Commission proposal would do little for accountability or public health

Comitology

The European Commission has published its long-awaited proposal for the reform of the comitology process, used to approve or renew products, such as GMOs and pesticides.

Austrian President addresses European Parliament

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg

"Van der Bellen embodies hope for the whole of Europe," said Greens/EFA co-presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts.

European Parliament votes to protect whistleblowers

Citizens across Europe should be able to speak up about crimes

The European Parliament has voted in favour of a report on the protection of whistleblowers.

EU must now quickly deliver benefits of treaty

ECJ ruling on Marrakesh Treaty

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has today (14 Feb) published its opinion on the Marrakesh Treaty for the blind, visually impaired or otherwise disabled.

Automotive industry

Draft EU supervision will have to be strengthened

The European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee has voted in favour of the draft report on approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (“type approval”). The Greens/EFA group has been pushing for the establishment of an independent EU agency to help restore consumer confidence and avoid further scandals, but this proposal did not find majority support in committee.

EU Commission lets aviation off the hook again

International flights exempt from emission scheme

The European Commission has announced it will extend indefinitely the “stop the clock” measure under which international aviation remains exempt from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The Commission has once again let the sector off the hook, says Green MEP Bas Eickhout.

Informal EU Summit

EU leaders must wake up to the challenges they face

"The sleepwalkers must now wake up; if Europe is to stand strong in a world where it must face major challenges, while having few friends, it cannot pursue policies that benefit only a minority of its own citizens," Philippe Lamberts said.

Green Rebecca Harms elected as new co-chair of Euronest

Harms is taking over the role from Heidi Hautala.

The Euronest delegation has today (2nd Feb) elected its new Co-Chair, former Co-President of the Greens/EFA group, Rebecca Harms. She takes over the role from fellow Greens/EFA MEP, Heidi Hautala.

EU Commission closes its eyes to corruption

Vice President Timmermans shelves corruption report

European Commission Vice-President, Frans Timmermans has written to the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties and Justice committee, saying he has shelved plans to publish a report on corruption in the EU this year. This is completely out of touch with public demands, says Benedek Jávor.

CAP reform

Commission consultation far too limited

The European Commission has today (2 Feb) presented its public consultation on the forthcoming reform of agricultural policy (CAP).

Fishing: New rules will help prevent overfishing

New standards for EU vessels fishing outside EU waters.

The European Parliament has today (2nd Feb) supported new legislation designed to curb overfishing. MEPs backed a report from Greens/EFA rapporteur Linnéa Engström

Roaming charges will become thing of the past

European Parliament defends consumer interests

The European Parliament has helped ensure that consumers will get a fair deal, with roaming charges to soon become a thing of the past.

Progress on executive pay, but not on taxes

Shareholder Rights Directive

The European Parliament’s legal affairs committee has approved the final agreement with the Council on the revised directive on shareholders' rights. We are pleased to have ensured greater transparency on executive pay, but progress remains stalled on measures to ensure tax justice.

New gun controls will improve public safety

Revised Firearms Directive passes committee

The European Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection committee has approved the revised Firearms Directive, which will improve security measures on gun control.

EU-Libya migration deal has wrong focus

Commission must focus on protecting human rights

The European Commission has announced proposals for preventing refugees from travelling to the EU from Libya. Instead of focusing on keeping refugees out of the EU, the Commission should be ensuring they have safe passage and their human rights respected.

New regulation will help protect public interest in the financial sector

Economy committee backs report from Green MEP

The European Parliament’s Economy committee has backed a report from Greens/EFA rapporteur Philippe Lamberts. It will ensure greater financial stability for Finance Watch and Better Finance, who represent the public interest in financial regulation.

Green MEP appointed Chair of the Transport Committee

Karima Delli takes over from Michael Cramer

The European Parliament's Transport Committee has appointed its Chair for the next two and a half years. The French Green MEP Karima Delli, who has been a member of the committee since 2014, was elected chair and takes over the position from Green MEP Michael Cramer.

Waste Directive

Environment committee brings ambition to Commission proposal

The European Parliament's Environment committee has today voted to strengthen the European Commission's Waste Directive proposal.   The committee has supported amendments in a number of key areas, including the effective implementation of a waste hierarchy (prioritising prevention...

CETA

Deal will proceed to parliamentary vote without additional scrutiny

The European Parliament’s International Trade Committee has today recommended that the European Parliament given its consent to CETA. The committee rejected an amendment from Greens/EFA MEP Heidi Hautala, calling for a five month suspension of the consent procedure.

Tax evasion

New report looks at the role of the middle-men

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has published a report looking at the role of intermediaries (banks, accountants, lawyers) in tax evasion. The report draws on information from a database created by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists using data from the Panama Papers, Bahamas Leaks and Offshore Leaks.

Social rights must be foundation of European Union

Press release by EFA MEP Jordi Solé (Catalunya)

Catalan MEP Jordi Solé has called for social rights to be a cornerstone of the European Union. MEPs in Strasbourg have been debating plans to create a 'European Pillar of Social Rights'. They insist that this must be more than well intentioned words, and call for a law to guaran...

Money laundering

European Parliament sends Commission back to the drawing board on money-laundering blacklist

The European Parliament today rejected a delegated act on third countries at high-risk of money laundering, and has urged the Commission to make a new assessment on which countries should be included on the blacklist.

New President of European Parliament

Press release from EFA MEP J-M Terricabras (Catalunya)

Commenting on the election of Antonio Tajani as the new President of the European Parliament, President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament, Josep-Maria Terricabras said: "I congratulate Mr Tajani on his election as President of the European Parliament. "This institution whi...

Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament

Greens/EFA candidate Ulrike Lunacek elected

The European Parliament has today re-elected Ulrike Lunacek as Vice-President. This will be her second term as Vice-President, having previously been elected in July 2014.

EP President

Tajani must leave his political past behind him

The Italian EPP MEP Antonio Tajani has today been elected President of the European Parliament.

Brexit

Prime Minister’s speech sets out self-defeating agenda

British Prime Minister Theresa May has today delivered a highly anticipated speech, outlining her position for the Brexit negotiations. The speech confirms that the British Government has chosen the hardest form of separation between the UK and the European Union, exiting the single mar...

Monti Report

Reform of EU's own resources system urgently needed

The report marks the end of the mandate of the High-Level Working Group Own Resource to develop recommendations for the reform of the income side of the EU budget.

Mercury

Beginning of the end for the use of dental amalgams in the EU

New law will reduce the trade and use of mercury, the risk of contamination, and bring legislation in line with the Minamata Convention on Mercury signed in 2013.

Maltese EU Presidency and tax practices

New report shows island state is a tax haven

At the start of the Maltese EU Presidency, the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament has today presented a study on the country’s tax practices. The study, written by the Italian-British academic, Tommaso Faccio, shows that Malta would be included in the list of tax havens if the crit...

Five Star MEP joins Greens/EFA

Marco Affronte joins as independent member

Marco Affronte, member of the Five Star Movement, has left the EFDD group and joined the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament as an independent member.

Data protection

Rules must protect fundamental right to privacy

The European Commission has today presented its package on data protection. The proposals include measures relating to the existing ePrivacy directive, which protects personal data in electronic communication.

ECJ ruling on data retention

Swedish and UK regimes are incompatible with EU law

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has today ruled that the current data retention regimes for electronic communications services in Sweden and the UK are incompatible with EU law (1). The ECJ ruling states that "general and indiscriminate" retention of data is illegal, but does allow ...

ECJ ruling on Western Sahara

EU must end complicity in illegally occupied Western Sahara

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has today ruled that Western Sahara is not a part of Moroccan territory. The effect of the ruling is that no bilateral EU-Morocco agreement can apply to this territory. Commenting on the ruling, Vice-chair of the European Parliament intergroup on Western Sahara...

Emissions Trading System

Tentative step towards aligning flagship scheme with Paris Agreement

The European Parliament’s Environment committee has today voted on the much-needed reform of the Emissions Trading System (ETS). The so-called EU 'cornerstone policy' in the fight against climate change has been largely malfunctioning, and has not been able to deliver a carbon price hi...

European Parliament presidency

Greens/EFA group nominates Jean Lambert

The Greens/EFA group today nominated British MEP Jean Lambert as their candidate for the presidency of the European Parliament. Commenting on the result, Jean Lambert said: "I am honoured to have the support of the Greens/EFA group to stand as their candidate for the presidency of the Eur...

Fourth Railway Package

Package fails to deliver for passengers

The European Parliament voted today on the fourth railway package. The Greens/EFA Group voted against the political pillar of the proposal, as the new rules will not bring any real improvements. Commenting after of the vote, Green transport spokesperson Jakop Dalunde said: "The tenderi...

Poland

It's time to trigger Article 7

A debate will take place this afternoon in the European Parliament on the state of rule of law and democracy in Poland. The Greens/EFA Group will call for the use of Article 7. Last week, representatives of the Polish government announced their intention to withdraw Poland’s signature from the Ist...

Greece

Financial assistance must not be at the cost of labour rights

The European Parliament will today debate the labour market reforms and labour relations in Greece. The European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are pushing to make financial assistance conditional on the liberalisation of labour laws, despite the fact...

Rules of procedure

New rules will enhance transparency and integrity

The European Parliament has today amended the Parliament's Rules of Procedure. The Greens/EFA group has secured a series of measures to improve transparency, including those adopted from a report from Pascal Durand, which will see an enhanced check of potential conflicts of interests for Comm...

Sakharov Prize

Award is signal of support for all women who oppose oppression

The European Parliament has awarded this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Nadia Murad and Lamiya Aji Bashar.

Commission labour mobility package

Proposals could undermine “social Europe”

The European Commission has today announced its proposals on EU social security coordination.They include plans to tighten the rules for accessing benefits for non-working citizens. For example, EU citizens currently receive unemployment benefits in the country in which they last worked. Under the C...

European Parliament united in defence of fundamental rights

The European Parliament has approved a report on the Situation of Fundamental Rights in the EU in 2015, with the Greens/EFA Group voting in favour. Three of the four amendments presented by the Greens/EFA Group were approved. Following the vote, MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras, spokesperson on the subje...

New Bureau of the Greens/EFA Group

Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts elected co-presidents

The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament has today elected its bureau for the next two and a half years.

Refugees

Commission plan to return refugees to Greece not credible

The European Commission has announced its intention to gradually resume the transfer of refugees to Greece under the Dublin system. Commenting on the announcement, Greens/EFA migration policy spokesperson, Ska Keller said: "With the EU having so far met only 5% of its target for relocating ref...

CETA

Employment and Social Affairs committee opposes trade deal

The European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee has today recommended that the European Parliament decline to give consent to CETA. Their opinion will now be passed to the lead committee, International Trade, who will vote in January ahead of a final plenary vote on the agreement...

Corporate Tax Avoidance

Zara caught tax shopping

The Greens/EFA group has today presented a report on the tax avoidance strategies of Inditex, the Spanish based owner behind clothes retailer Zara (1). Research commissioned by the group shows that Inditex avoided at least €585 million in taxes for the period 2011-2014, by using aggressive avoidan...

Dieselgate

Commission launches overdue infringement proceedings

The European Commission has today launched infringement proceedings against seven EU Member States. The states are accused of having failed to set up a system of sanctions for car companies that installed prohibited software in their vehicles in order to cheat emission tests. This sanction system is...

Women's Rights: Poland

Polish government intends to withdraw support for Istanbul Convention

The Polish Minister for Social Affairs, Labour and Family has today announced their intention to withdraw Poland’s signature from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The convention, commonly referred to as the Istanbul Conventi...

Nature Directives

Commission commits to Action Plan to ensure full compliance

Following an orientation debate held today by the College of Commissioners, the European Commission has confirmed it will develop an Action Plan to improve implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives (Nature Directives) and their coherence with other EU policies. The Greens/EFA group &nda...

Presidential election Austria

Van der Bellen win shows a progressive alternative is possible

The president of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, Philippe Lamberts, reacts to the victory of Alexander Van der Bellen in the Austrian presidential election: "The victory of Van der Bellen gives hope for the whole European Union. He shows that there is an alternative that is not...