Plenary Session - European Parliament in Strasbourg from 12 to 15 March 2018 - S&D priorities on the agenda
▶ Mon 12
New Group Leader and farewell message
Gianni Pittella
gianni.pittella@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75159
Following my election to the Italian Senate last week, I have resigned from the role of President of the Socialists and Democrats Group, opening up the process for a new choice of a new leader. MEPs have until Monday 12 March to announce their candidacy, with the vote for the new leader taking place on 20 March.
Overall, the outcome of the Italian election was a very worrying setback not only for the future stability of Italy but for the future of the whole of Europe. I am sure that the new Group President will stand for a more social, just and effective Europe. This is our political and moral duty. The more we hesitate, the more the extremisms will spread in Europe putting in danger the existence of our European Union.
▶ Wed 14
Future of Europe - Debate with PM of Portugal António Costa
Maria Joao Rodrigues
mariajoao.rodrigues@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75863
We are delighted to welcome Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa. Portugal’s socialist-led government has proved that there is an alternative to blind austerity. The Portuguese government is relaunching the economy while fighting inequalities. We should use the Portuguese experience to reshape the EU and put an end austerity. In face of xenophobic and populist movements, Social Democrats and Socialists have to show that we are the ones who have the conditions to protect people and prepare them for the future. This is now at stake in many fronts with key decisions to be taken until the end of the legislature: social dimension, reform of the Eurozone, trade, climate, migration and security. Another Europe is possible.
▶ Tues, 13
Multi-Annual Financial Framework
Isabelle Thomas
isabelle.thomas@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75432
Europe is facing huge challenges - millions of young people still can’t find work; the effects of climate change are ever more present; and the refugee crisis is not over. If we want to address all these issues, then we need an EU budget that is both well-funded and flexible. We want an ambitious and serious vision of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which sets the framework for the EU’s annual budgets for the next seven years. We need to see the amount of money in the EU budget rise. We want to see the amount spent on the EU budget increase from 1 % of EU Gross National Income (GNI) to 1.3%. This will give us the billions of euros necessary to provide what our citizens want - money for Erasmus, the Child Guarantee, and money to face the refugee challenge.
▶ Tues, 13
Own resources
Danielle Viotti
daniele.viotti@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75652
The S&D Group will not vote in favour of a new long term EU budget that does not radically overhaul how it is financed. We need to scrap the current rebates and replace them with a fair and transparent system for all Member States. We also need to find new ways of funding the EU budget, to ease pressure on Member State’s finances and ensure the EU budget is funded in a sustainable way. This should be done by increasing the amount raised by own resources. We want to see at least 40% of the EU budget coming from own resources rather than through national budgets. These should come from ideas such as a tax on multinational companies, a financial transaction tax and new forms of green taxation.
▶ Wed, 14
Protection of journalists at EU level, the case of the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his partner Martina Kušnírová
Claude Moraes
claude.moraes@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75553
The whole Parliament was shocked to hear of the horrific murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his partner Martina Kušnírová. The EU must do everything it can to support the ongoing investigation. Investigative journalists play an essential role in shining a light on shady dealings and we must ensure they can do so in safety and without fear of repercussions. This week I was part of a Parliament fact finding mission to meet with NGOs, journalists and government officials in Bratislava and in Strasbourg we will hold a debate on what more can be done to protect journalists wherever they are in Europe.
▶ Wed, 14
Tax Justice
Hugues Bayet
hugues.bayet@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75791
Paul Tang
paul.tang@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75626
Next week Parliament will vote on proposals approved for a common tax base and a common consolidated tax base are setting new standards for corporate taxation to resolve the issue of tax shifting, worth €200 billion in tax losses for the EU member states. This is an important step forward in our fight against tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning. It is crucial to establish a common corporate tax system that is fair in Europe. Member states should not engage in a negative tax race to the bottom. Nor should big multinationals be able to do their tax shopping across Europe.
The common consolidated corporate tax base ensures that companies pay taxes there where their activity takes place. Differences in the base, now fully utilised by dextrous tax planners, will belong to the past.
▶ Wed, 14
US trade tariffs
Alessia Mosca
alessia.mosca@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75746
Bernd Lange
bernd.lange@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75555
The EU should promptly take action at the WTO. It has to be clear that global issues require global solutions. The unilateral measure taken by the US President is completely ineffective against Chinese dumping. Moreover, it will hurt the United States’ closer allies. We should now focus on providing safeguard measures to our workers and businesses to protect them from the threat of lower exports and increased imports as a result of trade diversion.
We share the view that overcapacities in steel and other sectors are very worrisome. But to tackle these, you cannot close your borders and ignore the root causes of the problem. International co-operation and co-ordinated action must be the answer.
▶ Mon, 12
Appointment of Martin Selmayr
Ines Ayala Sender
ines.ayalasender@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75508
The Group was as surprised as everyone else to learn of the appointment of Martin Selmayr as Secretary-General of the European Commission. There are clear concerns about the transparency and speed of the process. We supported having a discussion in plenary with the Commission to explain the process to the Parliament.
We have very important challenges ahead - such as Brexit negotiations, the EU budget after 2020, and social pillar and migration policies-, and citizens deserve transparent institutions to deliver on them. To rebuild citizen’s trust in the EU institutions it is essential that appointments to all positions are made in a fair and transparent manner.
▶ Thu, 15
Situation in Syria
Victor Bostinaru
victor.bostinaru@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75832
As the bombs of the regime forces, supported by Russia and Iran backed militias’, continue to rain down on the Eastern Ghouta, the humanitarian situation is worsening. Unfortunately, neither the United Nations (UN) resolution nor a daily five-hour ceasefire ordered by Russia has reduced the violence. We have to reiterate our demand for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation of this humanitarian catastrophe.
We look forward to the second Brussels Conference on Syria that will be co-chaired by the EU and UN on the 25-26th April and we hope it will help to bolster the UN-led political peace process in Geneva. We have to make sure that all evidence and testimony of humanitarian crimes in Syria are investigated and preserved in order to ensure justice for war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated in Syria.
▶ Tues, 13
Brexit
Roberto Gualtieri
roberto.gualtieri@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75523
We support a close partnership with the UK, but any agreement requires an appropriate balance of rights and obligations, and needs to meet a number fundamental principles. A third country cannot not have the same benefits as a member state, the EU must keep autonomy of decision making, the integrity of the single market and financial stability should be protected, and a level playing field between the UK and EU must be ensured. Only continued membership of the Customs Union and Single Market would ensure frictionless trade, however the current UK red lines mean this is not an option.
▶ Mon, 12
Parcel delivery
Lucy Anderson
lucy.anderson@europarl.europa.eu
+33(0)3 88 1 75496
This report is an important element of the Commission’s Digital Single Market strategy in supporting e-commerce growth as part of a modern and fair social Europe. The new rules will help ensure greater transparency of tariffs and employment practices and a better deal for consumers and small businesses ordering and sending cross-border parcels.
