At a glance: Mark Rutte confirmed as new NATO Secretary General; the meeting between European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the President of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini; and the drop in agricultural prices in the EU.

News in Brief – 28/06/2024 - English

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups hold their constitutive meetings, the EU officially opens accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, and the world marks International MSME Day.

News in Brief – 27/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; EU organic agricultural production is continuing to expand; and the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

News in Brief – 26/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the agenda for this week’s European Council meeting; and the Olympic torch will pass by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

News in Brief – 25/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the agenda for this week’s European Council meeting; and the deadline to submit your story for the Multilingualism Day competition is fast approaching.

News in Brief – 24/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the draft laws that have yet to be finalised by the new Parliament; and the deadline to submit your story for the Multilingualism Day competition is fast approaching.

News in Brief – 21/06/2024 - English

At a glance: negotiations on EU top jobs are ongoing; today is World Refugee Day; and the deadline to submit your story for the Multilingualism Day competition is fast approaching.

News in Brief – 20/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the informal European Council meeting in Brussels; EU Environment Council adopts the Nature Restoration Law; and International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict.

News in Brief – 19/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; the first plenary session; and the Commission’s draft budget for 2025.

News in Brief – 18/06/2024 - English

At a glance: an informal European Council meeting; the constitutive meetings of Parliament’s political groups; and World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

News in Brief – 17/06/2024 - English

With the European Elections now behind us, the process to kick-start the formation of the new European Parliament has begun. And a lot needs to happen between now and the official start of the new legislature on the 16th of July, in Strasbourg. So, if you’re a new Member of the European Parliament, and you’re listening to us, welcome to the European Parliament! Here’s what to expect next...

EPRS policy podcast - New European Parliament: First key tasks

Exposure to 'forever chemicals', air pollution, stress and many other factors depends on where a person lives and their lifestyle choices. These exposures combine over the course of a lifetime, affecting human biology and health. The 'exposome' concept offers a framework for understanding and analysing this complex reality, and ultimately for informing the shaping of evidence-based policy on chemicals, food and the workplace, as well as on pollution, public health and the environment more generally.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if focusing on the system, not just the symptoms, were key to health?

One of the most important roles of the European Parliament, next to legislating, is to hold the European Commission accountable. As the newly elected 720 Members of the European Parliament take their seats, one of their first and most important tasks will be to elect the next President of the European Commission, and, shortly after, to greenlight the Commissioners’ designate put forward by the Member States. Find out how this process works with us.

EPRS policy podcast - The role of the Parliament in appointing the new European Commission

At a glance: the informal European Council meeting; commemorating the victims of the 1941 mass deportations by the Soviet authorities; and the statistics on poverty and social exclusion in the EU.

News in Brief – 14/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the newly elected MEPs; official turnout in the European elections; and the first plenary session of the new legislative term.

News in Brief – 13/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections results; commemorating the victims of the 1941 mass deportations by the Soviet authorities; and World Day Against Child Labour.

News in Brief – 12/06/2024 - English

The EU institutions deem&nbsp;the transparency and quality of the Hungarian legislative system a source of concern.&nbsp;In several&nbsp;Rule of Law reports, the European Commission highlighted the worsening situation in the country. It was noted that, among other issues,&nbsp;the risks posed to media pluralism&nbsp;and the pressure faced by those civil society organisations critical of the government.

MEPs have repeatedly expressed concerns over the state of EU values in Hungary, which have&nbsp;further deteriorated&nbsp;due to the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the government” and despite Parliament’s&nbsp;activation of the Article 7 mechanism.

Their latest concerns relate to laws being adopted without sufficient parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation, as well as the abusive invocation of the ‘state of danger’, the misuse of whistleblower protection to undermine LGBTIQ+ rights and freedom of expression, and the infringement of teachers’ social and labour rights.

Parliament underlined&nbsp;the important role the Presidency of the Council has in driving forward legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda and representing the Council in relations with the other institutions. It questions how Hungary will be able to fulfil this task credibly in 2024, given its lack of compliance with EU law and&nbsp;values, and the principle of sincere cooperation.

Rule of law in Hungary

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

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

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

EU  - France

The United Nations defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life."

The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, also known as the Istanbul Convention, is the first legally binding international instrument on this issue. It establishes a comprehensive framework of measures for preventing such violence, supporting victims and punishing perpetrators.&nbsp;

MEPs have voted during May 2023 plenary to approve the European Union’s accession to the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, concluding Parliament’s role in the process. Six years after the EU signed the Istanbul Convention - it has still not been ratified because of the refusal of a few member states, despite&nbsp;Parliament’s multiple calls to this end.

However, the EU&nbsp;Court of Justice’s opinion of 6 October 2021&nbsp;confirmed that the European Union can ratify the Istanbul Convention without having the agreement of all member states. The Court found that the appropriate scope for the EU’s accession is asylum, judicial cooperation in criminal matters, and obligations of the EU institutions and public administration.

The EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention does not exempt member states from ratifying it themselves, MEPs have repeatedly said, urging the remaining six countries - Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia - to ratify the Convention without delay, so that it can protect women to the full extent of the Convention’s intended scope

Violence against women

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

The EU and NATO have founded their long-standing partnership, in an environment shaped by common principles and values. The European Parliament and NATO engage frequently in active dialogue in order to deepen mutual understanding and consolidate cooperation. In an increasingly volatile and unstable geopolitical context, the dynamic of cooperation has intensified to face new threats ranging from terrorism to climate change to hybrid warfare.&nbsp;

EU - NATO relations

Until the UK withdraws from the EU, all rights and obligations deriving from EU membership continue to apply in the UK.

 
The United Kingdom (UK) consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK is not a member of the Schengen Area. There are 73 members of the European Parliament from the UK.

EU - United Kingdom

The 7th Ordinary Session of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly is scheduled to take place from Monday, 25 June 2018 to 27 June 2018 in Brussels.

The Euronest PA was established on 3 May 2011 in Brussels, when the Presidents (or their representatives) of the Armenian, Azerbaijani, Georgian, Moldovan, Ukrainian and European Parliaments signed the Assembly's Constitutive Act.

The mission of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly is to promote the conditions necessary to accelerate political association and further economic integration between the European Union and the Eastern European Partners, as well as to strengthen cooperation within the region and between the region and the EU. The multi-lateral Assembly contributes to strengthening, developing and making visible the Eastern Partnership.

Euronest Parliamentary Assembly

MEPs and UK MPs met&nbsp;in Brussels on 3 and 4 July for the third EU-United Kingdom Parliamentary Partnership Assembly to discuss, among other issues, the state of play within the Partnership Council, EU-UK common efforts to support Ukraine, and cooperation on trade and industrial policy - including responses to the US Inflation Reduction Act.&nbsp;

EU-UK relations are changed&nbsp;following Brexit and the deal reached at the end of 2020. The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, after 47 years of EU membership. The UK has lost all the rights and benefits it had as an EU Member State and is no longer a part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union.

The EU-UK withdrawal agreement in force since 1 February 2020, ensured that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU happened in an orderly manner, and protects the rights of EU citizens and UK nationals, the EU’s financial interests, and peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes.&nbsp; In April 2021 the European Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of granting also its consent to the agreement.

EU - UK relations

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

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed MEPs during the plenary session on 24 March. On Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Canada was an ally and precious partner of the EU. “Our relationship has withstood the test of time”, she said. 
Canada´s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first Canadian PM to address the European Parliament on February 2017, one day after the European Parliament approved the EU-Canada trade agreement.

The collaboration between the EU and Canada, based on shared values, a long history of close cooperation, and strong people-to-people ties, has been considerably strengthened in the last few years. 

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the result of the positive developments in EU-Canada trade relations that have taken place over the past decade. It has considerably improved the economic, trade and investment relationship between the EU and Canada, opening up the markets to one another’s goods, services and investments, including public procurement.

EU - Canada

Negotiations on an EU-Japan trade agreement were officially launched in March 2013.

In its resolution of May 2011 on EU-Japan trade relations, the EP stressed that it supports the idea of an FTA between the EU and Japan. In June 2012, the EP adopted a resolution on EU trade negotiations with Japan where it requested that the Council withhold approval to launch the negotiations until the EP adopted its position on the proposed negotiating mandate.

EU - Japan

Since October 2020, the EU has&nbsp;progressively imposed restrictive measures&nbsp;against Belarus in response to the fraudulent nature&nbsp; presidential elections in&nbsp;2020, and the&nbsp;intimidation and violent repression&nbsp;of peaceful protesters, opposition members and journalists.&nbsp;

The democratic opposition, including the opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was awarded the&nbsp;2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

The Belarusian regime has became an ally&nbsp;with Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine. This includes the so-called referendum reinstating the country’s nuclear status, but also that Belarus has allowed Russian troops and weapons to move through its territory, use its airspace, refuel and store military ammunition.

Therefore, the EU has extended the sanctios package against Russia to Belarus. The EP has recently called that "all EU sanctions issued against Russia must be strictly mirrored for Belarus and implemented appropriately".

EU - Belarus

The&nbsp;Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)&nbsp;is an intergovernmental institution bringing together all EU countries and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean to promote dialogue and cooperation. Relations centre on six main areas and include research.

The EU established its privileged partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood in 1995 with the launch of the&nbsp;Euro-Mediterranean Partnership&nbsp;at the Barcelona Conference, aiming to establish an area of peace, stability, economic prosperity, upholding democratic values and human rights.

As a continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership,&nbsp;the Union for the Mediterranean&nbsp;was launched In 2008. This inter-governmental partnership promotes cooperation and dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region and brings together all 27 EU Member States and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine*, Syria – suspended, Tunisia and Turkey; Libya is an observer

&nbsp;Climate change, renewable energies and health are the priorities for stronger regional collaboration in research and innovation for the coming years.

EU - Mediterranean

The historic partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Morocco, underpinned by a number of political and economic agreements, has given Morocco a new momentum for its modernisation and democratic transition process.

With the signing of an association agreement in 1996, coming into force in 2000, the cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the EU has expanded to include politics and security. This Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement aims to provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue between the EU and its partners in the Mediterranean Basin. The principle behind this is to work for the development of this region in a climate of peace, security and stability, in accordance with democratic principles and fundamental rights.

EU - Morocco

The European Parliament released in October 2024 the “EU Post-Electoral Survey 2024” looking at voting behaviour and the main priorities of EU citizens. Rising prices and the cost of living (42%) and the economic situation (41%) were the main topics that motivated European citizens to vote in the last European elections in June this year. A third of voters (34%) say that the international situation was a topic that encouraged them to vote, while a similar proportion mentions defending democracy and the rule of law (32%).

Those who did not vote also say the cost of living (46%) and the economic situation (36%) could have motivated them to participate in the elections.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, commenting on the results of the survey, says: “Last June, people across Europe made their voice count as we saw the highest turnout in the European Parliament elections in 30 years. They gave us a mandate to act, to provide answers and solutions and to make a positive difference in their daily lives. We will deliver. Over the coming weeks, the European Parliament is scrutinising the new European Commission to ensure it will address the issues that are a priority for people: the cost of living, the state of our economy, democracy, rule of law, migration and security. The European Parliament will continue to work to make people’s voice count in the EU.”

Eurobarometer

Under current procedures, together with the (newly) elected Commission President, the Council appoints the Commissioners-designate. Each Commissioner-designate is assigned responsibility for a specific policy area by the Commission President. The relevant EP committees assess each of the Commissioners-designate, before a plenary vote on the appointment of the College as a whole.

Confirmation hearings in the relevant committee or committees

The Commissioner-designate is invited to a three-hour confirmation hearing, streamed live, in front of the EP committees responsible for their portfolio.&nbsp;

Conclusion of the confirmation hearing process

The Conference of Presidents declares the confirmation hearings closed after having analysed the evaluation letters from the Committees in charge and the recommendation of the Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC). Only at this point can the evaluation letters be published and comments on the evaluation be made.

Plenary vote of investiture

The Commission President takes the results of the confirmation hearings, as well as consultations with Parliament's political groups, into account. They then presents their team and political priorities during a plenary session. After a debate, MEPs will decide, by a majority of votes cast, whether to invest the new College of Commissioners for a mandate of five years.

Election of the 2024-2029 Commission

Elections campaign/”One month to go”. On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day of voting.

European Elections 2024 - One Month to Go, illumination of landmark buildings across the EU

Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. This was an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union. In 2024, Europe Day takes on even greater significance as it comes exactly one month ahead EE2024. The EU institutions propose a wide range of activities across the EU Member States, as well as in the home of the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Europe Day 2024 - Event in Brussels

Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. This was an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union.  

In 2024, Europe Day takes on even greater significance as it comes exactly one month ahead EE2024. The EU institutions propose a wide range of activities across the EU Member States, as well as in the home of the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Europe Day 2024 - Brussels

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections. Parliament’s Press Service will organise a briefing for media on the practical details for covering the elections. It will cover Parliament’s main legislative achievements during its ninth term, as well as unfinished business to be dealt with by the new Parliament. Media will also be provided with practical information on the three key events in the run-up to the elections: One month to go (9 May); Eurovision debate with the lead candidates for the EU Commission Presidency (23 May); and Election night (9 June). (Monday 29 April, from 10.00-11.00).

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections

Europe Day 2024 - Strasbourg

Press conference by Elisabetta GUALMINI, rapporteur on the Platform Work Directive.

Press conference on Platform work directive

Press conference by Lara WOLTERS rapporteur on the first EU due diligence rules for companies

Press conference on first EU due dilligence rules for companies

EP Plenary- Voting session

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participates in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago.

During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, who are invited to attend the sitting.

Formal sitting commemorating the 20th anniversary of the EU's biggest enlargement

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday.

EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East.

Plenary debate- Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel

In a plenary debate, MEPs discuss the EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

In March, Parliament adopted a resolution warning about the desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza. MEPs deplored the catastrophic impact of attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries and civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, urged all parties to immediately cease these attacks, and demanded an independent international investigation.

More than 33 000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October 2023 as part of Israel’s response to the attack during which Hamas militants killed some 1 200 people, mainly civilians, in southern Israel and kidnapped around 250 others.

Plenary debate -   EU’s response to the continuous killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip

Following the final vote on the new rules promoting the right to repair for consumers, rapporteur René Repasi briefs media on its scope and answer questions.

Press conference on the right to repair

Following a final plenary vote, rapporteurs Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, PT) and Samira Rafaela (Renew, NL) discuss new rules banning products made with force labour.

Press conference on Forced labour regulation

MEPs evaluate the results of the most recent European Council meetings, including the Special European Council of 17-18 April 2024.

Plenary debate- Outcome of European Council meeting

MEPs debate on Monday evening and vote on Tuesday on the provisional agreement reached with member states on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers, which aims to promote the repair of goods within and beyond the legal guarantee period. Beyond the legal guarantee, consumers will have a new right to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (e.g. washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and smartphones). To encourage repair and to revitalise the EU repair market, the rules put in place a European online platform to find local repair shops or sellers of refurbished goods. They also allow access to spare parts, tools, and maintenance information, and ban the use of hardware and software practices that obstruct repairs.

Plenary debate on Right to Repair

Parliament’s Spokesperson will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17.00

Last minute briefing

Political groups prepare for the 22-25 April plenary, the last session of this legislature. 
MEPs hold debates and final votes on, among other things, the right to repair, prohibiting products made with force labour, fighting violence against women, new “ecodesign” rules, combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims, a new EU Ethics Body, economic governance, establishing the European Disability Card, and on anti-money laundering. 
They hold final votes on packaging and packaging waste, working conditions for platform workers, due diligence rules for companies, ambient air quality and clean air for Europe, plants obtained with new genomic techniques, the European Health Data Space and on the Net Zero Industry Act. MEPs also debate the 20th anniversary of the largest ever round of EU enlargement in 2004 with Council and Commission.

Pre-session briefing

EP Plenary session - Enhancing Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness

Committee on Budgetary Control

CONT

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

IMCO

AFET

PETI

INTA

AFCO

JURI

DEVE

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

EMPL

CULT

LIBE

Official visit to Madrid (Spain) - Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates to the exchange on "Growth in a Disrupted World"

Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Passing of Alcide de Gasperi - Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Euroscola

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology – Constituent meeting

Composition of committees and delegations

Closing the EU skills gap: supporting people in the digital and green transitions to ensure inclusive growth and competitiveness in line with the Draghi report

Abuse of new technologies to manipulate and radicalise young people through hate speech and antidemocratic discourse

Resumption of the sitting

Request for waiver of immunity

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Protecting our oceans: persistent threats to marine protected areas in the EU and benefits for coastal communities

Explications de vote

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Closure of the sitting

Adjournment of the session

Plenary session

Award Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize

Press conference by Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO), general rapporteur for the EU budget 2025 on the adoption of Parliament's position on the 2025 EU budget

Opening of the sitting

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs

Statement by the President

Continued war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, notably killing Ukrainian prisoners of war

Topical debate (Rule 169) - U-turn on EU bureaucracy: the need to axe unnecessary burden and reporting to unleash competitiveness and innovation

Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report 2023

Findings of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland's abortion law

Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta

The important role of cities and regions in the EU – for a green, social and prosperous local development

Foreign interference and hybrid attacks: the need to strengthen EU resilience and internal security

EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia

Need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Briefing The Left by Manon AUBRY (The Left,FR) and Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left,DE), Co-Presidents

Briefing Greens/EFA by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA,NL) and Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA,DE), Co-Presidents

Briefing Renew Europe by Valérie HAYER (Renew,FR), President

Briefing S&D by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, (S&D,ES), President

Establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine

Urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks

Welcome

Negotiations ahead of Council's first reading (Rule 73)

General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections

Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

Question Time (Commission) - Situation of animal health in Europe: how to prevent and prepare for future sanitary crises in agriculture

Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

Corrigendum (Rule 241) (action taken)

Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia

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

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

Situation in Tunisia

Joint committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Committee on Budgets

BUDG

ECON

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report 2023

Press conference  on the adoption of Parliament's position on the 2025 EU budget

EP Plenary session - U-turn on EU bureaucracy: the need to axe unnecessary burden and reporting to unleash competitiveness and innovation

EP Plenary session - Continued war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, notably killing Ukrainian prisoners of war

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Tackling the steel crisis: boosting competitive and sustainable European steel and maintaining quality jobs

EP Plenary session - Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens . Week 43

EP Plenary session - Situation in Tunisia

EP Plenary session - State sponsored terrorism by the Islamic Republic of Iran in light of the recent attacks in Europe

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

EP Plenary session - Situation in Azerbaijan, violation of human rights and international law and relations with Armenia

Quaestors new mandate ceremony

EP Plenary session - Guidelines for employment policies in member states

EP Buildings in Strasbourg.

Conference of Committee Chairs meeting

EP Plenary session - Situation of animal health in Europe: how to prevent and prepare for future sanitary crises in agriculture

EP Plenary session - Protection of European journalists reporting on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

Ten years after the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh killed 1,134 garment workers, the European Parliament passed a resolution asking for new minimum standards to make the textile sector sustainable. 
 
MEPs also called for measures to protect workers' rights in third countries and safeguards to limit the environmental impact of industries.  

The collapse of the Rana Plaza factory killed mostly women, producing cheap clothing for well-known western brands.

Rana Plaza: MEPs push for ethical, sustainable textiles 10 years on

The 'polluter pays' principle is at the heart of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).     
   
In April 2023, the European Parliament passed ambitious laws to update the ETS and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.   
   
The new system will make sure more industries pay for their emissions and encourage greater investment in green technology.     
   
The revised ETS is part of the EU’s Fit for 55 laws to tackle the climate crisis.     
       
Find out more in our short, animated Q&A

The updated Emissions Trading System explained

As Russia’s full-on invasion of Ukraine enters its second year, many refugees have picked up the pieces of their shattered lives and are rebuilding them in the European Union. Their stories are a tale of strength, resilience and solidarity. Here, four of them, living in Germany, Poland and Spain, tell their stories.        
      
The European Parliament continues to stand by Ukraine and its people. Learn more: http://epyoutube.eu/UkraineOneYearOn

Meet Ukrainian refugees who fled the war

The EU wants to make sure that zero-emission cars and vans are the norm by 2050.   
    
The European Parliament has taken action, pushing to phase out fossil-fueled vehicles and replace them with greener models.    
    
Discover how in our short Q&A animation.

Cutting CO2 emissions with cleaner cars: new EU rules

Discover the story of the European flag and the values it stands for: democracy, dignity, freedom, equality, rule of law and human rights.
 
The European flag inspires around the globe. People celebrating or fighting for the causes the flag represents often adopt it as their symbol, inside and outside EU borders.

The European flag: a symbol of fundamental values

MEPs welcomed the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin. The Russian president stands accused of war crimes over the alleged deportation of Ukrainian children.  

Parliament has repeated its call to establish a special tribunal to hold Russian leaders accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.

Parliament welcomes ICC arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin

From smartphones to smart cities, connected objects are generating ever more data. The European Parliament wants to release its potential.  

 
Data is key to innovation in sectors from technology to health, transport to farming. MEPs are concerned too much of it remains untapped or in the hands of tech giants. They want new rules to help smaller companies and public bodies deliver better products and services. The Data Act will set a framework for the economy of tomorrow.

What does the new EU Data Act bring to companies, innovators and Europeans?

For many women, equal work often doesn’t mean equal pay, work-life balance can prove a myth and the struggle to end gender-based violence continues.

For the last 4 years, this European Parliament has been working on advancing women’s rights and promoting gender equality. Find out how.

2,878 results