Calls for swift action on citizens' rights in event of Brexit no-deal

Press release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

As the deadline to reach a Brexit agreement approaches, and with no obvious way forward to reach a deal, Alyn Smith MEP has authored a joint letter to EU leaders calling for swift action to protect the rights of citizens in the event of a chaotic no-deal. The letter, cosigned by twenty-four other...

Parliament approves Terricabras report on Fundamental Rights

Press release from EFA MEP J-M Terricabras

The European Parliament has today voted to approve a report prepared by MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras which analyses the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union (in 2017). The report, approved by MEPs, calls for "impartial" investigations into the excessive use of police for...

Call for unilateral action to guarantee citizens' rights in Brexit

Press release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

Greens/EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP) has today urged the EU to act unilaterally to guarantee the rights of citizens who have been left in limbo following the UK Government’s botched handling of the Brexit negotiations. Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, the SNP MEP said: &ldqu...

EFA Group President comments on Strasbourg attack

"Our thoughts are with the victims and their families" - Terricabras

The President of the European Free Alliance Group in the European Parliament, Josep-Maria Terricabras, has commented on yesterday's fatal attack in Strasbourg. Josep-Maria Terricabras MEP said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the events in Strasbourg yesterday evening. &...

ECJ ruling on Article 50

Quote from Alyn Smith

"If the UK chooses to change their minds on Brexit, then revoking Article 50 is an option and the European side should make every effort to welcome the UK back with open arms." commented Alyn Smith Greens/EFA (SNP) MEP and co-litigant on the case.

Britain can step back from the brink

ECJ Opinion on Brexit

"It was always clear that Brexit is a lose-lose game but the legal opinion of the Court of Justice reminds us that it's still possible for the UK to step back from the brink." commented Philippe Lamberts, President of the Greens/EFA group and member of the Brexit Steering Group in the European Parliament.

Launch of the Parliamentary Network of Friendship Groups of Catalonia

Press release from EFA MEPs J-M Terricabras and Jordi Solé

With the support of EFA MEPs Josep-Maria Terricabras and Jordi Solé, a group of Members of Parliaments from the United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia and Flanders, together with MEPs from the European Union-Catalonia Dialogue Platform, have established the Parliamentary Network of Friendship Group...

Brussels protest on Latvian school reforms

EFA MEP Miroslavs Mitrofanovs opposes Latvian education reforms

Opponents to controversial school reforms in Latvia brought their protests to Brussels this week, supported by Greens/EFA MEP Miroslavs Mitrofanovs, and former MEP Tatjana Ždanoka. They oppose plans by the Latvian government to phase out most Russian language teaching in the country's school...

Article 50 hearing before ECJ

Quote from Alyn Smith

A group of Scottish politicians, including Greens/EFA (SNP) Member Alyn Smith, will bring a case to the European Court of Justice on the question as to whether or not Article 50 can be withdrawn once the process of a Member State leaving the EU has started.

European Parliament calls for more climate spending

EU budget/MFF

The European Parliament voted for the new EU budget from 2021, which is better suited to tackling the climate change with taxes on plastics, emissions trading and tech companies. In the interim report on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 and on the reform of EU's revenue ("own resources"), the Parliament have pushed through Greens/EFA demands to increase the EU budget, to commit to 30% climate-related spending by 2027 and to make the EU less dependent on the payment behaviour of EU governments.