At a glance: the European elections are over. The newly-elected Parliament will meet in Strasbourg in one month.

News in Brief – 11/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections are over. The newly-elected Parliament will meet in Strasbourg in one month. Saturday was the World Oceans Day.

News in Brief – 10/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections are ongoing. Today, it’s time for the Irish and the Czechs to go to the polls. Yesterday, the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings took place in Normandy, France.

News in Brief – 07/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections are now under way. The Netherlands is kicking off the voting, with the polls there opening today, while Estonian citizens can already cast their vote online.

News in Brief – 06/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections will kick off tomorrow. The Netherlands will be the first country to open its polls and Italy will be the last to close them. Today is World Environment Day.

News in Brief – 05/06/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections kick off on Thursday; the first country to open the polling stations will be the Netherlands and the last to close them, Italy.

News in Brief – 04/06/2024 - English

It’s time to vote! Between 6 and 9 June this year, millions of EU citizens will help shape the future of the European Union by voting in the European elections. The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU body and the European elections are one of the biggest democratic events in the world. Join us in this episode as we’ll give some tips on how to find reliable sources in the running - up to the elections.

The European elections explained: how to find reliable sources

At a glance: the European elections and the World Bicycle Day

News in Brief – 03/06/2024 - English

Everyone should be free to be themselves and love who they want to love without fear. 
Yet lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people still face discrimination in many parts of the world, including Europe. 
The EU is strongly committed to fighting against discrimination. Listen to find out more about how the EU is trying to build a more inclusive society where everyone can feel safe.

Fighting discrimination against LGBTIQ people

At a glance: the European elections and the World No Tobacco Day

News in Brief – 31/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections and the last day to apply for Schuman traineeships.

News in Brief – 30/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the European elections and World No Tobacco Day

News in Brief – 29/05/2024 - English

At a glance: less than ten days to go until the European elections; 60 000 volunteers across Europe are raising awareness about the importance of voting and the International Day of Action for Women’s Health.

News in Brief – 28/05/2024 - English

At a glance: ten days to go until the European elections; the debate among the lead candidates in the running to be President of the next European Commission; and International Day of Action for Women’s Health.

News in Brief – 27/05/2024 - English

Pollinating insects play a fundamental role in our ecosystem, but all over the world they are facing a number of threats: climate change, habitat loss, pests and intensive single-crop farming. These threats are leading to the dramatic decline of both wild and managed pollinator species, in spite of how vital they are to our well-being and nature. The EU is working to protect all pollinators.

Protecting pollinators

At a glance: the debate between the lead candidates to be the next European Commission President; less than two weeks to go until the European elections; and International Day of Action for Women’s Health.

News in Brief – 24/05/2024 - English

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

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

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

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

European elections 2024

In March 2012 Serbia was granted EU candidate status.

On 19 April 2013, after ten rounds of often grueling talks in the EU-facilitated Dialogue in Brussels, the intervenants reached a landmark agreement aimed at normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo. Concrete results in the implementation of this agreement will bring about a brighter future and lasting stability to the region. In line with the decision of the European Council in June 2013 to open accession negotiations with Serbia, the Council adopted in December 2013 the negotiating framework and agreed to hold the 1st Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia in January 2014. On 21 January 2014, the 1st Intergovernmental Conference took place, signaling the formal start of Serbia’s accession negotiations.

EU - Serbia

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

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

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

Fight against cancer

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

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

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

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

Monetary dialogue (2019-2020)

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

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

Monetary dialogue

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders. The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies. To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as awhole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, plenary discussed with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about how to work together with African partners for a more strategic and results-oriented partnership. The discussion focused on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments.

EU - Africa

The EU and Latin America and the Caribbean have enjoyed privileged relations since the first bi-regional Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1999, which established a strategic partnership. They are natural partners linked by strong historical, cultural and economic ties. The EU is the leading investor in the region and its third external trade partner.

EU - Latin America

The European Union’s relations with South Africa focus mainly on respect for human rights, freedom, equality, justice, democracy and the rule of law.

A range of dialogues between the EU and South Africa allow us to share experiences in areas of common interest, or where we face common challenges. In addition to the areas of cooperation mentioned in the following sections, the following are also covered by these dialogues: Peace and Security, Human Rights, Good Governance, Migration, Social Cohesion, Energy, Innovation.

EU - South Africa

Montenegro is one of the Western Balkan countries.

In 2008, Montenegro applied for EU membership, and accession negotiations began in 2012. Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiation chapters, three of which have been provisionally closed. Public opinion surveys show that 75 % of the population support the country’s accession to the European Union.

EU - Montenegro

Animal, Dahomey, Flow, Intercepted, and Julie Keeps Quiet have been shortlisted for the 2025 Lux European Audience Film Award. The five shortlisted films were announced on Wednesday by the European Parliament first vice-president&nbsp;Sabine Verheyen&nbsp;(EPP, DE), and the chair of the Committee on Culture and Education&nbsp;Nela Riehl&nbsp;(Greens, EFA, DE).

The announcement event took place for the first time at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Following the announcement, vice-president of the EP Sabine Verheyen said: "European cinema reflects the challenges and hopes of our society. This year's finalists, each in their distinct form, showcase the rich variety of the film world. They offer powerful perspectives on pressing issues such as women's rights, climate change, our history and the war in Ukraine. They pen up important conversations and inviting us to see the world through diverse lenses."

The LUX Audience Film Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. A symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to culture, the Lux award continues to build cultural bridges across Europe, by putting the spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate. The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and citizens, by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and cast their vote for their favourite films.

Lux Audience Award 2025

The European Parliament has a range of supervisory and control powers. These allow it to exercise oversight over other institutions, to monitor the proper use of the EU budget and to ensure the correct implementation of EU law.

Interinstitutional relations

The problem of disinformation is globally recognised as disruptive to the normal functioning of democratic societies, economies and political systems. In recent years, ‘fake news’ and coordinated disinformation campaigns have an instrument of geopolitical influence.

They have afflicted elections in both established and new democracies, and undermined social and political solidarity in response to global challenges. It is with these and other instances in mind that the European Union (EU) identified ‘the exposure of citizens to large scale disinformation’ as ‘a major challenge for Europe’ in 2018, undertaking an increasingly ambitious programme of action to counter this evolving threat since. The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to disinformation that hampers efforts to contain the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said false claims “are spreading faster than the virus” and has already termed it an “infodemic of planetary proportions”. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is also a source of many disinformation.&nbsp;

Special Committee for foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation (INGE) was created in the European Parliament to tackle these challenges

Fight against disinformation

A newly formed European Parliament emerged&nbsp;from the EU of June 2024 across the member states. 720 Members of the Parliament were elected by the European citizens. As the legislative powerhouse of the European Union, the Parliament and its Members will hold a pivotal role in shaping policies and making legislation that transcend borders, on a variety of issues ranging from climate action to economic strength in order to address the pressing global geopolitical challenges.

The European Parliament was officially constituted on Tuesday 16/7 in Strasbourg, following the European elections on 6-9 June.&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.

MEPs elected 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, as established through rules 16, 17, and 18 of the EP Rules of Procedure. MEPs will also vote on the numerical composition of Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees, based on a proposal from the Conference of Presidents (CoP). The decision on which MEPs go to each committee is taken by the political groups and the non-attached members (rules 212 and 216 of the Rules of Procedure). This is expected to be announced to plenary during the July session.

In its tenth term, the European Parliament will have 720 seats, 15 more than at the end of the previous legislature. 54% of MEPs are newly-elected (in 2019 the share of newcomers was 61%) and the share of women is 39% (it was 40% in 2019). Lena Schilling (Greens/EFA) from Austria (23 years old) is the youngest MEP, while Leoluca Orlando (Greens/EFA) from Italy (77 years old) is the oldest. The average age of MEPs is 50. At the beginning of the tenth term, there are eight political groups, one more than in the previous legislature. 33 MEPs remain non-attached.

New European Parliament (2024-2029)

With 401 votes in favour, the European Parliament elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission in a secret ballot on 18 July.

This will be Ursula von der Leyen’s second term as Commission President. She was first elected by MEPs in July 2019.

Parliament is currently composed of 719 MEPs, so the necessary majority was 360 votes. The vote was held by secret paper ballot. 401 MEPs voted in favour, 284 against, and 22 cast blank or invalid votes.

Ursula von der Leyen outlined her priorities ahead of the vote.&nbsp;Ursula von der Leyen put forward her vision for a stronger and more prosperous Europe. Key initiatives include a new Clean Industrial Deal to drive decarbonisation and industrial growth, and a European Competitiveness Fund to boost innovation.

She announced that she would boost security by doubling Europol’s staff and tripling the number of European Border and Coast Guards to 30 000. She proposed a European Democracy Shield for countering foreign information manipulation and interference, and a European Affordable Housing Plan.

Ms von der Leyen also suggested a plan for agriculture to address the need to adapt to climate change and a Roadmap for Women’s Rights. Saying that “we must enable young people to make the most of Europe’s freedoms”, she highlighted the importance of the Erasmus+ programme, mental health, and tackling issues related to screen time and social media, including addictive practices. She put significant focus on defence, proposing to create a new post of Commissioner for Defence to drive the European Defence Union and calling for a comprehensive aerial defence system – a European Air Shield – to protect EU airspace and “as a strong symbol of European unity in defence matters”.

Election of the 2024-2029 European Commission President

The LUX Audience Film Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. A symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to culture, the Lux award continues to build cultural bridges across Europe, by putting the spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate.

The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and citizens, by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and cast their vote for their favourite films.

“The Teachers’ Lounge” by German director Ilker Çatak won the 2024 LUX European Audience Film Award, in a ceremony in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels.

The film, produced in Germany, tells a story about Carla, a young high school teacher, distinguished from her colleagues by her idealism. When a series of unsolved thefts sour the atmosphere among the teaching staff, Carla decides to investigate. With the help of a hidden camera and to everyone’s surprise, she exposes the thief but her revelation unleashes forces that slide steadily out of control and presents Carla with an unsolvable dilemma.

The five films shortlisted for the 2024 LUX European Audience film award were&nbsp;unveiled at the Venice film festival on Friday 1st of September.&nbsp; 20 000 Species of Bees, Fallen Leaves, On the Adamant, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood and The Teachers’ Lounge&nbsp;competed for the 2024 LUX Audience Award.

Lux Audience Award 2024

The Republic of Ireland covers five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The north-eastern part of the island is Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. There are 11 members of the European Parliament from Ireland.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;plenary is&nbsp;commemorating&nbsp;the 25th anniversary of the Northern Ireland peace agreement on 29 March.&nbsp;&nbsp;Presidents Metsola, Michel and von der Leyen will take the floor, followed by a round of political groups interventions.

EU - Ireland

President Metsola meets the President of the Assembleia da República of Portugal, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco? the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro and they hold a press conference. President Metsola also meets the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Portugal

The special European Council is expected to discuss the new European competitiveness deal and relations with Türkiye.

Special European Council, 17-18 April 2024

Parliament publishes its last Eurobarometer survey before the 6-9 June elections, covering, among other issues, citizens’ interest in and awareness of the elections as well as their likelihood to vote. The survey will also report on the image citizens have of the EU and Parliament, their priorities for the electoral campaign, and the core values they want to defend (Wednesday at 7.00).

European Parliament Eurobarometer - Spring 2024

The LUX European Audience Film Award ceremony takes place in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels. 

Press conference with the winner takes place immediately afterwards. 

Parliament and the European Film Academy award the LUX prize to help the distribution of European films with significant artistic merit that reflect cultural diversity in Europe and beyond.

2024 LUX European Audience Film Award and Press conference with the winner

Voting session

MEPs discuss the EU’s role in protecting the Roma language and culture, following a statement by President Roberta Metsola.

Statement of EP President on International Roma Day

Parliament quizes the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government. 

MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget. They are also likely to stress that the plans for the public broadcaster will have to be assessed in light of the EU’s recently-adopted Media Freedom Act. The proposed Act on Slovak Television and Radio is facing widespread criticism for giving the government direct control over public media, and curtailing their independence.

Plenary debate - Rule of Law in Slovakia

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market.

Plenary debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

MEPs quiz Council and Commission representatives on the premature release of frozen EU funds, the lack of progress in the Article 7 procedure, and other threats to EU values.

MEPs discuss the President’s decision (based on a recommendation of the Committee on legal Affairs) to ask the Court of Justice of the EU to clarify the Commission’s role in and margins of discretion around the unfreezing of EU cohesion funds for Hungary. They will also look into the continuing threat to EU values, institutions, and funds posed by the Hungarian government, including the lack of progress on the Article 7(1) procedure initiated by Parliament in 2018. Last January, MEPs asked the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) procedure.

MEPs are likely to raise the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of EU (in the second half of 2024), Hungary’s repeated abuse of the right of veto and blackmail in the European Council, and the Commission’s launch of an infringement procedure concerning the country’s “sovereignty law”.

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

EP  President Metsola meets the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová

MEPs debate the consequences of the undemocratic presidential elections in Russia on 18 March, including their illegitimate extension to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Plenary Debate - Russia´s undemocratic presidential elections

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians, addresses  MEPs in a formal sitting.

This will be first time King Philippe will have addressed the European Parliament. One of his predecessors, King Baudouin, appeared before MEPs in 1987, during a plenary session in Strasbourg.

Formal sitting - Address by His Majesty King Philippe

The European Parliament press services holds a last-minute online press briefing.

Online last minute session briefing

EP President Metsola meets the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb

Press conference by Sophie IN ’T VELD, Fabienne KELLER, Matjaž NEMEC and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (First part)
Press conference by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (Second part)

Press conference on Asylum and migration pact files

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee holds an exchange of views on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, independent experts and industry representatives. The discussion will focus on the first assessment of compliance, mostly as regards to self-preferencing and app stores

IMCO Debate on the Digital Markets Act

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

EP Plenary session - Address by Sauli Niinistö - Presentation of the report on how to enhance Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Resumption of the session

Opening of the sitting

Statements by the President

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of Parliament

Composition of committees and delegations

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

Corrigenda (Rule 251)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 81)

Order of business

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Address by Enrico Letta - Presentation of the report ‘Much More Than a Market’

Empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens

Implementation of the Single European Sky (recast)

A stronger Europe for safer products to better protect consumers and tackle unfair competition: boosting EU oversight in e-commerce and imports

One-minute speeches (Rule 179)

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Last minute session briefing

Pre-session briefing

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

Committee on Budgetary Control

CONT

Press conference opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President following her participation at the European Council meeting

Subcommittee meeting on Human Rights

DROI

Subcommittee meeting on Security and Defence

SEDE

Delegation to the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee

Subcommittee meeting on Tax Matters

FISC

Committee on Fisheries

PECH

Subcommittee meeting on Public Health

SANT

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with Iraq, including the EU-Iraq Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

Committee on Foreign Affairs

AFET

INTA / Poldep - Study presentation on EU's trade agenda for the new term

INTA

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Kristen MICHAL, Estonian Prime Minister

Screening of the film ' All Static & Noise ' marking the 10 years anniversary of the imprisonment of Sakharov Prize Laureate Ilham Tohti

EP Plenary session - General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2025 – all sections

EP Plenary session - Voting session

Press briefing The Left

Press bgriefing Greens/EFA

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Nick THOMAS-SYMONDS, UK Minister for Constitution and EU Relations

EP Plenary session - The urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon and for safeguarding the UNIFIL mission in light of the recent attacks

Press briefing Renew Europe

Press briefing S&D

European Mayors Summit

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

BUDG ECON - Exchange of views with Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, on the implementation of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI)

EP Plenary session - A stronger Europe for safer products to better protect consumers and tackle unfair competition: Boosting EU oversight in e-commerce and imports

EP Plenary session - Implementation of the Single European Sky

EP Plenary session - Empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens

Meeting of the European Parliament's Bureau

EP Plenary session - Address by Enrico Letta - Presentation of the report ‘Much more than a Market’

EP Plenary session - Parliament’s statements - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Citizens who were at the core of the Conference on the Future of Europe's work came to Brussels to check how the EU institutions are following up on their recommendations for change.     

A unique exercise in participatory democracy, the Conference wrapped up in May 2022, delivering dozens of proposals to make sure Europe can deal with upcoming challenges. 
    
The Parliament, the Council and the Commission had promised since the beginning to follow up on its final proposals, whatever those may be. 

On 2 December, representatives from the three institutions took questions from citizens at a feedback event in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Future of EU: citizens ask the institutions how they will follow-up on their recommendations

The European Parliament awarded the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by President Zelenskyy, Ukrainian elected leaders and civil society. 
  
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February 2022, millions of people have been displaced, tens of thousands killed or injured.
 
Yet despite the brutality of the occupying forces and the unimaginable human suffering, the people of Ukraine have refused to bow. 
  
By awarding them with the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament reiterates its solidarity with the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom and independence.

Sakharov Prize 2022: The brave people of Ukraine

Parliament wants the EU budget to become less dependent on national contributions. New so-called 'own resources' are an essential way for the EU to finance key programmes, like the recovery plan 'NextGenerationEU'.

Funding the EU budget: ‘Bringing back social and fiscal justice’

Parliament is set to mark its 70 years at the heart of European democracy at a special ceremony.   
    
Members will vote on new rules to better protect the EU’s critical infrastructure from external threats. The sectors covered include energy, water management, healthcare, finance, public administration and even space.  
   
Parliament will finalise new rules aiming to raise the proportion of women in non-executive positions in the EU’s biggest companies.  
    
MEPs will also vote on the 2023 EU budget and on a resolution calling on the EU to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

Parliament at 70, gender equality and budget – coming up in Parliament

The European Parliament is celebrating its 70th anniversary. Since it was born in 1952, Parliament has gone from strength to strength - growing alongside the European project and gaining an ever greater say in the issues that matter to you. Today, it represents nearly half a billion Europeans from 27 countries. Take a look back at the landmark events that shaped the home of European democracy.

Parliament: 70 years of European democracy in action

MEPs said ending ransomware attacks is a top priority as they signed off on tough new cybersecurity rules.       

EU citizens, businesses and governments face an increasing threat from hackers and cybercriminals. The European Parliament has approved a harmonised system under the EU’s NIS2 directive, to protect our privacy and finances and ensure a safer online environment.

Tackling the hackers: European Parliament approves cybercrime measures

The European Parliament is celebrating its third annual Gender Equality Week. Parliament is committed to a fairer, more equal society. 
 
Gender equality lies at the heart of its work, across the policy agenda: from energy and the green transition, to trade and employment, to promoting fairness inside and outside EU institutions.

Gender Equality Week 2022

By 2035, all new cars manufactured for the EU market should produce zero-emissions. This is what Parliament is aiming for with new rules on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans as part of the Fit for 55 package.
 
Older cars (including diesel cars) will be allowed to continue running until the end of their lifetime, but investing in future vehicles starts now.
 
MEPs want car manufacturers to start developing affordable electric cars and vans now, in order to meet market demand by 2035 and reach the EU’s 2050 climate objectives.

Zero-emission cars by 2035: new EU rules explained

MEPs are set to call for bolder steps to mitigate the social and economic impact of the war in Ukraine.    
   
Parliament will set its position on cleaner fuels for the shipping industry and new infrastructure for alternative fuels for road transport. It will also lay out priorities for the 2023 EU budget.    
   
Plus, the winner of the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be announced. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

War, fuels, EU budget, Sakharov winner – coming up in Strasbourg

Amid skyrocketing energy prices, the European Parliament backed moves to protect European consumers and businesses from the cost of electricity and gas bills. 

MEPs welcomed the Commission’s proposals to reduce energy demand and slash the cost of electricity while redistributing the energy sector’s surplus revenues to customers.

They asked for more action to shield the most vulnerable and SMEs from rising energy prices.

Energy prices: MEPs back help for European consumers and businesses

MEPs have demanded restraint from Iranian authorities over protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini.
 
Dozens of people are reported to have been killed in the demonstrations, which have sparked expressions of solidarity around the world.
 
Amini, a 22 year-old Kurdish woman, died on 16 September after her arrest by morality police in Tehran. They claimed she had broken headscarf rules.
 
The EU has called on Iran to respect fundamental rights. It is considering further restrictive measures against Iranian authorities.

Parliament shows solidarity with Iranian protestors

As the EU moves towards a circular economy, it is taking action to ensure toxic chemicals do not become concentrated in recycled materials.   
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), including so-called ‘forever chemicals’, are compounds that are resistant to environmental degradation.   
Once used in industry, they pose a problem because of their longevity: they accumulate in waste, soil, air and water with potentially adverse impacts on human health and the environment.   
That’s why Parliament has passed rules that aim to eliminate them. Rapporteur Martin Hojsík explains what POPs are, why they are dangerous and the changes to legislation Parliament pushed for.

“Would you buy a toxic product?": eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants

Parliament has voted to put an end to dozens of different device chargers and make the USB-C the market standard.  
  
The boom in different charger types in recent years is wasteful, damaging to the environment and costly.  
  
New rules on device chargers for phones, tablets, laptops, e-readers and more, mean from Autumn 2024 manufacturers will have to stick to one standard charger type.  
  
Let’s take a look at how things were before and what will change.

Electronic devices: Parliament adopts the USB-C charger as standard

A single USB-C charging solution, support for Ukrainian refugees in the EU and moves to tackle high energy prices are on the agenda as Parliament returns to Strasbourg. 
  
MEPs are due to vote on a one-size-fits-all charging system for devices like mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras, as the EU moves to reduce e-waste and boost sustainability. Parliament is set to sign off on fast-tracked funds to help both Ukrainian refugees and the European regions that are hosting them. 
 
Members will vote on a new framework to deal with cross-border health threats in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are also set to call for a solidarity-based EU response to high energy prices.

Common charger, energy prices and Ukraine - coming up in Strasbourg

Has the European Commission delivered on its promises for the EU over the past year? And what is its plan for the year ahead? MEPs quizzed President Ursula von der Leyen on Russia’s war on Ukraine, soaring energy prices and respect for the rule of law. Tackling climate change, overcoming the economic crisis and protecting human rights were also on the agenda.

State of the European Union debate 2022

Parliament returns to Strasbourg with a busy agenda including the annual State of the European Union debate (SOTEU), where MEPs will scrutinise the Commission’s achievements and goals. New rules on fair wages for the lowest paid and protecting the world’s forests will be put to vote. Parliament will also set out its position on proposals for legislation on energy efficiency and renewables. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

SOTEU, energy efficiency and minimum wage – coming up in Strasbourg

Parliament is updating rules on energy efficiency to ensure the EU meets its objective of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The new Energy Efficiency Directive targets energy-intensive sectors such as heavy industry and data centres. It will also encourage local authorities to lead by example and ensure public buildings like schools and hospitals are properly insulated. A recent project in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana has helped show the way.

Energy Efficiency Directive: “We need to be more ambitious.”

Parliament is updating rules on renewable energy. This will help the EU reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But what will future renewable energy projects look like? This innovative floating wind turbine is just one of dozens of exciting new developments backed by the EU.

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