According to a document obtained by the online publication Politico, the European People’s Party (EPP) wants to strengthen the external border of the European Union (EU) and abandon mandatory carbon emission standards, according to which the ban on CO2 emissions for cars and vans with internal combustion engines will come into force in 2035.
The EU currently wants to ban the sale of cars with internal combustion engines from 2035. This is how the EU wants to decarbonize the car fleet in Europe, as transport currently accounts for a quarter of the European Union’s greenhouse gases. According to the document, the EPP wants to abandon this objective.
Instead of forcing people to switch to electric cars, the EPP wants to use market-based measures to protect the environment, as well as increase renewable energy production. They also want to further develop the European Green Deal.
Politico reviewed the 14-page document, in which the EPP also calls for the creation of an EU defense commissioner. At the same time, they want to abolish the position of EU foreign policy chief and replace it with the position of EU Foreign Minister. Currently the head of the EU’s foreign policy is the Spanish socialist Josep Borrell.
The document states that so far foreign policy representatives have often failed to fulfill their role. Therefore, the EPP calls for this position to be replaced by an EU Foreign Minister. Its aim would be to ensure that the EU can react quickly to international crises.
The EPP also wants to triple the number of EU border guards, increase the processing of asylum applications in third countries and sign more agreements with countries outside the EU to limit the flow of migrants.
The EPP’s plans reflect the growing influence of right-wing parties in the EU. The latest polls show that the EPP will win the European Parliament elections in June, and the popularity of right-wing populists is also increasing.
Politico became aware of the document, and EPP secretary general Thanasis Bakolas said it was a preliminary draft that was still being reviewed. However, he said he was proud of the process started with EPP leader Manfred Weber.
2024-01-19 08:26:00
document-epp-wants-to-cancel-european-obligation-for-zero-emission-cars-foreign-country