EU Concessions Directive: the Directive must clearly state that it is not asking for water privatisation

The European Parliament is currently discussing a proposal for a Directive on concessions contracts for works and services. A large majority of Members in the European Parliament are in favour of adopting this text, which was proposed by Commissioner Michel Barnier, as it will bring more transparency to the concession contracts local public authorities sign.

A Citizens' Initiative is currently being put forward for signature, notably in Austria, Germany and Slovenia, to denounce what some call a risk of water privatisation.

But this petition has been signed both by people who are clearly manipulating public opinion to create controversies in view of the next national elections, in Germany primarily, and by others who are truly worried that the Directive could lead to a privatisation of public services.

"As the EP Rapporteur on the Directive, and in accordance with Commissioner Barnier, I will propose that this Directive solemnly states, in its first article, that the Directive is not asking for the privatisation of any public activity whatsoever, and particularly not for the privatisation for water. With this formulation, the statement will be law and should be reassuring for all those who, in good faith, are worried," the MEP said.