Newsletter of th e European So cial i st s in the C ommi tte e of the Re g i ons
NEWS OF THE PES GROUP IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
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FEATURES
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OTHER VOICES
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N ovember 2012
PLENARY SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (29 – 30 NOVEMBER 2012) 5 COR COMMISSIONS: WHAT'S NEW?
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AND NOW OVER TO PES MEMBERS
9 Dear friends,
NEWS OF THE PARTY OF EUROPEAN SOCIALISTS
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A LOOK AT SOME RECENT LOCAL AND REGIONAL ELECTIONS
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w w w. p e s . co r. e u ro p a . e u Published by | PES Group Secretariat Rue Belliard 101 | 1040 Brussels +32.2.282.22.23 | pes-group@cor.europa.eu
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hat was, and what is European integration all about? After the Nobel peace prize for the European Union, which will be handed over in a couple of days, and in the midst of one of the deepest crises of the EU since its beginnings, we are all asking this question with renewed urgency – because the citizens expect from us, their elected representatives, to provide them with the answers. Since it is clear that the European integration process is not going to happen by itself, but it requires commitment and energy, and maybe even sacrifices, we have to be able to explain to each other, why we are ready to engage in this endeavour. This is even more important because right now the impression is sometimes, that the European Union at best helps as to solve problems which we would not have without it. It is true, we do need quite quickly reinforced EU institutions so that we can finally coordinate our economic and budgetary policies, but also our labour market, social and tax policies to the degree necessary to solve the Euro-crisis, while ensuring social justice. The recent decisions on a banking union and on measures to fight youth unemployment are small, but important steps in this direction. Yet, these decisions are not an end in themselves. Even the Euro as a political project is not, as such, the 'goal' of the European Union; it is, and has always been, a means to another end. European integration is about trust as the basis for cooperation. Trust between countries, trust between the political leaderships in power, trust between people. Yet, trust cannot be imposed. It has to grow and it has to be nurtured. It requires again and again the concrete experience that you can talk to 'the others', even if you argue with them knowing that in the end, you will be able to find compromise solutions which we can all live
with because overtime, these compromises are better and more reliable than what competition and the subsequent mistrust would be as the alternative. This real-life cooperation has to be practised at all levels: at the local and regional level through direct contacts – not least in border regions – but also via the media, which bear great responsibility in this respect. The year 2013, which has been proclaimed "European Year of Citizens", is yet another opportunity to address these challenges. Even the political élites have to practise this experience of compromising again and again. This is why so much of the often lengthy negotiations to find compromises, which happen on a daily basis in the 'oh-so-distant' Brussels arena, is indispensable to reach a truly united Europe. This is also why one should not refer to these compromises in derogatory or alarmist terms in the national context, just because the 'public opinion' seems to like Brussels-bashing. Only thanks to the persistent work on these innumerable and never-ending compromises, was Europe able to make a fresh start after the World War II, and only through them could the European Union become the peace-structure, which has served as a model worldwide. If we want it to carry on this way, we have to continue everywhere to build this Union stepby-step: at the local, the regional and the national level. Because only through these steps can mutual trust be maintained, without which Europe has no future at all.
With social-democratic greetings,
Karl-Heinz Lambertz President of the PES Group in the CoR
NEWS OF THE PES GROUP IN THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS development: Mitigate, educate, participate. Uli Paetzel, the Social Democrat Mayor of the city of Herten (Germany), presented Herten’s “Urban Development concept 2020”, which is aimed at combining industrial regeneration with sustainability and climate change mitigation. PES Group member Henning Jensen, member of the municipal council of Næstved (Denmark) and former CoR rapporteur on sustainability issues, was also a key speaker. The fifth edition of the PES Group photo competition for Europeans aged 18-108 under the title “Life 2.0 – Ready for a new start” will conclude with the award of the prizes for the winning photos on 29 November, during the Group’s meeting ahead of the CoR plenary session. Inspired by the theme of the 2012 European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, the competition brought together some 350 entries by amateur photographers, who illustrated the way they perceive senior citizens taking an active part in society and developing their potential. The jury, presided by PES Group member Alain Hutchinson, has selected three photos; and the winners will be awarded the following prizes:
1st P Prize
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ithin the framework of this year’s CoR Open Days, the PES Group held on 10 October a workshop on Youth (un) employment: Exploring solutions that work. The aim was to present some solutions which have been successfully implemented at regional and local level in bringing young people into work and giving them a prospect. The good practices focused on the school-towork transition, the creation of quality jobs with the help of EU funds, and the promotion of innovation and youth entrepreneurship. PES Group President Karl-Heinz Lambertz, Group members Christian Illedits, Member of the Burgenland Parliament (Austria), and Stavros Arnaoutakis, President of the Region of Crete (Greece), as well as Tuscany’s Minister for agriculture, Gianni Salvadori, were among the key speakers. The debates were moderated by Kaisa Penny, President of ECOSY - Young European Socialists. It is worth reminding that the workshop theme ties in with this year’s policy campaign of the Party of European Socialists (PES), calling for a European Youth Guarantee as a means of boosting youth employment.
Daniele Francavillese, 26 years, Pescara, Italy Wins a trip to 2 European cities and a tablet computer
2nd P Prize Nadia Carminati, 25 years, Albino, Italy Wins a trip to 1 European city and a tablet computer
3rd Prize Carole Viaene, 24 years, Ghent, Belgium Wins a tablet computer
In cooperation with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), the PES Group organised on 21 November their last lunch-time debate for 2012, dedicated to Progressive urban
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Further information on our activities is available on the website of the PES Group: www.pes.cor.europa.eu. You can also connect with us on the social media such as our Facebook page facebook.com/pesgroupcor and follow @pesgroupcor on twitter.
FEATURES
Key PES Group positions 2012-2014 The start of the second half of the 5th CoR term of office has brought changes to the key positions held by members of the PES Group within the Group but also in the various CoR bodies.
The PES Group reconfirmed its Executive in the following positions:
To start with, Mercedes Bresso, Councillor of the Piedmont Region, Italy and former CoR President, is now the First Vice-President of the Institution.
Karl-Heinz Lambertz
Sir Albert Bore
(Minister-President of the German-speaking Community of Belgium): President of the PES Group, also in charge of Social Europe
(Leader of Birmingham City Council, UK): VicePresident, responsible for the follow-up of political
Catiuscia Marini
Apostolos Katsifaras
(President of the Umbria Region, Italy): 1st Vice-President, responsible for Cohesion Policy
(President of the Region of Western Greece): VicePresident, responsible for Sustainable Development
Claudette Abela Baldacchino
Yoomi Renström
(Deputy Mayor of Qrendi, Malta): Vice-President, responsible for Media and Communication
(Member of Ovanåker Municipal Council, Sweden): Vice-President, responsible for Education and Culture
Per Bødker Andersen
Leszek SWIETALSKI
(Deputy Mayor of Kolding, Denmark): Vice-President, responsible for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy
(Mayor of Stare Bogaczowice, Poland): Treasurer.
Concerning the CoR commissions, the PES Group now holds 2 presidencies, 4 first vice-presidencies and two second vice-presidencies. The PES Group also holds the presidencies of one Working Group and one Joint Consultative Committee. Commission for Citizenship, Governance, Institutional and External Affairs (CIVEX) 2nd Vice-Chair: Martina Michels, Member of the Berlin House of Representatives, Germany
Chair: Ant onio Costa, Mayor of Lisbon, Portugal
PES Group Coordinator: Lotta Hakansson Harju, Member of Järfälla Municipal Council, Sweden
Commission for Territorial Cohesion Policy (COTER) 1st Vice-Chair: Petr Osvald, Councillor of Plzeň, Czech Republic
PES Group Coordinator: Sir Albert Bore, Leader of Birmingham City Council, UK
Commission for Economic and Social Policy (ECOS) 1st Vice-Chair: Christine Chapman, member of the National Assembly of Wales, UK
PES Group Coordinator: Henk Kool, Vice-Mayor of The Hague, The Netherlands
Commission for Education, Youth, Culture and Researh (EDUC) st
1 Vice-Chair: Jean-François Istasse, Member of the Parliament of the French-speaking Community, Belgium
2nd Vice-Chair: Henning Jensen, Town Councillor of the municipality of Næstved, Denmark
PES Group Coordinator: Yoomi Renström, Member of Ovanåker Municipal Council, Sweden
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Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) 1st Vice-Chair: Mircea Cosma, President of Prahova County Council, Romania
PES Group Coordinator: Neil Swannick, Member of Manchester City Council, UK
Commission for Natural Resources (NAT) Chair: René Souchon, President of Auvergne Regional Council, France
Committee for Financial and Administrative Affairs (CFAA)
PES Group Coordinator: Michael Cohen, Mayor of Kalkara, Malta
Working Group on Western Balkans
1st Vice-Chair: Gabor Bihary, Member of Budapest General Assembly, Hungary
Chair: Mia De Vits, Member of the Flemish Parliament, Belgium
Joint Consultative Committee with Iceland Chair: Eva Quante-Brandt, State Councillor, Member of the Senate of the Hanseatic City of Bremen, Germany
Gender Balance With 25.5% of women (56 out of 221 members), the PES Group has the highest female participation amongst the 4 political groups in the CoR. Gender balance is a top priority and national delegations are encouraged to improve internal gender balance during the negotiations leading to Member States' proposals for appointments of CoR members by the Council.
OTHER VOICES
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Interview with Conny Reuter, Secretary General of SOLIDAR On 23 October, the European Commission presented its work programme for 2013. Earlier speeches by Commission President Barroso had given the impression that, unlike Council President van Rompuy, he could see the need for greater focus on the social impact of the crisis. In his State of the Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in September, he even called for “new thinking”, raising interest and expectations. But has the EU’s social dimension really been taken up in the Commission’s Work Programme?
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The priorities set out in the Commission Work Programme clearly tell a different story: “genuine economic and monetary union”, “single market and industrial policy”, “tomorrow’s networks in telecoms, energy and transport”, “better use of Europe’s resources”, “safe and secure Europe”. In the end nothing really new in the West! In recent decades, priority has always been given to economic and monetary union. The completion of the internal market has also always been at the top of the agenda. The Commission Work Programme still conveys the belief that social union is to be the last step, even though rising unemployment rates as well as increasing numbers of working poor and people living in poverty and extreme poverty speak another language.
the social impact of the crisis has been taken into account and to what extent the famous countryspecific recommendations and agreements to be negotiated by the Union and the Member States give priority to inclusive growth and the social objectives of Europe 2020.
On the employment and social cohesion side, the Commission Work Programme focuses on “harnessing social investment for inclusive growth, through guidance for policy reforms identified in the framework of the European semester, supported by EU funds such as the European Social Fund.” Yes, this would be the right approach, if those reforms did not partially undermine the social safety net and if the European Social Fund (ESF) remained at 25% of cohesion policy funding, with some 20% earmarked for active inclusion and based on a genuine partnership principle including NGOs.
We call for: 1. A commitment to social investment. 2. Making budgetary choices allowing investment in quality job creation. 3. Sticking to the social objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy and referring to the social clauses of the Treaty. 4. Recognising the particular role of the social economy as a driver for sustainable growth and job creation.
The moment of truth will come with the next Annual Growth Survey, when we will see how far
“Social protection and social investment should be more effective”: yes! And this means moving away from the policy of austerity and shifting the focus beyond European Monetary Union (EMU), fiscal or economic union. Social progress can only be made with other policies, which have to be in line with the social clauses of the treaty, the Council conclusions and the Europe 2020 Strategy and cannot come after other forms of “union”.
Policies must serve the people, above all the most vulnerable. In this sense, the commitment to a youth guarantee is a concrete step which must not be watered down, whether by the Commission or the Council!
Plenary session of the Committee of the Regions (29 – 30 November 2012) The November plenary session will examine 13 draft opinions, 6 of which by PES rapporteurs. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, will present to the CoR the Commission’s Legislative and Work Programme for 2013. Like every year, the CoR will adopt a resolution on the issue. CoR members will also adopt a resolution on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 20142020, based on the outcome of the extraordinary European Council of 22-23 November.
OPINIONS IN BRIEF:
Posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services: Alain Hutchinson (PES/Belgium)
regulation on social rights in the EU (Monti II regulation) – which had been presented as part of a package together with the revised Directive on the Posting of Workers. His draft opinion was adopted by an overwhelming majority in the CoR's ECOS commission (Read also interviews, p. 10).
Statute for a European Foundation:
that is: to increase the minimum level of assets required at the point when FEs are created and throughout their existence to 50,000 euro; to limit their economic activities to those that are closely linked with their public interest tasks; to provide more specific governance rules, in line with their not-for-profit nature; and to define the concept of conflict of interest (Read also interviews, p. 10).
Claudette Brunet-Lechenault (PES/France)
EU state aid modernisation: Clemens Lindemann (PES/Germany)
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he draft opinion of the member of Brussels Capital Regional Parliament proposes specific amendments to the relevant European Commission's proposal for a revised directive which aim to: move the legal basis of the directive away from the provision of services towards social rights, as set out in the Lisbon Treaty; widen the application of the directive to include all situations that involve secondments, including workers seconded to the EU from third countries; set a limited number of sub-contracting levels for seconded workers, thereby reducing the risk of violation of the legal provisions; include a non-regression clause in the text to ensure that the highest levels of protection of workers established at national level are not compromised by the transposition of the directive in individual Member States; strengthen the role of social partners in the application of legislation, including the role of workers' representatives; and last but not least, recognise the territorial dimension of the posting of workers more effectively through greater cooperation between the public authorities of individual EU Member States, particularly in the case of border regions. The rapporteur also welcomes the European Commission's decision to withdraw the controversial proposal for a
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he draft opinion of the Vice-President of the Saône et Loire General Council responds to a proposal for a Council regulation on the Statute for a European Foundation (FE), which will have legal personality and legal capacity in all Member State. This draft opinion is to be put into the broader picture of the PES priority to contribute to securing the social economy in the internal market. It is therefore not a coincidence that EP rapporteur is the Austrian Social-Democrat Evelyn Regner; and the cooperation between the two rapporteurs on this dossier will reinforce the synergies between the two institutions and guarantee a follow-up in the further interinstitutional negotiations. The new Statute for a European Foundation will allow foundations to carry out cross-border and transnational public benefit activities in an easier and less costly way. The rapporteur welcomes the creation of FEs, stressing however that they should be provided with enhanced legal certainty and transparency. To this end, she proposes a series of concrete amendments,
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COS members adopted unanimously the draft opinion of the Head of the Saarpfalz County which will submitted to the plenary under the simplified procedure (Read more under ECOS commission, p.8, and Interviews, p.10).
A Bioeconomy for Europe: Rogier: Rogier van der Sande (ALDE/ Netherlands)
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he draft opinion of the member of the Executive Council of the Province of Zuid-Holland was adopted unanimously by the EDUC commission and will be presented to the plenary under the simplified procedure (Read more under EDUC, p.8).
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7th Environment Action Programme:
under the simplified procedure (Read more under COTER commission, p. 8).
Nilgun Canver (PES/UK)
Common Strategic Framework: Marek Wozniak (EPP/Poland)
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he draft opinion of the Councillor of London Borough of Haringey responds to a European Commission communication on the difficult question of how to improve the implementation of EU law, with a view to the elaboration of the 7th European Action Programme, due to be adopted at the end of 2012. The communication recognises the key role of dialogue with governments and stakeholders in achieving better implementation of EU law, in particular through a more systematic approach to collecting and sharing data and knowledge, and by enhancing local responsiveness to environmental problems. In her draft opinion, the rapporteur calls for greater local and regional participation throughout the process of formulating, transposing and evaluating EU legislation. She also urges the European Commission to come forward with an EU framework for environmental inspections and surveillance, which could also be supported by the input from the local and regional level, and assisted by the European Environmental Agency (EEA). A key challenge, according to the CoR opinion, is improving the dissemination and accessibility of environment- and implementation-related information, which would allow for an earlier identification of environmental problems both by local or regional authorities, and by the public at large. At ENVE commission level, the draft opinion was adopted by overwhelming majority, including a number of amendments which the rapporteur supported or suggested compromises on. Given the large base of support, the adoption of the opinion in plenary should pass smoothly (Read also interviews, p. 10).
Code of conduct on partnership: Stanislaw Szwabski (EA/Poland)
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he draft opinion of the Chairman of the municipality of Gdynia was adopted unanimously by the COTER commission and will be submitted for adoption in plenary
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he European Commission published on 11 September a modified proposal for the general regulation including the Common Strategic Framework (CSF), which takes into account the outcome of the vote in the European parliament's REGI Committee as well as latest Council discussions on the topic. The initial CoR draft opinion, which was foreseen for adoption by the October plenary session, needed therefore to be reviewed. The Common Strategic Framework aims at setting strategic investment priorities for the 2014-2020 financial planning period for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Cohesion Fund (CF), the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). Although all five funds have a strong territorial dimension, decentralised management does not apply to all of them. The rapporteur welcomes the CSF as a step forward in terms of coordinating Community policies and achieving best possible results in their joint implementation. However, the rapporteur seems to focus exclusively on the implementation of the Europe 2020 objectives, which PES amendments in plenary will try to balance.
opportunity to re-state the CoR's views in the hope to relaunch the debate on this important issue which, for political reasons, has been stalled. In fact, the legislative proposal for a soil framework directive has been blocked in the Council of ministers for a number of years. In his draft report, the rapporteur highlights that local and regional authorities can contribute to the implementation of the Strategy's four pillars by: raising awareness and providing information to the citizens; promoting good practices in the field of research; monitoring soil quality; or feeding into the European Soil Data Centre and strengthening links with other environmental policy goals at EU level, notably climate change. The rapporteur also stresses that soil quality is a European problem which requires European solutions. To address the large variety of soil problems - including pollution, erosion and soil sealing - any European framework must allow for tailor-made regional or local approaches on soil protection, which can also be improved by exchanges of good practice. In the ENVE commission, there was a lively debate between those in favour of EU legislation on soil and those against, often reflecting different national positions in the Council. The rapporteur succeeded in bringing a majority behind his proposal for a differentiated European level legal framework for soil protection. Nevertheless, it is likely that this debate will still return in the plenary session (Read also interviews, p. 11).
European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) 2020-2033: Elisabeth Vitouch (PSE/Austria)
Implementation of the Soil Thematic Strategy: Corry Mc Chord (PES/UK)
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he draft opinion of the member of Stirling Council takes as its basis a European Commission report, which provides an overview of the actions undertaken to implement the four pillars of the Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection. Even though the CoR does not normally deliver opinions on European Commission reports, the ENVE commission deemed it appropriate to use this
he draft opinion of the member of the Vienna City Council responds to a European Commission proposal for a decision, which ensures the continuation of the ECoC initiative beyond 2019 (when the current scheme will end) and lists the order of countries to nominate cities candidate for the title up to 2033. As the competition for the title is launched six years in advance, the decision on the new cycle has to be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2013. The new proposal has the same structure as the current one but is more explicit with regard to the selection criteria, with greater focus on the leverage effect of the initiative for long-term growth and urban development, as well as on the European dimension of the event. Due to a tight inter-institutional calendar, Elisabeth Vitouch, representative of the CoR within the selection panel for the ECoC, was appointed rapporteur-general and therefore,
her opinion will be submitted directly to the CoR plenary. The draft opinion, which builds on the relevant CoR own-initiative opinion of new EDUC Chair Anton Rombouts (EPP/ Netherlands), adopted in February 2012, proposes concrete legislative amendments to the Directive, opposing an increasingly technocratic view imposed by the European Commission on the composition of the selection panel. The rapporteur reiterates the CoR's previous call also for elected members to be appointed on the panel and strongly objects to the annual replacement of the only CoR representative, proposed by the Commission so that not all members of the panel are replaced simultaneously. Moreover, Elisabeth Vitouch emits serious doubts as to the pertinence of the pre-selection of potential panel members by the European Commission alone. Furthermore, she calls for more year slots to be reserved to candidate, potential candidate but also Eastern Partnership countries. Last but not least, the draft opinion calls for greater emphasis on the accessibility of ECoC activities to people with disabilities and the elderly (Read also Interview, p.9).
Community-led local government (CLLG): Graham Garvie (ALDE/UK)
is a multi-purpose instrument focused on the local community, and as such, its diverse nature and challenges will extend well beyond. The COTER commission adopted the amendments put forward by PES member Jean-Paul Denanot, which stress the need to tackle specific local and regional needs through CLLD while reinforcing the "urbanrural" link. The draft opinion was adopted by majority.
A European Consumer Agenda: Spyros Spyridon (EPP/Greece)
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n its communication on a European consumer agenda, the European Commission aims at restoring confidence in the European economy by enhancing consumer empowerment and creating policy synergies. To achieve durable results, a determined commitment by the whole chain of actors implementing this Consumer Agenda is needed. The relevant CoR draft opinion, elaborated by the Councillor of the Region of Attica, underlines that local and regional authorities need to be equipped with the right tools in order to best defend consumer rights. To this end, the rapporteur proposes that resources from the Structural Funds should be used in order to implement the agenda. He also places particular emphasis on the need for close cooperation between European, national, regional and local authorities in implementing the measures. However, his thematic focus is far too concentrated on specific policy areas, such as electronic and internet security for marketing. The opinion has been adopted by a majority in the NAT commission.
The European innovation partnership: Anne Bliek - de Jong (ALDE/Netherlands)
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he own-initiative draft opinion by the Member of Scottish Borders Council refers to one of the new tools proposed by the General Regulation on 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy, aimed at facilitating the implementation of integrated local development strategies and the formation of local action groups. The rapporteur welcomes this new tool and highlights its potential in creating synergies between the structural funds at delivery level, thus boosting the overall credibility of an integrated cohesion policy. The CLLG approach is referred as the best practical example of what the subsidiary principle means at local level, and how it will help to increase public ownership and awareness of EU supported actions on the ground. However, the rapporteur is critical of placing CLLD only under the thematic objective "social inclusion", stressing that it
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he draft opinion of the Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Flevoland responds to a European Commission communication on the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) 'Agricultural productivity and sustainability'. This new concept, introduced by the Europe 2020 flagship initiative Innovation Union, aims at providing a working interface between agriculture, bio-economy, science and other policies at EU, national, regional and local level. The rapporteur proposes an ambitious draft opinion which, among others, insists on: obliging Member States to integrate the EIP cross-sectoral objectives in the Partnership Contract; favouring bottomup SME innovation initiatives over industry initiatives; and encouraging Member States to spend a minimum of 25% of the total contribution from the European Agricultural
Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) on fostering knowledge transfer and innovation in agriculture, forestry, and rural areas.
Priority substances in the field of water policy: Urve Erikson (EA/Estonia)
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he European Commission proposal for a directive aims at revising Annex X of the EU Water Framework Directive, by adding a list of 15 additional chemical substances to the list of pollutants that are already monitored and controlled in EU surface waters. The draft opinion of the Member of Tudulinna Municipality Council generally welcomes the European Commission approach and shares the view that preventing lasting damage to water must be a key concern of EU environmental policy. She underlines that regional and local authorities can play an important role in providing information on the issue, and they should therefore be better involved in the implementation of the directive. The repporteur also welcomes the European Commission's view that standards for monitoring chemicals must be implemented not only at national level, but also at local and river-basin level. Moreover, she supports the Commission's approach, according to which causes of pollution need to be identified and tackled at source. In the legislative amendments which the opinion proposes to the draft directive, the CoR opinion argues for longer transition periods for the addition of the new substances, and stresses the important role of cooperation between regions in monitoring them. During the ENVE debate, a number of amendments seeking to reject the very idea behind the Commission's proposals were defeated by a large majority. The proponents had put into doubt the scientific evidence and the overall feasibility of monitoring the substances in question. Against this, a number of amendments tabled by PES members were adopted with the support of the rapporteur. It is possible that this debate is repeated in the CoR plenary.
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CoR Commissions: What's new? CIVEX (24 September, Brussels)
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IVEX members had an exchange of views on the working document on the Promotion of EU citizens’ electoral rights by György Gémesi, Mayor of Gödöllő (EPP/Hungary), which lists some key points aimed at raising general awareness of EU citizens who are non-nationals of the country they live in, about their electoral rights and at increasing the level of participation. PES Group shadow rapporteur Holger Poppenhäger intervened in the debate, highlighting the need to discuss not just the issue of mobilising citizens in general, but also the possibility of extending the voting rights of EU nationals to regional elections.
Furthermore, the CIVEX commission held a debate on the working document on the EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings 2012–2016 by Jelena Drenjanin (EPP/ Sweden). Both working documents will form the basis of opinions to be discussed and adopted at the December CIVEX commission meeting. Finally, the ENVE commission appointed outgoing ENVE president and PES member Ilmar Reepalu as rapporteur on the ‘smart cities’ communication.
COTER (26 September, Brussels)
The draft opinion of the Chair of the municipality of Gdynia responds to a European Commission staff working document, which aims at defining the modalities of the partnership principle one of the fundamental principles of cohesion policy - in the implementation of the funds covered by the Common Strategic Framework. The rapporteur stresses that partnership is an essential prerequisite for enhancing the efficiency of cohesion policy, allowing for the adaptation of EU strategic guidelines to local and regional challenges. Therefore, he requests that local and regional authorities be fully involved in preparing partnership contacts between the European Commission and the Member States, as well as in defining and implementing regional policy investment priorities. Stanislaw Szwabski underlines that Member States’ obligations in relation to guaranteeing such partnerships should be spelt out in greater detail. At COTER commission level, a series of amendments tabled by PES Coordinator Albert Bore were adopted.
market and which would reduce the burden of all levels of government; to clarify the criterion of impact on cross-border trade and the concept of enterprise; to raise the de minimis threshold, below which public aid is not subject to state aid control, to € 500,000 over a 3-year period (the European Commission proposes only € 200,000 over 3 years); and, last but not least, to exempt the social, cultural and educational sectors and noneconomic services of general interest from the realm of controls on state aid. Attempts to keep the current de minimis ceiling were defeated and the draft opinion was warmly welcomed by ECOS members (Read also Interviews, p. 10). ECOS members also adopted by majority the draft opinion on Posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services and on a Statute for a European Foundation by PES members Alain Hutchinson (Belgium) and Claudette Brunet-Lechenault (France) respectively (Read more under Plenary, p. p 10). 5, and Interviews, p.
PES amendments deplored the Council decision to remove the Code of Conduct from the negotiation box, thus ignoring the positions taken by the European Parliament and the CoR, which continues defending the need of such an instrument within the 2014-2020 programming period. Furthermore, COTER members adopted by majority the opinion on Community-Led Local Development by Graham Garvie (ALDE/UK) (Read more under Plenary, p.7). The COTER commission also held a general exploratory debate on the draft opinion on the Common Strategic Framework, by Marek Wozniak (EPP/Poland) (Read more under plenary, p. 8). They also had an exchange of views on the Outermost regions of the EU in the light of the Europe 2020 strategy, by Malcolm Mifsud, Mayor of Pietá (EPP/Malta). Finally, PES Group member Jean-Paul Denanot, President of Limousin Regional Council (France) was appointed as rapporteur for the draft opinion on Regional state aid guidelines.
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Furthermore, the PES Group obtained the rapporteurship on the Review of the industrial policy, a key dossier, which will update one of the flagship initiatives of the European Commission. The relevant CoR opinion will be drafted by Claude Gewerc, President of Picardy Regional Council (France), thus ensuring that an appropriate follow-up is given to the PES Group meeting held in Rijeka in September, which was dedicated to industrial policy.
EDUC (27 September 2012, Brussels)
ECOS (19 September, Brussels)
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OTER members adopted unanimously the draft opinion on the Code of Conduct on Partnership, by Stanislaw Szwabski (EA/Poland).
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The ECOS commission adopted unanimously the draft opinion on EU state aid modernisation by Clemens Lindemann, President of the County Saarpfalz (PES/Germany). The draft opinion responds to the European Commission’s first proposals on the revision of EU state aid legislation, aimed at simplifying the existing rules and limiting competition distortion in the internal market, and thereby promoting sustainable growth. In his draft opinion, the PES rapporteur puts forward a set of key requests, namely: to provide clearer and more flexible guidelines for regional and local authorities; to concentrate on state aid cases with the biggest impact on the internal
The September meeting was marked by the election - for the second half of the CoR’s 5th term of office - of the new EDUC Chair, Anton Rombouts (EPP/Netherlands), and the unanimous adoption of the draft opinion by Rogier van der Sande (ALDE/Netherlands) on A Bioeconomy for Europe. The draft opinion responds to the European Commission's strategy to shift the European economy towards greater and more sustainable use of renewable resources, adopting a crosssectoral and inter-disciplinary approach. This is one of the operational proposals under the
Innovation Union and Resource–efficient Europe flagship initiatives of the Europe 2020 strategy. The bioeconomy uses biological resources from the land and sea, as well as waste (e.g. bio-waste), as inputs to food and feed, industrial and energy production. With an annual turnover of nearly €2 trillion, EU bioeconomy employs over 22 million people, that is, 9% of total employment in the EU. It is estimated that each euro invested in EUfunded bioeconomy research and innovation will trigger €10 of value added in bioeconomy sectors by 2025. The CoR rapporteur calls on the European Commission to develop an integrated approach to the bioeconomy, based on a multi-fund strategy at both the regional and the European level and involving several EU policies such as Horizon 2020, Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU Energy Policy. He also calls for further development of the Bioeconomy Strategy, using a Triple Helix structure (businesses, research institutes and LRAs), giving the possibility to regions to determine their own direction concerning the bioeconomy and Smart Specialisation Strategy. The PES Group won all the amendments aimed at removing from the text neo-liberal positions, which seriously undermined the primary role of agriculture
as a food supplier and called for the lifting of all barriers to the import of resources such as ethanol, thus threatening both jobs and investments made in the EU in bioethanol production. The PES Group also won a critical amendment that made the ALDE rapporteur take out of his draft opinion criticisms towards the EU trade policy and his request for feedstocks to be available without quotas at global market prices, which would inevitably lead to more speculation on foodstuffs.
ENVE (20-21 September, Pescara, Italy) The ENVE commission adopted by majority two draft opinions by PES rapporteurs Nilgun Canver (UK) and Corrie Mc Chord (UK) on the 7th Environment Action Programme and the Implementation of the Soil Thematic Strategy respectively.
Furthermore, ENVE members had an exchange of views on the working document on Renewable energy: a major player in the European energy market by Witold Stepien (EPP/Poland). Before the ENVE meeting, members participated in a conference on Promoting synergies between biodiversity protection and regional development, which showcased best practices in ecosystem management and biodiversity protection in national and regional parks, and presented strategies which regions have adopted to manage their protected areas.
NAT (1 October, Brussels) The NAT commission adopted by majority two draft opinions by Spyros Spyridon (EPP/Greece) and Anne Bliek - de Jong (ALDE/Netherlands) on the European consumer agenda and the European innovation partnership respectively (Read more under plenary, p. 7).
They also adopted, after a controversial debate, the opinion on Priority substances in the field of water policy by Urve Erikson (EA/Estonia) (Read more under Plenary, pp. 5-6, and Interviews pp. 10-11).
AND NOW OVER TO PES MEMBERS
Elililisab El sabeth th Vi th Vitou t ch h
You represented the CoR on the panel selecting the European Capital of Culture. What in your opinion are the biggest difficulties which local and regional authorities come up against when planning and carrying out the activities involved in being a European Capital of Culture? Elisabeth Vitouch, Member of Vienna City Council (Austria) As CoR member of the seven-strong European panel for the Capitals of Culture, I noticed again and again, as did my colleagues from the Parliament, Council and Commission, that there were problems with the term “European Dimension”. Mostly, this requirement is just interpreted as contact with a partner town or as an excuse for holding internationally renowned “ready-made” events. However, the idea behind it is in fact that there should be a combination of traditional cultural heritage and new creative achievements at a high level, with lasting contacts between artists and the public - in the sense of
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life-long learning and in the spirit of peaceful coexistence, with social inclusion of the old and the young, minorities and underprivileged groups. In these financially (and often politically) precarious times, it is becoming increasingly difficult, especially for smaller towns, to set up sophisticated cultural programmes which offer the public information, entertainment and participation each and every day of the year. It is therefore absolutely essential to involve surrounding and neighbouring areas, as was the case when Essen/Ruhr (Germany) became Capital of Culture in 2010. In addition, the five-year preparation time is quite long; things can change both politically and financially over such a long period of time. In this respect, the fact of the Council naming a city Capital of Culture secures more support from the Member State concerned. Since funding is to a great extent incumbent upon the cities themselves (aside from the 1.5 million euros from the Melina Mercouri prize, which the Commission only awards to cities where preparations are especially successful) the structural and regional funding available plays a key role. Cities, whose cultural budget is often quite modest and therefore overstretched, would otherwise easily run into serious financial difficulties, causing them problems for years to come.
for the trees. We still have our work cut out to get a better proposal for a new directive because it has serious shortcomings, which could spark outrage among workers and the general public once the media find out about them during the final stages of the legislative process. That’s why I’m going to fight for legislative amendments to prevent companies being set up in Member States where they have no real activities just to bypass working conditions in host countries. I will also be calling for penalties for noncompliance and for shared responsibility in order to limit the number of levels of subcontracting and the associated risk of abuse. What gives me strength to fight beyond the adoption of our opinion by the CoR plenary session is the very good cooperation we have already established on this subject with the European Parliament’s S&D Group, and especially our friends Stephen Hughes, Alejandro Cercas and Ole Christensen. We will join forces with them!
What do local and regional authorities stand to gain from a statute for European foundations? Claudette Brunet-Lechenaut, vice-president of Saône et Loire General Council (France):
The European Commission was originally proposing a legislative package on posted workers, with a revised directive based on the 1996 directive and a “Monti II” regulation on the right to strike. Following a yellow card procedure involving 12 national parliaments which was supported by the CoR, the Commission withdrew the “Monti II” regulation. So, Alain, can we now declare victory? Alain Hutchinson, member of the Brussels-Capital Regional Parliament: I won’t deny that I’m pleased, but I’m not over the moon either. I have concerns about the Commission’s approach, in terms of both form and content. The Commission has still had the cheek to set priorities between economic freedoms and fundamental rights - in this case the right to strike - even though this is not one of its responsibilities, as the Lisbon Treaty explicitly excludes the right to strike from the EU’s remit. However, the Commission refuses to admit that it was politically and legally wrong and claims that it was simply overruled. So much for the form. In terms of content, the fact that the Commission has withdrawn its proposed regulation still doesn’t address the problems raised by the various rulings of the EU Court of Justice. The Commission needs to learn its lesson and to put forward new proposals to repair the damage done by these rulings. Finally, the withdrawal of the proposed Monti II regulations shouldn’t stop us from seeing the wood
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What are the key elements of your opinion on modernising EU law on state aid, which are aimed at giving local and regional authorities greater discretionary powers? Clemens Lindemann, Head of County Authority of Saarpfalz (Landrat des Saarpfalz-Kreises), Germany: I call in my opinion first of all for an increase in the general de minimis thresholds. In line with this, the thresholds in the regulation on de minimis aid for services of general economic interest (SGEIs) should also be raised. It should be noted here that services that are primarily local in nature frequently have no effect on the internal market and should therefore be exempt.
Claudette Brune unet-L neet-L t-LLec ech chena en ut
Alain n Hut utchi chinso chi ns n nso
Cleemen Cle e s LLind ind ind n ema emann nn
In the course of implementing their economic, social and cultural policies in particular, local and regional authorities frequently come into contact with foundations whose importance throughout the whole of the European Union tends to be underestimated in spite of the amount these foundations spend (some EUR 150 billion) and the large number of full-time jobs they create (around 1 million). The proposal to create an optional statute for European foundations makes it easier for foundations to carry out and ensure the continuation of their trans-national or cross-border activities - for example in the areas of immigration, economic development, employment, health, scientific research, the environment and culture - which are of benefit to all Member States. With a view to transparency and greater legal certainty, my opinion contains a number of legislative amendments to the European Commission proposal which: define the terms “public utility” and “general interest” and the notion of “amateur sport”; propose increasing the minimum level of assets; provide a framework for the exercising of economic activities by a European foundation, together with the question of remuneration for members of the board and the supervisory board; and, lastly, clarify the question of conflicts of interest. From the political viewpoint, the opinion reflects our political group’s desire to give the various structures in the social and voluntary economy greater recognition under EU law. The opinion also paves the way for a text creating a statute for European mutual societies.
I also call for a more concrete explanation of the concepts used, since the rules currently in force are often very difficult to apply for local and regional authorities. So, in addition to the concept of an enterprise, that of an “obstacle to trade between Member States” should also be explained. This would immediately lead to a streamlining of the legal procedure and thus to less work for both local authorities and the EU Commission. The General Block Exemption Regulation and the Enabling Regulation of the Council should be extended to cover the health, social, education and broadband sectors. Activities in these areas are mostly of a noncommercial nature and should therefore, in accordance with the Commission’s objectives, be exempted from the notification requirement. The resulting examination for compliance with the rules on state aid by the Member States should make any reexamination by the EU Commission unnecessary, as this would involve an actual transfer of powers. In addition, I am opposed to the inclusion of extra quality and efficiency criteria in the Commission’s assessment. The choice of operating company should lie with the aid donor, in line with the concept of local government responsibility.
Nilgun Nil gun Ca C nver
Why is the involvement of local and regional authorities in the 7th Environmental Action Programme essential? Nilgun Canver, Councillor of London Borough of Haringey (UK):
Local and regional authorities are pivotal for creating sustainable growth, sharing best practice and achieving greater coherence in implementation. Within the subsidiarity principals, local and regional governments are where the European Environment policy transforms into action. It is imperative that the 7EAP provides support for local and regional authorities in their role in implementation, in particular by including elements such as effective source policies and expanding cost-recovery options for local and regional authorities and a focus on how to manage the urban environment sustainably, concentrating on integrated environmental planning, sustainable mobility, quality of life and public health. The costs of not implementing current EU environmental legislation are broadly estimated at around €50 billion a year in health costs and direct costs to the environment. Further costs of non-implementation include missed opportunities for businesses, different compliance costs, distorting competition among EU industries, as well as increased costs related to infringement cases. It is estimated that full implementation of all waste legislation would lead to an additional waste (and recycling) industry turnover of €42 billion and an additional job creation of about 400,000 jobs . The EU environment industry is estimated to have an annual turnover in excess of €300 billion, so that uncertainty about implementation pathways and
time-frames may carry significant costs in terms of missed opportunities. If, due to an infringement case, investments have to be made over a very short time span they are likely to be more expensive than if the implementation had been better planned.
Cor C orrriee Mc Ch o Chor o or ord
In your draft opinion, you state that European regions are affected by very different soil problems, caused by pollution, landslides, erosion, desertification or sealing. What would be the added value of a soil framework directive or soil legislation at EU level? Corrie Mc Chord, Member of Stirling Council (UK):
a range of soil problems can occur, sometimes with severe, irreversible and costly consequences. Soil degradation is continuing to occur and is actually worsening some parts of Europe, demonstrating that existing policies and legislation are inadequate. Further policies and regulations are therefore required at EU level to protect soil because of the crucial functions and ecosystem services that soils provide for our economy, society and environment. Soils are fundamental to our livelihoods, and tackling soil risks and threats is urgent, particularly with regard to climate change. The cost of regulatory action should be compared to the costs of inaction. The Commission has estimated that total costs of soil degradation in the form of erosion, organic matter decline, salinisation, landslides and contamination could be €38 billion/ year for EU25. There is also a need for overarching soil protection policy because soil damage can have transboundary effects (e.g. from greenhouse gas emissions, soil sealing, diffuse pollutants, eroded sediments, loss of soil carbon or spreading of contamination). European legislation can therefore protect one country from the harmful consequences of practices in another country, for which they are not responsible.
Soil is a non-renewable resource essential to a sustainable environment. In all European countries,
News of the Party of European Socialists influence over the European Council agenda, reflecting the concerns of millions of Europeans. Chaired by Alejandro Cercas MEP, the PES Social Europe Network met in Brussels on 27 November, and held a strategic debate about the shape of a ‘Social Union’ and how to implement it. The Network’s contribution to the PES Fundamental Programme and in particular, its social and employment dimension, was also discussed. Another item on the agenda was the effects of austerity on social investments and the lessons to be learned within the context of the future Multiannual Financial Framework. Finally, the members of the Network were presented the different instruments to introduce a youth guarantee in all Member States.
© Party of European Socialists
After its September Congress, which confirmed former Bulgarian PM Sergei Stanishev in his position as PES President, the PES focused the activities of its various bodies and thematic configurations on current affairs, but also the elaboration of the PES Fundamental Programme. The second meeting of the PES Advisory Committee on the PES Fundamental Programme, held in Brussels on 18 October and chaired by Caroline Gennez, agreed on the goals, format and method for developing the programme, which will be adopted by the 2013 PES Council. There was also a
broad exchange of views on the criteria, values and key policy areas relevant to the programme. PES Heads of State and Government, including French President François Hollande, met on 18 October to prepare their positions ahead of the European Council. The PES Leaders called for pledges for more European solidarity to be honoured and for a swifter implementation of the Compact for Growth and Jobs agreed in June. The outcome of the Summit, which defended the integrity of the Euro and marked an important step towards a deeper Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), was symptomatic of PES Leaders’ growing
The PES Fundamental Programme was also on the agenda of the meeting of the PES Environment and Climate Change Network, which met in Brussels on 14 November. Chaired by Said El Khadraoui MEP, the Network discussed the effects of austerity on investments related to climate change mitigation and green growth. Another key item on the agenda was the future of international climate change negotiations after the 18th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 18) to the United Nations Framework Convention in Climate Change, taking place in Doha (Qatar) between 26 November and 7 December 2012. Neil Swannick represented the PES Group at the PES Network meeting, reminding participants the need for the close involvement of local and regional authorities in the design and implementation of environmental protection measures.
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A look at some recent local and regional elections Belgium g (14 October 2012)
Spain (21 October 2 2012)
In the provincial and municipal elections held in Belgium, the Belgian Socialist Party (PS) achieved good results in Wallonia, winning majorities in the cities of Liège, Charleroi and Mons (city of PS Prime Minister, Elio di Rupo). Paul Magnette, Minister for Public Enterprise, will leave the federal government to become mayor of Charleroi. The PS also remained the strongest party in Brussels, whereas second-placed Christian Democrats lost support in the Belgian capital.
Regional elections were held in Galicia, home region of right-wing Spanish PM Mariano Rajoy, where his People’s Party (PP) Rajoy’s People’s Party retained its absolute majority with 41 seats in the regional parliament, compared with 18 seats for the Socialist Party and 16 seats for two nationalist parties.
Although the Flemish Nationalist Party (N-VA) made considerable gains in Flanders, the Socialists won in important Flemish cities such as Louvain, Bruges and Ghent. Belgian PES Group members Alain Hutchinson, Jean -François Istasse and Jan Roegiers were all re-elected.
Elections were also held in the Basque Country, where the nationalist PNV (Partido Nacionalista Vasco) won 27 seats, compared with 21 seats for Bildu, a pro-independence party, 16 seats for the Socialist Party and 10 seats for the PP. Finland (28 October 2012) At the municipal elections held in Finland, the Social Democratic Party (SPD) came second with 19.6%, closely following the Conservatives, who saw their share of the vote drop from 23.5% in 2008 to 21.9%.
Azores (14 October 2012) The Portuguese Socialist Party (PS) marked a huge victory in the elections for the legislative assembly and government of the autonomous region of the Azores, confirming its absolute majority with 49% of the votes cast. The centre-right PSD obtained only 33% of the votes while the right wing party CDS suffered further losses and obtained only 5.7% of the votes. p Czech Republic (12-13 October) The Czech Social Democratic Party (ČSSD) emerged as the winner of the regional elections, which took place in all 13 regions, except Prague, with 23.6% of votes cast, taking 9 of the 13 regions. Communists came second with 20.4% and won in 2 of 13 regions. The ruling centre-right party ODS (Civic Democratic Party) suffered considerable losses and obtained only 12.3% of votes (compared to 20% in 2010 legislative elections).
40.4% of SPD candidates were female; and 8.9% of SPD candidates were under 30 years old. Sicily, y Italy y (28 October 2012) Early elections were held following the resignation of the president belonging to the center-right. In an election marked by a very high abstention rate (52.6% compared to 33.5% recorded in the regional elections in 2008), the candidate of the center-left Rosario Crocetta, who has always fought against the mafia, was elected President of the Region with 30.5% of the votes. As for the party vote, a separate vote from the one for the president, the populist movement Cinque Stelle, formed by former comedian Beppe Grillo, has come first with almost 15%. The Democratic Party was second with 13.4%, followed by the party of Silvio Berlusconi, who got just 12.9%.
It is worth noting that Social Democrats also reached constitutional majority in the Senate elections, winning 46 out of the 81 seats. The first round of the Senate elections took place on the same date as the regional elections. The outcome of both elections has considerably weakened the position of the centre-right coalition government.
35,2%
POLITICAL BALANCE IN THE COR Political Groups
2,9%
36,9%
6,4% 4,9%
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Fo ll o w us o n Tw i t ter : @ p e s g ro u p co r
Members (Full)
PSE ...................................................................121 PPE ...................................................................127 ALDE .................................................................. 47 AE ...................................................................... 17 NI ....................................................................... 22 To be appointed .................................................. 10
TOTAL CoR
13,7%
Fin d us o n Fa ceb o o k : w w w. f b. m e /p e s gro up co r
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w w w.p es.cor.europa.eu
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