EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Defence of democracy package

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Cyprus confidential - need to curb enabler of sanctions evasion and money laundering rules in the EU

Conference of Delegation Chairs

LIBE - Vote on Laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - EU enlargement policy 2023

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Rule of Law in Malta: 6 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Urgent need for a coordinated European response and legislative framework on intrusive spyware, based on the PEGA enquiry committee recommendations

Press seminar on ' Safeguarding Media Freedom: the role of the European Union '

Ramona STRUGARIU in the EP in Strasbourg

On 18 September 2022 the Commission proposed the freezing of €7.5 billion in EU funds for Hungary, citing corruption and public procurement concerns, after triggering the EU’s rule of law conditionality mechanism against Hungary in April. MEPs discuss the state of play of the negotiations between the Commission and Hungary linked to the protection of the EU budget and the recovery and resilience plan. Second part of the MEPs debate.

State of play of the negotiations between the Commission and the Hungarian Government linked to the Conditionality Regulation and the RRP: MEPs debate (part 2/2)

Parliament will review the developments in the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death and the ensuing political reforms, five years after her murder. In particular, MEPs will look into the situation of the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights in the country.

The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: MEPs debate (part 1)

In the debate with the Commission and Council, MEPs call for the Schengen passport-free travel area to be completed swiftly by extending it to all EU member states who wish to participate.

The accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the Schengen area: MEPs debate (part 2)

Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), Bettina VOLLATH (S&D, AU), Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SV) hold on press conference on the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the Union is founded

Press conference by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), rapporteur, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), Bettina VOLLATH (S&D, AU), Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SV) on the situation in Hungary

MEPs in a debate discuss on how democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary have further deteriorated since Parliament triggered the Article 7 procedure in 2018, through the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government”. First part of the debate.

Risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the EU is founded: MEPs debate (part 1)

A delegation of the Budgetary Control Committee went to Warsaw on a fact-finding trip to look into how taxpayers’ money is being managed and whether the governance systems and procedures in place are fit for the upcoming challenge of managing the recovery funds. MEPs met investigative journalists and associations of judges, prosecutors and NGOs, as well as public authorities, government and parliament members. At the end of the visit, they hold a press conference on the outcomes.

Press conference by Tomáš ZDECHOVSKÝ (EPP, CZ), David LEGA (EPP, SE), Lara WOLTERS (S& D, NL), Ramona STRUGARIU (Renew, RO), Mikuláš PEKSA (Greens/EFA, CZ) and Joachim KUHS (ID, DE) on the outcome of the CONT Fact-finding mission

&lt;p>A delegation of seven MEPs, led by Budgetary Control Committee chair Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE) travels to Warsaw to look into the disbursement of EU funds. During that travel, MEPs visit the European Border and Coast Guard agency headquarters in Warsaw, to continue discussions with them following Parliament’s initial decision to postpone the approval of Frontex’s accounts. Parliament will reassess whether the agency has acted upon Parliament’s remarks at a second vote in October 2022.&lt;/p>

Outcome of the Fact-finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee (CONT) to Warsaw, Poland: EP CONT delegation meets with Aija KALNAJA, Frontex’ Deputy Executive Director and Alexander FRITSCH, Management Board Chair

Parliament assess the latest developments in the EU’s relations with Moldova in a debate. Moldova’s Russian-backed breakaway region of Transnistria was recently rocked by as series of explosions, increasing fears that the enclave may be drawn into the war in neighbouring Ukraine and of Kremlin-led attempts to undermine Moldova’s current pro-Western government. First part of the debate.

State of play of the EU-Moldova cooperation: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

To mark Press Freedom Day on Tuesday 3 May, MEPs discuss with the European Commission how to address the threats faced by journalists and enhance media freedom. Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism. MEPs have denounced the attacks on journalists, particularly from politicians, and called on the Commission to table legislation against abusive lawsuits. One round of political group speakers.

Threats to the safety of journalists and media freedom in Europe, on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day: one round of political group leaders

To mark Press Freedom Day on Tuesday 3 May, MEPs discuss with the European Commission how to address the threats faced by journalists and enhance media freedom. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the plenary paying a tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia. Over the last few years, Parliament has warned about attempts both in the EU and beyond to undermine media pluralism. MEPs have denounced the attacks on journalists, particularly from politicians, and called on the Commission to table legislation against abusive lawsuits.

World Press Freedom Day: extracts from the debate

MEPs quiz the Council and the Commission about their response so far to the democratic backslide in Hungary and Poland. However, despite the deterioration of the situation in both countries over the last few years, the Council has avoided holding a vote to determine whether there is “a clear risk of a serious breach” of the EU’s common values, the next step in the procedure set out in Article 7. MEPs urge the French Presidency of the Council to move forward, and quiz the Commission on other measures to ensure rule of law is respected.

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Poland and Hungary: MEPs debate (part 1/2)

MEPs will debate and vote on ‘citizenship by investment’ schemes, under which third country nationals can get so-called ‘golden passports’. These ones are objectionable ethically, legally, and economically. They also pose serious security risks while undermining the essence of EU citizenship, and should be banned. According to the draft text, third countries with visa-free access to the EU should also end their ‘golden passports’ schemes. Meanwhile, on 25 February in light of Putin’s attack on Ukraine, the leaders of the European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Canada, and the US committed to taking measures to limit the access of wealthy Russians (with ties to the government) to ‘golden passports’.

Citizenship and residence by investment schemes: MEPs debate

MEPs debate for more to be done to stop gender-based cyberviolence, in light of the worrisome increase in those affected by it during the COVID-19 pandemic. MEPs will consider offline and online gender-based violence as facets of the same problem. Continuation of the debate.

Combating gender-based cyberviolence: MEPs debate (continuation)

MEPs debate on media freedom and the state of democracy in Slovenia, as well as the delay in appointing a representative to the EU Prosecutor’s Office.

Fundamental rights and Rule of Law in Slovenia, in particular the delayed nomination of EPPO prosecutors: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on a package of proposals to counteract the threat that Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) pose to journalists, NGOs and civil society.

Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss with the Commission efforts and rules that should be beefed up to better fight money-laundering, another practice which the Pandora papers also shows is thriving.

Increased efforts to fight money laundering: MEPs debate

Parliament debates the recent ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal during the plenary session in Strasbourg. MEPs discuss the contentious verdict of Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal, which states that cornerstone provisions of the Treaty on the EU (Art. 1 and 19) are unconstitutional under Polish law.Third part of the debate.

The Rule of law crisis in Poland and the primacy of EU law: MEPs debate (part 3/3)

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland, and will prepare a draft bill which may threaten media pluralism, and the latest Polish challenge to EU rules and values. (Second part of the debate)

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