MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the European Parliament’s priorities for the Commission Work Programme 2016

1.7.2015 - (2015/2729(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 37(3) of the Rules of Procedure and the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission

Nigel Farage, David Borrelli, Rolandas Paksas on behalf of the EFDD Group

B8‑0660/2015

European Parliament resolution on the European Parliament’s priorities for the Commission Work Programme 2016

(2015/2729(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–       having regard to the Commission communication on the Commission Work Programme for 2015,

–       having regard to the Framework Agreement on relations between the European Parliament and the Commission[1], in particular Annex IV thereto,

–       having regard to Rule 37(3) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.     whereas the EU is still facing the worst economic, social and political crisis since its foundation;

B.     whereas the economic and debt crises have further emphasised the need for a new approach whereby Member States are able to implement their own fiscal and economic policies;

C.     whereas it is absolutely necessary to create an exit strategy from the eurozone, giving Member States the chance to decide;

D.     whereas the global crisis has led to stagnation and recession, which has resulted in high levels of public debt and unemployment, slow growth and a severe lack of competitiveness in the global marketplace;

E.     whereas the EU budget is out of control, and whereas it is still essential to make savings wherever possible;

F.     whereas regional instability in neighbouring conflict areas is having an impact on the mass influx of migrants and flows of displaced people and, therefore, on the number of individuals attempting to reach the EU;

G.     whereas reducing the EU’s administrative costs is especially important in a period of economic constraint;

H.     whereas more support needs to be demonstrated to small and medium-sized enterprises, with a specific focus on lifting the burden of EU red tape and administrative costs;

I.      whereas EU policies are severely lacking in transparency, especially in the case of the negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), which has proved inattentive to Citizens’ Initiatives;

J.      whereas EU-imposed austerity policies have proved to be fruitless and damaging;

K.     whereas a form of direct democracy in which citizens make direct decisions gives more legitimacy to the decision‑making process and can help boost citizens’ participation;

L.     whereas any new treaties or modifications to the existing ones should be submitted to the people’s vote through free and fair national referenda in the Member States;

Key priorities

1.      Points out that it is absolutely necessary to change the current approach, giving Member States the possibility to implement their own fiscal and economic policies without constraint; urges economic governance to move from EU-imposed austerity policies to greater freedom of action for Member States; believes that all related economic and statistical indicators show a dangerous and widespread recessionary trend in the European Union, owing to the economic restrictions imposed at EU level;

2.      Notes that Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union stipulates that a Member State can leave the Union, but makes no provision for the possibility of a Member State abandoning the single currency; emphasises, therefore, the importance of giving Member States this option;

3.      Insists that a better use of taxpayers’ money is fundamental; stresses the importance of reducing the EU’s administrative costs, especially in a period of economic constraint; points out that it is unacceptable to have an EU budget that is out of control, and insists on the need for savings to be made wherever possible, starting with the excessive costs of EU bureaucracy;

4.      Demands much greater control and auditing of the EU budget; demands, as a mandatory requirement, that a positive statement of assurance (DAS) be obtained from the Court of Auditors within two years; stresses the importance of greater transparency in EU spending and calls for any information on the expenditure of European funds to be published;

5.      Deplores the repeated and tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean; condemns the reckless intervention policies that have contributed to socio-political instability in these countries of origin and exacerbated the transit of migrants by fuelling conflict and upheaval; stresses the urgent need for an in-depth analysis of how EU funds are spent, which should denounce any abuse related to their management; this analysis should cover all funding used to finance actions in the field of migration and asylum, border control, fighting smuggling and trafficking, and returns, as well as funds related to EU foreign and development policy;

6.      Is deeply concerned by the alarming rate of unemployment; condemns all EU legislation that imposes administrative burdens on SMEs – a major source of jobs and growth – and subjects them to further bureaucratic obstacles; stresses that more support must be demonstrated to SMEs, with the main focus being on reducing EU red tape and costs;

7.      Demands greater transparency in all trade and international negotiations;

8.      Demands that the negotiations on TTIP be suspended; considers it deeply regrettable that only the Commission has the right to negotiate trade agreements, and not elected and accountable national governments; regrets the Commission’s refusal to register the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Stop TTIP’; opposes the inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) in TTIP; opposes any inclusion of public services in TTIP; demands full disclosure on TTIP and that regular updates on the latest developments be made public and presented in a neutral way;

9.      Condemns the undemocratic nature of EU law-making; finds it deplorable that citizens cannot democratically vote to initiate new laws, initiate changes to existing ones or initiate their repeal, neither directly, nor through elections to a parliament at any level; believes that a form of direct democracy would increase participation and accountability; reiterates its view that such measures are absolutely necessary in a democratic society, allowing justice, freedom and participation to be preserved;

10.    Highlights the importance of submitting to the people’s vote, through free and fair national referenda in the Member States, new treaties or any modifications to the existing treaties;

11.    Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the Member State governments.

• [1]  OJ L 304, 20.11.2010, p. 47.