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

EP Plenary session Debate with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister, on the Future of Europe during the plenary session in Brussels (28-29/11/2018).

Debate on the Future of Europe with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister: Catch the eye (16:57 - 17:21)

Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister, debates the future of Europe with MEPs in Brussels. This is the thirteenth in a series of future of Europe debates between EU heads of state or governments and MEPs. Statements by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Jeppe KOFOD (S&D, DK), Anders Primdahl VISTISEN (ECR, DK), Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE) and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

Future of Europe: extracts from the MEPs debate with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister

Debate on the Future of Europe with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister: one round of political group speakers. Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE) (16:00 - 16:07)

Debate on the Future of Europe: final statement by Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister (17:21 - 17:38)

During the plenary session (28-29/11/2018) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate with Miguel ARIAS CANETE, Member of the EC in charge of Climate Action and Energy, on the new EU strategy for long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction to meet Paris Agreement targets. Statements by Maros SEFCOVIC, Vice-President of the EC in charge of Energy Union, Miguel ARIAS CAÑETE, Member of the EC in charge of Climate Action and Energy, Kathleen VAN BREMPT (S&D, BE), Jadwiga WIŚNIEWSKA (ECR, PL), Gerben-Jan GERBRANDY (ALDE, NL) and Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL).

Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reduction in accordance with the Paris agreement: extracts from the debate

Debate on the Future of Europe with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister: one round of political group speakers. Philippe LAMBERTS, (Greens/EFA, BE) (16:21 - 16:27)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister: one round of political group speakers. Lampros FOUNTOULIS (NI, EL) (16:43 - 16:45)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister: one round of political group speakers. Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE) (16:16 - 16:21)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister: one round of political group speakers. Dennis de JONG (GUE/NGL, NL) (16:27 - 16:33)

Debate on the Future of Europe with Lars Løkke RASMUSSEN, Danish Prime Minister: one round of political group speakers. Laura AGEA (EFDD, IT) (16:33 - 16:39)

Debate on Universality and indivisibility of Human Rights in today's global and digital world during the high-level conference for the 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in the European Parliament in Brussels. This event, together with the Human Rights Week (19-22 November), will bring together MEPs, representatives of international organisations and civil society, such as Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Fatou BENSOUDA, General Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, and Emily O'REILLY, European Ombudsman, to reflect on the core principles of human rights and debate new challenges in a global and digital world.

70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: extracts from the debate on Universality and indivisibility of Human Rights in today's global and digital world

Statements by David BEASLEY, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP) on investing in Food Security for a Future Free of Hunger, during the meeting of the Committee on Development (DEVE) in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Investing in Food Security for a Future Free of Hunger: extracts from the debate with David BEASLEY, Executive Director, World Food Programme (WFP) and statement

During the plenary session (12-15/08/18) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Statements by Marek JUREK (ECR, PL), Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), Ignazio CORRAO (EFDD, IT) and Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management on Vietnam that must immediately release all prisoners of conscience. Statements by Pavel SVOBODA (EPP, CZ) and Elena VALENCIANO (S&D, ES) on Cuba that must stop state attacks on peaceful dissidents and civil society. Statements by Miguel URBÁN CRESPO (GUE/NGL, ES) and Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL) on Bangladesh that must end crackdown on the media and political opposition.

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

During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (14/11) on the response to the caravan of Central American migrants at the Mexican border. Statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, Member of the EC in charge of Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, José Inácio FARIA (EPP, PT), Elena VALENCIANO (S&D, ES), Jussi HALLA-AHO (ECR, FI), Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (ALDE, ES), João PIMENTA LOPES (GUE/NGL, PT) and Ernest URTASUN (Greens/ALE, ES).

Response to the caravan of Central American migrants at the Mexican border: extracts from the debate (14/11)

During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (14/11) on extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on Iran for European companies. Statements by Vĕra JOUROVÁ, European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Cristian Dan PREDA (EPP, RO), Josef WEIDENHOLZER (S&D, AU), Anna Elżbieta FOTYGA (ECR, PL) and Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL).

Extraterritorial effects of US sanctions on Iran for European companies: extracts from the debate (14/11)

During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (14/11) and vote on persistent organic pollutants. Statements by Julie GIRLING (EPP, UK), Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, Linnéa ENGSTRÖM (Greens/EFA, SE) and Eric ANDRIEU (S&D, FR). Illustrative shots of air pollution, women in a park, enjoying a picnic and using single-use plastics, plastic waste items and landfills, farmer working on his field.

Persistent organic pollutants: extracts from the debate (14/11), from the vote and illustrative shots

During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate (14/11) and vote on updated rules on European rail passenger rights. Those include more compensation for travellers in case of delays, better information given to passengers about their rights, better assistance to people with reduced mobility, better access to cyclists and clearer complaints-handling procedures. Statements by Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), Rapporteur, Violeta BULC, Member of the EC in charge of Transport, Renaud MUSELIER (EPP, FR) and Lucy ANDERSON (S&D, UK). Results from the vote: 533 votes in favour, 37 against and 47 abstentions. Illustrative shots on railway transport and passengers.

Rail passengers' rights and obligations: extracts from the vote on the report Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), from the debate (14/11) and illustrative shots

During the plenary session (12-15/11/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate and vote on empowering competition authorities and ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market. Statements by Andreas SCHWAB (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Margrethe VESTAGER, Member of the EC in charge of Competition, and Jasenko SELIMOVIC (ALDE, SE).

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