70 Amendments of Pedro SILVA PEREIRA related to 2016/2306(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
- having regard to the European Council conclusions of 17-18 March 2016,
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the Communication of the Commission of 16 November 2016 on the recommendation for a Council Recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area (COM(2016) 726),
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21
Citation 21
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)
Citation 21 a (new)
- having regard to the COP 21 agreement adopted at the Paris Climate Conference on 12 December 2015,
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
Citation 23 a (new)
- having regard to the resolution of the European Committee of the Regions on the 2016 European Semester and in view of the 2017 Annual Growth Survey (12 October 2016),
Amendment 20 #
A. whereas the European Union’s economy is slowly recovering andbut growing at a moderate paceth remains weak and uneven between Member States;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas real GDP growth in 2016 is projected by the European Commission at 1.8 % for the EU and at 1.7 % for the euro area, and in 2017 at 1.6 % and 1.7 %, respectively;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. Whereas government debt is set to decrease to stand at 86,0% in the EU and 91,6% in the euro area in 2016;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas euro area deficit is set to decrease to stand at 1.7% GDP in 2016, 1.5% in 2017 and 2018;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas the euro area's macroeconomic current account surplus continues to rise, standing at 4% of euro area GDP in 20016 while Europe still faces an important 'investment gap' where investment remains below pre-crisis levels, deepening Member State's economic divergence;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas aggregate demand in euro area is sluggish and inflation remains below target;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
Be. whereas global economic growth is still fragile and the European economy is expected to be affected by rising uncertainty and political instability;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the employment rate is growing steadily, although at an insufficient pace, reducing unemployment in the euro area to 10.1 % in 2016, but not enough to significantly curb youth and long-term unemployment;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas this slow recovery in the labour markets, and in growth, is uneven among the Member States, benefitting those that have implemented structural reformsreinforcing the need to promote convergence in the EU and especially in the euro area;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas growth has to an important degree relied upon unconventional and, in the long term, unsustainable monetary policiesmonetary policies, which cannot last forever; whereas this supports the call for a three-pronged policy approach of growth- friendly investment, a full and consistent implementation of the Stability and Growth pact across Member States, and a particular focus on structural reformpublic and private investment, structural reforms and responsible public finances;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas some Member States still carry a very high sovereignpublic and private debt;
Amendment 80 #
G. whereas the EU requires important investment efforts in order to materialise its growth potential and enhance convergence, and targeted public and private investment, particularly in infrastructure projects, is needed to close the current 'investment gap';
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU’s insufficient level of global competitiveness and productivity calls for structural reformsintelligent and progressive structural reforms both at the European level and in the Member States in order to bring about sustained growth;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission’s Annual Growth Survey 2017 reaffirming the strategy of a virtuous triangle of investment, structural reforms and responsible public finances; agrees that faster progress on the adoption of reforms, in line withpublic and private investment, socially balanced structural reforms and responsible public finances, in order to support and step up the ecountry-specific recommendations, is needed to deliver on growth and jobsnomic recovery;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Supports the Commission's statement that its number one priority is boosting jobs, growth and investment for the Union; agrees with the Commission's view that Europe needs to strengthen its economic recovery and to invest strongly in its youth and jobseekers, as well as in its start-ups and SMEs;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Agrees with the Commission that the continuation of the expansion in the euro area would need to rely increasingly on domestic demand; considers that stronger domestic demand would be better for the euro area's sustainable growth, as well as from a global viewpoint; urges Member States with higher current account surpluses to expand their domestic demand for their own and general benefit; at the same time calls on less competitive Member States to implement structural reforms and high- quality investments in order to modernise their economies and establish a sustainable business environment for long-term investment in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy; considers this to be the best way to reduce macroeconomic imbalances inside Member States rather than internal devaluation, which weakens demand, slows down economic growth and fosters divergence across the euro area;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Notes that monetary policy alone is insufficient to stimulate growth when investments and sustainable structural reforms are lacking; agrees with the Commission that all policy tools - monetary, fiscal and structural - need to be used individually and collectively to strengthen job creation, growth, investment and financial stability; notes that reaching the right policy mix for the euro area is less straightforward in the absence of a centralised budget; stresses that the current economic situation, which combines liquidity surplus with interest rates at the zero lower bound (ZLB), weak demand prospects, and restricted investment and spending by households and companies, requires the implementation of the policy mix put forward by the Commission in order to create growth; welcomes the fact that the Commission has answered the persistent calls of the ECB and others for a fiscal policy more aligned with the currently accommodative monetary stance and calls on the Council to also endorse such view;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Welcomes the Commission's recommendation for a positive fiscal stance in 2017, to be achieved through a moderate fiscal expansion of up to 0.5% GDP;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Deems it important that Member States with fiscal space increase domestic demand and investment, while all Member States shift the composition of public spending towards a more growth- friendly direction;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that growth in 2016 is continuing at a positive moderate pace, surpassing the pre-crisis level; believes, however, but remains weak and uneven between Member States; notes with concern that GDP and productivity growth rates remain below full potential and investment levels remain below pre- crisis levels; stresses that unused capacity in labour and capital is still significant and the overall level of uncertainty is high; agrees, therefore, that there is no time for complacency, and that this moderate recovery requires relentless efforts if it is to achieve greater resilience;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Deplores the fact that the asymmetric nature of the rebalancing in the euro area has continued, with only debtor countries correcting their imbalances, and is resulting in an increased current account surplus; considers there is an urgent need to tackle the significant imbalances that persist within the euro area and the EU more generally, namely the fact that in many cases convergence among and within the Member States is stalled; notes that the high current account surpluses imply the possibility of greater domestic demand;
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Finds that while unemployment is, on average, gradually decreasing, and that activity rates are growing, structural deficiencichallenges persist in somemany Member States; notes however that the rates of long-term and youth unemployment remain high; calls for more efforts to promote quality employment and reduce poverty, social exclusion and inequalities;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that the investment rate in the EU and euro area is still far below pre-crisis levels, undermining the recovery of the European economy; believes this 'investment gap' needs to be filled in using both public and private levers; underlines that only targeted public and private investment, particularly in infrastructure projects, can bring about visible results in a short timeframe and at an appropriate scale;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Agrees with the Commission that the low funding cost environment makes it an ideal time for the Member States to frontload public investments; suggests that, under the present circumstances, such frontloading of public investments, particularly in infrastructure projects, should be excluded from the calculation of national headline and structural deficit targets;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees with the Commission that access to finance is crucial for businesses to grow; invites all relevant European institutions and bodies to step up their work on the completion of the Banking Union, including the setting-up of a common European Deposit Insurance Scheme together with a sound and robust backstop, and on the creation of a full- fledged Capital Markets Union; stresses that new capital and liquidity requirements, albeit necessary to enhance the resilience of the banking sector, should not undermine banks' ability to lend to the real economy; believes more efforts should be done to boost SME access to finance;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the financial system and its institutions are crucial for investment and growth in the European economy; stresses that the current financial system is characterised by increased safety and stability, although some outstanding issues remain unaddressed, such as the stock of nonperforming loans (NPLs) accumulated during the financial crisis;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that a step-by-stepEncourages a swift and thorough completion of the Banking Union, which shall aim at increasing resilience in the banking sector and contributing to financial stability;
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the Commission's proposal to extend the duration and double the amount of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI); stresses that geographical and sectorial coverage must be significantly improved in order to strengthen cohesion and convergence, as well as to achieve a more impactful macroeconomic effect; considers that guarantees to the EFSI are a particularly effective way for Member States with fiscal space to deliver on their commitments to support the recovery in the euro area; stresses the importance of better coordination between Member States, the Commission and the European Investment Advisory Hub;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Calls on Member States and the Commission to speed up and maximize the use of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) in order to take advantage of all internal growth drivers, targeting public investment to projects with significant macroeconomic impact that can boost innovation, productivity, competitiveness, as well as social inclusion with a view to promoting upward convergence between Member States;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Stresses that public investments on human capital and social infrastructure are of the utmost importance; considers that Europe's long economic crisis has highlighted the strong need to facilitate public and private investment in areas such as education, innovation and research and development, which are crucial factors for a more competitive European economy; underlines the crucial role of public spending on education and life-long learning, as well as the development of long-term care facilities and affordable and flexible childcare facilities;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Highlights that public and private investment is crucial to allow for the transition towards a low-carbon and circular economy; recalls the commitments of the European Union, particularly in the Paris Agreement, to finance the deployment of clean technologies, the scaling-up of renewable energies and energy efficiency, and the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasises that reliable investment requires a regulatory environment that allows for a return on investment; considers that predictable rules, a level playing field and reducedappropriate compliance costs are crucial factors for attracting investment; stresses that 40% of the country-specific recommendations for 2016 address obstacles to investment which the local and regional authorities can help to remove;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Agrees with the Commission that the benefits of trade are often larger than realised in the public debate, and stresses that international trade iscan be a significant source of jobs for Europeans and a crucial precondicontribution for growth; reiterates that more than 30 million jobs are now supported by exports from the EU; notes that international trade agreements should uphold strong social and environmental standards, taking into consideration environmental impacts, stakeholders' views and civil society concerns;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Agrees that socially balanced structural reforms in product, services and inclusive labour markets policies remain a priority in the Member States in order to boost competitiveness and enhance fair competition without watering down worker's rights, consumer protection or environmental standards;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is concerned about the effects of demographic developments on sustainable growth and public finances, conditioned by, inter alia, low birth rates, ageing societies and the influx of refugees; points in particular to the impact of ageing populations on pension and healthcare systems in the EU; notes that, owing to different demographic structures, the effects of these developments will vary across Member States, but warns that the already foreseeable fund; considers that migration could play a role ing costs will have a significant impact on public deficits; highlights the fact that current consolidation paths will not be sufficient to ensure compliance with EU fiscal rules if pension systems are not reformed or current reforms are reversed or not impensating for the negative effects of the ageing population, depending on the ability to better use migrants' skills and to adapt migration management systems to labour market needs; recalls that, besides reforms, an important factor for ensuring the sustainability of pension systems is to achieve and maintain a high empleoyment rated;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Considers it vital to fight precariousness and the segmentation of the labour market, as well as to increase female labour market participation, close gender pay gaps, improve the work-life balance of men and women, promote the inclusion of disadvantaged groups and prevent discrimination, namely of persons with a migrant background;
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Welcomes the fact that, on average, youth unemployment is declining; notes, however,, although it is still very high; notes that there remain stark differences across the Member States that call for continued reforms to facilitate the entry of young people into the labour market; emphasises, in this regard, the importance of the Youth Guarantee and calls for continued EU funding to this crucial programme; agrees with the Commission that more action is needed from the Member States to fight youth unemployment, particularly in pursuing the roll-out of the Youth Guarantee and enhancing its effectiveness;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the importance of wage developments in line withsocial dialogue and the irreplaceable role of social partners in wage-setting; stresses the need for growth-friendly wage developments that take account of productivity gains;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Agrees with the Commission that improving the adequacy and coverage of income support schemes (unemployment benefits; social assistance including minimum income; pensions) is crucial to prevent social exclusion and, in the case of unemployment benefits, can increase both macroeconomic stability and labour market attachment whilst reducing precariousness;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. AgreNotes that high taxation is a hindrance toshould not hinder investments and jobs creation; calls for reforms in taxation with a view to tackling the high tax burden on labour in Europeimproving tax collection, preventing tax avoidance, tax evasion and aggressive tax planning, as well as tackling the high tax burden on labour in Europe while ensuring the sustainability of social protection systems; highlights the importance of using progressive tax rates to attain the redistributive effects of tax reforms;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Calls for measures preventing a race to the bottom in terms of taxation and social standards, which leads to an increase in inequalities; recalls the need to maintain international competitiveness based on productivity and upward convergence;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16 b. Highlights the importance of greater efficiency in the use of natural resources and energy, including through the development of the circular economy; underlines the importance of developing further a true Energy Union based on solidarity, efficiency and diversity while promoting indigenous energy sources, including renewable energy;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16 c. Agrees with the Commission that fiscal sustainability remains a priority, although challenges have receded significantly since the peak of the crisis, and may not be a major source of risks for the euro area as a whole in the short term;
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines the fact that all Member States are obliged to comply with the Stability and Growth Pactat the Stability and Growth Pact should be duly implemented while making full use of the appropriate flexibility, inter alia to support greater investment and structural reforms, as well as to deal with security threats, refugee inflows and natural disasters; points, in this regard, also to the importance of the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance (TSCG), and urges the Commission to submit a report on the implementation of the TSCG in the Member Stateswhich should be reviewed on the basis of an assessment of the experience with its implementation, and urges the Commission to submit a report on the issue;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes that six Member States continue to be under the Excessive Deficit Pe consistent decrease of the average public deficit level, which is expected to stand below 2% in 2016 and will continue to reduce in the upcoming years, allowing several Member States to exit the Excessive Deficit Procedure; Notes, however, that six Member States continue to be under the Excessive Deficit Procedure, but underlines that, according to the Commission forecast, in 2017 only one Member State will remain under such procedure;
Amendment 375 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Notes that the levels of government debt have stabilised and are expected to decrease; agrees with the Commission that, in most cases, the large increase of debt in the recent past was the result of bank recapitalisation and low growth in nominal GDP, not of fiscal profligacy; points out that sustained growth is crucial to reducing debt/GDP ratios;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 410 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the consistent improvement of public finances over the recent years; Notes with concern that, following the assessment of the 2017 Draft Budgetary Plans, eight Member States are considered to be at risk of non-compliance, with some significantly deviating from the required adjustment path and unlikely to be able to contain the risks unless they deliver on the necessary fiscal measures;
Amendment 416 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. WelcomNotes the reduction in average public deficits, but agrees that aggregate pictures hide significant disparities across the Member States; considers this and other asymmetries are detrimental to the proper functioning of the Euro, which illustrates the need to promote and support real convergence especially between euro area Member States;
Amendment 422 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Notes with concern that, as the Commission recognises, a full delivery of the fiscal requirements contained in the country-specific recommendations of the Council would lead, on aggregate, to a modestly restrictive fiscal stance for the euro area as a whole in 2017 and 2018, while the economic situation would seem to call for an expansionary fiscal stance in the present circumstances;
Amendment 425 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Positive fiscal stance for the euro area
Amendment 428 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Takes noteWelcomes the Commission's recommendation for a Council recommendation ofn the Commission’seconomic policy of the euro area and the accompanying communication on a positive fiscal stance; questions the usefulness of an for the euro area; aggregate target, given the lack of significant spill- overes that, at this point in time, given the need to support the on- going recovery, more effecorts of domestic demand between Member States; recalls that the Member States must comply with the Stability and Growth Pact, regardless of aggregate recommendationsare needed to bring about a positive fiscal stance for the euro area as a whole, complementing the monetary policy of the ECB; praises the Commission for its recommendation of a moderate fiscal expansion in 2017; questions whether an aggregate fiscal expansion of up to 0.5% GDP is sufficient to attain the goals of bolstering recovery, closing the 'investment gap' and promoting growth;
Amendment 442 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Calls on the Council to adopt the recommendation for a positive fiscal stance for the euro area in 2017 and encourages Member States to take the necessary steps in order to attain such goal;
Amendment 443 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. Deplores that, contrary to other unified currency areas across the world, the EU's current fiscal framework contains no rules or instruments to directly manage the aggregate fiscal stance of the euro area; points out that a macroeconomic governance framework in which rules can proscribe high deficits but can only prescribe the reduction of budgetary surpluses, without imposing it, is patently asymmetrical, unbalanced and incomplete;
Amendment 449 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Takes the view that improving the structure of public budgets is a key leverone of the levers to maximise growth, to ensure compliance with EU fiscal rules and to allow for the financing of indispensable expenditure, the building of buffers for unforeseen needs and, lastly, the financing of non-essential spending; recalls that the composition of national budgets is decided at national level taking into account country-specific recommendations; incentivizes all Member States to step up their efforts towards achieving a more growth-friendly composition of fiscal policies;
Amendment 459 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the ongoing review of public spending, and encourages the Member States critically to assess the quality of their budgets; points out that such a review cannot replace urgent fiscal consolidation needsupports rational and country-specific efforts towards improving the quality, efficiency and growth-friendly character of public expenditure, especially by shifting unproductive expenses towards growth- enhancing investments, but without jeopardizing essential provision of public and social services;
Amendment 467 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Believes the EU budget could help relieve the strain on national budgets by collecting own resources instead of relying extensively on national contributions; stresses that greater integration within the euro area is indispensable and that the creation of a budgetary capacity to absorb economic shocks, mitigate asymmetries and foster convergence is a key element in the completion of the EMU;
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Highlights the importance of national parliaments debating country reports and country-specific recommendations, as well as national reform programmes and stability programmes;
Amendment 482 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26 a. Calls on the Member States to involve the social partners, local and regional authorities and other relevant stakeholders in a structured manner;
Amendment 489 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Believes that better implementation of country-specific recommendations requires clearly articulated priorities at European level and genuine public debate at national, regional and local levels, leading to greater ownership;
Amendment 492 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Stresses that more than half of the 2016 country-specific recommendations address challenges the impact of which is unevenly felt within Member States or which should be addressed at sub- national level, and that, therefore, local and regional authorities should be permanently involved in the design and implementation of the national reform programmes; confirms its endorsement to the proposal of the European Committee of the Regions of a code of conduct to involve the local and regional authorities in the European Semester;
Amendment 493 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Urges the Commission to launch negotiations on an interinstitutional agreement on economic governance; insists that this IIA should ensure that, within the framework of the Treaties, the structure of the European Semester allows for meaningful and regular parliamentary scrutiny of the process, in particular as regards the Annual Growth Survey priorities and the euro area recommendations;