Citizens’ opinions on TTIP – 97 percent opposed – Süddeutsche.de

Citizens' opinions on TTIP – 97 percent opposed – Süddeutsche.de

• The European Commission has asked the citizens to the free trade agreement with the US. Exactly 149 399 responses were received to mid-July – most of them are very critical
• Particularly objectionable to the clauses to protect investors.. Intended to protect the company from losing capital invested abroad by despotism or expropriation.
• In spite of the many critical objections with the consultation, the Commission wants to stick to the agreement.

By Michael Bauchmüller

The European Commission’s proposal for a new investor protection in the context of the proposed transatlantic trade agreements TTIP is present in the spring. This was announced by Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström on Tuesday evening at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where she presented the comprehensive 140-page report of a public survey of the population TTIP. Since last March, the agency had asked the citizens. Exactly 149 399 responses were received by mid-July. More than 145 000 Sender rejected the trade agreements either complete or part to investor protection, short ISDS. “The consultation is clear that over the instrument of ISDS extreme skepticism prevails,” Malmström said. In the next few weeks will advise you on how the investor protection, insist on the companies as well as the majority of EU countries, might look like. Will not be easy: just 97 percent of those consulted reject such clauses completely. Four-fifths of the response s came from Great Britain, Austria or Germany. The other side is also loud: the lobby Federation of European industry wants to adopt the clauses. For months, fears abound in investor protection. It is designed to protect companies from losing capital invested abroad by despotism or expropriation. Around 3000 trade agreements worldwide contain such clauses, only 1,400 of which EU member states have closed, including Germany. Never has there been so much anger about how now planned in advance in agreement with the United States.

is behind the fear that US corporations could release an army of lawyers to European laws and indirectly overturn national law. In addition, it is envisaged that local courts do not decide right or wrong, but international arbitration. In the past such courts seemed happy in secret, with the transparency of a block of wood. Ultimately, would “undermine democracy and the rule of law” TTIP complain so far almost 1.3 million Europeans in a “self-organized citizens’ initiative”. Employment, social, environmental, privacy and consumer protection standards should not be lowered, public services are not deregulated.

Trade Commissioner Malmström agrees. “We will submit an agreement by the European global influence is stronger and helps us to protect our strict standards,” she said. Everything else will “never pull even consider” Brussels. Despite the many criticisms during the consultation she wants to stick to the agreement itself, especially since most critical inputs received in the form of pre-formulated mass letters to the Commission. In the remaining responses, the Commission will, however, have found valuable information.

European Commission wins time

Therefore, the outcome of the consultation will again be the subject of a new consultation, this time within the EU bodies. Among other things, should once again be tested, as can be additionally secure the commercial contract that states can set statutory rules. The operation of an arbitral tribunal would you look at again

TTIP Search gift full of problems

One and a half years after the start of the TTIP negotiations aimed at the makers put in trouble. The opposition to the FTA is great. And the next stress test is imminent. The research – analysis

Experts fear with TTIP threatened a kind of privilege for multinationals before international arbitration tribunals. It could also provide an appeal body for decisions of the arbitrators. “It would be wrong to conclude, not to mention in the TTIP negotiations on investment protection,” says Ulrich Grillo, head of the BDI industry lobby. “Europe and the United States have the opportunity to create a modern investment protection agreement, the agreement will be a model for others.” First, the Commissioner will win time to calm things down to TTIP. Beginning of February appear negotiators back together. Contentious issues are also available without ISDS enough.