Brussels, 21/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - The majority of political groups at the European Parliament - particularly the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL Groups - are preparing to reject the motion of censure against the Juncker team, which was lodged by eurosceptics and europhobes from the EFDD Group of Nigel Farage and Beppe Grillo and backed by non-attached MEPs (including from the French National Front). This is what the groups indicated on Friday 21 November at a press briefing on the next plenary session.
The motion of censure, resulting from the LuxLeaks scandal, will be put to debate at 6.00pm on Monday 24 November, and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will be accompanied by all his commissioners.
The EPP Group will oppose the motion because it would weaken the Commission. “And in order to respond to all the challenges that currently exist, a con structive approach is needed”, said EPP spokesperson Antti Timonen. “We don't think this motion is necessary and we will not back it”, said the S&D Group, which nevertheless believes that the issues raised by the affair must be addressed. The ECR Group has not yet made a decision on its position but, said a spokesperson, “we are concerned” by the results of the last plenary where Juncker “seemed to want to deflect the questions asked”, said James Holtum. In the view of the ECR Group, tax harmonisation is not the right answer and is even to be avoided because it would give the feeling “that it is no longer possible to do business in Europe”.
The GUE/NGL and Greens/EFA Groups will not back the motion of the eurosceptics and europhobes either, even if the two groups are of the opinion that an appropriate response must be made to the LuxLeaks revelations. Both groups support the idea of a parliamentary commission of inquiry but the conference of presidents has brushed aside this idea (see other article). (SP)