PLENARY FLASH: 31 March - 3 April
GREENS/EFA priorities for the plenary session
Omnibus/‚Stop-the-clock’ |
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On Tuesday, MEPs will vote on the so-called ‘Stop-the-clock’ procedure, which would postpone the dates of the application of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). This follows February’s presentation of the European Commission’s Omnibus simplification package, aiming to structurally adapt and strip the CSRD and the CSDDD. While the Greens/EFA Group supports making EU rules easier to follow for all businesses, including large companies and SMEs, this proposal pushes for deregulation under the guise of reducing bureaucracy and will eradicate key achievements of the European Green Deal. On the contrary, the proposed adaptations will make the rules more complicated for everyone and are largely influenced by lobbying from certain sectors of the corporate industry, as we have outlined here.
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Egypt Financial Package |
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Next Tuesday, MEPs will vote 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.
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Fundamental rights in Hungary |
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Next Wednesday, MEPs will debate 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.
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LIFE-Programme |
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On Monday, the Environment Committee (ENVI) will vote on a proposal by the centre-right and far-right that threatens environmental and climate action. This move aims 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. MEPs will vote on a resolution opposing the draft implementing act for the 2025-2027 LIFE work programme. This attack on EU climate and environmental funding follows the playbook of Trump and Orbán, targeting NGOs and civil society. The Greens/EFA call on all MEPs to reject this harmful proposal.
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Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu |
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On Tuesday, following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and CHP presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu on 19 March, MEPs will debate 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.
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More:Gaza On Tuesday, the plenary will hold 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.
Huawei Recent revelations that some MEPs and their assistants have allegedly received money in return for positions favouring the Chinese tech giant Huawei 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.
Social Europe On Thursday, at the request of the Greens/EFA Group, MEPs will debate 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.
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