Conservatives must not block action against Hungary

Commission statement on Hungary

The European Commission has decided to open infringement proceedings against Hungary as a result of the restrictions on international universities in the country. The Greens/EFA Group is calling for the European Parliament to launch the Article 7 procedure for the protection of the rule of law in Hungary.

Gulf between vision and action is far too wide

European Commission proposals on Social Europe

The European Commission has presented its proposals for a European pillar of social rights and work-life balance. This coincides with the publication of a reflection paper in which it sets out its long term vision for a social Europe. For the Greens/EFA group, this may be a first step, but there is still a long way to go.

European Parliament blocks move to co-opt cohesion spending for Junker Plan

Cohesion Policy

The Greens/EFA group has helped to block a proposal originating from the European Commission that would have given Member States the ability to transfer unlimited funds from European Structural and Investment Funds to the 'Juncker plan'.

Greens/EFA sounds the alarm against attacks on civil society and NGOs

It is beyond dispute that there is an increasing trend across the world to undermine democratic principles and shrink the freedoms and liberties that citizens and civil society organisations now enjoy. Hungary, Poland and Romania are recent EU examples of this.

Greens/EFA group reacts to French election

If Macron is to take on and defeat the far right, he needs to get real on social justice and do more for those who feel marginalised, say Greens/EFA presidents.

Turkish referendum

Reaction of the Greens/EFA group

After a campaign that took place in a climate of intimidation and fear, with outrageous restrictions on freedom of the press, Erdogan is now on track to transform the country into a one-man authoritarian regime. It is now high time for the EU to increase the pressure on Erdogan to end his fight against the free press and the opposition

Commission finally recognises need to revise European Citizens' Initiative

European Citizens' Initiative

Vice-President Timmermans has announced that the European Commission will present proposals to revise the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) later this year. The ECI in force today has so far failed to deliver on its original promise, which is why the Greens/EFA group, civil society and citizens who have tried to use the ECI, Josep-Maria Terricabras responds to the good news.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 3-6 April 2017

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary included: Palm oil and deforestation of rainforests; One year anniversary of the Panama Papers; Dieselgate: inquiry report and type approval legislation; EU-Syria strategy; Brexit: Article 50 resolution; Money Market Funds; MFF revision; GMO objection; Roaming charges.

Brexit

Plenary speech by MEP Alyn Smith

"As a Scottish European I’ve long wondered how I’d feel today, and the answer is I’m heartbroken. Not for myself but for the people I serve, for future generations."

"Keep Our Citizens Safe" - EU Parliament approves Brexit mandate

EFA Press release from SNP MEPs Ian Hudghton & Alyn Smith

The SNP Members of the European Parliament Ian Hudghton MEP and Alyn Smith MEP have today (Wednesday) voted, with heavy hearts, to approve a European Parliament negotiating mandate in response to the UK commencing the Article 50 process to leave the EU. The mandate is not about the merits of Brex...

Citizens must be central to Brexit talks

According to MEPs from the European Free Alliance group, the negotiations should be fair and in good faith, with citizens' interests coming first and people not used as bargaining chips

Brexit - negotiations with the United Kingdom ...

Plenary speech by MEP Philippe Lamberts

"Prime Minister May, many of your own citizens are proud to call not just the UK, but Europe home. We can't let them down!"