EU Institutions

european court of justic
european court of justice ©katarina_dzurekova (CC BY 2.0)

European Court of Justice: Refusal to accept refugees violates EU law

Quote from Tineke Strik

The European Court of Justice has ruled, Thursday 2 April, that Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic should not have refused to admit refugees and asylum seekers. The suit was filed against the three countries by the European Commission.

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European Council
European External Action Service (https://www.flickr.com/photos/eeas/32978511020)

European Council summit

Quote from Ska Keller MEP

Following last night's video conference meeting of EU leaders, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, Ska Keller MEP, comments: "Despite being in the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency, it's shameful that European governments were unable to agree...

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Mask on the street - Coronavirus
© Claudio Schwarz Purzlbaum - Unsplash

European response to COVID-19 crisis

We must leave no one behind and face this together with open hearts

In response to the Corona crisis, the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and the European Green Party are calling for European solidarity and cooperation in a new paper setting out policy responses to the crisis.

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Budapest - Hungary © Jaap Hart
© Jaap Hart

Hungary/Corona crisis: Draft bill on modifying criminal code risks democratic standards

Quote Gwendoline Deblos-Corfield MEP

Today, the Hungarian Parliament will debate passing a motion that would allow the government to rule by decree until the end of the Corona virus crisis. Under the proposals, any law could be suspended or overridden as long as the emergency continues, and no elections including municipal, by-elections or referenda will be allowed until the government declares the emergency over.

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woman
©volkan-olmez

Increase in risk of domestic violence during COVID-19 outbreak

Quote from MEP Terry Reintke MEP

While we applaud the necessary moves to create social distancing and flatten the curve with the Corona virus, these must come with moves to protect vulnerable people against domestic violence. Reports of almost double the number cases of domestic violence in China should be taken as a serious warning here in Europe, particularly for women and children, who are most at risk.

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Coronavirus - We must fight together

Unprecedented EU response needed to avert worst of virus crisis

COVID-19

We need a coordinated European response like no other to meet the challenge of this global pandemic head-on. We must focus on protecting the most vulnerable; from those at high risk, to the homeless and marginalised, to refugees who have no protection whatsoever from this pandemic in overcrowded camps with very little medical attention

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Graphic featuring gender equality

Commission's Strategy falls short of expectations

Gender Equality

""Ursula von der Leyen has said she wants to put gender equality high on the agenda, but she falls short of delivering equality within her own Strategy," comments Greens/EFA MEP Alice Bah Kuhnke.

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Kids at lesbos refugee camp
Kids at lesbos refugee camp | Fotomovimiento (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Europe must protect human rights and the rule of law

Situation on the Greece-Turkey border

"It is shameful that refugees are beaten away at European borders with batons and tear gas and when the Greek military conjures up civil war-like scenes against refugees," comments Greens/EFA co-president Ska Keller.

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euro-coins

EU governments are making domestic considerations a priority

MFF

The postponement of the negotiations of the Heads of State and Government on the Multiannual Financial Framework is disappointing. EU governments were unable to agree on a strong united position for a budget for the future. The Green Deal and challenges such as digitisation and growing inequality cannot be tackled with an austerity budget. The European Parliament, under pressure from the Greens/EFA group, is calling for more investment in climate protection and is united behind the call for an increase in the EU budget to 1.3% of gross national income and own resources.

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Jigsaw and money
Jigsaw and money © alexsl

The proposal of Charles Michel fails to meet the challenges of the 21st century

MFF

Charles Michel presented the draft position of European Council on the EU budget (Multi-annual Financial Framework, MFF). The EU governments are expected to adopt their position at the summit meeting at the end of next week.

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Heather Anderson
Heather Anderson

New MEP makes maiden and valedictory speech in European Parliament

Press release from EFA MEP Heather Anderson (SNP)

Newly elected SNP MEP Heather Anderson has given her maiden speech to the European Parliament – the day before Brexit. The speech was made during a debate on the European Commission’s work programme for 2020 and in the presence of Maroš Šefčovič, Vice President of the ...

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European Parliament

SNP & Plaid Cymru MEPs vote against Brexit withdrawal agreement

Press Release from EFA MEPs Jill Evans (Wales) & Christian Allard (Scotland)

Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru MEPs voted against the UK's withdrawal from the EU at Wednesday's European Parliament session in Brussels. SNP MEPs have campaigned hard to prevent Scotland being dragged out of the EU against its will. Scotland voted heavily to remain in the EU ...

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