Health

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...

MEPs to vote on necessary emergency funding for EU regions hit by COVID-19

Corona crisis

Tonight at 20:00, the European Parliament will vote on a series of emergency measures to financially support Member States and regions affected by the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The Greens/EFA group welcome the measures, which will see €37 billion mobilised for investment in healthcare product...

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.

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.

Evacuate vulnerable asylum seekers from Greek islands

Corona virus

Members of the European Parliament are calling on the crisis team of the European Commission to make an emergency plan to protect vulnerable asylum seekers against Covid-19. On the Greek islands are now more than 42.000 asylum seekers, while camps were supposed to house 6.000 people

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.

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

We need a European response to fight against the consequences of the COVID-19

Open letter to the Eurogroup

Green Members of the European Parliament call on the Ministers for Finance of the Eurozone to quickly adopt the following urgent initiatives

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary week

Plenary week, 10-14 February 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the future EU/UK relationship, conclusion of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, objection to the energy projects ‘PCI List’, humanitarian situation of refugees at EU external borders, automated decision-making processes, the illegal trade in companion animals in the EU, and the Gender Equality Strategy.

Parliament votes against toxic recycling

Quote from Bas Eickhout MEP

The European Parliament has voted to object to a Commission draft regulation that would allow for recycled PVC products to be exempt from a ban on lead. The objection which was tabled by the Greens/EFA group calls for an end to toxic recycling. This is the first time the European Parliament has vetoed chemicals legislation.

Europe will benefit from public drinking water dispensers and cleaner water

Drinking Water Directive

Yesterday (Wednesday, 18 December), the representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of Member States and the European Commission agreed on stricter limits for lead and endocrine disruptors such as bisphenol A allowed in drinking water.

Our future : fair & healthy food

Decades of yield maximization and export-oriented monocultures in a globalising economy have broken our food and agricultural chain. Business-as-usual has become impossible. But the tide is changing. More and more cities put agroecology in practice in concrete urban food policies. It is now time for a new EU policy that reflects and supports this holistic vision.