24 Amendments of Marc ANGEL related to 2022/2051(INL)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the original idea behindExpresses its satisfaction that the Conference on the Future of Europe was regardsa very successful participatory exercise and therefore, it further enlarged the citizens’ information and participation in democracy at Union level, aiming at making the Union more understandable and accessible; Considers that the Conference has led to innovative and successful participation by European citizens and has provided an additional opportunity for the European institutions, leading to a comprehensive dialogue between citizens, national parliaments, regional and local authorities, social partners and civil society organisations on the future of the Union;
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Welcomes the final report on the final outcome of the Conference which includes 49 proposals1a and which was presented to the Presidents of the three institutions on 9 May 2022; notes that several proposals are to be considered of an economic nature and highlights that some recommendations could also be followed up in the framework of the current Treaties; notes that some of them would require treaty change to be fully implemented; _________________ 1a Conference on the Future of Europe - Report on the Final Outcome, May 2022
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. In order to make social Europe a reality, and given the lessons from the pandemic and the war in Ukraine on the close interlinkages between our economic and welfare/social systems, it should be ensured that sRussian invasion of Ukraine as well as their impact on the European economic and welfare/social systems, social rights must be put on equal footing with economic freedoms-1. Social rights armust be fully protected and safeguarded in case of conflict with economic freedoms, including by revising the current governance framework. As already set out in previous European Parliament resolutions, possible tools to this effect include: - integrating the European Social Pillar in the Treaties1; - introducing a Social Progress Protocol to the Treaties2 to guarantee that workers’ rights, trade union rights and social rights take precedence over the economic freedoms in case these conflict2; - adopting a Sustainable Development and Social Progress Pact making social and sustainable targets mandatory as part of a governance framework for a social and sustainable Europe3. _______________________ 1 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 6 2 Ibid, paragraph 6 3 Ibid____ -1 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)) , paragraph 5 1 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 6 2 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 6 3 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 6
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Insists on more democratic legitimacy, accountability and scrutiny of the Union economic policies; stresses for thenotes that the Eurogroup and the Euro Summit are informal forums of discussion within the Economic and Financial Affairs (Ecofin) Council; Calls on the Member States to act within the Community framework stresses the need for the decision-making framework, institutions and tools for EU economic governance to be under the Community method; calls for any Treaty revision to grant the Parliament its role as co-legislator its right to and democratic oversight in these policies; Calls for a broader participation, including EP, MS and Social Partners in the definition of economic policy priorities to further ownership of the reforms;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NWelcomes the conclusions of the Conference and notes that many of the proposals endorsed by the Conference on the Future of Europe do not require Treaty change but instead camendments to the Treaties and that, especially forllowing the most rengthening of existing policies and instruments; takes the view tcent crises, the Treaties need to be amended urgently to make sure the Union hats the division of competences provided for in the Treaties, and in particular Articles 4 and 5 TEU, should remain unchangedcompetence to take more effective action during future crises;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Supports an economic governance framework that ensures stability, full employment, strategic and sustainable investments, democratic accountability and ownership, and fiscal policies and instruments to counteract shocks; Notes that the Conference on the Future of Europe discussions highlighted the strong demand of a deep review of EU's economic governance and the European Semester, in order to ensure that the green and digital transitions, social justice and social progress go hand in-hand with economic competitiveness; reminds that the Parliament3a agreed to an urgent reform of the Union’s economic governance architecture, including simpler and clearer fiscal rules and a framework more conducive to long-term economic growth; _________________ 3a European Parliament INI report of 8 July 2021 on the review of the macroeconomic legislative framework for a better impact on Europe’s real economy and improved transparency of decision- making and democratic accountability (2020/2075(INI))
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Further, the EU should move away from unanimity and special legislative procedures in order toin order to enhance democratic decision making and enable EU action in areas w, notably in the re currentlymit of the EMPL Committee, where it has proved difficult/impossible, due to the relevant decision-making provisions/scope of the Treaties, it has proved difficult/impossible, notably in areas falling under the EMPL Committee remit, and in order to further increase democratic decision-makingwhile fully safeguarding the role of social partners and ensuring a non-regression clause5. As already set out in previous European Parliament resolutions, possible tools to this effect include: - making more social policy areas fall under the qualified majority decision process, in particular non-discrimination, social protection of workers (apart from cross-border situations), protection of workers whose employment contracts hasve been terminated, the representation and collective defence of the interests of workers and employers, as well as conditions of employment for third-country nationals legally residing in the EU46; this can also be achieved by using the passerelle clauses5;7; the role of social partners should be fully safeguarded and a non-regression clause should be introduced;8 - involving the European Parliament in defining the Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs on an equal footing with the Council9 in the guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States to achieve equal footing with the Council6,10. - applying the Community method to the Semester process, and making it subject to an agreement between the Council and the European Parliament7. _______________________ 4 Ibid11, as well as making sure that social partners are fully involved.12 - ensuring a stronger role for social partners in decision making processes.13 ___________________________ 5 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)) , paragraph 36 6 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)) , paragraph 6 57 European Parliament resolution of 13 February 2019 on the state of the debate on the future of Europe (2018/2094(INI)), paragraph 7 68 European Parliament legislative resolution of 10 July 2020 on the proposal for a Counresolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 19 9 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 6 10 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (COM(2020)0070 – C9-0079/2020 – 2020/0030(NLE)), Amendment 11 7 See above n. 1Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 6 11 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 19 11 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 19 12 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 19 13 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraph 619
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. In order to ensure that upward social convergence is accelerated, proper use should be made of the EU funds as well as of the tools developed during recent crises, notably the pandemic. As. As already set out in previous European Parliament resolutions, possible tools to this effect include:tools to this effect should include: - a revision of the economic governance to ensure that social justice goes hand-in-hand with economic competitiveness, and that people’s well- being is the objective of economic policies13 - monitoring of the use of funds, including democratic oversight by Parliament814 - emergency clauses and flexibility915 - stabilising an increased level of EU investment to foster upward convergence in the area of social policies106 - a temporary European social resilience package11 coordinating a set of measures and means to strengthen social welfare and social protection systems in the EU, including the continuation and refinancing of SURE as long as the socio- economic consequences of the war continue to have a negative impact on the labour market, and a social rescue facility with increased public support for existing instruments aimed at the poorest in our society should be established17. ________________________________ 8 13 European Parliament resolution of 17 December 2020 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, the Interinstitutional Agreement, the EU Recovery Instrument and the Rule of Law Regulation (2020/292a strong social Europe for Just Transitions (2020/2084(INI)), paragraphs 6, 19 14 European Parliament resolution of 14 November 2018 on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 – Parliament’s position with a view to an agreement (COM(2018)0322 – C8- 0000/2018 – 2018/0166R(APP)), paragraph 28, 33, modification 12 15 European Parliament resolution of 19 May 2022 on the social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine – reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act (2022/2653(RSP)), paragraph 8 9s 34, 35 16 European Parliament resolution of 19 May 2022 on the social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine – reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act (2022/2653(RSP)) , paragraphs 34, 35 10 Ibid, paragraph 12 11 Ibid 12 17 European Parliament resolution of 19 May 2022 on the social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine – reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act (2022/2653(RSP)), paragraph 24
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that the right to petition is a citizen’s right which plays a fundamental role as a direct participatory democracy tool; recalls that petitions can be used as means of creating opportunities for public debate and of initiating policy and legislative changes; calls on the Member States and the Commission to do their utmost to ensure that petitions are adequately followed up;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses the importance of the EU economic governance framework to enable governments to promote public investment and ensure debt sustainability; recalls that the Economic and Monetary Union cannot function smoothly without a fiscal capacity at European level capable of providing a counter-cyclical stabilisation function and timely and adequate support in the event of economic shocks, calls for further consideration to common borrowing at EU level, with a view to creating more favourable borrowing conditions, while maintaining responsible fiscal policies at Member State; calls to transform the SGP into a Sustainable Development Pact, imbedded in a Sustainable Development cycle and enable the just, green and digital transition; calls for the development and completion of the Capital Markets Union and Banking Union, including a fully- fledged European Deposit Insurance Scheme (EDIS);
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Calls for an assessment on the Maastricht criteria, including the deficit and public debt targets, benefiting from the experience accumulated over these last two decades of the single currency, namely on economic growth and public investment, and from the lessons learned from previous and current crisis, namely the most disruptive ones, such as the financial and sovereign crisis from early 2010´s, COVID pandemic and the War in Ukraine;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the right to petition remains underused at Union level when compared with the situation at national level; recalls, also, that about a quarter of the petitions submitted to the European Parliament are declared inadmissible, mainly because the matter falls outside the Union’s fields of activity, which points out the lack of understneed to work on enhandcing, among Union citizens, the citizens’ awareness of the Union’s remit of competence;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses, therefore, the need to increase citizens’ knowledge of their right to petition as well as their understanding of the scope of the Union’s responsibilities; calls on the Commission and the Member States to adopt measures to make public information and awareness more efficient at Union and national levels in order to improve access to the right to petition and with the aim to reduce the number of inadmissible petitions.
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Supports, as stated in proposal n.36 of the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe, the goal of increasing citizens’ participation and youth involvement in the democracy at the Union level to develop a ‘full civic experience’ for Europeans, to ensure that their voice is heard also in between elections, and that the participation is effective;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the economic governance to be redesigned taking into account lessons learned from the NGEU and SURE processesPoints out the importance of common tools to respond to economic shocks on an European level as learned from the previous financial crisis, the COVID-19 crisis and as well in the current economic shock due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine; Calls for the economic governance to be redesigned taking into account lessons learned from the NGEU and SURE processes; Calls for a stronger involvement of the European Parliament, on equal footing with the Council in defining the EU common priorities, and to ensure a proper scrutiny of its implementation;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Supports summarizing elements of citizens’ participation in a Union Charter for the involvement of citizens in EU- affairs;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Invites the Union institutions to work on establishing a user-friendly digital platform where citizens can share ideas, put forward questions to the representatives of the Union institutions and express their views on important EU matters and legislative proposals, in particular youth;
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Highlights the positive impact and record of accomplishment of new EU instruments such as SURE and the design and operating model of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), that made it possible to maintain jobs and business and support the relaunch of the EU economy; calls for an assessment on the creation of a common permanent instrument, focused on investment and convergence, which can also act with a counter cyclical purpose, and based on a contractual basis for reforms; suggests the Treaties changes to be inspired by the SURE model for short term and targeted interventions and the RRF for long-term investment capacity to support structural strategic investments in Europe;
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges that the framework of the ECB’s accountability to Parliament be improved; Calls for a more comprehensive definition of the price stability and the ways to achieve it; Highlights the secondary mandate of the ECB to support the general economic policies in the Union; calls for a clarification into Article 127 TFEU so as to ensure the primary objective of the European System of Central Banks to maintain price stability is without prejudice to the achievement of the objectives of the Union as laid down in Article 3 of the TEU;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Emphasizes the importance of placing the European Parliament on equal footing with the European Commission and the European Council regarding its participation on the European Central Bank’s Governing Council meetings (Article 284 (ex Article 113TEC)) and the General Council meetings;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the numerous impediments to essential EU tax initiatives over the past decades; calls for gradual change that would allow QMV in certain tax questionsStresses that, for the long term, Member States should consider the added value of transitioning to qualified majority voting, as recommended by the Conference on the Future of Europe.; underlines the numerous impediments to essential EU tax initiatives over the past decades; calls for gradual change that would allow QMV in certain tax questions, such as highly integrated tax policies (VAT) or tax reforms that are approved by Member States in the framework of international negotiations; demands that no country should be granted a permanent veto of proposed legislation on its own, notably on tax issues; and calls to refine the concept of qualified majority in Art.16 TUE in this framework, as well as the passerelle-clause rules, notably ART 48(7);
Amendment 88 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the new challenges for Union’s competition policy (Art101-109 TFUE), which require that the Treaty be amended to align it with the goals of the Green Deal and the pEuropean Pillar of sSocial rRights and support the Union´s strategic autonomy in key sectors, calls for a level playing field in the single market in order to promote a stronger, more sustainable and inclusive EU global competitiveness; stresses the need for the Parliament to play an active role in the political debate on competition policy, via proper involvement in experts groups and working parties and by shaping and assessing the Commission’s enforcement priorities;
Amendment 110 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Reiterates that the EU needs to address its lack of political weight at international level due, inter alia, to the lack of coherence of its representation in international organisations, which could be improved by implementing measures to ensure the unified representation of the EU and the euro internationally in all its dimensions and policies;