Committees

A large proportion of the European Parliament's work takes place in committees. Committees work on draft legislation proposed by the European Commission, draw up own initiative reports, formulate positions on the proposals of other committees and hold hearings with experts.

I am a full member of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) and a substitute member of the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN). I was furthermore coordinator for my political group and member of the Special Committee on Tax Rulings (TAXE/TAX2) until the end of its mandate in July 2016. I have now been elected vice-chair of the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) which was created to investigate the Panama Papers scandal.

On behalf of the political group, I take a particular interest in certain planned legislation as a shadow rapporteur. On the ECON Committee I am currently working on dossiers on the regulation of shadow banking (money market funds); the separation of the retail and investment operations of large banks (banking separation); the implementation of laws that have already been passed on bank resolution and bank levies; the regulation of financial products (MiFID2); and the Juncker investment plan (EFSI). I also pay close attention to all key developments in the area of European economic governance (Five Presidents' Report etc.) on the euro crisis and the monetary policy of the European Central Bank (ECB), the banking union and plans for a capital markets union.

In the area of corporate taxation and the fight against tax dumping, I work on the revision of the anti-money laundering directive, the directive against base erosion and profit shifting (ATAD) and the proposal for tax transparency (country-by-country reporting).

As an alternate member of the Committee on Transport and Tourism I work to promote good working conditions at ports, airports and in the transport sector and oppose the senseless Fehmarnbelt Fixed Link and the Port Package III. I also oppose the discontinuation of sleeper trains and motorail trains by Deutsche Bahn and I am following developments at Volkswagen. I am currently my faction's shadow rapporteur on transport policy aspects of the TISA services agreement.