European Union

The GREENS/EFA Financial Recovery Plan

Ahead of the final stage of the negotiations on the forthcoming long-term EU budget, we would like to present our proposal for an EU plan to tackle the COVID-19 outbreak from a budgetary point of view. This paper complements the Greens/EFA group’s proposal for a EU coronavirus fund.

Coronavirus / Europe's islands - call for urgent EU intervention

Press Release from EFA MEP François Alfonsi (Corsica)

Europe's islands could face economic collapse as a result of the necessary measures put in place to combat the spread of Coronavirus, and targetted intervention at EU level is needed to prevent this. That is the message that a cross party group of MEPs representing many of Europe's island...

Ministers agree on fiscal measures to combat COVID-19 crisis, now EU leaders must decide on Corona bonds

Eurogroup/Corona crisis

Last night, European finance ministers reached an agreement on the COVID-19 crisis to utilise the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) to finance support for the domestic financing of costs related to healthcare, cure and prevention costs for the Coronavirus. The Eurogroup meeting also agreed to the Commission's SURE proposal for unemployment due to the crisis and the European Investment Bank pan-European guarantee plan.

European Court of Justice: Refusal to accept refugees violates EU law

Quote from Tineke Strik

The European Court of Justice has ruled, Thursday 2 April, that Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic should not have refused to admit refugees and asylum seekers. The suit was filed against the three countries by the European Commission.

European Council summit

Quote from Ska Keller MEP

Following last night's video conference meeting of EU leaders, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, Ska Keller MEP, comments: "Despite being in the midst of an unprecedented public health emergency, it's shameful that European governments were unable to agree...

European response to COVID-19 crisis

We must leave no one behind and face this together with open hearts

In response to the Corona crisis, the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament and the European Green Party are calling for European solidarity and cooperation in a new paper setting out policy responses to the crisis.

Kosovo: Vote of no confidence amid Corona crisis

Quote from Viola von Cramon-Taubadel MEP

The current political turmoil in Kosovo and the Corona pandemic should not be used to any individual politician's advantage. Kosovo needs a stable government that can lead its citizens through these times of uncertainty and crisis.

Hungary/Corona crisis: Draft bill on modifying criminal code risks democratic standards

Quote Gwendoline Deblos-Corfield MEP

Today, the Hungarian Parliament will debate passing a motion that would allow the government to rule by decree until the end of the Corona virus crisis. Under the proposals, any law could be suspended or overridden as long as the emergency continues, and no elections including municipal, by-elections or referenda will be allowed until the government declares the emergency over.

All about the EU climate law

A blog from two young climate activists

The European Green Deal is a pact that was launched by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. And the climate law is consequently one of the most important parts of the green deal.

Increase in risk of domestic violence during COVID-19 outbreak

Quote from MEP Terry Reintke MEP

While we applaud the necessary moves to create social distancing and flatten the curve with the Corona virus, these must come with moves to protect vulnerable people against domestic violence. Reports of almost double the number cases of domestic violence in China should be taken as a serious warning here in Europe, particularly for women and children, who are most at risk.

Member States to debate start of accession talks with Albania and North Macedonia next Tuesday

Quote from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP & Tineke Strik MEP

Opening accession talks with North Macedonia and Albania is crucial to rebuild EU credibility in the Western Balkans and to ensure countries in the region maintain and strengthen trust in our common European future. The EU must demonstrate its ability to move forward particularly in this time of crisis.

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