María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia are the 2024 winners of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. 
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2024

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?

Out of the jargon jungle. The role of the European Parliament President?

The role of the European Parliament President?

On 19 March 1958, the European Parliamentary Assembly hold a first meeting in Strasbourg. Luciano GRANZOTTO BASSO, Oldest member of the Assembly leads the election. The representatives elect Robert Schuman as President. He is the single candidate at the function.

Constitutive session of the European Parliamentary Assembly: election of Robert SCHUMAN, as President of the Assembly

A formal sitting is&nbsp;held to mark an official visit to the European Parliament, made at the President’s invitation after consulting with the Conference of Presidents.

The official guest is seated to the right of the President on the podium. After the welcoming remarks by the President, the official guest addresses the&nbsp; Parliament from the central rostrum in the Chamber.

The address for a formal sitting of Parliament&nbsp;usually lasts 30 minutes and generally takes place before the voting session.

Formal Sittings

On certain occasions, David SASSOLI, President of the European Parliament, gives a speech during plenary sessions highlighting the news, a special event or pays tribute to a personality and asks for a minute of silence.

Statements of David SASSOLI, EP President in Plenary

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens . Week 11

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens . Week 11.

EP Plenary session - European Schools Alliance: potential to achieve the European education area by driving innovation, enhancing mobility and championing inclusivity

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Action Plan for Affordable Energy

EP Plenary session - A Vision for Agriculture and Food

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

EP Plenary session - EU Consumers Day: filling the gaps in protecting 440 million consumers in the EU

EP Plenary session - Accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU

EP Plenary session - Frozen Russian assets

EP Plenary session - Adoption of the proposal for a Parenthood Regulation

EP Plenary session - Social and employment aspects of restructuring processes: the need to protect jobs and workers’ rights

EP Plenary session - Union of Skills: striving for more and better opportunities to study, train or work in the EU and to bring our talents back home

EP Plenary session - 100 days of the new Commission – Delivering on Defence, Competitiveness, Simplification and Migration as our priorities

EP Plenary session - Action Plan for the Automotive Industry

EP Plenary session - European Semester for economic policy coordination 2025

EP Plenary session - Deteriorating situation in Gaza following the non-extension of the ceasefire

EP Plenary session - The need for EU support towards a just transition and reconstruction in Syria

Before the This is Europe debate, Roberta Metsola, EP President, holds a bilateral meeting with Petteri Orpo, Prime Minister of Finland. Then, Prime Minister Orpo speaks to the European Parliament and outlines his vision for Europe’s challenges and future. This footage shows extracts from Prime Minister's arrival, the bilateral meeting, and the address to the plenary. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

This is Europe - Debate with Petteri ORPO, Finnish Prime Minister: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the address to the plenary

MEPs will vote on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs debated on Tuesday 12.03 and approved on Wednesday an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour - will be banned in Europe. AI systems considered high-risk, used for example in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, law enforcement, border management or elections, will have to comply with strict requirements. Fast-expanding general-purpose AI (GPAI) models will also have to comply with transparency obligations and EU copyright rules, while the most powerful models will face additional safety requirements.

Artificial Intelligence Act: extracts from the debate (12.03) and the vote

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: MEPs debate

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Closing statement by Commission and Council

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, and being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia: Opening statement by Council and Commission

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. This news item shows extracts from the MEP's debate in plenary.

Ukrainian children deported to Russia: extracts from the debate

During Question Time, MEPs quiz Commission Vice-President Jourová about EU governments’ preparedness to combat foreign interference, especially ahead of the European Elections, including from Russia.

Information security of EU governments against foreign interference, in particular by Russia: extracts from the question time with the Commission

During Question Time, MEPs quiz Commission Vice-President Jourová about EU governments’ preparedness to combat foreign interference, including from Russia.

EP Plenary session - Question Time (Commission) - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia: Questions and answers with Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission (part 1)

EP Plenary session - Question Time (Commission) - Preparedness of EU governments to combat foreign interference, including from Russia: Questions and answers with Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission (part 2)

MEPs debate on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs are expected to approve on Wednesday an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour - will be banned in Europe. AI systems considered high-risk, used for example in critical infrastructure, education, healthcare, law enforcement, border management or elections, will have to comply with strict requirements. Fast-expanding general-purpose AI (GPAI) models will also have to comply with transparency obligations and EU copyright rules, while the most powerful models will face additional safety requirements.

Artificial Intelligence Act: Closing statements by Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market, Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs

Artificial Intelligence Act: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on new rules to ensure artificial intelligence is trustworthy, safe and respects EU fundamental rights, while supporting innovation. MEPs are expected to approve tomorrow an agreement reached with EU countries establishing obligations for AI based on its potential risk and level of impact. AI applications that pose a clear risk to fundamental rights - such as biometric categorisation systems based on sensitive characteristics, social scoring, or AI used to manipulate human behaviour. Opening statements by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs, Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market, Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), on behalf of JURI Committee, Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES), on behalf of the ENVI Committee, and Rovana PLUMB (S&D, RO), on behalf of the TRAN Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery. MAYDELL Eva

Artificial Intelligence Act: Opening statements by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), Rapporteurs, and Thierry BRETON, Commissioner for Internal Market

MEPs are set to give their final green light on Wednesday to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference. Plenary will discuss the draft European Media Freedom Act, agreed provisionally with the EU ministers in December 2023, on Tuesday afternoon. The new law will oblige member states to protect media independence from governmental, political, economic or private interference. It will ban all forms of interventions in editorial decisions and prevent the external pressuring of journalists to force them to disclose their sources or by targeting them with spyware. Opening statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Geoffroy DIDIER (EPP, FR), IMCO Committee; Sophia IN ‘T VELD (Renew, NL), LIBE Committee, and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act: Opening statements by Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Council and Commission

MEPs are set to give their final green light on Wednesday to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference. Plenary will discuss the draft European Media Freedom Act, agreed provisionally with the EU ministers in December 2023, on Tuesday afternoon. The new law will oblige member states to protect media independence from governmental, political, economic or private interference. It will ban all forms of interventions in editorial decisions and prevent the external pressuring of journalists to force them to disclose their sources or by targeting them with spyware. To increase media ownership transparency, all outlets regardless of their size will have to publish information about their owners and report on their receipt of state funding. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act: MEPs debate

MEPs are set to give their final green light on Wednesday to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference. Plenary will discuss the draft European Media Freedom Act, agreed provisionally with the EU ministers in December 2023, on Tuesday afternoon. The new law will oblige member states to protect media independence from governmental, political, economic or private interference. It will ban all forms of interventions in editorial decisions and prevent the external pressuring of journalists to force them to disclose their sources or by targeting them with spyware. To increase media ownership transparency, all outlets regardless of their size will have to publish information about their owners and report on their receipt of state funding.

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act: Closing statements by Commission, Council and Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on the following topics: The subscription by the EU to additional shares in the capital of the EBRD; Regulation (EU) No 2022/869 of the EP and of the Council; Industrial Emissions Directive; Industrial Emissions Portal; Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures; Amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating; Use of railway infrastructure capacity in the single European railway area; Amending certain financial services and investment; Energy performance of buildings; Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements; Green Claims Directive; Liability for defective products; Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products; European Maritime Safety Agency; Council decision inviting Member States to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention; and Extending Rule 168 of EP's rules.

Voting session, including the final vote on the Energy performance of buildings Directive

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration, two players from the Spanish women’s national football team winner of the 2023 World Cup, Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, address the hemicycle in Strasbourg. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. Closing of the ceremony and family photo.

International Women’s Day Celebration: Closing of the ceremony and family photo

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day Celebration, two players from the Spanish women’s national football team winner of the 2023 World Cup, Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, address the hemicycle in Strasbourg. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. Statement by Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, and Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

International Women’s Day Celebration: Statement by Ivana ANDRÉS, captain of the national football team of Spain, and Alba REDONDO, player in the national football team

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