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 to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020). Arrival of Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President and Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council.

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: Atmosphere in the Chamber

During the plenary session to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020), MEPs debate (part 1)

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: MEPs debate (part 1)

During the plenary session to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020), David SASSOLI, EP President and the MEPs applause as a sign of gratitude and encouragement for all doctors, nurses and care workers in their battle against COVID-19

David SASSOLI, EP President and MEPs applauding for medical and care workers

MEPs are debating and voting on €3 billion in emergency support for the health sectors of the most affected EU countries as well as on a scheme to procure medical supplies for member states facing shortages. While reducing the need for physical meetings on its premises, Parliament is exercising its core activities by using extraordinary remote voting procedures to approve urgent EU measures to fight the pandemic. In the context of the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19), some MEPs wear protective mask in the hemicycle. Speech by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Esteban GONZÁLEZ PONS (EPP, ES), Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES) by videoconferencing remote participation, Dacian CIOLOŞ (RE, RO) by videoconferencing remote participation), and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020), Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight

During the plenary session to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020), one round political group leaders

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: One round political group leaders

During the plenary session to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020). opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President. Check Against delivery.

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

During the plenary session to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020), Opening statement by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: Opening statement by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council

During the plenary session to coordinate the EU’s action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences in the European Parliament in Brussels (16 April 2020), MEPs debate (part 3)

EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences: MEPs debate (part 3)

During the extraordinary plenary session to coordinate the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the European Parliament in Brussels (26 March 2020), closing statement by Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak: Closing statement by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight

During the extraordinary plenary session to coordinate the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the European Parliament in Brussels (26 March 2020), MEPs debate on the topic.

European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak: MEPs debate (part 2)

European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak: MEPs debate (part 3)

European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak: MEPs debate (part 1)

During the extraordinary plenary session to coordinate the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the European Parliament in Brussels (26 March 2020), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC makes a statement. The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak: Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC

During the extraordinary plenary session to coordinate the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the European Parliament in Brussels (26 March 2020), results of the final votes

Announcement of the results of the final votes on amendments in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

During the extraordinary plenary session to coordinate the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the European Parliament in Brussels (26 March 2020), One round political group leaders

European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak: first round of political group

During the extraordinary plenary session to coordinate the EU’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in the European Parliament in Brussels (26 March 2020), atmosphere shots of the arrivals and opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak: Atmosphere shots of the arrivals and opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President

During the plenary session (9-12 March 2020) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs assess EU and national efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus from spreading and the role of the new EU corona response team, which coordinates with member states to share information, assess needs and ensure a coherent, EU-wide response. A significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the coming weeks would deeply affect public health and healthcare systems and heavily affect the economy and social life. Statements by Nikolina BRNJAC, Croatian Presidency, Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), EPP Group leader, Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group leader, and Frédérique RIES (RE, BE).

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