8. Wahlperiode Rory PALMER

. ‒ I voted in favour. Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament are committed to fighting for a fair digital environment – we have delivered on many different aspects of improving our new digital world. This regulation on online platforms will be another piece in the puzzle of a digital Europe that delivers for everyone.
Online platforms have in many cases multiplied the choice and lead to more attractive prices to consumers. Moreover, they often enable small business users to sell their goods and services easily all across Europe, bringing tangible benefits to our SMEs. Nonetheless, we are increasingly buying things from platforms such as Amazon, Booking.com, eBay, and Google, which also means that these companies have a huge market share and business users become increasingly dependent on them. That is why the S&D Group demands that the online environment is not an unregulated Wild West, but rather that rules for fairness and transparency in these business relationships apply. This regulation is a big step in the correct direction. It will start to apply directly in the Member States already next year, so our businesses, and ultimately consumers, will start seeing the benefits of a fairer online economy very soon.

I voted in favour so as to respond to new needs within the Union for statistics on migration and international protection. Because the characteristics of migratory movements are subject to rapid change, there is a need for a framework allowing a quick response to changing needs as regards statistics on migration and international protection.

I, and my Socialist colleagues, voted in favour. We have fought and managed to keep the focus on an issue that is of interest to European citizens and businesses, namely the protection of non-agricultural geographical indications. However, the EU and its Member States will not be able to fully participate in the Special Union as established by the Geneva Act until the EU legal framework provides for such protection and we therefore hope that this shortcoming is addressed in the next parliamentary term.