50 Amendments of Bas EICKHOUT related to 2016/2306(INI)
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that ensuring sustainable growth, climate protection and job creation in the EU means using our resources in a smarter and more sustainable way, shifting taxation from labour to scarce resources, putting an end to fossil subsidies and reducing dependence on imports of raw materials; considers that the focus should be on waste prevention, greater recycling and re-use of products; notes that it is estimated that the circular economy could provide EU companies with savings of about EUR 600 billion per year; reiterates therefore its call for the principles of the circular economy to be incorporated into the European Semester through indicators such as resource consumption and security of supply for key raw materials;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union’'s economy is recovering and growing at a moderate pace, although still lower than the rate of growth of all other major economies;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the efficient use of resources, reducing foreign energy dependenceincreasing energy sovereignty and the induction of production patterns and more sustainable consumption patterns involves implementing the principles of circular economy with the help of indicators such as resource consumption and security of supply for key raw materials, introducing indicators such as energy efficiency into the European Semester, promoting entrepreneurship and job creation and effectively implementing international targets and objectives and diversifying revenue sources, in a context of fiscal responsibilityjustice and economic competitiveness;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the employment rate is growing steadily, although at an insufficient pace, reducing and unemployment in the euro area is expected to decline to 10.1 % in 2016;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that effective investment in health is an essential condition for economic prosperity and growth promotion, producing results in terms of productivity, labour supply, human capital and public spending.; calls on Member States to ensure a balance between budgets allocated to reimbursement of medicines and budgets allocated to maintaining enough trained medical staff, in order to safeguard quality of care and universal access to medicines;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas this recovery in the labour markets, and growth, is uneven among the Member States, benefitting those that have implemented structural reforms;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses moreover that there can be no confidence in the European food safety system if in Member States budgets are cut at the level of national competent authorities responsible for official controls;
Amendment 62 #
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 policies; whereas this supports the call for a three-pronged policy approach of growth- friendly investment, a full and consistent implementation of the Stabiuse of responsible fiscal policy to complement monetary politcy and Growth pact across Member Statesin supporting growth and fighting deflation, and a particular focus on sustainable structural reforms;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas fiscal policy plays a role in the stabilisation of the macroeconomic environment, while also having other objectives such as fiscal sustainability and redistribution functions;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas the aggregate Euro area fiscal stance was strongly contractionary, and therefore pro-cyclical in the period 2011-2013;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Recital F c (new)
Fc. whereas some Member States record very high current account surpluses and European macroimbalances are still large;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the deterioration of external demand growth sources calls for relying more on internal demand to attain a satisfactory GDP rate of growth;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the stronger focus on the social dimension of the AGS, stresses that it is vital both for economic considerations and in light of the current political developments to put social objectives on the same footing as economic objectives;
Amendment 128 #
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, that there is no time for complacency, and that this moderate recovery requires relentless efforts if it is to achieve greater resilienceto promote a more even rate of growth across the EU, a stronger reduction in unemployment and an improvement in social conditions;
Amendment 140 #
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 deficiencies, which are one of the sources of high young unemployment, dual labour markets and low quality jobs, persist in somea number of Member States;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Agrees with the Commission that access to finance is crucial for businesses to grow, in particular for SMEs;
Amendment 170 #
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 stwhile safety and stability of the financial system have been modestly increased, the latter still faces pressing challenges linked to high non-performing loans, low-interest rate environment, too big to fail institutions and obstacles to resolvability;
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that a fully functioning Capital Markets Union can, in a longer perspective, provide alternative financing to SMEs, complementing that of the banking sector; stresses, however, that more needs to be done, in the short term, to increase SMEs and starts up financing opportunities;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that a step-by-step completion of the Banking Union shall aim atis crucial to increasing resilience in the banking sector and contributing to financial stability;
Amendment 229 #
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 reduced compliance costs are crucial factors for attracting investment;
Amendment 238 #
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, andmore efforts are required to ensure that benefits of globalisation and technological changes, including digitisation, are distributed fairly across the different groups of society, notably low-skills workers and young people; stresses that while international trade is a significant source of jobs for Europeans and a crucial precondition for growth; reiterates that more than 30 million jobs are now supported by exports from the EU, overreliance on export is no solid source of sustainable and inclusive growth, calls on the Commission to put more emphasis on measures aimed at increasing domestic demand in the eurozone;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with concern that the EU share of global foreign direct investments flows have fallen significantly since the crisis providing evidence that low growth, low internal demand, low public and private investment, social tensions, destruction of skills and human capital are all factors which need to be taken into account, to attract foreign investments;
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Agrees thatCalls on the Commission to ensure that recommendations for sustainable and socially balanced structural reforms in product, services and, labour markets remain a priority in the Member Stat, public administrations and tax systems are effectively contributing to the EU2020 objectives;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that well-functioning, flexible labour markets have proven to be quicker to recover from the economic downturn;Emphasises that further steps are needed towards making labour markets more resilient in order to reduce segmentation, upgrade skills, including a stronger focus on training and lifelong learning provided by public agencies and firms to enhance workers' employability and productivity.
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Is concerned about the effects of demographic developments on public finances, conditioned by, inter alia, low birth rates, and 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 funding costs will have a significantn impact on public deficitfinances; 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 implementedneed to adopt, when needed, sustainable and socially inclusive reforms to structurally address these challenges;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Stresses that promoting the integration of migrants in the labour market contributes to improving the sustainability of pension systems and to addressing the negative consequences of an ageing society in terms of productivity, innovation, investment and other sources of internal demand;
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13 b. Agrees with the Commission that universal access to cost effective public health and healthcare services should be ensured;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the importance of wage developments in line with productivity; stresses however that wages are not merely macro-economic adjustment variables but also the main source of income that people need for a decent living, calls on the Commission to promote decent wages and preserve collective bargaining;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Stresses the importance to ensure that the wage setting mechanism is also able to promoting quality job creation, real income increases and preserving the purchasing power of the low wages, also to fight the issue of working poor;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Stresses that attracting and retaining high-skills workers in the economic system is an important source of productivity growth and innovation; welcomes that the AGS recognises the need to improving the adequacy and coverage of income support schemes to prevent social exclusion and increase both macro-economic stability and labour market resilience.
Amendment 342 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Agrees that high taxation is a hindrance toon labour for low and medium income earners can hinder consumption, investments and jobs creation; calls for further reforms in taxation with a view to tackling the high tax burden on labour in Europow income and medium income earners in Europe, while preserving tax revenue ability to finance investment, innovation and social expenditure;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. calls on the Member States to step up the fight against tax evasion, increase the redistributive feature of taxation, promote tax shifts towards pollution and other sources of taxation less detrimental to growth;
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines the factNotes that all Member States are obliged to comply with the Stability and Growth Pact; points, in this regard, also to the importance ofnotes that empirical observations about the functioning of the new fiscal rules of the SGP, including the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance (TSCG), and urges the Commission to submprovide evidences of the complexity a report on the implementation of the TSCG nd the shortcomings of the current rules which undermine the Member Statesir credibility;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Is concerned about the hesitancy in using the instruments available under the Excessive Deficit Procedurcredibility and the effectiveness of the Excessive Deficit Procedure; questions the high technicality of the effective actions assessment which undermines the transparency required for such a crucial exercise;
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Considers that addressing the pro- cyclicality bias of existing SGP rules intensified by the current low nominal growth environment, would decisively contribute to a proper and strict application of these instruments and enhancing the credibility of the overall framework;
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20 b. Takes note of the Council agreement to simplify the assessment of compliance with the pact's rules; considers that it will not be sufficient to increase the predictability and the transparency of the compliance assessment;
Amendment 403 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20 c. Considers that subsequent attempts to repair SGP rules without a comprehensive evaluation of the shortcomings of the current framework are ineffective and continue to undermine their credibility; calls on the Commission for a comprehensive evaluation and legislative proposals to address the shortcomings;
Amendment 408 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. 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 413 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Notes that last year full implementation of the Draft Budgetary Plan assessment would have led to a more restrictive fiscal stance with respect to the agreed neutral fiscal stance;
Amendment 424 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Is concerned about the fact that low public deficit ratios do not translate into significant reduction in public debt ratios due to the persistent sluggish nominal growth which also complicate the needed reduction in households and corporate debt;
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Takes note ofWelcomes the Commission’'s communication on a fiscal stance; questions the usefulnesshighlights the crucial role of anthe aggregate target, given the lack of significant spill- over effects of domestic demand between Member States; recalls tha which have been underlined by all major experts; notes the fact theat Member States must anyway comply with the Stability and Growth Pact, regardless of aggregate recommendations;
Amendment 440 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Agrees on the Commission that the current fiscal framework is characterised by the key weakness of the absence of rules to coordinate the aggregate Euro Area fiscal stance, in particular the SGP asymmetry represented by the lack of tools to require expansionary fiscal stance;
Amendment 444 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. Express concerns on the fact that the lack of tools to ensure an effective coordination of fiscal policies at Euro area aggregate level might jeopardise the sustainability of the monetary union; considers that the on-going discussion on the Euro Area fiscal capacity should reflect on mechanisms to incentivise the conduction of national fiscal policies which are consistent with the suggested fiscal stance;
Amendment 446 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23 c. Deplores that the Council has de facto dismissed the European Commission recommendation for an expansionary fiscal policy, overlooking the repeated calls of the ECB to complement monetary policy with other policy tools to support sustainable growth;
Amendment 447 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23 d. Is concerned that Council's reluctance to take on board European Commission's recommendation on the Euro Area fiscal stance will further undermine policy cooperation at European level, including the need to implement structural reforms to ensure the sustainability of public finances and improve national competitiveness;
Amendment 453 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Takes the view that improving the structure of public budgets is a key lever to ensure compliance with EU fiscal rulsound public finances and to allow for the financing of indispensable expenditure, and the building of buffers for unforeseen needs and, lastly, the financing of non-essential spending;
Amendment 462 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Welcomes the on-going review of public spending, and encourages the Member States to critically to assess the quality of their budgets; points out that such a review cannot replace urgent fiscal consolidation needs;
Amendment 491 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Is concerned about the low rate of compliance with CSRs including both those aimed at fostering convergence and increasing competitiveness to structurally reduce the current account deficit bias of certain economies, and those aimed at using the available fiscal space to increase investment, improve long-term growth prospects and reducing the current account surplus; calls on the Commission to use all existing tools to enforce those CSRs aimed at addressing these challenges which represent a threat for the sustainability of the monetary union;