ITRE IMCO -  Confirmation hearing of VHenna Maria VIRKKUNEN, European Commissioner-designate for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

EP Plenary session - Election of the President of the Commission

Finnish MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, on behalf of the Belgian Presidency

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Conclusions of the recent European Council meetings, in particular on a new European Competitiveness deal and the EU strategic agenda 2024-2029

MEPs vote on the following topics: High common level of cybersecurity at the institutions; Catch documentation programme for bluefin tuna; Common rules promoting the repair of goods; Net Zero Industry Act; Union certification framework for carbon removals; Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles; Possibilities to increase the reliability of audits and controls by national authorities in shared management; EU framework for the social and professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors; Implementation of the principle of the primacy of EU law; UN Climate Change Conference 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (COP28); Reducing inequalities and promoting social inclusion in times of crisis for children and their families; Implementation of the European Solidarity Corps programme 2021-2027; and Implementation of the European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027.

Voting session: implementation of the principle of the primacy of EU law

MEPs debate and vote on on strengthening requirements for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), such as buses, trucks and trailers, to reduce their CO2 emissions. They propose that the targets should be set at 45% for the period 2030-2034, 70% for 2035-2039 (compared to 65% proposed by the Commission) and 90% as of 2040. They also agree that newly registered urban buses should be zero-emission vehicles from 2030. Background: On 14 February 2023, the Commission tabled a legislative proposal to set CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles from 2030 onwards to help reach the EU’s objective to be climate neutral by 2050 and lower the demand for imported fossil fuels. Heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, city buses and long-distance buses, are responsible for more than 25% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport in the EU and account for over 6% of total EU GHG emissions.

Strengthening the CO2 emission performance targets for new heavy-duty vehicles: MEPs debate

Parliament wants to take stock of the implementation of the Digital Services Act, after the first 19 platforms and search engines that have to comply with its obligations since 25 August were named. Platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram are now required to take concrete measures to assess and mitigate system risks related to the spread of disinformation or harmful content on their services. MEPs discuss with Council and Commission how to respond to the increase in violent, terrorist and false content circulating on social media. Second part of the MEPs debate.

Fighting disinformation and dissemination of illegal content in the context of the Digital Services Act: MEPs debate (part 2)

In response to growing threats to editorial independence and the industry’s viability, MEPs adopt their position on a draft law to strengthen the independence of EU media. Parliament wants the European Media Freedom Act, on which MEPs debate a to oblige Member States to ensure media plurality and protect media independence from governmental, political, economic, or private interference. Second part of MEPs debate

European Media Freedom Act: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate and call for increased action to preserve and improve EU water resources, already affected by several years of dry conditions and diminishing groundwater levels. The impact of the emerging drought is already visible in France, Spain, and northern Italy and raise concerns about water supply for human use, agriculture, and energy production. For several decades, the EU has developed a framwork for preventing and mitigating water scarcity and nox, the Parliament and the Member States are currently working on a revision of several EU water policy measures, following a proposal on integrated water management of surface and groundwater pollutants. Third part of the debate.

The water crisis in Europe: MEPs debate (part 3)

MEPs are set to adopt recommendations to tackle and prevent spyware abuse in Europe, based on the inquiry into illicit use of Pegasus and other spyware. The recommendations set out a range of proposals, including investigations into suspected abuse; EU standards for the deploy of spyware; legal remedies for people who have been targeted; strict enforcement of the EU’s export control rules; an EU Tech Lab to conduct technical investigations; and co-ordination with third countries. Second part of the debate.

Pegasus spyware: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the world’s first set of comprehensive rules to manage AI risk and promote uses of AI that align with EU values including human oversight, privacy, and non-discrimination. The rules follow a risk-based approach and establish obligations for providers and users depending on the level of risk the AI can generate. They would prohibit AI systems with unacceptable levels of risk. They are also proposing tailor-made rules for generative AI, like ChatGPT, including labelling AI-generated content and making publicly-available summaries of copyrighted data used for training. To boost AI innovation, MEPs propose exemptions for research activities and open-source AI components. First part of Second part of MEPs debate

Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs debate (part 2)

To provide legal certainty to business and citizens, the Commission has proposed a directive laying down rules on corporate due diligence obligations. According to the new rules, companies will be required to prevent, end or mitigate the negative impact that their activities have on human rights and the environment, such as on child labour, slavery, pollution or biodiversity loss.

Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on the European Commission's proposal to help European industry increase its ammunition and missile production capacity. Under the Commission’s proposal, the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) will have a budget of €500 million in current prices. The Commission is encouraging the co-legislators to adopt the proposal by the end of June.

Adoption of the Act in support of ammunition production: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on the Cyber package proposals of the Commision which establishes common cybersecurity measures across the European Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies. It aims to bolster the institutions’ resilience and response capacities against cyber threats and incidents, as well as to ensure a resilient, secure EU public administration, amidst rising malicious cyber activities in the global landscape. The legislative package covers a broad range of devices, including hardware, software and applications and would impose obligations on manufacturers, importers, and distributors of these products across their whole life cycle.

Adoption of the Cyber package proposals: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on the reform of Emissions Trading System including for aviation and the maritime sector, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund. In particular, during the debate they discuss deals reached with EU countries in late 2022 on several key pieces of legislation that are part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”. This is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law. Second part of the debate.

Joint debate - Fit for 55: MEPs debate (part 2)

The data act establishes common rules governing the sharing of data generated by the use of connected products or related services (e.g. the internet of things, industrial machines) to ensure fairness in data sharing contracts. Second part of the debate.

Data Act: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate new rules on land use, land use change and forestry, member states’ emission reductions and the revision of the Market Stability Reserve. In particluar are discussed the deals reached with EU countries in late 2022 on three pieces of legislation that are part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”. This is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law. Opening statements by Henna VIRKKUNEN (EPP, FI), ITRE; Mauri PEKKARINEN (Renew, FI), ITRE, Angel DZHAMBAZKI (ECR, BG), TRAN; Andris AMERIKS (S&D, LV), TRAN and by Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ (Renew,RO), REGI Committee.

Joint debate - Outcome of the negotiations on Fit for 55: opening statements by Henna VIRKKUNEN (EPP, FI), ITRE; Mauri PEKKARINEN (Renew, FI), ITRE, Angel DZHAMBAZKI (ECR, BG), TRAN; Andris AMERIKS (S&D, LV), TRAN and by Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ (Renew,RO),

MEPs debate on the European Parliament giving its final green light to set the 2035 zero-emissions target for new cars and vans, part of the "Fit for 55* package. The new legitation sets the path towards zero CO2 emmissions for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles in 2035, thus increasing the contribution road transport is making to the EU's climate neutrality target. Second part of the debate.

CO2 emission standards for cars and vans: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEP's debate and vote on a new law to accelerate the granting of permits for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar panels or windmill. The plan is to reduce the maximum length of the approval process for new installations. The "renewable acceleration areas" are defined by each Member State depending on wether they are able to install renewable at a faster pace. MEPs debate (part 2)

Renewable Energy, Energy Performance of Buildings and Energy Efficiency Directives (REPowerEU): MEPs debate (part 2)

The legislation, agreed between Parliament and Council, would boost the protection of the EU’s essential infrastructure by introducing harmonised minimum rules for risk assessments and national resilience strategies. Definitions of essential infrastructure and communication practises would also be harmonised, with single points of contact established in each country to facilitate cross-border communication. MEPs debate.

Resilience of critical entities: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss new rules setting more restrictive cybersecurity obligations in terms of risk management, reporting obligations and information sharing for so-called “essential and important sectors” such as energy, transport, banking, health, digital infrastructure, chemicals, food or electronics.

A high common level of cybersecurity: MEPs debate

To help the EU become climate neutral, MEPs are set to demand that car-recharging stations be installed every 60 km and greenhouse gas emissions from ships be limited. Parliament is also set to adopt its negotiating position on new rules on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport. MEPs aim to promote sustainable maritime fuels by introducing requirements for ships arriving at or departing from EU ports. Second part of the debate.

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