International

The Dutch national Parliament in The Hague today voted to support a proposal from SP Member Arnold Merkies to the effect that the position of itself and the other parliaments in the EU’s twenty-seven member states should be strengthened when it comes to European Union decision-making. At the European Council in the next few days far-reaching steps towards a European superstate will be discussed. These proposals do contain plans to strengthen the role of national parliaments, but not for what the Dutch Parliament is calling for.

SP Euro-MP Dennis de Jong describes the European Parliament vote to endorse the budget increase for 2013 as sending completely the wrong signal. After months of negotiations the governments of the EU member states have reached an agreement on the budget for EU spending for 2013. ‘More spending without improved monitoring, that’s what this budget is all about,’ says De Jong. ‘It’s shameful that it hasn’t got through to the EU’s member state government leaders and the Members of the European Parliament that this is not the time for more spending, but to be economical.’