EU Institutions

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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Brexit

Withdrawal Agreement vote sad day for Europe

Brexit

We will continue to support citizens' rights and the principle of solidarity. The ties that bind us run deeper than our political union and although the UK will for now embark on a separate path we will stay partners and friends. If the UK changes its mind in the future then we will leave a light on for them to return home.

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EFA Group welcomes new SNP MEP

Heather Anderson replaces Alyn Smith

The European Free Alliance (EFA) Group in the European Parliament has welcomed new Scottish National Party (SNP) MEP Heather Anderson. Ms Anderson replaces former EFA Group President Alyn Smith who was elected to Westminster at the December UK General Election. The appointment also means that ...

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A Greens/EFA take on the plenary week

13-17 January 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the European Green Deal, the Sustainable Investment Plan, Just Transition Fund, Roadmap on Social Europe, the Council hearings on the rule of Law in Hungary and Poland, Czech PM Andrej Babiš' conflicts of interest, Convention on biodiversity, ...

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European flag 530x390
© Alexander Briel

Conference on the Future of Europe

Quote from Daniel Freund MEP

MEPs have voted with a large majority on a resolution launching the 'Conference on the Future of Europe', which will lead to a reform process aimed at improving the democracy and citizen participation in the European project.

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Andrej Babiš
Andrej Babiš © Martin Strachoň (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Parliament to debate EU subsidies and potential conflicts of interest - quote from Mikuláš Peksa MEP

Czech PM Babiš

The European Parliament debates the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and the reopening of a criminal investigation into his company's use of EU subsidies and potential conflicts of interest.

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