2 Written explanations of Michael BLOSS

On 15 June 2021, the Hungarian Parliament voted in favour of amendments proposed by Fidesz MPs that severely restrict freedom of speech and children’s rights. The Law prohibits the ‘portrayal and promotion of gender identity different from sex assigned at birth, the change of sex and homosexuality’ in schools, in television programmes and in publicly available advertisements on any platforms for persons aged under 18, even for educational purposes; the Law disqualifies such content from being considered as a public service announcement or social responsibility advertisement even if intended for adults; the Law introduces amendments to the Child Protection Act, the Family Protection Act, the Act on Business Advertising Activity, the Media Act and the Public Education Act.I consider this Law to be in breach of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary, in particular the freedom to provide services and freedom of movement of goods as set out in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and E-commerce Directive in conjunction with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Therefore I voted in favour of the resolution ‘Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the legal changes adopted in the Hungarian Parliament’.

Ramping up renewable energy production is essential for achieving climate targets, the EU’s geopolitical independence, and spurring green jobs and development. The revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) sets higher shares of renewables in various sectors: transport, heating and cooling, buildings and industry with a mix of binding/voluntary targets. As Greens, we were instrumental in increasing the EU target to ‘at least 45%’ as well as overcoming attempts to include fossil- or nuclear- based fuels, which would have watered down the entire directive. The Commission proposal has been improved throughout, including with wording on pushing for the phase out of fossil fuels in low-temperature industrial heat applications by 2027, which is key to incentivising renewable electrification, industrial heat pumps and e-boilers in a sector that consumes roughly 8% of the overall consumption of fossil gas. On eliminating incentives for the burning of primary woody biomass for energy, whilst still a step in the right direction, the level of ambition was below what is needed for climate and biodiversity. The Green group voted in favour to ensure that it would not be rejected altogether, and so that the issue remains on the table in upcoming negotiations with Member States.