Plenary focus

April

Gabi Zimmer – Social Security Systems

Kostas Chrysogonos – Protection of whistleblowers

Lynn Boylan – Greta Thunberg & GUE/NGL Climate manifesto

Marina Albiol – European Border and Coast Guard

Cornelia Ernst – Online terrorist content

Neoklis Sylikiotis – European Defence Fund

Martin Schirdewan – Dual-quality in consumer protection

Helmut Scholz – Parliament’s Right of Inquiry

Focus April 2019 PDF · 12 / 04 / 2019

Social Security Systems

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Debate: Aucun

Vote: Aucun

The European Parliament is supposed to vote on the reform of the coordination of social security systems this plenary. However, the conservative groups have removed the vote from the agenda in the most undemocratic way. We will therefore try with the S&D and Greens to put it back onto the agenda. There is a lot at stake with this vote on improving current regulations. This includes EU citizens being able to continue their unemployment benefits for a longer period when going to another country to look for work. Loopholes on social fraud and social dumping for posted workers would be closed. Cross-border workers would also receive unemployment benefits from the country in which they get paid. For most people, this would mean higher salaries. Finally, long-term care benefits will also count as separate benefits for the first time.
Protection of whistleblowers

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Debate: Monday

Vote: Tuesday

This is a good day for whistleblowers and citizens across Europe. Despite strong opposition from the Council, we got our way in uncovering breaches of EU law, in tackling corruption and upholding transparency. GUE/NGL was involved at all stages of the negotiations in protecting public interests as well as promoting the rights of workers, citizens, NGOs, journalists, whistleblowers and other facilitators.
Greta Thunberg & GUE/NGL Climate manifesto

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Debate: Aucun

Vote: Aucun

Committee meeting: Tuesday at 14h00-15h00, Manifesto launch: Wednesday at 15h00, LOW N -1/201 After being blocked by the liberals and conservatives from addressing the plenary, we now have a chance to listen to Greta Thunberg in the Environment Committee. Her revolutionary call for action cannot be silenced. This is why in order to act on the calls of the climate strikers and start changing the system, we are launching our Climate Emergency Manifesto in Strasbourg.
European Border and Coast Guard

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Debate: Wednesday

Vote: Wednesday

With Frontex, the EU has shown that its main goal is to militarise our borders and deport as many people as possible. With 10,000 guards, a €11.3 billion budget and almost no democratic accountability, Frontex will not save lives or welcome people. Besides, its very opaque nature will allow Frontex to externalise the EU’s borders to third countries.
Online terrorist content

By Cornelia Ernst

Debate: Aucun

Vote: Wednesday

In the vain hope of ending all terrorist activities by removing materials that glorify and promote ISIS terrorism from social media, the Commission has proposed this draconian regulation. So-called terrorist content will have to be removed within one hour which is easy for the big players and impossible for small websites. This regulation is a threat to our internet freedom.
European Defence Fund

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Debate: Wednesday

Vote: Thursday

The EDF heralds the start of EU’s full militarisation process which we strongly oppose. By strengthening the arms industry, EDF will have catastrophic consequences for people. Our alternative proposal is to invest in peace and promote disarmament, the demobilisation of troops, the end of military interventions and the dissolution of NATO.
Dual-quality in consumer protection

By Martin Schirdewan

Debate: Tuesday

Vote: Thursday

The ‘new’ deal for consumers is terrible for consumers. It degrades fellow citizens from Eastern Europe to second-class consumers. But this scandal over so-called ‘dual quality’ of goods remains unresolved. Why is it still possible to sell the same brand and product with different, mostly inferior, ingredients in different member states? This regulation must be rejected.
Parliament’s Right of Inquiry

By Helmut Scholz

Debate: Wednesday

Vote: Thursday

In contravention of Article 226 of EU Treaty, the Council and Commission continue to block the Parliament from its Right of Inquiry. Clearly, powerful figures within the big political parties are afraid of being summoned or asked to hand over documents. After eight years of blockage, the Council must issue a clear mandate for negotiations to the Council Presidency.