Plenary Flash 16 - 19 December 2024

After nearly 14 years of civil war, the fall of Assad’s criminal regime is an opportunity for all Syrians, who deserve a peaceful political transition. The Greens/EFA Group calls for an intra-Syrian dialogue process in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

A Syrian-owned peaceful and genuine political transition should include ethnic minorities and ensure the meaningful participation of women.

The EU should call on all actors to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. In this regard, the EU should call on Turkey to stop its attacks against Kurdish forces in Syria and on Russia to finally withdraw from the region and to bring Assad to justice.

The EU should support the fight against impunity in Syria and ensure that all perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes and brought to justice, including by resorting to universal jurisdiction and by supporting the relevant UN mechanisms in place.

The Greens/EFA condemn attempts by the right and the far right to reduce EU foreign policy to migration issues.The EU has to be cautious about the new Syrian authorities, which means that the return of refugees to Syria is only possible if it is voluntary and safe. At this stage, Syria cannot be deemed a safe country. Member States should allow Syrian opposition refugees residing in the EU to temporarily travel to Syria without losing their refugee status.

Debate: Tuesday, 17 December
MEPs: Hannah Neumann

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia

For Tuesday, the Greens/EFA Group has requested a debate on the Georgian government’s unconstitutional suspension of the EU accession process and violent repression of peaceful protests. We are gravely concerned by the escalating democratic crisis following the parliamentary elections on 26 October and widely reported electoral fraud and manipulation. The Greens/EFA Group stands in solidarity with hundreds of arrested protesters and calls for their immediate release. We reiterate our call to the international community to refrain from recognising the reported parliamentary election results and for a re-run of the elections in line with international standards, as well as the immediate repeal of repressive legislation in particular the recently adopted “foreign influence” and anti-LGBTI laws.

Debate: Tuesday, 17 December
MEP: Reinier van Laschot

Deforestation Regulation

On Tuesday, MEPs will vote on the one year extension of the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). On 2 October, the Commission came forward with a legislative proposal to delay the entry into application of the EUDR by 12 months. Following this, the EPP tabled amendments to the regulation, trying to derail the process and creating significant chaos and uncertainty for businesses. The Greens/EFA will, as always, oppose the delay, as inaction on deforestation will lead to the destruction of vital virgin forests that are essential to keep our planet habitable. We have to stay the course and keep our environmental laws and obligations on track if we are to stave off the worst effects of climate change. 

Debate: Tuesday, 17 December
MEPs: Marie Toussaint, Anna Cavazzini, Virginijus Sinkevičius

Right to strike in the EU

The Greens/EFA Group has requested a debate on promoting social dialogue, collective bargaining and the right to strike in the EU. The right to strike is increasingly under attack in many EU countries. The new security law the Meloni government is intent on passing introduces restrictions on peaceful protest, including penalties for passive resistance and roadblocks during demonstrations. Workers' rights and Right to strike must be preserved and individual freedom to strike must be respected. The right to strike is a democratic and universal right. The Greens/EFA will continue fighting for all democratic rights and freedoms.

Debate: Wednesday, 18 December
MEPs: Sara Matthieu, Maria Ohisalo

More:

Anti Money-Laundering
The Greens/EFA Group has requested a debate on fighting corruption and money laundering within the EU institutions following the start of the investigation on former Commissioner Didier Reynders. On Wednesday, the European Parliament will vote on the approval of the Chair of the EU’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA), recently set up to fight the flow of dirty money in Europe.
Debate: Wednesday, 18 December
 

Preparation of the European Council 19-20 December
The international community has a responsibility to help Syria finally break out of the cycle of war and violence. The EU also needs to reinforce its support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and its increasing military cooperation with North Korea. Russian interference in Georgia and Moldova aims to destabilise our societies and needs to be taken seriously. 
Debate: Wednesday, 18 December
MEPs: Terry Reintke
 

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought
When this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be presented, one finalist will be missing. Azerbaijani scientist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu spent 274 days under detention and is now under house arrest because he criticised the corrupt regime of President Ilham Aliyev. The Greens/EFA urge for Azerbaijani authorities to free Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and all political prisoners.  
Award ceremony: Tuesday, 17 December
More: Greens/EFA press release
 

The right to clean drinking water in the EU
On Thursday morning MEPs will hold a debate on the right to clean drinking water in the EU. In many EU countries, drinking water in cities is contaminated by an unregulated 'forever chemical' PFAS, not monitored by health authorities. Exposure to PFAS can lead to several health problems. While the European drinking water directive calls for 20 PFAS chemicals to be monitored starting in 2026, there is a risk that unmonitored PFAS would exceed the maximum health level recommended and make these waters unfit for human consumption. The Greens/EFA call for more action against water pollutants and a phase out of PFAS use at European level.
Debate: Thursday, 19 December
MEPs: Sara Matthieu, Kai Tegethoff
 

The urgent need for EU action to preserve nature and protect biodiversity to avoid the extinction of species
The Greens/EFA successfully initiated the plenary debate on species extinction following  scientists ringing the alarm on the extinction of the Slender-billed Curlew, the first known global bird extinction from mainland Europe, North Africa and West Asia.
Debate: Wednesday, 18 December

LINKS

• Group Presidents, Terry Reintke and Bas Eickhout  will hold the plenary session press briefing on Tuesday, 17 December at 11:00.
• Location: Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room, Weiss N-1/201 or online via European Parliament website. Journalists can ask questions remotely via Interactio.
• The full plenary agenda for the week can be found on the Parliament website.