Nieuws van de afdeling

23 March 2007

European integration isn't a question of marketing

In common with France, the Netherlands belongs to the six countries which fifty years ago concluded the Treaty of Rome, the beginning of European cooperation. The people who in 2005 seized the opportunity to express their views in a referendum had a great deal of experience of European politics. In this half century Europe has not succeeded in winning the hearts of the people. Europe's friends should therefore bother themselves less with a new Constitution, and rather invest more in winning the public's trust.

23 March 2007

New revelations over course of Iraq war underline need for enquiry

“These new revelations in the media regarding Dutch involvement in the Iraqi war underline the need for a parliamentary enquiry.” So says SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel in reaction to the programme 'Reporter', broadcast on Sunday evening. Essential data are already being revealed, while Van Bommel has been able to examine the programme's supporting documentation.

22 March 2007

Fifty Years of Europe

This week marks the fiftieth anniversary of the European Union with extensive celebrations. This afternoon there will even be a celebration in the Ridderzaal, in the heart of the Dutch parliament. Harry van Bommel will be present, representing the SP. For my part, I will attend a forum with European Commissioner Neelie Kroes and Secretary of State Frans Timmermans.

15 March 2007

EU should keep its nose out of our environmental policies

The European Commission wants to set punishments for environmental crimes. Although it's sensible to have a European approach to environmental problems, this proposal goes too far. The EU should not be interfering in Dutch criminal law, say Members of Parliament Jan de Wit and Harry van Bommel.

15 March 2007

Labour Market ‘Flexibility’: Netherlands must ‘offer the strongest possible resistance’

“The government is quite correct to reject European legislation in the area of labour law,” said SP Member of Parliament and disability spokesman Paul Ulenbelt yesterday in a meeting between the Tweede Kamer, parliament’s main legislative chamber, and the newly-appointed Minister of Social Affairs, Christian Democrat Piet Hein Donner. This does not, however, put an end to the matter. The European Commission is launching a new attack on workers’ job security, going all out for further flexibilisation of the labour market. “The Netherlands must offer the strongest possible resistance to this,” Mr Ulenbelt said.

14 March 2007

Environmental agreement demonstrates that European Constitution is unnecessary

The agreement at European level to bring about drastic cuts in CO2 emissions over the next few years has brought back a bit of lustre to the EU. At the same time, it gives the lie to the idea that the Union has become unworkable. There is clearly, therefore, no need for a European constitution, argued the SP's national parliamentary spokesman on European affairs Harry van Bommel in today's debate on last week's European summit.

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