She is moving forward with a motion of censure against the president of the European Commission.
As noted in the relevant announcement “last week the president of Ursula von der Leyen unilaterally proceeded with the agreement of the European Union and its countries (Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay) which will cause serious adverse effects on the income of farmers and the prices of the domestic production, in food safety, in the protection of the environment, while the manipulations constitute a circumvention of the institutions of the EU and the National Parliaments”.
SYRIZA accuses the government of “silence”.
Therefore, as stated in the announcement, the Eurogroup of the Left and SYRIZA-PS in the European Parliament are moving forward with a motion of censure against Ms. Von der Leyen, by decision of the group’s board, in which MEP Kostas Arvanitis participates.
“SYRIZA – PS has formulated its position on the agreement from the beginning, while its four MEPs have submitted a relevant question to the Commission. The Greek Government’s “silence” on such a serious issue, however, causes a great impression as well as concern”, the statement also states.
Furthermore, SYRIZA – PS cites a note on five points of the agreement, where, according to the announcement, the negative effects are focused. See the note.
Civil war over the EU agreement with the Mercosur countries
The trade agreement signed by the President of the Commission O. Von der Leyen with the Mercosur countries of Latin America – Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina. The talks between the two sides had lasted a full 25 years.
According to TA NEA newspaper, while the agreement was welcomed by many EU states, especially Germany and Spain, which want to sell to L. America more products, such as cars, new major disputes occurred even after the signatures fell. France, Poland and Italy in particular are among the countries that have reacted strongly because they fear a loss of competitiveness. Reactions have also been expressed by farmers in Belgium. They want to take to the streets again to protest the deal which they see as damaging their competitiveness.
France and its allies, worried about their farmers, fear the deal with Mercosur could undermine domestic poultry and beef markets.
The deal was announced at a brief press conference in Montevideo, Uruguay. Only Ms. Von der Leyen and the president of Uruguay, Luis Lacalle Pou, without answering questions. The presidents of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay remained silent throughout.
“Only two of the five spoke and no questions were asked. That in itself speaks volumes,” an EU source actively involved in the talks told Reuters.
Friday’s agreement made changes to the deal agreed in 2019, which included details specifically on vehicle sales and vital mineral exports. Also added an annex on environmental measures.