MIL EU Ngin

Source: European Parliament 2

Following a plenary debate on Wednesday on the situation of rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds, the text was adopted on Thursday (442 for, 144 against, 33 abstentions).

Further backsliding for EU values

MEPs have repeatedly expressed concerns over the state of EU values in Hungary, which have further deteriorated due to the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the government” and despite Parliament’s activation of the Article 7 mechanism. Their latest concerns relate to laws being adopted without sufficient parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation, as well as the abusive invocation of the ‘state of danger’, the misuse of whistleblower protection to undermine LGBTIQ+ rights and freedom of expression, and the infringement of teachers’ social and labour rights.

The resolution condemns the Hungarian government’s anti-EU campaigns, which aim to divert attention away from a lack of compliance with European values and systemic corruption. MEPs urge the government to bring elections in line with international standards, especially in light of the upcoming European elections in 2024. They also sound the alarm on reports of intimidation, such as visits by the secret police to some companies’ offices, of “strategic” parts of industry, with the aim of bringing them under the control of the Prime Minister’s close circle. The 2022 annual budget was modified 95 times by government decree, they stress, which precluded proper scrutiny and points to lack of sound financial management.

Parliament also raises an array of concerns in relation to the “frozen” recovery funds and corresponding reforms.

Concerns about the rotating Presidency of the EU

Parliament underlines the important role the Presidency of the Council has in driving forward legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda and representing the Council in relations with the other institutions. It questions how Hungary will be able to fulfil this task credibly in 2024, given its lack of compliance with EU law and values, and the principle of sincere cooperation. Therefore, it asks the Council to find a proper solution and recalls that Parliament could take appropriate measures if such a solution is not found.

In adopting this resolution, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to systematically uphold the rule of law across all EU countries, especially by protecting European values and the EU budget, as set out in Proposals 25(1), 25(4), 16(6), and 38(1) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

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Parliament’s standing rapporteur for Hungary Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Greens/EFA, FR), commented: “Once again, the European Parliament is united in expressing its deep concern over the deterioration of the rule of law situation in Hungary. Unlocking the frozen funds at this stage would give Fidesz a carte blanche to continue their attacks on fundamental rights. It is time for the Council to question whether a member state under Article 7 procedure can credibly hold the Presidency of the EU.”

Watch the press conference with MEPs co-signing the draft resolution.

Source: European Parliament 2

303 MEPs voted against Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz’ candidacy, 278 in favour, and 52 abstained.

The renewal of her mandate was also rejected by the Committee on Budgetary Control following a hearing on 24 May 2023.

Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz, nominated by the Hungarian government for another mandate as a Member of the ECA, was an MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament before joining the ECA in 2017.

Next steps

The final decision on Ildikó Gáll-Pelcz’ appointment will be taken by EU member states.

Background

The EU Treaty allows each member state to propose a candidate for the European Court of Auditors. Member states collectively, after consulting Parliament, appoint a nominee for a six-year term.

Source: European Parliament 2

The Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) aims to accelerate the delivery of ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and to help member states restock their arsenals. By introducing targeted measures, including €500 million in financing, ASAP aims to ramp up the EU’s production capacity to address the current shortage of defence products, specifically ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition, missiles and their components.

The European Commission will identify, map, and continuously monitor the availability of these defence products, their components, and the corresponding raw materials inputs. The proposal establishes mechanisms, principles, and temporary rules to secure the timely and lasting availability of these defence products for their buyers within the European Union.

The effectiveness of this regulation will be evaluated by mid-2024, taking into account the evolution of the security context. Based on the results, the extension of these measures and the allocation of additional budget may be considered.

The European Commission tabled the ASAP legislation on 3 May 2023, and MEPs agreed the same month to trigger Parliament’s urgent procedure process to speed up the bill’s approval.

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The EP’s negotiating team leader Cristian Bușoi (EPP, RO) said: “Today’s decision marks a significant step forward for the security and defence of our Union, and particularly in our steadfast support of Ukraine in the face of the ongoing Russian aggression. It will boost our capacity to respond to security challenges. It is a victory for Europe and for our collective security. Parliament is now ready to negotiate with Council and we hope to reach an agreement as soon as possible.”

Next steps

The legislation was adopted with 446 votes to 67, with 112 abstentions. MEPs will now start negotiations with Council, with the aim of reaching a political agreement, which MEPs would then vote on in plenary in July.

In parallel, MEPs are working on the European Defence Industrial Reinforcement through the common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) to support collaboration between member states in the defence procurement phase to fill the most urgent and critical gaps.

Source: European Parliament 2

On Thursday, MEPs adopted the report by 468 votes in favour, 17 against and 125 abstentions. The report highlights that, although governments and organisations have made changes to tackle sexual violence and to support victims since the MeToo movement went viral in 2017, in some EU countries there has been little or no progress.

Parliament calls on member states to pro-actively introduce legislation and policies that tackle sexual violence and harassment. These are not currently defined and criminalised at EU level, which means that those affected do not have the same rights across different member states. MEPs want a common EU approach, reiterating their call for the EU to identify gender-based violence as a new area of crime and for sexual harassment to be a criminal offence.

Employers should take measures to provide a safe working environment, taking into account remote working and the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, say MEPs. Member states should ensure that all workers, at the start of their contract, receive information on anti-harassment procedures and policies in place.

EU institutions need more stringent sanctions and faster procedures

Since 2018, measures to prevent and tackle harassment in the European Parliament have been strengthened, but MEPs say more needs to be done to raise awareness of reporting procedures and support available to victims to prevent all forms of harassment. Sexual and psychological harassment cases in Parliament are still under-reported, MEPs point out, because victims do not use the existing channels for multiple reasons. Procedures in harassment cases can take years, causing unnecessary harm to the victims, they say. Parliament’s two Advisory Committees dealing with harassment complaints should conclude cases brought before them as quickly as possible, and at the latest within six months.

MEPs welcome the anti-harassment training offered in Parliament, but are concerned that only 36.9% of Members have attended so far this term – 260 Members out of 705. They call for a public list on the Parliament’s website of Members that have completed the training and those who have not.

EU institutions should conduct an external audit on the situation of harassment in their institutions, the text notes, including a review of existing procedures and systems that deal with cases of harassment, to make the outcome of the results public and to make reforms based on these recommendations.

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EP Vice-President and lead MEP steering the report through Parliament Michal Šimečka (Renew, Slovakia), said: “I welcome the fact that all the democratic groups in the European Parliament take the issue of sexual harassment in the EU seriously, which has resulted in immense support from MEPs during the vote. We owe it to victims and to all European citizens to lead by example, by adopting better support mechanisms and more efficient anti-harassment policies. This proposal is a testament to the broadly shared vision of a harassment-free EU.”

Source: European Parliament 2

Foreign interference, disinformation, and attacks on democracy are likely to continue in ever-greater numbers and to become more sophisticated in the run-up to the European Parliament elections in June 2024, say MEPs. The warning comes in a report by the Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation, adopted by plenary by 469 votes for, 71 against and 75 abstentions.

In the text, MEPs highlight interference on online platforms, protection of critical infrastructure and strategic sectors, interference during electoral processes, covert funding of political activities by foreign actors and resilience to cyberattacks. The report focuses particularly on Russian and Chinese interference in the EU, in countries applying to join the EU, including the Western Balkans, and countries in the Global South.

Meddling in electoral processes

Parliament condemns the dangerous phenomenon of disinformation-for-hire, whereby providers offer disinformation services to government and non-government actors, for example over the dark web, to attack electoral processes. To counter prohibited financial transactions from non-EU countries entering the EU’s political system, MEPs urge the Commission to facilitate the tracking of donations and call on the member states to urgently address the issue of donations from third countries to national political parties.

Critical infrastructure

MEPs also highlight the risks of economic dependence, espionage and sabotage, when foreign companies acquire influence over EU critical infrastructure. Chinese shipping companies have acquired majority or sizeable interests in over 20 European ports, they add . MEPs also recommend banning TikTok at all levels of national government and in the EU institutions and call on the Council and the Commission to exclude the use of equipment and software from manufacturers from high-risk countries, particularly China and Russia, such as ByteDance Huawei, ZTE, Kaspersky, NtechLab or Nuctech.

Coordinated EU strategy

Parliament wants a coordinated EU strategy to include new initiatives alongside improved enforcement of existing provisions, and calls for adequate funding to tackle disinformation and uphold democratic processes. MEPs are requesting the Commission to develop an effective Defence of Democracy Package together with legislation to counter hybrid threats in the EU, taking into account proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe They also want a permanent European Parliament body to monitor and fight foreign interference.

In adopting this report, Parliament is responding to the expectations of EU citizens to step up the fight against foreign interferences and counter disinformation, online threats and propaganda in an objective and factual way –as expressed in Proposals 23(5), 27(all), 28(2), 33(4), 37(4), 46(2) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

For main takeaways from the report, click here.

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Rapporteur Sandra Kalniete (EPP, LV) said: “Foreign interference in democratic processes represents a growing threat to the security of EU member states and the EU, particularly against the backdrop of rapid technological development and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. We must act urgently and implement our recommendations quickly. Significant and lasting investment must be made in our democratic resilience, drawing on the experience of our partners like Ukraine and Taiwan.”

Background

The report follows up on the implementation of the Resolution on foreign interference adopted in March 2022. While preparing the new report, MEPs met with national, European and international policy makers, with intelligence services of EU member states as well as with NATO StratCom in Riga, the Hybrid CoE in Helsinki, with the Australian government and authorities and respective bodies at the UN in New York, and as well with relevant counterparts and authorities in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

B9‑0237/2023

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on implementing measures to support European companies in countering cyberattacks and protecting IT systems

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 143 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas cyberattacks on European companies have increased precipitously, with attacks in the Veneto Region alone rising by 21.2 % in 2022, especially in Treviso Province, where four companies out of ten have come under attack;

B. whereas the majority of these attacks are likely to be directed at small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up a substantial part of the European production chain and particularly that of Italy;

C. whereas cybercrimes are often difficult to counter, especially given that digital crime is mirroring the internet in its constant evolution and that criminals often organise themselves into structured groups;

1. urges the Commission to assist the Member States in supporting European companies in combating and preventing these crimes;

2. calls on the Commission to take appropriate measures and actions to train professionals specialised in countering cybercrime.

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

Source: European Parliament

Following a plenary debate on Wednesday on the situation of rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds, the text was adopted on Thursday (442 for, 144 against, 33 abstentions).

Further backsliding for EU values

MEPs have repeatedly expressed concerns over the state of EU values in Hungary, which have further deteriorated due to the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the government” and despite Parliament’s activation of the Article 7 mechanism. Their latest concerns relate to laws being adopted without sufficient parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation, as well as the abusive invocation of the ‘state of danger’, the misuse of whistleblower protection to undermine LGBTIQ+ rights and freedom of expression, and the infringement of teachers’ social and labour rights.

The resolution condemns the Hungarian government’s anti-EU campaigns, which aim to divert attention away from a lack of compliance with European values and systemic corruption. MEPs urge the government to bring elections in line with international standards, especially in light of the upcoming European elections in 2024. They also sound the alarm on reports of intimidation, such as visits by the secret police to some companies’ offices, of “strategic” parts of industry, with the aim of bringing them under the control of the Prime Minister’s close circle. The 2022 annual budget was modified 95 times by government decree, they stress, which precluded proper scrutiny and points to lack of sound financial management.

Parliament also raises an array of concerns in relation to the “frozen” recovery funds and corresponding reforms.

Concerns about the rotating Presidency of the EU

Parliament underlines the important role the Presidency of the Council has in driving forward legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda and representing the Council in relations with the other institutions. It questions how Hungary will be able to fulfil this task credibly in 2024, given its lack of compliance with EU law and values, and the principle of sincere cooperation. Therefore, it asks the Council to find a proper solution and recalls that Parliament could take appropriate measures if such a solution is not found.

In adopting this resolution, Parliament is responding to citizens’ expectations to systematically uphold the rule of law across all EU countries, especially by protecting European values and the EU budget, as set out in Proposals 25(1), 25(4), 16(6), and 38(1) of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Quote

Parliament’s standing rapporteur for Hungary Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield (Greens/EFA, FR), commented: “Once again, the European Parliament is united in expressing its deep concern over the deterioration of the rule of law situation in Hungary. Unlocking the frozen funds at this stage would give Fidesz a carte blanche to continue their attacks on fundamental rights. It is time for the Council to question whether a member state under Article 7 procedure can credibly hold the Presidency of the EU.”

Watch the press conference with MEPs co-signing the draft resolution.