The New Environment Committee
The Committee will meet for the first time on Monday 7 July. There is likely to be some changes in the membership of the Environment Committee by then. We will update this report when the membership is confirmed.
I have worked for a British Labour MEP on the environment in 1997. The Environment Committee has been a the centre of much of Europe’s progressive environmental agenda. Powerful Chairs like Ken Collins, Karl-Heinz Florenz, and Matthias Groote have pressured Environment Ministers and their fellow MEPs to push for higher standards. The pleas from some that industrial life in europe would end because of this ambiton has not yet materialised.
[spiderpowa-pdf src=”https://www.aaronmcloughlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-ENVI-Committee.pdf”]New ENVI Committee
There are many familiar faces returning but other observations are:
- 36 new MEPs out of 69 – a 53% new blood infusion
- ALDE remains the kingmaker
- Voting behaviour of EFDD members (incl. 3 MEPs from 5 Star Movement and 1 former Lithuanian Environment Minister) to be watched (progressive or conservative Eurosceptics?) in coming votes
- Unclear influence for NI members (3 Front National members and 1 MEP from Hungary’s Jobbik)
- Possible coalitions for winning votes:
– EPP + ALDE + ECR: 33
– S&D + Greens + GUE + ALDE: 34
– Similar balance of power as in the 7th European Parliament, although new trends could emerge after initial deliberations
– First meeting 7th July
– Chair and Vice-Chairs confirmed on that date (possible candidates: Giovanni La Via, IT, EPP or Peter Liese, DE, EPP)
Only time will tell whether the new Environment Committee remains at the forefront of a progressive European Environmental agenda.