Plenary flash

EU Climate Law

Debate Monday

After adopting its new EU Climate Law on 4th March, the Commission will make a further statement on Monday in debate with MEPs. The Greens/EFA have criticised the Climate Law for falling short of the promises made in the European Green Deal, ignoring the urgency of committing to 2030 climate targets and failing to demonstrate EU leadership in climate protection.  The Greens/EFA are calling for an immediate and clear commitment to a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030

Right wing extremist terrorism and violence in Europe

Debate Monday

The plenary will discuss right-wing extremist terrorism and violence in Europe, following a statement by the Commission requested by the Greens/EFA. The recent terrorist attack in Hanau, Germany, where eleven people were shot to death by a right-wing terrorist, was only the latest in a series of tragic events. All across Europe, right-wing violence and terrorism is on the rise. The Greens/EFA are calling on Member States to address this problem seriously, to allocate sufficient resources to their security agencies, and to take concrete measures to curb right-wing extremism in the police force itself. Democratic parties also have an obligation to keep an unambiguous distance from right-wing extremist ideologies and forces.

Migration situation at the Turkish-Greek border and the EU’s response

Debate Wednesday

On the initiative of the Greens/EFA, the Parliament will debate how the EU should respond to the developing crisis in the face of escalating violence towards refugees on the Turkish-Greek border. The Greens/EFA are calling for a common European effort to protect human rights and the rule of law at Europe's external borders, including the immediate transfer of asylum seekers from the Greek islands to the mainland and other European countries.

EU Disability Strategy post-2020

Vote Wednesday

On Wednesday, MEPs will vote on a resolution initiated by the Greens/EFA Group outlining expectations for how the European Disability Strategy 2010 - 2020 should be continued after it comes to an end this year. Despite its 10-year lifespan, the strategy has so far achieved limited progress in the lives of persons with disabilities, many of whom are still deprived of their basic human rights. The Greens/EFA are calling for a more comprehensive strategy with clear implementation targets and timelines, covering all the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, so that all people with disabilities are ensured their fundamental freedoms and a dignified life no matter which EU country they live in.

Re-opening of the prosecution against the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic on the misuse of EU funds and potential conflicts of interest

Vote Thursday

On Thursday, MEPs will vote on a resolution concerning the reopening of the criminal prosecution against Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš on the misuse of EU funds and potential conflicts of interest. The Greens/EFA have been pushing for an investigation into Prime Minister Babiš since September 2018 and are insisting that the situation needs to be resolved urgently. In December, a leaked Commission audit report confirmed that Prime Minister Babiš is in a conflict of interest, and may have benefited from EU funds through his company Agrofert. The final results of a second audit report are expected in the next few months. The resolution follows up a fact-finding mission to the Czech Republic by the European Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee last week.

Other items:

• SME Strategy and European Industrial Strategy, Commission Statement Tuesday
• Strategy with Africa, Commission Statement Tuesday
• New Circular Economy Action Plan, Commission Statement Wednesday

Presidents Press briefing, Tuesday, 10:30am

Ska Keller and Philippe Lamberts will present the Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week.