Brussels, 06/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - The S&D and Greens/EFA groups at the European Parliament have responded furiously against the European “right”. In a press release, the two groups underlined that the right had managed to obtain an expansion of the scope for simplified procedures on decisions governing requests for political asylum (simplified procedure focuses on requests that are deemed inadmissible) and re-introducing the possibility of national lists of so-called “safe countries”. On Wednesday 6 April, the EP adopted by a small majority (314 votes in favour, 306 against, with 48 abstentions), the report by Sylvie Guillaume on the granting and withdrawal of international protection. This report could have been “good news” for asylum seekers in the EU, explained the Greens/EFA because it includes the harmonisation of currently very divergent procedures in force in the EU27, by way of swifter decisions being taken by the courts initially involved in making these decisions (within a six-month period), in addition to improved quality, enhanced free legal aid and enhanced protection procedures for some of the most vulnerable individuals, such as the victims of torture, rape or other kinds of serious violence, and non-accompanied minors. The Greens, however, claimed that the EPP “has attempted to torpedo” this initiative. The S&D affirm that the extension of simplified procedures is far from making it easier for member states, which will ultimately be more greatly exposed to costlier legal proceedings. The Council will now have to make a decision on the dossier but it will do so on the basis of the Commission's new proposals before the summer. (S.P./transl.fl).