The French citizen representing Scotland in Europe

EFA MEP Christian Allard defends Scotland's attachment to Europe

Scottish MEP Christian Allard is a 'newly elected representative unlike any other.' Born in Dijon, Christian Allard has lived in Scotland for over thirty years where he has worked extensively in the fishing and seafood industries. He became a Member of the Scottish Parliament in 2013 a...

Catalan MEPs should be allowed to take their seats

Support from EFA MEPs for taking up their mandates

On the first day of the new parliamentary term, EFA MEPs supported the right of Catalan MEPs to take their seats in the European Parliament. More than 10,000 people gathered in a peaceful demonstration outside the European Parliament. They called for Catalans elected at the recent European electi...

SNP MEP elected President of EFA Group in the European Parliament

Alyn Smith succeeds Josep-Maria Terricabras

Alyn Smith MEP has today been elected President of the European Free Alliance (EFA) Group in the European Parliament. He succeeds Catalan MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras who stood down at the recent European election. An MEP for the Scottish National Party (SNP) since 2004, Alyn was recently re-el...

EFA in the European Parliament

Summary overview of the work of EFA MEPs in the European Parliament 2014 -2019

The European Free Alliance (EFA) Group in the European Parliament is made up of MEPs representing Europe’s stateless nations, regions and minorities. Over the 2014 -2019 Parliamentary term, EFA MEPs have come from Catalonia, Galicia, Latvia, Basque Country, Scotland, Valencia and Wales. ...

MEP calls for international election observers in EU poll

Press Release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

SNP MEP Alyn Smith has today given an impassioned speech in the European parliament in Strasbourg warning that the Leave campaigns lied and broke the law, and that politicians from the campaign will do so again in the upcoming EU elections. Alyn said: "President, thank you. So as a Scotti...

'Idiotic Westminster chaos of Brexit'

Press Release from EFA MEP Ian Hudghton (SNP)

The SNP's leader in the European Parliament, Ian Hudghton MEP, has called out the 'idiotic Westminster chaos of Brexit'. As the European Parliament debated recent developments in Brexit this afternoon, Mr Hudghton reminded MEPs that Scotland had voted to remain in the EU. He argued...

Brexit - 'Leave a light on for Scotland'

Press Release from EFA MEP Alyn Smith (SNP)

SNP Member of the European parliament Alyn Smith has, to warm applause, urged the European Union to "leave a light on" for Scotland to find our way back to the EU if we are removed against our democratic will. The intervention was warmly applauded across the Chamber and by Presidents Tu...

Tough new measures needed to tackle tax avoidance

Press Release by EFA MEP Jordi Solé (ERC)

The European Parliament has backed a report setting out tough new measures to tackle tax avoidance and financial crimes. This is the result of a year-long special committee which was set up to look into the matter, following several recent scandals such as Luxleaks and the Panama papers. Green...

Reform of the European Citizens' Initiative is a step forward

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

Catalan MEP Josep-Maria Terricabras (Greens/EFA) has welcomed today's vote in the European Parliament in favour of reforming the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). The vote passed with 535 votes in favour, 90 against and 41 abstentions. Terricabras is spokesperson for the Greens/EFA gro...

MEP demands urgent plan for replacement of EU funds

Press release from EFA MEP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru)

Member of the European Parliament for Wales, Jill Evans, has joined calls with a cross-party group of MEPs in a letter to Prime Minister Theresa May asking her to urgently bring forward a proposal to replace the funding provided for Wales by the EU. Wales currently benefits from billions of pound...