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 Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate and vote on a resolution that calls for adequate housing to be a fundamental right as well as for measures to prevent homelessness. Extracts from the debate (20/01) with statements by Kim VAN SPARRENTAK (Greens/EFA, NL), Rapporteur, Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Dennis RADTKE (EPP, DE), Leïla CHAIBI (The Left, FR), Agnes JONGERIUS (S&D, NL), final vote (21/1) and illustration footage.

Decent and affordable housing for all: extracts from the debate (20/01) final vote (21/1) and illustration footage

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation. Part 1

Inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation: MEPs debate (part 1)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency. Part 2

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency: MEPs debate (part 2)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency. One round political group Leaders

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency: one round political group Leaders

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency (continuation part 3)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency: MEPs debate (continuation part 3)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight and by Antonio COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency: closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Antonio COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency. Part 3

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency: MEPs debate (part 3)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027.

Social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the MFF: MEPs debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. Closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

Social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the MFF: closing statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the right to disconnect. Closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

The right to disconnect: Closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the right to disconnect.

The right to disconnect: MEPs debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation. Closing statements by 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, and Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

Inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation: closing statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union, and Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

During the debate at the European Parliament on the Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency, Ursula VON DER LEYEN makes a statement on the evolution of the COVID19 epidemic in Europe (vaccination, aid to third countries, variants and border management). This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President on the evolution of the COVID19 epidemic in Europe

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027. Opening statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights and by Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Social and employment crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic and the EU's response in the Recovery Plan and the MFF: opening statements by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner and Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Secretary of State for European Affairs

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs discuss the programme for the next six-month Portuguese presidency of the Council of the EU with Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa. Statements by António COSTA, Portuguese Prime Minister, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), EPP Group leader, Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group leader, Dacian CIOLOŞ (RE, RO), Renew Europe Group leader, Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), Greens/EFA Group leader.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the right to disconnect. Opening statement by Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D, MT), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

The right to disconnect: Opening statements by Alex AGIUS SALIBA (S&D, MT), rapporteur and by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency. Part 1

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Portuguese Presidency: MEPs debate (part 1)

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (18-21 January 2021), MEPs debate on the inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation. Statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council MEPs welcome the inauguration of Joe Biden as an opportunity for Europe to strengthen EU-US ties and tackle common challenges and threats to the democratic system

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