Transparency and Democracy

Parliament pushes through EU-wide class action in deal on collective redress

Consumer protection

"This directive fills the legal vacuum in the EU consumer legislation. With such new ground breaking instrument European consumers will no longer be left on their own, like in the Volkswagen emission cheating scandal. Empowering consumers and citizens is the way of the future." declared Heidi Hautala, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur on the file in the Legal Affairs Committee

Protecting Schengen

Why internal border controls in Europe should be lifted immediately

Border controls in the European Schengen area jeopardise one of the most tangible achievements of an integrated Europe: the possibility to travel and live together in a common area without internal border controls. Internal border controls divide families and friends, they re-establish boundaries between long integrated regions and neighbourhoods and undermine the process of developing new regional cooperation. They seriously restrict our freedom. The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament stands up for the achievements of the Schengen area.

A Greens/EFA debriefing of the plenary week

Plenary week, 13-15 May 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the Recovery and Transformation Plan & Multiannual Financial Framework, Discharge 2018 procedure, emergency legislation in Hungary and its impact on the rule of law and fundamental rights, transitional CAP mandate vote and a debate on COVID-19 vaccines.

European Parliament to debate emergency law in Hungary

Quote from Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield MEP

Today (14 May) at 09:00, the European Parliament plenary session will debate the Emergency Legislation in Hungary and its impact on the Rule of Law and fundamental rights, at the request of the Greens/EFA group.

Plenary Flash

Greens/EFA priorities, 13 – 15 May 2020

During this week plenary session, the Parliament will debate and vote on the Recovery Plan & Multiannual Financial Framework. Discover the other major topics on the agenda and the Greens/EFA priority issues

Greens/EFA Proposal for a Fair and Efficient Asylum System in Europe

New Paper

In view of the European Commission’s upcoming proposal for a new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament has just released a "Proposal for a fair and efficient asylum system in Europe.” This paper calls for increased support for the willingness of cities and municipalities to receive refugees and asylum seekers, a fair distribution of refugees and asylum seekers in the European Union, and compulsory compensation payments from EU governments that refuse European solidarity.

Parliament report: no mechanism to address conflict of interest in Czechia

Andrej Babiš

This Thursday, the Budgetary Control Committee will adopt a report into the conflicts of interest around Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, following a fact-finding mission to the Czech Republic, February 26-28. The report finds there is no clear mechanism in place in Czechia to prevent and address situations which may objectively be perceived as conflict of interests.

Commission initiates infringement proceedings

Poland/Rule of law

The European Commission's decision is the right response to the undue interference of the Polish government in the independence of the judiciary. This concrete step was long overdue after months of finger pointing at the Polish government.

Greens/EFA Recovery and Resilience Plan

More than ever, we Europeans see the importance of strong cooperation and solidarity to face collective economic, social and environmental threats. More than ever we Europeans understand the immeasurable value of well-funded and well-run public services and safety nets that underpin stable and inclusive societies and economies that truly work for all people.

What world do we want to return to?

Greens/EFA Recovery and Resilience Plan

More than ever, people in Europe and everywhere understand that with solidarity and cooperation we can overcome the COVID-19 crisis. Together, we can make another European and global future, one that is more socially, economically and environmentally resilient. Read our plan

European Court of Justice: Refusal to accept refugees violates EU law

Quote from Tineke Strik

The European Court of Justice has ruled, Thursday 2 April, that Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic should not have refused to admit refugees and asylum seekers. The suit was filed against the three countries by the European Commission.

Hungary/Corona crisis: Draft bill on modifying criminal code risks democratic standards

Quote Gwendoline Deblos-Corfield MEP

Today, the Hungarian Parliament will debate passing a motion that would allow the government to rule by decree until the end of the Corona virus crisis. Under the proposals, any law could be suspended or overridden as long as the emergency continues, and no elections including municipal, by-elections or referenda will be allowed until the government declares the emergency over.