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Parliamentary question - E-005758/2017Parliamentary question
E-005758/2017
European Parliament

EU-level push on the privatisation of public sector-owned assets

14.9.2017

Answer in writing

Question for written answer E-005758-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Molly Scott Cato (Verts/ALE)

DG ECFIN has commissioned KPMG Advisory SPA and Bocconi University to carry out a study to ‘provide an overview of assets (including State-owned enterprises) owned by the public sector in the EU 28 and encourage the adoption of best practices regarding the management (including the restructuring and/or privatisation) of the portfolio of assets, with the aim of improving the sustainability of public finances and market functioning in the European Union’[1].

Is it envisaged that the contractors should ‘encourage’ the adoption of best practices, and does DG ECFIN intend to use this work as the basis of recommendations for the European Semester?

Why does this project focus on public finances and market functioning, but not on social welfare, affordability, environmental sustainability, quality of services and other important factors?

In the light of Article 345 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which states that ‘The Treaties shall in no way prejudice the rules in Member States governing the system of property ownership’, will the Commission agree that no initiatives should result from this project which involve encouraging or promoting the further privatisation of assets held by the Member States?

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