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 (11-14 March 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Future of Europe with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister. This is the eighteen in a series of future of Europe debates between EU heads of state or government and MEPs.

Future of Europe: extracts from the debate with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister

Live Replay of the debate on the future of Europe with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister during the plenary session in Strasbourg (11-14 March 2019)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister: first round of political group speakers - Sophia IN 'T VELD (ALDE, NL) (11:01 - 11:06)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Peter PELLEGRINI, Slovak Prime Minister: Catch the eye part 3 (12:08 - 12:13)

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law such as the situation in Chechnya, and the case of Oyub Titiev, the situation in Zimbabwe and the Women's rights defenders in Saudi Arabia. Statements by Rebecca HARMS (Greens/EFA, DE), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Cecilia MALMSTRÖM, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, Geoffrey VAN ORDEN (ECR, UK), Catherine BEARDER (ALDE, UK), and Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR).

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

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on a new law putting an end to the discrimination that payment service users in the EU outside the Eurozone face. Banks would need to charge equally for cross-border payments in euro and domestic payments and make currency conversion costs more transparent.

Charges on cross-border payments in the EU and conversion fees: extracts from the debate (13/02) and from the vote on the report Eva MAYDELL (EPP, BG)

Following reports about the ill-treatment of transported animals, MEPs look into ways to improve their welfare and are set to call on EU member states to better enforce existing EU rules protecting transported animals, apply tough penalties for offenders and improve transport conditions, during the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Protection of animals during transport within and outside the EU: extracts from the debate and from the vote - illustrative footage

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on setting up the first EU-level tool to screen foreign direct investment on grounds of security to protect strategic sectors such as water, transport, or communications, and technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

Framework for screening of foreign direct investments into the European Union: extracts from the debate

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote on EU 2021-2027 funding rules to keep investing in all regions to boost economic and social cohesion. They are likely to oppose cuts to finances dedicated to regions and approve new goals such as support to innovation, digitisation, energy transition, education and access to healthcare.

European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund Plus, Cohesion Fund, and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and financial rules: extracts from the debate

Statement by Mara BIZZOTTO (ENF, IT)during the debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister during the EP Plenary session in Strasbourg.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister: One round of political group speakers - Mara BIZZOTTO (ENF, IT) (18:45 - 18:48)

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs vote an upgrade of the EU’s civil defence mechanism, tested to its limits in 2017 and 2018 by forest fires, storms and floods. The new law will help member states to respond faster and more effectively to natural and man-made disasters, by sharing civil protection assets more efficiently. Statements by Elisabetta GARDINI (EPP, IT), rapporteur, Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, and José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT).

Union Civil Protection Mechanism: extracts from the debate

Debate on the Future of Europe, Final statement by Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister during the EP Plenary session in Strasbourg.

Debate on the Future of Europe: Final statement by Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister

Statement by Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister to introduce the debate on the Future of Europe during the EP Plenary session in Strasbourg.  The following transcription is the result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Debate on the Future of Europe: Statement by Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister (17:09 - 17:55)

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on minimum requirements for water reuse. Statements by Simona BONAFÈ (S&D, IT), Rapporteur, Karmenu VELLA, Member of the EC in charge of Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Marijana PETIR (EPP, HR), Francesc GAMBÚS (EPP, ES) and Maria Lidia SENRA RODRÍGUEZ (GUE/NGL, ES). Illustrative footage of water treatment site, water leaving the treatment site, general shots.

Minimum requirements for water reuse: extracts from the debate and illustrative footage

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs decide whether to approve the free trade and investment protection agreements between the EU and Singapore, which will remove virtually all tariffs between the two parties within five years and allow for free trade in services, protect unique European products, and open up the Singaporean procurement market to EU companies.

EU-Singapore Partnership Agreement: extracts from the joint debate (12/02)

Statement by Raffaele FITTO (ECR, IT), during the debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister during the EP Plenary session in Strasbourg.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister: One round of political group speakers - Raffaele FITTO (ECR, IT) (18:15 - 18:19)

During the plenary session (11-14 February 2019) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the 2018 Commission Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina. Statements by Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), George CIAMBA, Romanian Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Dubravka ŠUICA (EPP, HR), Knut FLECKENSTEIN (S&D, DE),

2018 Commission Report on Bosnia and Herzegovina: extracts from the debate

Opening statement by Jyrki KATAINEN, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness to the debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister during the EP Plenary session in Strasbourg.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister: Opening statement by Jyrki KATAINEN, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness

Statement by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), EPP Group Leader, during the debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister during the EP Plenary session in Strasbourg.

Debate on the Future of Europe with Giuseppe CONTE, Italian Prime Minister: One round of political group speakers - Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE) (18:01 - 18:07):

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