Brussels, 20/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission's proposals on ”legislating better” continue to give rise to polemic among MEPs (see EUROPE 9027 and 9028). The centre-right believes the Commission is heading in the right direction but not going far enough. The left, on the other hand, considers the proposals could destroy certain European achievements, in social and environmental matters especially. Thus, in a press release, German Christian Democrat Werner Langen fears that, at the end of the day, “it's all rather an anti-climax”. Before the summer break, there was talk of withdrawing around 170 Commission proposals, but by end September there were only 69 left out of a total of 900, Mr Langen complains, doubting that “such a small step will suffice for rekindling the Lisbon strategy”. “We mustn't throw the baby out with the bath water!”, German Green member Rebecca Harms warned, stressing: “Of course, we have nothing against withdrawing superfluous and technically badly drafted proposals of directives (…) But we are proud of the steering role that the European Union plays at world level with its legislation on protecting the environment and worker health. Legislation in this field is not 'absurd' as Mr Barroso has said in interviews”. The Commission, Ms Harms says, must not allow itself to be influenced by the “populism of the tabloids, blocking in Council and panic maintained by industry. It must remain the driving force for a Europe of citizens - although this may sometimes come up against strong resistance”.