Commission Fears Failure of Free Trade Agreement Through Citizens’ Engagement
On the today announced decision of the European Commission, to not accept the European Citizens’ Initiative against the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the US (TTIP) and Canada (CETA), the chair of DIE LINKE, Bernd Riexinger, declares:
The decision of the European Commission to not accept the European Citizens’ Initiative against the planned free trade and investment agreements with the US and Canada is an oath of disclosure. Obviously the Commission fears a failure of its plans if there were a citizens’ initative on TTIP and CETA. Despite contrary promises the agreements shall apparently be pushed through without real citizens’ participation and against all opposition.
Thus the Commission another time does European democracy a disservice. The Federal Government – with Economic Minister Gabriel responsible for TTIP and CETA leading the way – is asked to no longer support the EU Commission in its actions and to argue in favour of a termination of negotiations with the US and Canada.
TTIP and CETA are an assault on democracy, they are agreements downright preventing democracy. They lead to a ruthless competition for the lowest social and environment standards and create privileged rights of action for big corporations on both sides of the Atlantic. DIE LINKE will further do its utmost to thwart those plans. It will also support the alliance “Stop TTIP” in going to the European Court of Justice due to non-admission of the European Citizens’ Initiative. Would the legal opinion of the Commission endure this meant the hands of the people in developing international agreements were tied in every possible way. This is a scandalous legal concept when considering that international trade agreements involve extensive intrusion in the every day life of the people in all over Europe.