Will corporations be able to sue Germany in future because they are losing out on profits if the state protects the population and nature? The German Bundestag will decide on this this Thursday (01.12.). Five years ago, the CETA free trade agreement between the EU and Canada came into force partially and provisionally. Without the controversial arbitration. This provides, among other things, for international corporations to sue states for damages if they lose profit due to government measures. This is an effective lever for international corporations to prevent consumer, climate and environmental protection requirements at the expense of taxpayers.

Manuela Ripa, MEP of the Ecological Democratic Party (ÖDP), is therefore calling on the Bundestag and Bundesrat to "not give the green light for the remaining parts of CETA to enter into force. The way the agreement is currently structured, it is not a fair trade agreement". The so-called investment protection for companies and the associated arbitration tribunals, which are supposed to settle disputes, undermine the democratic rule of law. A parallel justice system is being created solely for the interests of international corporations. Citizens, local authorities or trade unions cannot take legal action if a company violates environmental, health or other rights under CETA.

The free trade agreement with Canada is somewhat more modern in terms of investment protection than the Energy Charter Treaty and affirms the right to environmental policy measures. However, the decisive mechanism has not changed - international corporations continue to receive special rights and can demand compensation from states that adhere to high climate protection measures before an arbitration tribunal set up specifically for this purpose. The interpretative declaration, the adoption of which the German government made a condition for its approval of CETA ratification, will not change this. A clear reason for the ÖDP to decisively reject CETA.

"If the traffic light coalition ratifies this agreement, those responsible will be breaking their oath of office. Because it stipulates that they must prevent harm to the German population. But CETA will make life unhealthier and more expensive for people in Europe. That is why the ÖDP is calling on the German government not to betray its people for even more profit," said Charlotte Schmid, Federal Chair of the ÖDP.