European Union

Greens/EFA group asks Ursula von der Leyen to find new candidates for two Commissioner posts

New Commission

The Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) has taken the decision on the conflicts of interests of the Commissioners designate. As it has been leaked to the media, the JURI Committee, did not clear the Romanian candidate Plumb and the Hungarian candidate Trócsányi of conflicts of interest, blocking them from moving on to the next stage of hearings to become European Commissioners.

Greens/EFA group demand potential conflicts of interest investigated fully

New Commission

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament will review the cases of 10 Commissioner designates who have been asked to provide additional information in order for the committee to assess any potential conflict of interest issues.

“Politics as Usual” does not suffice: We need an ethical Commission we can trust

Ethics and Integrity

Ursula Von der Leyen, the new Commission President, is working to put together a new Commission, but many of the candidates to become European Commissioners have been the subject of political scandals, investigations for corruption or questionings about potential conflicts of interest. But the European Parliament now has the power to prevent conflicts of interest - will it deliver?

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 16-19 September 2019

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included: Hungary – Rule of Law, Amazon Fires, Christine Lagarde appointed President of the European Central Bank, Climate Debate Ahead of UN Summit, Brexit, New von der Leyen Commission, Money Laundering Greens/EFA nominees for the Sakharov Prize, Patentability of plants and essential biological processes, Laura Codruța Kövesi, new European Chief Prosecutor.

EPPO: Kövesi chosen as Chief Prosecutor

Quote from Saskia Bricmont MEP

"The role of European Chief Prosecutor is essential in the fight against fraud and corruption in the EU and will be strengthened with Laura Codruța Kövesi's integrity, experience and determination," comments Saskia Bricmont MEP.

Brexit vote European Parliament

Quote from Philippe Lamberts MEP

The European Parliament has voted by a large majority on a Brexit resolution calling on the EU to protect citizen's rights and, if no agreement is reached, to extend Article 50 in order to avoid a no-deal Brexit and preserve peace in Ireland.

What's coming up in Parliament

Greens/EFA priorities - plenary session 16-19 September 2019

A look ahead to the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg and the Greens/EFA priority issues on the agenda

Von der Leyen must change title of Commissioner for "Protecting our European way of life"

European Commission

Yesterday, a majority of Committee Chairs, led by Greens/EFA MEP Karima Delli, voted to demand that European Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen change the controversial name for the proposed Commission portfolio that includes migration.

Greens/EFA not convinced on von der Leyen proposal

European Commission

The next European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled the proposed candidates for Commissioners and their portfolios. The nominees will face hearings in the European Parliament in the coming weeks.

UK House of Commons votes against no-deal Brexit

Quotes from Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller

The House of Commons has clearly indicated its determination to avoid no-deal Brexit for a second time and this must be respected by the UK government, regardless of who is in Number 10 Downing Street.

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary weeks July I and II 2019

We are back !  After the green wave of the European elections in May, political groups were formed and the new European Parliament had its first two plenary sittings in Strasbourg.  The topics on the agenda were mainly about the election of the Presidents of the European Parliament and of the European Commission.

European Commission’s New Proposals on Rule of Law Fall Short Once Again

The European Commission - and its new President, Ursula Von der Leyen - has promised that “there can be no compromise” when it comes to upholding the rule of law across the European Union. Yet despite the urgency of the situation, both Von der Leyen’s promises and the concrete proposals presented today by the European Commission remain deeply insufficient.