Post-2020 EU budget
MEPs will adopt their position on the EU's next long-term budget on Wednesday. The EPP Group Chairman, Manfred Weber, stresses that there are more and more tasks ahead of us - for example on defence, strengthening Frontex and building a brighter future for young Europeans. “The fact that the European Commission has adopted our proposal of free Interrail tickets for 18 year-olds in its budget planning is a sign that it is taking young people seriously," said Weber. “The EPP Group reaffirms in its resolution that it wants a cohesive, solidary, secure and competitive EU. It is time for Member States to clarify what Europe wants. After all, which Member States want to cut Cohesion Policy and CAP funding?“ says EPP Group Spokesman in the Budgets Committee, José Manuel Fernandes.
Towards new rules on the posting of workers
MEPs will vote on the final agreement on the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive on Tuesday. The new rules aim to better protect workers who are temporarily transferred from one EU country to another, to fight against unfair competition and to ensure a level playing field for companies in the Single Market. Among several other points, the agreement sets up a 12-month limit for posting with the possibility of a 6-month extension, the introduction of allowances, and a two-year transposition period.
Future of Europe
The future of Europe will be debated on Wednesday morning in Strasbourg with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel. Manfred Weber MEP, the EPP Group Chairman, will lead the debate.
Golden Visa programmes vulnerable to abuse
Golden Visas are granted by 12 Member States within the EU (Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK). Investments in these Golden Visas vary from €250,000 to €10 million. The risks associated with such schemes were acknowledged by the European Commission and the European Parliament as early as 2014. More recently, the OECD also investigated the possible abuse of these schemes for tax evasion purposes. Such investigations have detailed how Golden Visa programmes are vulnerable to abuse and undermine the fight against corruption in the EU and neighbouring countries. Investigations have shown how European countries are selling access to the Schengen visa-free travel area, and even EU citizenship, to foreign investors with little scrutiny, transparency or due diligence. At the debate on Wednesday, the EPP Group will insist that such programmes undermine EU citizenship.
Future of Food and Farming
The European Parliament will adopt its position on Wednesday on the post-2020 CAP with a vote on 'The Future of Food and Farming', a strategic Report drafted by EPP Group MEP Herbert Dorfmann. The EPP Group's target is to safeguard local food production in family farms all over Europe by calling for a smarter and simpler CAP. We are also asking for more efficient ways to ensure that the EU gives more targeted and fairer support to genuine farmers and young farmers.
Trade defence on dumped imports
The EU is sharpening its tools when it comes to trade and defence. The European Parliament is adopting new and approved standards on dumped or subsidised imports from third countries on Wednesday. The inquiry time will be shortened to strengthen defence, and the notice for preliminary duties extended to limit the harm for importers.
Fighting mileage fraud in Europe
In cross-border car sales, research shows that up to 50% of odometers are tampered with, with economic costs for buyers and business running into billions of Euros every year. MEPs have been asking the European Commission for years to take action on mileage fraud in Europe. The EPP Group strongly argues for the immediate creation of a European system where up-to-date mileage-reading databases can be accessed by prospective buyers, modelled on the Belgian and Dutch systems. Shadow Rapporteur for the EPP Group, Georges Bach MEP, also insists on the negative effects of mileage manipulation on road safety and the unexpected maintenance and repair costs for buyers.
Better work-life balance for parents and carers
On Monday evening, the Committee of Women's Rights and Gender Equality will vote on its input to the legislative Employment Committee Report establishing a better work-life balance for parents across Europe. The EPP Group's Agnieszka Kozłowska-Rajewicz MEP is the Rapporteur. The text, which will be taken on board in the final vote, presents ideas such as 4 months of non-transferability of parental leave and the level of payment which is equal to the national payment for maternity leave in cases of paternity leave (10 days), with at least 80% of the worker’s gross wage as regards parental and carers’ leave (5 days).
Common Trade Policy
International trade plays an important role in job creation and growth. However, over the past few years, it has faced several challenges like rising protectionist practices, the growing Asian economy or the consequences of Brexit. In an Annual Report on the implementation of the Common Commercial Policy, to be voted on Wednesday, the EPP Group proposed cutting the obstacles and burdens that are currently preventing European businesses from enjoying the benefits of a free trade agreement. We also want to increase transparency, improve access to information and increase participation of all actors in the formulation of EU trade policy.
Press Conferences (28 May - 1 June)
Tuesday @ 09.30 Danuta Maria Hübner MEP and others on the Council's decision on the reform of the EU electoral law
Tuesday @ 11.10 EPP Group Chairman, plenary briefing
Tuesday @ 15.00 Elisabeth Morin-Chartier MEP, Marianne Thyssen, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, and others on the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive
Tuesday @ 16.00 Manfred Weber MEP, Lara Comi MEP, Esteban Gonzáles Pons MEP, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt MEP and Teresa Jiménez-Becerril Barrio on 'Stalking crimes and victim protection in the EU'
Tuesday @ 16.30 Marc Joulaud MEP and others on 'The Copyright Directive: Artists' remuneration for on-demand exploitation'
Wednesday @ 09.30 Sirpa Pietikäinen MEP on 'Sustainable Finance'
Wednesday @ 14.30 Alessandra Mussolini MEP and others on 'The Reform of the Dublin Regulation: looking ahead to the negotiations with the Council'
Wednesday @ 15.00 Carlos Coelho MEP on the Schengen Annual Report
