Debating the future of EU-UK relations after Brexit

EFA MEPs Jill Evans & Alyn Smith in key debate

EFA MEPs Alyn Smith (SNP - Scotland) and Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru - Wales), took part in today's European Parliament debate on the future of EU - UK relations after Brexit, with Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier. The European Parliament will have a f...

New Galician MEP joins European Parliament

Press release from EFA in the European Parliament

Ana Miranda of the BNG (Bloque Nacionalista Galego) becomes the European Parliament's newest MEP as of this Wednesday 28 February. Ana was previously an MEP during part of the 2009-14 legislature when she served on the Petitions and Fisheries committees. Ana Miranda said that she looked fo...

Pan European Electoral lists

Press release from EFA MEP J-M Terricabras (Catalonia)

The European Parliament has today voted against setting up transnational lists for future European Parliament elections. This would have meant common lists of candidates who could stand for election across the whole territory of the EU, enabling citizens from all parts of the Union to vote for a ...

Future of the European Union & Croatia

Leaving the shadows of the past behind

The European Parliament continued today its series of debates with invited European leaders on the Future of Europe with the visit of the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković. Greens/EFA co-president Ska Keller used her speech to raise questions regarding widening social inequality and environmental concerns in Croatia.

Civil and Fundamental Rights in the EU

01.02.2018

The Catalan case

9:30h - 11:00h State repression on the 1st of October  -    [9:30h - 9:35h] MEP Jordi Solé, welcome remarks -    [9:35h - 9:40h] Lluís Arcarazo, Director of the Documentary “1-O”  -    [9:40h - 10:20h] Screeni...

Greek and FYROM talks about conflict over the name of FYROM

Reaction from Ska Keller

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and FYROM Prime Minister Zoran Zaev raised the prospect of settling the conflict over the name of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). An agreement opens up the possibility for the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join the European Union, as well as NATO.

Irish PM calls for dialogue in Catalonia

EFA MEP Jordi Solé asks Ireland's PM about the situation in Catalonia

Ireland's Prime Minister has called for dialogue between the Spanish government and Catalonia following recent elections which saw a pro-independence majority elected. The Taoiseach was in Strasbourg to deliver a keynote speech on the future of Europe to the European Parliament and hold a deb...

Cross-border broadcasting and Europe's linguistic heritage

EFA perspective on EU rules for cross-border online TV

There are an estimated 40 to 50 million speakers of regional and minority languages in the European Union. Each and every one is a vital part of the diverse tapestry that makes Europe what it is today. Yet, despite important progress over recent years in terms of rights and recognition, many c...

Greens/EFA asks for release of political leaders

Catalonia

Yesterday, nine Catalan political leaders (including 2 former MEPs) were imprisoned. Whatever the charges levelled at them by the Spanish judiciary, the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament consider that this action was unwise and disappropriate and can only further poison the political situation i...

Concerns over situation in Catalonia

Statement from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé (Catalonia)

The European Parliament has this week heard concerns about the situation in Catalonia following the independence referendum held on 1 October. The Spanish authorities are preparing to suspend the democratically elected Catalan government and impose direct rule from Madrid. Two civil society leade...

Ambiguous declaration of Catalan President opens room for dialogue

Catalonia

President Carles Puigdemont opted for an ambiguous statement, leaving some room for dialogue. A lot will depend now on the reaction of the Spanish government.

Catalan independence declaration

Press release from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras & Jordi Solé (ERC)

Commenting on today's declaration of Catalan independence, Josep-Maria Terricabras MEP, President of the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament, said: "Today marks an exciting new chapter in European history as Catalonia declares its independence. And following our perma...