Plenary Flash: Greens/EFA Priorities 8 to 11 September
State of the European Union |
|
On Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver her annual State of the Union speech. The Greens/EFA Group wants to hear a clear message of change, which acknowledges the urgent need for the Commission to change course. This summer, European citizens witnessed an unbalanced trade deal, including with Trump’s summit with Putin. Meanwhile, Israel’s war on Gaza continues to destroy civilian life, without a European response that matches the gravity of the situation, and Europeans experienced record breaking heatwaves and fires due to climate change, which this Commission has backtracked in responding to. The massive challenges the EU is facing such as greening and boosting our economy and industry, fighting climate change and becoming a strong voice on the global stage will not be solved by deregulation and appeasing wannabe dictators, tech oligarchs and destructive far-right forces. What we need is for the Commission to lead, to take initiative and to stand up for democracy, justice and our shared values. The EU is the biggest market on earth and can be a strong force for climate action, economic wealth and freedom.
|
EU-US Trade Deal |
|
The EU-US trade deal is neither reciprocal, fair, nor balanced, and it touches upon EU regulatory sovereignty. It imposes extra tariffs on European exports to the US, while liberalising the import of a wide range of industrial, agriculture and seafood products. Moreover, it weakens the EU by increasing our dependence on the United States in critical sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence and energy. It grants the US the right to influence our legislation, pre-empting a democratic decision on the EU due diligence law or the introduction of network fees, for example.
|
Gaza at breaking point |
|
On Thursday, MEPs will vote on a resolution on Gaza and EU action to combat famine. While the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) are expanding their offensive in Gaza City, the total blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel has pushed Palestinians into a massive famine. The Greens/EFA Group continues to call for a ceasefire, the release of hostages and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement to apply diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government to stop its military operations in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank. We also call for an immediate halt to all arms exports, with the exception of defensive systems. In an attempt to break the maritime blockade and allow humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea, the Global Sumud Flotilla with dozens of ships set sail this week. Greens/EFA MEP Benedetta Scuderi will join the flotilla from Italy.
|
Ukraine |
|
On Tuesday, MEPs will debate Ukraine’s security guarantees, prospects for a just peace, and its path toward EU membership with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. The discussion will reflect on the Trump-Putin Alaska summit and Russia’s ongoing bombardment during its unlawful and violent war of aggression against Ukraine, while also reviewing a Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) report assessing Ukraine’s progress implementing the reforms needed to become a Member State of the European Union.
|
Heatwaves and Wildfires |
|
While summer is often a time for people to relax and enjoy some time off, this summer was marked by record high temperatures and wildfires that burned more than 1 million hectares of land, more than ever recorded, showing the dramatic impact of accelerating climate change in Europe. On Tuesday, MEPs will debate the devastating wildfire in Southern Europe. On Thursday, at the request of the Greens/EFA Group, MEPs will debate the heatwaves that have ravaged the EU this summer. In the face of increasingly hot summers, it is not only vital to address the causes of these heatwaves, but to ensure that citizens are protected from their worst effects. This includes making sure that people can afford to keep their homes cool and putting in place policies that protect their health, as well as an efficient monitoring of forests and fire protections.
|
Simplification of cohesion funds |
|
On Wednesday, MEPs will vote on the report on simplifying cohesion funds, drafted by Greens/EFA MEP Vladimir Prebilič from Slovenia. The text acknowledges progress in recent years but stresses that small projects, regions and citizens still face disproportionate administrative burdens, which undermines the credibility and impact of EU funding. Thanks to Greens/EFA efforts, the report clearly rejects centralisation trends, calls for an end to gold-plating, where additional national rules are imposed on top of EU laws, and secures strong commitments to multi-level governance and partnership. With wide support expected, this is an important success for the Greens/EFA Group in delivering a strong plea for making cohesion policy more accessible, fair and closer to citizens.
|
More:Taxation of large digital platforms in light of international developments On Monday, there will be an ‘oral question’ on a big tech tax, following developments over the summer between the EU & US, Canada, the G7, and in Washington DC, which could undermine global and European efforts on corporate taxation. The EU should stand firm on tax sovereignty towards third countries, including the US. Taxing big tech companies is essential to ensure that they pay their fair share. Big tech companies hold huge influence over people’s lives and what they see online, yet right now this enormous power comes with very little regulation or taxation. The Greens/EFA Group are calling for a Big Tech Tax to reign in the tech oligarchs and ensure greater fairness in the tax system.
Serbia On Tuesday, MEPs will debate the wave of violence and continuous use of force against protesters in Serbia. The collapse of the newly renovated Novi Sad railway station canopy with 16 casualties in November 2024 sparked widespread outrage and led to massive student-driven protests demanding respect for rule of law, transparency, accountability and democratic reforms, including free and fair snap elections. Over the recent weeks and months we have seen an escalation of violence against protesters by the police and by thugs close to the Serbian ruling party, a sister party of the EPP. The Greens/EFA Group expresses its solidarity with the peaceful protesters and supports their demands, which are fully in line with the goals of the EU integration process. We urge the Commission President and the EPP to stop condoning the autocratic turn Serbia has taken under President Vučić and put pressure on the President and their sister party to end the escalation and stop the violence.
|
Press BriefingThe Group' Co-Presidents Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout will hold the plenary session press briefing on Tuesday, 9 September at 11:00 AM. Location: Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room, Weiss N-1/201 or online via European Parliament website. Journalists can ask questions remotely via Interactio. The full plenary agenda for the week can be found on the Parliament website. |
Greens/EFA Press Contacts
|
