Decisions taken

What does the political situation in Pakistan have in common with the commitment to prevent industrial accidents in European foundries ? Or the defense of human rights in China and air pollution reduction? These issues are not directly related, however they figure among the political and legislative commitments of the EU Parliament, whose “co-decisional” power with the Council has been progressing in the past 15 years and further developments are expected for the year 2009, when the Lisbon Treaty will come into force. Consumer credit, common regulations. During the plenary meeting held on January 14-17, reports, resolutions and votes on a number of issues relating to concrete aspects of citizens’ lives were filed in the EU-Parliament. These were integrated by institutional and political debates. Among the decisions taken, figures the green light to the directive for consumer credit single market promotion: a relatively new way to purchase using primarily credit cards, which represent a source of income for the banks. The proposal is coordinated by Bulgarian Commissioner Meglena Kuneva. At the moment however, this market is divided into the 27 national markets, “this prevents consumers and European creditors from making crossborder offers and contracts and from enjoying the benefits” of a true single market. In explaining the bearing of the provision, Kurt Lechner , German MEP, claimed, “consumer credit market plays a fundamental role in the Union’s economy”; its turnover “is important in the United Kingdom, in Ireland, Germany and Austria”. It represents 18% of banking companies’ gross revenues (for retail business), which amounts to 800 million euros, “with a mean annual growth of 8%”. The directive – after the publication on the EU Journal, the States have two years to implement it – establishes “a series of obligations for credit institutions as relates to information to consumers, publicity, and the pre-contracting phase, in order to facilitate research on the most convenient deal.” Those applying for a credit have the right to withdraw from the contract “within two weeks and with no justification”. The field of application refers to credit operations ranging between 200 and 75 thousand euros. Eco-friendly cars. In the course of the same session, the Parliament approved (with 607 in favor, 76 against, and 14 abstentions) a long-expected report on the creation of an “eco-compatible” and environment-friendly car-market which received much criticism. This is a delicate decision, considering that car industry is one of the most important sectors in Europe, with an annual production of 19 million cars involving 2.3 million employees and 10 million workers in linked activities. All Member States have interests in this field starting from Germany, (ranking first manufacturer) along with France, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden, Spain and Poland… Strong pressures by lobbies. The “rapporteur”, German MEP Georgios Chatzimarkakis , had a difficult mediating task due to the cross-party opposition within the Assembly and strong pressures by external lobbies. In brief, the report – which goes under the name of Cars 21 – aims at collecting trade-in incentives, a polluting-substance release taxation and binding reduction of Co2 emission starting in the year 2015. The report equally envisages a public-awareness campaign on the best road infrastructures aimed at improving traffic. Mr. Chatzimarkakis also urged for “the promotion of bio-fuels and hybrid engines”, which would increase investments in this field of research. Reference to Kenya, China and Egypt. The EU Assembly also took a stand in the fields of democracy and human rights. The document approved with a large majority vote, reaffirms the “doubts on the credibility of Kenya’s elections”. President Mwai Kibaki is thus asked to “respect the democratic commitments of his Country sanctioned in the National Constitution” and “to allow the independent verification of the Presidential vote”. If this weren’t possible, the Assembly demands that “new elections” be held. With another resolution the Parliament condemned “the arrest of Chinese dissident Hu Jia”, requesting his “immediate release” along with the other opponents. China is urged “not to exploit the Olympic Games as a pretext to limit the freedom of expression”. MEPs also solicited respect for political opponents, journalists and religious minorities- such as the Copts- in Egypt.