On behalf of the delegation of La France insoumise (LFI) to the European Parliament, Manon Aubry presented, on Tuesday 2 July in Strasbourg, her "twelve battles" for the legislative mandate that is opening up at European level. This series of strategic axes was submitted to the European Parliament's GUE/NGL group on Monday 1 July, which should adopt them later this week.
Thus, among the most emblematic proposals are the strengthening of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) by obliging the European Commission to give it legislative follow-up, as well as the inclusion in the Treaties of the right to dismiss European elected representatives and officials. In addition, the delegation wants to break with the budgetary rules of the Stability and Growth Pact.
On the ecological issue, LFI calls for a vast plan to get out of nuclear and coal in order to achieve a 100% renewable energy mix by 2050. To facilitate this transition, French MEPs suggest introducing an "ecological and social tax" at the EU's borders in order to fight unfair international competition. They want to reorient the common agricultural policy to subsidise small farms and organic farming "rather than polluting monocultures" and ban pesticides, in this case glyphosate.
In addition, Manon Aubry defends the development of a vast plan to safeguard biodiversity in Europe and, in this context, wishes to have a "European Charter of Animal Rights" adopted.
On the moralisation of political life, MEPs want to prohibit any manager and civil servant from serving the interests of banks and multinationals for a period of 10 years after they leave office.
The LFI delegation wants to fight against tax havens in the European Union, a key issue for Manon Aubry. She cites Luxembourg and Ireland as "notorious" examples and wants to impose a minimum corporate tax rate.
On the social side, LFI proposes to introduce a minimum wage in each Member State up to 75% of the median wage and to abolish the Posted Workers Directive. Concerning the reception of migrants, it suggests the creation of a European civilian rescue and relief service at sea and the abolition of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (ex-Frontex).
Finally, same-sex marriage must be entered into EU law.
This series of strategic points responds to the European Council's strategic agenda for the next institutional cycle (see EUROPE 12279/1). It is also a response to the ongoing reflection in the European Parliament on the EU's strategic priorities, to which the radical left group has not been invited (see EUROPE 12273/17). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)