During a heated debate on the EU Council's move to deny co-decision powers to Euro MPs on Schengen, today at the European Parliament in Strasbourg S&D Group leader Hannes Swoboda said:

 

"We strongly oppose the decision from the Council and regret the position of the Danish Presidency on this question.

 

"It is unacceptable to exclude the European Parliament from this process. The Parliament must have co-decision powers on this issue and we have always fought jointly with the Commission for the free moment of citizens. We will not give up on this.

 

"We will take all measures – political and legal, via the European Court of Justice – to oppose this decision.  The ministers and the Danish Presidency have abused our trust. In view of the situation, we call for an end to negotiations on all relevant Justice and Home affairs files until the end of the Danish Presidency.

 

"Some have argued that we will face a massive influx of refugees from Tunisia. But where are they? Is this our answer to the Arab Spring?

 

"Where is the word 'solidarity' in all this debate? This decision gives support to more far right movements in Europe. We strongly oppose this and will take all actions possible against it."

 

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Associated media

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