When we think of the European Parliament, we usually imagine MEPs voting in the debating chamber. In reality, though, voting only takes place once a month, during plenary part-sessions. But what actually are these part-sessions, and how do they work?

What are plenary sessions?

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Tax the rich

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Social-economic cost of climate change, floods in Emilia Romagna, Marche, Toscana - urgent need EU solidarity

EP Plenary session - Threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular the creation of an investigative committee

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - Situation in Sudan

EP Plenary session - Adoption of the Act in support of ammunition production

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU).Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy- annual reports 2022

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144) - The human rights situation in Afghanistan especially the deterioration of women’s rights

EP Plenary session - Human rights situation in Egypt

EP Plenary session - Situation of human rights in the context of the upcoming FIFA world cup in Qatar

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with youth organizations and University Students, at the Library of the University of Cyprus

EP Plenary session - Topical debate: The Three Seas Initiative; challenges and opportunities

EP Plenary session  - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session -  Question time to Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World - The EU’s security and strategic compass

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law - The situation of journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries: closing statements by Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

The role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries: closing statements by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships and by Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children.

The impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children: MEPs debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero". Opening statements by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left,EL), rapporteur and by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero": opening statements by Elena KOUNTOURA (The Left, EL), rapporteur and by Commission

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (4-7 October 2021), MEPs debate the protection of persons with disabilities through petitions. Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The protection of persons with disabilities through petitions - lessons learnt: closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

MEPs discuss the state of play of the Hungarian and Polish recovery and resilience plans. The Members debate with Commissioners Dombrovskis and Gentiloni on the key reasons behind the delay and the timelines for the Commission to approve both plans. The extension to approve the Polish recovery plan expired on 3 August and for the Hungarian plan on 30 September.

The state of play on the submitted RRF recovery plans awaiting approval: extracts from the debate

MEPs debate and vote on the reform of the direction of EU-Russia political relations during the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in Strasbourg.

Direction of EU-Russia political relations: extracts from the result of the vote and extracts from the debate (14/09)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs on behalf of Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines - O.Q. to Commission: closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law focused on Government crackdown on protests and citizens in Cuba. Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Government crackdown on protests and citizens in Cuba: MEPs debate and closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the case of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

The case of human rights defender Ahmed Mansoor in UAE: MEPs debate and closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the situation in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

The situation in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya: MEPs debate and closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Opening statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP, ES), Author and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs on behalf of Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines - O.Q. to Commission: opening statements by Dolors MONTSERRAT (EPP, ES), Author and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines - O.Q. to Commission: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland, and will prepare a draft bill which may threaten media pluralism, and the latest Polish challenge to EU rules and values. (Second part of the debate)

Media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland: MEPs debate (Part 2/2)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Pegasus spyware scandal and will ask the Commission and member states for EU action on recent allegations of governmental cyber-surveillance of journalists, politicians and others. (Second part of the debate)

The Pegasus spyware scandal: MEPs debate (Part 2/2)

Atmosphere shots around the debate on the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021), during the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Cutaways around the Chamber prior to the debate.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: arrivals, doorsteps and general atmosphere prior to the debate

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Full version of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Full version - State of the European Union 2021 debate: Opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 1. Introduction by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. - Health crisis, Green Deal, World recovery, EU solidarity. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 1/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: introduction by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 2 of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on the following topics: - Success of the European vaccination campaign and the delivery of vaccines to Africa (200 million doses to the continent) - Economy: support to over 31 million workers and 2.5 million companies across Europe; investments in digital skills and infrastructures. Investments in the chips production. - Social and Equity: New European Health Strategy; Fight against tax fraud and tax evasion. - Youth: Next Generation EU shoul be funded by new own resources; Proposal to make 2022 the year of European youth. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 2/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united through adversity and recovery - Economy - Social and Equity - Youth

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