The need for accountability and increased scrutiny of the European Council has been a constant theme in the European Parliament's resolutions throughout the 2019-2024 legislative term. The increased need to scrutinise the European Council also results from the changing role of the institution over recent years. In this podcast, we analyse the need for democratic oversight of the European Council and outline the different tools at Parliament's disposal to do so. We also look at the content of Parliament's resolutions addressing the European Council and the messages it sends to the EU leaders.

EPRS policy podcast - European Parliament's scrutiny of the European Council: The use of Parliament resolutions

Договорът от Маастрихт, чието официално наименование е Договор за Европейския съюз, е подписан на 7 февруари 1992 г. в Маастрихт, Нидерландия, от тогавашните дванадесет държави членки на Европейските общности. Той влиза в сила на 1 ноември 1993 г., след като е ратифициран от всички държави членки.
С Договора от Маастрихт официално се създава Европейският съюз, което превръща Европейската икономическа общност в по-сплотено и цялостно обединение. С договора се въвежда и гражданството на Европейския съюз.

Договорът от Маастрихт и неговото развитие

At a glance: the European Parliament is about to start confirmation hearings for candidates for the von der Leyen Commission; members of the Public Health Subcommittee  concluded their visit to the EU Disease Prevention Centre and an EU delegation attended COP16 in Colombia.

Кратки новини  – 31/10/2024 - български

At a glance: following Georgia’s elections, MEPs call for investigations into alleged vote manipulation; MEPs push for more support to Ukraine; and European Parliament delegation meets with representatives of international legal bodies in The Hague.

Кратки новини  – 30/10/2024 - български

At a glance: MEPs of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee are in Colombia to attend the UN Conference on Biological Diversity; a delegation of the Committee on Transport and Tourism is in France, to take stock of major EU funded transport projects and MEPs of the Committee on Development are in Guatemala to review the EU development portfolio in the country.

Кратки новини  – 29/10/2024 - български

At a glance: MEPs from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs are visiting Poland; a delegation from the Committee on International Trade is in the UK; and Parliament denounces violations of human rights and international law by Azerbaijan.

Кратки новини  – 28/10/2024 - български

Наградата за журналистика „Дафне Каруана Галиция“ за 2024 г. се присъжда на международното журналистическо разследване „Изгубени в Европа“. Журналистите разкриха, че в периода между 2021 и 2023 г. над 51 000 непридружени деца мигранти са изчезнали след пристигането си в Европа. Наградата насочва общественото внимание към европейските принципи и ценности, залегнали в Хартата на основните права на Европейския съюз. Носи името на Дафне Каруана Галиция, малтийска журналистка, блогър и борец с корупцията, убита през 2017 година.

Награда за журналистика „Дафне Каруана Галиция“ за 2024 година

At a glance: during the plenary session, Parliament proposed an overall budget for 2025 of almost EUR 201 billion; María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia win the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; and MEPs expressed their solidarity with Taiwan.

Кратки новини  – 25/10/2024 - български

Мария Корина Мачадо и Едмундо Гонсалес Урутия са носители на наградата „Сахаров“ на Европейския парламент за свобода на мисълта за 2024 година. Наградата „Сахаров“ за свобода на мисълта е учредена през 1988 година и се връчва ежегодно на личности и организации, защитаващи правата на човека и основните свободи.

Награда „Сахаров“ за свобода на мисълта за 2024 г.

At a glance: MEPs discuss with the Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of non-EU nationals; the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism goes to ‘Lost in Europe’, a not-for-profit cross-border journalism project; Parliament approves more efficient and greener EU airspace.

Кратки новини  – 24/10/2024 - български

Туризмът е една от най-жизнените индустрии в Европейския съюз. Той обединява хората, насърчава културното разбирателство и поощрява икономическия растеж. Как Съюзът подкрепя и допринася за развитието на туризма и как гарантира, че пътуванията са по-устойчиви, достъпни и полезни за всички?

Как ЕС допринася за туризма в цяла Европа

At a glance: during the plenary session, Parliament approved 35 billion euro of financial aid to Ukraine; MEPs welcomed the pro-EU results of the constitutional referendum in Moldova; and tomorrow, Parliament will announce the winner of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Кратки новини  – 23/10/2024 - български

At a glance: during this week’s plenary session, MEPs will vote on the EU’s budget for 2025 and debate the migration pact; Parliament will also award the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

Кратки новини  – 22/10/2024 - български

At a glance: the European Parliament will call for an urgent ceasefire in Lebanon; the 35 billion euro aid package for Ukraine as part of a G7 initiative; and MEPs are set to approve airspace reforms to reduce flight delays and boost environmental efficiency.

Кратки новини  – 21/10/2024 - български

Растящите цени, разходите за живот, както и икономическата ситуация са били основните теми, мотивирали много граждани – 4 от всеки 10 – да гласуват на последните европейски избори. Една трета от гласоподавателите са посочили международната ситуация като мотив да отидат до урните. Също приблизително една трета от хората споменават като причина защитата на демокрацията и върховенството на закона. Тези са някои от основните констатации на проучване, проведено след изборите за ЕС през 2024 г.

„Евробарометър“ – проучване след европейските избори през 2024 г.

At a glance: European Parliament President Metsola addresses the heads of state or government at the European Council; the agenda for Parliament’s next plenary session; and MEPs shortlist the three finalists for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Кратки новини  – 18/10/2024 - български

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

Hungary holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from the 1st of July to 31st of December 2024.&nbsp;Priorities of the Hungarian&nbsp;presidency include: new European Competitiveness Deal ,The reinforcement of European defence policy ,&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;consistent and merit-based enlargement policy ,&nbsp;stemming illegal migration, shaping the future of cohesion policy, a&nbsp;farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy, addressing demographic challenges.

&nbsp;Make Europe Great Again”&nbsp;will be the motto of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which refers to both an active and proactive Presidency and to the fact that member states are stronger together than apart. It also symbolises the perception that Europe can become an independent global player.

The Rubik’s cube, the main element of the Hungarian presidency logo, refers to Hungarian ingenuity and problem-solving skills, as well as the complexity of European affairs.

Hungarian Presidency

27 January was designated in 2005 by the United Nations as an International memorial day commemorating the victims of the genocide committed by the Nazi regime and it's collaborators.

On 27 January 1945, Auschwitz-Birkenau the largest Nazi death camp was liberated by Soviet troops.

Holocaust remembrance day (2014-2020)

France is a semi-presidential republic with a head of government - the prime minister - appointed by the president who is the directly elected head of state.

France has been a member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999 and part of the Schengen area since 26 March 1995

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EU  - France

On 1 January 2007 Bulgaria joined the EU.

Bulgaria applied for membership of the European Union on 18th December 1995 and started its accession negociations in February 2000. The negociations were successfully concluded in December 2004 and the Accession Treaty was signed in April 2005.

EU - Bulgaria

The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg in France where the 12 monthly part-sessions, including the session at which the decision on the annual EU budget is taken, should be held.

Find in this package, audiovisual content of the activities of the European Parliament in Strasbourg such as atmosphere inside and outside the buildings and parliamentary work..

The European Parliament in Strasbourg

Poland is a member of the EU since 1st of May 2004 and member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Poland is a parliamentary republic with a Head of government - the Prime Minister - and a Head of state - the President. The government structure is centred on the council of Ministers. The country is divided into 16 provinces, largely based on the country’s historic regions. Administrative authority at provincial level is shared between a government-appointed Governor, an elected regional Assembly and an executive elected by the regional Assembly.

There are 51 members of the European Parliament from Poland.

EU - Poland

Ever since Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24&nbsp;February 2022, the EU and the Parliament have supported the country by condemning Russia’s aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material aid. Parliament has also been supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to become an EU candidate country and has been calling on EU countries to launch accession talks.

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April 2022 to express the European Union´s support to the Ukrainian people and to condemn the unjustified Russian attack.&nbsp; On 9 February 2023, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

The&nbsp; new EP reconfirmed in July 2024&nbsp; its view that the EU must continue to support Kyiv for as long as it takes until victory. The resolution, which sets out the newly-elected European Parliament’s first official position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, restates the continued support of MEPs for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It calls on the EU to maintain and extend its sanctions policy against Russia and Belarus, monitor and review its effectiveness and impact, and systematically tackle the issue of sanctions circumvention by EU-based companies, third parties, and third countries.

Parliament held also and&nbsp;extraordinary plenary session on 19th November 2024 with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Solidarity with Ukraine

Every year around 9 May, ‘Europe Day’, the European Parliament&nbsp;organizes events in the three places of work as well as in the Member States. These open door events (in the case of the EP, taking place in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg) are an opportunity for the institutions to open their doors to citizens, invite them in and showcase what they are, what they do and what they stand for.

This year the EP opens to citizens on the 27th April in Strasbourg, 4th May in Brussels and 9th May in Luxembourg.

Europe days 2024

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

The ECB President takes part in a regular monetary dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central institution of the Economic and Monetary Union and has been responsible for conducting monetary policy for the euro area since 1 January 1999. The ECB and the national central banks of all EU Member States constitute the European System of Central Banks.

On 2 July 2019, Christine Lagarde was nominated by the European Council to succeed Mario Draghi as President of the European Central Bank on 1 November 2019.

Monetary dialogue (2019-2020)

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) takes part four times a year in a monetary dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) to report on monetary policy and answer question from MEPs.&nbsp;Although guaranteed independence under the Treaty, the ECB is accountable for its actions towards the European Parliament, and more precisely the ECON Committee.

The European Central Bank is the central institution of the Economic and Monetary Union and has been responsible for conducting monetary policy for the euro area since 1 January 1999 The ECB and the national central banks of all EU Member States constitute the European System of Central Banks.

Monetary dialogue

Belgium is a founding member of the European Union

Belgium is member of the Schengen area since 26 March 1995 and of the Eurozone since 1 January 1999.

The country's capital, Brussels, is together with Luxembourg City and Strasbourg, one of the three official seats of the European institutions. Belgium is a constitutional monarchy in which the King is head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of the government.

EU - Belgium

Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is a member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999 and of the Schengen area since 26 March 1995.

Luxembourg City, together with Brussels and Strasbourg, is one of the three official seats of the European institutions. There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Luxembourg.

EU - Luxembourg

LIBE - Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

To support its publications, the European Parliamentary Research Service is producing a wide range of informative, timely and varied audio-visual products. These products include content-rich videos and animations, and also regular monthly podcasts, such as policy podcasts and science and technology podcasts. They are based on EPRS' independent, objective and authoritative analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the European Union, so empowering Members and committees in their parliamentary work and supporting parliamentary outreach to the wider public.

Restrictions: © The material of this package may not be edited and single videos must be shown in its entirety.

EPRS Multimedia Centre

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

Jessika Roswall was Swedish Minister for EU Affairs since 2022. She is now European Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate, Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

Magnus Brunner was Secretary of State at the Austrian Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology from 2020 to 2021 and Austrian Federal Minister for Finance since 2021. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Internal Affairs and Migration, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Magnus BRUNNER, Commissioner-designate, Internal Affairs and Migration

Dan Jørgensen was Member of the EP (2004-2013), Danish Minister for Food, Agriculture and Fisheries (2013-2015), Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities (2019-2022) and Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy since 2022. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Energy and Housing, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Dan JØRGENSEN, Commissioner-designate, Energy and Housing

Dubravka Šuica was Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography in the von der Leyen Commission I and Member of the European Parliament from 2013 to 2019. She is now European Commissioner-designate for the Mediterranean, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Commissioner-designate, Mediterranean

Ekaterina Zaharieva was Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Judiciary reforms and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2021 and she is currently a Member of the Bulgarian National Assembly. She is now European Commissioner-designate for Startups, Research and Innovation, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, European Commissioner-designate, Startups, Research and Innovation

Michael McGrath was Irish Minister for Finance from 2022 to 2024, and he is now the European Commissioner-designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner-designate, Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law

Apostolos Tzitzikostas was President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) from 2020 to 2022 and First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) since 2022. He is now the European Commissioner-designate for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, in the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Apostolos TZITZIKOSTAS, Commissioner-designate, Sustainable Transport and Tourism

Christophe Hansen was re-elected as a Luxembourgish Member of the European Parliament in June 2024 (having previously served as a Member from 2018 to 2023). He is now the European Commissioner-designate for Agriculture and Food, in the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Christophe HANSEN, Commissioner-designate, Agriculture and Food

Maroš Šefčovič was Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, and Acting Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries in the von der Leyen Commission I. He was also Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Energy Union in the Juncker Commission and has been a Member of the European Commission since 2009. He is now the European Commissioner-designate for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner-designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner-designate, Trade, Economic Security, and Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

Confirmation hearing of Glenn MICALLEF, Commissioner-designate, Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport

EP President Roberta Metsola participates at the Santander International Banking Conference 2024 "Growth in a Disrupted World" in Madrid. She also delivered a message on catastrophique floods  in Spain.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President official visit to Madrid (Spain)

The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, is in Rome to celebrate the anniversary of Alcide De Gasperi’s passing. In honour of the noble father of Christian Democracy, the foundation that bears his name is organizing a series of events to be attended by Italian and foreign institutional guests.

The 2024 was decreed “De Gasperi year” by the De Gasperi Foundation, established in 1982 to gather the legacy of the Italian statesman. On the 70th anniversary of his death, a commemorative event has been organized at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome to be attended by, among others, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates at the Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Alcide De Gasperi's Passing

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announces the winner of this year’s Sakharov Prize 2024 for Freedom of Thought in the hemicycle. The laureate is María Corina Machado as the leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans fighting for the reinstitution of freedom and democracy from both inside and outside the country;

Named after Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, who agreed to his name being used, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the EU’s highest human rights award.
The Sakharov Prize ceremony will be held on Wednesday 18 December at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. To learn more about the nominees for the 2024 Sakharov Prize, click here.

María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia awarded 2024 Sakharov Prize

On Thursday, the Conference of Presidents (EP President Metsola and political group leaders) will decide on the winner of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The three shortlisted candidates are:  María Corina Machado, as leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia; Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, academic and anti-corruption activist in Azerbaijan; (Alternative: Elon Musk, USA); and "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun", Israel/Palestine.

Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate

Seven years after the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the European Parliament discusses the state of the rule of law in Malta. MEPs assess the country's recent developments in upholding European values, focusing on media freedom and anti-corruption efforts. Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed corruption, money laundering, and organized crime, was murdered in a car bomb attack in 2017, sparking outrage and political upheaval, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

In the same session, the winner of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism will be announced, honoring her legacy in the fight for transparency and justice. The prize, endorsed by the European Parliament in 2020, rewards journalism that upholds the EU’s core values, including democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The €20,000 prize is open to professional journalists from any EU country, and the winner will be chosen by an independent jury.

This debate underscores the EU’s commitment to promoting democracy and the rule of law, both within its borders and in candidate countries, as part of the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism: Award Ceremony

MEPs discuss with the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

MEPs and the Commission discuss Iran’s state-sponsored terrorism in light of recent attacks in Europe.

The debate follows recent reports by European security services that Iran may have been involved in the explosions and shootings that took place near the Israeli embassies in Stockholm and Copenhagen, by using local criminal gangs. European officials have also warned of an increase in assassination attempts by Iranian intelligence targeting Jews and regime critics on European soil.

The European Parliament has long been a vocal critic of the Iranian clerical regime for its brutal suppression of the democratic aspirations of its own citizens, as well as its support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. MEPs have also called for the country’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be placed on the EU terrorist list.

State sponsored terrorism by the Islamic Republic of Iran in the light of the recent attacks in Europe

The Parliament discusses China’s military provocations close to Taiwan, and vote on a resolution. China’s military exercises around Taiwan have become increasingly frequent in recent years. MEPs criticise the recent manoeuvres in the Taiwan Strait and express their solidarity with Taiwan as a regular victim of foreign information manipulation and interference by China. 

In a resolution adopted in December 2023, MEPs said the EU’s ‘One China policy’ has not changed and that any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, particularly by means of force or coercion, is not acceptable. They also opposed China’s constant distortion of UN Resolution 2758 by demanding that Taiwanese passport holders, including journalists, NGO workers and political activists be barred from accessing tours and events in the UN. Resolution 2758 was adopted by the 26th U.N. General Assembly in 1971 to address the issue of China's representation at the UN.

People’s Republic of China’s misinterpretation of the UN resolution 2758 and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan

EP Plenary session - Commission’s plans to include the revision of the outstanding proposals on animal welfare in its work plan for 2025

EP Plenary session - Voting session

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

FEMM

Joint committee on Budgets and committee on Foreign Affairs

BUDG

AFET

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

AGRI

Committee on Budgets

Subcommittee meeting on Public Health

SANT

High-Level Conference - Standing with the People of Belarus

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs - Interparliamentary committee meeting Rule of Law

LIBE

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

IMCO

Joint committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and committee on Transport and Tourism

TRAN

Press conference by Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left, DE) Co-president and Ilaria SALIS (The Left, IT) on criminalisation of antifascism in Europe

Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Press conference by Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO), Chair of the EU-Moldova Delegation on the outcome of the 15th EU-Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee meeting

Article 17 TFEU Dialogue -  The importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing Europe's future challenges

Article 17 TFEU Dialogue - The importance of intergenerational dialogue in addressing Europe's future challenges

Delegation for relations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, including the EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee and the EU-Kosovo

DSEE

Delegations for relations with Mercosur

DMER

Press briefing S&D Group

Commemoration marking the 6th anniversary of the 2018 Strasbourg terrorist attack

Press briefing EPP

Media seminar - European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

EP Plenary session - Ousting of the Syrian regime, its geopolitical implications and the humanitarian situation in the region

EP Plenary session - Short Presentation - Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention on transparency in treaty-based investor-State arbitration

REGI - Second Trilogue on Regulation on Facilitating Cross-Border Solutions

EP Plenary session - A European Innovation Act: lowering the cost of innovating in Europe

AFET DEVE DROI  joint Committee meeting with Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2024 laureates

EP Plenary session - Right to clean drinking water in the EU

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought 2024 - Interviews with laureates

EP Plenary session - Regional Emergency Support

Meeting of the European Parliament's Bureau

Peace Light Ceremony

EP Plenary session - Activities of the European Ombudsman – annual report 2023

EP Plenary session - Resumption of session and order of business

Last minute briefing

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Andrzej DOMANSKI, Polish Minister of Finance

Younous OMARJEE (The Left, FR), and Andrzej BULA (EPP, PL) hold a press briefing on the Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (“RESTORE”) proposal. The Regional Emergency Support to Reconstruction (“RESTORE”) proposal allows EU countries to more easily channel European regional development funds (ERDF) and cohesion funds to disaster reconstruction. The “RESTORE” proposal was adopted by 638 votes in favour, 10 against with 5 abstentions. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Younous OMARJEE (The Left, FR), and Andrzej BULA (EPP, PL), co-rapporteurs on the restore proposal

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, María Corina MACHADO, leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela, Edmundo GONZALEZ URRUTIA, Venezuelan President-elect and the Venezuelan opposition movement, Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate hold a press conference .

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, María Corina MACHADO, leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela, Edmundo GONZALEZ URRUTIA, Venezuelan President-elect and the Venezuelan opposition movement, Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate

Parliament elects the European Ombudsman, with six candidates vying for the position. As established in rule 237 of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, in order to be elected a candidate must obtain a majority of votes cast by MEPs. If no candidate is elected after the first two ballots, the two candidates who received the most votes will stand for a third and final ballot. In case of a tie, the oldest candidate shall be appointed. The candidates, listed alphabetically, are: • Teresa Anjinho (Portugal) • Emilio De Capitani (Italy) • Marino Fardelli (Italy) • Julia Laffranque (Estonia) • Claudia Mahler (Austria) • Reinier van Zutphen (The Netherlands) On Tuesday, Parliament backed Teresa Anjinho (Portugal) as the European Ombudsman for a five-year mandate, with the support of 344 MEPs in a secret plenary vote.

Election of the Ombudsman (first and second ballot)

BALLARÍN CEREZA IMCO Discontinuation of the European ODR Platform SCHNEIDER ENVI Deforestation Regulation: provisions relating to the date of application (Vote: 14/11/2024) VRECIONOVÁ AGRI Specific measures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) for Member States affected by natural disasters VRECIONOVÁ AGRI Forest reproductive material of the ‘tested’ category NEMEC BUDG Mobilisation of the European Globalisation AdjustmentFund: application EGF/2024/002 BE/Limburg machinery and paper - Belgium BUŁA, OMARJEE EMPL/REGI

Voting Session

On 17 December, the European Parliament elected Teresa Anjinho (Portugal) as the European Ombudsman for a five-year mandate, with the support of 344 MEPs in a secret plenary vote. After two rounds of voting, Teresa Anjinho secured the necessary majority of votes cast. Six candidates participated in the first and second ballots: Teresa Anjinho (Portugal), Emilio De Capitani (Italy), Marino Fardelli (Italy), Julia Laffranque (Estonia), Claudia Mahler (Austria), and Reinier van Zutphen (the Netherlands).

Election of the Ombudsman: extracts from the annual report debate (16.12) and from the vote on the new Ombudsman (17.12)

EP President Metsola awards the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces, and Edmundo González Urrutia, the President-elect of Venezuela. Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ceremony of the 2024 Sakharov Prize: Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

EP President Metsola awards the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces, and Edmundo González Urrutia, the President-elect of Venezuela. Statements by María Corina MACHADO, leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela, Edmundo GONZALEZ URRUTIA, Venezuelan President-elect and the Venezuelan opposition movement Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ceremony of the 2024 Sakharov Prize: Statements by María Corina MACHADO, leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela, Edmundo GONZALEZ URRUTIA, Venezuelan President-elect and the Venezuelan opposition movement, Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Edmundo GONZÁLEZ URRUTIA, Venezuelan President-elect, Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate and Ana Corina SOSA (daughter and representative of María CORINA MACHADO), Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate, followed by the Sakharov 2024 Prize ceremony. This news item shows extracts from the meeting between President Metsola and Sakharov 2024 laureates; and extracts from the ceremony of the Sakharov Prize 2024.

Award of the 2024 Sakharov Prize: meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President and the laureates and extracts from the ceremony

EP President Metsola awards the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces, and Edmundo González Urrutia, the President-elect of Venezuela. Ambience shots from the chamber prior to the ceremony. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Ceremony of the 2024 Sakharov Prize: Ambience shots from the chamber prior to the ceremony

MEPs discuss misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media, and the dangers they pose to free and fair elections in Europe. The debate takes place after the decision by Romania’s constitutional court to annul the first round of the country’s recent presidential elections following reports of possible foreign interference. It also comes after a “retention order” issued by the Commission to TikTok to preserve documents about its recommender systems and paid political content relating to national elections in the EU between 24 November 2024 and 31 March 2025. MEPs are expected to ask the Commission about its ongoing scrutiny of large online platforms such as TikTok and X under the Digital Services Act.

Misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, such as X and TikTok and related risks to the integrity of elections in Europe: extracts from the debate

EP President Metsola awards the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces, and Edmundo González Urrutia, the President-elect of Venezuela. Ceremony and hand over of the prize

Ceremony of the 2024 Sakharov Prize: Ceremony and hand over of the prize

Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), The Left Group Leaders hold a press briefing. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press briefing by Manon AUBRY (The Left, FR), The Left Group Leader

Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Greens/EFA Group Leaders holds a press briefing. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press briefing by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Greens/EFA Group Leaders

In a debate with Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, MEPs take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections. The current demonstrations were triggered by the Georgian government’s decision to pause the country’s EU accession process following disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024. The latest ballot saw the ruling Georgian Dream party claim victory, despite the Georgian opposition and international observers, including MEPs, warning of serious irregularities.

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia: Closing statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean

Valerie HAYER (Renew, FR), Renew Europe Group Leader holds a press briefing during the plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.People

Press briefing by Valerie HAYER (Renew, FR), Renew Europe Group Leader

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia: Opening statement by Dubravka ŠUICA, European Commissioner for the Mediterranean

In a debate with European Commissioner for Mediterranean, Dubravka Suica, MEPs take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections. The current demonstrations were triggered by the Georgian government’s decision to pause the country’s EU accession process following disputed parliamentary elections in October 2024. The latest ballot saw the ruling Georgian Dream party claim victory, despite the Georgian opposition and international observers, including MEPs, warning of serious irregularities.

Crackdown on peaceful pro-European demonstrators in Georgia: One round of political group speakers

In a debate with European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, MEPs take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections.

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