The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

12.12.2017

LIVE press conference 12 December 2017 10:30-10:50

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

EU Member States agree that Council should join the EU Transparency Register

Lobbying Transparency

We have to give credit to the Estonian Presidency of the Council of the European Union for their success in reaching an agreement between all 28 EU Member States that would shed a slither of light into the lobbying that surrounds the Council of the European Union. This was by no means an easy task. The Council’s decision-making process is arguably the least transparent when compared to the Commission and the Parliament, and some Member States appear keen to keep it that way.

The art of the deal – how to keep politics clean

06.12.2017

Public event

This joint event organised in the European Parliament will discuss the issues of parliamentary ethics and lobby transparency.

The fight against corruption and how to win it

Defeating the disease

New estimates released this year have shown the staggering amount of money that is lost due to corruption in the EU: between 179 and 990 billion euros, every single year. To play with a metaphor, corruption is like a contagious disease, a virus that spreads quickly, infecting people in ways that are not always visible, and ravishing our public services in its wake. The virus was created by humans, but we don’t need doctors to eradicate it, just a lot of hard work - or better said, a lot of teamwork! We need your support for these campaigns and we are happy to lend you ours as well – just get in touch, and let’s get to work.

Panama Papers: The Final Vote

One scandal chases another: LuxLeaks, Panama Papers, Paradise Papers... they all show there is a global system of corruption and injustice in place. On 12 December, we have a great opportunity to fight money laundering and tax avoidance. The European Parliament will vote on its Panama Papers report and we need to make this a victory for tax justice!

Transparency of legislative work within Council preparatory bodies

European Ombudsman - Public consultation and invitation to submit comments

As a first step in the inquiry, the Ombudsman asked the Council 14 questions, to which the Council replied on 26 July 2017 [2]. The Council listed various improvements that will enhance the public’s ability to follow its decision-making process, including (i) a new system to record Counci...

Make the Panama Papers report a victory for tax justice!

During the last plenary session of 2017, the European Parliament will vote on the final Panama Papers report and its recommendations. Thanks to the Greens/EFA group, the report contains many important findings and tools to tackle money laundering and tax dodging. Read more to find out the seven key recommendations that are in danger and that we need to protect.

EU still doesn't have rules in place to ensure whistleblower protection

LuxLeaks

"This trial shows why we need protection for whistleblowers. It is thanks to people like Antoine Deltour and Raphael Halet that the public was made aware of the many tax and fraud scandals to break in recent years," says Greens/EFA transparency spokesperson Benedek Jávor.

European Council must stop dragging its heels

Money Laundering

"Each successive major tax scandal has shown the need for increased transparency. With the Paradise Papers, the list of revelations has grown even longer, yet still member states refuse to act," says Judith Sargentini, Greens/EFA member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs committee.

The Greens/EFA Co-Presidents' briefing

14.11.2017

LIVE press conference 14 November 2017 10:30-10:50

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

Political manoeuvring to avoid serious discussion on conflicts of interest in climate policy at COP23 Climate negotiations

COP23 Climate Negotiations

There is currently a heated debate ongoing about the need to prevent dirty energy companies from disproportionately influencing and watering down climate policy. Ecuador together with other developing countries are leading the charge to demand the introduction of a conflicts of interest policy in the UN Climate Change negotiations, and they are supported in this endeavour by NGOs, Green politicians and the “G77 group” of States – all of whom are demanding more ambitious action to protect the planet.

New leak shows urgent need for action

Paradise Papers

Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Panama Papers committee, comments on the latest big tax leak, the Paradise Papers.