Pro-European political forces in the European Parliament are rather positive about the European Commission’s actions tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, especially during the vaccination campaign. They expect its President, Ursula von der Leyen, to unveil the legislative proposal for the future EU Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) on Wednesday 15 September during her State of the Union speech in Strasbourg. Some groups are calling for Europe to redouble its efforts to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy - learning from the Western debacle in Afghanistan - and to enforce the Rule of law in the EU.
Strategic autonomy. For EPP group leader Manfred Weber, “the defeat of the Western world in Afghanistan” and the American desire to put its own interests first constitute a “political game changer”. “It’s very clear. The EU must take on its own responsibilities”, he said on Tuesday 14 September, citing “Ukraine and North Africa “ as theatres where Europeans’ vital interests are at stake.
Hoping for announcements about strengthening the EU’s security and defence policies, the Christian Democrat called for the creation of “a European cyber brigade” capable of defending the integrity of technological infrastructures.
The co-president of the Greens/EFA group, Ska Keller of Germany, called the EU’s geopolitical action in the world a “disaster”. According to her, Afghanistan is the latest example of the “humiliations” that “Putin, Erdoğan, Xi Jinping and Biden” have inflicted on Europeans. “Europe lacks the political will to be a geopolitical player, but it doesn’t lack the means” to achieve this ambition, she said.
“We expect Mrs von der Leyen not to repeat that she is leading a geopolitical Commission, but to prove it to us”, said Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe, France). Referring to a “race against time” between the major powers, Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, France) asked Mrs von der Leyen to “point the way” that will allow the EU to be “structurally” ready to defend its strategic autonomy.
Rule of law. Among the good points addressed to the European Commission, Mr Weber cited the defence of the Rule of law where, despite the difficulties, the method linking respect for fundamental European values and the granting of European financial aid “works”.
The centre-right group Renew Europe disagrees. Its leader, Romanian Dacian Cioloș, criticised the way the European Commission plans to implement the ‘Rule of law’ conditionality regulation (see EUROPE 12779/10). “Its role is not only to propose and negotiate it, but also to implement it. On this, I have unanswered questions”, he explained.
The S&D group is ready to take action for Parliament to lodge an appeal to the EU Court of Justice because of the European Commission’s inaction in this area.
Health. With regard to health issues, Mr Cioloș welcomed the European Commission’s coordination in purchasing vaccines on behalf of the Member States. However, his group is calling for more EU support for vulnerable countries that do not have access to vaccines (see EUROPE 12788/11).
Fearing a State of the Union speech advocating a return to normality, The Left group co-president Manon Aubry of France criticised the European Commission’s inaction on lifting patents on Covid-19 vaccines and its “impotence” on transparency of contracts with pharmaceutical groups.
Social. S&D group chair Iratxe García Pérez of Spain focused on the social agenda, arguing for: - “a law against poverty”; - a digital transition respectful of “social justice”, based on court judgments recognising the rights of workers on digital platforms; - a European directive to combat violence against women.
The Spanish Socialist also stressed the importance of the EU having a legal framework for migration and asylum. “What happened in Afghanistan shows us (...) how much we need a strong migration policy, based on solidarity between Member States and towards people who have to flee their countries for economic reasons or because of violations of the Rule of law”, said García Pérez.
See the S&D group’s ten policy priorities: https://bit.ly/3nvh3MM
The co-chair of The Left group, Martin Schirdewan of Germany, also expects Mrs von der Leyen to provide “clear political answers” to the social inequalities that have worsened with the pandemic. “Forbes calculated that the ten richest Europeans increased their wealth by $260 million last year. Oxfam said that more than 500 million people have been pushed into poverty this year. (...) And a quarter of children in the EU are at risk of growing up in poverty”, he said.
Climate. On the European Commission’s climate action, Greens/EFA group co-chair Philippe Lamberts of Belgium said the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package is “far from perfect”, but has the merit of existing (see other news). Who imagines for a moment that the previous ‘Juncker’ Commission would have been able to present such proposals? - he quipped.
Economy. On economic issues, the S&D and Greens/EFA groups welcome the implementation of the Next Generation EU Recovery Plan. The Social Democrats are calling for a reform of the Stability and Growth Pact to create fiscal space to finance green and social investments, as well as a permanent fiscal capacity for the euro area. They advocate the introduction of a high income tax in Europe.
On the other hand, Manfred Weber called for a return to fiscal consolidation. He said the current situation, marked by a surge in public debt to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, is “clearly not sustainable”. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion with editorial staff)