Failed TTIP vote: flock of chickens EU Parliament – tagesschau.de

Date: 10/06/2015 15:42 clock

The turmoil in the European Parliament are a tragedy, says . MEPs lead the TTIP debate now as excited as the rest of the public. This Parliament weakens itself – and Europe’s negotiating position

From Martin Bean, ARD Radio Studio Brussels

. That which has since played in the European Parliament, is a tragedy. The excitement of the public debate on the alleged and real dangers of the trade agreement with the United States has fully spilled over the top European representatives of the people. Since everything is messed up crisscross – like a flock of chickens. And at the end of the Parliament is completely out of position and therefore has no impact on the TTIP negotiations there.

This is probably good news for all those who do not want TTIP anyway. You can – probably rightly – say that the protests of the public have an impact on Parliament. After all, for more than two million people have signed a petition of Stop TTIP Alliance, more than ever in any European Citizens’ Initiative.

but Parliament should be in a for the future the European economy so fundamentally important issue not from a protest movement – and no matter how well organized – be driven before. There are good reasons for transatlantic trade and investment relationship. . And a majority in Parliament provides the in principle also so

agreed on positions

dangers and risks there – and now comes it depends on preclude these dangers and risks. The Trade Committee of the Parliament had already agreed to such a position: ‘yes’ to the opportunities that are opening up the American market for European companies. Yes to attempt to put together with the Americans high global standards before Chinese, Indians or the oil sheiks lower their standards to impose on us.

But no to a restriction of consumer rights, the health – and environmental protection. No to forced liberalization of public services, education, or culture. And could close all the gateways, take by the US companies influence the democratic decision-making in Europe.

Parliament is weakened

Such a draft resolution was before. The majority of the two major groups of the Social Democrats and the Conservatives seemed to be. But then a dispute over the protection of investors bobbed high. Both sides are responsible for the replacement of the present private arbitration courts before which companies can sue states through a public system.

But the Social Democrats wanted to tighten up the compromise subsequently even verbally. There was intrigue, confidence was destroyed, and so was the majority of the draft report lost. This weakens the Parliament, which weakens the necessary objective discussion of transatlantic free trade, which weakens the European negotiating position.

This subject reported tagesschau24 on June 10, 2015 at 12:30 clock.