European Parliament

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) runs the risk of “getting away” from its primary aim, one MEP has warned.
“This is firstly an international trade issue”, says UK MEP Syed Kamall, “but this has been jumped on by others, and taken it away from this”.

The European Parliament continues to express it opposition to the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) as six political groups join together to press the Commission to adjust its stance.
“No one from the Parliament will vote for this if no access to documents is given”, Green MEP Carl Schlyter, referring to one of the key sticking points, told EU Reporter before the issue was debated in plenary.

Members of the European Parliament are threatening that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) currently being negotiated between the EU and 12 other countries, including the US, will “become another SWIFT” if concerns over transparency are not satisfied.

Eurosceptic MEP Nigel Farage is remaining defiant following a meeting with European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek during which he was asked to apologise for remarks made in the Plenary Chamber last week.
But whatever the fallout from this latest development, Farage has at the very least raised a serious question for his enemies and allies alike to ponder: what are the limits of free speech in a parliamentary chamber?

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A seemingly innocuous report on the transportation of domestic animals due to be taken to trialogue discussions in Brussels this week (Tuesday) could set a precedent for future legislative procedures to be determined jointly by the European Parliament and Council.
The report, on the “animal health requirements applicable to the non-commercial movement of pet animals” has so-far been debated in the Parliament’s Environment Committee without much contentious debate.

Speaking to journalists last week in Brussels, Edward McMillan-Scott pledged to "work alongside" the EPP group in the European parliament. He also reaffirmed his committment to human rights issues, highlighting his concerns about China in particular.

He left the conservative ECR group in protest at alleged far-right backgrounds of some of that group's members, and currently sits as a non-attached MEP, having lost the Tory whip.

Following the compromise reached with the Council on the Telecoms Package, the emphasis in the debate is now shifting from consumer to civil rights following the Parliament gaining new powers under the Lisbon Treaty.

The compromise, which is set to pave the way for a single telecoms market, saw bitter disagreements emerge between all parties.

The European Parliament is to challenge the Belgian government over its decision to appoint Louis Michel as its official candidate for chair of the United Nations General Assembly.

Following the reappointment of Jose Manuel Barroso as European Commission President this week, speculation continues as to who will be appointed to the new college, with particular attention being placed on the much favoured Vice President role with joint responsibility for foreign affairs within the Council.