Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 4-8 July 2016

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg plenary included: Energy labels and a common sense A-G system; Human trafficking and EU external relations; UK referendum aftermath; Diverting development aid to military purposes; Revising money laundering rules and tackling tax avoidance; Controversial EU-Canada trade deal ratification; EU border and coast guard and fundamental rights; Whistleblower protection: EU rules badly needed; Tax evasion: conclusion of Lux Leaks investigation.

EP tax avoidance investigation

Parliament adopts strong conclusions to Luxembourg Leaks investigation

The European Parliament today adopted the final report concluding the investigation of its special committee on tax avoidance. Welcoming the vote, Greens/EFA co-president Philippe Lamberts said:  “This investigation has shed light on the regulatory breakdown which allowed the large-scale tax ...

A step forward on money-laundering, but Commission needs to be bolder

After the Panama Paper revelations, the European Commission needs to show it is ready to take strong action on tax evasion and avoidance. Their newly published anti-money laundering package goes some way towards achieving that. But with up to €1 trillion lost from the real economy each year, they need to be much bolder.

EU anti-money laundering rules

Commission proposes steps forward in response to Panama Papers

The European Commission today presented proposals to update EU rules on anti-money laundering, including provisions to strengthen existing legislation in response to the Panama Papers revelations. Commenting on the proposals, Green MEP Judith Sargentini, who was co-rapporteur/draftsperson for parlia...

Tax is a feminist issue!

29.06.2016

A Greens/EFA conference

There is a unanimous concern among activists, experts and academics on the gender bias of tax systems, and, furthermore, on how the contemporary tax reforms may increase the incidence of taxation on the poorest women.

Luxembourg Leaks trial

Regrettable verdict a wake-up call on whistleblower protection

A Luxembourg court today ruled that ‘Luxembourg Leaks’ whistleblowers Antoine Deltour and Raphaël Halet were guilty of stealing documents, revealing business secrets and violating trade secrets (1). Criticising the verdict, Green transparency spokesperson Benedek Javor MEP, who was ...

Luxleaks committee delivers final verdict

A blog from our Tax Justice campaign

In the same week as Finance Ministers agreed a weak package of reforms on tax avoidance, the European Parliament Special Committee TAXE has published a harsh assessment of Member States' willingness to adopt tax reforms. The committee, created in February 2015 to investigate the Luxleaks scandal, also put forward a series of recommendations on how to make corporate taxation fairer.

Member States agree on anti-tax avoidance measures - but at what cost?

A blog from our Tax Justice campaign

If there is one thing that matters in politics, it is accountability towards citizens. So when European leaders tell us that we must tackle tax avoidance, you would think that that they would deliver on their promises when they get the chance.

Tax avoidance

Minimalist new EU law shows EU governments not taking problem seriously

An agreement between EU finance ministers on new EU anti-tax avoidance legislation was confirmed today, after a provisional deal struck at last week’s council meeting was formally accepted by all EU member states. The Greens expressed regret at the final agreement, which will deliver only limited ...

Greens/EFA Round up

Debriefing of the Strasbourg plenary week 6-9 June 2016

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg plenary included: Glyphosate: decision on extending the controversial substance; Food security and a fair food supply chain; Watering down EU rules on financial speculation; legal EU migration tainted by outsourcing to 3rd countries; Tobacco, health and the role of industry: international rules; Panama Papers: EP inquiry into tax evasion and money laundering in the EU; EU Commission refusing to act on health-damaging chemicals; Preventing further approvals of GMOs; MEPs demand regulation on open, efficient and independent EU administration.

Panama Papers Inquiry

Meet our Green Team!

As the Plenary Chamber of the European Parliament voted yesterday to support an inquiry committee on the Panama Papers scandal, the Greens have been busy voting as well for their 8 representatives to seat in this committee.

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

07.06.2016

LIVE press conference 7 June 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