Quote of the week

“Apple tricked us! But the EU is hitting back. Even last week's 'sabre-rattling' by the US authorities could not change this. The fight against tax avoidance by multinational companies, after precedents were set against Starbucks and Fiat, is now reaching the next phase and entering a new dimension.

This sends a clear message both to the multinationals and to the member states which conclude those tax deals at the expense of others.”

- S&D MEP Peter Simon

 

Last week’s highlights

The S&D Times is back after the summer break and so are our members. Committee work has already started this week and the Group is actively preparing for the September plenary session in Strasbourg which will undoubtedly be an interesting one.

 

Activities

Next week the Group is organising its autumn Bureau Away Day. New strategies, new projects and ongoing initiatives - these are just a few of the topics on the agenda. Follow us, for exciting updates this autumn.

The impact of the UK referendum is still being felt and its far-reaching effects on Europe will be a key topic for debate in the months to come – we’ll be keeping a close eye on the outcome.

 

Upcoming activities

The debate on emissions is far from over. After grilling two former commissioners already, the S&D members of the parliamentary committee of Inquiry into Emission Measurements in the Automotive Sector (EMIS) will continue their work on Monday. This time it’s former commissioner for environment (2010-2014) Janez Potočnik and former commissioner for industry and entrepreneurship (2010-2014) Antonio Tajani who will be facing their questions.

Follow our website, Facebook and Twitter for all the latest developments.

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This Wednesday, the Group is welcoming civil society representatives for a special meeting on the preparation of European legislation. Our Group president, Gianni Pittella welcomed their participation: As Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament, we consider it important to further develop our relations with civil society in an open dialogue. We will address specific policy fields, namely social affairs, sustainable development and the defence of human rights.

The Group’s Relaunching Europe initiative will also be back on the road this autumn. In October we’re bringing our successful series of debates back to Bucharest, Romania. We’ll be talking about a New Social Europe, alongside specialists, political leaders and Romanian politicians.

Registrations will open soon. In the meantime, check out the initiative’s new look on the new site!

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