COP21 and Trump’s disengagement

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Donald Trump’s decision to take the US out of the Paris Accord is a blow in the fight against climate change. However, it is also an opportunity to truly examine the contradictions of these types of agreement, and to face up to the future of our planet and generations honestly and without hypocrisy. We simply cannot fight climate change without questioning the economic growth model, the production model and the current market society.

Major interpellation: Video sharing platforms & editorial responsibility

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In times of ‘fake news’ and hate speech we have to find new and innovative solutions for video-sharing platforms so that they finally take over editorial responsibility. After all, we expect the same from conventional media. Minimum journalistic standards and the duty of care can no longer be left to coincidence. Solutions for upholding those minimal standards exist for video-sharing platforms that do not involve censorship or data mining. A democratic society has the right to be a transparent information society.

Major interpellation: Video sharing platforms & editorial responsibility

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We need to safeguard the most vulnerable users, such as minors, from harmful content or dangerous advertisement, like product placement. We need to monitor activities on video-sharing platforms and to institute a proper jurisdiction and regulation mechanism. The e-commerce directive that regulates this domain is 17-years-old, there is an urgent need for it to be revised or for the most appropriate legislative act to be found.

Panama Papers follow-up and the rule of law in Malta

By Martin Schirdewan

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With the opening of OLAF’s investigations into Commissioner Cañete - who should step down for the duration of the inquiry - the ‘Panama Papers’ have also stained the highest ranks of the Commission. I hope we won’t need another wake-up call in order to make clear that bold actions in the fight against tax dumping are long overdue. The revision of the Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive provides such an opportunity so let’s not waste it.

Energy efficiency labelling

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The report has many positive proposals but unfortunately, the situation won’t improve any time soon. It was decided that a Database will begin on 1st January 2019 in order to provide important information to consumers with labels that are easier to understand. A two-step rescaling will also be introduced – an initial one based on the timeline agreed on this regulation and a second based on market share. However, as the timeline itself is fairly disappointing, we will therefore abstain.

Building blocks for a post-2020 EU cohesion policy

By Younous Omarjee

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We have serious concerns about the future of the regional policy beyond 2020. Currently, its very foundations are under threat. It is therefore essential that the European Parliament adopts a strong position in maintaining this ambitious regional policy - a policy that offers solidarity with the regions which are lagging behind in development.

EU strategy to end and prevent the gender pension gap

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No amount of words or declarations of intension can better concrete actions when trying to overcome the gender pension gap. A multifaceted political approach that reverses austerity and exploitative policies is needed; as are a strong fight against the discrimination of women alongside the strengthening of the regulation of work and working hours; collective bargaining; the elimination of precarious work; and real salary increase together with the implementation of equal pay for equal work principle. Strong public policies that protect maternity rights as well as for free public care services for both infants and the elderly are also required.

Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area

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As Rapporteur on the adoption of PRIMA which is part of the Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme, I am pleased with the final text that reflects our group’s key positions like the exclusive focus on civil application, on the respect for fundamental rights and on the right to water and sanitation in the Mediterranean area. This Public-Public Partnerships (PuP) will help with the development and the adoption of innovative, integrated, comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable solutions for improving the efficiency, safety, security and sustainability of agro-food systems, plus water and provision management in the region.

European Council meeting on migration

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On migration: We were always against the externalisation of EU borders through cooperation with third countries, especially with Libya - a failed state where migrants are threatened with torture. Forced readmission as foreseen in the new migration partnership framework is incompatible with international law. We demand a consistent, all-encompassing strategy for legal migration that guarantees human rights. On Brexit: We reiterate our demand that the rights of EU citizens must be preserved; EU standards and the Good Friday agreement must be upheld in all of its parts and that the EP must be fully involved in the negotiation process. We expect that the new UK government becomes serious and realistic about achieving the best possible agreement for everybody, be them citizens of the UK and Ireland or elsewhere in the EU. Regarding the relocation of EU agencies from the UK, we demand that the rights and interests of workers in these agencies are given due consideration in any decision about relocation.