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.

European Parliamnet calls for an end to endocrine disrupters

Quote from Bas Eickhout MEP

Members of the European Parliament have just called for an end to substances that can have an impact on the hormonal system, such as bisphenol A, in food packaging, cosmetics and toys. The European Commission must act now in order to minimise exposure to endocrine disruptors and must close the looph...

European Defence Fund boost for the defence industry with no Parliamentary scrutiny

Quote from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP

MEPs have just adopted a €13 billion boost for the defence industry. The new fund will provide arms companies with fresh money from the EU budget as of 2021. The majority of MEPs voted to waiver their parliamentary scrutiny over the design of the programme. The Greens/EFA succeeded in ensuri...

New CO2 emissions standards for trucks and heavy goods vehicles

Quote from Bas Eickhout MEP

Today, the European Parliament voted by a large majority to approve the new CO2 emissions standards for trucks and other heavy goods vehicles. The CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles regulation will see new trucks and heavy goods vehicles reduce their CO2 emissions by 15% by 2025, and...

Parliament improves the text to protect our freedoms

Removal of terrorist content online

The European Parliament has just adopted its position on the proposal for a regulation on the prevention of the dissemination of terrorist content online.

PM Andrej Babiš could face prosecution for EU subsidies fraud

Czech Republic

Czech police have finalised their investigation and proposed to the state prosecutor to charge six people including Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and his wife for their alleged roles in the Stork's Nest scandal involving the fraud CZK 50 million in EU funds.

Parliament votes for EU measures to support justice, rights and values

Rule of law

The European Parliament voted to confirm two complimentary programmes that will help support the rule of law in the EU. The Rights and Values Programme will ensure that the European Union can directly support NGOs or other organisations that work on advancing rights, European values, democracy and the rule of law. The Justice Programme includes greater support for citizens, civil society and legal experts and contribute to the development of justice in the EU

New rules wasted opportunity to tackle dual quality of products

Consumer protection

The European Parliament voted on better enforcement and modernisation of EU consumer protection rules. While there are some improvements on current consumer protection legislation, today's changes are a wasted opportunity to tackle the dual quality of products.

Parliament approves greater transparency on approval of pesticides and GMOs

Food law

Public interest and people's health is more important than protecting the secrets of chemical giants or not embarrassing the European Food Safety Authority. The complete lack of transparency in the authorisation of pesticides, genetic engineering and food additives, will finally be addressed.

Future of Europe debate with Latvian Prime Minister

Krišjānis Kariņš

Philippe Lamberts, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, comments on the Future of Europe debate with the Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš.

European Parliament fails to remove ExxonMobil lobby badges

Quote from Molly Scott Cato MEP

Yesterday, (Tuesday, 16 April) the European Parliament administration denied the Greens/EFA request to remove the Parliamentary access badges of ExxonMobil lobbyists, after they refused to attend a hearing on climate denial.

Facebook’s new rules will hurt democratic debate

Facebook/European elections

As of this week, Facebook put in place new rules for political advertisement in all EU Member States. Effectively, political advertisements will be only allowed in the country where an individual or organisation is based.

Horizon Europe Programme

Quote from Jakop Dalunde MEP

With more than a third of Horizon Europe’s budget being earmarked for climate-related expenditure, EU is sending the right signal in order to leverage additional public and private funding in order to solve the global challenges at our doorstep, said Greens/EFA MEP Jakop Dalunde.

MEP calls for international election observers in EU poll

Press Release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

SNP MEP Alyn Smith has today given an impassioned speech in the European parliament in Strasbourg warning that the Leave campaigns lied and broke the law, and that politicians from the campaign will do so again in the upcoming EU elections. Alyn said: "President, thank you. So as a Scotti...

EU Whistleblower Protection Directive approved

Quote from Benedek Jávor MEP

For the first time across the EU, those who wish to expose corruption, wrong doing and illegality in the workplace will be able to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will have legal guarantees and rights to protection. This Directive has been a long time coming and is a shining example of how the EU can directly improve the lives of citizens.

10 priority measures to save the climate

Greta Thunberg in the European Parliament

Bas Eickhout, climate spokesperson for the Greens/EFA group and lead candidates of the European Greens for the European Elections calls for a reduction of CO2 emissions of 65% by 2030, for the economy to switch completely to renewable energies by 2050 at the latest and for a fairer and environmental friendly tax system.

European Commission failed to complete investigation before end of mandate

Babis case

In the hearing of the Budget Control Committee of the European Parliament with EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger, the case of a possible conflict of interest of the Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis was raised again.

EU-US trade talks

Quote from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP

We need a fair partnership, but not a deal at the expense of the environment and European standards. The Commission and the Council are undermining the EU's negotiating position by trying to avoid a transparent debate out of fear of public opinion. We will help to ensure that this does not happen.

Copyright Directive

Quote from Julia Reda MEP

The Council of Ministers adopted the Copyright Directive, including ancillary copyright for press publishers and a de facto obligation for Internet platforms to use upload filters

Brexit: UK and EU agree delay to 31 October

Philippe Lamberts on the outcome of the Brexit summit

The fact that the UK is now very likely to participate in the European elections will provide an opportunity for pro-EU forces in the UK to stand up and mobilize. We will spare no effort to demonstrate to citizens across the 28 the positive value that the EU can have for all of us.

Commission plans to change decision making on energy taxation

Today, the European Commission will publish its communication on "A more efficient and democratic decision making in EU energy and climate policy". The document will set out plans on how to move decisions on energy taxation to Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) in the Council. Under current r...

EU-China summit

Quote from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP

The European Union is now learning to speak with one voice towards China. This concerns economic issues from the Chinese silk road policy to its industrial policy 'Made in China 2025', but also includes the establishment of a brutal police state in Xinjiang in China's west.

European Chief Prosecutor talks break down over Romanian government's attempts to side-line Laura Codruţa Kövesi

Quote from Judith Sargentini

The fact that the Romanian government is trying to go to such extreme lengths as indicting Laura Codruţa Kövesi on trumped-up charges and trying to stop her from leaving the country, shows how afraid they are of her courage and independence. These qualities are crucial for the role of European Chief Prosecutor and is exactly why we should stand by her nomination for the role

Compulsory biometric data in ID cards a security smokescreen and a danger for privacy

ID cards

The Greens/EFA group voted against this invasion of personal privacy.

Parliament vote on mobility risks creating second class workers

Mobility Package

The majority of Members of the European Parliament, have voted in favour of exemptions for a range of transport journeys from the Posting of Workers Directive.

Equal rules for all are a route to energy security

Energy/Nord Stream 2

The vast majority of Members of the European Parliament adopted an amendment to the EU Gas Directive that will apply to pipelines from third countries into the European Union, such as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project of the Russian company Gazprom.

Climate and social justice belong together

Future of Europe/Sweden

"It is the poorest people who are hit hardest by the climate crisis, both worldwide as well as in the EU. They are more effected by extreme weather events, rising sea levels and have also less means to mitigate the impact," says Greens/EFA Co-President, Ska Keller.

'Idiotic Westminster chaos of Brexit'

Press Release from EFA MEP Ian Hudghton (SNP)

The SNP's leader in the European Parliament, Ian Hudghton MEP, has called out the 'idiotic Westminster chaos of Brexit'. As the European Parliament debated recent developments in Brexit this afternoon, Mr Hudghton reminded MEPs that Scotland had voted to remain in the EU. He argued...

New Greens/EFA report on the tax race to attract the wealthiest

Tax justice

On the third anniversary of the Panama Papers (Wednesday April 3rd) the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament is launching a new study "Competing for the rich: Tax exemptions and special schemes for the rich".

Proposed CAP reform a devastating blow to farmers, consumers and the environment

Agriculture

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development adopted its main report on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The proposals fail to address the current climate crisis and serves to perpetuate an unsustainable agricultural model that is destructive for the planet.

Kovesi

Quote From Ska Keller MEP

Yesterday, the Romanian magistrate Laura Codruta Kovesi, one of the candidates to become the EU's first public prosecutor, was indicted on corruption charges by the newly formed "Unit for Inquiry of Magistates". She is forbidden to leave the country or to talk to the media.

Parliament calls on the Commission to act for citizens health

Dieselgate

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution on recent developments concerning the Dieselgate scandal. Internal Market Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska recently announced that the European Commission has brought an action countering the judgment of the European Court of Justice that annulled pollution permits.

A step towards greener financial markets

Sustainable investment

The European Parliament has just voted on its position on financial standards for defining what can be considered as sustainable economic activities and sustainable investments.

EU funds should not be spent on fossil fuels

Regional development

The European Parliament has just voted to block spending from the European Regional Development Fund (EDRF) and the Cohesion Fund to be spent on fossil fuels. These funds have a direct influence on the lives of citizens, especially those living in less developed regions: stabile quality employment, new infrastructure, and improved quality of life. The ERDF and Cohesion Fund should be the green face of Europe, delivering a better quality of life to citizens and ensuring a suitable and environmentally friendly future.

Brexit - 'Leave a light on for Scotland'

Press Release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

SNP Member of the European parliament Alyn Smith has, to warm applause, urged the European Union to "leave a light on" for Scotland to find our way back to the EU if we are removed against our democratic will. The intervention was warmly applauded across the Chamber and by Presidents Tu...

Single Use Plastics Directive

Quote from Margrete Auken MEP

The Directive, which was agreed between the three main EU institutions back in December, will see a ban on single-use items such as straws, cutlery and cotton buds, as well as a complete ban on plastic cups and food containers made out of expanded polystyrene.