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 (13-16 January 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs express their concern over how the UK and EU27 governments will manage citizens’ rights after Brexit. The draft text highlights that the fair and balanced provisions to protect citizens’ rights during and after the transition period, contained in the Withdrawal Agreement, must be thoroughly implemented. Statements by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Danuta Maria HÜBNER (EPP, PL), Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT), Guy VERHOFSTADT, EP coordinator for the negotiations with the UK (MEP), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE) and Michel BARNIER, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services.

Implementing and monitoring provisions on citizens’ rights in the UK Withdrawal Agreement: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, speakers of the political group debate on the presentation of the programme of activities of the Croatian Presidency.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Croatian Presidency: one round political group speakers

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, and Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, Croatian Prime Minister, make the closing statement during the debate on presentation of the programme of activities of the Croatian Presidency.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Croatian Presidency: closing statements by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, and Andrej PLENKOVIĆ, Croatian Prime Minister

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the programme of activities of the Croatian Presidency.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Croatian Presidency: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020), in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Nikolina BRNJAC, President in office of the Croatian Presidency of the Council and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, make a statement during the debate on the implementing and monitoring provisions on citizens’ rights in the UK withdrawal Agreement.

Implementing and monitoring provisions on citizens’ rights in the UK withdrawal Agreement: opening statements by Nikolina BRNJAC, President in office of the Croatian Presidency of the Council and by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020), in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the implementing and monitoring provisions on citizens’ rights in the UK withdrawal Agreement.

Implementing and monitoring provisions on citizens’ rights in the UK withdrawal Agreement: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the situation in Libya. Statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Kati PIRI (S&D, NL), Javier NART (RE, ES) and Mounir SATOURI (Greens/EFA, FR).

Situation in Libya: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on common charger for mobile radio equipment. Statements by Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight, Róża THUN UND HOHENSTEIN (EPP, PL), Christel SCHALDEMOSE (S&D, DK), Liesje SCHREINEMACHER (RE, NL), David CORMAND (Greens/EFA, FR), Virginie JORON (ID, FR) and Andżelika Anna MOŻDŻANOWSKA (ECR, PL)

Common charger for mobile radio equipment: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the devastating bushfires in Australia and other extreme weather events as a consequence of climate change. Statements by Petros KOKKALIS (GUE/NGL, EL), Michal WIEZIK (EPP, SK), Kati PIRI (S&D, NL), Miriam DALLI (S&D, FR), Ulrike MÜLLER (Renew Europe, DE), Pär HOLMGREN (Greens/EFA, SE), and Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Interinstitutional relations and Foresight

Devastating bushfires in Australia and other extreme weather events as a consequence of climate change: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (13-16 January 2020) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the gender pay gap. Satements by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality, Frances FITZGERALD (EPP, IE), Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), Sylvie BRUNET (RE, FR) and Ernest URTASUN (Greens/ALE, ES).

Gender pay gap: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, such as violations of human rights including religious freedoms in Burkina Faso, the allegations of sexual abuse of boys in the Logar Province in Afghanistan, and the Russian "Foreign Agents" Law. Statements by Assita KANKO (ECR, BE), Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President, Kati PIRI (S&D, NL), Anna FOTYGA (ECR, PL) and Antony HOOK (RE, UK).

Cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

During the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs discuss with Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the EC, the results of the 12-13 December meeting of EU heads of state or government, where leaders discussed climate change, the EU’s long-term budget, Brexit, the Economic and Monetary Union, foreign relations and the future of Europe. Statements by Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Guy VERHOFSTADT and Michel BARNIER, EC Chief Negotiator for Article 50 Negotiations.

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 12 and 13 December 2019: extracts from the debate on Brexit

During the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on humanitarian situation in Venezuela and migration and refugee crisis. Statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC in charge of a stronger Europe in the World, Javi LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Dita CHARANZOVÁ (RE, CZ) and Alice KUHNKE (Greens/EFA, SE).

Humanitarian situation in Venezuela and migration and refugee crisis: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs are expected to push for a further reduction in pesticide use, more funds for research and better monitoring in order to save pollinators such as bees, butterflies and other insects. Statements by Tytti TUPPURAINEN, Finnish Minister for European Affairs, Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Mairead MCGUINNESS (EPP, IE), István UJHELYI (S&D, HU), Pietro FIOCCHI (ECR, PT) and Othmar KARAS (EPP, AT).

EU Pollinators Initiative: extracts from the debate (17/12) and extracts from the vote

During the plenary session (16-19 December 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the situation of the Uyghur in China (China-cables). Statements by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EC, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), Kati PIRI (S&D, NL), Phil BENNION (RE, UK) and Reinhard BÜTIKOFER (Greens/EFA, DE).

Situation of the Uyghur in China (China-cables): extracts from the debate

Live replay of the EP plenary sitting in Strasbourg, 16th until 19th December. Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty and the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Right. One round of political group speakers.

Plenary session: Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty and the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights - Round of political group speakers

Live replay of the EP plenary sitting in Strasbourg, 16th until 19th December. Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty and the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Right. Opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP president. This transcription speech is the he result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Plenary session: Commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty and the legally binding Charter of Fundamental Rights - Opening statement by David SASSOLI, EP President (9.04 - 9:14)

Live replay of the EP plenary sitting in Strasbourg, 16th until 19th December. Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 12 and13 December 2019 - MEPs debate (part 2/2).

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