Parliament rejects port services directive[fr][de] 

Five hundred and twelve MEPs voted to reject the Commission's proposal, which would have opened ports to competition from providers of services like piloting, loading and unloading ships. Only 120 MEPs voted for the adoption of the proposal with 25 abstaining. The Socialist (PES), Liberal (ALDE), Green, Left-wing (GUE/NGL), IND/DEM and UEN groups voted against the proposed directive, and not even half of the Conservative PPE/DE group voted in favour of it. Back in 2003, the Parliament had rejected a proposal along the same lines. 

The vote was preceded by fierce demonstrations by dockers, who had travelled to Strasbourg from a number of European countries including France, Belgium and the Netherlands. They protested against a proposal that would have authorised ship crews to unload ships themselves and ship owners to run freight terminals. This would have meant, according to trade unions, the loss of thousands of jobs and the deterioration of social standards. In addition, critics say, it would have achieved the contrary of what it set out to do, namely secure the future of Europe's ports. 

Following the vote, Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot declared: "Today's vote is clear. It leaves no room for doubt as to Parliament's position on this proposal as submitted after the failure of the earlier proposal." The rapporteur, the German Conservative Georg Jarzembowski, said "an unholy alliance of rock-throwers and defenders of the status quo has won over".