On Thursday 17 January, the European Parliament confirmed the rapporteur's negotiating mandate on the 'mobility' aspect of the legislative package on company law, namely the proposal for a directive laying down harmonised procedures for cross-border conversions and divisions, as well as a targeted review in respect of mergers (see EUROPE 12009).
“We are pleased that the Parliament has overwhelmingly backed our position, but are disappointed by the attempt of right-wing groups to block these proposals”, said rapporteur Evelyn Regner, whose mandate was confirmed by 502 votes in favour, 112 against and 9 abstentions.
The plenary vote took place at the request of the ECR group, which voted en bloc against the report, as did the ENF and EFDD groups.
As a reminder, the report, adopted by a very large majority in the Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs last December (see EUROPE 12154), strengthens workers' rights to information and consultation throughout the process, whenever a company wishes to transfer its headquarters to another Member State. It also provides for additional checks to avoid the creation of ‘mailbox’ companies.
Inter-institutional negotiations can therefore begin once the Council has adopted its position. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)