Putting an End to SLAPPs

Tiemo Wölken

The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have welcomed proposals from the Commission to end the use of abusive lawsuits against journalists, NGOs and civil society in the EU.  In November 2021, the European Parliament called for new EU rules to stop abusive legal action intended to intimidate and silence critical voices. A large…

Sharing Responsibility for Migration in the EU

Thijs Reuten

With the public showing unprecedented levels of solidarity with refugees fleeing war, the Socialists and Democrats in Rotterdam spoke to citizens about changing the rules on migration in the EU so that solidarity and fair-sharing of responsibility is always Europe’s first response. As part of a series of citizens debates on the Conference on the…

Common Charger for Mobile Devices

Consumers will no longer have to buy a charger together with their new mobile device. Instead, they will be able to use their old one, thus saving money and better protecting the environment from plastic and electronic waste. This will be possible thanks to the adoption of the report on the common charger for all…

Should Investment in Gas or Nuclear Energy be Treated as Sustainable?

Gas and Nuclear Sustainable?

In the letter, S&D vice-president and shadow rapporteur in the environment committee, Simona Bonafè, and S&D shadow rapporteur in the economic affairs committee, Paul Tang, expressed their opposition to the labelling of gas and nuclear-based energy production as taxonomy compliant. While recognising the role played by gas and nuclear to meet the energy needs nowadays towards the transition to a…

Welfare of Animals in Transit

Animal Welfare in Transit

The European Parliament has endorsed the outcome of eighteen months of work by the committee of inquiry on the protection of animals during transport (ANIT).  In particular, the plenary in Strasbourg has voted a full set of recommendations to the Council and the Commission following the investigation of alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application…

Investigation Demanded into Crimes against Kazakh People

Kazakh Protests

Reacting to the violent events in Kazakhstan earlier this month, the S&D group says it is supporting the European Parliament resolution calling for the international community to investigate the crimes committed against the people of Kazakhstan, including disappearances, reports of torture, arbitrary detention and snipers killing or wounding peaceful protesters.  The resolution also calls for…

Parliament to Honour Memory of President David Sassoli.

David Sassoli

European Parliament President David Sassoli passed away in Aviano (Italy) on 11 January.  A Member of the European Parliament since 2009, he was elected President in July 2019 for the first half of the legislature. President Sassoli adopted extraordinary measures enabling the European Parliament to carry out its duties and exercise its prerogatives under the…

Digital Markets Act

Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, led by S&D MEP Evelyne Gebhardt, have achieved interoperability of messaging services and social media when it comes to big online platforms, with the adoption of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by the plenary of the European Parliament. If the Parliament’s position is backed, consumers will be able…

Upholding the Rule of Law

rule of law

In response to months of political interference in both the media and the judiciary, the S&D Group has urged Slovenia to change course and “lead by example when it comes to upholding the rule of law.” In a report on the rule of law in Slovenia, for the first time in Parliament’s history, MEPs have…

S&D MEPs Seek to Question Metsola

Roberta Metsola

The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament will organise a hearing in the second week of January to question Roberta Metsola MEP, a candidate to chair the European Parliament during the second half of the legislature, before deciding on their vote. S&D leader Iratxe García MEP said: “I have already started negotiating with EPP…