Pascal Canfin, Renew MEP and President of the Environment Committee in the European Parliament, was the guest of “8:30 am franceinfo”, Friday October 21, 2022. 49.3, gas prices, United Kingdom, energy charter treaty.. He answered questions from Lorrain Sénéchal and Neila Latrous.
“Fortunately we have 49.3!”
Pascal Canfin, President of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament and Renew MEP defends the use of article 49.3 in the National Assembly, for the second time in 24 hours. “We need stability in a complex historical moment. And this stability is brought to France by the 49 3. It is more a chance than a problem that we use this 49.3”says Pascal Canfin. “It is the symptom of the functioning of our institutions in the context of relative majority. Fortunately, we have this article in our Constitution. Fortunately, because otherwise we would simply be blocked, paralyzed”he explains.
Gas prices: Germany “did not play the game”
While the leaders of the European Union agreed overnight from Thursday to Friday on a “roadmap” aimed at implementing, in the coming weeks, measures intended to curb the soaring prices of energy, Pascal Canfin pointed the finger at Germany: “There is a country that has not played the game” and that “massively bought gas all over the world, all by itself, and the country is called Germany”, he points. “When there is not a stabilized spine between France and Germany, nothing advances”, and “it is difficult to take strong measures”, he explained. The MEP hopes for an agreement on the joint purchase of gas at European level: “I hope that we will win this battle. It is absolutely fundamental to lowering prices,” he said.
United Kingdom: “There is no longer anyone who is in solidarity with the British”
Liz Truss “is a victim of the system in which the Conservatives have put themselves by radicalizing themselves in a considerable way by voting for Brexit”said Pascal Canfin.
“There is no longer anyone who is in solidarity with the British suddenly, they fall”, he analyzes. The Prime Minister lasted only 44 days at 10 Downing Street, the shortest term in the UK. “It proves that we are right to be united and united” within Europe, “in this complex moment”he assures.
Energy Charter Treaty: “We must get out of this treaty”
Criticized by environmental organizations, this treaty, signed in the 1990s, which serves to protect foreign investments in energy, is accused of preventing states from taking action against global warming: “It is unbearable that fossil fuel multinationals attack States that put in place climate policies that are demanded by all citizens and which are absolutely obvious in view of the impacts that we have seen again this summer”he complains. “This unbearable situation, we must cut at the root, get out of the treaty”said Pascal Canfin.
Find the full 8:30 a.m. franceinfo from Friday, October 21, 2022: