VDL slammed for ‘forcing through policy’ in France’s favour sparking ‘end of EU democracy’

Russia: Expert on ‘closing the taps on Europe’

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Ms Von der Leyen was blasted for submitting the draft proposal of the EU’s green taxonomy in the final hours of December 31, the day of the deadline. The EU taxonomy for sustainable activities is a system of classification that is established to determine which investments are environmentally sustainable. This system was created in the wake of the European Green Deal in July 2020 and was made to help prevent “greenwashing” among different investments.

The energy section of this taxonomy has been the subject of a fierce debate in the EU over the past few months.

The Commission is set to present the EU’s taxonomy proposal today, following the weekly meeting of the College of Commissioners.

However, Luxembourg has threatened to sue the commission over its plans to classify nuclear energy as “green”.

In an interview with POLITICO, Energy Minister Claude Turmes accused Ms Von der Leyen of using underhanded tactics to get the proposal through.

He also slammed the President and her cabinet for “forcing through” the draft proposal in the final hours of December 31.

He said: “Imagine if this happened in other areas of policy — this would be the end of European democracy.

“I have been involved in European policy since 1999, I have never seen this, never seen this. This is unprecedented.”

Countries are split over whether to label nuclear energy and natural gas as “green”, which could open it to billions of euros of private-sector investment.

France is leading a group of twelve countries that support the inclusion of nuclear energy as a part of a green taxonomy.

Meanwhile, a number of European countries have vehemently opposed the classification of nuclear, including Austria, which has also threatened to sue the EU over it.

He criticised the Commission for “choosing a decision-making process which is basically creating a majority for something which doesn’t have a majority.”

In order to block a delegated act in the EU, at least 20 member nations, representing a minimum of 65 percent of the EU population, must object to it.

DON’T MISS: 
Putin’s nuclear arsenal exposed as world on brink of war [REVEALED] 
Archaeology: Nazi U-boat wreck ‘beats Tutankhamun’ [SPOTLIGHT] 
How much could Boris Johnson net zero strategy cost you? [ANALYSIS]

For this decision, that scenario looks unlikely as the taxonomy has the backing of major EU powers like France and Germany.

Mr Turmes said: “It is not normal that essential issues are dealt with through political decision-making whereby 20 out of 27 is needed to reject something.”

He also warned of a rift in the EU, saying that four commissioners have told him they were unhappy at the procedure.

According to Reuters, the draft of the proposal would label nuclear power plant investments as green if the project has a plan, funds and a site to safely dispose of radioactive waste.

Source: Read Full Article