Plenary focus - April

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.

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.

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.