News | 29.11.2024

Debriefing of the November 2024 Plenary Session

25-28 November 2024

Vote on new European Commission
Ukraine – Russian escalation
Manipulated elections in Georgia
COP29 – climate finance deal

-----------------------------------------

Vote on new European Commission

The European Commission has been elected. Now it's time to get to work. Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament voted in favour of the College of Commissioners, for the new legislative term. A slim majority of Greens/EFA MEPs supported the college, while a sizable minority opposed. As Greens/EFA we are committed to delivering a social green transition that benefits all. We will play a critical but cooperative role working with the EU Commission over the next five years.

Co-Presidents Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout commented:

“The world is facing a time of great uncertainty. That is why we will make sure the European Commission delivers on the fight against climate change and for the social protection of its citizens.”

-----------------------------------------

Ukraine – Russian escalation

The European Parliament adopted Thursday a resolution highlighting the need to reinforce the EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine. The Greens/EFA Group calls on the HR/VP and the Member States to express their proactive support and to develop a clear strategy with adequate tools to strengthen the EU’s role in its implementation.

Greens/EFA MEP Villy Søvndal from Denmark, Member of the Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee and Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur on the resolution, commented:

“Our union is first and foremost a peace project, which Russia continues to undermine. Vladimir Putin has barbarically and illegally brought conflict and war back to Europe. The Greens/EFA Group is gravely concerned about the direct involvement of North Korean troops in the conflict, which is an unacceptable and unprecedented escalation and should be met with a strong and unified EU reaction.”

-----------------------------------------

Manipulated elections in Georgia

MEPs adopted a resolution on Georgia’s worsening democratic crisis following the parliamentary elections on 26 October and alleged electoral fraud. The Greens/EFA Group, together with the other progressive groups, called on the international community not to recognise the reported results and calls for a re-run of the parliamentary elections as well as the repeal of repressive legislation including the recently adopted “foreign influence” and anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Greens/EFA MEP Markéta Gregorová (Pirate Party), Vice-Chair of the Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and the group’s shadow rapporteur on the resolution, commented:

“Georgia is to remain a free and sovereign nation with democratic future, it must restore trust in its elections and, consequently, democratic institutions. That’s why, on behalf of the European Parliament, we do not consider the Georgian Parliamentary elections legitimate, and we urge Georgian authorities to engage in dialogue with the President and the opposition to seek necessary solutions.”

-----------------------------------------

COP29 – climate finance deal

MEPs debated Wednesday the agreement reached at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku on developed countries’ financial contribution to climate action in developing countries. The agreement establishes a goal of 300 billion Dollars a year from a variety of both public and private sources by 2035, and sets the aspiration of reaching 1.3 trillion Dollars.

Michael Bloss MEP, Greens/EFA member of the European Parliament delegation for COP29, commented:

“The international community has only just managed to turn things around on climate protection. The fossil fuel alliance, made up of host Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, blocked the conference wherever they could. Despite the fossil fuel blockade and strained budgetary situations, more will be invested in international climate protection in the future. However, the sums are nowhere near enough to combat the climate crisis. We cannot afford another climate conference in a fossil autocracy.”

Isabella Lövin MEP, Vice-Chair of the Committee on Development and former Swedish Minister for Climate and Environment, commented:

“I’m relieved that the global community managed to come to an agreement, despite the US election and all the resulting mistrust and divisions between poor and rich countries. Yet, the agreed financial support remains insufficient to help the smallest, most vulnerable and poorest nations that struggle to access capital and investments. The money is needed now, not in ten years’ time. It’s now crucial that wealthy nations, development banks and private investors increase their commitments immediately.”