Hungary & Poland block MFF/Recovery Plan

Quotes from Philippe Lamberts & Ska Keller

Representatives of the governments of Hungary and Poland have blocked the decision on 'Own Resources', which halts agreement on the Recovery Package and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The European Council will hold a leaders' summit via video conference on the 19th of November.

Impact of Covid-19 measures on democracy, fundamental rights & rule of law

Quote from Sergey Lagodinsky

The Covid crisis must not be used as an excuse by governments to encroach on peoples' rights and the rule of law. The true test of a democracy is how well it fares in a crisis and this year has shown that some EU governments are all too quick to undermine the rule of law and European values.

EU4Health

Quote from Tilly Metz MEP & Michèle Rivasi MEP

The cuts in EU4Health called for by the Council were irresponsible, especially in times of pandemic. It is a success that the European Parliament has tripled the amount envisaged by the Council in the budget negotiations.

Crucial need to support LGBTI communities and fight discrimination

LGBTI Strategy

Today (12 Nov. 2020), the European Commission has just released the first ever EU LGBTI strategy to fight discrimination of people because of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender attributes. For many people in the LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual/Transgender and Intersexual) community, discrimination is still an everyday reality.

Long-term budget stronger on climate, biodiversity & rule of law

MFF/Own resources

Negotiators for the European Parliament, Council and Commission agreed on a text for the EU's seven year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. The Parliament succeeded in gaining an additional €16 billion in top-ups for EU programmes such as EU4health, Horizon, Erasmus and Rights and Values, on top of the €1,074bn MFF and €750bn Recovery Fund EUCO agreement from July.

Rule of law mechanism deal reached

Quotes from Terry Reintke MEP & Daniel Freund MEP

Negotiators from the European Parliament, Commission and Council have just agreed on a deal on an EU rule of law mechanism. "This mechanism is not as strong as the European Parliament wanted and it will be a challenge, but we can make it work. The Parliament will keep the pressure up to defend the rule of law. " said Greens/EFA opinion rapporteur Terry Reintke

Commission proposal welcome but falls short on ambition to fight poverty & inequality

European minimum wage

The European Commission has just released its draft directive on a European minimum wage. The proposal sets out minimum standards and uniform criteria for the level of EU-wide minimum wages. For the Greens/EFA group, the European Commission's proposal falls short of its stated ambition to fight poverty and inequality.

Anna Cavazzini elected new Chair of IMCO committee

Parliamentary committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee has just voted Greens/EFA MEP Anna Cavazzini as the new Chair, succeeding Petra De Sutter, who moved to the new Belgian government as Deputy Prime Minister.

Poland - Constitutional Tribunal ruling on abortion

Quote from Dr Sylwia Spurek MEP

Today, the Polish Constitutional Tribunal has just announced a ruling that will see cracking down on abortion rights in Poland, effectively banning abortion in this country. Poland has one of the strictest abortion laws in Europe and the worst access to contraceptives on the continent. Polish legisl...

Energy Charter Treaty

Quote from Anna Cavazzini MEP

The Energy Charter Treaty is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. We call for a fundamental reform of the Treaty. In the negotiations for its modernisation, the European Commission must work to align the Treaty with the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Green Deal – this means: we must end the protection of fossil fuel investments and remove the highly controversial Investor-State-Dispute-Settlement provisions. If these targets are not achievable, the EU must withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty.

European Parliament votes to overhaul business model of internet platforms

Digital Services Act

The reports on the EU Digital Services Act have been adopted by a large majority. MEPs voted for the European Commission to provide a clear legal framework for online platforms, to set out guidelines for dealing with indications of illegal content and to end the arbitrary blocking and deletion of content by online platforms.

Commission launches proceedings against Malta & Cyprus

Golden passports: quote from Sven Giegold MEP

Today, the European Commission announced that it is launching infringement proceedings against Malta and Cyprus over their programmes that sell citizenship through investment or real estate purchases. This follows on from revelations by Al Jazeera that showed links between...

MEPs must vote for a CAP that works for people & planet

Common Agricultural Policy

The Greens/EFA group call for the European Commission to revisit its current CAP proposal to include the Biodiversity Strategy and the Farm to Fork Strategy

#EUCO

Quote from Ska Keller, Greens/EFA Co-President

Without an agreement, both the EU and Britain will lose.

European transformation in chemicals policy draws closer

Chemicals Strategy

Today, the European Commission has just presented its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The Strategy is a step in the right direction towards an European chemicals revolution and can provide the framework for a more sustainable, clean and competitive chemicals industry. The str...

Commission only scratches the surface

Methane Strategy

Today, the European Commission has just presented its new Methane Strategy, which does not live up to promise of greater climate protection under the European Green Deal. The Commission itself writes that methane emissions must be reduced by 35% to achieve 55% fewer greenhouse gas e...

The Greens/EFA group has just chosen Anna Cavazzini as candidate for the chair of the IMCO Committee

The MEPs of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will elect the new chair on 26 October. If elected, Anna Cavazzini will succeed Petra De Sutter, who has moved to the new Belgian government as Deputy Prime Minister. Anna Cavazzini, Greens/EFA Member of the IMCO committee, com...

UN Human Rights Council vote

Quotes from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP & Hannah Neumann MEP

Today, the United Nations Human Rights Council will elect 15 new members in a secret ballot. The 15 countries will be chosen later today by the UN General Assembly to sit on the 47 nation council. The new members will serve for three years from January. China, Saudi Arabia and Russia are vying for p...

Bulgaria: Rule of law report

Quotes from Ska Keller MEP and Daniel Freund MEP

Members of the European Parliament have just voted (Thurs. 8 Oct.) on a report on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in Bulgaria, following widespread protests over a series of corruption scandals tied to the country's political elite.

Respect for self-determination key to resolving Nagorno Karabakh conflict

EFA MEPs call for immediate ceasefire, de-escalation and talks

EFA MEPs have called for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation in the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh. The European Parliament held a debate on the issue with the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. EFA MEPs Jordi Solé a...

Parliament votes for serious action on rule of law

Rule of law

Today, the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of the Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights (DRF). The Parliament vote reaffirms the commitment of MEPs to establish a comprehensive approach to the rule of law instead of ...

Huge success for the climate

European Climate Law

Members of the European Parliament have voted in favour of a 60% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, supporting the call of the Environment Committee and going beyond the European Commission's 55% climate target. The European Parliament will now enter into negotiations with the Council and Commission with a strong position.

Hungary and ECJ ruling on Central European University

Quote from Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield MEP

The ECJ has ruled on what should be clear in any European democracy; that measures to limit academic freedom are incompatible with EU law. Forcing out a university is undemocratic, it goes against European values and now it's been ruled as illegal.

Daphne Caruana Galizia prize for journalists agreed by European Parliament

Quotes from Heidi Hautala MEP and Sven Giegold MEP

The Bureau of the European Parliament has just agreed to launch the Daphne Caruana Galizia prize for journalism. The prize, proposed by the Greens/EFA group, will distinguish outstanding journalism revolving around the principles and values of the European Union.

European Council summit

Quote from Philippe Lamberts MEP

Nearly two months after the stolen election in Belarus, the European Council has finally agreed to sanctions against members of Lukashenka's illegitimate regime, which is better late than never. The EU supports the people of Belarus and their right to live in a free and democratic country.

Commission report shows urgent need for rule of law mechanism

Rule of law

This report must be a building block for serious action and should spur the Commission on to widen its narrow scope of the democracy monitoring to include fundamental rights. The Commission must not use the publication of this report as an excuse to kick the can down the road when it comes to action on the strengthening of the rule of law in Europe.

Commission plans will not prevent another Moria disaster

Migration Pact

The Commission's Pact won't stop another Moria, despite promises to the European Parliament last week. The EU must end the systematic suffering at its borders but this plan doesn't do that. EU Member States need to share responsibility for asylum through relocation and show solidarity with both refugees and border countries.

Revelations about government failures must be a wake-up call

FinCEN files

The latest revelations by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) reveal the involvement of internationally operating banks in money laundering operations by the Mafia and by despots, oligarchs, terrorists and drug lords.

Commission impact assessment

Climate

"The European Commission must not play around with numbers to calculate the climate target. Tricks in the calculation of such a vital target damages the climate and undermines trust. We need concrete steps to halt climate collapse such as phasing out coal by 2030 and using 100% renewable energy" said Bas Eickhout

Parliament votes for stricter criteria, control and transparency

Quote from Hannah Neumann

The report by Green/EFA MEP Hannah Neumann was adopted by a majority. The European Parliament calls for stricter EU-wide controls on EU arms exports, better end-use control of exported arms, more coordination of national decisions on arms exports, a publicly accessible database on national arms exports and, for arms subsidised through the European Defence Fund, a sanctions mechanism for breaches of the eight EU export criteria.

Jordi Solé: #SOTEU - 'Europe must stand by its citizens'

Press release from the EFA Group in the European Parliament

EU has a duty to act when democracy and self-determination is threatened within its borders Speaking in today's State of the Union debate in the European Parliament with European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament Jordi Solé...

EU must act on refugees, climate and rule of law

State of the Union

Today (Wednesday 16 Sept.), the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, is debating the 'State of the European Union' withe Members of the European Parliament. The Greens/EFA group are calling for support for refugees, climate protection and a permanent binding mechanism to uphold the rule of law in Europe.

MEPs vote for emissions reductions in shipping

Environment

Today, MEPs have voted for shipping to be included in the European emissions trading scheme (ETS) from 1 January 2022 and shipping companies will be obliged to reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030. Until now, maritime transport has been excluded from the ETS.

Rule of law debate & LGBTI photo action

Quote from Terry Reintke MEP

The European Parliament debates the rule of law and attacks against the LGBTI community in Poland. The report: "Determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by the Republic of Poland of the rule of law" will be voted on 17 September.

EU must support victims of Moria fire

Refugees

European politicians cannot turn a blind eye to the situation in Greece, Italy and other countries hosting large numbers of people simply because they fear a far-right backlash. Essential medical assistance and care must be provided to survivors of the fire and anyone infected with the Coronavirus. The EU has a responsibility to act and to leave no one behind.

Jordi Solé elected President of the EFA Group in the European Parliament

Press Release from the EFA Group in the European Parliament

- Jordi Solé replaces Oriol Junqueras and becomes Vice President of Greens/EFA Group Catalan MEP Jordi Solé has today been elected President of the European Free Alliance (EFA) Group in the European Parliament and becomes First Vice President of the Greens/EFA Group. He replaces ...

"We call for new and free elections in Belarus"

Belarus: Common Statement from EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and ECR

In a common statement, political leaders from EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and ECR groups in the European Parliament join forces to call for new and free elections in Belarus and strongly condemn the violence and torture perpetrated against peaceful protesters organised by Lukashenko&rsquo...

The European Union must finally take action

Belarus

Ahead of tomorrow's (Friday 14 August) video conference of EU foreign ministers, Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller, leader of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, call for condemnation of electoral fraud and police violence, support for the release of political prisoners and new elections, targeted sanctions and entry bans on those responsible for the repression, and a safe haven to those who are no longer safe in Belarus.

European Parliament stands up for the rule of law and future generations

MFF

"The Council's vision for the MFF does not match the scope of the challenges before us. The reductions in grants over loans does not go far enough to support the long term needs of the recovery. Countries that have chosen frugality over solidarity do so at the expense of European unity. It is now up to the European Parliament to stand up for the rule of law and to invest in future generations", says Philippe Lamberts, co-President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament.

Agreement comes at a high price

EU Summit

"In exchange for a smaller recovery fund and higher rebates the rule of law mechanism was significantly watered down. The rule of law conditionality remains too fuzzy to constitute a real lever to bring Member States to respect what they signed up for when becoming members" says Philippe Lamberts, Co-President of the Greens/EFA group.

Apple ruling wake-up call for EU on tax legislation

Tax Justice

On Wednesday 15th of July the General Court of the European Union annulled the Commission's 2016 state aid decision concerning Apple in Ireland. The ruling by the General Court on illegal state aid to Apple in Ireland is a huge setback in the fight against tax dumping in Europe.

Time to hammer out historic deal

Council 'negotiation box' on recovery package/MFF

Now is the time to hammer out a historic deal. Angela Merkel's U-turn on grants needs to be reflected in the recovery package and EU budget, in that the rule of law and climate protection are the main focal points.

MEPs vote for more action to tackle money laundering

Quotes from Saskia Bricmont MEP and Sven Giegold MEP

Yesterday, the European Parliament voted on amendments to its resolution on Anti-Money Laundering (AML). The final vote will take place this afternoon. It is expected that the text will be carried with a large majority. The resolution is a reaction to the Commission’s recent Anti-Money Launder...

Parliament votes set out steps for EIB to become EU Climate Bank

European Investment Bank

The European Parliament has made clear its demands on the level of ambition that the Bank would have to reach to become the European Climate Bank. The European Investment Bank has set climate ambitious targets for itself, but it’s time for words to be followed by actions.

European Parliament calls for paradigm shift for sustainable chemicals and toxic-free environment

Chemical Strategy

The Greens/EFA group are calling for endocrine disrupters, used in cosmetics, toys and food packaging to be banned, as well as long-life fluorochemicals in all non-essential applications. The combination or 'cocktail' effects of chemicals should be addressed, rather than looking at the toxicity of individual chemicals.

Merkel must seize opportunity to put Green Deal at heart of recovery

German Presidency

Today (Wednesday 8 July), Chancellor Angela Merkel will present the priorities of the German Presidency of the European Council to the plenary of the European Parliament. The German presidency will have a great opportunity to contribute to these efforts by building an ecological, solidarity-based and gender-equitable Europe and by making the Green Deal and climate protection a motor for jobs and the transformation into a green economy.

Hydrogen Strategy must not be excuse to continue polluting the planet

Green Deal

Hydrogen can play a role in decarbonisation and in promoting the greening of European industries and the economy. However, the Hydrogen Strategy must not be allowed to become a greenwashing exercise used to subsidise obsolete gas pipelines. Funding hydrogen from fossil fuels is not sustainable and not in line with our climate commitments.

Green Deal and climate protection must be engine for jobs & recovery

German Council Presidency

Ahead of the start of the German Presidency of the European Council tomorrow, the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament are calling for the Green Deal and climate protection to be the engine for job creation and recovery and for the launch of a rule of law initiative.

The Commission & Council must match Parliament's ambition

Budget 2021

Only last week, the Parliament called for a total of 30% of the 2021 budget to be spent on climate change and 10% on biodiversity, but the EU Commission's proposal of 25% is very unambitious.

Parliament pushes through EU-wide class action in deal on collective redress

Consumer protection

"This directive fills the legal vacuum in the EU consumer legislation. With such new ground breaking instrument European consumers will no longer be left on their own, like in the Volkswagen emission cheating scandal. Empowering consumers and citizens is the way of the future." declared Heidi Hautala, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur on the file in the Legal Affairs Committee