Debate on TTIP postponed

EP President Martin Schulz decided late on Tuesday to send the 116 amendments tabled in plenary to the Parliament report on TTIP to the international trade committee for further deliberation. The following morning the debate scheduled on the same issue was also postponed for a later date by the plenary.

The decision to return the report to the committee was based on rule 175 of the rules of procedures, the Parliament's internal rulebook.

This rule makes it possible to refer a report back to the committee when there are more than 50 amendments and requests tabled for split or separate votes. In this case more than 100 amendments had been tabled.

Plenary debate another time
Early on Wednesday morning, MEPs voted in favour of postponing the plenary debate on TTIP (183 yes, 181 no, 37 abstentions).

During a heated debate before the vote, MEPs from different groups spoke out in favour and against this move.

Next steps
TTIP is now back on the agenda of the International Trade committee, which has to decide if amendments and split vote requests should be put to a plenary vote. The next committee meeting is on 15-16 June.

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