Future of the EU: lead MEPs on the proposals for the revision of the Treaties
After the plenary vote that concluded Parliament’s legislative initiative process for the revision of the Treaties, the co-rapporteurs stated the following.
Guy Verhofstadt (Renew, BE): “Geopolitical pressures, migration, and war on our doorstep, pandemics, digitisation, questions of enlargement… When the world changes, the European Union needs an upgrade. With this report, spelling out in detail where our politics and institutions need reform, Parliament is mapping out the road ahead. There are no more excuses: the European Council has to start a Convention, so an open debate can lead to concrete improvements.”
Sven Simon (EPP, DE): “The EU needs to become more focused, more capable to act, and more democratically accountable. We want the voice of voters to decide who becomes President of the Commission and its programme. Our reform proposals create a defence union through joint procurement, promote European energy independence, and strengthen the rule of law.”
Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, DE): “The world is evolving and our institutional architecture and decision-making processes in the EU are not fit for purpose if we want to stay relevant as a global player. We need to amend the EU Treaties to increase the EU's capacity to act, including switching from unanimity principles to qualified majority voting, and adding new competences to address emerging global challenges.”
Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA, DE): “Treaty changes will make European democracy stronger and more resilient. They will bring the necessary upgrades to make the European Union ready for the next round of enlargement. National vetoes are a security risk for Europe. We must put them to an end. This vote is historic. Now the obligation is with EU member states to finally start an EU Convention.”
Helmut Scholz (The Left, DE): “Citizens want the EU to act on social policies and deepen integration. Our proposal implements Parliament’s commitment to follow up on the Conference on the Future of Europe. A Convention would make the EU Treaties fit for the challenges that lie ahead of us, fostering democratic transformation towards a sustainable economy and potential enlargement. External policies must be based on a redefined comprehensive approach to security, which includes tackling environmental and social risks at a global level.”
Contacts:
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Kyriakos KLOSIDIS
Press Officer