Butel (EDD). – (FR) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, although separate reports, at the request of Parliament, Mr Turmes and Mr Rapkay’s reports amending the gas and electricity directives respectively have prompted me to table an amendment rejecting the common position in both cases.

In effect, although I am not calling into question the work of my colleagues, I cannot resign myself to accepting proposals from a Commission which is becoming increasingly liberal, especially where energy is concerned. As in too many cases, the Commission is blindly following the dogma of the opening up of the markets to competition. Indeed, the Commission does not have the courage to create a universal energy service at European level and to explain how it is to be funded.

Without this universal service, however, which is an essential prerequisite, there should never have been an attempt to challenge, at European level, the public service missions defined in the Member States. These missions follow definitions and methods of funding decided and guaranteed according to specific territorial, legal or constitutional requirements. Under the principle of subsidiarity, according to which measures are to be taken at the most effective level, only the Member States are capable of carrying out these missions to meet the demands of their citizens.

I would point out, moreover, that even the rapporteur seems to have reservations as to whether the effects of opening up the electricity market to competition will be entirely beneficial. Therefore, I cannot endorse a Parliamentary debate which does not provide a solution but continues to destroy what does exist. Furthermore, it is inconceivable that we should presume to pursue the opening up of the energy sector to competition by extending to individuals a system originally designed for companies. It is irresponsible of the majority of the Member States to have given way to the Commission’s proposals in the end. It is true that the primary responsibility lies with the Commission, which has sole right of initiative and is disregarding the negative economic, social and territorial consequences of its proposals in its endeavours to create a single market which is subject to competition alone.

In conclusion, in view of all these considerations, I confirm my opposition to these proposals seeking to finalise the opening up of the energy sector to competition.