Bastille Day was colourful, as always, and even warmed by a few rays of sunshine in an otherwise mostly soggy Paris July. But the EP President didn't spend three days in the French capital for the weather. We discussed the decisions taken in COREPER on the EU budget. There is the position of the French government, which is one starting point, as there is the position of the European Parliament, which is also a starting point. Less friendly words than some expected to the new government from Schulz’s own Socialist camp. Martin Schulz met President François Hollande, Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and the presidents of both houses of the French Parliament, the National Assembly and the Senate. The EP President is as concerned as many MEPs and national parliamentarians are about a tendency spurred on by the economic crisis which he described as de-parliamentarisation. Parliaments’ budgetary powers are coming under additional scrutiny from the executive, namely the European Commission. We need a system which is a mix of the competences of the national parliaments and the competences of the European Parliament, but this structure needs to be created. Food for thought for French and European leaders as they jet off to their respective holiday destinations after 14 July.
EuroparlTV video ID: b5c69526-ab15-45ed-a465-a090011fd15e