At a glance: von der Leyen to present the structure and portfolios of the College of Commissioners at Parliament’s Conference of Presidents; political groups prepare for the next European Parliament plenary session; and an International Trade Committee delegation attends the WTO Public Forum.

Korte nyheder – 10/09/2024 - dansk

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on Regional Development is holding a discussion with the European Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms; the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on e-commerce; and Multilingualism Day.

Korte nyheder – 09/09/2024 - dansk

Electrification is gaining momentum across many sectors, including transport, buildings and industry, driven by the EU's climate ambition and security of supply. As the cost of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind continues to fall, electrification presents an opportunity to reshape the European economy, enhancing competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if electrification transformed the EU economy?

Although the European defence industry is generally competitive, more than a decade of underinvestment has kept it from reaching its full potential. The significant under-investment in European defence is demonstrated by the severe difficulties the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) has in obtaining finance. Member States' defence budgets will continue to be the EDTIB's main source of funding; however, more collaborative actions and spending would enhance output and efficiency.

EPRS policy podcast - Financing the European defence industry

At a glance: the Committee on International Trade will hold an exchange of views with the Commission about negotiations on the WTO plurilateral agreement on e-commerce; a delegation from the same committee will take part in the WTO Public Forum in Geneva; and the EU Solidarity Fund will be mobilised to support five EU countries.

Korte nyheder – 06/09/2024 - dansk

At a glance: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is attending the G7 Speakers’ Conference in Italy; former President of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi presented his report on the future of Europe’s competitiveness at yesterday’s meeting of the Conference of Presidents; today is the International Day of Charity.

Korte nyheder – 05/09/2024 - dansk

At a glance: the Committee on Budgetary Control is discussing EU fraud and corruption investigations; the Committee on the Internal Market is reviewing toy safety rules; and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development is exchanging views on pesticide residues in food.

Korte nyheder – 04/09/2024 - dansk

At a glance: Parliament’s committees will start meeting this week.

Korte nyheder – 03/09/2024 - dansk

At a glance: Parliament’s committees will start meet this week and the agenda of the next plenary session of the European Parliament.

Korte nyheder – 02/09/2024 - dansk

Når europaparlamentsmedlemmerne er blevet valgt, er der en række forskellige roller, der skal fordeles. Som parlamentsmedlem kan man fungere som formand eller næstformand for Europa-Parlamentet, man kan sidde i forskellige udvalg, og så kan man sågar blive observatør. Man hører ikke så tit om observatørerne, men de spiller alligevel en meget vigtig rolle i Parlamentet.
I denne episode vil vi se nærmere på, hvad det vil sige at være observatør, så vi kan blive lidt klogere på, hvem der kan blive observatør, hvad deres opgaver er, og hvordan deres arbejde fungerer.

Med på jargonen: Observatørerne

Når man tænker på Europa-Parlamentet, er der nok stor sandsynlighed for, at man forestiller sig en masse parlamentsmedlemmer, der stemmer i mødesalen. Men afstemningerne finder faktisk kun sted én gang om måneden under Parlamentets plenarforsamlinger. Så hvad er plenarforsamlingerne, og hvordan foregår de?

Hvad er plenarforsamlingen?

Har du nogensinde hørt om Europa-Parlamentets næstformænd?
Ud fra deres jobtitel er det tydeligt, at de spiller en vigtig rolle i Parlamentet og må være vigtige politiske personligheder. 
Men ved du, hvad næstformændene i Parlamentet egentlig laver, hvem de er, og hvordan de bliver valgt?

Med på jargonen: Europa-Parlamentets næstformænd

Med på jargonen: Hvad laver formanden for Europa-Parlamentet?

Hvad laver formanden for Europa-Parlamentet?

At a glance: the findings of the special Eurobarometer survey on the rule of law; the agenda for the next plenary session of the European Parliament; and passenger rights in the EU.

Korte nyheder – 26/07/2024 - dansk

At a glance: the Committees’ first regular meetings; a statement by the chair of Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries on the stricken fishing vessel in the Falkland Islands; and the European Disability Card and Parking Card.

Korte nyheder – 25/07/2024 - dansk

Når Europa-Parlamentet har valgt sin formand og 14 næstformænd, er det tid til at vælge kvæstorerne. Men hvad er deres rolle?

Med på jargonen: Hvad er en kvæstor?

Plastics are everywhere in our daily life: they are used in packaging, buildings, cars, electronics, agriculture and other sectors. On 3 July 2021, the EU ban on disposable plastics comes into effect. This will concern straws, cups, cutlery, plates, but also balloon rods.

Single-use plastic products are used once, or for a short period of time, before being thrown away. The impacts of this plastic waste on the environment and our health are global and can be drastic. Single-use plastic products are more likely to end up in our seas than reusable options.

The 10 most commonly found single-use plastic items on European beaches, alongside fishing gear, represent 70% of all marine litter in the EU. According to the directive on single-use plastics where sustainable alternatives are easily available and affordable, single-use plastic products cannot be placed on the markets of EU Member States. This applies to cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, stirrers, and sticks for balloons.

It will also apply to cups, food and beverage containers made of expanded polystyrene, and on all products made of oxo-degradable plastic. The EU aims to become a forerunner in the global fight against marine litter and plastic pollution. EU rules aim to reduce the volume and impact of certain plastic products on environment.

Plastics production is 20 times higher than in 1960s, and is forecast to almost quadruple by 2050. Although there are thousands of types of plastics, 90% of plastics are derived from virgin fossil fuels. About 6% of global oil consumption is used to produce plastics; by 2050, this share could reach 20%. In Europe, about 40% of post-consumer plastic waste is incinerated with energy recovery, and the rest is either landfilled or recycled. About half of the plastic waste collected and recycled is treated in the European Union; the other half is exported, mainly to China.

EU Strategy for Plastics and packaging

Oceans need to be managed sustainably in order to conserve our fragile marine ecosystems.

Although oceans are essential to us in many ways, the state of marine biodiversity remains little known. What we do know, however, is that human activities create a number of pressures such as (over-)exploitation, carbon emissions, and pollution, including marine litter.

It is estimated that there are over 150 million tonnes of plastic in the world's seas and that, without significant action, there may be more plastic than fish (by weight) in the sea by 2050. Some marine litter consists of microplastics; these originate from the breaking down of larger plastic pieces or are released directly into the environment.

Ocean protection

The progress of&nbsp;digital transformation&nbsp;has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats.&nbsp;Also the COVID19 crisis has again exposed the cyber vulnerabilities of some critical sectors, in particular healthcare, while teleworking and social distance has increased our dependency on digital technologies and connectivity.

As&nbsp; a consequence, in December 2020 the European Commission launched a new EU Cybersecurity Strategy&nbsp;to make physical and digital critical entities more resilient.

The European Parliament and the Coucil reached a deal on&nbsp;May 2022 on the new rules to&nbsp;strengthen EU-wide resilience

The agreed text&nbsp;sets tighter cybersecurity obligations in terms of risk management, reporting obligations and information sharing. The requirements include incident response, supply chain security, encryption and vulnerability disclosure, among other provisions.

Cybersecurity

2025&nbsp; EU budget was signed into law by European Parliament’s President Metsola during the plenary in November. In February 2024, during the revision of the EU's long-term budget, Parliament secured substantial increases for key priorities, such as support for Ukraine, additions which MEPs were able to maintain for 2025’s budget. They also ensured the financing of the repayment costs for the European Recovery Instrument (EURI), which are almost twice the amount initially forecast for 2025, while at the same time protecting funding for essential programmes like Erasmus+ or research.

MEPs also obtained further funding for essential programmes in the 2025 annual budget. They successfully negotiated an additional €230.7 million beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, focusing on key initiatives including research, health, education, young farmers, coordination of social security schemes, crisis response to natural disasters, climate action, humanitarian aid, military mobility and border management. On top of this extra funding, major increases sourced from previous savings will benefit the 2025 budget, including €422 million for Erasmus+ and €20 million for Horizon Europe.

EU Budget 2025

Exposing and eradicating discrimination on the grounds of gender and sex remains a priority for the European Parliament. Through the&nbsp;FEMM Committee and plenary debates, MEPs frequently discuss&nbsp;the impact on women of social and economic changes.

The European Parliament aims to address and denounce events and policy that breach or threaten the rights of women,&nbsp;both within the EU and abroad.

During the last week of October 2023, the European Parliament holds its fourth European Gender Equality Week,&nbsp;at the initiative of the Women’s Rights Committee. Several committees will hold debates with a gender perspective to discuss policy shortcomings and achievements, and how to advance women's rights in all EU policy areas.

Women's rights

EP President Metsola made&nbsp;a statement at the opening of the February session, followed by a full debate on the emergency humanitarian aid the EU can provide to Türkiye and Syria after the catastrophic earthquake, which cost the lives of more than 30 000&nbsp;people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.

Turkey has been candidate for EU membership since 1999. Accession negotiations started in 2005. In recent years the EU is often criticizing the backsliding of the country in certain areas. As a major emerging economy and a member of NATO and G20, Türkiye&nbsp;is recognised as an active regional foreign policy player, with a strategic location, including for the EU's energy security. Turkey is a key strategic partner of the EU on issues such as migration, security, counter-terrorism, and the economy, but according to the EU has been backsliding in the areas of democracy, rule of law and fundamental right.

EU - Türkiye

Finland joined the EU on 1st January 1995. 

Finland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the EU and is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east. Finland has 13 seats in the European Parliament.

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EU - Finland

During the plenary session in November II 2019, Ursula von der Leyen,&nbsp;President-elect of the EC, presents her team and programme. Parliament voted the entire list of candidates proposed by the President-elect and the Council by simple majority in a roll call vote. The college of Commissioners and their programme is approved. Results of the vote: 461 in favour, 157 against and 89 abstentions.

Parliament’s Conference of Presidents declared the Commissioner-designate hearings process complete on Thursday 21 November 2019.

The new European Commission officially takes up its duties on 1 December 2019.

Election of the 2019-2024 Commission

Mario&nbsp;Draghi, formerly the President of the European Central Bank and Prime Minister of Italy, was tasked by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with presenting ideas on the future of European competitiveness. The report calls the challenge facing policy makers an “existential” one and warns that procrastination will lead to hard choices having to be made. It proposes far-reaching changes to numerous areas such as an “unprecedented” boost to public investment, including through the issuance of new EU common debt, a reform of the EU’s cohesion policy, an overhaul of competition policy, and a new industrial policy with at its core a strategy for reducing Europe’s high energy prices.

European competitiveness

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the EU, after cardiovascular diseases. Each year there are 3.5 million new diagnoses; and every year 1.3 million people die from cancer, accounting for 25% of all deaths. If the current trend continues, the projection is that by 2035 cancer cases will have doubled in number, and cancer will have become the leading cause of death in the EU.

Though public health is the primary responsibility of the Member States, the EU has a strong role in supporting, coordinating and complementing Member States’ efforts. On 4 February 2020 – World Cancer Day – the European Commission started its outreach on Europe’s Cancer Plan at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Plan aims to reduce the cancer burden for patients and families, and health care systems. The Plan is ambitious in addressing cancer-related inequalities between and in the Member States. The European Parliament, as law-maker and policy-maker, plays an active role in shaping the new Cancer Plan and related legislative proposals and policy initiatives.

Fight against cancer

GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. They are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in order to give it a new property. For example, this could be to make it easier for a plant to resist a disease, insects or drought, or to increase crop productivity.

The EU's GMO legislation stems from 1990 when the first two directives concerning GMOs came into force. Both original directives have since been updated, but the definition of a GMO has remained unchanged. This is causing problems for new techniques developed since then. New plant genetic modification techniques, referred to as 'gene editing' or 'genome editing', have evolved rapidly in recent years, allowing much faster and more precise results than conventional plant-breeding techniques. They are seen as a promising, innovative field for the agri-food industry, offering great technical potential.There is, however, considerable debate as to how these new techniques should be regulated, and whether some or all of them should fall within the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/genetically-modified-organism-8th-parliamentary-term_6504_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Genetically modified organism

Every five years, EU citizens choose who represents them in the European Parliament, the directly-elected institution that defends their interests in the EU decision-making process.

The European elections took place from 6th to 9th of June 2024.

The elections take place every five years and are the largest transnational elections in the world. By voting in the European elections, people living in the EU get to choose the 720&nbsp;members that will represent them in the European Parliament until 2029.

Following the elections, Parliament votes to elect the new head of the European Commission, which is the EU’s executive body, and to approve the full team of commissioners.

EU-valget 2024

The EU’s 2021-2027 long-term budget, together with NextGenerationEU, amounts to €1.8 trillion. This unprecedented response will help repair the economic and social damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic and aid the transition towards a modern, more sustainable Europe.

The package consists of the long-term budget (the 2021-2027 MFF multiannual financial framework) of €1.074 trillion, combined with the temporary recovery instrument NextGenerationEU of €750 billion.

It was adopted by the European Parliament on 16 December 2020.

MEPs negotiated major top-ups for EU flagship programmes like Health, Horizon (Research), Erasmus+ and supported also a roadmap introducing new sources of EU revenue. This roadmap is part of the ‘Interinstitutional Agreement’, a legally binding text. In addition to the contribution made as of 2021, based on how much unrecycled plastic a country has, the roadmap includes an ETS (Emissions Trading System)-based Own Resource (from 2023, possibly linked with a carbon border adjustment mechanism). It also includes a digital levy (from 2023) and a Financial Transaction Tax-based Own Resource, as well as a financial contribution that the corporate sector must make or a new common corporate tax base (from 2026).

Parliament also approved in its February 2024 session, the revision of the EU’s long-term budget.

This includes the €50 billion Ukraine Facility and the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), which aims to make the EU more strategically independent and to foster innovation. It also enables the EU budget to respond more effectively to evolving needs and unforeseen circumstances. In particular, it bolsters the EU’s budget to deal with migration and external challenges as well as the EU's crisis preparedness and budgetary flexibility. In line with Parliament’s demands, the revision introduces a mechanism to tackle escalating costs linked to the repayment of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan amid rising interest rates.

EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027

Economic Dialogues are held in order to enhance the dialogue between the EU institutions on the application of economic governance rules and with Member States, if appropriate, to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

Representatives of Member States, the European Commission, the President of the Council, the President of the European Council and the President of the Eurogroup can be invited to discuss economic and policy issues before the competent Committee of the European Parliament.

The European Semester is the framework for integrated surveillance and coordination of economic and employment policies across the EU. Since its introduction in 2011, it has become a well-established forum for discussing EU countries’ fiscal, economic and employment policy challenges under a common annual timeline. It's being adapted to take into account the creation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The implementation of Member States’ recovery and resilience plans will drive their reform and investment agenda for the years ahead. The European Semester, with its broader scope and multilateral surveillance, will usefully complement the implementation of the recovery and resilience plans.

During the last economic dialogue, on 7 February 2022, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for An Economy that Works for People, and Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, debated with Members from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs ECON the fiscal part of the Autumn Package of the 2022 European Semester and in particular overall assessment of the 2022 draft budgetary plans and policy guidance on the appropriate fiscal stance.

Economic Dialogue

The EP 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, in a ceremony on 12 December. The laureates were represented by Saleh Nikbakht, academic and lawyer representing Jina Mahsa Amini’s family; and Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar, Iranian women's rights defenders who left Iran in 2023.

Opening the award ceremony, President Metsola declared: "This years’ Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded to Jina Masha Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, serves as a tribute to all the brave and defiant women, men and young people in Iran, who despite coming under increasing pressure, are continuing the fight for their rights and push for change. The European Parliament hears you and supports you. You are not alone.ʺ

Jina Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by police in Tehran on 13 September 2022 for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws, and died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody.

Among the finalists&nbsp;were also:&nbsp;Women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion: Justyna Wydrzyńska - Poland, Morena Herrera - El Salvador and Colleen McNichols - United States&nbsp; and&nbsp; Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, Nicaragua.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros. Last year, Parliament awarded the prize to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society.

Sakharov Prize 2023

The European Council held an exchange of views with the President of Ukraine. The European Council addressed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in all its dimensions and reviewed progress on the Union’s comprehensive support to Ukraine and its people as Ukraine exercises its inherent right to self-defence.

The European Council is deeply alarmed by the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and the risk this represents for the entire region. It calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to all hostilities immediately and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law. The European Union is fully committed to helping de-escalate the situation and reduce tensions. The European Council held an in-depth strategic discussion on migration in all its dimensions and across all routes.

&nbsp;The European Council also calls for enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit, through comprehensive mutually beneficial partnerships, to address root causes and to fight trafficking and smuggling with a view to preventing loss of life and irregular departures. Visa policy alignment by neighbouring countries is an important element in this regard. Safe and legal pathways in line with national competences are key for regular and orderly migration.

European Council, 17-18 October 2024

Parliament debate the findings of the Draghi's report on a blueprint for boosting Europe’s competitiveness. after his address from 14.00.

The report calls the challenge facing policy makers an “existential” one and warns that procrastination will lead to hard choices having to be made. It proposes far-reaching changes to numerous areas such as an “unprecedented” boost to public investment, including through the issuance of new EU common debt, a reform of the EU’s cohesion policy, an overhaul of competition policy, and a new industrial policy with at its core a strategy for reducing Europe’s high energy prices.

The future of European competitiveness

At 13:30 on Tuesday, MEPs are hearing Mario Draghi present his ambitious blueprint for boosting Europe's competitiveness. Parliament is set to debate the findings from 14:00.

Former ECB President and Italian Prime Minister, Draghi is tasked by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to outline ideas for the future of European competitiveness. His report calls the challenge "existential" and warns that delaying action will force tough decisions.

The blueprint proposes major reforms, including a boost to public investment through new EU common debt, a reformed cohesion policy, a revamped competition policy, and an industrial strategy aimed at reducing Europe’s high energy prices.

Address by Mario DRAGHI, Special Advisor to Ursula von der Leyen, EC President - Presentation of the report on the Future of European competitiveness

MEPs are discussing global social media platform regulations on Tuesday, focusing on the enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and its role in protecting democracy and online freedom. The DSA, in effect since February 2024, applies to all platforms, and MEPs question the Commission on its enforcement measures, including ongoing investigations into potential violations by TikTok, Meta, X, and AliExpress. 

Since the DSA's adoption, countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US are considering similar laws to hold platforms accountable for user safety. The EU's digital rulebook, a global standard for consumer protection and rights online, includes obligations for social media companies to combat illegal content, enhance algorithm transparency, and ban misleading practices such as targeted ads for children. 

MEPs are also explore how the DSA has influenced global regulatory trends and assess further measures to strengthen its enforcement.

Global measures towards social media platforms - Strengthening the role of DSA and protecting the democracy and freedom in the online sphere

MEPs are calling for continued military and financial support for Ukraine in a resolution expected on Thursday. Ahead of the vote, Parliament is holding a debate with the Commission on Tuesday.

In July, the newly-elected Parliament adopted its first resolution of the term, stating that the EU must support Ukraine until it wins against Russia’s occupying forces. This latest resolution reaffirms that commitment, urging EU countries to maintain their backing for Kyiv.

Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States

After a stabbing attack in Solingen, Germany, MEPs discuss how to manage unauthorised movements of third-country nationals within the EU. This follows Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls on all land borders for six months to improve detection of illegal entries.

MEPs are raising concerns about the impact of these checks on Schengen free movement and reviewing preparations for the upcoming Pact on Migration and Asylum, set for 2026. The Pact focuses on strengthening security checks and accelerating asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to protection.

Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

In January 2024, the EU launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture, following EC President von der Leyen's announcement in her September 2023 State of the Union address. The initiative brought together 29 key stakeholders from the agri-food sector, rural communities, and academia to shape a shared vision for EU farming and food systems.

On 4 September 2024, EC President von der Leyen received the group's final report, "A Shared Prospect for Farming and Food in Europe," from Chair Professor Peter Strohschneider. The report outlines challenges, opportunities, and recommendations that will guide the European Commission's Vision for Agriculture and Food during von der Leyen's second term.

Outcome of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, officially opens the Plenary session in Strasbourg with a statement.

Opening of the Pleanry session by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

President Metsola meets the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo has been Finland’s Prime Minister since 2023 and leader of the National Coalition Party since 2016, he previously served as Deputy Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and Minister of the Interior.

President Metsola meets the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo

The Italian Chamber of Deputies will host the 22nd Meeting of the Presidents of the Lower Houses of the G7 Countries and the European Parliament in Verona from 5 to 7 September 2024. This high-level event will focus on critical global issues such as security, development, and the digital transition. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, will deliver an opening address, contributing to discussions aimed at fostering international cooperation. The meeting will conclude with the adoption of a final Declaration, highlighting the shared commitments of the G7 nations.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates in the G7 Speakers' Meeting

During her official visit to Poland, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola participated in a series of high-profile engagements that underscored the importance of EU-Poland relations. 

The visit began with a meeting between President Metsola and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw. 

Following this, President Metsola attended the "The Future of Poland 2024" event at the University of Warmia and Mazury. During the event, she delivered a speech.. The subsequent Q&A session was moderated by Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland

On August 24th, 2024, the European Parliament marked Ukraine's 33rd Independence Day with a series of symbolic events in Brussels. The "Station Europe" building on Place du Luxembourg was lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, showing solidarity with Ukraine.

Earlier, a ceremony on the Esplanade Solidarność featured the raising of the Ukrainian flag and the unfurling of a 30-meter-long flag. Speeches were delivered by Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, and Serhiy Tereshko, Deputy Head of Mission of Ukraine to the EU. The event also included a performance of the Ukrainian national anthem by Lukiia Apanovych. This commemoration highlighted the ties between the EU and Ukraine and reinforced the EU's ongoing support for Ukraine.

Anniversary of the Ukrainian Independence Day

Parliament to vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination for Commission President

If elected by MEPs on Thursday, Ursula von der Leyen is set to return to the office of European Commission President for the next five years.

At 09.00 on Thursday, she will take the floor in Parliament’s plenary session and outline her vision and plans as Commission President, followed by a debate with MEPs.

The vote by secret paper ballot will take place at 13.00, following the debate. 

Background
Article 14 of the Treaty of the European Union provides that the EP “shall elect the President of the Commission.” In practice, based on Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (rule 128), the candidate proposed by the European Council has to present their political guidelines to Parliament, followed by a debate. Parliament then elects the President of the Commission by a majority of its component MEPs - i.e. 361, in a Parliament of 720 Members. If the candidate does not obtain the required majority, the President will invite the European Council to put forward another within one month, for election in accordance with the same procedure.

Ms von der Leyen has been Commission President since 2019 and was the EPP’s lead candidate in the 6 - 9 June European elections.

Election of the President of the European Commission

MEPs will confirm the number and size of Parliament’s standing committees, sub-committees and delegations on Wednesday. Membership of the committees will be announced on Friday. 

The vote on the proposal by the Conference of Presidents (i.e. the President and political group leaders) to set up the European Parliament’s committees and delegations for the new legislative period is expected to take place on Wednesday. The lists of MEPs to be appointed to each committee and delegation (which are decided internally by the political groups and non-attached members) are expected to be announced on Friday. 

According to Parliament's Rules of Procedure (rule 216), the composition of its committees and subcommittees should as far as possible reflect the composition of Parliament as a whole. The proportional distribution of committee seats among political groups must not depart from the nearest appropriate whole number.

Background

Each committee’s responsibilities are set out in Annex VI of the Rules of Procedure. During the previous legislative period, Parliament approved structural reforms for a more modern and efficient Parliament. 

Committees meet in public (unless the rules dictate otherwise) once or twice a month in Brussels. Their work revolves around drawing up, amending, and voting on legislative proposals and own-initiative reports, as well as holding debates with Council and Commission representatives, hearings with external experts, and organising fact-finding missions. They will play a crucial role in the upcoming hearings of Commissioners-designate.

Parliament can set up sub-committees and special temporary committees to deal with specific issues, and may also create committees of inquiry to investigate allegations of maladministration of EU law. The Conference of Committee Chairs coordinates their work.

Votes on the numerical strength of the Parliament’s standing committees, sub-committees and delegations

The House is expected to elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and its five Quaestors on Tuesday 16 July and Wednesday 17 July.

Following the election of its President, Parliament will also elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, which comprise Parliament’s Bureau. 

What do Vice-Presidents and Quaestors do?

Vice-Presidents can replace the President, including to chair plenary sittings and in representing the Parliament at specific ceremonies or acts, when necessary. Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs. 

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors are members of the European Parliament’s Bureau (where Quaestors participate in an advisory capacity), which lays down rules for Parliament’s smooth functioning. Among its other duties, the Bureau draws up Parliament’s preliminary draft budget and decides on administrative, staff and organisational matters. In practice, the political groups aim to ensure that the composition of the Bureau broadly reflects the numerical strength of the groups, taking into account also the results of the President's election.

The process

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (rules 17 and 18) set out how Bureau members are elected. As for the President, nominations are put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold (1/20th of MEPs). 

Vice-Presidents are elected in a single ballot, by an absolute majority of votes cast. If the number of successful candidates is less than 14, a second vote is held for the remaining seats, under the same conditions. If a third vote is necessary, a simple majority is sufficient. Vice-Presidents take precedence in the order in which they are elected and, in the event of a tie, by age. If voted by acclamation, a vote by secret ballot determines the order of precedence.

In each round MEPs may vote for up to as many candidates as the number of seats available in that round, but they have to vote for more than half of the positions to be filled - rounded up. In practical terms, this means that in the first round MEPs will have to vote for at least eight candidates and, if there is an odd number of seats in subsequent rounds, the number would be rounded up: for example, for nine positions the minimum would be five votes. The ballot papers that do not meet the threshold are not counted.

The election of Quaestors follows the same procedure as that for the election of Vice-Presidents.

Elections of EP's Quaestors

New Parliament set to voice strong support for Ukraine

On Wednesday morning, political group leaders will make statements on the need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine, followed by a vote on a resolution at 17.00.
With Russia intensifying its bombardment of Ukrainian civil infrastructure, including strikes on the country’s largest paediatric clinic, political group leaders will discuss the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression.. In a vote on a resolution at 17.00, MEPs will set out the newly elected Parliament’s position and are expected to reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine. 

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of Ukraine resolutions adopted by MEPs during the previous legislative term (2019-2024).

The need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine

The House is expected to elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and its five Quaestors on Wednesday Tuesday 16 July and Wednesday 17 July.17 July and Thursday 18 July.

Following the election of its President, Parliament will also elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, which comprise Parliament’s Bureau. 

What do Vice-Presidents and Quaestors do?

Vice-Presidents can replace the President, including to chair plenary sittings and in representing the Parliament at specific ceremonies or acts, when necessary. Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs. 

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors are members of the European Parliament’s Bureau (where Quaestors participate in an advisory capacity), which lays down rules for Parliament’s smooth functioning. Among its other duties, the Bureau draws up Parliament’s preliminary draft budget and decides on administrative, staff and organisational matters. In practice, the political groups aim to ensure that the composition of the Bureau broadly reflects the numerical strength of the groups, taking into account also the results of the President's election.

The process

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure set out how Bureau members are elected. As for the President, nominations are put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold (1/20th of MEPs). 

Vice-Presidents are elected in a single ballot, by an absolute majority of votes cast. If the number of successful candidates is less than 14, a second vote is held for the remaining seats, under the same conditions. If a third vote is necessary, a simple majority is sufficient. Vice-Presidents take precedence in the order in which they are elected and, in the event of a tie, by age. If voted by acclamation, a vote by secret ballot determines the order of precedence.

Elections of EP's Vice-Presidents

After the new Parliament is established on 16 July at 10.00 CEST, MEPs must first elect their President for the next two-and-a-half years.

The President enjoys a broad range of executive and representative powers, extending to “all powers that are necessary to preside over the proceedings of Parliament and to ensure that they are properly conducted”.

How is the President elected?

Candidates may be put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold, i.e. 1/20th of MEPs. Ahead of the vote, candidates may address the plenary for a maximum of five minutes. 

The election takes place by secret ballot and requires an absolute majority of valid votes cast, i.e. 50% plus one. Blank or spoiled votes are not taken into account. The deadline for presidential nominations is Monday, 15 July, at 19.00 and the vote will take place on Tuesday 16 July.

If no candidate is elected in the first round of voting, the same or other candidates can be nominated for a second round under the same conditions. A third round may take place if necessary, again with the same rules. If none of the candidates are elected in the third round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes in the third round proceed to a fourth and final round of voting, in which the candidate receiving the most votes wins.

Once elected, the new President will take the chair and may deliver an opening address.

Background

The process for electing the EP President is set out in Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, in rules 14 to 16. The sitting at which a new President is elected is chaired by the outgoing President or by one of the outgoing Vice-Presidents (to be determined according to their order of precedence), or, in the absence of any of them, by the Member who has held office for the longest period. Eight tellers, chosen by lot from among MEPs, oversee the process

Election of the President of the European Parliament

EP Plenary session -  EU priorities for the upcoming session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

European Council meeting (19/12)

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

FEMM

Committee on Legal Affairs - Interparliamentary committee meeting E-Justice

JURI

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Committee on Transport and Tourism

TRAN

Subcommittee meeting on Security and Defence

SEDE

Committee on Budgetary Control

CONT

Committee on Fisheries

PECH

Subcommittee meeting on Human Rights

DROI

Joint committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

AGRI

Committee on Legal Affairs

Committee on Development

DEVE

Joint committee on Foreign Affairs and committee on Budgets

BUDG

AFET

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

ITRE

Subcommittee meeting on Tax Matters

FISC

Committee meeting on International Trade

INTA

AGRI - Bilateral meeting with the Polish Presidency of the Council

IMCO - Bilateral meeting with the Polish Presidency of the Council

12th EU-Kosovo SAPC Meeting.

DROI Extraordinary committee meeting

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting with students at the Mediterranean College of Sport

Keynote Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at a discussion organised by Polityka Insight

ECPR seminar - Parliamentary Research and Libraries : Navigating and Supporting Change in a New Parliament

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: meeting with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, Marshal of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Senate of Poland

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, Marshal of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Senate of Poland

Euroscola

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and the Polish Government

ECON - Economic Dialogue and exchange of views on the medium-term fiscal-structural plans and the draft budgetary plans for the euro area

Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula (DKOR) -  Exchange of views on the relations between the EU and the Republic of Korea in the context of the Russia-DPRK Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

SEDE - Exchange of views with Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space

ECON - Public Hearing with Dominique Laboureix, Chair of the Single Resolution Board (SRB)

TRAN - Exchange of views on Transport poverty and gender equality

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ana BRNABIĆ, Serbian Speaker of Serbia

Christmas message by Alessandro Chiocchetti, Secretary-General of the European Parliament - 2024

Christmas message from the Secretary-General - 2024

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament; Szymon HOŁOWNIA, the Marshal of the Sejm of Poland and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Polish Senate, give press statement after the meeting with the Marshal of the Sejm, Mr Szymon Hołownia and Members of political groups in the Polish Parliament to prepare the upcoming Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will run from January to June 2025. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press statements by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Szymon HOŁOWNIA, the Marshal of the Sejm of Poland and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Polish Senate

Roberta METSOLA, EP President makes a keynote speech at DESA Unicum, in Poland. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at DESA Unicum

The EP Conference of Presidents meets with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, President of the Sejm, Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Speaker of the Polish Senate and with Polish members. Extracts from the meetings, familly photo and meeting with Polish members.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council - meeting with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, President of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Speaker of the Polish Senate: extracts from meetings and family photo

The EP Conference of Presidents meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and the Polish Government.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council - meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and the Polish Government: extracts from the meetings, family photo and extracts from the press conference

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister hold a joint press conference on the the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Joint Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister on the the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

Parliament recognised the opposition as rightful winners of July 2024’s presidential election and rejected the widespread electoral fraud and the proclaimed victory of Nicolas Maduro.

With the EU’s highest honour for human rights defenders, Parliament pays tribute to Ms Machado and Mr González Urrutia’s fight to restore democracy, and stands with those defending freedom against authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

European Parliament honours María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia

Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank, answers the questions of MEPs of the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Monetary Dialogue with Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank: extracts

After the opening statement by Aurore LALUCQ, Chair of ECON Committee, Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank, opens the meeting with the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Monetary Dialogue with Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank: opening statements - ECON Committee

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, receives Vjosa OSMANI-SADRIU, President of Kosovo, during her official visit to the European Parliament in Brussels. This news item shows extracts from the arrival of President Osmani-Sadriu, welcome by President Metsola, family photo, signature of the Distinguished Visitor's book and meeting.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Vjosa OSMANI, President of Kosovo: arrival, family photo and meeting

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee meets with TikTok representatives to discuss the platform's adherence to the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA), particularly in the context of recent European elections. Caroline Greer, TikTok’s Director of Public Policy, and Brie Pegum, Global Head of Product, Authenticity and Transparency, address questions on how the company ensures a safe and transparent online space during election periods. MEPs focus on TikTok's risk management strategies to combat disinformation, manages recommender systems, and provide third-party data access, especially concerning Romania's ongoing elections. The DSA, in full effect since February 2024, requires platforms to tackle illegal content and societal risks proactively.

TikTok compliance with Digital Services Act (DSA) in the context of recent developments: extracts from the exchange of views - Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO)

At the House of the European History in Brussels (Belgium), Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with António COSTA, President of the European Council and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with António COSTA, President of the European Council and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission: family photo and meeting

One of the European Parliament's most important roles, beside legislating and deciding on the EU budget, is to hold the European Commission to account. How does that work? It starts with the election of the European Commission President, followed by the investiture of the entire College of Commissioners. In addition to its role in the appointment of the Commission, one of Parliament's strongest scrutiny tools is a motion of censure.

EPRS - The European Parliament’s role in the appointment of the Commission

Each year, the European Union decides how to allocate billions of euros to key areas like the digital and green transitions, agriculture or regional development. How does this budget get approved? Who checks whether the money is well spent? That’s where the European Parliament steps in! In this video, we explain how this process works in a nutshell. We also take a closer look at the discharge of the European Commission.

EPRS - The European Parliament’s role in the annual EU budget and its discharge

Roberta Metsola, formand for Europa-Parlamentet, deler sine tanker om Parlamentets forpligtelse til at fremme ligestilling mellem kønnene.  

Parlamentets formand om ligestilling mellem kønnene  

Efter nøje at have udspurgt kandidaterne har jeres repræsentanter i Europa-Parlamentet godkendt den næste EU-Kommission, unionens udøvende organ.
Ursula von der Leyen præsenterer sit nye team efter at være blevet genvalgt som Kommissionens formand i juli. Parlamentsmedlemmerne gav det grønt lys efter en debat i Strasbourg den 27. november.
Tidligere i november udspurgte MEP'erne de kommende kommissærer ved en særlig høring for at evaluere deres kvalifikationer og erfaring.
Kommissionen arbejder med at foreslå politikker og love af central betydning for 450 millioner europæeres liv. Parlamentet vil nu nøje følge Kommissionens medlemmer for at sikre, at de lever op til vælgernes behov og forventninger.

Hvordan Europa-Parlamentet godkendte den nye EU-Kommission 9:16

Efter nøje at have udspurgt kandidaterne har jeres repræsentanter i Europa-Parlamentet godkendt den næste EU-Kommission, unionens udøvende organ.
Ursula von der Leyen præsenterer sit nye hold efter at være blevet genvalgt som Kommissionens formand i juli. Parlamentsmedlemmerne gav det grønt lys efter en debat i Strasbourg den 27. november.
Tidligere i november udspurgte MEP'erne de kommende kommissærer ved en særlig høring for at evaluere deres kvalifikationer og erfaring.
Kommissionen arbejder med at foreslå politikker og love af central betydning for 450 millioner europæeres liv. Parlamentet vil nu nøje følge Kommissionens medlemmer for at sikre, at de lever op til vælgernes behov og forventninger.

Hvordan Europa-Parlamentet godkendte den nye EU-Kommission 16:9

MEPs vote on the following motions for resolutions: the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law in Hong Kong, The increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran, The shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL, Georgia's worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud (Debate: 13/11/2024), Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and on new recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments.

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