At a glance: two weeks to go until the European elections; the short documentary ‘Use Your vote’ and the International Day for Biological Diversity.

News in Brief – 23/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the debate between the lead candidates to be the next European Commission President will take place tomorrow; two weeks to go until the European elections.

News in Brief – 22/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the debate between the lead candidates to be the next European Commission President; the European elections are in two weeks’ time; and the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.

News in Brief – 21/05/2024 - English

The COVID-19 global pandemic and Russia’s war against Ukraine had a significant impact on the European Parliament’s agenda during its ninth parliamentary term. In the wake of a health crisis and geopolitical challenges, during its ninth legislative term, Parliament focussed on the green and digital transitions to enhance the EU’s resilience while also strengthening democratic values.

The ninth legislative term of the European Parliament

At a glance: EU leaders shocked by the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Fico; the European elections are in less than three weeks’ time; and the Multilingualism Day Student Competition is back.

News in Brief – 17/05/2024 - English

At a glance: three weeks to go until the European elections; preparations under way for the debate between the lead candidates for the Commission Presidency; President Metsola’s keynote speech at Brussels National Airport.

News in Brief – 16/05/2024 - English

At a glance: three weeks to go until the European elections; preparations underway for the debate between the leading candidates to be the next European Commission President; and applications for Schuman traineeships are still being accepted.

News in Brief – 15/05/2024 - English

At a glance: President Metsola’s visit to Kyiv, Schuman traineeships and the ‘Mission Possible Together’ competition.

News in Brief – 14/05/2024 - English

At a glance: ‘Sisterhood Pathways’ from Lithuania won the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize; applications for Schuman traineeships are now open and the European Solidarity Corps.

News in Brief – 13/05/2024 - English

At a glance: landmarks across the EU lit up ahead of the European elections; Europe Day in Luxembourg; and a joint letter of intent signed in Malta by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the  Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

News in Brief – 08/05/2024 - English

At a glance: landmark buildings across the EU will be lit up in blue on Europe Day; there is one month to go until the European elections; entries can now be submitted for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

News in Brief – 07/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the Europe Day celebrations continue; the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism; and the award ceremony of the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize.

News in Brief – 06/05/2024 - English

At a glance: Europe Days, the European elections and the European Solidarity Corps Participation Awards.

News in Brief – 04/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the 74th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration; Europe Day celebrations in all EU buildings in Brussels; and the online survey ‘Democracy and You’.

News in Brief – 03/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement; the approaching European elections; and the 2024 Europe Day celebrations.

News in Brief – 02/05/2024 - English

In this episode, we dive into European history to celebrate a key milestone: the 20th anniversary of the largest-ever EU enlargement. On 1 May 2004, ten countries in the heart of Europe joined the EU, adding nine new official EU working languages. It was a moment of celebration, unity and limitless opportunity.

The 20th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement

Parliament holds debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

The first act of a new European Parliament is to elect its President. Candidates for the Presidency may be proposed either by a political group or by a minimum of 38 MEPs . The election is held by secret ballot. To be elected, a candidate must win an absolute majority of the valid votes cast, i.e. 50% plus one.

If no candidate is elected at the first ballot, the same or other candidates may be nominated for a second round of voting under the same conditions. This can be repeated at a third round if necessary, again with the same rules.

If no-one is elected at the third ballot, the two highest-scoring candidates in that round proceed to a fourth ballot, where the one receiving the greater number of votes wins. (Should there be a tie at this stage, the older candidate is declared the winner).

Election of the President of the European Parliament

&nbsp;In July 2024 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.

Following the election of its President, Parliament&nbsp; elected its 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, which comprise Parliament’s Bureau.

Election of the President of the European Parliament and the Bureau

Poland is a member of the EU since 1st of May 2004 and member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Poland is a parliamentary republic with a Head of government - the Prime Minister - and a Head of state - the President. The government structure is centred on the council of Ministers. The country is divided into 16 provinces, largely based on the country’s historic regions. Administrative authority at provincial level is shared between a government-appointed Governor, an elected regional Assembly and an executive elected by the regional Assembly.

There are 51 members of the European Parliament from Poland.

EU - Poland

The energy union strategy aims at building an energy union that gives EU consumers - households and businesses - secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy.&nbsp;The five pillars of the Energy Union are:&nbsp;accelerating decarbonisation with the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) and renewables at is core; scaling up energy efficiency; enhancing energy security and safety; strengthening the internal market; research, innovation and competitiveness.&nbsp; Since 2021, Europe has experienced a hike in energy prices that is part of a global surge. The&nbsp;Russian invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;in 2022 has further affected the energy markets, causing new increases of energy prices and concerns over the EU’s ability to secure its energy supply. &nbsp;

Energy union

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) have two main goals: to create a safer digital space in which the fundamental rights of all users of digital services are protected and to establish a level playing field to foster innovation, growth, and competitiveness, both in the European Single Market and globally.

The&nbsp;Digital Services Act (DSA)&nbsp;aims to create a safer digital space in which users rights are protected, including rules to tackle illegal content online, enhance the accountability and transparency of algorithms, and dealing with content moderation and targeted advertising.

Digital Markets Act&nbsp; (DMA) sets rules on what big online platforms will be allowed to do and not do in the EU. It&nbsp;blacklists certain practices of large platforms acting as “gatekeepers” and enables the Commission to carry out market investigations and sanction non-compliant behaviour.

Digital Services and Digital Markets Act

There are many examples of AI being used in everyday life: Online shopping and advertising; Web search; Digital personal assistants; Machine translations; Smart homes, cities and infrastructure; Cars; Cybersecurity; Artificial intelligence against Covid-19; Fighting disinformation, etc. &nbsp;

In March Plenary session the Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act that ensures safety and compliance with fundamental rights, while boosting innovation.

The regulation, agreed in negotiations with member states in December 2023, was endorsed by MEPs with 523 votes in favour, 46 against and 49 abstentions.

It aims to protect fundamental rights, democracy, the rule of law and environmental sustainability from high-risk AI, while boosting innovation and establishing Europe as a leader in the field. The regulation establishes obligations for AI based on its potential risks and level of impact.

Robotics and artificial intelligence

The European Union produces more than&nbsp;2.2 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently updating its&nbsp;legislation on waste management&nbsp;to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

The circular economy is a&nbsp;model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the&nbsp;life cycle of products is extended.

In March 2020, the European Commission presented the circular economy action plan,&nbsp;&nbsp;which aims to promote more sustainable product design, reduce waste and empower consumers, for example by creating aright to repair). There is a focus on resource intensive sectors, such as&nbsp;electronics and ICT,&nbsp;plastics,&nbsp;textiles&nbsp;and construction.

In February 2021, the Parliament adopted a resolution on the&nbsp;new circular economy action plan&nbsp;demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050, including tighter recycling rules and&nbsp;binding targets for materials use and consumption&nbsp;by 2030.

In March 2022, the Commission released the&nbsp;first package of measures&nbsp;to speed up the transition towards a circular economy, as part of the circular economy action plan. The proposals include boosting sustainable products, empowering consumers for the green transition, reviewing construction product regulation, and creating a strategy on sustainable textiles.

In November 2022, the Commission proposed&nbsp;new EU-wide rules on packaging. It aims to reduce packaging waste and improve packaging design, with for example clear labelling to promote reuse and recycling; and calls for a transition to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Circular economy

G7 and EU - US summits that will tackle issues like COVID-19, climate change, Russia and free trade Belarus.

On 11-13 June, at the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall, the seven members - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, plus the EU - will discuss the global recovery from COVID-19, free and fair trade and the fight against climate change. Other major security issues such as Belarus, and Israel/Palestine will also be raised. The UK organisers have invited leaders from Australia, India, South Korea and South Africa to attend as guest countries.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission and Charles Michel , President of the Council will meet the US president on 15 June in Brussels.

G7 and EU - US summits

Europe is faced with a significant influx of migrants: hundreds of thousands of people fleeing from war and poverty are travelling to Europe in search of safety and a better life. 

The increase in migration to Europe requires a response from the EU on a number of levels. Firstly, policies to handle regular and irregular immigration, and secondly, common EU-wide rules on asylum. The migrant crisis of late has also resulted in a need for additional measures and reforms to ensure border security as well as a fairer distribution of asylum seekers among EU countries.

Migration - 8th Parliamentary term

Denmark has been an EU member country since 1st January 1973.

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. It has a representative parliamentary system with a head of government - the prime minister - and a head of state - the monarch - who officially retains executive power, although duties are strictly representative and ceremonial. The kingdom also comprises 2 autonomous constituent countries in the Atlantic, neither of which are EU members: the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

EU - Denmark

On 29 March 2017, Theresa MAY, British Prime Minister, triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The right of a Member State to withdraw from the European Union was introduced for the first time with the Lisbon Treaty; the possibility of withdrawal was highly controversial before that. The Article 50 provides for the negotiation of a withdrawal agreement between the EU and the withdrawing state, defining in particular the latter's future relationship with the Union. If no agreement is concluded within two years, that state's membership ends automatically, unless the European Council and the Member State concerned decide jointly to extend this period.

Brexit - 8th Parliamentary term

Tax measures must be adopted unanimously by the Member States. The European Parliament has the right to be consulted on tax matters, except on budgetary-related issues, for which it is co-legislator.

The power to tax is in the hands of the Member States, with the EU having only limited EU competences. As EU tax policy is geared towards the smooth running of the single market, the harmonisation of indirect taxation was addressed before direct taxation. The fight against harmful tax evasion and tax avoidance has become a recent policy priority.

Fight against tax fraud and evasion - 8th parliamentary term

Situated in the north-eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and to the south of Turkey, Cyprus is the largest island in the eastern Mediterranean as well as being the third smallest country in the EU, after Malta and Luxembourg. 

Cyprus’s main export partners are Greece, the UK and Israel, while its main import partners are Greece, Israel and the UK. 
There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Cyprus.

EU - Cyprus

Nearly all European countries have been affected by terrorism in one form or another and tackling it has never been easy.

 
The attacks in Nice, Brussels and Paris demonstrated once again the challenge of finding a rapid and effective response to those who would destroy us, while safeguarding our freedom and way of life. In the unfolding battle against terror, Parliament has an active role to play.

Fight against terrorism - 8th parliamentary term

EP President Metsola meets the President of the National Assembly of Slovenia, Urška Klakočar Zupančič and she addresses the National Assembly of Slovenia. President Metsola and President Klakočar Zupančič speak to the press. She also meets the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar and the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob. The EP President and Prime Minister Golob speak to the press.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Slovenia

EP President Roberta Metsola, participates in the European Council, followed by a press conference

EP President Roberta METSOLA, at the European Council

President Metsola meets the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyha

Official meeting of President Metsola and Ukranian Prime Minister Denys  Shmyhal

President Metsola meets the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa. in Brussels

Official meeting of President Metsola and Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa

EP President Roberta Metsola meets the Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution of Austria, Karoline Edtstadler and the President of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament, Wolfgang Sobotka. She also meets the Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer and they speak to the press.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Austria

EP  President Metsola participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people. She meets the Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden, Andres Norlén and representatives of the political groups in the Parliament. She also meets the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson and they jointly speak to the press

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Sweden

New EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers is debated and voted by MEPs.

The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7), provisionally agreed with the Council in December 2023, aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality.

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 exhaust emissions limits and test conditions will be maintained, while stricter limits would be applied for buses and trucks. The Euro 7 standards also tackle non-exhaust emissions (microplastics from tyres and particles from brakes) and include requirements concerning battery durability.

Plenary Debate - Euro 7

Press conference by Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur for safety of toys

Press conference on Toys' safety

Press conference by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragos TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), co-rapporteurs on AI Act plenary vote

Press conference on Artificial Intelligence vote

Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo speaks to MEPs to outline his vision on Europe’s challenges and future.

Before the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Orpo, followed by a press point at 10.20 (still to be confirmed).

Thirteen EU heads of state or government have discussed the future of the EU in the plenary in “This is Europe” debates.

Plenary Debate - This is Europe debate with the Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo

Press conference by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), rapporteur on European Media Freedom Act

Press conference on European Media Freedom Act

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. 

Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. 

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights. Both have been charged with the unlawful deportation of children and the unlawful transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

Plenary Debate - Concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia

Press conference by Ciarán CUFFE (Greens/EFA, IE), rapporteur on the energy performance of buildings directive

Press conference: Energy performance of buildings

Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo from the Spanish women’s national football team address MEPs.

To mark International Women’s Day, captain of the Spanish women’s football team Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, captain for club Levante, addresses MEPs,  followed by a round of political group speakers. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. 

On the same day at around 10.30, , MEPs discuss whether Parliament should give its consent to Council for member states to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention on Violence and Harassment. The convention is the first international treaty to recognise the right to work free from violence and harassment.

Plenary Debate -  Parliament marks International Women’s Day (8 March)

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector are debated by plenary. 

The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved.
New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. For residential buildings, member states have to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the average level of primary energy used of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20-22% by 2035.

Member states also have to adopt measures to decarbonise heating systems and phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling with fossil fuel boilers being completely phased e out by 2040.

Plenary Debate - Energy performance of buildings

Parliament’s Spokesperson will hold a press briefing on the plenary session.

Last-minute  briefing

The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons.

Pre-session press briefing

To mark the 2024 International Women's Day (8 March), the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee is holding an inter-parliamentary committee meeting, gathering EU and national parliamentarians, to discuss the situation of women in sport today. Topics include eradicating gender stereotypes, abuse scandals and getting equal financial rewards and status. The experts to speak include Olympians Charline Van Snick (Belgium), Pia Sundhage (Sweden) and Katarzyna Zillmann (Poland). (Thursday 7 March).

FEMM- International Women’s Day/Women in Sport

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

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Sauli NIINISTÖ, Former President of the Republic of Finland

EP Plenary session - Fight against money laundering and terrorist financing: listing Russia as a high risk third country in the EU

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Delegations for relations with the Arab Peninsula

Official visit to Vienna (Austria) - Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Karl NEHAMMER, Austrian Federal Chancellor

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

AFCO

Committee meeting on International Trade

INTA

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

FEMM

Committee on Budgets

BUDG

Committee on Development

DEVE

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Committee on Transport and Tourism

TRAN

Committee on Legal Affairs

JURI

Joint committee meeting on International Trade and committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

IMCO

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

AGRI

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

ECON

Committee on Foreign Affairs

AFET

Official visit to Vienna (Austria) - Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Wolfgang SOBOTKA, President of the Austrian National Council

Official visit to Vienna (Austria) - Presentation of the Grand Decoration of Honour and acceptance speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Euroscola

EP Plenary session - Resumption of session and order of business

Last minute briefing

Pre-session briefing

Young Political Leaders of Ukraine - Module 1 : Getting to know the EU and its institutions

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Nicolae CIUCĂ, President of the Senate of Romania

EU - New Zealand Interparliamentary meeting

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, Ukrainian President

European Council Meeting 17-18 October - Press conference

Coming Out Day 2024 - Living our best lives - how inclusive workplaces make all the difference

FISC - Exchange of views with Margrethe VESTAGER, Executive Vice President of the European Commission

European Council Meeting 17-18 October

Delegation to the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary committee constitutive meeting

FISC - Public hearing on ' Simplification and transparency: Role of simplified tax policy to encourage growth, job creation, competitiveness and cross-border business within the EU27 '

AFET DEVE DROI - Announcement of the 3 finalists for Sakharov Prize 2024

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Paulo RANGEL, Minister of State and Foreign Affairs of Portugal

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

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents with the participation of Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

INTA - Key new factors likely to shape the EU’s trade agenda in the next five-year term

On 14 September, Members of the European Parliament will question President von der Leyen and her Commission about its policies during the State of the European Union debate.

State of the European Union Debate 2022

Follow Kacper, Elsa, Gisèle and Michalakis as they take part in the first EU exercise in direct democracy.

Inside the Conference on the Future of Europe

In its 25 years of existence, the Single Market has grown from 12 to 28 EU Members and extends to Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein (EEA countries) , and to Switzerland via bilateral agreements. Despite uncertainties and challenges, the EU's free trade area continues to exercise an unprecedented attraction across the continent.

The Single Market at 25: Many Achievements, New Challenges Ahead

The European Green Deal, Fit for 55 package, Climate Law, Emissions Trading System, green finance… What is it all about? How does it work? And how is the EU tackling the growing threat of climate change?

Green Deal, Fit for 55, Climate Law… what are they?

The European Parliament will have a busy agenda when MEPs return in September. They will be looking to ensure the green transition and boost EU energy autonomy in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In addition, Parliament wants to see citizens’ proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe delivered upon. MEPs are set to quiz the European Commission president during the State of the Union debate and will honour human rights advocates with the Sakharov Prize in December.

What’s in store for the 2nd half of 2022?

Parliament signed off on two pieces of landmark digital legislation for a safer and fairer online environment. MEPs urged EU action to ease exports from Ukraine and ensure global food supplies. They also reaffirmed their support for abortion rights in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling, backed plans to improve the EU care sector and agreed Croatia should join the euro.

Plenary highlights: Digital laws, food security and abortion rights.

Parliament is set to take a final vote on two groundbreaking laws to regulate the online sphere. Members will debate Ukraine and Moldova’s new EU-candidate status; and Czechia’s prime minister will outline his country’s priorities for its 6-month EU Council presidency. All that and more, coming up in Strasbourg.

Digital rules, Ukraine and Council presidency – Coming up in Strasbourg

With the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of digital and remote working, people have felt increasing stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue. What is the Parliament doing to tackle this mental health crisis? On top of proposing to make 2023 the European Year of Mental Health, report author Maria Walsh is proposing solutions at the EU level: a right to disconnect, better work-life balance and new progressive directives are in the pipeline.

“You can never do enough": Mental health in the digital workplace

Parliament set its position on a series of laws designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. MEPs called for a Convention to discuss modifications to EU treaties, following the outcome of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament addressed members in Strasbourg. And the Bosnian film ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ won the 2022 LUX Audience Award.

Plenary highlights: Climate action, EU treaty change and LUX Award

The Bosnian film ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ has won the 2022 LUX Audience Award beating ‘Flee’ and ‘Great Freedom’. European citizens and members of the European Parliament chose the winner who was announced at a ceremony in Parliament.

Bosnian film ‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ wins 2022 LUX Audience Award

Parliament is set to push for more ambitious climate laws. MEPs will also discuss the situation in Ukraine and the right to initiative for Parliament. The winner of the LUX Audience Award will be announced in Parliament. All that and more, coming up in plenary.

Coming up in Strasbourg: Climate action, Ukraine and European cinema

The Common Agricultural Policy has long been one of the EU's flagship policies. Let's take a look back at how it has shaped European farming and how the CAP is becoming greener and fairer, keeping the rights of farmers at its core.

Timeline: The Common Agricultural Policy

The European Union is set to establish a Social Climate Fund to help citizens and businesses make the transition to clean energy. It comes as the bloc looks to extend its emissions trading system to buildings and road transport - part of efforts to reach carbon-zero by 2050. Parliament is pushing for a sustainable deal, which helps vulnerable households and tackles energy poverty. It also wants to help businesses become more energy efficient.

Parliament moves to help Europeans switch to clean energy

Europe’s carbon sinks are in decline. To help reach the EU’s net-zero emission target by 2050,  the European Parliament is amending rules on land use, so that agricultural land, as well as forests, moors and wetlands can capture more carbon and help reduce global heating.

Carbon sinks: Harnessing forests and farmland

If Europe is to reach carbon net-zero by 2050, it will require a sea-change in a host of areas. How we get about is one of them. Road transport currently accounts for about 20% of Europe’s CO2 emissions. Parliament is calling for more ambitious CO2 reduction targets for cars and vans for 2030.

Fit for 55: Reducing CO2 emissions from cars and vans

The Conference on the Future of Europe wound-up with a special event on Europe Day 2022 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The Conference co-chairs delivered a final report to the presidents of the three main European institutions. It contains 49 proposals, with more than 300 measures on improving the European Union. A groundbreaking exercise in participatory democracy, the Conference brought together citizens of different ages, backgrounds and origins to discuss ideas at events across the EU and in the European Parliament.

Conference hands over final report at Strasbourg event

Parliament debated the social and economic consequences of the war in Ukraine as the EU prepares to begin phasing out imports of Russian crude oil. Members welcomed the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and said revisions of EU treaties would be needed to fully implement them. Also debated were proposals for EU electoral reform and World Press Freedom Day. Meanwhile, Parliament set out its position on reducing waste by introducing a single charger for the EU market.

Plenary highlights: Russian oil, Future of Europe and press freedom

Three hundred and twenty-five proposals based on recommendations made by European citizens are ready! From health to the economy, migration to climate change and how to enhance democracy, the ideas for the future of Europe will be presented to EU institutions on 9 May. Meeting in Strasbourg, citizens together with European and national parliamentarians, Commissioners, government representatives and other stakeholders gave their green light to the proposals for the EU of tomorrow.

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