On Thursday 7 May, the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament definitively clarified the question of which committee will be responsible for legislative follow-up for the Just Transition Fund, and in the end it will be the Committee on Regional Development (REGI).
The issue of competences between parliamentary committees emerged rapidly following the presentation by the European Commission (see EUROPE 12424/21). The Committees on Budgets (BUDG) and Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) both wanted shared competences, while the Committees on the Environment (ENVI), Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON), and Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) wanted exclusive competences over specific articles of the legislative text.
Finally, it was decided that these parliamentary committees would be involved, i.e. the rapporteurs for the opinions will be consulted throughout the legislative work carried out by the rapporteur of the REGI Committee, Manolis Kefaloyiannis (EPP, Greece) (see EUROPE 12478/20). However, the latter will retain full control over the legislative work, amendments and compromise amendments.
Mr Kefaloyiannis will present his report to the Regional Development Committee on Tuesday 12 May. This provides in particular for a substantial increase in the budget allocated to the Fund and numerous changes, in particular to the contribution key for financial allocations (see EUROPE 12478/20). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)