By Gemma Lougheed and Peggy Corlin - 15th February 2006
EUpolitix talks to senior MEPs at the heart of the European parliament’s services directive debate.
Up to 50,000 people from all around Europe demonstrated in Strasbourg yesterday against adoption by MEPS of the EU services directive.
Key EU lawmakers at the heart of Thursday's vote in the parliament brief this website.
Arlene McCarthy (United Kingdom), PES, chairwoman of the internal market committee
“It is clear from the debate yesterday that it is the aim of the parliament to end protectionism but protect workers and jobs.”
“We want to end the discriminatory practices that prevent EU businesses, hairdressers, estate agents, tour operators, plumbers, electricians and architects, from providing a service in a different EU country from their own.”
“But we are also equally determined that we will not undermine labour terms and conditions and health and safety laws.”
“It is a very basic fundamental truth that if you want to encourage people to support a change and reform, you have to prove to them what’s in it for their life prospects.
“So it falls to the parliament to speak up for and take up the issues of our citizens and consumers.”
Evelyne Gebhardt (Germany), PES, rapporteur on the services directive
“In fact, it was a very good debate. Yesterday's debate showed that the European parliament will be able to find a good and pragmatic solution for a difficult problem.”
“We have found the right balance to make it easier for service providers to have access to the market through better cooperation between administrations, through the introduction of one-stop-shops and by cutting red tape.”
“At the same time, we have managed to assure workers' rights, and to guarantee for example the social protection, consumer protection and the protection of the environment.”
“Finally, the debate showed that there is a clear direction towards a social Europe, that is preferring a social market economy to a neo-liberal, excessive market.”
"I think the votes will go very well. I hope we will win all the issues that are important to us as the parliament."
Malcolm Harbour (United Kingdom), EPP-ED, shadow rapporteur from the internal market committee
“This debate was the longest and most wide ranging I have ever witnessed – it showed why this has been such a politically charged file.”
“A lot of people were pointing out this is absolutely vital for small businesses, a point I explicitly made in my speech.”
“I think there will be a vast majority in favour of this package. This I would welcome as it will give fresh momentum to the internal market which is needed.”
“We have now effectively dissolved the fears of trade unions and we can now focus on the real benefits of this directive.”
“It will make people re-evaluate the internal market and this is a good thing.”
Pervenche Beres (France), PES, chairwoman of the economic and monetary affairs committee
“We have seen a clear divide between those backing the compromise and MEPs who want more social harmonisation and services of general interest.”
“Back-room deals are going on and I can tell you that what was introduced as the final compromise is shifting towards the EPP’s initiative.”
“It will be very hard for us to vote. We can’t accept the exclusion of social policy and consumer protection from the directive’s scope.”
“Out of principle I will defend the motion to reject. It is not time for opening up services, above all when you have no rules for social harmonisation and public services.”
“We’ll keep on improving the text but the new deal in unacceptable.”
Bert Doorn (Netherlands), EPP-ED, member of the internal market committee
“It was a very interesting and fruitful debate; everyone wanted to speak, there was a good atmosphere.”
“From my party’s point of view, the main objective was to keep in the country of origin principle in; I think we’ll have a majority for the amendment.”
Jacques Toubon (France), EPP-ED, member of the internal market committee
“The debate was of excellent quality.”
“I found the atmosphere less conflicting than expected, maybe because demonstrations went pretty well and trade unions have globally embraced the idea of a compromise. Left-wingers were more serene, although on the right side we heard a lot of complaints.”
“I don’t understand MEPs still talking about the commission’s draft proposal. This is outdated. What about all the effort to find a compromise?”
“I believe we’ll have between 400-500 votes backing the compromise. But like in all diplomatic negotiations, we cannot prejudge tomorrow’s voting.”
Edit Herczog (Hungary), PES, member of the internal market committee
“Speeches were interesting but the real question is: what sort of compromise are we going to reach?”
“We do hope we’ll have a directive good for all political parties. However, we must bear in mind that this is the first reading and that member states still have their say.”
Jean-Louis Cottigny (France), PES, member of the employment and social affairs committee.
“I would like Martin Schulz to pay more respect to the French delegation. I did not like reading in French newspapers we are the party’s ‘black sheep’.
“I have asked Francois Hollande, the French socialists’ president, to report on the issue to other European socialist parties.”
“Concerning text itself, we have asked for the withdrawal of the directive. When President of the commission, asks to withdraw 70 European laws I just wonder why this does not include the services directive.”
“There are a couple of amendments we want to see approved. European countries have different labour law and we want to protect ours.”
“I think Italians did the right thing when they asked for a session’s suspension after the amendments’ voting. Evelyn Gerbhardt did an excellent job but if our amendments don’t pass we will reject the text.”
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