EP approves Europe-wide consumer credit

摘要

By 2010, Europeans will be able to take fully informed decisions for taking out loans ranging from €200 to €75,000 in another member state. In a packed chamber, MEPs approved by a very wide majority, on 16 January in Strasbourg, the har-monisation of consumer credit in the EU.rnNone of the amendments by rapporteur Kurt Lechner (EPP-ED, Germany) was adopted. After six years of debate, his second reading is thus conclusive. "My criticisms of certain points did not convince a majority because certain members assumed that the Council would not follow and they wanted to avoid a conciliation procedure," the rapporteur told the press.rnBefore the vote, the European Commission, the Council and the Parliament had already negotiated at length. The compromise was made possible with the last-minute support of the EPP-ED (right) for the proposals of the Socialists and Liberals, accepted by the 27 member states, on compensation to banks for early repayment.