Russia’s economy is prospering despite Western sanctions, and victory on the battlefield over Ukraine is only a matter of time: this impression has become increasingly entrenched in Europe in recent weeks and months. From Ursula von der Leyen’s point of view, this is, above all, propaganda from Moscow, which the West should counter more publicly.
The EU Commission President used her appearance at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday to contradict this. “Russia is failing in achieving its strategic goals,” she said in Davos. The armed forces had lost around half of their capabilities. The economy is cut off from Western technology. Russia had become dependent on China. “All of this tells us that Ukraine can win this war.” To do so, however, Kyiv needs predictable financial aid and more weapons.
Her decisive response to Russia’s attack earned von der Leyen a great deal of respect in European capitals and Washington. And, while doubts are spreading in Berlin and elsewhere, she is sticking to her course. There is little to suggest that the 65-year-old is tired of her job.
The deadline for member parties to nominate candidates wishing to stand for the post of future Commission President in the European elections on behalf of the EPP is 12 p.m. on February 21. By then, von der Leyen will have to come clean about whether she is seeking a second term in office. Only as the official lead candidate of the Christian Democrats could she shed the stigma attached to her because of the backroom deal when she was appointed in 2019. Then she would hardly have to fear any potential rivals when the EPP delegates elect their candidate at a congress on March 7.
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Feature
102 open legislative proposals: emergency procedure to ensure adoption until the election
The political negotiations between the Council and Parliament (trilogue) on the 102 outstanding EU legislative procedures are due to be completed in just over three weeks, on February 9. Otherwise, there will not be enough time to finalize the legislative texts by the last week of the parliamentary session (22 to 25 April) before the European elections. The finalization of the texts – i.e. translation and final editing by the lawyer-linguists of both chambers – is a prerequisite for adoption in the Council and Parliament. The European elections will take place from June 6 to 9.
The political agreement (trilogue result) on the Commission’s legislative proposals must be adopted by a majority of MEPs in the last week of the parliamentary term at the latest. If the trilogue result is not adopted before the elections, the next European Parliament must pass the law.
No principle of discontinuity in the EU
The principle of discontinuity does not apply at the EU level, as it does in the Bundestag, for example. Negotiations on legislative proposals for which there is no political agreement therefore do not have to be completely reopened at the EU level after the elections. Rather, they can be incorporated in the new legislative period. This requires decisions by the new Commission and the new Parliament. However, there will be delays. Negotiations between the co-legislators will only start again as soon as the new Commission has taken office – i.e. in November at the earliest.
Some dossiers cannot be postponed. For example, the decision on financial aid for Ukraine. However, there is an emergency procedure to ensure that it can still be approved in Parliament once the deadline of February 9 has passed. The emergency solution is called the corrigendum procedure. This involves working only with the English-language version of the political agreement text. This then forms the basis for the vote in Parliament. The final editing by the lawyer-linguists and the translation into all official languages is then carried out later.
Conference of Committee Chairs meets after February 9
The finalization of the legislative texts in the corrigendum procedure is expected by autumn. It is currently impossible to predict which dossiers will be completed on time and which may be finalized in the corrigendum procedure. The Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC) intends to take stock after February 9 and decide which legislative procedures will then be given priority.
For the corrigendum procedure to be successful, a political agreement must be reached by the week of the session from March 11 to 14 at the latest. This is when the last trilogues of this parliamentary term must be completed. On March 12, the Conference of Committee Chairs will meet to take stock:
Which dossiers can still be presented to the plenary session in the last week of April?
Which legislative procedures will be handed over to the next European Parliament?
Maximum of 40 trilogues in parallel
The committee secretariats in the Council and Parliament as well as the translators and lawyer-linguists are currently working at full capacity. For capacity reasons, political negotiations between the Council and Parliament can only be conducted on a maximum of 40 dossiers in parallel. Five years ago, in the last six months before the European elections, the European Parliament had around the same number of pending legislative projects as it does now. However, according to reports, the legislative texts that need to be examined and translated are more extensive this time.
The Belgian Council Presidency announced that it is aiming to reach a political agreement on two legislative projects before the elections:
In both dossiers, acceptance will only become apparent in the corrigendum procedure.
The European Parliament wants a political agreement to be reached on the Net Zero Industry Act on February 6. The Belgian Council Presidency is also trying to reach an agreement on the emergency instrument. According to reports, it also wants to achieve a result on the Pesticides Regulation (SUR). The SUR was rejected by the Parliament.
Compromises on AI Act, Supply Chain Act and others have yet to be adopted
The co-legislators still have to accept the negotiated compromises:
Parliament threatens legal action over EU funds for Hungary
The dispute over the rule of law in Hungary and the handling of “frozen” funds from the EU budget is coming to a head. On Tuesday in Strasbourg, the European Parliament threatened to take the EU Commission to the European Court of Justice. Although the Parliament cannot take legal action itself, it can ask the Legal Affairs Committee to do so. The release of €10.2 billion, which the Commission announced immediately before the EU summit in December, was not carried out properly, according to a statement by the large political groups, which was also supported by the Left Group in the European Parliament.
The Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee should “take the necessary steps” for such an action “as soon as possible,” according to the draft, which will be put to the vote on Thursday. They have “serious concerns” about the legality of the Commission’s decision. At the same time, MEPs warn the authority against releasing even more funds to Hungary. This could trigger a vote of no confidence, according to the Liberals. In extreme cases, this could lead to the resignation of the Commission.
Accusation: von der Leyen allowed herself to be blackmailed
According to the lead MEP, Hungary has still not done its homework when it comes to the rule of law. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had allowed herself to be “blackmailed” by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, it was said immediately after the release of the EU billions. Orbán had previously announced that he would block the start of accession talks with Ukraine. After the funds were approved, however, he cleared the way. Many MPs suspect a direct connection.
There is a well-founded suspicion that von der Leyen bought Hungarian approval for the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine, said Green MEP Daniel Freund. “The lawsuit against the EU Commission is the direct consequence of last December’s dirty deal,” Freund continued. “The signal to von der Leyen is clear: if she simply distributes billions of euros to evade Hungary’s vetoes, she won’t get away with it.”
‘Like being sold off in a winter sale’
FDP parliamentarian Moritz Körner expressed similar views. Von der Leyen had “sold off the rule of law in Hungary like a winter sale,” he criticized. The Parliament is not going along with this and will challenge her decision before the ECJ. “There must be no more discounts on the rule of law in the EU,” continued Körner. The liberal Renew group would also push for a motion of no confidence if the Commission were to release further funds.
The dispute is inconvenient for von der Leyen. She needs Orbán’s approval for a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine, which will be decided at a special summit on February 1. The positions had recently converged – now they could harden again. In addition, the CDU politician would have to rely on Orbán if she decides to run for a second term in office. Her critics in the European Parliament fear that EU funds could flow to Hungary again before then. eb/mgr
The environment and climate protection ministers of the EU member states have spoken out in favor of paying particular attention to social cohesion in the population when setting future climate targets. No one has called for less ambitious targets, emphasized Belgian Environment Minister Alain Maron. However, there was agreement that the transition would have to take place over the next decade and would need the support of the people.
The first informal Environment Council under the Belgian Council Presidency took place in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday. No decisions were made, but the ministers and their representatives exchanged views on the 2040 climate target over lunch. The EU Commission intends to present its proposal at the beginning of February – the authority is expected to propose a greenhouse gas reduction target of 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. Denmark is the only member state to have already openly backed this target.
Which target the member states support was not discussed in Brussels this week, explained Maron. Instead, they discussed how to make the transition fair for people and successful for businesses.
German contribution of minus 91 percent?
Before the start of the Council meeting, Sven Giegold, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), announced an ambitious German contribution to the EU’s 2040 climate targets. The Federal Constitutional Court had set Germany a net reduction target of 91 percent by 2040. “This is also the benchmark by which we are looking at the European target, even if the German government has not yet quantified it,” said Giegold.
According to the BMWK, the net reduction target of 91 percent is based on calculations by the Öko-Institut and also includes the carbon reduction capacity of natural reservoirs such as forests or peatlands. The target for 2040 of at least 88 percent carbon reduction set out in the German Climate Protection Act is a gross target and includes the pure reduction of emissions.
The EU’s 2040 climate target is also expected to shape the next formal Environment Council meetings under the Belgian Presidency, on March 25 in Brussels and June 17 in Luxembourg. luk
EU-Klimaziel 2040
F-gases: EU Parliament adopts trilogue result
On Tuesday, the EU Parliament adopted stricter regulations to reduce emissions of highly climate-impacting fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) by a large majority. The trilogue agreement reached in October provides for the complete phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2050 and a gradual reduction via an EU consumption quota until then. Sectors in which a switch to alternatives is technologically and economically feasible, such as household refrigerators, air conditioning systems and heat pumps, will also be given deadlines for phasing out the use of F-gases. The aim is to save up to 40 million tons of carbon equivalents by 2030.
The industry reacted positively. “Climate protection and strengthening industry do not have to contradict each other, as this regulation shows,” comments Tim Holt, Member of the Managing Board at Siemens Energy. The ban on SF6 and alternative F-gases is a benefit for the climate, environment and health and at the same time an “important step for the industry, as it creates predictability for investments in manufacturing capacities and the sustainable expansion of the European electricity grid.”
European companies are already pioneers in the development of clean alternatives to F-gases, so this law will be good for the climate and the European economy, said parliamentary rapporteur BasEickhout (Greens).
Possible bottlenecks in the skilled crafts
Peter Liese, climate policy spokesperson for the EPP Group, shares Eickhout’s view. However, he sees a need for improvement if recycled F-gases are not sufficient for the repair of existing refrigeration systems, for example at butchers or bakers. The Commission and Member States must make every effort to expand the recycling of F-gases, he demands. “If that is not enough, there is a review clause.” According to Liese, the trade sector is right to point out that the clause must be used if recycling does not provide sufficient F-gases for repair purposes.
This is also emphasized by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH): There should not be a de facto service and maintenance ban. “Converting a refrigeration system to natural refrigerants, as we know from practical experience, is simply impossible,” says ZDH Secretary General Holger Schwannecke. Skilled crafts businesses need investment security and protection of confidence for their existing systems. luk
Climate & Environment
Climate protection
F-Gase
F-gases
Fit for 55
Green Deal
Platform work: Radtke rejects new text
The European Parliament criticized the Belgian Council Presidency’s new negotiating text on the Platform Work Directive while EPP shadow rapporteur Dennis Radtke calls the proposal “unacceptable.” To Table.Media, Radtke justified this with the new exceptions to the reclassification of the self-employed as employees, which France in particular is pushing for.
“France is pushing for an exception that would allow collective agreements to undermine the determination of status. This would open the door to yellow unions,” criticized the CDU MP. Radtke warned that the directive would fail. “Unless everyone finally wakes up, we won’t be able to find asolution in this period. It would be a slap in the face for platform workers, but also cab drivers suffering under the status quo.”
Belgium tries to save dossier
S&D members have also appealed to the Belgian Council Presidency. SPD MEP Gabriele Bischoff told Table.Media that “an effective presumption rule is needed that prevents pseudo-self-employment and at the same time protects the freedom of choice of those who are actually self-employed.” At the end of last year, the French government entered into “an unholy alliance” with right-wing governments across Europe. This alliance aims to prevent a minimum level of protection for platform workers.
On December 22, the provisional political compromise between Parliament and the Member States failed in the Council. Time is now pressing to finalize the dossier before the European Parliament is dissolved. According to observers, the Belgians are treating the dossier as a top priority and are trying to reach an agreement before the European elections. This requires a strong mandate from the Council and then swift negotiations with the Parliament. On Tuesday, the working group on social issues discussed the new compromise text.
France has far-reaching concerns
But even in the Council, the new text, which is even more tailored to the skeptical states, is anything but a sure-fire success: according to people familiar with the matter, it was unclear on Tuesday whether France would even want to continue working with the amended text that has now been presented. Without Paris, it will be difficult to reach an agreement, as Germany has also abstained so far and is likely to continue to do so.
In a letter quoted by Euractiv shortly before the publication of the Belgians’ new proposal, France fundamentally criticized the trilogue compromise from December and called for a return as close as possible to the Council’s original mandate from June 2023. Among other things, Paris is concerned about the emergence of quasi-sham employees who would actually prefer to be self-employed. This is because Paris believes that the criteria for a presumption of employment were defined too broadly in the previous trilogue compromise and could therefore apply to too many people and almost all platforms.
The criteria that trigger a presumption of employment were and are one of the most controversial points of the text. The new compromise proposal from the Belgians restricts the scope of the criteria and allows exceptions under certain conditions if collective agreements are in force. However, it also stipulates that at least two out of five criteria must be met to trigger a presumption of employment. In June, the Council spoke out in favor of at least three out of seven criteria being met. In its position, the Parliament had dispensed with a minimum number altogether. lei
Socially responsible procurement: MEPs call for reform of the EU Public Procurement Directive
MEPs from several political groups spoke out in favor of a reform of the EU Public Procurement Directive during a questioning of the Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmitt, before the European Parliament (EP) on Monday evening. The current rules are not suitable for exploiting the potential of socially responsible procurement because legal uncertainties prevent public purchasers from demanding appropriate conditions such as the payment of collectively agreed wages from contractors.
Schmitt said that the current procurement regulations already gave public buyers more flexibility to use public procurement as a strategic tool. It would be desirable if even more awards could be based on quality criteria rather than just price in order to advance the green and social transformation. To this end, the EU institutions would have to think about how contracting authorities could incorporate such criteria more strongly into the awarding process so that public sector purchasers have more legal certainty.
Renew MEP Dragoş Pîslaru listed possible solutions from the perspective of the EP Committee on Employment and Social Affairs:
Public contracts should no longer be awarded without being bound by collective agreements.
It needs to be clarified that the promotion of collective agreements with corresponding requirements for awarding contracts does not violate EU law.
The consideration of social criteria must become mandatory.
However, nothing is likely to change in the EU procurement rules in the short term, as the Europeanelections will take place in June. Until then, the institutions will only be working on initiatives that have already been started. The German government, on the other hand, wants to finally pass the Federal Collective Bargaining Act in the course of this year, which will link contracts from federal authorities worth over €10,000 to compliance with collective agreements on the company side. nh
Öffentliche Beschaffung
BDI: We need more Europe – but the right way
The BDI wants Europe to take on more responsibility in the world. “We in Europe have no influence on the presidential election in the USA,” said BDI head Siegfried Russwurm at his association’s annual kick-off press conference in Berlin. However, Europe must deal with every scenario and it is not enough to worry. Rather, Europe must “prepare for a world in which we Europeans are more on our own.“
A lot depends on the election of the European Parliament, particularly for the economy and politics. “We need more Europe – but the right way,” said Russwurm. The economy needs a single market that allows the scaling of future-oriented industrial value creation due to its economies of scale.
Berlin should not hide when it comes to trade policy
Functioning trade relations are necessary to reduce dependencies. The EU has lost another year in this area, said Russwurm, referring to the announced agreements with Mercosur and Australia. “We are treading water – we in Germany and we in Europe.” However, Berlin should not hide behind the EU’s responsibility for trade policy: “Who in Brussels should push for a more open trade policy in Europe if not the largest exporter and at the same time the strongest economy in the Union?” asked Russwurm.
In the new legislature, the EU must succeed in combining the issues of transformation and economic competitiveness. It neither makes sense to question the transformation nor is it helpful to push it forward at all costs. “We suggest talking more with those affected and listening to their suggestions,” said Russwurm. “We want decarbonization, we want this change. But please, we also know what works and what doesn’t work.”
Say ‘no’ to supply chain law if necessary
Some things currently coming from Brussels Russwurm called “irritating.” For example, the legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI Act) or the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), on which nothing has been agreed in writing to date following the trilogue agreement. The CSDDD is based on unrealistic ideasthat impose unredeemable obligations on companies and cause serious damage, he said. “We are therefore urging the German government to introduce the strong voice of reason to the negotiations – and at the same time not to make any false compromises, but to say ‘no’ if necessary,” demanded Russwurm. vis
Heads
Marion Walsmann: supported by Europe into the super election year
Marion Walsmann is currently the only member of the EU Parliament from Thuringia. One of her most important topics is the expansion of the Weimar Triangle.
As a “child from behind the Iron Curtain,” Marion Walsmann made it into European politics. The only Member of the European Parliament for Thuringia was involved in the first round table on reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall. “That was pure democracy, without a safety-net and a double bottom,” says the CDU politician.
The importance of reunification for East Germany is largely undisputed today, but the importance of Europe is still often overlooked, says the 60-year-old. Unlike the neighboring countries in the East, the former GDR “became a member of the European Union as if by a gift” on the day of reunification. Personally, Walsmann established a connection to the European idea at an early age. Her grandfather was stranded in Heidelberg due to the war and thus in the FRG, her grandmother was Ukrainian, and she had often been to France with her parents. “All of this awakened a deep urge in me to do more for Europe,” says Walsmann. In the course of her political career, she did so as Minister for Europe in Thuringia and as Chair of the European Affairs Committee in the state parliament, among others.
Further development of the Weimar Triangle
One of Walsmann’s political concerns goes hand in hand with her biography: International Understanding – from West to East. One of her most important projects is the further development of the Weimar Triangle between Germany, France and Poland. Once forged by Dumont, Genscher and Skubiszewski in her home state as a plan for eastward expansion, this idea also has a future – especially after the positive outcome of the Polish parliamentary elections in October: “We rejoiced when Donald Tusk won the election because the Weimar Triangle regained meaning.”
One of Walsmann’s major goals in the upcoming legislative period was toelevate the Weimar Triangle format to the parliamentary level. If she makes it back into the European Parliament for Thuringia next year, she would like to continue on the path she has taken and intensify relations, because: “Such projects show the population that there is a benefit to this common, united Europe,” she says. This is also a decisive lever in the fight against right-wing populism.
Asylum compromise helps against AfD criticism
A lever that, according to Marion Walsmann, is urgently needed on the way to the big election year of 2024 in Thuringia. The European elections in June will be followed by state elections in September, for which the AfD is currently predicted to achieve election results of over 30 percent. To prevent the European elections in Thuringia from degenerating into an early state election, it is clear to the Erfurt native that she wants to talk to as many people as possible in order to “show them by example thatThuringia needs a progressive Europe and the European single market.” It is therefore important to show people the consequences of a growing right-wing front in the EU Parliament. For a federal state that generates two thirds of sales in the European single market, a further strengthening of the AfD would have serious consequences. “If the AfD implements its goals and closes the door to the single market, then that does it for us too,” she says.
Walsmann sees the fact that the European Union has now reached a compromise in the asylum dispute as a good sign ahead of next year’s elections. “The EU has thus prevented the AfD from gaining support in time,” she says. In the coming months, the 60-year-old wants to use people’s trust in her to create a basis for success. Jasper Bennink
Russia’s economy is prospering despite Western sanctions, and victory on the battlefield over Ukraine is only a matter of time: this impression has become increasingly entrenched in Europe in recent weeks and months. From Ursula von der Leyen’s point of view, this is, above all, propaganda from Moscow, which the West should counter more publicly.
The EU Commission President used her appearance at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday to contradict this. “Russia is failing in achieving its strategic goals,” she said in Davos. The armed forces had lost around half of their capabilities. The economy is cut off from Western technology. Russia had become dependent on China. “All of this tells us that Ukraine can win this war.” To do so, however, Kyiv needs predictable financial aid and more weapons.
Her decisive response to Russia’s attack earned von der Leyen a great deal of respect in European capitals and Washington. And, while doubts are spreading in Berlin and elsewhere, she is sticking to her course. There is little to suggest that the 65-year-old is tired of her job.
The deadline for member parties to nominate candidates wishing to stand for the post of future Commission President in the European elections on behalf of the EPP is 12 p.m. on February 21. By then, von der Leyen will have to come clean about whether she is seeking a second term in office. Only as the official lead candidate of the Christian Democrats could she shed the stigma attached to her because of the backroom deal when she was appointed in 2019. Then she would hardly have to fear any potential rivals when the EPP delegates elect their candidate at a congress on March 7.
Have a good start to the day!
Your Till Hoppe
Feature
102 open legislative proposals: emergency procedure to ensure adoption until the election
The political negotiations between the Council and Parliament (trilogue) on the 102 outstanding EU legislative procedures are due to be completed in just over three weeks, on February 9. Otherwise, there will not be enough time to finalize the legislative texts by the last week of the parliamentary session (22 to 25 April) before the European elections. The finalization of the texts – i.e. translation and final editing by the lawyer-linguists of both chambers – is a prerequisite for adoption in the Council and Parliament. The European elections will take place from June 6 to 9.
The political agreement (trilogue result) on the Commission’s legislative proposals must be adopted by a majority of MEPs in the last week of the parliamentary term at the latest. If the trilogue result is not adopted before the elections, the next European Parliament must pass the law.
No principle of discontinuity in the EU
The principle of discontinuity does not apply at the EU level, as it does in the Bundestag, for example. Negotiations on legislative proposals for which there is no political agreement therefore do not have to be completely reopened at the EU level after the elections. Rather, they can be incorporated in the new legislative period. This requires decisions by the new Commission and the new Parliament. However, there will be delays. Negotiations between the co-legislators will only start again as soon as the new Commission has taken office – i.e. in November at the earliest.
Some dossiers cannot be postponed. For example, the decision on financial aid for Ukraine. However, there is an emergency procedure to ensure that it can still be approved in Parliament once the deadline of February 9 has passed. The emergency solution is called the corrigendum procedure. This involves working only with the English-language version of the political agreement text. This then forms the basis for the vote in Parliament. The final editing by the lawyer-linguists and the translation into all official languages is then carried out later.
Conference of Committee Chairs meets after February 9
The finalization of the legislative texts in the corrigendum procedure is expected by autumn. It is currently impossible to predict which dossiers will be completed on time and which may be finalized in the corrigendum procedure. The Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC) intends to take stock after February 9 and decide which legislative procedures will then be given priority.
For the corrigendum procedure to be successful, a political agreement must be reached by the week of the session from March 11 to 14 at the latest. This is when the last trilogues of this parliamentary term must be completed. On March 12, the Conference of Committee Chairs will meet to take stock:
Which dossiers can still be presented to the plenary session in the last week of April?
Which legislative procedures will be handed over to the next European Parliament?
Maximum of 40 trilogues in parallel
The committee secretariats in the Council and Parliament as well as the translators and lawyer-linguists are currently working at full capacity. For capacity reasons, political negotiations between the Council and Parliament can only be conducted on a maximum of 40 dossiers in parallel. Five years ago, in the last six months before the European elections, the European Parliament had around the same number of pending legislative projects as it does now. However, according to reports, the legislative texts that need to be examined and translated are more extensive this time.
The Belgian Council Presidency announced that it is aiming to reach a political agreement on two legislative projects before the elections:
In both dossiers, acceptance will only become apparent in the corrigendum procedure.
The European Parliament wants a political agreement to be reached on the Net Zero Industry Act on February 6. The Belgian Council Presidency is also trying to reach an agreement on the emergency instrument. According to reports, it also wants to achieve a result on the Pesticides Regulation (SUR). The SUR was rejected by the Parliament.
Compromises on AI Act, Supply Chain Act and others have yet to be adopted
The co-legislators still have to accept the negotiated compromises:
Parliament threatens legal action over EU funds for Hungary
The dispute over the rule of law in Hungary and the handling of “frozen” funds from the EU budget is coming to a head. On Tuesday in Strasbourg, the European Parliament threatened to take the EU Commission to the European Court of Justice. Although the Parliament cannot take legal action itself, it can ask the Legal Affairs Committee to do so. The release of €10.2 billion, which the Commission announced immediately before the EU summit in December, was not carried out properly, according to a statement by the large political groups, which was also supported by the Left Group in the European Parliament.
The Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee should “take the necessary steps” for such an action “as soon as possible,” according to the draft, which will be put to the vote on Thursday. They have “serious concerns” about the legality of the Commission’s decision. At the same time, MEPs warn the authority against releasing even more funds to Hungary. This could trigger a vote of no confidence, according to the Liberals. In extreme cases, this could lead to the resignation of the Commission.
Accusation: von der Leyen allowed herself to be blackmailed
According to the lead MEP, Hungary has still not done its homework when it comes to the rule of law. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had allowed herself to be “blackmailed” by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, it was said immediately after the release of the EU billions. Orbán had previously announced that he would block the start of accession talks with Ukraine. After the funds were approved, however, he cleared the way. Many MPs suspect a direct connection.
There is a well-founded suspicion that von der Leyen bought Hungarian approval for the opening of accession negotiations with Ukraine, said Green MEP Daniel Freund. “The lawsuit against the EU Commission is the direct consequence of last December’s dirty deal,” Freund continued. “The signal to von der Leyen is clear: if she simply distributes billions of euros to evade Hungary’s vetoes, she won’t get away with it.”
‘Like being sold off in a winter sale’
FDP parliamentarian Moritz Körner expressed similar views. Von der Leyen had “sold off the rule of law in Hungary like a winter sale,” he criticized. The Parliament is not going along with this and will challenge her decision before the ECJ. “There must be no more discounts on the rule of law in the EU,” continued Körner. The liberal Renew group would also push for a motion of no confidence if the Commission were to release further funds.
The dispute is inconvenient for von der Leyen. She needs Orbán’s approval for a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine, which will be decided at a special summit on February 1. The positions had recently converged – now they could harden again. In addition, the CDU politician would have to rely on Orbán if she decides to run for a second term in office. Her critics in the European Parliament fear that EU funds could flow to Hungary again before then. eb/mgr
The environment and climate protection ministers of the EU member states have spoken out in favor of paying particular attention to social cohesion in the population when setting future climate targets. No one has called for less ambitious targets, emphasized Belgian Environment Minister Alain Maron. However, there was agreement that the transition would have to take place over the next decade and would need the support of the people.
The first informal Environment Council under the Belgian Council Presidency took place in Brussels on Monday and Tuesday. No decisions were made, but the ministers and their representatives exchanged views on the 2040 climate target over lunch. The EU Commission intends to present its proposal at the beginning of February – the authority is expected to propose a greenhouse gas reduction target of 90 percent by 2040 compared to 1990 levels. Denmark is the only member state to have already openly backed this target.
Which target the member states support was not discussed in Brussels this week, explained Maron. Instead, they discussed how to make the transition fair for people and successful for businesses.
German contribution of minus 91 percent?
Before the start of the Council meeting, Sven Giegold, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), announced an ambitious German contribution to the EU’s 2040 climate targets. The Federal Constitutional Court had set Germany a net reduction target of 91 percent by 2040. “This is also the benchmark by which we are looking at the European target, even if the German government has not yet quantified it,” said Giegold.
According to the BMWK, the net reduction target of 91 percent is based on calculations by the Öko-Institut and also includes the carbon reduction capacity of natural reservoirs such as forests or peatlands. The target for 2040 of at least 88 percent carbon reduction set out in the German Climate Protection Act is a gross target and includes the pure reduction of emissions.
The EU’s 2040 climate target is also expected to shape the next formal Environment Council meetings under the Belgian Presidency, on March 25 in Brussels and June 17 in Luxembourg. luk
EU-Klimaziel 2040
F-gases: EU Parliament adopts trilogue result
On Tuesday, the EU Parliament adopted stricter regulations to reduce emissions of highly climate-impacting fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) by a large majority. The trilogue agreement reached in October provides for the complete phase-out of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by 2050 and a gradual reduction via an EU consumption quota until then. Sectors in which a switch to alternatives is technologically and economically feasible, such as household refrigerators, air conditioning systems and heat pumps, will also be given deadlines for phasing out the use of F-gases. The aim is to save up to 40 million tons of carbon equivalents by 2030.
The industry reacted positively. “Climate protection and strengthening industry do not have to contradict each other, as this regulation shows,” comments Tim Holt, Member of the Managing Board at Siemens Energy. The ban on SF6 and alternative F-gases is a benefit for the climate, environment and health and at the same time an “important step for the industry, as it creates predictability for investments in manufacturing capacities and the sustainable expansion of the European electricity grid.”
European companies are already pioneers in the development of clean alternatives to F-gases, so this law will be good for the climate and the European economy, said parliamentary rapporteur BasEickhout (Greens).
Possible bottlenecks in the skilled crafts
Peter Liese, climate policy spokesperson for the EPP Group, shares Eickhout’s view. However, he sees a need for improvement if recycled F-gases are not sufficient for the repair of existing refrigeration systems, for example at butchers or bakers. The Commission and Member States must make every effort to expand the recycling of F-gases, he demands. “If that is not enough, there is a review clause.” According to Liese, the trade sector is right to point out that the clause must be used if recycling does not provide sufficient F-gases for repair purposes.
This is also emphasized by the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH): There should not be a de facto service and maintenance ban. “Converting a refrigeration system to natural refrigerants, as we know from practical experience, is simply impossible,” says ZDH Secretary General Holger Schwannecke. Skilled crafts businesses need investment security and protection of confidence for their existing systems. luk
Climate & Environment
Climate protection
F-Gase
F-gases
Fit for 55
Green Deal
Platform work: Radtke rejects new text
The European Parliament criticized the Belgian Council Presidency’s new negotiating text on the Platform Work Directive while EPP shadow rapporteur Dennis Radtke calls the proposal “unacceptable.” To Table.Media, Radtke justified this with the new exceptions to the reclassification of the self-employed as employees, which France in particular is pushing for.
“France is pushing for an exception that would allow collective agreements to undermine the determination of status. This would open the door to yellow unions,” criticized the CDU MP. Radtke warned that the directive would fail. “Unless everyone finally wakes up, we won’t be able to find asolution in this period. It would be a slap in the face for platform workers, but also cab drivers suffering under the status quo.”
Belgium tries to save dossier
S&D members have also appealed to the Belgian Council Presidency. SPD MEP Gabriele Bischoff told Table.Media that “an effective presumption rule is needed that prevents pseudo-self-employment and at the same time protects the freedom of choice of those who are actually self-employed.” At the end of last year, the French government entered into “an unholy alliance” with right-wing governments across Europe. This alliance aims to prevent a minimum level of protection for platform workers.
On December 22, the provisional political compromise between Parliament and the Member States failed in the Council. Time is now pressing to finalize the dossier before the European Parliament is dissolved. According to observers, the Belgians are treating the dossier as a top priority and are trying to reach an agreement before the European elections. This requires a strong mandate from the Council and then swift negotiations with the Parliament. On Tuesday, the working group on social issues discussed the new compromise text.
France has far-reaching concerns
But even in the Council, the new text, which is even more tailored to the skeptical states, is anything but a sure-fire success: according to people familiar with the matter, it was unclear on Tuesday whether France would even want to continue working with the amended text that has now been presented. Without Paris, it will be difficult to reach an agreement, as Germany has also abstained so far and is likely to continue to do so.
In a letter quoted by Euractiv shortly before the publication of the Belgians’ new proposal, France fundamentally criticized the trilogue compromise from December and called for a return as close as possible to the Council’s original mandate from June 2023. Among other things, Paris is concerned about the emergence of quasi-sham employees who would actually prefer to be self-employed. This is because Paris believes that the criteria for a presumption of employment were defined too broadly in the previous trilogue compromise and could therefore apply to too many people and almost all platforms.
The criteria that trigger a presumption of employment were and are one of the most controversial points of the text. The new compromise proposal from the Belgians restricts the scope of the criteria and allows exceptions under certain conditions if collective agreements are in force. However, it also stipulates that at least two out of five criteria must be met to trigger a presumption of employment. In June, the Council spoke out in favor of at least three out of seven criteria being met. In its position, the Parliament had dispensed with a minimum number altogether. lei
Socially responsible procurement: MEPs call for reform of the EU Public Procurement Directive
MEPs from several political groups spoke out in favor of a reform of the EU Public Procurement Directive during a questioning of the Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmitt, before the European Parliament (EP) on Monday evening. The current rules are not suitable for exploiting the potential of socially responsible procurement because legal uncertainties prevent public purchasers from demanding appropriate conditions such as the payment of collectively agreed wages from contractors.
Schmitt said that the current procurement regulations already gave public buyers more flexibility to use public procurement as a strategic tool. It would be desirable if even more awards could be based on quality criteria rather than just price in order to advance the green and social transformation. To this end, the EU institutions would have to think about how contracting authorities could incorporate such criteria more strongly into the awarding process so that public sector purchasers have more legal certainty.
Renew MEP Dragoş Pîslaru listed possible solutions from the perspective of the EP Committee on Employment and Social Affairs:
Public contracts should no longer be awarded without being bound by collective agreements.
It needs to be clarified that the promotion of collective agreements with corresponding requirements for awarding contracts does not violate EU law.
The consideration of social criteria must become mandatory.
However, nothing is likely to change in the EU procurement rules in the short term, as the Europeanelections will take place in June. Until then, the institutions will only be working on initiatives that have already been started. The German government, on the other hand, wants to finally pass the Federal Collective Bargaining Act in the course of this year, which will link contracts from federal authorities worth over €10,000 to compliance with collective agreements on the company side. nh
Öffentliche Beschaffung
BDI: We need more Europe – but the right way
The BDI wants Europe to take on more responsibility in the world. “We in Europe have no influence on the presidential election in the USA,” said BDI head Siegfried Russwurm at his association’s annual kick-off press conference in Berlin. However, Europe must deal with every scenario and it is not enough to worry. Rather, Europe must “prepare for a world in which we Europeans are more on our own.“
A lot depends on the election of the European Parliament, particularly for the economy and politics. “We need more Europe – but the right way,” said Russwurm. The economy needs a single market that allows the scaling of future-oriented industrial value creation due to its economies of scale.
Berlin should not hide when it comes to trade policy
Functioning trade relations are necessary to reduce dependencies. The EU has lost another year in this area, said Russwurm, referring to the announced agreements with Mercosur and Australia. “We are treading water – we in Germany and we in Europe.” However, Berlin should not hide behind the EU’s responsibility for trade policy: “Who in Brussels should push for a more open trade policy in Europe if not the largest exporter and at the same time the strongest economy in the Union?” asked Russwurm.
In the new legislature, the EU must succeed in combining the issues of transformation and economic competitiveness. It neither makes sense to question the transformation nor is it helpful to push it forward at all costs. “We suggest talking more with those affected and listening to their suggestions,” said Russwurm. “We want decarbonization, we want this change. But please, we also know what works and what doesn’t work.”
Say ‘no’ to supply chain law if necessary
Some things currently coming from Brussels Russwurm called “irritating.” For example, the legal framework for artificial intelligence (AI Act) or the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), on which nothing has been agreed in writing to date following the trilogue agreement. The CSDDD is based on unrealistic ideasthat impose unredeemable obligations on companies and cause serious damage, he said. “We are therefore urging the German government to introduce the strong voice of reason to the negotiations – and at the same time not to make any false compromises, but to say ‘no’ if necessary,” demanded Russwurm. vis
Heads
Marion Walsmann: supported by Europe into the super election year
Marion Walsmann is currently the only member of the EU Parliament from Thuringia. One of her most important topics is the expansion of the Weimar Triangle.
As a “child from behind the Iron Curtain,” Marion Walsmann made it into European politics. The only Member of the European Parliament for Thuringia was involved in the first round table on reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall. “That was pure democracy, without a safety-net and a double bottom,” says the CDU politician.
The importance of reunification for East Germany is largely undisputed today, but the importance of Europe is still often overlooked, says the 60-year-old. Unlike the neighboring countries in the East, the former GDR “became a member of the European Union as if by a gift” on the day of reunification. Personally, Walsmann established a connection to the European idea at an early age. Her grandfather was stranded in Heidelberg due to the war and thus in the FRG, her grandmother was Ukrainian, and she had often been to France with her parents. “All of this awakened a deep urge in me to do more for Europe,” says Walsmann. In the course of her political career, she did so as Minister for Europe in Thuringia and as Chair of the European Affairs Committee in the state parliament, among others.
Further development of the Weimar Triangle
One of Walsmann’s political concerns goes hand in hand with her biography: International Understanding – from West to East. One of her most important projects is the further development of the Weimar Triangle between Germany, France and Poland. Once forged by Dumont, Genscher and Skubiszewski in her home state as a plan for eastward expansion, this idea also has a future – especially after the positive outcome of the Polish parliamentary elections in October: “We rejoiced when Donald Tusk won the election because the Weimar Triangle regained meaning.”
One of Walsmann’s major goals in the upcoming legislative period was toelevate the Weimar Triangle format to the parliamentary level. If she makes it back into the European Parliament for Thuringia next year, she would like to continue on the path she has taken and intensify relations, because: “Such projects show the population that there is a benefit to this common, united Europe,” she says. This is also a decisive lever in the fight against right-wing populism.
Asylum compromise helps against AfD criticism
A lever that, according to Marion Walsmann, is urgently needed on the way to the big election year of 2024 in Thuringia. The European elections in June will be followed by state elections in September, for which the AfD is currently predicted to achieve election results of over 30 percent. To prevent the European elections in Thuringia from degenerating into an early state election, it is clear to the Erfurt native that she wants to talk to as many people as possible in order to “show them by example thatThuringia needs a progressive Europe and the European single market.” It is therefore important to show people the consequences of a growing right-wing front in the EU Parliament. For a federal state that generates two thirds of sales in the European single market, a further strengthening of the AfD would have serious consequences. “If the AfD implements its goals and closes the door to the single market, then that does it for us too,” she says.
Walsmann sees the fact that the European Union has now reached a compromise in the asylum dispute as a good sign ahead of next year’s elections. “The EU has thus prevented the AfD from gaining support in time,” she says. In the coming months, the 60-year-old wants to use people’s trust in her to create a basis for success. Jasper Bennink
