Out for the 'Spitzenkandidaten' process
Who would have thought that? Less than a month after the clear commitment of many Europeans to the EU and the highest turnout in 25 years in elections to the European Parliament, the euphoria has evaporated. However, one could have guessed that. While the European Parliament's celebrated top candidate process had only few supporters in the European Council. The main opponent was the French President Macron, celebrated by many as a savior for the EU, who rejected it from the outset. The heads of states and governments of the EU have now agreed on a personnel proposal for Europe's top jobs after a long wrangling. In doing so, they adhered – what seems to be forgotten in the eagerness of today´s debate - to the European Treaties. This says that the European Council must "take into account the outcome" of the European elections. From a legal point of view, when selecting a candidate for the Commission Presidency, the Council does not need to be guided by the nominated top candidate, but at most by the composition of the European Parliament! Of course, the Council cannot have any interest in damaging the EU Parliament in the long term, which is why it would soon have to set the course for transnational lists in the next EP elections. Without them, there would be a high probability that the top candidate process will be buried once and for all.
Harald Händel
Head of Communications cep |
|
| The EU Green Bond Standard |
|
An expert group of the EU Commission plans to present recommendations on an EU standard for green bonds in mid-June. In a cepInput, the cep gives an overview of the market for green bonds in the EU and analyses the initial proposals of the expert group for the development of the standard.
...read more |
|
|
| The EU Internal Electricity Market |
|
EU legislation on the internal electricity market has been comprehensively reformed. cep gives the following assessment of the reform.
...read more |
|
|
| Disclosures on Sustainability |
|
In March 2019, the EU Regulation on sustainability-related disclosures in the financial services sector was politically agreed. This cepAdhoc gives an overview of its main elements and assesses them.
...read more |
|
|
The EU Commission proposed a directive on the posting of drivers in 2017. In the meantime, the Council and the EU Parliament have defined their positions.
...read more |
|
|
“The world around us is not waiting for Europe - if we do not want others to decide for us, Europe must provide answers itself.”
According to Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, a special responsibility rests with Germany and France to go ahead with EU reforms. |
|
|
“I do not see a Franco-German axis. Instead, I see a revisionist Mister Macron doing everything he can to destroy European democracy.”
Daniel Caspary, Chairman of the CDU/CSU-Group in the European Parliament |
|
|
"Regarding the decision about German motorway toll, the ECJ did what the EU Commission should have done. As guardian of the Treaties, the latter should have intervened, but backed down."
Prof. Dr. Lüder Gerken, Chairman cep |
|
|
"A 'foreigner toll in line with European law' was from the outset an attempt to square the circle."
Dr. Götz Reichert LL.M., Head of Division cep |
|
|
| The European Council has drafted a new strategic agenda 2019-2024. This Strategic Agenda provides an overall framework and direction for that response. It is intended to guide the work of the Institutions in the next five years. It focuses on four main priorities: protecting citizens and freedoms developing a strong and vibrant economic base building a climate-neutral, green, fair and social Europe promoting European interests and values on the global stage. |
|
|
After the last #EUsummit on June 20th 2019 voters are worried about the #leadcandidates and the #climatechange
https://twitter.com/cicero_online/status/1143089731988860928
Cicero Magazine Caricature of the day 24 june 2019 |
|
|
|
