Catalan leaders' sentences a 'travesty of justice'

Press Release from Alyn Smith MEP (SNP), President of the EFA Group in the EP

Responding to today's verdict in the trial of Catalan pro-independence leaders which saw them receive sentences of between 9 and 13 years imprisonment, Alyn Smith, SNP MEP and President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament described the sentences as 'a travesty of justice which will o...

Spanish court finds Catalan leaders guilty - Greens/EFA call for political solution

Catalan crisis

The Spanish Supreme Court has found Catalan leaders, including Greens/EFA MEP Oriol Junqueras and the former Greens/EFA MEP Raül Romeva, guilty of sedition and missuse of funds and handed down sentences of up to 13 years. This ruling comes ahead of a hearing at the European Court of Justice that may have established the immunity of Oriol Junqueras as an elected MEP. The Greens/EFA group call for a political solution.

MEPs joint declaration condemns Turkish military intervention in Syria

Sixty MEPs condemn Turkish military intervention in Syria

Sixty MEPs from different political groups in the European Parliament – including Greens/EFA - have come together to co-sign a political declaration that condemns Turkey's military intervention in Syria. They call upon the EU to impose sanctions against Turkey and to tackle the humanita...

Parliament rejects Goulard - politics of trust must be at heart of new Commission

New Commission

Today, following the second joint-hearing of the Commissioner-designate Sylvie Goulard in the European Parliament, MEPs have not endorsed her candidacy for the Commission. The Greens/EFA group voted against.

EIB must become climate bank & stop support for fossil fuels

Climate

Today, the European Parliament will debate 'Greening the European Investment Bank' (EIB) at the plenary session in Brussels. The Greens/EFA group support calls for turning the EIB into a climate bank and are calling for the EIB to stop financial support for any fossil fuel projects by 2020, ...

European Parliament votes to make the MFF work for the climate

EU budget

Today a large majority of MEPs voted to make the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027 work for the climate. Rasmus Andresen, shadow rapporteur for the Greens/EFA group on the EU's 2020 budget, comments: "The European Parliament wants to turn the EU budget into the driving f...

Greens/EFA reaction to Sylvie Goulard

New Commission

After having analysed the written answers of Sylvie Goulard, the Greens/EFA group pushed for a second hearing before the final assessment.

Right intentions and promising words are not enough

Hearing with Frans Timmermans

On the hearing of Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President-designate for a “European Green Deal”, Bas Eickhout, Coordinator of the Greens/EFA in the Committee on Environment, comments:

Hearing of Valdis Dombrovskis

Executive Vice President-designate for „An Economy that Works for People“

Valdis Dombrovskis opened the way for greening the economy. On green financing, Valdis Dombrovskis took a step forward, announcing a new action plan on sustainable finances and promising to work on transparency and disclosure. However, he was particularly unclear in his answers on social policies.

EU-wide distribution of refugees and migrants

JHA Council

At their meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, 8 October), EU interior ministers will discuss the initiative of Germany, France, Italy and Malta for an EU-wide distribution of refugees and migrants. Magid Magid, member of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, calls for an EU-wide distribution k...

Greens/EFA group proposes upper limit for supplementary income of MEPs

Following Sylvie Goulard hearings

MEPs from the conservative EPP and the socialist S&D parliamentary groups were unusually vocal in their criticism of extra income earned by MEPs during the Hearing with the French Commissioner candidate Sylvie Goulard.

Hearing with the Commissioner designate for the internal market, Sylvie Goulard

Greens/EFA reactions

After the joint ITRE-IMCO hearing with the Commissioner designate for the internal market, Sylvie Goulard, the Greens/EFA group decided to not support her after this hearing, but to ask further questions to the Commissioner designate as she was not clear in her answers

MEPs vote for ambitious budget that invests in climate protection, youth & sea rescue

Quote from Rasmus Andresen MEP

MEPs voted for more than €2 billion to be invested in climate protection and around €500 million to combat youth unemployment and promote youth exchanges through the Erasmus programme. The Greens/EFA group was successful in its demand for a new budget line for an EU sea rescue mission.

Greens/EFA group asks Ursula von der Leyen to find new candidates for two Commissioner posts

New Commission

The Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) has taken the decision on the conflicts of interests of the Commissioners designate. As it has been leaked to the media, the JURI Committee, did not clear the Romanian candidate Plumb and the Hungarian candidate Trócsányi of conflicts of interest, blocking them from moving on to the next stage of hearings to become European Commissioners.

Greens/EFA call for urgent action on oceans & extreme sea-levels

IPCC Special Report on Oceans

The dramatic melting of ice and rising sea levels must be an urgent warning that we cannot wait any longer for real action on climate change. The EU can't afford to come away empty-handed from the UN Climate Change Conference in Chile this December and in Glasgow next year after the poor showing of this week's summit in New York.

Greens/EFA group demand potential conflicts of interest investigated fully

New Commission

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament will review the cases of 10 Commissioner designates who have been asked to provide additional information in order for the committee to assess any potential conflict of interest issues.

UK Supreme Court Rules Westminster Shut Down Unlawful

Press Release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

SNP Member of the European Parliament Alyn Smith has said the Parliament must resume immediately after the UK Supreme Court ruled Boris Johnson’s decision to shut down Parliament was unlawful and unconstitutional upholding the ruling of Scotland’s supreme court. Alyn Smith said: &q...

Fiat and Starbucks rulings show urgent need for better EU laws on tax avoidance

Tax

The rulings by the General Court shows that we need much better EU-wide rules to end tax avoidance by multinationals. The court rulings prove the strengths and weaknesses of using the EU's State Aid rules to fight tax dumping, and show the urgent need to review and improve the State Aid framework.

EPPO: Kövesi chosen as Chief Prosecutor

Quote from Saskia Bricmont MEP

"The role of European Chief Prosecutor is essential in the fight against fraud and corruption in the EU and will be strengthened with Laura Codruța Kövesi's integrity, experience and determination," comments Saskia Bricmont MEP.

Greens/EFA demand urgent action on climate

Global climate strike

We need fast action now. CO2 must have a fair price. We urge the new European Commission to make climate priority a reality and increase our CO2-reduction target from the weak 40 per cent to at least 65 per cent by 2030. It is also unacceptable for aircraft and ships to not pay the price and to benefit from tax subsidies.

Brexit vote European Parliament

Quote from Philippe Lamberts MEP

The European Parliament has voted by a large majority on a Brexit resolution calling on the EU to protect citizen's rights and, if no agreement is reached, to extend Article 50 in order to avoid a no-deal Brexit and preserve peace in Ireland.

Amazon fires debate

Quote from Heidi Hautala MEP

On the initiative of the Greens/EFA and other groups, the European Parliament debated the on-going fires in the Amazon rainforest. Heidi Hautala MEP and Greens/EFA spokesperson on trade comments.

MEPs endorse Christine Lagarde as the new President of the European Central Bank

Quote from Sven Giegold MEP

The European Parliament voted to endorse Christine Lagarde as the new President of the European Central Bank.

Green light for a permanent tax committee

Tax

Coordinators in the Economic and Monetary Affairs committee of the European Parliament agreed to create a permanent sub-committee on tax and financial crime. It is a victory for all of us who want to see an end to the dodgy tax practices and illicit activities that undermine the global financial system and divide our societies.

New revelations about VW cheating must force Commission to act

Four years of Dieselgate

According to the German broadcaster SWR, Volkswagen continued to cheat on emissions tests using defeat devices in diesel engines under Euronorm6 after the diesel scandal came to light in 2015. The revelations were published before Chancellor Angela Merkel opens the International Motor Show in Frankfurt.

Von der Leyen must change title of Commissioner for "Protecting our European way of life"

European Commission

Yesterday, a majority of Committee Chairs, led by Greens/EFA MEP Karima Delli, voted to demand that European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen change the controversial name for the proposed Commission portfolio that includes migration.

Greens/EFA not convinced on von der Leyen proposal

European Commission

The next European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled the proposed candidates for Commissioners and their portfolios. The nominees will face hearings in the European Parliament in the coming weeks.

UK House of Commons votes against no-deal Brexit

Quotes from Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller

The House of Commons has clearly indicated its determination to avoid no-deal Brexit for a second time and this must be respected by the UK government, regardless of who is in Number 10 Downing Street.

UK MEPs sign joint declaration on Brexit

Cross party declaration commits to working together in the face of Brexit

The proroguing, or shutting down the UK Parliament in order to limit scrutiny of the implications of a potential no deal Brexit is completely unacceptable. The signatories commit themselves to continue to work across party lines and declare that it is vital that MPs do likewise.

Greens/EFA call for new proposal for Common European Agricultural Policy

IPCC report on climate change and land

The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a damming report on climate change and the devastating effects of desertification, land degradation, land management its consequences for people, animals, the environment and climate.

Greens/EFA group voted against Ursula von der Leyen

Election of EU Commission President

"Good intent alone is not enough. We were elected on an agenda for change and we did not hear enough on our key demands, namely on concrete proposals to avert climate breakdown. She promised a 'green deal' without green content. " says Greens/EFA co-President Ska Keller

Greens/EFA to vote against Ursula von der Leyen as Commission President

EU Top jobs

Following today's hearing with the nominee for EU Commission Presidency, Ursula von der Leyen, the Greens/EFA group decided to vote against her candidacy next week, says Greens/EFA President Ska Keller:

Greens/EFA Vice-Presidents will push for more transparency, ethics and openness

Heidi Hautala & Marcel Kolaja elected Vice-Presidents of European Parliament

Today, the European Parliament voted to confirm key positions in the Bureau of the European Parliament. The Greens/EFA group had two Members elected for Vice-President positions, Heidi Hautala, Green MEP from Finland and Marcel Kolaja, European Pirates MEP from Czech Republic. Our MEPs will push for more transparency, ethics, openness and digitisation and protection from harassment for staff.

Greens/EFA group reject Council deal

EU top jobs

Today, the leaders of the Heads of State and governments in the European Council agreed on a list of names for top EU positions. The deal agreed in the Council fails to respect the lead candidate process and the results of the European elections, says Ska Keller President of the Greens/EFA group in ...

Greens/EFA put forward Ska Keller as candidate for the EP presidency

EU top jobs

Today the Greens/EFA group put Ska Keller forward as candidate for the presidency of the European Parliament. The vote will take place on Wednesday.

The Mercosur trade agreement is a bad compromise

Quote by Heidi Hautala

The Mercosur trade agreement is a bad compromise and it is comes at the wrong time when there is an increasing demand for sustainable development. The price for the Mercosur agreement will be paid by farmers, the environment and the climate.

Member States' climate plans need far more ambition

Quote from Bas Eickhout

The European Commission has released its assessment of EU Member States' National Energy and Climate Plans, and found that national governments need to step up their ambitions to meet EU climate and energy targets and be in line with the Paris Agreement.

Eurozone budget: small steps will not address flaws of the Euro

Quote from Sven Giegold MEP

The Eurogroup of Eurozone Finance Ministers has agreed on general principles for reforms of the common currency, including on a Eurozone budget as well as a reform of the European Stability Mechanism Treaty.

Greens/EFA group positions elected

New Greens/EFA Bureau

We are pleased to announce that the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has elected its new bureau, consisting of 9 MEPs, with Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts continuing as co-presidents.

SNP MEP elected President of EFA Group in the European Parliament

Alyn Smith succeeds Josep-Maria Terricabras

Alyn Smith MEP has today been elected President of the European Free Alliance (EFA) Group in the European Parliament. He succeeds Catalan MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras who stood down at the recent European election. An MEP for the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2004, Alyn was recently re-el...

Leaders of four main political groups agree on political process

European Parliament/Commission Presidency

As leaders of four political groups of the European Parliament – EPP, S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA – we met today for the second time since the European Parliament elections.

Greens/EFA demand action from Tusk & Juncker on Czech PM Babiš' conflict of interest

The Greens/EFA group has sent two separate letters to the European Commission and Council demanding they take immediate action on the conflict of interest surrounding Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. Leaked copies of the Commission's audit into the conflict surrounding Babiš' business Agrofert, which received EU subsidies, shows that large sums of EU and Czech money are distributed to Agrofert and will need to be repaid.

Green wave reaches the European Parliament

European Elections

According to preliminary election results, the Greens/EFA group will significantly increase in size and are on course to hold more seats than ever before in the European Parliament.

Saving lives is not a crime

Mission Lifeline judgement

In the case of Malta against the captain of the private sea rescue boat 'Lifeline', captain Claus-Peter Reisch was today sentenced to a fine of 10,000 euros due to alleged inadequate registration of the vessel.

10-point plan for European tax justice

Tax justice

The Greens/EFA group have launched a 10-point plan for tax justice in the European Union, which will form part of its core demands for the coming legislative period in the European Parliament. The Greens/EFA Group has already been at the forefront of driving demands to combat excessive tax avoidance, tax evasion and money laundering in Europe.

EU must change from a kerosene tax paradise to a global pioneer for climate action

Aviation/CO2 tax

The non-governmental organisation "Transport and Environment" today published a study, kept secret by the European Commission, on the consequences of a kerosene tax on aviation.

Climate protection should not be a footnote

Sibiu/Future of the European Union

On the 9th May, heads of states and governments of the European Union Member States will meet in Sibiu to discuss the future of the EU. They are due to agree to a 10 point declaration on the future of Europe.

Urgent action needed to prevent mass extinction

Biodiversity/IPBES Report

Bas Eickhout, Greens/EFA spokesperson climate and lead candidate in the European elections for the European Green Party, comments, "from insects to bees, birds to beasts, hundreds of thousands of species across our planet teeter on the edge of extinction."

Greens/EFA launch plan to improve media freedom and journalist protection

World Press Freedom Day

To mark World Press Freedom Day tomorrow (May 3rd), the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament will launch plans to improve media freedom and journalist protection in the European Union together with a petition directed at the European Commission.

Greens/EFA call for strong new law on social rights

Social Union

On the 1st of May, all over Europe we will celebrate worker’s and social rights. On this occasion, the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament are putting on the table a series of demands for a real Social Union.