building stock” by large majority. The report calls for energy efficiency policies to be far more ambitious in order to ensure effectively fighting energy poverty, stepping up climate action, and foster sustainable recovery.

Greens/EFA plenary session debriefing

4-9 October

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the climate law, rule of law and fundamental rights mechanism, rule of law and fundamental rights in Bulgaria, multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the rule of law, reinforcing the youth guarantee, forest strategy, approval of McGuinness and Dombrovskis, fight against money laundering following the FinCEN files.

EU-Mercosur agreement

The European Parliament adopted a report opposing its ratification

This is the first time that the European Parliament has sent such a clear signal that the EU-Mercosur agreement in its present form cannot be ratified by the Parliament. The alarming situation in the Amazon played an important role in the vote.

Europe's Regions must play key role in EU Recovery Plan

EFA MEP Diana Riba: "Thinking globally and acting locally is more necessary than ever"

EFA MEP Diana Riba has called for Europe's regions to play a key role in the the EU's forthcoming recovery plan, designed to help the EU's economy and society recover from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic....

Plenary Flash October I 2020

Greens/EFA priorities 04-09 October

During this week plenary session, the European Parliament will debate and vote on the climate law, the rule of law mechanism, the Multiannual Financial Framework, the forest strategy, the fight against money laundering, ...

Time to put the European Green Deal at the heart of trade policy

Opinion piece by our MEP's Anna Cavazzini and Saskia Bricmont

Trade Commissioner nominee Valdis Dombrovskis faces a packed in-tray. The EU’s trade policy needs a complete overhaul in order to be adapted to the EU’s new sustainability goals and to harness globalisation.