EU Institutions

European Commission finds Czech PM Babis has conflict of interest

Andrej Babiš

Several international media outlets are reporting that the European Commission's legal service has concluded that Prime Minister of Czech Republic Andrej Babiš has a conflict of interest between his role as head of the Czech government and his business dealings.

Hungary - media freedom and democracy

Quote from Judith Sargentini

"If this melange of autocracy isn't enough for the Council to do something, then what is? The Council needs to get its act together and debate our report on the rule of law in Hungary now, before the situation deteriorates further." Comments of Judith Sargentini on the media freedom and democracy in Hungary.

MEPs reject tougher fiscal rules that would ensure more austerity

Fiscal Compact

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs in the European Parliament has rejected a report from the European Commission that would help enshrine austerity policies into law.

Alleged conflict of interest Czech of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš

Quote from Bart Staes MEP, Greens/EFA

"It is up to the European Commission, as guardian of the treaties, to look at all the evidence and decide if Babiš has a conflict of interest between his role as Prime Minister and his potential links to Agrofert. It would seriously undermine trust in the European political system if a sitting Prime Minister is negotiating EU funds that could end up in his own pockets."

European Parliament pushes for strong protection for whistleblowers in landmark vote

The European Parliament took a clear position in favour of strong whistleblower protection, making several essential improvements to the European Commission’s draft legal proposal presented earlier this year. The report, supported by an overwhelming majority in the legal affairs committee, will be the Parliament’s negotiating position

This "eurozone budget" will not help avert the next crisis

The euro

"This proposal is no more than a basic compromise, that does not even come close to solving the basic design flaws of the single currency. Anyone who believes this path will avert future euro crises is deluding him- or herself. ", commented Philippe Lamberts, Greens/EFA co-president and Sven Giegold, economic and financial affairs spokesperson for the Greens/EFA group.

German government should stop blocking progress

Future of Europe

At the occasion of the visit of the German chancellor Angela Merkel to the European Parliament, Greens/EFA Co-Presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts call on the German Chancellor to revive the European engagement of the German government and to unblock important files in the European Council.

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

LIVE press conference 13 November 2018 10:30-10:50

Greens/EFA co-presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts present the key issues of the plenary session and of the European agenda for the Greens/EFA group

Hungary: Judith Sargentini to attend General Affair Council on Monday to present Rule of Law report

Quote from Judith Sargentini

"This is a small step in the right direction, but we are in a great hurry when it comes to Hungary. This meeting is a preparation for formal consultations between the European Parliament and the Ministers of Member States. We are dealing with an extremely serious situation in one of our own countries, which calls for swift and substantive action."

EU Parliament calls for arms export ban to Saudi Arabia

Killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi

Members of the European Parliament called for an arms embargo against Saudi Arabia on the initiative of the Greens/EFA Group. Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts appeal to the EU governments to implement an EU-wide ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, which the Parliament has already called for three times since 2016 through Greens/EFA group-led initiatives.

Austrian government using Orban's playbook

Civil society space

The Austrian government wants to exclude environmental organisations from environmental impact assessments. The amendment to the Environmental Impact Assessment Act will be put to the vote tomorrow (Thursday, 25 October) in the Austrian National Council.

Debate with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis

Quote from Ska Keller

"At a time when our common values are being trampled upon, every voice that defends civil rights, democracy and the rule of law counts - regardless of party politics," Ska Keller says.