Socialists call for EP inquiry into Volkswagen case

The Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament is calling for an inquiry committee on the scandal of illegal defeat software designed to manipulate the real car emissions. 

Meanwhile, the Social Democrats sent a letter to all the 28 EU environment and industry ministers where they call on all ministers to substantially modify the draft decisions taken by the Commission based on the recommendations of the national experts on 28 October. 

MEP Miriam Dalli said that the group of Socialists and Democrats will not accept a decision that undermines the environmental standards and the legally binding emission limits agreed eight years ago. Dalli is one of the negotiators who, on behalf of the European Parliament, are working to reduce Euro 6 vehicle emissions.

"We were always on the forefront asking for absolute transparency on this matter. I am satisfied that our efforts are leaving a mark on the stance taken by the European Parliament on this case. Our aim is for Parliament to take a strong final position. As representatives of the citizens we want to know what happened, what where the loopholes in the emissions legislation and where the compliance regime failed," Dalli said.

Miriam Dalli said that according to the latest news, the European Commission was informed about illegal software hiding real emissions back in 2012. "We already called on the Commission to investigate this scandal. But at this point we need to understand what failed and more importantly why we had to learn about this fraudulent case from the US," concluded Dalli.