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

A month after the publication of the latest IPCC report confirming climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, Parliament during the plenary session debate the “Fit for 55” package with Council and Commission. The European Climate Law adopted in June 2021 increases the EU’s target for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 level. MEPs debate (part 2)

Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the IPCC report: MEPs debate (part 2)

A month after the publication of the latest IPCC report confirming climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, Parliament during the plenary session debate the “Fit for 55” package with Council and Commission. The European Climate Law adopted in June 2021 increases the EU’s target for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 level. MEPs debate (part 1)

Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the IPCC report: MEPs debate (part 1)

A month after the publication of the latest IPCC report confirming climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, Parliament during the plenary session debate the “Fit for 55” package with Council and Commission. The European Climate Law adopted in June 2021 increases the EU’s target for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 level. Opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Council and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the IPCC report: opening statements by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs and by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

A month after the publication of the latest IPCC report confirming climate change is widespread, rapid, and intensifying, Parliament during the plenary session debate the “Fit for 55” package with Council and Commission. The European Climate Law adopted in June 2021 increases the EU’s target for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 40% to at least 55%, compared to 1990 level. MEPs debate (part 3)

Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the IPCC report: MEPs debate (part 3)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss how to best respond to the humanitarian and migration crisis in Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s return to power after the withdrawal of US troops, with 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. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Situation in Afghanistan: opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development. (Second part of the debate)

Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development: MEPs debate (Part 2/2)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development: opening statements by Sylvie BRUNET (Renew, FR), Marianne VIND (S&D, DK) rapporteurs and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs.

Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digitalization: opening statements by Sylvie BRUNET (Renew, FR), Marianne VIND (S&D, DK) rapporteurs and Nicolas SCHMIT, EU Commissioner

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the debate on the fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development: closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs.

Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development: closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development. (First part of the debate)

Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development: MEPs debate (Part 1/2)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs participate in the joint debate on the health and disease prevention and will debate and vote on two laws to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and better tackle cross-border health threats. Closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.

Joint debate - Health and disease prevention: closing statement by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on Hong Kong, notably the case of Apple Daily. Closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

The case of Apple Daily in Hong Kong

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education.

Plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on labour rights in Bangladesh.

Labour rights in Bangladesh: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on labour rights in Bangladesh (continuation of the debate).

Labour rights in Bangladesh: MEPs debate (continuation)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on sustained price increase of raw and construction materials in Europe. Closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

Sustained price increase of raw and construction materials in Europe: closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on sustained price increase of raw and construction materials in Europe.

Sustained price increase of raw and construction materials in Europe: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on labour rights in Bangladesh: closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union.

Labour rights in Bangladesh: closing statement by Mairead McGUINNESS, European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability, and Capital Markets Union

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education: closing statement by Adina VĂLEAN, European Commissioner for Transport.

Plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education: closing statement by Adina VĂLEAN, European Commissioner for Transport

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