Intetsägande svar från Barroso ang spelmonopolet
I början på december skickade jag ett brev till José Manuel Barroso med anledning av att EU-kommissionen inte gör något i de överträdelseförfaranden som finns gentemot medlemsstaterna på spelmonopolsområdet:
In March 2004, the Commission launched its first infringement procedure against Denmark for restrictive legislation on sports betting. Over the following four years, the Commission initiated infringement procedures against nine further member states, among which Sweden, in the area of sports betting and gambling services. In seven cases a Reasoned Opinion has been sent, confirming the Commission’s view that a violation of Community Law exists. In 2008, not a single one of these infringement cases has been sent to the European Court for an objective ruling on the merits and there is no apparent valid justification for the Commission’s inaction on these cases.
Jag uppmanade honom därför förklara varför frågan inte ens diskuteras i EU-kommissions kollegiet:
In that context, perhaps you as President of the Commission can shed some light on the reasons for the delays and the objections put forward by other Commissioners. What can be the legitimate justification for not even discussing infringement cases within the College of Commissioners?
Med anledning av detta så är Barrosos svar en stor besvikelse då det tyvärr inte svara på några av mina frågor:
Thank you for your letter of 8 December 2008, relating to a number of infringement procedures concerning provision and promotion of gambling services.
The Commission has discretion as to whether or not to refer a case to the Court. In exercising its discretion, I wish to assure you that the Commission examines in detail the relevant restrictions in order to assess whether or not Member states fulfil their Treaty obligations.
The Commission is examining these cases and will shortly take the appropriate decisions.
Yours sincerely,
José Manuel Barosso
