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

Debate on the preparation of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016,&nbsp;during the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg. Statements on EU Trade policy&nbsp;by Ivan KORCOK, President-in-Office of the Council, Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC, Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), Syed KAMALL (ECR, UK), Gabriele ZIMMER (GUE/NGL, DE), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), David BORRELLI (EFDD, IT).

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 20 and 21 October 2016: extracts from the debate on EU Trade policy

During the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the Colombian peace process. Statements by Ivan KORCOK, President-in-office of the Council, Agust&iacute;n D&Iacute;AZ DE MERA GARC&Iacute;A CONSUEGRA (EPP, ES), Ram&oacute;n J&Aacute;UREGUI ATONDO (S&amp;D, ES), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Tania GONZ&Aacute;LEZ PE&Ntilde;AS (GUE/NGL, ES), Ulrike LUNACEK (Greens/EFA, AT), Ignazio CORRAO (EFDD, IT).

Colombian peace process: extracts from the debate

During the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate&nbsp;on the Situation in Calais. Statements by Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Member of the EC in charge of Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Fran&ccedil;oise GROSSET&Ecirc;TE (EPP, FR), Giovanni PITTELLA (S&amp;D, IT), Peter van DALEN (ECR, NL), Nathalie GRIESBECK (ALDE, FR), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), Jean LAMBERT (Greens/EFA, UK), and Mike HOOKEM (EFDD, UK).

Situation in Calais: extracts from the debate

During the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on Trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other treatment or punishment. Statements by Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), rapporteur, Cecilia MALMSTR&Ouml;M, Member of the EC in charge of Trade, Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE), rapporteur, Santiago FISAS AYXEL&Agrave; (EPP, ES), Inmaculada RODR&Iacute;GUEZ-PI&Ntilde;ERO FERN&Aacute;NDEZ (S&amp;D, ES) and Ana GOMES (S&amp;D, PT).

Trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other treatment or punishment: extracts from the debate

During the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the macroeconomic situation in Greece. Statements by Pierre MOSCOVICI, Member of the EC in charge of Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, Burkhard BALZ (EPP, DE), Roberto GUALTIERI (S&amp;D, IT), Notis MARIAS (ECR, EL), Jean ARTHUIS (ALDE, FR), and Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE).

Macroeconomic situation in Greece: extracts from the debate

During the EP Plenary session (03-06/10) in Strasbourg MEPs debate&nbsp;on the access to education for Syrian children in Lebanon. Statements by Johannes HAHN, Member of the EC in charge of European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D, DE), Ryszard CZARNECKI (ECR, PL), Maite PAGAZAURTUND&Uacute;A RUIZ (ALDE, ES), Lola S&Aacute;NCHEZ CALDENTEY (GUE/NGL, ES), and Bodil VALERO (Greens/EFA, SE).

Access to education for Syrian children in Lebanon: extracts from the debate

"The Future of the Jewish communities in Europe": introductory remark by Antonio TAJANI (EPP, IT) and keynote speech by Lord Rabbi Jonathan SACKS&nbsp;

"The Future of the Jewish communities in Europe": introductory remark by Antonio TAJANI (EPP, IT) and keynote speech by Lord Rabbi Jonathan SACKS

Debate on Scrutiny of European Commission&rsquo;s implementing power; "Fair use" of roaming services, presentation by Commission of draft implementing act, at the&nbsp;Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), in the EP in Brussels. Statements by Roberto VIOLA, Director General of DG Connect (EC), Vicky FORD (ECR, UK), Pilar del CASTILLO VERA (EPP, ES), Patrizia TOIA (S&amp;D, IT), and Dan NICA (S&amp;D, RO).

Scrutiny of European Commission’s implementing power; "Fair use" of roaming services, presentation by Commission of draft implementing act: extracts from the debate

Debate on the Minimum income schemes in the EU, during the EP plenary session (12-15/09/2016) in Strasbourg. Statements by Thomas H&Auml;NDEL (GUE/NGL, DE), Thomas MANN (EPP, DE), Sergio GUTI&Eacute;RREZ PRIETO (S&amp;D, ES), Arne GERICKE (ECR, DE), Enrique CALVET CHAMBOM (ALDE, ES), Tania GONZ&Aacute;LEZ PE&Ntilde;AS (GUE/NGL, ES), Jo&euml;lle M&Eacute;LIN (ENF, FR), Marianne THYSSEN, Member of the EC in charge of Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility.

Minimum income schemes in the EU: extracts from the debate

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law during the EP plenary session (12-15/09/2016) in Strasbourg. Statements by Ignazio CORRAO (EFDD, IT), Charles TANNOCK (ECR, UK), Barbara LOCHBIHLER (Greens/EFA, DE) on Philippines, statements by Ignazio CORRAO (EFDD, IT), Dita CHARANZOV&Aacute; (ALDE, CZ), Jordi SEBASTI&Agrave; (Greens/EFA, ES), Christos STYLIANIDES, Member of the EC in charge of Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, on Somalia and statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Judith SARGENTINI (Greens/EFA, NL), Marie-Christine VERGIAT (GUE/NGL, FR), on Zimbabwe

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

Debate on Apple state-aid decision, during the EP plenary session (12-15/09/2016) in Strasbourg. Statements by Margrethe VESTAGER, European Commissioner for Competition, Pablo ZALBA BIDEGAIN (EPP, ES), Pervenche BER&Egrave;S (S&amp;D, FR), Matt CARTHY (GUE/NGL, IE), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), and Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE).

Apple state-aid decision: extracts from the debate

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On the "shared responsability" - On the Commission's work programme - On the roaming Directive - On the role of the European Commissioners during elections - On the European values and heritage Standing ovation

(8) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (French) (9:49 - 9:57)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On nationalism and populism - On Employment - On Financial stability - On Brexit - On Ceta

(3) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (German) (9:08 - 9:16)

Debate on the State of the Union 2016, during the EP plenary session (12-15/09/2016) in Strasbourg.&nbsp;Arrivals and atmosphere: cutaways of Pierre MOSCOVICI, Jean Claude JUNCKER, Miguel ARIAS CA&Ntilde;ETE, Phil HOGAN, Philippe LAMBERTS, Jos&eacute; BOVE, Magrethe VESTAGER, Alain LAMASSOURE, Nigel FARAGE, Dimitris AVRAMOPOULOS, Federica MOGHERINI, G&uuml;nther OETTINGER, Manfred WEBER, Gianni PITTELLA.

State of the Union 2016: extracts from the arrivals and atmosphere

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On the fight against terrorism - On the border and coast guard improvement - On the reinforcement of Frontex and Europol - On the external policy of the EU - On the negotiations of the Syrian conflict - On the reinforcement of the European defense

(7) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (French) (9:40 - 9:49)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On a positive agenda for the next 12 month - On Enlargement - On unification of Cyprus - On Rule of Law as one basic principle - On Data protection - On Posting of workers - On tax evation - On the milk sector - On Euro

(5) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (English) (9:19 - 9:28)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On digitisation - On development aid - On Youth employment - On Solidarity - On European Solidarity Corps (young volonteers)

(6) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (English) (9:28 - 9:40)

Live replay of EP Plenary session - Key debate State of the Union 2016 I-125464 // European Parliament and Commission, Strasbourg, EP Plenary session, Hemicycle #SOTEU - On climate change and COP agreement - On the responsibilities of national parliaments - On unity and responsibility of the national states

(4) EP Plenary session: State of the Union 2016 - statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC. Speech Jean-Claude JUNCKER (German) (9:16 - 9:19)

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