European Commissioners, social inequality and climate change

From the Media Office of Jean Lambert, London's Green Party Member of the European Parliament*

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

October 22, 2014

UK Green MEPs reject new European Commission

The new European Commission has today been accepted by the European
Parliament but was voted against by many MEPs, including the UK’s three
Green MEPs.

The Greens/EFA political group in the Parliament opposed the appointment of
the entire Commission. Two of the appointments causing concern for the UK’s
Green MEPs is that of Miguel Arias Canete, a former Spanish minister who
has family ties to the oil industry. Canete was dubbed “senor petrol head”
[1] by The Sunday Times and was today appointed Commissioner for the
position of Climate and Energy. Another is the appointment of Lord Hill of
Oareford, but the Greens’ criticism go beyond individual Commissioners.

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, said:

‘We have seen the cost of growing inequality across the EU and we are
beginning to appreciate the true cost of ignoring climate change. With a
global climate deal due in 2015, I am not convinced that this new
Commission can face the challenges before us. I cannot see the joined-up
thinking needed to lead the EU on a more just and sustainable path, so I
voted “no”.’

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East, said:

‘The appointment of an oil baron with past and present links to the fossil
fuel industry as Climate Commissioner makes a mockery of European politics.
Europe’s response to climate change is of global importance, but this
appointment inspires no confidence.’

Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the South West, said:

‘The withdrawal of responsibility for bankers' bonuses from Lord Hill's
portfolio demonstrates why he is entirely inappropriate for this role. The
only way that he could be acceptable as European Commissioner for Financial
Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union is if everything
that the UK Government opposes in terms of financial regulation were
removed from his brief, which would leave him nothing to do.’


ENDS

Notes to Editors

[1]
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/world_news/Europe/article1464563.ece

* Swheatie of the KUWG is a Green Party member, while KUWG is non-party-politically aligned. But what does the alignment of the European Commission members say about where this trading block is heading?