The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

10.05.2016

LIVE press conference 10 May 10:30-10:50

Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts present the key issues of the plenary session and of the European agenda for the Greens/EFA group

What the Panama Papers tell us about today's world

Even if tax scandals have been in the European media for years now, the Panama Papers revelations take the problem to a whole new level. This Panama Papers leak is an unprecedented event, by the size of the consortium of journalists coordinating the investigation (376 journalists from 109 media outlets) but also by the scope of the revelations, involving politicians, stars and many other celebrities.

Financial benchmarks

EP adopts a much too timid response to recent Libor, Forex and commodity index rigging scandals

The Greens/EFA group today voted against the proposed Regulation of financial benchmarks, which was adopted by a large majority of MEPs.

Greens push the European Investment Bank to clean up its act!

Blog post by Benedek Jávor, Bart Staes and Ernest Urtasun

Citizens and activists working on transparency and accountability issues tend to follow one simple rule: "Follow the Money"! However, this is not just because we want to know how public money is being spent; it is because money really matters. Money equals power. That's why it's so impor...

Greece/Eurogroup

Posturing must end; responsible decisions on Greek economy needed

Commenting on the latest developments regarding the Greek bailout programme, Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts said: "The renewed posturing on the implementation of Greece's bailout programme is a worrying distraction from the persistent deterioration of the Greek economy. The decision ...

IKEA flat pack tax avoidance

new episode

You may remember that in February, the Greens published a report demonstrating how IKEA companies were avoiding €1 billion across Europe over the last six years. Six weeks later, we finally got a reply from Inter-IKEA Group - one of the 2 IKEA companies.

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 11-15 April 2016

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg plenary included air passenger data retention (PNR); strengthening data protection in the EU; Erasmus+ scheme; ensuring sustainable fisheries beyond EU waters; the refugee crisis and the EU-Turkey agreement; Panama Leaks: tax evasion and money laundering in the EU; the vote on the possible reapproval of glyphosate; Poland and the rule of law; EU trade secrets rules and the implications of whistleblowers; energy poverty: tackling poverty in the face of increasing household costs.

Tax avoidance/Panama Leaks

EU Parliament inquiry green light; robust mandate must follow

The European Parliament's Conference of Presidents of political groups today agreed on a proposal from the Greens/EFA group to set up a parliamentary inquiry committee to investigate the Panama Leaks revelations, which showed wealthy individuals and firms channel funds through offshore firms to avoi...

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

12.04.2016

LIVE press conference 12 April 2016 10:30-10:50

Greens/EFA co-presidents Rebecca Harms and Philippe Lamberts present the key issues of the plenary session and of the European agenda for the Greens/EFA group

Corporate tax transparency

Proposed public reporting obligations for big business fall short

The European Commission is today set to present a proposal to introduce public country-by-country reporting obligations on corporations. The European Parliament has been calling for such obligations for some time as means to ensure full transparency of corporations' tax dealings. The Greens express...

Panama Papers

Greens call for an inquiry committee and present a draft mandate

In response to the Panama papers revelations, which showed criminals, wealthy individuals and firms channel funds through offshore firms to avoid paying taxes or hide illegal money, the Greens have called for an immediate response at EU level.

Interview with Daniel Gros

Director CEPS