Romania has a lot of work to do at home and in Brussels
EU Council Presidency
On the start of the Romanian Presidency of the EU Council, Philippe Lamberts, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament comments:
"There is little time left in this legislature but a lot of work to do. Dublin reform, climate protection, CO2 emissions from cars and trucks, the protection of whistleblowers, tax justice, fair wages and working conditions and a social Europe are all now under the stewardship of the Romanian Presidency. The Greens/EFA expect the Romanian Presidency to make the European Union more climate-friendly, fairer and more social. Improving people's lives is the best way to take the wind out of right-wing populists' sails ahead of the European elections.
"For all its pro-European spin, the Austrian Council Presidency really dropped the ball on tax justice, which is a key issue for EU citizens and for building trust in Europe. The Romanian Presidency should show European leadership by working quickly towards fairer taxes for companies and tax transparency for multinationals."
Ska Keller, President of the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament comments:
"The nature of the EU Council Presidency means that an additional focus is given to the Member State holding the reigns, and right now there has never been more international scrutiny on the rampant corruption of the Romanian elite and efforts by the government to roll back on gains in the fight against corruption in the country. The dismissal of anti-corruption prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi as well as the recent resignation of her replacement, brutality shown towards peaceful protestors marching against corruption, and efforts to hold an amnesty for corruption offences for officials all seriously undermine Romania's commitment to the rule of law, civil rights and the fight against graft."
"In a country where just under €40 billion a year is lost to corruption, the Romanian government should take the opportunity of the Presidency to prove its commitment to the fight against corruption, the rule of law and European values. The rest of Europe is watching."
