EU Institutions

Europe needs solidarity, not tax giveaways

Future of Europe/Mark Rutte in the European Parliament

Mr Rutte might like to present himself as a man of the people by cleaning up some coffee. But on Europe, his vision is every man for himself.

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UNHCR (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Refugees stranded at sea shows urgent need for Dublin reform

Aquarius/Sea Watch 3

Two rescue ships carrying refugees, including pregnant women and children, have been refused permission to dock in Italy and Malta.

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Ggia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

New study shows how EU-Turkey deal is turning refugees into detainees

Asylum

The European Union's agreement with Turkey is failing to uphold the rights of refugees in Greece, according to a new study commissioned by the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament.

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New Spanish government should play progressive role in the EU

Greens/EFA group welcomes new Spanish government

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has welcomed the appointment of the new Spanish Government and expressed hopes for a renewed role for Spain in Europe, geared towards more green and progressive policies. Greens/EFA group co-presidents Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts comment: &l...

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GMO imported crops continue to enter the EU while the flawed authorisation process undergoes reform

2 objections to GMOs were voted today

Little by little, the European Parliament is trying to install more democracy and transparency into the EU decision processes. by reforming the way the EU approves GMOs, active substances contained in pesticides or any product or substance susceptible of having an impact on human health or the environment. But while the discussions are under way, GMOs continue to enter the EU market.

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@Erich Westendarp

European Commission looking for savings in the wrong places

Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy

The Greens/EFA group has expressed strong concerns with the European Commission’s planned reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy, due to be published on Friday (1 June). The European Parliament today backed an own-initiative report on the reforms, which are expected to see CAP spending on rural development cut by 25 percent. The Greens/EFA Group wants to see a more targeted approach, promoting rural development and small farms and investing money in transitioning to sustainable agriculture.

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© Alexander Briel

Future of Europe debate with Xavier Bettel

Quote from Philippe Lamberts

The European Parliament is today holding a debate with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel, on the Future of Europe. Greens/EFA group co-president Philippe Lamberts will speak for the group. In his speech, he will say that Luxembourg’s commitment to European integration is undermined by its aggressive tax policies.

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Greens/EFA welcome Commission back-track on partnership principle

MFF and Cohesion Policy

The European Commission has today presented its first sectoral proposals for the post 2020 Multiannual Financial Framework, starting with the European Regional Development Fund, Cohesion Fund and Common Provisions Regulation.

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OG Picture: Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0)

EU must remain united in defence of multilateralism

Trade

The European Parliament will this evening hold two key debates on trade - on President Trump’s trade tariffs and the EU’s new anti-dumping legislation, which is due to be voted on tomorrow. The Trump administration is due to make a final decision on tariffs for steel and aluminium from the European Union on 1 June.

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@Kristian Auth

Big win for a socially just Europe

Posting of workers

The European Parliament backed the outcome of trilogue negotiations on the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. Under the agreement, workers who provide a service in an EU Member State other than their country of origin will not only be guaranteed the same pay as their colleagues, they'll also receive the same entitlements, making their terms and conditions genuinely equal.

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Court action should be wake-up call to Germany, France and UK

Air quality

The Greens/EFA group has welcomed the decision of the European Commission to refer several EU countries to the European Court of Justice over their failure to take action on air quality.

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Tax avoidance

Reaction to Antoine Deltour ruling from Benedek Jávor

LuxLeaks

The Luxembourg Court of Appeal has today ruled on the case of Antoine Deltour. The Court has acknowledged his status as a whistleblower but gave him a “suspension du prononcé” for downloading documents related to the LuxLeaks, for which he receives a €1 fine.

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