EU must impose an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia

Situation in Yemen

The Greens/EFA group is calling on the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, to launch an initiative in the Foreign Affairs Council to impose an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia. The European Parliament will hold a debate this afternoon on the situation in Yemen, with a vote on a motion for a resolution tomorrow.

Commission must do more for small farmers

Common Agricultural Policy

The European Commission has today published a communication on the future of the common agricultural policy (CAP). The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament is calling for much greater support for small farmers.

MEP delegation to visit Catalan political prisoners

Press release from EFA MEP Jordi Solé (Catalonia)

A delegation of seventeen MEPs from different political groups is set to travel to Madrid in the coming weeks to visit the prisons where Catalan political prisoners are being held following the recent referendum and declaration of independence in the Catalan Parliament. Eight members of the legit...

Binding targets are needed if EU is to be world leader on renewables

Renewable energy directive

Claude Turmes and Bas Eickhout respond to the weak renewable energy targets agreed by the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy committee. "“The EU should be striving to become the world leader in renewables. An ambitious renewables policy with national binding targets is key to cutting costs and accelerating the energy transition."

Binding targets will help cut bills and combat energy poverty

Energy efficiency

The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy committee has today backed a report on the energy efficiency directive, setting out efficiency targets for 2030. "An ambitious energy efficiency policy is needed to bring down energy bills for European citizens and businesses," says Benedek Jávor.

EU should not let its own member states off the hook

Tax havens blacklist

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has welcomes a report from Oxfam, which sets out an alternative EU tax haven blacklist. "EU tax havens should not be let off the hook", says Sven Giegold.

Dark day for consumers, farmers and the environment

Glyphosate

The Appeals Committee of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed has today approved the European Commission's proposal to renew glyphosate’s licence for five years. Greens/EFA food safety spokesperson Bart Staes comments.

EU still doesn't have rules in place to ensure whistleblower protection

LuxLeaks

"This trial shows why we need protection for whistleblowers. It is thanks to people like Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet that the public was made aware of the many tax and fraud scandals to break in recent years," says Greens/EFA transparency spokesperson Benedek Jávor.

Study: Major changes needed if CAP is to be made fit for purpose

Common Agricultural Policy

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is not fit for purpose, according to a new study co-commissioned by the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament.

New organic regulation one step closer to becoming a reality

Organic farming

"With a strong majority in favour of the new regulation, there is now a consensus in favour of bringing organic regulations up to speed so that they address the needs of this rapidly growing market," said Greens/EFA spokesman on agricultural policy Martin Häusling.

EU must lead the way in 2018

COP23

If the EU is to truly live up to its role as global climate leader, it must up its ambitions in 2018. The EU must arrive at COP24 in Katowice having gotten much closer to what is needed to implement the Paris Agreement.

Greens/EFA group calls for final adoption

Organic regulation

The EU Member States will vote on the negotiated compromise for a new EU organic regulation in the Council's special committee on agriculture.

EU must transform intent into real benefits for citizens

Social Summit

We welcome intentions to create a more socially conscious European Union. But good intentions are not enough. We need to see concrete action, with social issues at heart of the policy agenda.

First step towards Article 7

Rule of law in Poland

Europe must be united in telling the Polish government that there will be consequences if they to stray from the path of democracy.

Terricabras – Why this unequal treatment for Catalonia?

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

The European Commission has been accused of 'unequal treatment' in respect of Catalonia during a debate today in the European Parliament on the rule of law in Malta. Today's debate was in response to the recent brutal murder of a Maltese journalist. However the EU institutions are ...

European Council must stop dragging its heels

Money Laundering

"Each successive major tax scandal has shown the need for increased transparency. With the Paradise Papers, the list of revelations has grown even longer, yet still member states refuse to act," says Judith Sargentini, Greens/EFA member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee.

Rule of law in Malta

Quote from Sven Giegold

Sven Giegold, financial and economic policy spokesperson of the Greens/EFA group, comments on on the rule of law in Malta and the proposal to establish a prize to recognize Daphne Caruana Galizia’s work.

No excuse for inaction on Paradise Papers

Greens/EFA president, Philippe Lamberts, and Green MEP and member of the EU Parliament’s Panama Papers committee, Molly Scott Cato, set out their agenda for change following the Paradise Papers.

Reaction of Greens/EFA presidents

European defence cooperation

Comments from Greens/EFA co-presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts on the news that 23 Member States have signed a joint notification on European defence cooperation.

Missed opportunity for the Commission to show ambition on climate

CO2 limits for cars

"We need to see much greater ambition if we are to protect our environment and secure the long-term future of Europe’s car industry" says Bas Eickhout.

Tough criminal provisions needed for fraudsters

Tax crimes and money laundering

The European Parliament's committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) has voted in favour of a report from Greens/EFA MEP Eva Joly on "Countering money laundering by criminal law". This proposal for a directive aims at strengthening and harmonising the definitions and penalties f...

New leak shows urgent need for action

Paradise Papers

Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Panama Papers committee, comments on the latest big tax leak, the Paradise Papers.

Greens/EFA asks for release of political leaders

Catalonia

Yesterday, nine Catalan political leaders (including 2 former MEPs) were imprisoned. Whatever the charges levelled at them by the Spanish judiciary, the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament consider that this action was unwise and disappropriate and can only further poison the political situation i...

Concrete action must be taken to prevent sexual harassment in EU

Comments from Terry Reintke

The European Parliament has today backed a joint resolution on combating sexual harassment and abuse in the EU. The text includes proposals designed to address the recent reports of sexual harassment in the European Parliament and other EU institutions.

Greens/EFA group demands Monsanto inquiry

Glyphosate

26 October - At the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament, the Greens/EFA group announced that it will start collecting signatures for the establishment of an inquiry committee on glyphosate. The purpose of the committee would be to investigate the handling of the decision-making process for the proposed renewal of glyphosate's licence.

Revised directive will help reduce workplace cancer

Occupational Health

The European Parliament has voted on the final agreement on the revision to the directive on limiting exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work.

Entry/exit system is unfit for purpose

Passenger data collection

The proposed entry/exit system is unfit for purpose, says Jan Philipp Albrecht.

Concerns over situation in Catalonia

Statement from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé (Catalonia)

The European Parliament has this week heard concerns about the situation in Catalonia following the independence referendum held on 1 October. The Spanish authorities are preparing to suspend the democratically elected Catalan government and impose direct rule from Madrid. Two civil society leade...

Last chance to establish dialogue

Catalonia

Ahead of decisive meetings in Spain later this week, the Presidents of the Greens in the European Parliament, Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts urge the European Institutions to offer mediation and call on both the Spanish and the Catalan government to come back to dialogue.

Malta’s government must step down

Murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia

Following the horrible murder of the Maltese journalist and blogger, Daphne Caruana Galizia, Green MEPs Eva Joly and Sven Giegold call for the resignation of the Maltese government over its failure to properly investigate allegations of money laundering.

European Parliament calls for urgent action to protect those who reveal public interest information

Whistleblowers

There is an urgent need for effective protection for whistleblowers at EU level. That is the key demand of a report from the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs committee, which won the backing of the majority of the MEPs today.

European Parliament demands an end to glyphosate

Glyphosate

The European Parliament has objected to the European Commission’s proposal to extend the EU licence for glyphosate by ten years. It calls on the Commission not to renew the licence at the end of the year, and for the substance to be phased out entirely within five years.

European Parliament demands an end to use of palm oil as a biofuel

Environment Committee

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee (ENVI) has backed a report from Greens/EFA MEP Bas Eickhout that would see palm oil biofuels phased out in the EU from 2021. The report forms a part of the revision to the Renewable Energy Directive.

Statement from Philippe Lamberts, President of Greens/EFA group

European Council 19-20 October

"This week provided an illustration of a stark contrast. While the European Parliament managed to agree, with broad majorities, on crucial legislation such as on e-privacy, on posted workers and on reforming the Dublin system, the European Council's performance was disappointing," says Philippe Lamberts.

EU Parliament wants strong data protection for WhatsApp & Co

ePrivacy Regulation

"With few exceptions, internet companies and communication providers should only be able to use the data of users with their consent. Users must be able to trust that their surfing and communication behaviour will not be evaluated or passed on," says Greens/EFA MEP Jan Philipp Albrecht.

Dublin System reforms will ensure greater solidarity

Asylum

The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee has voted on the reforms to the Dublin System, which sets out the criteria for which Member State should examine an asylum claim.

European Parliament sets out powerful agenda for defeating money laundering and tax dodging

Panama Papers

"We now have a powerful set of proposals to tackle the illegal and corrupt financial flows unearthed by the Panama Papers," says Molly Scott Cato.

Greens/EFA call for glyphosate-free future

Glyphosate

The Greens/EFA group has commissioned a new study on alternatives to glyphosate. The study, which has been produced by PAN Europe, will be published one day ahead of a vote in the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on an objection to the renewal of glyphosate’s EU licence. The resolution calls on the Commission not to extend the licence and to take measures to phase out use of the substance in the EU by 15 December 2020.

Statement from Philippe Lamberts, President of Greens/EFA group

European Council 19-20 October

"Even more so than the negotiations on Brexit and the future of Ireland, which have been severely damaged by the unbelievable amateurism of the British leaders, the Catalan crisis risks becoming uncontrollable, putting at risk the EU's spirit of integration," says Philippe Lamberts.

Parliament sets out rules to end exploitation

Posting of workers

We can and must end the abuse of posted workers, says Terry Reintke. Posted workers have waited far too long to see progress. There is a clear parliamentary consensus and we now expect to see EU Member States match the level of ambition agreed.

European Parliament sets strong humanitarian targets

Migration

The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) has voted on proposals for a Union Resettlement Framework, including targets designed to increase ambition across the Member States.

Ambiguous declaration of Catalan President opens room for dialogue

Catalonia

President Carles Puigdemont opted for an ambiguous statement, leaving some room for dialogue. A lot will depend now on the reaction of the Spanish government.

EU homes need to be renovated to deliver for climate and citizens

Energy performance of buildings

The Greens/EFA group has backed plans to improve energy efficiency in homes that would see considerable environmental, social and health benefits for EU citizens. The European Parliament’s committee on Industry, Research and Energy voted in favour of proposals to improve the energy performance of buildings.

Catalan independence declaration

Press release from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé (ERC)

Commenting on today's declaration of Catalan independence, Josep-Maria Terricabras MEP, President of the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament, said: "Today marks an exciting new chapter in European history as Catalonia declares its independence. And following our perma...

Greens/EFA nominee Aura Lolita Chávez on shortlist

Sakharov Prize

The European Parliament’s foreign affairs and development committees have today agreed on the shortlist for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for 2017.

Schäuble leaves behind poisonous farewell present

Future of the Eurozone

Schäuble's paper continues to breathe the spirit of austerity policy. Although structural reforms are necessary in the countries in crisis, saving alone will not get the economy back on its feet. Schäuble ignores the fact that the differences within the eurozone are also the result of the policies of the richer countries of the North.

Independent EU body promises common approach to fight fraud

European Public Prosecutor’s Office

The European Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of establishing a European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The new EU public prosecutor will be an independent body with the power to investigate and prosecute fraud in the EU, particularly VAT fraud.

European Parliament debate on Catalonia

Comment from EFA MEP Jordi Solé (Catalonia)

Commmenting on the debate in the European Parliament on the situation in Catalonia following the police violence at last Sunday's independence referendum, EFA MEP Jordi Solé (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya) said: "The debate and the response of Mr Timmerman's to the situati...

The EU institutions cannot sit on the fence

Catalonia

A debate is taking place in the EU Parliament this afternoon on the situation in Catalonia. The Greens/EFA Group called for the debate after the violence of the Spanish police in Catalonia last Sunday. Greens/EFA Co-President Ska Keller strongly condemns the use of police force and urges the EU Commission to mediate in the conflict.

Tackling VAT fraud would generate billions for social investment

VAT reform

The Commission’s plans will only work if national tax authorities trust each other to collect and send VAT revenues on behalf of one another. The process of decision-making on tax matters does nothing to engender this trust. So long as unanimity is required in the European Council on taxation.