In November 2023, the European Commission presented its annual enlargement reports. Its strategic orientations and recommendations include accelerating the accession process with the Western Balkan countries, opening accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and granting candidate status to Georgia. According to the European Parliament's 2022 recommendation on the new EU strategy, enlargement policy is 'the most effective EU foreign policy instrument and one of the Union's most successful policies'.

EPRS Policy Podcast: Enlargement policy - Reforms and challenges ahead

In 2005, on the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, a United Nations resolution designated 27 January as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The word ‘Holocaust’ is of Greek origin and means ‘sacrifice by fire’. It is used to describe the persecution and subsequent mass murder of 6 million Jews in Europe at the hands of the Nazi regime and its collaborators. Between 1933 and 1945, other groups were also targeted by the Nazi regime and its allies, including Roma people, disabled people, Slavic people, as well as homosexuals, and members of certain religious and political groups.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Il-Parlament Ewropew u l-Membri eletti tiegħu huma l-vuċi taċ-ċittadini fl-Unjoni Ewropea. Huwa għalhekk li rridu li l-Parlament ikun aċċessibbli għal kulħadd. L-aħbarijiet fil-qosor jagħtuk ħarsa fil-qosor tas-suġġetti ewlenin tal-ġurnata fil-lingwi uffiċjali kollha tal-Unjoni. Din ix-xandira titwassallek mill-Parlament Ewropew. Tista' ssib aktar programmi hawnhekk:

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 26/01/2024 - Malti

Eiropas Parlaments un tajā ievēlētie deputāti ir iedzīvotāju balss Eiropas Savienībā. Tāpēc vēlamies, lai Eiropas Parlaments būtu pieejams ikvienam. Raidījumā “Ziņas īsumā” Eiropas Parlaments piedāvā īsu pārskatu par dienas svarīgākajām norisēm visās Eiropas Savienības oficiālajās valodās. Esam sagatavojuši arī citas programmas, kas pieejamas šādās vietnēs:

Ziņas īsumā – 26/01/2024 – latviešu valoda

Il Parlamento europeo, con i suoi deputati eletti, è la voce dei cittadini nell'Unione europea. Ecco perché vogliamo che sia accessibile a tutti. Le Notizie in breve offrono una sintesi dei principali temi del giorno in tutte le lingue ufficiali dell'Unione. Questa trasmissione vi è presentata dal Parlamento europeo. Troverete ulteriori programmi ai seguenti indirizzi:

Notizie in breve – 26/01/2024 – italiano

Az Európai Unióban a polgárok az Európai Parlamenten és választott képviselőiken keresztül hallathatják hangjukat. Ezért szeretnénk a Parlamentet mindenki számára elérhetővé tenni. A „Hírek röviden” gyors áttekintést nyújt a nap fő témáiról az Unió valamennyi hivatalos nyelvén. Ezt az adást az Európai Parlament készítette. További műsorokat itt talál:

Hírek röviden – 26/01/2024 – magyar

Europos Parlamentas ir išrinkti jo nariai yra Europos Sąjungos piliečių balsas. Todėl norime, kad Parlamentas būtų prieinamas visiems. Visomis oficialiomis Sąjungos kalbomis pateikiamose žiniose trumpai apžvelgiamos svarbiausios dienos naujienos. Šias transliacijas rengia Europos Parlamentas. Daugiau programų rasite čia:

Trumposios žinios – 26/01/2024 – lietùvių kalba

Європарламент та його депутати є голосом громадян Європейського Союзу. Саме тому ми хочемо, щоб Європарламент став доступним для всіх. Короткі новини - це огляд головних новин дня на всіх офіційних мовах ЄС. Ця трансляція надається Європарламентом. Більше доступних програм тут:

Короткі новини – 2'6/01/2024 – укрaïнською

Le Parlement européen, à travers ses députés, porte la voix des citoyens. Il se veut proche de chacun. Les brèves présentent un aperçu des sujets du moment, dans les 24 langues officielles. Cette émission vous est présentée par le Parlement européen. Retrouvez nos autres émissions ici:

Brèves – 26/01/2024 – français

Euroopan parlamentti ja sen vaaleilla valitut jäsenet tuovat kansalaisten äänen kuuluviin Euroopan unionissa. Siksi haluamme, että parlamentti on kaikkien ulottuvilla. ”Uutisia lyhyesti” on pikakatsaus päivän tärkeimpiin uutisaiheisiin kaikilla unionin virallisilla kielillä. Lähetykset toimittaa Euroopan parlamentti. Lisää ohjelmia löytyy seuraavilta verkkosivuilta:

Uutisia lyhyesti – 26/01/2024 – suomi

Euroopa Parlament ja selle liikmed esindavad Euroopa Liidu kodanike häält. Seetõttu peab parlament olema kõigile kodanikele ka kättesaadav. Lühiuudistes antakse kõigis ELi ametlikes keeltes kiire ülevaade päeva peamistest teemadest. Uudised toob teieni Euroopa Parlament. Tutvuge ka järgmiste veebisaitidega:

Lühiuudised – 26/01/2024– eesti keel

El Parlamento Europeo y sus diputados electos son la voz de los ciudadanos en la Unión Europea. Por eso queremos que el Parlamento sea accesible a todos. «Noticias breves» ofrece un rápido repaso general de los principales temas del día en todas las lenguas oficiales de la Unión. Es una emisión ofrecida por el Parlamento Europeo. Puedes encontrar más programas en:

Noticias breves – 26/01/2024 – español

O Parlamento Europeu e os respetivos deputados eleitos são a voz dos cidadãos na União Europeia. É por este motivo que pretendemos que o Parlamento seja acessível a todos. As notícias breves oferecem uma visão rápida dos temas principais do dia em todas as línguas oficiais da União. Esta transmissão é disponibilizada pelo Parlamento Europeu. Para mais programas, vá a:

Destaques do dia – 26/01/2024 – português

Parlament Europejski i europosłowie to głos obywateli w Unii Europejskiej. Dlatego chcemy, żeby informacje o pracy Parlamentu były dostępne dla każdego. Wiadomości w skrócie to najważniejsze tematy dnia we wszystkich językach urzędowych Unii. Parlament Europejski przygotował je specjalnie dla Ciebie. Więcej programów znajdziesz tutaj:

Wiadomości w skrócie – 26/01/2024 – polski

Het Europees Parlement en de verkozen parlementsleden zijn de stem van de burgers in de Europese Unie. Daarom willen wij het Parlement voor iedereen begrijpelijk maken. Nieuws in het kort biedt een snel overzicht van de belangrijkste onderwerpen van de dag, in alle officiële EU-talen. Deze uitzending wordt u gebracht door het Europees Parlement. Hier kan u nog meer programma’s van ons vinden:

Nieuwsflits – 26/01/2024 – Nederlands

Parlamentul European și deputații săi aleși sunt vocea cetățenilor în Uniunea Europeană. De aceea, dorim ca Parlamentul să fie accesibil pentru toți. Știrile pe scurt vă prezintă succint principalele subiecte ale zilei în toate limbile oficiale ale Uniunii. Acest program vă este prezentat de Parlamentul European. Puteți găsi mai multe programe aici:

Scurt Buletin de Știri – 26/01/2024 – română

From 1 January to 30 June 2023, Sweden is holding&nbsp;the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Swedish presidency, led by Prime Minister Ulf KRISTERSSON and Minister for EU Affairs Jessika ROSWALL, has announced its political direction will be geared towards achieving the following objectives: speeding up the green transition, safeguarding the EU's fundamental values, boosting and future-proofing the competitiveness of the EU's job market, providing security for EU citizens and strengthening the EU’s role in the world, and fighting organized crime.

Swedish Presidency

Spain holds the presidency of the Council of the EU for the fifth time since 1 st of July.&nbsp;The motto: 'Europe, closer' highlights Spain's commitment to advancing in European unity, bringing citizens closer to the decisions present in our day-to-day lives.

Spain has identified four priorities for the work under its presidency of the Council: reindustrialise&nbsp;the EU, advance in the&nbsp;green transition, promote&nbsp;social and economic justice and strengthen&nbsp;European unity.

The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.&nbsp;

Spanish Presidency

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">From January to June 2018, Bulgaria holds the Presidency of the EU Council for the first time, following the Estonian and preceding the Austrian Presidency. </div>

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU Member States every 6 months. During the 6-month period, the presidency chairs meeting at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.</div>

Bulgarian Presidency

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, delivers his State of the Union Address to the European Parliament on 28 September.

He sets out the European Commission's strategic priorities in his annual State of the Union address to Parliament, which is followed by a debate in which MEPs set out their thoughts on and requests for the future work of the Union.

State of the Union 2011

Candidate countries include Montenegro, Albania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered potential candidates.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans - 8th parliamentary term

The spring European Council will focus on economic affairs. Heads of state or government will also look at a number of the other pressing issues, including taxation and foreign affairs. Finally, EU leaders will also discuss Brexit (in an EU 27 format) and eurozone (Euro Summit format).

 
EU leaders will adopt conclusions on several issues relevant for jobs, growth and competitiveness. Heads of state or government are also expected to address trade issues. EU leaders will hold a debate on taxation, in particular in the digital economy. The European Council will be invited to adopt conclusions on Western Balkans, ahead of the May summit in Sofia. In the light of events, the heads of state or government may address specific foreign policy issues. The Bulgarian Prime Minister, who represents the state currently holding the rotating presidency, will brief other leaders on the implementation of earlier European Council conclusions, including ongoing work on the reform of the Common European Asylum System.The European Council (Art. 50), in an EU 27 format, will review the state of the negotiations following the United Kingdom's notification of its intention to leave the EU and adopt additional guidelines.

European Council, 22 and 23 March 2018

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. 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.

EU - US Trade relations - 8th parliamentary term

The Czech Republic has been an EU member country since 1st May 2004.

The Czech Republic is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - and a head of state - the President. The country was formed in 1993, after Czechoslovakia was split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. There are 21 members of the European Parliament from the Czech Republic.

EU - Czech Republic (2019-2020)

The European Council will focus on migration, security and defence, the EU’s long-term budget, the Brexit talks and Eurozone reform. 

 
EU heads of state or government meet in Brussels to discuss the most pressing policy priorities for the European Union, including how to press ahead with the EU’s common asylum system and also to evaluate the progress of the ongoing Brexit negotiations (in a EU27 format).&nbsp; They are also scheduled to debate the next EU long-term budget (multi-annual financial framework - MFF), security and defence, innovation and digital Europe and Eurozone reform (Euro Summit format).

European Council, 28 and 29 June 2018

Every year the European Parliament rolls out the red carpet to reward authentic European cinema. The Lux Prize not only honours some of the best European films, but also helps to promote them. It is a tool to support European cinema, to spark debate on current political and social issues and also a way to reflect on European identity and values. 

The ten films nominated for the Lux Prize are every year announced at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July. This year the three films in competition for the LUX Prize are: Styx by Wolfgang Fischer (Germany/Austria), The Other Side of Everything by Mila Turajlić (Serbia/France/Qatar) and Woman at War by Benedikt Erlingsson (Iceland/France/Ukraine).

&nbsp;

Watch the previous ceremonies on our main package: <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/lux-prize-ceremonies_9703_pk">Lux Prize Ceremonies</a>

Lux Prize 2018

Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, Croatian Prime Minister, is the second EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EC, on Tuesday morning.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things:

<ul>
	<li>turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees,</li>
	<li>appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and</li>
	<li>creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.</li>
</ul>

Debate on the Future of Europe with Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, Croatian Prime Minist

António COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister, is the third EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs and Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the EC, on Wednesday morning.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things:

<ul>
	<li>turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees,</li>
	<li>appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and</li>
	<li>creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.</li>
</ul>

Debate on the Future of Europe with António COSTA, Portuguese Prime Ministe

Antonio TAJANI was elected President of the European Parliament on 17 January 2017.

The President represents Parliament in its international relations, and, in this connection, undertakes official visits within and outside the EU.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President's agenda - October 2018

Antonio TAJANI, EP President's agenda - November 2018

From January to June 2019, Romania holds the Presidency of the EU Council, following the Austrian and preceding the Finnish Presidency.

The Presidency of the Council rotates among the EU Member States every 6 months. During the 6-month period, the presidency chairs meeting at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work in the Council.

Romanian Presidency

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 -  8th Parliamentary term

EP Plenary session - EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US presidential elections

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night  - Statement by Iskra MIHAYLOVA, Renew Europe Vice-President

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night - Statement by Philippe LAMBERTS, Greens/EFA Co-President

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night - Statement by Assita KANKO, ECR Vice-President

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night  - Statement by Marc BOTENGA for The Left

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night -  First estimate EU turnout

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night - First publication of available national estimates  Romania Poland Portugal Sweden

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night 

First Hemicycle projection (based on available national estimates and pre-election polls) presented by Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson of the European Parliament

First publication of available national estimates (Denmark, France, Spain)

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night -   First Hemicycle projection (based on available national estimates and pre-election polls) presented by Jaume DUCH GUILLOT, Spokesperson of the European Parliament   &   First publication of available national estimates (Denmark, France, Spain)

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

First estimates from some countries

Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night - First estimates from some countries   Bulgaria, Croatia, Malta

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night 

First publication of available national estimates

Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Netherlands

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night -   First publication of available national estimates   Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Netherlands

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night (with International Sign and Velotype)

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

Official launch of the European Elections Night 2024 by Jaume DUCH, Spokeperson of the European Parliament, Delphine COLARD, Deputy Spokesperson and by Philipp SCHULMEISTER, Director for Campaigns

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night  - Official launch of the European Elections Night 2024 by Jaume DUCH, Spokeperson of the European Parliament, Delphine COLARD, Deputy Spokesperson and by Philipp SCHULMEISTER, Director for Campaigns

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

Briefing on All you need to know about Parliament and election night

Seventh EUVP Alumni Webinar

Press points following the Eurovision Debate 2024 
- Nicolas SCHMIT, Lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES)
- Terry REINTKE, Lead candidate of the European Greens 
- Walter BAIER, Lead Candidate of the European Left

Press points following the Eurovision Debate 2024

EU Elections 2024 - Eurovision Debate – Candidates to the Presidency of the European Commission (with International Language and Velotype)

EU Elections 2024 - Eurovision Debate – Candidates to the Presidency of the European Commission (with International Sign and Velotype)

Debate of the candidates to the presidency of the Commission – EU Elections 2024

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: the voices of EUVP alumni

Press conference on the suggested structure and portfolios of the college of Commissioners

LUX European Audience Film Award 2025 - Presentation and meeting with the European Parliament Liaison Offices in Worldcafé style

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents in presence of Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission on the confirmation hearings process

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Persistent problems of anti-Semitism in Europe and of other forms of hate speech and hate crimes

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Need to prevent security threats like the Solingen attack through addressing illegal migration and effective return

Meeting of the European Parliament's Bureau

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Outcome of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture

EP Plenary session - Resumption of session and order of business

Last minute briefing

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

LUX European Audience Film Award 2025.- Photo opportunity for the film representatives and the 27 participants of the LUX Audience Award's Young Talents Programme

Heritage Days 2024 at the European Parliament in Brussels

Pre-session briefing

ENVI - Voting session

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents

EP welcoming briefing for EU correspondants

Arkadiusz MALARCZYK in the EP in Strasbourg

Parliament has a busy year ahead voting on the European Green Deal, new rules for a digital Europe and the EU’s 2021-2027 budget. Updates to the banking union, a trade deal with Vietnam, EU enlargement and more are all on the agenda for 2020!

Coming up in 2020

MEPs backed Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission, which will now take office on 1 December. Parliament also approved the 2020 budget and set an EU goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Plenary highlights: the von der Leyen Commission, 2020 budget and  COP25

Teona Mitevska’s film ‘God Exists, Her Name is Petrunya’ has won the 2019 LUX Film Prize. The film examines what happens to a woman who throws herself – literally – into a man’s world. Set in Orthodox Christian Northern Macedonia, the film delves into themes of religion, women’s rights and the importance of tradition.

‘God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya’ wins the 2019 LUX Film Prize

MEPs will vote on the new European Commission and the EU’s 2020 Budget. Parliament President David Sassoli will announce the winner of the LUX Film Prize. Plus the winner of last year’s Skharov Prize for Freedom of thought will collect his award after being released from a Russian prison.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Crunch vote on new Commission 2020 Budget, LUX Prize

MEPs have been assessing commissioners-designate to ensure their suitability for the job and assess their ability to deliver on citizens’ expectations. Olivér Várhelyi, Adina-Ioana Vălean and Thierry Breton were quizzed for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Transport and the Internal Market portfolios. After scrutinising individual nominees, Parliament will have the final say on the Commission as a whole.

MEPs vet commissioners-designate for neighbourhood transport and internal market

Parliament took stock of the work done by the European Commission under the leadership of Jean-Claude Juncker. The Parliament also considered its response to Brexit and awarded the 2019 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. MEPs discussed Turkey’s military incursion into Syria and adopted its position on the 2020 budget.

Plenary highlights: the Juncker Commission, Brexit and the Sakharov Prize

The winner of this year's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be announced in Strasbourg. Outgoing Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will appear before Parliament for the last time. MEPs will discuss the latest Brexit developments, vote on the next EU budget, and discuss the situation in northern Syria.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Sakharov Prize, Juncker’s farewell, Brexit, budget and Turkey-Syria

MEPs have been assessing Executive Vice-Presidents designate to ensure their suitability for the jobs and test their ability to deliver on citizens’ expectations. Valdis Dombrovskis, Margrethe Vestager and Frans Timmermans, were questioned for the Economy, the Digital Age and the Green Deal. MEPs have also resumed the hearings of Janusz Wojciechowski, commissioner-designate for Agriculture  and Sylvie Goulard, commissioner-designate for Internal Market. After scrutinising individual nominees, Parliament will have the final say on the Commission as a whole.

MEPs vet Executive Vice-Presidents designate, resume hearings for Agriculture, Internal Market.

MEPs have been assessing vice-presidents designate to ensure their suitability for the jobs and test their ability to deliver on citizens’ expectations. Věra Jourová and Josep Borrell were questioned for the Values and Transparency and the Foreign Affairs portfolios. After scrutinising individual nominees Parliament will have the final say on the whole Commission.

Parliament vets vice-presidents designate for Values and Transparency and for Foreign Affairs

MEPs have been assessing commissioners-designate to ensure their suitability for the job and test their ability to deliver on Europeans’ expectations.  Virginijus Sinkevičius, Johannes Hahn, Margaritis Schinas and Dubravka Šuica were questioned for the Environment, Budget, the European Way of Life and Democracy portfolios. After scrutinising individual nominees, Parliament will have the final say on the whole Commission.

Commissioners-designate: Environment, Budget, the European Way of Life and Democracy quizzed by MEPs

MEPs meet for a busy week in Brussels. On the agenda, a second week of hearings of Commission hopefuls, debating the EU’s long-term budget with the Commission and Council, defending European democracies and much more.

Coming up in Brussels: Commissioners-designate hearings, long-term budget, Sakharov Prize finalists

MEPs have been assessing Commissioners-designate to ensure their suitability for the job and test their ability to deliver on citizens’s expectations. Stella Kyriakides, Didier Reynders, Helena Dalli and Sylvie Goulard were questioned for the Health, Justice Equality and Internal Market portfolios. After scrutinising individual nominees, Parliament will have the final say on the whole Commission.

MEPs question Commissioners-designate for Health, Justice, Equality and Internal Market

MEPs have questioned commissioners-designate to ensure they are up to the job and to test their ability to deliver on citizens’ expectations. Nicolas Schmit, Jutta Urpilainen, Janusz Wojciechowski and Ylva Johansson were quizzed about the Jobs, International Partnerships, Agriculture and Home affairs portfolios. After scrutinising individual nominees, Parliament will have the final say on the whole Commission.

Jobs, International Partnerships, Agriculture, Home Affairs commissioners-designate tested by MEPs

MEPs have begun hearings of Commissioners-designate to ensure their suitability for the job and deliver on citizens expectations. Day one saw Trade, Innovation and Inter-institutional relations on the menu. Phil Hogan from Ireland, the Bulgarian Mariya Gabriel and the Slovak Maroš Šefčovič were all heard and questioned by Parliamentary committees. After scrutinising their abilities and plans, Parliament will have the final say on the Commission.

Commission picks quizzed on Trade, Innovation and youth and Europe’s future.

Parliament reiterated its call for barrier-free access to plant breeding material. Members want to ensure that farmers across the EU can innovate in order to find solutions to the climate crisis and new plant diseases. Rich multinationals should not be allowed to patent natural life, creating monopolies and driving up food prices.

No patents on naturally-obtained plants and seeds

During the plenary session, Parliament backed Christine Lagarde as the new ECB chief, gave the green light to funding for research and Erasmus+ and agreed aid to three EU countries hit by flooding. Members also debated the state of play with Brexit, and discussed the destruction of forests worldwide.

From the new ECB chief to the latest on Brexit: 5 numbers from Strasbourg

As Parliament returns to Strasbourg after the summer recess, MEPs will look at the state of play on Brexit and vote on the nominee for president of the ECB. Providing assistance to member states via the Solidarity Fund, next year’s budget and the Amazon fires are also on the agenda.

Coming up in Strasbourg: from the budget to Brexit

MEPs have formed their political groups in Parliament. 
The S&D (Socialists and Democrats) is the parliamentary group of the Party of European socialists.

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