Plenary Flash - 4 - 7 April 2022

EU protection of children and young people fleeing the war against Ukraine

Putin's war puts children and youth in particular under threat. The Greens/EFA welcome discussions on how the EU can support coordinated assistance and protection to civilians in Ukraine, notably to children, youth and unaccompanied minors. The Greens/EFA call on the Member States to pay particular attention to the needs of children, including separated or unaccompanied children, who are in special need of protective shelters, protection from human trafficking and access to education as quickly as possible.

The overwhelming willingness of people in Poland, Hungary, Moldova and other countries to take in refugees cannot replace state responsibility. We call on EU member states to swiftly present distribution schemes and to provide transport, accommodation and care. We call on EU member states to interpret the Temporary Protection Directive generously and to offer all those fleeing the terrible war protection in the EU.

Debate with resolution: Tuesday, 5 April, 9:00 to 11:30.
Greens/EFA MEPs: Tineke Strik, Saskia Bricmont, Erik Marquardt, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, Alice Kuhnke, Damien Careme, Damian Boeselager, Sergey Lagodinsky, Viola von Cramon, Heidi Hautala

Council and Commission statements - Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

On Monday, the European Commission and the Council will comment on the findings of the latest IPCC report which is expected on that day. The scientific evidence is clear. Failure to act on climate change will cause dangerous disruption in nature and in the lives of billions of people around the world. It is essential to act now to ensure a liveable future. The report also highlights recommendations like the need to make deep and rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.

This report serves as a timely reminder that we need an ambitious Fit For 55 Package, more investments in energy efficiency and renewables and a reiterated commitment to cutting emissions by respecting the goals set out in strategies such as Farm to Fork.

Debate: Monday, 4 April
Greens/EFA MEPs: Jutta Paulus, Michael Bloss, Bas Eickhout, Marie Toussaint
More: Understanding the latest IPCC report: How will the climate crisis affect you?

Energy infrastructures (TEN-E) rules

On Tuesday, the European Parliament will confirm the trilogue agreement on trans-European networks in energy (TEN-E), which allows EU public funding of fossil gas projects.

TEN-E rules should have focused on 100% renewable energies, electrification and electricity interconnections. Regrettably, these rules also fail to address the urgent need to move away from the dependence on fossil gas, and on Russian gas in particular. The proposed agreement is incompatible with our climate objectives and the Green Deal. The Greens/EFA will vote against the text.

Debate and vote: Tuesday, 5 April
Greens/EFA MEPs: Marie Toussaint

Vote on pay transparency; an ambitious, inclusive & far reaching directive to support equal pay

On Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament will vote on the Pay Transparency directive to start trilogue negotiations. With this directive, the EU will take a big step toward closing the gender pay gap, currently at 14% within the EU. The aim of the directive is to establish EU-wide minimum standards on pay transparency measures to enable workers to assert their right to equal pay. The Greens/EFA Group have long called for equal pay for work of equal value and successfully pushed for a more ambitious directive than the Commission proposal.

The mandate was already approved with a broad margin by the EMPL and FEMM committees only two weeks ago. However, the mandate was challenged, mainly by members of the EPP and ECR seeking to undermine this legislation. There will be a final deciding vote during this plenary session.

Vote: Tuesday, 5 April
Greens/EFA MEPs: Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, EMPL rapporteur, Terry Reintke Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur FEMM
More: MEPS VOTE FOR PAY TRANSPARENCY IN AMBITIOUS, INCLUSIVE & FAR REACHING DIRECTIVE TO SUPPORT EQUAL PAY

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland & Hungary

On the initiative of the Greens/EFA Group, MEPs will debate the ongoing rule of law proceedings against the governments of Hungary and Poland under Article 7 of the Treaties. The Article 7 procedures have been in place for years, yet with very few hearings on the rule of law in Poland and Hungary in the Council. The rule of law is essential to the functioning of democracy and vital to the viability of the European Union. Yet, the governments of both Hungary and Poland continue to undermine the rule of law and European values and the situation is getting worse.

The Greens/EFA Group have called for this debate to urge the French Presidency to push ahead with an Article 7 hearing as soon as possible, and to urge the French and future Council Presidencies to draw up recommendations on the rule of law for both governments to move the processes forward. The French Presidency is expected to hold a hearing on Article 7 in the General Affairs Council in May.

Debate: Wednesday, 6 April
Greens/EFA MEPs: Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield, Terry Reintke
More: ECJ Ruling shows need for Commission to launch rule of law action

Right to repair resolution

On the initiative of the Greens/EFA, the European Parliament will adopt a resolution on the right to repair. With this resolution, the European Parliaments reaffirms its stance as a defender of encompassing consumer rights. Citizens should be encouraged to make use of their right to repair, which would stimulate more sustainable consumption, a reduction of waste and negative impacts on the environment. The resolution calls for longer-lasting and repairable products, the strengthening of consumer rights and guarantees for a longer use of goods.

In the context of the New Consumer Agenda and the Circular Economy Action Plan, the European Commission is considering proposing a separate legislative act on the right to repair in September 2022.

Debate and vote: Thursday, 7 April
Greens/EFA MEPs: Anna Cavazzini, David Cormand

Situation in Afghanistan, in particular the situation of women’s rights, with resolution

On Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament will debate on a resolution for the Situation in Afghanistan, in particular the situation of women’s rights. The vote will take place on Thursday. After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan last year, the situation has increasingly worsened. Drought, Covid-19 and the freezing of international aid have further contributed to a deepening of the crisis, with 24.4 million people currently in need of humanitarian aid. Repression, especially against women, has tightened, with girls not allowed to go to school and women no longer being allowed to travel without the companionship of a male relative. The Russian aggression in Ukraine is likely to have severe consequences for Afghanistan too. With Ukraine and Russia together responsible for a significant part of the world's wheat and barley production, there's an increasing risk of food shortages.

The Greens/EFA call for a strong and joint response to the ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan. Many citizens are in immediate danger either due to food insecurity or the repression from the Taliban. The situation in Afghanistan should not be forgotten as the international attention is directed to Ukraine. This further translates in our treatment of Afghan refugees. All persons in need of international protection should have the same rights and be treated equally, whether from Afghanistan or Ukraine. The EU must continue supporting neighbouring countries for hosting refugees and ensure safe and legal pathways to the EU so that people aren't forced to undertake dangerous journeys. The protection of human rights defenders, particularly of women’s rights, should be prioritised by the EU.

Debate: Tuesday, 5 April
Vote: Thursday, 7 April
Greens/EFA MEPs: Tineke Strik
More: AFGHANISTAN: EU HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT REFUGEES & RESETTLEMENT

MORE

Council and Commission statements - Outcome of the EU-China Summit
MEP: Reinhard Bütikofer
Debate: Tuesday
More: EU-China Summit - Quote from Reinhard Bütikofer MEP

LINKS

• Group Presidents, Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts will hold the plenary session press briefing on Tuesday, at 11:10.
  Location: Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room, Weiss N-1/201 or online via European Parliament website. Journalists can ask questions remotely, via Interactio.
• Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield MEP, European Parliament Rapporteur on the situation in Hungary, will hold a press conference on the Hungarian elections and implications for the rule of law on Tuesday, 13:30.
  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 here. 
• The plenary sessions can be followed live here.

GREENS/EFA PRESS CONTACTS

Simon McKeagney (Head of Communication)
Simon.mckeagney@europarl.europa.eu

Alex Johnson (EN press officer)
Alex.Johnson@europarl.europa.eu

Pia Kohorst (DE press officer)
pia.kohorst@europarl.europa.eu

Guendalina De Sario (FR press officer)
guendalina.desario@europarl.europa.eu

Helena Hellström Gefwert (EN press assistant)
helena.hellstrom@europarl.europa.eu

Mia Müller (DE press assistant)
Mirjam.Muller@europarl.europa.eu

Valentina Chiarini (FR press assistant)
valentina.chiarini@europarl.europa.eu

Valentina Servera Clavell (EFA Communications officer)
Valentina.ServeraClavell@europarl.europa.eu