44 Amendments of Sylvia-Yvonne KAUFMANN related to 2018/2094(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
- having regard to the 2018 State of the European Union address of 12 September 2018 by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union is an example of supranational integration without equal andhich has brought lasting peace, prosperity and welfare to its peoples ever since the groundbreaking Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the Union has achieved fundamental transformations, such as the free movement of goods, services, capital and people, the single currency, the Erasmus programme, regional, agricultural and cohesion policies, and Horizon 2020, among many others, that contribute to the well-being of European citizens;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the 2014-2017 period has seen more socially balanced and effective monetary and macroeconomic policies that have contributed to the economic ans social recovery, such as the non-standard policies of the ECB, the flexibility of the Stability and Growth Pact, and the Investment Plan for Europe;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas although Europe has managed to overcome the most critical moments of the economic crisis, important and urgent reforms still lie ahead in the area of economic governance in general and in the euro area in particular, as well as in terms of recovery and development of the social standards of our welfare state;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas in view of the multiple current and future challenges facing the Union in a hostile global world, in particular those concerning migration, demographic decline, terrorism, security, climate change, completing the EMU, globalisation, climate change, international trade, foreign affairs and defence, the development of the social pillar, and the fight against anti-EU populism, the objective enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe shouldmust continue to inspire the actions taken by the Union; whereas these clear challenges can only be addressed if tackled together in order to complete the process of European political integration, so these challenges can be effectively tackled;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas theEuropean Parliament is very concerned about the rise of populist, xenophobic and anti-European movements all over Europe; whereas the Union and its Member States must strengthen their efforts to defend and promote the democratic values, founding principles and objectives of European integration;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the referendum in the UK of June 2016 leading to the UK’s announcementnotification on 29 March 2017 of its intention to leave the European Union has intensified the debate on the future of the Union; whereas this is reflected, besides in Parliament’s own resolutions on the future of Europe of 16 February 2017, in the Bratislava Declaration and Roadmap, the Commission White Paper on the Future of Europe, the Rome Declaration, the Leaders’ Agenda adopted by the European Council in October 2017, and various contributions by individual Member States or groups of them;
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. Whereas the negotiation on the envisaged departure of the UK from the EU have revealed the high level of interdependence of the member states, the degree to which we all rely on joint instruments and policies and the costs of any departure;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas according to the Eurobarometer the EU is at its highest level of popularity since 1983; whereas the latest Eurobarometer survey, conducted between 17 and 28 March 2018, shows that a majority of Europeans have a positive image of the EU (40 %) and that this proportion continues to exceed that of those who have a neutral image of the EU (37 %); whereas just above a fifth of Europeans have a negative image of the EU (21 %);
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas the task of implementing greater and better integration requires working in three different and related levels: a) defending past achievements and the acquis; b) exploiting to the full extent the current provisions of the Treaty Lisbon; c) reforming the Treaties in order to improve the institutional decision- making and the balance of competencies;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas the promotion of an European dimension of culture and education are vital for the reinforcement of European citizenship, taking into account that the Union suffers from a knowledge deficit which causes that the Unions achievements tend to be taken for granted by the younger generations;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the Union must tackle the challenges of its future with greater and better political integration, with full respect for fundamental and democratic values, and by working together; agrees with the heads of state and government who addressed Parliament in plenary during the debates on the future of Europe that citizens want a Europe that protects their rights and their social model on the basis of shared sovereignty, and that the problems we face in Europe can only be solved together, thus full political integration is required;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its belief that differentiated integration must remain open to all Member States and continue to act as an example method of deeper European integration, not as a way to facilitate à la carte solutionsalthough this must not be confused with "à la carte" method; insists on the need to avoid any perception of the creation of first-class and second-class membership within the European Union in the current debate on the evolution of differentiated integration;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Suggests to render the requirements for establishing enhanced and structured cooperation less restrictive, inter alia by lowering the minimum number of participating Member States and recalls that differentiated integration should not be a way to reduce the political integration;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the crisis has produced an imbalance between the main institutions of the Union, and that the Council, and in particular the European Council, is exercising its own political initiative to the detriment of the Commission’s right of initiative by reinforcing the intergovernmental method;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates that the unanimity, which the Treaties require in some fundamental matters, is an almost insurmountable obstacle in important moments and decisions, and advocates therefore, with regard to decision-making procedures, the principle of qualified majority voting (QMV) in Council and for legislation the use of the ordinary legislative procedure; recalls that under the current Treaties this can be achieved by using the various passerelle clauses or, in the case of enhanced cooperation, by using Article 333 TFEU;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes in particular the fact that the Commission and some Member States are also contemplating using QMV for the common foreign and security policy, given the importance of speeding up decision- making and making it more effective, and the need for the Union to speak with one voiceclearly;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its suggestion to transformcalls that the Council into a trues a legislative chamber and toreiterates that this should be made more visible to the public by improveing the transparency of its decision-making process; points in this context to the special report by the Ombudsman on the transparency of the Council’s legislative process and the initiative of a majority of national parliaments calling for more transparency from the Council and informal bodies such as the Eurogroup, in line with similar requests made by Parliament in this respect;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Reminds that the number of European Commissioners should be reduced in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon (art. 17 TUE);
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Recalls the need to provide the European Parliament with a legislative initiative power, taking into account that is the only institution directly elected by citizens, and without prejudice to the basic legislative prerogative of the Commission;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Insists that Parliament’s right of inquiry should be reinforced and that it should be granted specific, genuine and clearly delimited powers which are more in line with its political stature and competences;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes note of the report of the Task Force on Subsidiarity, Proportionality and ‘Doing Less More Efficiently’ of 10 July 2018, presenting recommendations on a new way of working; recalls, in this respect, that the effective application of the principle of subsidiarity is one of the ways of combating euroscepticism and underlines the fundamental role of local and regional authorities in the application of Union law;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the joint proclamation endorsing the European Pillar of Social Rights; points out that the competences and tools required to deliver on the pillar are mainly in the hands of local, regional and national authorities, as well as social partners and civil society, while progress in its implementation should receive particular attention within the economic policy coordination of the European Semester; recalls in this context that social dialogue has proven to be an indispensable instrument to improve EU policy- and law- making and that the more it offers a high level of social protection to its citizens, the less the question of its legitimacy will arise;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Points out that horizontal social clause enshrined in article 9 TFEU requires the Union to give careful consideration to the impact of EU legislation on social standards and employment and with a due consultation of social stakeholders,
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Suggests that the coordination of economic policies as provided for in Article 5 TFEU should become a ‘shared competence’ between the Union and the Member States;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the Commission communication on a European Minister of Economy and Finance; points out that merging the positions of Commission Vice-President for Economic Affairs and Chair of the Eurogroup could improve parliamentary accountability at European levelnd the democratic control of economic governance at European level, as well as avoid a duplication of roles that is confusing for the public; recalls in this respect its wish to progressively see the coordination of economic policies, as presented in Article 5 TFEU, become a shared competence;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Calls for the completion of the Banking Union with the implementation of the European Deposit Insurance Scheme;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Supports the transformation of the European Stability Mechanism into a European Stability Fund, accountable to the European Parliament;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14 c. Reminds the need to issue European bonds in order to generate additional own resources and provide the Eurozone with a European Safe Asset;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 d (new)
Paragraph 14 d (new)
14 d. Calls for the development of a European Unemployment Insurance linked to the Euro Area fiscal capacity;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 e (new)
Paragraph 14 e (new)
14 e. Calls on the Commission to activate article 116 TFEU in order to circumvent the hijacking of the Council by certain Member States in the field of tax harmonization and calls for the fight against tax fraud and avoidance to become an objective of the Union;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the Commission proposal on own resources introducing new real own resources, as requested by Parliament; express concern at the Commission proposal for the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027 because it suffers from the lack of financial engagement to face the current as well as the new challenges ahead for the EU, and regrets the positions taken by some Member States that refuse to provide more resources to the EU, despite unanimous recognition of the need to face new challenges and responsibilities, and therefore the need for more financial resources; points out that spending at EU level can save money at national level by avoiding duplication and through economies of scale;
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Stresses that Europe is, and should continue to be, a positive force in the world, by upholding its values, multilateralism and International law; recalls that the Union and its Member States are the largest contributor to international development aid;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Considers that the Union should continue to advance international trade while defending social, labour and environmental standards; warns against tradewars that only produce losers and increase political and security tensions;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. DStrongly deplores the absence of agreement among the Member States on the priorities and implementation of an EU-level comprehensive immigration policy, which would make it possible to organise and regulate migratory flows, control our external borders more effectively, cooperate with countries of origin and transit, and guarantee respect for the fundamental rights of migrants and asylum seekers, among other objectives; underlines that the obvious contradictions in interests exposed by Member States need to be overcome in order not to jeopardise the European integration project which suffers directly from an instrumentalisation of the migration issue by the Eurosceptic parties;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines its determination to continue with the Spitzenkandidaten process for the election of the next Commission President, and welcomes the support of the Commission and certain Member States in this respect; underlines that it will reject any candidate in the investiture procedure of the Commission President who was not appointed as a Spitzenkandidat in the run-up to European Parliament elections and who does not have a sufficient parliamentary majority; considers it essential to strengthen the social legitimacy of the European elections and the supranational role of the European Parliament as an exponent of European citizenship and European sovereigntdemocracy;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Underlines the need for a stronger assessment of the social and environmental consequences of EU policies, by keeping in mind also the cost of non-legislation at European level (so- called “cost of non Europe”);
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Underlines the need to strengthen the European public sphere as a supranational area of European democracy; stresses that the major challenges Europe is facing must be addressed and discussed from a European perspective and not just from a national perspective; points out that, for this reason, European democracy needs a European identity, a genuinelyto protect all the fundamental values and principles of our democratic system while promoting the development of an European idemosntity, more European institutional education and a deliberative, more participatory and less national social framework;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Welcomes the approach taken to the current negotiations on the United Kingdom’s orderly withdrawal from the European Union, and underlines the remarkable unity displayed by the EU institutions and Member States; notes that experience in the negotiations to date has shown the enormous complexities of such decisions; recalls that there is still time for the UK to reconsider its intension to leave;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines once more that neither national sovereignty nor subsidiarity can justify or legitimise the systematic refusal on the part of a Member State to comply with the fundamental values of the European Union which inspired the introductory articles of the European Treaties and EU laws, which every Member State has willingly endorsed and committed to respect; underlines furthermore that upholding these values is fundamental for the cohesion of the European project, the rights of all Europeans and the mutual trust needed among the Member States; recalls its recommendation to establish a European mechanism for democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights which based on a codecision procedure between the Parliament and the Council would sanction clear infringements of these principles;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Reiterates that the process of reflection on the future of Europe and on a review of the Lisbon Treaty should eventually lead toaking into account the present state of the integration project, the EU must exhaust every possible avenue to ensure the full implementation of the Lisbon Treaty. Points out that a subsequent revision of the Treaties should be based on a Convention being convened –- guaranteeing inclusiveness through its composition of representatives and providing a platform for reflection and engagement with stakeholders and citizens – with a view to discussing and drawing conclusions from the various contributions to the reflection process on the future of Europe by the institutions and other bodies of the Union and the proposals put forward by heads of state or government, national parliaments and civil society and in citizen consultations;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Calls for the absorption of the Euratom Treaty´s provisions in the Constitutional Treaty;