Focused debate in the Hemicycle

The ability of the European Parliament to provide a forum for extensive political debate on Community issues was fully confirmed in the plenary session held December 15 to 18. MEPs, together with representatives of the Commission and the EU Council, tackled a set of issues ranging from the investment plan proposed by the Executive to the 2015 budget, from the funds for countries in difficulty (unemployment, natural disasters) to the hot issues in the area of foreign policy (Palestine, Turkey, Ukraine, global human rights, use of torture by the CIA, migration…) along with support to specific economic sectors (notably, the iron and steel industry). Commission under scrutiny. One of the most heated and tense confrontations in the European Parliament seat involved the presentation of the work program of the Commission for 2015. The President of the Executive, the Luxembourg statesman Jean-Claude Juncker, began by saying that citizens “demand a fresh start”. “Growth and employment are priority issues for everyone. This is also why the Commission has identified “only 23 new projects for the coming year, focusing our efforts and our European resources in Europe,” delegating to Member States “the handling of issues that fall within their competence”. Juncker then stressed the principle of subsidiarity. “We examined 452 legislative acts in itinere”, he said, “and then decided to withdraw 83”. Among the areas which the Executive will focus on figures taxation (a hot issue, given the delicate and controversial position of Juncker in the LuxLeaks case). Proposals aimed at tax harmonization in the EU – at least in some areas – in addition to “operational” strategies to counter tax evasion and tax avoidance are set to be developed within the first six months of 2015. Economy and social dialogue. The Commission’s program was then explained in detail by the first Vice-President, Frans Timmermans (The Netherlands). “At the centre of the work program of the Commission for 2015” figures, as might be expected, the 315 billion investment plan. The areas requiring urgent investments are, according to Timmermans, “the digital economy, energy, and green technologies”. Equally important, in his view, is “the strengthening of economic and monetary union”, “social equality”, “and social dialogue”. Timmermans tackled some of the decisions concerning the Directive on maternity leave and waste treatment. To this regard, he identified a “braking force” in the EU Council, namely, by the Member States. “If these efforts should be hampered or disregarded” by the Council, “we will present new ones”, he pointed out. The program was received with some criticism by political groups, even among the three main parliamentary groups that explicitly support Juncker (Popular, Socialists and Democrats, Liberal Democrats). Tough opposition was expressed by the extreme right, the Eurosceptics and, at times, by a number of left-wing MEPs. The discussion on investment was revived when the Assembly debated the agenda of the European Council of 18 and 19 December. Israel-Palestine, a “landmark” vote. The resolution whereby the European Parliament “supports in principle recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution, and believes these should go hand in hand with the development of peace talks, which should be advanced” was the focus of worldwide media attention. Thus Strasbourg gave the green light to the Palestinian cause (so far the only European State to have recognized Palestine is Sweden). The resolution was drafted – after long and difficult mediations – by five political groups (EPP, Socialist and Democrats, Greens, Liberals and Democrats, and United Left). It passed with 498 votes in favour, 88 against and 111 abstentions. Parliament reiterates “its strong support for the two-state solution on the basis of the 1967 borders, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states, with the secure State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security on the basis of the right of self-determination and full respect of international law”. Two States in peace. The motion rejects all forms of violence and terrorism (the message appears to be directed to Hamas in particular) and it stresses that Israeli settlements are illegal. Elmar Brok, German MEP, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs at the EU Parliament, made positive comments on the resolution, which – he says – recognizes “Palestinian statehood” and at the same time demands full respect of the State of Israel. “Negotiations are now necessary to ensure a safe State of Israel and a vital and democratic Palestinian State. Both parties must refrain from any action which could jeopardize this goal”.