The positive vote of the European Parliament has confirmed José Manuel Barroso as Commission President for a second term in office. The interest is now directed towards the Commissioners, who will be sent to Brussels by the individual Member States.

The 7th legislative period in the European Parliament brings some significant changes: with regard to the political majority situation, at 55 percent the parties with close industrial ties are clearly a step ahead. Almost 50 percent of MEPs are new to the Parliament and will have to acquaint themselves first.

The European Commission again changes the capital requirement directives for banks. In Brussels last week, it presented a further tightening as a reaction to the inglorious role played by the banks during the financial crisis.

Last week the representatives of the European Social Partners signed the first framework agreement on the avoidance of injuries caused by needle sticks and other sharp objects in the hospital and health sector. The framework agreement will be implemented by a Directive, which will apply to all 27 Member States. A nice success for the European Social Partners.

As of 1st July, Sweden has taken over the die EU Council Presidency. After Czechia’s presidency has been called a “complete failure” in Brussels, Sweden is even more in demand to show that it is up to Europe’s future challenges.

This week, the European Commission examined the Stability and Convergence Programmes of Belgium, Austria, Rumania, Slovenia and Slovakia. Due to the ongoing recession a significant deterioration of the budgetary position is expected for all countries.

Parts of the European Commission apparently want to use the financial crisis in order to cheerfully continue with their neoliberal policy, which they had practiced in the past and which has so miserably failed. The most recent example is the “Public Finances in EMU 2009” report, which was presented in Brussels this week.

The annual taxation report of the European Commission once again shows that the greatest tax burden is shouldered by the workers. The unfair distribution of the burden throughout Europe is changing only very slowly. In addition, most EU Member States show a reduction in green taxes.

This week, the European Commission invited to a meeting of lobbyists to discuss the admission of HGVs with a length of 25.25 metres and a payload of 60 tons. These HGVs would be equivalent to a length of 6 average motorcars and the loading capacity of a Boeing 737-300. The studies, which were ordered by the Commission, have, however, surprisingly come out clearly in favour of introducing these Mega HGVs.

Following months of negotiations, this week the European social partners signed the revised version of the Framework Agreement on Parental Leave at an official ceremony. The result of the revised Directive is an increase of the parental leave, more flexibility after returning from parental leave and a broadened modern interpretation of the term family.