An important European agenda

This week, in a remote session, the European Parliament will discuss and vote a series of important issues. But will the Parliament be able to make real progress ?

Will the EU be able to move forward in spite of the Hungarian and Polish attitude? Foto: (c) European Union, 2020

(KL) – Yes, the European Parliament is still working. And the Parliament has got used to a format which mixes videoconferences and presence in – Brussels. The parliament seat in Strasbourg is about to be forgotten. However, the MEPs will be discussing important issues this week, ranging from consumer rights to the budget questions – a budget which is still blocked by Hungary and Poland. To some extent, this week will be a “week of truth” and the EU has to prove that it is able to act, even in the light of the Hungarian and Polish “sabotage” of fundamental European rules. Here are the topics which will be discussed this week in Brussels and the virtual space.

Consumer rights: MEPs will vote on new rules that will allow groups of consumers, harmed by illegal practices, to defend their rights collectively and seek compensation. Member states will need to put in place systems for representative action that guarantee consumers are well protected against mass harm, while ensuring appropriate safeguards from abusive lawsuits.

Right to repair: The European Parliament will debate and vote on ways to boost sustainability by granting EU consumers a “right to repair” and by tackling practices that intentionally shorten the lifetime of products. MEPs will also address the issue of products that contain dangerous chemicals, have unsafe software, or pose other safety hazards and debate the EU’s New Consumer Agenda. Monsanto and Huawei don’t have to worry – their lobbys have already achieved what they wanted…

Strengthening media freedom: MEPs fear that media pluralism is at risk in several EU member states and warn of the increasing pressure and harassment faced by journalists. In a debate and vote, they are set to focus particularly on political interference, the protection of journalists, threats such as the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation, and the role of internet platforms. An interesting question will be the vote of the French MEPs. After having voted last week a new law hindering coverage of police action in France and thus reducing the freedom of press, will they vote in favour of a European law protecting the freedom of press?

Fundamental rights in the EU: MEPs are expected to warn against the deterioration of fundamental rights and EU values within the EU, and underline the critical need for a mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights. This topic has to be considered in the light of the Polish and Hungarian refusal to adopt the EU budget if they are obliged to abide to fundamental democratic principles.

December EU summit: Vaccines, terrorism, climate protection targets and the EU long-term budget are among the topics MEPs are expected to bring up in a debate with Commission President von der Leyen and the German Presidency ahead of the 10-11 December EU summit. But will this debate lead to more than the expression of intentions? Will these good intentions be followed by concrete action? Considering the last months, the European citizens may have serious doubts about the effectiveness of such declarations…

And maybe one day, it would be nice to discover the question of the Parliament seat on the European agenda. Nothing has been settled so far regarding this important question. For the time being, Strasbourg has ceased to exist as the Parliament Seat and this is simply unacceptable. Perhaps in December?

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