Plenary focus - November

We are aware of the trap set by our enemies; by striking harder and harder they hope to divide us. And from this point of view, the worst may be yet to come. We must be clear because if we deny it, the reality will only get the better of us. The reality is that we must eradicate the ‘Daesh’ monstrosity. It is radical Islam in Europe against which we must fight. We must reject all confusion to save our unity.

GUE/NGL played a key role in the investigations in sweetheart tax deals with multinational corporations. While the report of the Special TAXE Committee picks up many of our group proposals, it lacks ambition in key areas and the mandate of TAXE remains unfulfilled. TAXE could not access crucial documents and the report does not adequately address the political responsibility of architects of the tax cartel such as Commission President Juncker.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the European Parliament sends yet another strong signal that we want to see an EU legal instrument against all forms of violence against women and girls, and that we expect all member states to rapidly ratify the Istanbul Conven- tion. Eradicating gender-based violence is a question of basic human rights, and an absolute central part of the struggle for gender equality.