On Wednesday, the European Parliament will hold a plenary debate with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat on the rule of law in Malta. The Greens called for this debate linked to the Panama Papers as two members of the government (Keith Schembri, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, and Minister for Tourism Konrad Mizzi) […]
Progress for green finance in Europe
The best things happen in Brussels, when you expect them the least to. It seems a rule of the thumb that what would make the headlines in Berlin, Paris or Rome, remains unnoticed in Brussels, even if billions are moved. Such a thing happened at our yesterday’s event with the cumbersome title: “What will the […]
Malta: Elections do not replace investigation
MEP Sven Giegold, financial and economic policy spokesperson of the Greens/EFA group commented on the results of the snap elections in Malta: “Congratulations to the Labour government of Malta for its reelection. But, elections do not replace thorough investigations. The accusations around the sale of passports, money laundering and corruption are a heavy […]
Monte dei Paschi: New subsidies put the credibility of the banking union at stake
The EU Commission and the italian government have struck a deal how they want to give the Italian bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) access to new banking subsidies. In the framework of a “precautionary recapitalisation” the strong bail-in rules in the banking union are undermined. Greens in the European Parliament have fought tooth […]
Juncker on tax avoidance: blind for the past, strong commitments for the future
The president of the EU Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, today answered questions in the European Parliament’s investigatory committee on money-laundering and tax evasion (PANA). A Green study revealed Juncker’s personal responsibility in blocking the fight against tax evasion. On Juncker’s appearance, MEP Sven Giegold, Green Coordinator in the PANA Committee and author of the Green study […]
Controversial tax transparency vote shifted
Just before the sensitive hearing of Jean-Claude Juncker in the PANA inquiry committee the committees on economic and monetary affairs and the legal affairs called off the vote on new tax transparency rules for transnational companies. The common voting session was scheduled for today at 9 am and was shifted on the demand of centre-right […]