Debriefing of the April 2025 Plenary Session
This week:
- Omnibus/‚Stop-the-clock’
- US tariffs and the European Response
- Fundamental rights in Hungary
- LIFE-Programme
- Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu
- Egypt Financial Package
- Gaza
- Anti-Corruption
- Social Europe
Omnibus/‚Stop-the-clock’
On Thursday, a majority of MEPs have voted that the Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) will not be implemented until 2028 and the Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will be postponed by two years for companies in the second and third wave of the legislation. The content of both laws will be renegotiated in terms of content. The Due Diligence Directive was only passed last year. The European Commission proposed the so-called Omnibus Simplification Package on 26 February 2025. For the very first time, and against a backdrop of a shift to the right in the European Parliament, the four pro-European political groups, the Greens/EFA, EPP, S&D and Renew agreed in a written statement to work together.
US tariffs and the European Response
This weeks plenary stood under the impression of tariffs imposed by the US on the European Union.
Trump’s economic policy is bad for jobs, bad for people, bad for the economy—on both sides of the Atlantic. People, businesses, investors need stability and predictability. We need a future that is not made of short-term profit for a few ultra-rich. We need a future that offers prosperity and security for families, holds the powerful accountable and makes the richest pay their fair share.
Greens/EFA condemn the wide use of tariffs by the US government and calls on Europe and the Commission to fight back with our own tools.
Fundamental rights in Hungary
On Wednesday, MEPs held a debate on the situation in Hungary following the Fidesz government’s banning of the Budapest Pride and attacks on LGBTQI+ people and fundamental rights. Next month, the Hungarian parliament will vote to change the constitution to enshrine that a person’s biological gender cannot be changed, and to suspend the citizenship of dual nationals who pose a supposed threat to the nation. The government is preparing a new anti-NGO law and there are reports that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has ordered the security services to compile a blacklist of NGOs and news portals. The Greens/EFA call for the respect of the rule of law and of all citizens and their rights. On Thursday Israeli Prime Minister Netanjahu visited Hungary on an official state visit, despite an arrest warrant from the ICC. Greens/EFA calls on the Commission to remind Victor Orban on his obligations.
LIFE-Programme
On Monday, the Environment Committee (ENVI) voted on a proposal by the centre-right and far-right that threatened environmental and climate action. The aim was to delay funding for the LIFE programme, which is essential for protecting nature and tackling climate change and another attempt to silence NGOs and civil society. In a turn of events the objections to the LIFE program in the committee were rejected and didn’t go into plenary.
Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu
On Tuesday, following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu on 19 March, MEPs held a debate on the continuous democratic backsliding of Türkiye. The Greens/EFA Group strongly condemns the politically motivated arrest and detention of Ekrem İmamoğlu and calls for his immediate release. We stand by the people of Türkiye and their right to freely elect their leaders and fully support the pro-democratic country-wide protest movement.
Egypt Financial Package
On Tuesday, MEPs voted on the Commission proposal to grant €4 billion in Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) to Egypt, as part of a wider package of EU support of up to €8 billion. Despite existing EU rules requiring beneficiaries of EU money to uphold human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, the Commission, in the context of a wider problematic deal on migration, has made this time an exception from compliance of these legal preconditions and allowed aid to Egypt despite its clear shortcomings in these areas. The Greens/EFA Group insists that EU financial support must be conditional on democracy, human rights, and the rule of law - not only in Egypt, but for all recipients of Macro Financial Assistance.
Gaza
On Tuesday, the plenary held a debate on the dramatic situation in Gaza. The Greens/EFA condemn the resumption of the war in Gaza, the killing of innocent civilians, the siege and blocking of humanitarian aid which is once again aggravating the humanitarian crisis of Palestinians and violating international humanitarian law. We are calling for a return to the ceasefire agreement, and full respect for international humanitarian law.
Anti-Corruption
Recent revelations that some MEPs and their assistants have allegedly received money in return for positions favouring the Chinese tech giant Huawei and the judgement by a French court on large-scale misuse of EU funds by former MEP’s on Monday has shown that the European Parliament needs stronger safeguards against potential cases of corruption. The Greens/EFA Group have long called for stronger rules to protect the Parliament against corruption and are calling for the right-wing groups to stop blocking the new EU ethics body so that it can begin its vital work as soon as possible. That’s why we requested a fourth point in the agenda on Monday to debate the French court ruling.
Social Europe
On Wednesday, at the request of the Greens/EFA Group, MEPs debated making life affordable, protecting jobs and wages and ensuring health for all. Social justice, and taxing the rich in order to achieve it, has long been a key topic for the Greens/EFA Group. Our group advocates for a minimum income, which is essential to ensure a dignified standard of living for those unable to work. Moreover, we advocate for fair pay for trainees - they are workers and must be treated accordingly. This is why we started negotiations to end exploitative traineeships that replace entry-level jobs and trap young people in cheap labour.
