Photo by Carl Tronders on Unsplash MEPs have approved new rules to protect EU workers from the health risks related to asbestos and to improve the early detection of asbestos. On Tuesday, plenary adopted with 614 votes in favour, 2 against and 4 abstentions a directive, that will decrease the occupational exposure limit of asbestos and calls for…
Photo by Brian Wangenheim on Unsplash Members of the European Parliament have voted on the new European Media Freedom Act. This is aimed at protecting the independence of journalists and the plurality of media across Europe. The move won wide political support in a plenary vote in Strasbourg. The Greens/EFA Group is among those who have fought for EU-level…
Photo by Sasha Pleshco on Unsplash MEPs want the EU to push for accession talks with Moldova. In a parliamentary resolution, MEPs have voted to reaffirm their commitment to Moldova’s future EU membership and want accession talks with Chişinău to launch before the end of the year. The Moldovan government has, MEPs say, “demonstrated its determination and ability”…
Photo by Jinen Shah on Unsplash A campaign group says that MEPs “from centre-right and right-wing groups” have “consistently vote against measures to improve the welfare of farmed animals.” This is according to a new study of over 10,000 datapoints published on 13 October by Compassion in World Farming. The NGO slammed this “as a coordinated attack by political leaders…
Photo by Bro Takes Photos on Unsplash MEPs have adopted radical proposals to lower pollutant emissions and set battery durability requirements for passenger cars, vans, buses and trucks. The new rules have been passed by the EU parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. Members adopted the so called “Euro 7” proposals with 52 votes…
Photo by Olga Prudnikova on Unsplash The European Commission says it welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Romania and the Government of Ukraine. The executive said on Wednesday this will further contribute to increasing the capacity of “Solidarity Lanes”, especially considering the damage caused to the transport infrastructure of Ukraine due to the…
Photo by Nauris Pūķis on Unsplash Members of the European Parliament have assessed the written answers of Commissioner-designates Wopke Hoekstra (Climate Action) and Maroš Šefčovič (Executive Vice-President in charge of the Green Deal). The EPP Group said it “fully” endorses the nomination of Hoekstra as the new European Commissioner for Climate Action while the Socialists and Democrats have say…
Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash The European Green Party have congratulated the French Green Party Europe Écologie Les Verts (EELV) with its “impressive” growth in this week’s Senate elections. “Never before have there been so many Green members of parliament in France,” said the Green Party in a statement. Monday’s projections show a jump from 12 to…
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash The Russian War and growing migration issues have forced MEPs to bolster the relevant budgetary areas by €2 billion. On Wednesday, the Budgets Committee of the EU parliament set out its position on the reform of the EU’s long-term budget, emphasizing the urgency to “future-proof the EU budget.” Members endorsed an extra €10 billion for…
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash The Greens/EFA Group has published a new report highlighting the amounts of tax revenue that, it say, European countries could garner through a small tax on the wealthiest 0.5%. The study,out on Wednesday, finds that even a tax of 1.7-3.5% could bring in as much as €213.3 billion to…
