MEPs in spat over commission work programme resolution

Parliamentary group negotiations on a joint resolution on the commission's work programme have fallen through.

By Julie Levy-Abegnoli

14 Jan 2015

The resolution was due to be voted during the Strasbourg plenary session. MEPs were expected to challenge team Juncker's proposals, amid fears clean air legislation would be watered down or even possibly withdrawn.

ALDE deputy Catherine Bearder blamed the EPP and ECR groups, saying conservatives had "utterly failed to stand up for measures to improve air quality".

However, ECR group member Julie Girling, who is the rapporteur on national emissions ceilings, took to Twitter to deny Bearder's claims, saying, "the commissioner [Karmenu Vella] confirmed directly to me that the clean air package is not withdrawn".

She blamed the EPP and S&D groups for the collapse of the negotiations.

The socialists allegedly dropped out of the talks because they did not want to be part of a resolution without the EPP group.

GUE/NGL president Gabi Zimmer has also weighed in, saying, "our group has a very critical view of the commission work programme and the calls for changes we've been making have not been echoed by the other political groups in negotiations on a possible joint parliament resolution".

Groups will now each bring forward their own resolution, though it is unlikely that any will receive the majority needed to pass.

 

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