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

Live replay of the EP Plenary session on the Conclusions of the European Council meeting (20-21-30 June) during the Strasbourg plenary week (01.07.19 - 04.07.19). Introductory remarks.

EP Plenary session: Conclusions of the European Council meeting (20-21-30 June) - Opening statement by Donald TUSK, President of the European Council

On 15 May 2019, candidates for the presidency of the European Commission take part in a live Eurovision debate at the Parliament in Brussels. Arrival of the candidates: Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) as member of Team Europe, Nico CUÉ, lead candidate of the European Left (EL), Jan ZAHRADIL, lead candidate of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE), Frans TIMMERMANS, lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Manfred WEBER, lead candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP) and Ska KELLER, lead candidate of the European Greens (Greens)

Presidency of the European Commission / Eurovision Debate: arrivals of the lead candidates

On 15 May 2019, the candidates for the presidency of the European Commission take part in a live Eurovision debate at the Parliament in Brussels. Group photo with Frans TIMMERMANS, lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Manfred WEBER, lead candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP), Ska KELLER, lead candidate of the European Greens (Greens), Nico CUÉ, lead candidate of the European Left (EL), Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) as member of Team Europe, Jan ZAHRADIL, lead candidate of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE).

Presidency of the European Commission / Eurovision Debate: group photo

On 15 May 2019, the lead candidates for the presidency of the European Commission take part in a live Eurovision debate at the Parliament in Brussels. Frans TIMMERMANS, lead candidate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), Manfred WEBER, lead candidate of the European People’s Party (EPP), Ska KELLER, lead candidate of the European Greens (Greens), Nico CUÉ, lead candidate of the European Left (EL), Margrethe VESTAGER, lead candidate of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) as member of Team Europe, and Jan ZAHRADIL, lead candidate of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE) debate several topics.

Presidency of the European Commission / Eurovision Debate: full version in international sign interpretation

On 15 May 2019, candidates for the presidency of the European Commission take part in a live Eurovision debate at the Parliament in Brussels. Atmosphere of the debate.

EE2019 - Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate - EU Elections 2019: atmosphere of the debate

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate on several cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: in China, Cameroon and Brunei. Statements by Helmut SCHOLZ (GUE/NGL, DE), Ryszard CZARNECKI (ECR, PL), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Neena GILL (S&D, UK).

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law: extracts from the debates

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate on a comprehensive European Union framework on endocrine disruptors. Statements by Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, Julie GIRLING (EPP, UK), Miriam DALLI (S&D, MT), Frédérique RIES (ALDE, BE) and Michèle RIVASI (Greens/EFA, FR).

A comprehensive European Union framework on endocrine disruptors: extracts from the debate

Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, addresses the hemicycle during the debate on the future of Europe in the plenary session, in Strasbourg. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Mercedes BRESSO (S&D, IT), Roberts ZĪLE (ECR, LV), Pavel TELIČKA (ALDE, CZ), Dimitrios PAPADIMOULIS (GUE/NGL, EL) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister: extracts from the debate

Live Replay of the debate on Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister during the plenary session in Brussels (15-18/04/2019)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister. Statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC (10:40 - 10:58)

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate on the new rules on visas for short-stays in the EU. The EU Visa Code, establishes the procedures and conditions for issuing visas to enter the EU for short periods. Statements by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur, Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Isabella DE MONTE (S&D, IT), TRAN and Heinz K. BECKER (EPP, AT).

Visa code: extracts from the debate

Live Replay of the debate on Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister during the plenary session in Brussels (15-18/04/2019) Final answer by Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister. Final answer by Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister (12:28 - 12:36)

Live Replay of the debate on Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister during the plenary session in Brussels (15-18/04/2019) Catch the eye

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister. Catch the eye (11:52 - 12:28)

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate and vote on new legislation to regulate CO2 emissions for lorries in the EU.

CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy duty vehicles: extracts from the debate

Live Replay of the debate on Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister during the plenary session in Brussels (15-18/04/2019) One round of political group speakers

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister. One round of political group speakers (10:58 - 11:49)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister. Introductory speech by Antonio TAJANI, EP President (10.07 - 10.09)

Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister, addresses the hemicycle during the debate on the future of Europe in the plenary session, in Strasbourg.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister: extracts from the opening statements

During the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (15-18 April 2019), MEPs debate to confirm their negotiating position on the new rules to tackle the dissemination of terrorist content online across the EU. Internet companies will get one hour to remove terrorist content online after receiving an order, but they will not have to filter all the content they upload.

Tackling the dissemination of terrorist content online: extracts from the vote on the report by Daniel DALTON (ECR, UK)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister. Opening statement by Krišjānis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister (10:09 - 10:40)

5,049 results