5. Criticizes the unwillingness of the EU to regulate and to cut back hedge funds and private equity which considerably contributed to the crises by increasing macro-prudential risks; pointed out that private equity are responsible for big asset stripping, for countless job-losses and for liquidations of many companies in the EU; strongly criticizes that the new EU regulation on hedge funds and private equity aims at standardizing and granting legal certainty of these harmful products instead of cutting them back;

The notification and disclosure requirements and the specific safeguards against asset stripping should also apply without prejudice to any stricter rules adopted by Member States.

The European Parliament asks the Commission to propose rules that forbid investors to "plunder" companies (so called "asset stripping") and thus misuse their financial power in a way that merely disadvantages the company acquired in the long term, without having any positive impact on the company's future and the interest of its employees, creditors and business partners; moreover, the Commission should explore common rules to guarantee the capital maintenance of companies; in parallel, the European Parliament also asks the Commission to examine whether the Member States have put in place measures to counteract asset stripping.

The European Parliament asks the Commission to propose rules that forbid investors to "plunder" companies (so called "asset stripping") and thus misuse their financial power in a way that merely disadvantages the company acquired in the long term, without having any positive impact on the company's future and the interest of its employees, creditors and business partners; moreover, the Commission should explore common rules to guarantee the capital maintenance of companies; in parallel, the European Parliament also asks the Commission to examine whether the Member States have put in place measures to counteract asset stripping.

4. Acknowledges the positive role played by private equity in supporting new venture companies and adding financial and managerial value and experience to failing companies; notes that while "asset-stripping" sometimes happens, it is not the norm; notes that Member States have or can put in place measures to counter instances of asset-stripping, and that portfolio company directors also have fiduciary obligations to their company as well as obligations to consult with employees, as in the case of other companies;

GIF2 investments shall avoid buy-out or replacement capital intended for asset stripping.