Parliament will consider the new EU4Health programme, discuss terrorism and freedom of speech and set out its priorities for the 2021 budget. Plus, better protecting Europe’s regional specialities and a new vice-president. All that and more coming up in plenary.

Coming up in plenary: improving healthcare, fighting terrorism and the 2021 budget

President Sassoli announced the winner of the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. MEPs set out proposals for future farm policy and called for measures to halt EU-driven deforestation and ensure equal access to education. They also made recommendations for future legislation on AI.

Plenary highlights: Sakharov Prize, farm policy and artificial intelligence

The Roma are Europe’s largest minority with some 6 million in the EU. The European Parliament wants to do more to make sure their fundamental rights are protected and they have access to decent education, employment, healthcare and housing.

MEPs demand action to end Roma exclusion

The SOTEU debate takes place each September. It's an important moment of EU democracy, when members of Parliament hold the Commission to account, checking on work done and the future direction for Europe.

What is the State of the European Union debate?

165,000 Erasmus exchange students and 5,000 Solidarity Corps volunteers have seen their projects put on hold by the Covid-19 health restrictions. Four students tell their stories. MEPs are calling for flexible rules to protect their status and to help them get back home.

Covid-19 and Erasmus: Students' stories

Pascal, from France, spent a year in Ireland in the 1980s as part of one of the first ever Erasmus student exchanges. This opportunity shaped his life: he experienced another country and culture, furthered his studies, and even met his future wife!

The first Erasmus couple

In a crucial debate in Strasbourg ahead of a special European summit on the next EU’s long-term budget for 2021-2027, MEPs underlined that Parliament will only give its consent to a budget that can meet the European Union’s ambitions.

EU long-term budget: discussing Europe’s future

During the plenary session, Parliament backed Christine Lagarde as the new ECB chief, gave the green light to funding for research and Erasmus+ and agreed aid to three EU countries hit by flooding. Members also debated the state of play with Brexit, and discussed the destruction of forests worldwide.

From the new ECB chief to the latest on Brexit: 5 numbers from Strasbourg

‘Cold Case Hammarskjöld’, ‘The Realm’, and ‘God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya’ have been chosen as the three finalists of the European Parliament’s Lux Film Prize. This year’s films touch on political corruption, an investigation into a decades-old murder case and how feminism intersects with religion.

Political scandals and feminism in 2019 LUX Film Prize

What has the European Parliament achieved in five years? From measures to combat climate change to making EU citizens’ lives safer, the Parliament has passed legislation on all sorts of subjects, from the environment to data protection to improving work-life balance. Here’s a look back at five major achievements during this legislature.

European Parliament’s highlights 2014-2019

The European Parliament's Coordinator on children’s rights seeks to promote and protect the rights of the child across in EU policies. The Coordinator works with MEPs colleagues, parliamentary committees and external stakeholders to ensure that these rights are given all due consideration in EU legislation.

Protecting the rights of the child inside and outside the EU

The spread of fake news is a threat to people’s trust in EU institutions. In response, the European Parliament’s STOA panel introduced the European Science-Media Hub, which allows journalists, scientists and politicians to verify information and exchange views.

Science-Media Hub to Help Combat Fake News

Parliament welcomes the Swedish Prime Minister for a debate on the future of Europe. Members discuss funding for the European Social Fund Plus to help young people, work-life balance for parents and carers, and rules on road haulage. Parliament is set to approve the extension of EU gas pipeline rules to third countries.

Coming up in Brussels: work-life balance, European Social Fund and more

Slovakia’s Prime Minister takes centre stage for the future of Europe debate and MEPs look to improve cybersecurity and safeguard May's European elections. The new Solidarity Corps and accessibility for the disabled are also on the agenda in Strasbourg.

Coming up in Strasbourg: From cybersecurity to better accessibility for the disabled

To mark International Women’s Day 2019, the Parliament is turning its focus to women in politics. The Parliament wants to highlight the huge contribution that women make to politics at a European and national level and boost women’s presence in top management positions. It particularly urges women to vote and stand as candidates in the next European elections.

Women in politics: International Women’s Day 2019

A larger budget for the Erasmus+ programme focuses on mobility, education, innovation and inclusion. MEPs want to modernise the programme and foster a sense of European belonging through expanded mobility schemes and digital skills development.

New Erasmus+ budget to boost mobility and opportunities for youth

Women with strong moral convictions each take lead roles in the three films in competition for this year’s LUX Film Prize. Since 2007, the prize has shone the spotlight on films that go to the heart of European public debate.

Strong female characters in competition for LUX Film Prize

MEPs will discuss new rules governing video and television on and offline, stricter standards for cars emissions, the US decision to cut funding to Palestinian refugees and much more.

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