At a glance: MEPs to discuss Ukraine support and Russia’s repression of democratic opposition in plenary; experts briefed MEPs on climate and biodiversity challenges; and the EU affirms its commitment to ending female genital mutilation.

Kurznachrichten – 07/02/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups are preparing for the upcoming plenary session; Next week, MEPs will discuss the EU’s support for Ukraine, the Commission’s work programme for 2025 and the consequences of the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization.

Kurznachrichten – 06/02/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: Metsola calls for more investment and unity in European defence; Polish ministers outline justice and home affairs goals; European Parliament and Commission will host the third EU Tax Symposium.

Kurznachrichten – 05/02/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection to visit the United States to strengthen transatlantic digital cooperation; key policy talks between Parliament’s Subcommittee on Tax Matters and Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra; World Cancer Day: Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan bolsters the EU’s commitment to fighting cancer.

Kurznachrichten – 04/02/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: European Parliament President Metsola will address geopolitical challenges at the 2025 EU Ambassadors’ Conference; the Subcommittee on Tax Matters will explore reforms for EU financial sector integration and digitalisation; and MEPs discussed digital sovereignty and cybersecurity with European Commission Executive Vice-President Virkkunen.

Kurznachrichten – 03/02/2025 - Deutsch

Über eine Milliarde Mahlzeiten werden täglich in Haushalten überall auf der Welt weggeworfen – Mahlzeiten, die eigentlich noch genießbar wären. Allein sie würden ausreichen, um alle hungernden Menschen auf der Welt mit einer Mahlzeit am Tag zu versorgen. Wenn wir Lebensmittel wegwerfen, verschwenden wir nicht nur das Essen, mit dem jemand ernährt werden könnte, sondern auch die gesamte Energie und alle Ressourcen, die für die Herstellung aufgewendet wurden. Jedes nicht verzehrte Lebensmittel bedeutet auch, dass Treibhausgasemissionen unnötig die Umwelt belasten. Mit ihren Abfallbewirtschaftungsstrategien will die EU erreichen, dass Müll die Umwelt und die Gesundheit weniger stark belastet.

Lebensmittelverschwendung in der EU: Aufgaben und Ziele

At a glance: the European Parliament marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day; a meeting on the performance of InvestEU; and the future of EU agriculture.

Kurznachrichten – 31/01/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: Poland sets its priorities for its presidency of the Council of the EU, with ‘Security, Europe!’ as its motto; MEPs discuss an EU water resilience strategy and an EU blue deal in a public hearing; the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality examine social media’s impact on young girls’ mental health.

Kurznachrichten – 30/01/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: the Committee on Foreign Affairs to vote on EU security and defence policies, focusing on relations with Ukraine, Russia and China and on enlargement; the Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Budgets are set to vote on a Reform and Growth Facility of around EUR 1.8 billion to support Moldova’s reforms aimed at EU membership; a new parliamentary committee on the EU housing crisis will hold its first meeting.

Kurznachrichten – 29/01/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: a special plenary session commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day; Parliament President Roberta Metsola attends ceremony marking 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz; and a debate on healthy ageing and the urgent need to address health workforce shortages across Europe.

Kurznachrichten – 28/01/2025 - Deutsch

Jeanne Salomon floh vor den Nazis, verlor ihren Mann und ihr Kind, überlebte Auschwitz und die Todesmärsche und baute ihr Leben in Luxemburg wieder auf. Ihr Sohn Henri Juda erzählt ihre Geschichte – die Geschichte einer außergewöhnlichen, mutigen Frau.

Sie überlebte Auschwitz wie durch ein Wunder: Die erschütternde Geschichte der Jeanne Salomon

At a glance: the Subcommittee on Human Rights will discuss truth, justice and accountability in Syria with victims and international experts; MEPs will assess Syria’s humanitarian crisis and explore ways to improve aid delivery; the European Parliament condemned Maduro’s regime and called for expanded sanctions against Venezuela.

Kurznachrichten – 27/01/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlines the priorities of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU, focusing on unity and security; Parliament condemns Russian disinformation and calls for tougher sanctions on propaganda outlets; and MEPs denounce the Belarusian presidential election as a sham and demand stronger sanctions.

Kurznachrichten – 24/01/2025 - Deutsch

Wofür ist die Europäische Ombudsstelle – auch bekannt als Europäischer Bürgerbeauftragter – zuständig? In welchen Fällen kann man sie zurate ziehen und was hat sie mit dem Europäischen Parlament zu tun? Die Europäische Ombudsstelle ist unabhängig und unparteiisch. Sie hilft Einzelpersonen, Unternehmen und Organisationen, die Probleme mit Verwaltungseinrichtungen der EU haben. Mit ihrer Arbeit trägt sie dazu bei, dass die Europäische Union reibungslos funktioniert.

Was macht die Europäische Ombudsstelle?

At a glance: MEPs reviewed the outcomes of the last European Council with its President, António Costa, and discussed sustainable development goals; Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk outlines the priorities of Poland’s presidency of the Council of the EU under its motto, ‘Security, Europe!’; the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee debates climate and agricultural policies with Polish environment minister, Hennig-Kloska

Kurznachrichten – 23/01/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: during the plenary session, President Metsola welcomed Gaza ceasefire; MEPs debated use of the Digital Services Act to combat foreign interference and protect democracy; Parliament will vote on a resolution condemning Russian disinformation against Ukraine.

Kurznachrichten – 22/01/2025 - Deutsch

The Euroscola programme in Strasbourg brings together pupils aged 14 and over from the 27 EU Member States, candidate countries and former Member States to simulate the work of the European Parliament by debating, taking sides, negotiating, amending and voting on real European issues. Pupils get an opportunity to exchange views with Members of the European Parliament and experts from this institution, to familiarise themselves with the workings of the European Union, to discuss democracy, fundamental rights, European values and to express their personal opinions on the decisions taken at the European Union level.

Euroscola

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

In July 2024&nbsp; MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) as President of the European Parliament until 2027, with 562 votes in the first round. Roberta Metsola won the election in the first round of voting, where she received an absolute majority of 562 votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot, among two candidates. She will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.

Born in Malta in 1979, Roberta Metsola has been an MEP since 2013.&nbsp;She was elected First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022. On 18 January 2022,&nbsp;she was elected President&nbsp;for the second half of the 9th legislative term. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after&nbsp;Simone Veil&nbsp;(1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).

Addressing the House after she was elected, President Metsola said: “Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe. I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal. A belief that together we are stronger and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.”

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

Malta joined the European Union 1st May 2004 and it has been a member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Malta is a single-chamber parliamentary republic with a head of government - the prime minister - and a head of state - the president - whose role is largely ceremonial. The country is divided into 5 regions. Each has its own regional committee, which serves as the intermediary between local and national government.

There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Malta.

EU - Malta

Nicole Fontaine (born 16 January 1942 in Grainville-Ymauville, Seine-Maritime) was a French politician. Member of the EPP, she was the President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2001.

Nicole Fontaine

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

Since then, the EU and its international allies have rallied firmly behind the Kyiv government. This support has resulted in unprecedented levels of financial aid, assistance, weapons deliveries to Ukraine, sweeping sanctions against Moscow, and the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.

On 1&nbsp;March&nbsp;the European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk spoke live from Kiev.&nbsp;The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April&nbsp;to express the European Union´s support of&nbsp;the Ukrainian people and to condemn the Russian attack. On&nbsp;8 June&nbsp;Stefanchuk adressed Parliament in the Strasbourg hemicycle.

Following the atrocities carried out by Vladimir Putin’s regime against Ukrainian civilians, the European Parliament has&nbsp;recognised Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in a resolution on November 2022.

On 9th February 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

In March 2024, &nbsp;MEPs voted to to amend the Commission’s proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from 6 June 2024 to 5 June 2025.&nbsp;

Russian aggression against Ukraine

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

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

The Russian aggression has brought destruction to Ukraine and its people, but also a wide range of economic and social consequences across Europe and the European Union. MEPs regularly debate on how to respond to the current cost of living crisis,&nbsp;bolstered by&nbsp;inflation and&nbsp;hikes in energy prices.

In the annual&nbsp;&nbsp;2022 report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy, MEPs called the EU and its member states need to increase their military, political and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and strengthen their defence in countering Russian threats to European security.

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Consequences of the war in Ukraine on the EU

The policies of the EU on climate and energy are described, as well as the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve the Paris Agreement target of keeping the increase in global temperature well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to achieve 1.5°C.

The EU faces major challenges from the increased threats of climate change, with serious consequences in the energy sector, where urgent issues are arising concerning the national production mix of each Member State. The renewable energy share needs to be increased, and energy efficiency needs to be improved.

Climate change (2019-2020)

The work programme shows how the Commission plans to give practical effect to the political priorities set out by the President. It provides a multiannual overview to help stakeholders and the other EU institutions plan their work with the Commission.

Commission work programme

The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade and investment relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. EU and US investments are the real driver of the transatlantic relationship, contributing to growth and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

Although overtaken by China in 2021 as the largest EU import source for goods, the US remains the EU’s largest trade and investment partner by far. It is estimated that a third of the trade across the Atlantic actually consists of intra-company transfers.

The transatlantic relationship also defines the shape of the global economy as a whole. Either the EU or the US is the largest trade and investment partner for almost all other countries in the global economy. Taken together, the economies of both territories amount to more than 40% of world GDP and more than 40% of global trade in goods and services.

In June 2021 both entities agreed to take decisive steps to end the longest running dispute in the history of the World trade organisation: dispute on Large Civil Aircraft (also known as Airbus-Boeing dispute).

See more on the topic of EU-US trade relations by visiting our package for the 8th parliamentary term.

EU - US Trade relations

Every year the European Central Bank publishes an annual report on how it has carried out its supervisory responsibilities, it describes the tasks and activities of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and reports on the Eurosystem’s monetary policy. The report is usually published in April of the following year. The Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB presents the report to the European Parliament at a public hearing and then during a debate in plenary.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/european-central-bank-annual-report-8th-parliamentary-term_4003_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

European Central Bank - annual report

After election of Donald Trump as the US President, there are many challenges and questions in EU-US mutual relations, including future EU-US cooperation, on Russia, China, the Middle East and climate change.

On security and military cooperation, Members of the Republican Party have been calling for a reduction in US military assistance to Ukraine and the future US president has criticised Europe for not spending enough on defence. Trade between the US and EU is also expected to be debated as the president-elect has indicated his intention to impose new tariffs on certain products from Europe.

EU - USA

Climate change remains a key challenge. The EU and the European Parliament are working to ensure a more sustainable society and economy through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

Climate change

Alexei Navalny was&nbsp;a Russian opposition politician, anti-corruption activist and major political opponent of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The European Parliament honoured Navalny’s fight with the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 2021.

Alexei Navalny’s daughter, Daria Navalnaya, received European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize on behalf of her imprisoned father. In April 2023, MEPs demanded the unconditional release of Navalny, and reiterated concerns over his deteriorating health and the ill-treatment he was subject to. Navalny&nbsp; died on 16 February 2024 at a Russian corrective colony in the Arctic Circle.

Roberta Metsola, EP President, paid tribute to Navalny stating: “First, they took his freedom. Then, they took his life,” Metsola said. “But his legacy and his struggle will live on in people in Russia and in all of us.”

Following his death&nbsp;the European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President and political groups’ leaders) made this statement: "The full responsibility for this murder lays with the Russian state and its President Vladimir Putin in particular. We demand an investigation into the exact circumstances of the death of Alexei Navalny".

"Truth must be told, accountability must be ensured and justice must be served. We demand that the body of Alexei Navalny be returned to his family immediately. Any further delay increases even more the responsibility of the Russian authorities for the death of Alexei Navalny.&nbsp;We demand an international and independent investigation into the exact circumstances of the death of Alexei Navalny", concluded the statement.

Alexei Navalny (1976 - 2024), 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate

MEPs review the new US administration’s recent decision to pull back from a number of international organisations and agreements.

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs will discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

Background

This is the second time the US has initiated the process of withdrawing from both the WHO and Paris Agreement.

During the first Trump administration (2017-2021), the US gave formal notice of withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in November 2019 (which then took 12 months to take effect). Shortly after taking office, President Biden revoked the decision, with the US formally rejoining the agreement in February 2021. President Trump also started the withdrawal process from the WHO in 2020, but it was never finalised and the decision was reversed by the Biden administration.

Debate on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, WHO and USaid

MEPs examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death.

Debate on the one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia

Ursula von der Leyen presents the Commission’s 2025 work programme, outlining its key policy actions and legislative initiatives planned for this year.

Debate on the Commission’s 2025 work programme with Ursula von der Leyen

MEPs assess the impact of three years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its repression of dissent following Alexei Navalny’s murder.

In a debate on Tuesday morning, with representatives of the European Commission and the Council, MEPs will mark three years since Moscow launched its brutal military invasion of Ukraine. A resolution will be put to a vote during the March plenary session.

In a resolution adopted in January 2025, Parliament reiterated its firm support for Kyiv, called on Russia to immediately terminate all military activities, and withdraw from Ukraine. MEPs also called on the EU to expand its sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting disinformation and information manipulation campaigns justifying the Kremlin’s war of aggression.

In a separate debate on Wednesday morning, MEPs will examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death.

On Wednesday afternoon, Parliament will debate the need for targeted support for EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission.

Debate on the continuing unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression

MEPs assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products.

US President Donald Trump has stated that he would “absolutely” introduce tariffs targeting the EU, citing grievances over EU action against US tech firms and a trade deficit in goods. He also threatened to use tariffs to pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland. President Trump recently announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, which he later delayed by a month, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China.

Parliament is committed to multilateralism and has called for the urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Leading MEPs recently said it is “imperative for the US and the EU to work closely together to defend multilateralism and the rules-based international order”. Meanwhile, the EU has strengthened the tools at its disposal to protect EU trade, which now include the Anti-Coercion Instrument designed to enable the EU to respond, as a last resort, to economic blackmail from a foreign country.

According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

Debate on the  tariff threats from the Trump administration

ECB President Christine Lagarde will brief MEPs on the state of European and global economic affairs and the European Central Bank’s activities, followed by a debate with MEPs. On Tuesday, MEPs will adopt their annual set of recommendations for the ECB on which issues it should prioritise.

Debate on the state of the EU economy and ECB activities with Christine Lagarde

Parliament holds a press briefing on the plenary session.

Last-minute briefing ahead of EP Plenary

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 10 - 13 February plenary session in which MEPs will debate the EU’s continued support for Ukraine after three years of Russia’s war of aggression, providing support to EU regions that border Russia, as well as the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia one year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Plenary will also vote on a resolution on the further deterioration of the political situation in Georgia, debate the Commission work programme for 2025, the recent proposals to boost the EU’s competitiveness, the consequences of the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the World Health Organisation, as well as the threats that strategic reliance on third countries in communication infrastructure pose to EU sovereignty.

Pre-session briefing

Roberta METSOLA, EP President visits Malta

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Malta

As a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the attack at the education centre in Örebro, Sweden, the President of the European Parliament, Ms Roberta Metsola, has decided that the European and Swedish flags should be flown at half-mast in front of all the Parliament buildings and in the EPLO in Stockholm, from today 05 February at 12:00 p.m. until tomorrow, 06 February at 08:00 a. m.

EU-Swedish flags at half mast at the European Parliament buildings

New committee on democracy shield. The new special Committee on the European Democracy Shield holds its constitutive meeting to elect their chair and vice-chair and launch their activities. It will deal with the so-called “Democracy Shield” initiative, included in the Commission’s 2024-2029 political guidelines, and other initiatives designed to counter malicious interference in democratic processes (Monday).

EUDS: New committee on democracy shield- Constitutive meeting

EU leaders will discuss European defence during an informal meeting at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels. 

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola participates in the Informal EU leaders' retreat

The Secretary-General of NATO, Mark Rutte, has been invited to a lunch, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to a dinner.

Informal EU leaders' retreat

EP President Metsola inaugurates the Europa Experience in Luxembourg

The European Parliament commemorates Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the victims and reflect on the lessons of the past. Established in 1995, this annual event coincides with the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau on 27 January 1945.

This year, the Parliament highlights the story of Hungarian-born cellist Pál Hermann, who was murdered in the Holocaust. His Gagliano cello, saved from the Nazis and rediscovered decades later, symbolizes resilience and the enduring power of art. The ceremony includes a speech by Hermann’s daughter, Corrie Hermann, and a performance of his music by cellist Sam Lucas.

Through remembrance and education, the European Parliament reaffirms its commitment to fighting anti-Semitism, promoting tolerance, and ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.

Solemn Ceremony on the International Holocaust Commemoration Day 2025

EP President Roberta Metsola receives His Majesty King Abdulla II of Jordan

The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Volker Türk comes to the EU Parliament for the first time in this legislature. In an exchange of views with AFET - DROI MEPs in committee meeting, they discuss news topics in the field of geopolitics and human rights, before the adoption of the annual report on Human rights by the EP in plenary session, tentatively in March 2025.

AFET/DROI- Debate with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

Batteries are vital to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future, and strategic autonomy. While the sector benefits from strong R&D support, it faces challenges such as reliance on third countries, high costs, and competition from regions with lower environmental standards. Sustainable value chains and recycling could help, but uncertainty remains over the EU’s ability to meet future demand. Rising costs, market slowdowns, and gigafactory setbacks, including Northvolt’s collapse, raise concerns. To secure a resilient battery supply chain, the EU focuses on strategic coordination, regulatory frameworks, and funding, offering key lessons for industrial policy.

Battery supply chain

The digital information sphere has become the main space for public debate, shaping opinions and access to information. In the past decade, it has also become a geostrategic battleground, with authoritarian states manipulating public opinion to weaken democracies. At the same time, corporate rivalry over emerging technologies, particularly AI, has intensified. AI-driven disinformation poses growing risks to democratic information ecosystems. Strengthening information integrity is crucial to safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression. Multilateral efforts to enhance resilience align with the EU’s planned European Democracy Shield, building on existing measures and fostering new partnerships.

Information Manipulation and the EU response

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.


The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added.


There are also differences in other aspects of voting, for example regarding the minimum voting age or the rules about voting from abroad.

EU Elections 2024

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.

Map European elections 2024

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Over the past 30 years the single market has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans.

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

Find out about the top cyber threats in 2022, the most affected sectors and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The digital transformation has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies had to adapt to remote working and this created more possibilities for cybercriminals. The war in Ukraine has also affected cybersecurity.

In response to the evolution of cybersecurity threats, Parliament adopted a new EU directive introducing harmonised measures across the EU, including on the protection of essential sectors.

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.

Fast fashion is the constant provision of new styles at very low prices.

To tackle the impact on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
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So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

Every year 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the EU. More than a quarter of it (27%) is municipal waste: everyday waste collected and treated by municipalities, which is mainly generated by households. Data shows that the amount of waste and the way it is managed varies a lot across EU countries, but there has been a shift to more recycling and less landfilling.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working on packaging waste. The goal is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Ordinary meeting ICM

FEMM

Committee on Foreign Affairs Ordinary meeting ICM

AFET

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session II

European Parliamentary Week 2025 - Plenary session I

Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly Ordinary Meeting

DAFR

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology panel

Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION DACP Delegation Meeting

DACP

Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee INTER-PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION 16th EU-Serbia SAPC (part 2)

Plenary session

Pre session briefing

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting at KPMG Malta

EU – Kyrgyzstan Parlamentary Cooperation Committee

FISC - Exchange of Views with Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra on Key Priorities in the Taxation Area

Former Members Association Management Committee meeting

Exchange of views on the Working Group’s Recommendation on “the selection procedure and appointment of the PA UfM Secretary-General and the Accountant”

FISC - Exchange of Views with Laura Kövesi, European Chief Prosecutor, and Yannic Hulot, Chair of Eurofisc, on ' The Role of the EPPO and Eurofisc in Tackling VAT Fraud in the EU '

Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula DKOR meeting

LIBE Committee - Presentation of the Polish Presidency of the Council

EMPL - Opening trilogue on Amending Directive 2009/38/EC as regards the establishment and functioning of European Works Councils and the effective enforcement of transnational information and consultation rights

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Mr Costas Kadis, Commissioner responsible for Fisheries and Oceans, on upcoming initiatives on oceans, at EU and international level

FISC - Public hearing on ' A Coherent Tax Framework for the EU’s Financial Sector '

SEArica Intergroup Launch Conference ' Shaping an ambitious EU Oceans Pact together '

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents

Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly (DFAR) meeting

STOA high-level conference

European and Swedish flags at half-mast in front of EP buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg as sign of solidarity for the victims of the attack at the education centre in Örebro, Sweden

Vertreter internationaler Unternehmen verteidigen vor dem Parlament ihre Steuerzahlungen, und die Abgeordneten stimmen über den türkischen Beitrittsprozess, Kinderrechte sowie das vierte Eisenbahnpaket ab.

Auf der Tagesordnung: multinationale Konzerne, Migranten, Türkei

Abgeordnete beraten über die Details der Flüchtlingsgespräche mit der Türkei, reagieren auf Vorschläge zur Entsenderichtlinie für Arbeiter und unterstützen mehr Mittel für Milch, Obst und Gemüse in Schulen.

Plenum-Zapping März 2016: EU-Türkei-Flüchtlingsgipfel, Europas ehrgeizige Sozialagenda

Debate on the Zika virus outbreak&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Giovanni LA VIA (EPP, IT), Jonathan HILL, Member of the EC in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, Annie SCHREIJER-PIERIK (EPP, NL), Matthias GROOTE (S&amp;D, DE), Jos&eacute; In&aacute;cio FARIA (ALDE, PT) and Martin HAUSLING (Greens/EFA, DE)

Zika virus outbreak: extracts from the debate

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law &nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg.&nbsp;Statements about Freedom of expression in Kazakhstan by Urmas PAET (ALDE, EE), Jir&iacute; POSPISIL (EPP, HU), Doru-Claudian FRUNZULICA (S&amp;D, RO) and Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations.
Statements about Egypt, notably the case of Giulio Regeni by Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Ignazio CORRAO (EFDD, IT), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Curzio MALTESE (GUE/NGL, IT), Pier Antonio PANZERI (S&amp;D, IT) and Johannes HAHN
Statement about Democratic Republic of the Congo by Kashetu KYENGE (S&amp;D, IT), Mark DEMESMAEKER (ECR, BE) and Mariya GABRIEL (EPP, BG)

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts

Debate on Banking Union - Annual report 2015&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Roberto GUALTIERI (S&amp;D, IT), Rapporteur, Jonathan HILL, Member of the EC in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union,Eva PAUNOVA (EPP, BG), Elisa FERREIRA (S&amp;D, PT), Sander LOONES (ECR, BE), Sylvie GOULARD (ALDE, FR), and Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE)

Banking Union - Annual report 2015: extracts from the debate

Debate on Banking Union - Annual report 2015&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Ioan Mircea PASCU, Vice-President of the EP, and results of the vote: 351 votes in favour, 112 against and 30 abstentions.

Banking Union - Annual report 2015: extracts from the vote

Vote&nbsp;of a resolution on the&nbsp;2015 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg.
As a result, the resolution was adopted.
509 voted; 404 in favor; 76 against; 29 abstentions.

2015 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: extracts from the vote

Einigen sich die Abgeordneten auch auf den dritten und letzten Pfeiler, nachdem bereits zwei Grundpfeiler verankert wurden, um Banken abzusichern und zu verhindern, dass Steuerzahler bei gescheiterten Banken die Rechnung übernehmen müssen?

Der letzte Pfeiler der Bankenunion: Aufbau eines Fonds zur Einlagensicherung

Eine Beschränkung antimikrobieller Behandlungen und eine Verbesserung der Infektionskontrolle stehen im Mittelpunkt von Bemühungen der EU, gegen die wachsende antimikrobielle Resistenz bei Tieren vorzugehen.

Vorschläge zur Kontrolle von Antibiotika-Anwendungen bei der Tierhaltung

Der schwedische Ministerpräsident Stefan Löfven debattiert mit den EU-Abgeordneten über die gegenwärtige Situation innerhalb der EU.

Die EU kann einen Hoffnungsstrahl bewirken.

Abgeordnete drängen bei der Kommission darauf, das mit Philip Morris International (PMI) getroffene Abkommen zur Bekämpfung von Schmuggel und Fälschungen nicht zu verlängern und sich stattdessen auf legislative Maßnahmen zu konzentrieren.

Nein zu Abkommen mit Tabakfirmen

Statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President on the exclusion of Eleftherios SYNADINOS following the declaration of the MEP earlier in the morning in the Chamber,&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg.

Statement by Martin SCHULZ, EP President on the exclusion of Eleftherios SYNADINOS (NI, GR)

Lex Signing ceremony with Martin SCHULZ, EP President and Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence, on behalf of the Council, during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg.

Lex Signing ceremony with Martin SCHULZ, EP President and Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence, on behalf of the Council

Debate on the Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 March 2016 and outcome of the EU-Turkey summit&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), and David BORRELLI (EFDD, IT).

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 March 2016 and outcome of the EU-Turkey summit: extracts from the debate

Debate on the Situation in Eritrea&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence, Davor Ivo STIER (EPP, HR), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D, DE), Mark DEMESMAEKER (ECR, BE), Beatriz BECERRA BASTERRECHEA (ALDE, ES) and Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL)

Situation in Eritrea: extracts from the debate

Debate on the Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 March 2016 and outcome of the EU-Turkey summit&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence, and Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 March 2016 and outcome of the EU-Turkey summit: extracts from the Council and Commission statements

Debate on the 2015 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg. Statements by Jeanine HENNIS-PLASSCHAERT, Dutch Minister of Defence, Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Ivo VAJGL (ALDE, SI), Tunne KELAM (EPP, EE), Richard Stuart HOWITT (S&amp;D, UK) and Tamas MESZERICS (Greens/EFA, HU)

2015 Report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: extracts from the debate

Visit of Stefan L&Ouml;FVEN, Swedish Prime Minister to the EP, &nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (7-10 March) in Strasbourg.&nbsp;Arrival, welcome by Martin SCHULZ, EP President, roundtable and signing of the Golden Book

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