European Council June 2021 - Volt's Positions

• Volt urges the heads of state to end the veto in the European Council
• The European party pleads to start working on a full fiscal union, with common debt and European taxes

Brussels – During the European Council meeting, pan-European party Volt urges the heads of state to look beyond their national interests and serve all European citizens. Since the EU is in dire need of more robust fiscal instruments, decisive foreign policy, and democratic reforms. Volt calls for provisions in the Lisbon Treaty, as well as a treaty change. The most prominent weaknesses of the EU have to be addressed. That is why Volt urges the heads of state to abolish the right of veto on foreign policy and European taxation, grant the EU permanent abilities to issue debt, and take strong measures to protect the rule of law.

Here is what Volt urges each head of state to pledge for in the European Council meeting:

Economic recovery
The Member States have submitted their first plans for the Next Generation EU funds. The European Commission must be strict and not approve plans that do not comply with the Recovery and Resilience Facility regulations. At the same time, it is of utmost importance that the heads of state make sure that the money becomes available, ensuring that economic recovery happens swiftly and firmly.

The first issuance of EU debt is an outstanding success, as illustrated by the willingness of the capital markets to invest in the bonds. For the first time, the European Union is generating funds that are shared EU property. This massive revolution in our shared economic system needs to come with proper regulation, oversight and accountability. Volt views this as another clear sign to start working on a proper fiscal union. This entails institutionalising European lending on the capital markets and making haste with European taxation. It could not only enable fiscal relief for economies weighted down by huge national debt, facilitating a solid economic recovery from the covid crisis. It would also foster a stronger and more resilient European economy, supporting Volts goal of the EU becoming an economic superpower.

International minimum corporate tax
Recently the G7 proposed an international corporate minimum tax of 15%. Volt has always been in favour of such a tax on the European level. Organizing this on a global level is even better since this would benefit citizens from all over the world. That is why Volt urges the heads of state to take the lead in this process. If the number of hurdles to handling this globally turns out to be too large for now, the EU should take the lead and invoke it on the European level. For a just and stable future, we simply have to ensure that everybody contributes to our society.

It is unacceptable if one or a few small tax havens block the entire EU from joining this effort for fair taxation. These tax havens make profits at the expense of European citizens. It is clear that we should end the right of veto on European taxation. At the same time, Volt supports attempts to persuade these countries for the sake of the European interest.

Violation of human rights in Hungary
The newly adopted Hungarian law that bans any content made for children with educational value about LGBTIQ+ is a clear violation of fundamental European values. Only a few months ago, the Parliament declared Europa an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”. The EU and all Member States governments must demonstrate their ambitions and commitments to the cause. LGBTIQ freedom zones should not be a PR stunt but real actionable policies guaranteeing the rights of the LGBTIAQ+ community all across the EU, including Hungary.

The EU and its Member States should be guaranteeing the respect of fundamental rights for all EU citizens without discrimination based on sexual orientation. Volt calls on the heads of state to speak out for freedom of sexuality and urge the Hungarian government to reverse this law. The rule of law is a cornerstone of European integration. It is not in any European citizen’s interest to undermine it. Volt believes that any country that does undermine the rule of law should lose its rights to EU subsidies and face real consequences for anti-democratic actions.

The EU should stop supporting its own downfall.

Turkey
Whilst we welcome the resumption of bilateral talks between Greece and Turkey, and the light de-escalation of tensions with Turkey, we must not ignore that outstanding issues are still crippling the EU relations with one of its largest neighbours. Turkey’s obstinate refusal to ratify the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has been at the heart of the maritime dispute in the Eastern Mediterranean. At the same time, the Turkish government has continuously striven to keep the EU out of the bilateral talks and has undermined the EU’s executive, as shown in the Sofagate. The EU heads of states have also tasked High Representative Borrell to organise a Multilateral Conference on the Eastern Mediterranean. Volt considers it an opportunity for the EU to present a unified face. Only then can we leverage our shared interests with Turkey, such as energy, customs and counter-terrorism, to address the stalemate in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Volt believes that Member States should never be isolated and weakened by conducting bilateral talks alone with a potentially litigious third country. In external relations, EU countries draw strength from their unity. At the same time, we have seen too many examples of single member states blocking swift and potent action on the world stage in the recent past. The veto on foreign policy is clearly outdated and not in the interest of the European citizens. That is why Volt calls on the European leaders to end it as quickly as possible and replace it with a qualified majority system.


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