EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today (Wednesday, 7.7.2021) sharply criticised the repeated attacks on the rule of law in Hungary in the session of the European Parliament. Sven Giegold, spokesperson for the German Greens in the European Parliament, said: “It is good that von der Leyen wants to take action against the dismantling […]
New chances, old risks: The way forward for Sustainable Finance in Europe
Today, 6 July 2021, the EU Commission has presented its Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy. Both Finance Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and her predecessor Valdis Dombrovskis had committed to us Greens in their inaugural hearings in the European Parliament to present a new strategy paper on Sustainable Finance. The Commission is continuing the European Sustainable Finance Agenda, […]
Consumer Credit/EU Commission: No breakthrough for consumer protection
Today, 30 June 2021, the European Commission presented its plans for a revision of the Consumer Credit Directive. The directive has not been revised since its adoption in 2008, before the global financial crisis. With today’s proposals, the Commission wants to strengthen consumer protection, but also cut red tape for providers. Among other things, the […]
Money laundering in the banking sector: EU Court of Auditors gives European institutions a damning report card
28 June. The European Court of Auditors has just published its special report on EU anti-money laundering measures in the banking sector. Their verdict: “EU efforts to fight money laundering in the banking sector are fragmented and implementation is insufficient”. The auditors criticise a “lack of coordination at EU level” to prevent money laundering and […]
Unprecedented: Malta placed on the global grey list for money laundering
Today, June 25, Malta was placed on the FATF’s list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, better known as the ‘grey list’. It is the first time that an EU Member State has been placed on this list due to increased and persistent money laundering and terrorist financing risks. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is […]
Important step against lobby influence: Ombudswoman investigates revolving-door case at the European Investment Bank
Dear friends and all those who are interested, This is a small but important victory against lobby influence in the European institutions! Today, 25 June 2021, the European Ombudswoman Emily O’Reilly has today launched an investigation into the latest revolving door case at the European Investment Bank (EIB). She will investigate whether the EIB imposed […]