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.

Mobility package vote postponed

Quote from Karima Delli MEP

The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, has just announced that the mobility package will be referred back to the Transport Committee and that the vote will be postponed until the plenary session on the 3rd and 4th of April.

EU must improve on transparency, ethics and harassment policies to build trust - Parliament

Discharge

Our group can be proud of having made progress in advancing attitudes in this Parliament, so that its Members can finally be held accountable for the use of their expenses. The Greens/EFA group will continue to fight for EU institutions that are fair, transparent and cost effective.

Tough new measures needed to tackle tax avoidance

Press Release by EFA MEP Jordi Solé (ERC)

The European Parliament has backed a report setting out tough new measures to tackle tax avoidance and financial crimes. This is the result of a year-long special committee which was set up to look into the matter, following several recent scandals such as Luxleaks and the Panama papers. Green...

Parliament's call for tough action on tax must be heard

Tax

The European Parliament has just approved the special committee on taxation's (TAX 3) final report, which calls for EU Member States to take bold steps in order to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and money laundering. The Tax 3 report laments the lack of progress in the fight against tax avoidance and evasion by EU Member States, despite numerous tax scandals of the last few years and public pressure around the issue.

Majority voted against the free internet

Copyright

The Greens/EFA group had joined the protests of millions of people and received a petition of over 5 million people against this law. The agreement adopted today will make upload filters the norm and restrict possibilities of expression due to licensing obligations that are impossible to fulfil.

European Council Summit - Brexit

Quote from Philippe Lamberts

On the news that the European Council summit has agreed to delay Brexit, Philippe Lamberts, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament and Member of the Brexit Steering Group, comments: "What this summit has done is bought time and space for the next steps. Either the Withd...

Greens/EFA group call for ExxonMobil's European Parliament lobby badges to be removed

Quote from Molly Scott Cato MEP

Yesterday, representatives of ExxonMobil refused to attend a European Parliamentary hearing on the company's role in funding climate change denial.

Product quality/Unfair Commercial Practices Directive

Quote from Julia Reda MEP

Last night, 'trilogue' negotiations between the European Commission, Council and Parliament were concluded on changes to the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive, part of the new deal for consumers released by the Commission last year, aimed at tackling among others the unfair practice of so-called “dual quality” by companies operating across different Member States.

Fidesz suspended from EPP

Hungary

The European People's Party (EPP) have just voted to suspend Fidesz, the Hungarian party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, from their pan-European party. The EPP and Manfred Weber need to decide where they stand: on the side of a party that tramples on media and academic freedom, campaigns against refugees and civil society or on the side of those who defend European values and the rule of law

Coordination of social security systems

Quote from Jean Lambert MEP

Today, trilogue negotiations between the European Parliament, Commission and Council have just concluded on the coordination of social security systems. Jean Lambert, social policy spokesperson for the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament comments: "Social protection for mobile cit...

Fate of Fidesz in EPP to be decided tomorrow

Quote from Ska Keller

Tomorrow (Wednesday 20th) the European People's Party (EPP) will decide on the future of Fidesz, following the recommendation of several members to expel the Hungarian party from the EPP. Ska Keller, President of the Greens/EFA Group and leading candidate of the European Greens for the European elections comments.

Any extension must be for purpose of breaking deadlock

Brexit

The UK has spent the last two years dashing back and forth, and is still unable to find a consensus back home. Any extension cannot be just for the sake of yet more shouting and arguing in the House of Commons. Instead of aiming for a losing hattrick and holding a third vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, it's time to ask the British people if they really want this deal or whether they want to stay in the EU.

European Parliament calls for EU human rights sanctions regime

Human rights

An EU-wide human rights sanctions regime would be an essential part of the EU's foreign policy and would embolden the EU to act as global human rights defender. Europe must be able to close our banks and borders to those who attack human rights and this proposal will give us the tools to do exactly that

President Tajani's comments on Mussolini

Quotes from Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts

The statements made by the President of the European Parliament are unworthy and absolutely unacceptable. Antonio Tajani must withdraw his trivialisation of fascism or resign as President of the European Parliament

EU - US trade talks

Quote by Yannick Jadot

Trade must work for people and the planet and sustainability has to be at the core of any agreements. That's why we cannot have trade partnerships with country that has announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, and so long as the US flagrantly disregards the need to protect the planet then we must not proceed with any trade talks

A transition to a climate friendly economy is possible now

Climate debate

"More and more young people are getting tired of politicians that have nice words for them but don’t take action against climate change. In the last weeks of this parliamentary term we need to take bold steps to get serious on climate protection", comments Greens/EFA MEP and climate spokesperson, Bas Eickhout.

Brexit Withdrawal Agreement voted down

Quote from Philippe Lamberts

On the news that the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement has failed to pass the UK House of Commons for the second time in a massive defeat of 149 votes, Philippe Lamberts, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament and Member of the Brexit Steering Group, comments:

Reform of the European Citizens' Initiative is a step forward

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

Catalan MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras (Greens/EFA) has welcomed today's vote in the European Parliament in favour of reforming the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). The vote passed with 535 votes in favour, 90 against and 41 abstentions. Terricabras is spokesperson for the Greens/EFA gro...

Anti-money laundering blacklist debate in European Parliament

Quote from Judith Sargentini

On the initiative of the Greens/EFA group, the European Parliament will debate the "Urgency for an EU blacklist of third countries in line with the Anti-Money Laundering Directive".

EU's tax haven blacklist starting to have an impact

Tax

European Union Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) have just agreed to further expand the list of jurisdictions included on the EU's tax haven blacklist and which countries will remain on the grey list for further scrutiny.

Jean-Claude Juncker defends selecting men for high-level finance posts

Quotes from Ska Keller and Sven Giegold

The European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has today (Tuesday, 12 March) sent a letter in response to the dispute over the allocation of high-level financial posts exclusively to men, defending the selection procedures for the appointment of the three top posts at the European Central Ban...

Deal reached to protect whistleblowers a victory for the truth

Whistleblowers

The Greens/EFA group have been the driving force campaigning for whistleblower protection and it's been a long road to get here, given that there was no official support for an EU-wide directive when we started campaigning years ago

Oxfam report on tax blacklist

Quote from Molly Scott Cato MEP

Oxfam have published their latest findings into the EU's tax haven blacklist. European Union finance ministers will sign off on an updated EU black list next week, where it expected that several key tax havens will be removed from the list.

European Parliament endorses Laura Codruta Kovesi for European Chief Prosecutor

Quotes from Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts

The European Parliament's Conference of Presidents has endorsed the nomination of Laura Codruta Kovesi, the former head of the Romanian Anti-Corruption Agency (DNA), for the role of European Chief Prosecutor at the new European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

ECJ ruling a victory in the fight for health, transparency and the environment

Glyphosate

The European Court of Justice has ruled that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) must publish all studies around the cancer risks of glyphosate.

Sustainable Investments agreement reached

Quote from Molly Scott Cato MEP

“We are proud that once again the EU leads the world on environmental standards: this time by agreeing the world’s first mandatory disclosure regime for a major financial market," Molly Scott Cato, Greens/EFA MEP who worked on the file, comments.

EU Justice Programme final trilogue

Quote from Heidi Hautala MEP

Today, final trilogue negotiations between the European Parliament, Commission and Council were concluded on the EU Justice Programme for the years 2021-2027, which includes greater support for citizens, civil society and legal experts.

Troika Laundromat leak

Quotes from Judith Sargentini and Molly Scott Cato

The OCCRP have just released their investigation the "Troika Laundromat", exposing how 4.6 billion USD from Russia and elsewhere was channelled through European banks and businesses, in what appears to be efforts to obscure the origin of the funds involved.

EPP to debate Fidesz

Quote from Judith Sargentini

On the news that the member parties from the European Peoples Party have request a debate on expelling the Hungarian party Fidesz, Judith Sargentini, Greens/EFA rapporteur on the rule of law in Hungary report comments: "While it's welcome that a few EPP parties are finally coming around ...

Member States hostile to EU anti-money laundering blacklist

Quote from Judith Sargentini MEP

Judith Sargentini, Greens/EFA rapporteur on the Anti-Money Laundering Directive, comments.