EPP will abstain from the ACTA vote

ACTA BACKERS of the European People's Party will likely abstain from any vote on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) treaty in the European Parliament this week.

Ideally the party would like to see the vote delayed and ACTA sent off to the European Court of Justice for approval. That's why Christofer Fjellner, the MEP and EPP rapporteur on ACTA will recommend that the party abstain from voting on Thursday.

"I want parliament to wait," he said during a streamed EPP press conference on ACTA.

Fjellner, it seems, sees dark forces working against ACTA, which is news to us. and scolded the opposition for being "clearly unwilling to wait and see what the Court of Justice has to say".

"Cooperation among States to fight against counterfeiting is clearly lacking today" says @fjellner #EPP rapporteur on #ACTA

— EPP Group (@EPPGroup) July 3, 2012

The EPP could possibly force a postponement, and Fjellner added that the party could ask "for the vote to be referred back to committee".

"I don't understand some political groups' position who are unwilling to wait for #ECJ legal opinion before voting on #ACTA" @fjellner #EPP

— EPP Group (@EPPGroup) July 3, 2012

"We wish for that vote to not take place," he added. "I wouldn't be comfortable voting yes on ACTA before having a European Court of Justice ruling. The same should be for the ones voting no. I will propose that the EPP abstain. We would not vote yes or no."

Members of the European Parliament will vote on ACTA this Thursday. So far the treaty has had its face firmly smacked in committee voting, but it is still not beaten. As the EPP is proving, there is still time for last minute shenanigans. µ