A large majority of MEPs have voted to adopt the General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (8th EAP) in the European Parliament. The decade-long environment legislation sets out the EU’s main priorities, together with strong monitoring and governance provisions to ensure these priorities are achieved. Climate mitigation and adaptation, circular economy, biodiversity protection and…
The Socialists and Democrats in the European parliament have called for fundamentally reorienting the European Semester away from the austerity matrix to putting the wellbeing of people first. Driving the transformation towards sustainable development requires a new governance approach and new rules and instruments: a Sustainability Pact. Irene Tinagli, Chair of the economic and monetary affairs…
Key demands of women for MEPs are tackling human trafficking and sexual exploitation, fighting mental and physical violence against women and addressing the gender pay gap. For International Women’s Day on 8 March, the European Parliament commissioned a dedicated survey among European women assessing the impact of the pandemic on various aspects of women’s lives….
MEPs have voted on regulating markets in crypto assets (MiCA) and the carbon footprint of cryptocurrency. Eero Heinäluoma, MEP and S&D negotiator on crypto assets, said, “Cryptocurrency uses up as much energy as electric cars do. Bitcoin mining alone consumes more energy than countries the size of Austria or Portugal. With such a heavy carbon footprint,…
The Socialists and Democrats are hosting an event in Saarbrücken, Germany, on cross-border work later this week. Anke Rehlinger, Saarland’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour, Energy and Transport, and Nicolas Schmit, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, will deliver keynote speeches. S&D Group leader Iratxe García; SPD-MP Secretary General Christian Petry; head of the SPD delegation in the European Parliament Jens Geier;…
Commenting on Russia invading Ukraine, Reinhard Bütikofer, foreign policy coordinator of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament, has spoken out against countries being under the “Soviet yoke.” He said on the sanctions policy against the new Russian aggression against Ukraine, “Putin’s official invasion of Ukraine under the pretext of having to protect the extremist separatists…
MEPs have responded to news that Russia has moved troops into the occupied territories of Donetsk and Lugansk in Ukraine’s East. ECR Coordinator on Foreign Affairs, Anna Fotyga,said: “Russia recognising its own fabrications is not only a violation of Ukraine‘s sovereignty and integrity, and a breach of international law, but also a harbinger of further…
After two days of meetings between EU and African leaders, the S&D Group in the European Parliament has reiterated the need for a new equal partnership that allows African countries to develop sustainable and decent jobs, investing in health and education. The Group says it remains at the forefront in the effort to strengthen democracy,…
In light of Russia’s mobilisation on the Ukrainian border and their threats to European security, the EPP Group leadership will visit Ukraine and Lithuania from the 20th to the 23rd of February. Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group, who will lead the high-level delegation., said, “With our visit, we are showing our unconditional support…
The European Parliament has adopted its final recommendations for a comprehensive and coordinated EU strategy to fight cancer. The report by Parliament’s Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA) was adopted with 652 votes in favour, 15 against and 27 abstentions on Wednesday. As more than 40% of all cancers are preventable through “coordinated actions targeting…
