The coordinators of the European Parliament's Transport Committee decided on Tuesday 3 September to let the political groups have the opportunity to give their opinion on a possible request to the European Commission to review its copy concerning the social and market aspects of the first ‘mobility’ package (posting of lorry drivers, driving and rest time, tachographs, cabotage and market access).
The saga relating to these delicate issues is therefore taken up again in the European Parliament. According to our information, the political groups have until Friday 6 September to give their opinion and say whether or not they wish to refer the texts back to the Commission.
It would appear that the left-wing political families (S&D, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL) and ID expressed, at this meeting, their wish to start interinstitutional negotiations ('trilogues') on these issues. This follows both the Parliament and the EU Council's position on the matter (see EUROPE 12229/1, 12152/10). The EPP and ECR groups, for their part, are said to have decided the opposite. Renew Europe's position will be carefully observed.
If a majority in the European Parliament ‘transport’ committee were to take a position in favour of referral to the Commission, it would forward an opinion to the Conference of Committee Chairs, which could refer the matter to the Commission through the Parliament’s President.
The vote on the negotiating mandates by the Parliament's ‘transport’ committee is scheduled for the session on 23 and 24 September. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)