Strasbourg Flash (Greens/EFA priorities): Weekly preview of the Greens/EFA group - 20-24 May 2013

EP priorities (full text below):

- Bank resolution and economic stability (Economic affairs committee, Mon.)

- Renewable energy policy in Europe (Mon., Tues.)

- Missed chance for offshore drilling rules (Mon., Tues.)

- Tax avoidance and EU action (Tues. - Fri.)

- Supervising European banks (Tues., Weds.)

- Olaf, the EU Commission and Dalligate (Conference of Presidents, Tues.)

- Concerns with EU-US trade deal (Weds., Thurs.)

- Defending EU standards in trade agreements (Weds., Thurs.)

 

Other EU priorities:

- EU rules on ports (Commission proposal, Tues.)

 

Greens/EFA events:

- Press briefing with Greens/EFA co-presidents (Tues.)

- The cultural sector and the EU-US trade deal (press conference, Tues.)

 

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Bank resolution and economic stability

Mon. 20 May - EP economic affairs committee vote (Hökmark report)

Crucial new EU rules on bank resolution will be voted by the economic affairs committee. From the outset of the crisis, the Greens have argued for robust rules to address the problems of excessively large banks. This implies measures to prevent bank failure, to reduce the risks to the financial system and to provide for the resolution of failed financial institutions. The group has argued for an EU-level authority and a fund to deal with bank resolutions, funded by banks themselves in order to limit taxpayers' exposure, and believes EU legislation must deliver this. 

Renewable energy policy in Europe

Mon. 20 May - EP plenary debate; vote Tues. (Reul report)

MEPs will vote on a report setting out the EP's position on EU renewable energy policy. The draft report is largely positive. Building on the success of the EU's 2020 renewable energy target, the Greens believe the EU should adopt an ambitious and binding 2030 target for renewable energy aiming at a 45% share and is promoting an amendment to this end. This, combined with the right policies on the internal energy market, well-designed individual support schemes and the necessary infrastructure, will ensure the EU can move towards 100% renewable energy by 2050. (see latest press release)

Missed chance for offshore drilling rules 

Mon. 20 May – EP debate; vote Tues. (Belet report)

New EU legislation on offshore oil and gas exploration will be adopted by parliament. The Greens criticised the final legislative agreement for failing to provide meaningful EU rules to prevent accidents like the Deepwater Horizon disaster and deal with consequences of such incidents. Major shortcomings include the absence of provisions on the independent supervision of installations, on operators' liability in the case of accidents and on a moratorium on drilling in the Arctic and environmentally sensitive areas. This will seriously undermine the effectiveness of the rules. (see latest press release)

Tax avoidance and EU action 

Tues. 21 May – EP debate and vote (Kleva Kekuš report); EU summit

With tax evasion figuring at this week's EU summit, MEPs will adopt a report setting out parliament's position. While EU governments are coming to the issue belatedly, the Greens have long pushed for tougher EU action to address the estimated €1 trillion per year lost through tax avoidance. Adopting a clear EU definition of tax havens is crucial but revising EU company tax rules, including introducing a mandatory common consolidated tax base, is also essential. Shifting from unanimity decision-making on taxation by EU governments would be vital for progress. (see latest press release)

Supervising European banks 

Tues. 21 May – EP debate; votes Weds. (Giegold, Thyssen reports)

MEPs will vote on important new EU rules on banking supervision - part of the EU banking union. The final legislative agreement addresses Green concerns on potential conflicts of interest with the ECB's mandate and provisions to reflect the diversity of banking models. There are also provisions to ensure the democratic accountability of the new banking supervision mechanism but the details have been left to a future inter-institutional agreement. The Greens want the EP to withhold its final legislative go-ahead until there is more certainty on this. (see latest press release)

Olaf, the EU Commission and Dalligate 

Tues. 21 May – EP conference of presidents

The publication of leaked reports from OLAF and its supervisory committee on the controversial dismissal of EU commissioner Dalli raise serious questions about the roles of all those involved in the controversy, as well as EU rules on lobbying. At the insistence of the Greens, the political group presidents are set to finally discuss the necessary follow-up at a closed meeting. The Greens believe all those involved should give their accounts to the EP in a transparent procedure, including commission president Barroso.

Concerns with EU-US trade deal

Weds. 22 Apr - EP debate; vote Thurs.

With the EU Commission seeking the go-ahead for negotiations with the US on an EU-US trade agreement, MEPs will debate the mandate and vote on a resolution. The Greens have a long list of concerns with the prospective negotiations, based on the mandate sought by the Commission. Whether as regards IP rights, data protection, culture, internet freedom, environmental protection, food safety or agriculture, there are inherent risks to the EU model. Meanwhile, the Commission is grossly exaggerating the economic benefits. There is a need for totally transparent negotiations.

Defending EU standards in trade agreements 

Weds. 22 May – EP debate; vote Thurs. (Zalewski report)

EU rules on investor-state dispute settlement in trade agreements will be voted on by MEPs. The growing number of frivolous cases taken by corporations against state or regional authorities in Europe for introducing new environmental, health or social laws is concerning. We should be defending higher standards in the EU and not exposing EU taxpayers to claims from opportunistic corporations via international tribunals. A Green proposal calling for EU trade agreements not to offer foreign investors higher protection than domestic investors is included in the report to be voted.

EU rules on ports

Tues. 21 May - European Commission proposal

The European Commission is set to present proposals on EU policy regarding ports, including plans for new rules. The Greens opposed previous unsuccessful attempts by the Commission to force through the liberalisation of port services, due to concerns about the negative impact on employees in the sector. The group hopes the Commission has learnt its lesson and will not try to present the same flawed liberalisation plans again.

Co-presidents press briefing
Tues. 21 May – 10.30-10.50, European Parliament press room

Press briefing with Greens/EFA co-presidents Dany Cohn-Bendit and Rebecca Harms on the key issues of the plenary session for the Greens/EFA group. EP draftsperson on EU banking union legislation Sven Giegold will also participate.

The cultural sector and the EU-US trade deal
Tues. 21 May – 15.30-16.00, European Parliament press room

Green MEPs will host a press conference to present the case for the cultural sector to be exempted from the scope of any EU-US trade deal, with negotiations looming.