The political groups in the European Parliament had their first opportunity to express their views at a plenary session in Strasbourg on Monday 10 March, two weeks after the Commission unveiled its proposals (see EUROPE 13588/4). They have shown their division even before work has begun and at a time when the EPP has asked to use a fast-track procedure to adopt the legislation suspending the CSRD and CSDDD directives. This is to avoid new rules coming into force while the co-legislators are deciding on simplification measures.
The S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and The Left groups regret that the EPP has “gone it alone”, in the words of Gabrielle Bischoff (S&D, German), in calling for the fast-track procedure. “What good legislation can come out of this, without any consultation?” asked the German MEP.
The EPP, as well as the PfE, ECR and ESN groups, are calling for further simplification of the legislative texts concerned by the ‘omnibus’.
On the other hand, the S&D, Renew Europe, the Greens/EFA and The Left are criticising massive deregulation and a step backwards.
The latter groups have warned the EPP against collaborating with the far right. France’s Pascal Canfin (Renew Europe) has reached out to the EPP for a collaboration that would also enable us to move forward quickly. Speaking directly to the EPP rapporteur on the ‘omnibus’, Tomas Tobé (Swedish) warned that by collaborating with the far right, the EPP would break up the centrist majority that had elected Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA). “You need this majority to respond to the crisis we are experiencing”, he insisted.
His group, and those further to the left, believe that the Commission has gone too far in simplifying the corporate due diligence (CSDDD). They want to find a balance that takes greater account of workers’ rights and respect for the environment.
But for the EPP, PfE and ECR, the survival of the European industry is at stake, and it must benefit from massive simplification. “Will you stand for growth?”, Mr Tobé asked the left and centre of the Chamber. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)