Activities of Morten MESSERSCHMIDT related to 2016/2009(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2015
Amendments (6)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that ‘human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities’ are the values on which the EU is founded, as stated in Article 2 TEU; recalls that the principles of representative democracy and of the rule of law laid down in the Treaties and confirmed by the Copenhagen Criteria require the following constitutional conditions to be genuinely and fully met: separation of powers, hierarchy of legislation, institutional stability, equal representation of all citizens, political accountability, power to be intelligible to citizens and constitutional neutrality; regrets that the institutional system of the European Union itself reveals serious shortcomings with regard to each of these criteria, as is consistently highlighted in the case-law of the German Constitutional Court, which serves as a European reference; underlines the utmost importance of ensuring full respect for these values both at Union and Member State level;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that in case of systemic threats to the rule of law, Article 7 and Rule of Law Framework procedures should be launched to provide remedies; considers it important to establish a new consensus between the EU and its Member States regarding respect for democracy, sovereignty, constitutional identity, the rule of law and fundamental rights;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the importance of ensuring full respect for the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the national constitutional identity of the Member States throughout the whole legislative process; welcomes in this regard the Better Regulation Agreement, and draws attention to the significant role of comprehensive impact assessments, as well as of close cooperation between the EU institutions;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that further efforts should be made towards a consistent and uniform implementation of the Charter in accordance with national constitutions, including through awareness-raising measures among practitioners and the general public;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes note of the activation by the Commission for the first time ever of the new Framework to strengthen the Rule of Law; regrets that this activation cannot take place in a spirit of constructive dialogue which respects in principle and in practice the sovereignty of national parliaments; recommends a thorough evaluation of its functioning and results with a view to improving its effectiveness if necessary;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes the first two Rule of Law dialogues, held by the Council; looks forward to the expected evaluation of this mechanism, which should aim at improving its relevance while respecting the constitutional identity and sovereignty of the Member States, as well as its complementarity with the other EU rule of law instruments;