25Oct 2023 by Joost Mulder

EESC adopts Opinion on Environmental, Social and Governance ratings

On 25 October, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted a report by Krzysztof Balon on the transparency and integrity of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings, on which Better Europe’s senior consultant Yiorgos Vassalos acted as advisor to the rapporteur. In the report, the EESC recommends the adoption of minimum quality requirements for ESG ratings, such as the mandatory inclusion of the assessment of company impact on people and the environment (double materiality). It also proposes reinforcing the provisions against conflicts of interest, improved transparency by moving more information on the methodology of ratings to the public domain, and a lot more. The full EESC opinion was adopted in plenary with 166 votes in favour, 2 against, and 2 abstentions, and several Members of the European Parliament have integrated…

25Oct 2023 by Joost Mulder

EESC adopts Opinion on the Retail Investment Strategy proposals

Uncategorized

Just one day ahead of the European Parliament's deadline for amendments, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted a report from Kestutis Kupsys on the Commission's Retail Investment Strategy, on which Better Europe's director Joost Mulder acted as advisor to the rapporteur. In the report, the EESC recommends basic products to be extended to provide a benchmark for product manufacturers to do better; to increase training requirements for people selling financial products who often themselves do not fully understand the complex products they are selling, including on sustainability matters; to measure and disclose the actual sustainability impact of investments; to always offer a sustainable product in investment advice situations, with a default for the sustainable option, and much more. The full EESC opinion was adopted in plenary with 209 votes…

11Oct 2023 by Maja Bartczak

EU Friday – 11 October

EU Friday

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. ORBÁN'S SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT SPARKS CONFRONTATION WITH VON DER LEYEN During a tense Parliament plenary session on 9 October, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán outlined his priorities for Hungary's European Presidency which started in July, emphasizing stricter migration controls, energy cost management, and boosting competitiveness. He called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, as a military victory for Kyiv is unattainable in his view. While his rhetoric aimed to position Hungary as a stabilizing force, it drew immediate backlash from a large part of the hemicycle. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen challenged Orbán's stance, sharply criticizing his close relationship with Russia and accusing him of undermining EU solidarity in support of Ukraine. In a display of support, far-right MEPs rallied behind…

06Oct 2023 by Joost Mulder

The Spitzenkandidaten process – is there room for civil society?

News

In a bit more than a year from now, in early November 2024, the mandate of current von der Leyen Commission (2019-2024) will officially come to an end. A new Commission mandate will kick in and will last until 2029. While most senior Commission staffers will keep their positions, the political leadership of the European Union executive, the 27 Commissioners and their personal cabinets, is likely to go through significant changes, based on the results of the 2024 EU elections and shifts in national governments since the last EU elections in 2019. The Spitzenkandidaten process explained Ahead of European elections, European political parties appoint their lead candidates for the role of Commission President, with the expectation that the Presidency will go to the candidate capable of securing sufficient parliamentary support.…

04Oct 2023 by Maja Bartczak

EU Friday – 4 October

EU Friday

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. EUROPEAN COMMISSION HEARINGS: LET THE POWER GAMES BEGIN After von der Leyen’s proposal for a new Commission in September, the Parliament has started preparing for the hearings of the future Commissioners, expected to take place from 4 to 12 November in Brussels. The timetable for the three hour hearings was confirmed this week: the portfolio-related written questions will be submitted to the candidates by 10 October, with answers due by 22 October. This will allow MEPs to thoroughly scrutinize the Commissioners' qualifications, and best prepare their questions for the oral exam. The hearings will be a key political moment for the new Parliament, as it will be one of the few moments where MEPs can influence the Commission’s policy agenda of…