Brussels, 03/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - The Greens/EFA Group said on Thursday 3 December that it would ask the presidents of the Parliament's political groups, during their visit to The Hague, to invite Council President Donald Tusk to come to the Parliament to explain his comments on migrants made in several European newspapers.
Tusk said in the Guardian, for example, that migrants arriving in the EU should be detained in holding centres for up to 18 months (seen under EU law as a last resort), for example, to rule out any threat to national security and all terrorist threat. He also criticised German Chancellor Angela Merkel, declaring that there is still no majority among European governments for a binding quota system to share out asylum seekers in the EU.
“Donald Tusk's comments are all the more shocking and totally irresponsible given the post that he holds. We expect a Council president to unite people, not to stoke discord. While the rise of extreme right-wing parties is, indeed, worrying, I find it just as worrying that their ideas are gaining ground and becoming mainstream in traditional parties”, said Philippe Lamberts. He was due to hold talks with European Parliament President Martin Schulz on this issue and a letter will be sent to Tusk. The Greens/EFA Group have called for a debate with the Council and the Commission, followed by a resolution, in the presence of Tusk at the next plenary session in Strasbourg. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)