EU Commission work programme
MEPs criticise deregulation drive under commissioner Timmermans
The European Parliament today adopted a resolution on the draft work programme of the European Commission for 2016. Commenting after the vote Greens/EFA vice-president Bas Eickhout said:
"MEPs have today again issued a rebuke to the drive by EU Commission vice-president Timmermans to cut back EU laws at the expense of sustainable development and social justice. A majority in the European Parliament has made clear that the REFIT 'better regulation' programme cannot be a euphemism for lowering social and environmental standards in the EU.
"Clearly, this resolution is a compromise between the main political groups but it nonetheless contains some important recommendations. The resolution highlights the importance of investing to stimulate economic activity and address the social problems facing Europe, as well as ensuring sustainability remains a cornerstone of the EU. We hope the Commission will now change tack and not push ahead with the ideologically-motivated putsch against social and environmental laws."
