Parliament's president Martin Schulz, la rentrée, industrial products and more...
European parliament president Martin Schulz heads up our La rentrée feature, outlining the challenges that lie ahead, but also the huge benefits of concluding a transatlantic trade deal with the US. He says that the partnership between the EU and US could see the “average European family” save €545 annually while also creating around 200 million jobs on this side of the water. Schulz calls for policymakers to pursue the deal, saying, “This is not the time to drag our feet.” Joseph Daul, EPP group chair, writes that there is “light at the end of the economic crisis tunnel”. “Only by investing in areas of added value can we help the EU remain competitive in the world,” he added. Meanwhile, S&D group chair Hannes Swoboda calls for a change of leadership at the helm of the commission, arguing that José Manuel Barroso has failed to deliver the “advancement of Europe that its people deserve”.