At a glance: landmarks across the EU lit up ahead of the European elections; Europe Day in Luxembourg; and a joint letter of intent signed in Malta by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the  Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

News in Brief – 08/05/2024 - English

At a glance: landmark buildings across the EU will be lit up in blue on Europe Day; there is one month to go until the European elections; entries can now be submitted for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

News in Brief – 07/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the Europe Day celebrations continue; the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism; and the award ceremony of the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize.

News in Brief – 06/05/2024 - English

At a glance: Europe Days, the European elections and the European Solidarity Corps Participation Awards.

News in Brief – 04/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the 74th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration; Europe Day celebrations in all EU buildings in Brussels; and the online survey ‘Democracy and You’.

News in Brief – 03/05/2024 - English

At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement; the approaching European elections; and the 2024 Europe Day celebrations.

News in Brief – 02/05/2024 - English

In this episode, we dive into European history to celebrate a key milestone: the 20th anniversary of the largest-ever EU enlargement. On 1 May 2004, ten countries in the heart of Europe joined the EU, adding nine new official EU working languages. It was a moment of celebration, unity and limitless opportunity.

The 20th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Dutch (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Turkish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Swedish (Finland)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Luxembourgish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - French (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Luxembourg)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Austria)

At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement; President Metsola visit to Malta and Europe’s Days.

News in Brief – 30/04/2024 - English

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Valencian

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Galician

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Basque

Every five years, EU citizens choose who represents them in the European Parliament, the directly-elected institution that defends their interests in the EU decision-making process.

The next European elections will take place between 6-9 June&nbsp;2024.

The elections take place every five years and are the largest transnational elections in the world. By voting in the European elections, people living in the EU get to choose the 720&nbsp;members that will represent them in the European Parliament until 2029.

Following the elections, Parliament votes to elect the new head of the European Commission, which is the EU’s executive body, and to approve the full team of commissioners.

European elections 2024

Ahead of European elections the President of the EP is also leading a series of debates with young people across the EU under the name “Get the vote out”- to explain them why their vote matters and encourage them to go to vote.

The European Parliament conduct also an information campaign to engage citizens to come to vote in the European elections in all member states.

The EP signed also a Memorandum of Understanding with ENEX - the European News Exchange. ENEX represents 55 private TV outlets. The partnership will deepen the cooperation between the two sides to ensure broad coverage of the European elections

Election campaign

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">House of European History - a place to debate, question and reflect on Europe's history: opening on 6 May. 
Its exhibits are available in all 24 official European Union languages and entrance is free. Tailored resources are available for schools, families and groups, offering a fascinating experience for all. </div>

&nbsp;

The House of European History is located in Parc Léopold, in the heart of the European district, close to the European Parliament in Brussels. The 25-acre park is on the site of the former Royal Zoological Garden and was opened to the public in 1880. The building itself has been painstakingly renovated in line with its 1930s origins, when it was a dental clinic for disadvantaged children.

House of European History

Have a look at the 2021 and 2022&nbsp;stockshots with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

Infoclips - Illustrative footage

Between&nbsp;6-9 June 2024, European citizens will decide again on the shape of the next Parliament and the direction of the European Union in the coming years. During this legislation period it has delivered on many legislative files and priorities.

The EP, as the only directly elected EU institution,&nbsp;is the&nbsp;representative of EU citizens. It&nbsp;embodies European democracy by nature and process,&nbsp;protects and enhances democratic rights and values in the EU and the world and&nbsp;takes up citizens´ demands in the EU decision making process.&nbsp;

Through the very nature of its functions, it embodies European parliamentary democracy and lends democratic legitimacy to the European Union. As an&nbsp;inclusive decision-maker, the Parliament listens to citizens' concerns,&nbsp;and takes action based on these concerns. It&nbsp;&nbsp;stands up for peace, democracy, freedom and prosperity for all citizens.&nbsp;Besides,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;fights for&nbsp;democracy and accountability through its political and legislative work, including the budget.&nbsp;And finally,&nbsp;it offers&nbsp;the opportunity to take action&nbsp;(voting, getting in touch with local MEPs, COFOE).

Highlights of the legislative term

Infographics on EU Elections of 6 to 9 June 2024 on the results and explainer videos

Infographics and explainers

The rapid development of social media and the rise of geopolitical tensions turn the EU into a target for foreign interference and disinformation. 

In 2024, the EU and many other democracies around the world will elect their next leaders. Malicious entities or states try to take advantage of this to undermine trust in elections or democracy.

The European Parliament has adopted a number of legislative acts to protect EU citizens and societies from disinformation and foreign interference. It has also been working to strengthen cooperation between&nbsp;elections authorities,&nbsp;public disinformation specialists,&nbsp;European fact-checkers&nbsp;and independent disinformation specialists, and has developed closer ties with&nbsp;Nato, in order to step up the efforts on fighting disinformation. 
 
This series of videos is part of an effort to raise awareness among EU citizens about disinformation ahead of the European elections, in June. Parliament’s communication team explains the most commonly used tactics and give tips to spot and avoid them.

Disinformation explained

With a landmass that stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the north to the Alps in the south, Germany has the largest population of any EU country.

Germany borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France and Luxembourg to the southwest, and Belgium and the Netherlands to the northwest. There are 96 members of the European Parliament from Germany.

EU - Germany

Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law&nbsp;not to take arbitrary decisions, and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

It also enshrines the fight against corruption, which unfairly favours some to the detriment of others, and the safeguarding of media freedom, thus ensuring that the public is properly informed about the work of government.

The EU has existing tools at its disposal to protect the rule of law. In&nbsp;September 2020, the European Commission published the first annual rule of law&nbsp;report monitoring both positive and negative developments with regard to the rule of law in all member states. In July 2021 the second edition of the report was published.

There is also&nbsp;dialogue on the rule of law in the Council.

If the Commission deems that a member state is violating EU law, it can start infringement proceedings that may lead to financial sanctions determined by the European Court of Justice. Another procedure, under Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union, allows the Council to make recommendations or decide by unanimity on sanctions against a member state, including the suspension of membership rights.&nbsp;MEPs have argued that existing tools are insufficient.

​Under the new regulation, effective from January 2021, EU budget payments can be witheld from countries where established breaches of the rule of law compromise management of EU funds. At the same time, the EU ensures that final beneficiaries do not end up paying the bill.

Rule of law

To support its publications, the European Parliamentary Research Service is producing a wide range of informative, timely and varied audio-visual products. These products include content-rich videos and animations, and also regular monthly podcasts, such as policy podcasts and science and technology podcasts. They are based on EPRS' independent, objective and authoritative analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the European Union, so empowering Members and committees in their parliamentary work and supporting parliamentary outreach to the wider public.

Restrictions: © The material of this package may not be edited and single videos must be shown in its entirety.

EPRS Multimedia Centre

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges, including impact of the COVID situation.

The EU has only limited competence when it comes to social issues as most of it is up to national governments. The responsibility for employment and social policies lies mostly with the member states and their governments. This means that national governments - and not the EU - decide on issues such as wage regulations, including minimum wage, the role of collective bargaining, pensions systems and retirement age, and unemployment benefits.

However, over the years, the EU has been working on social issues throughout the European integration process and come up with a series of instruments in the social sector. These include EU laws, funds and tools to better coordinate and monitor national policies. The EU also encourages countries to share best practices on issues such as social inclusion, poverty and pensions.

One of the supporting tools is the European Social Fund+, with a total budget of €88 billion for next 7 years. It will play an important role in the implementation of the action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights and in countering the socio-economic effects of the pandemic. It integrates the former European Social Fund, the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD) and the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) into one fund.

Social Europe

On May 1, 2004, ten&nbsp;new member states joined the European Union, marking the&nbsp;largest enlargement in terms of people and number of countries in the EU's history. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined the Union, growing from 15 to 25 members.

The European Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of these ten nations joining the European Union&nbsp;and engaging in the EP's democratic process to defend the interests of European citizens.

20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement of the European Union

In March 2021, the European Commission adopted the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030. The Strategy builds on the results of the previous European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which paved the way to a barrier-free Europe and to empower persons with disabilities so they can enjoy their rights and participate fully in society and economy.

Despite the progress made in the past decade, persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers and have a higher risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The objective of this Strategy is to progress towards ensuring that all persons with disabilities in Europe, regardless of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age or sexual orientation enjoy their human rights, have equal opportunities, equal access to participate in society and economy, are able to decide where, how and with whom they live, move freely in the EU regardless of their support needs and no longer experience discrimination.

The EU and its Member States are committed to improving social and economic situation of disabled people building on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and on the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The European Union and all its Member States are party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

European Disability Strategy

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December at plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur economist fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority, is the winner of the Sakharov Prize 2019.

The finalists were:

°Murdered Brazilian political activist and human rights defender Marielle Franco, Native Brazilian leader and environmentalist Chief Raoni and Brazilian environmentalist and human rights defender Claudelice Silva dos Santos °The Restorers, a group of five students from Kenya - Stacy Owino, Cynthia Otieno, Purity Achieng, Mascrine Atieno and Ivy Akinyi - who have developed i-Cut, an app to help girls deal with female genital mutilation (FGM) °Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur economist fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority

Sakharov Prize 2019

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December at the plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

The nominations for the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are:

The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures, nominated by EPP, S&amp;D, Renew Europe 
Mgr Najeeb Moussa Michaeel, Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq nominated by ID 
Guapinol activists and Berta Caceres in Honduras, nominated by Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL 
The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouska, nominated by ECR 
Polish LGBTI activists Jakub Gawron, Paulina Pajak, Paweł Preneta and Kamil Maczuga, founders of the website Atlas of Hate, nominated by Malin Björk, Terry Reintke, Marc Angel, Rasmus Andresen and 39 other MEPs.

The democratic opposition in Belarus has been awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Democratic Opposition in Belarus, Sakharov Prize 2020

In the European elections, people in the European Union vote for Members to represent them in the European Parliament. In 2024, 720 MEPs will be elected.Elections take place every five years. 

The next elections will be from 6 to 9 June 2024. EU countries have elections on different days.

European Elections 2024

Debate of lead candidates ahead of European elections

Lead candidates debate - European Elections 2024

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting.

European Elections 2024 - One Month to Go, illumination of landmark buildings across the EU

Elections campaign/”One month to go”. On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day of voting.

Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. This was an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union. In 2024, Europe Day takes on even greater significance as it comes exactly one month ahead EE2024. The EU institutions propose a wide range of activities across the EU Member States, as well as in the home of the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Europe Day 2024 - Event in Brussels

Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. This was an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union.  

In 2024, Europe Day takes on even greater significance as it comes exactly one month ahead EE2024. The EU institutions propose a wide range of activities across the EU Member States, as well as in the home of the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Europe Day 2024 - Brussels

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections. Parliament’s Press Service will organise a briefing for media on the practical details for covering the elections. It will cover Parliament’s main legislative achievements during its ninth term, as well as unfinished business to be dealt with by the new Parliament. Media will also be provided with practical information on the three key events in the run-up to the elections: One month to go (9 May); Eurovision debate with the lead candidates for the EU Commission Presidency (23 May); and Election night (9 June). (Monday 29 April, from 10.00-11.00).

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections

Europe Day 2024 - Strasbourg

Press conference by Elisabetta GUALMINI, rapporteur on the Platform Work Directive.

Press conference on Platform work directive

Press conference by Lara WOLTERS rapporteur on the first EU due diligence rules for companies

Press conference on first EU due dilligence rules for companies

EP Plenary- Voting session

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participates in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago.

During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, who are invited to attend the sitting.

Formal sitting commemorating the 20th anniversary of the EU's biggest enlargement

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday.

EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East.

Plenary debate- Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel

In a plenary debate, MEPs discuss the EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

In March, Parliament adopted a resolution warning about the desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza. MEPs deplored the catastrophic impact of attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries and civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, urged all parties to immediately cease these attacks, and demanded an independent international investigation.

More than 33 000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October 2023 as part of Israel’s response to the attack during which Hamas militants killed some 1 200 people, mainly civilians, in southern Israel and kidnapped around 250 others.

Plenary debate -   EU’s response to the continuous killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip

Following the final vote on the new rules promoting the right to repair for consumers, rapporteur René Repasi briefs media on its scope and answer questions.

Press conference on the right to repair

Following a final plenary vote, rapporteurs Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, PT) and Samira Rafaela (Renew, NL) discuss new rules banning products made with force labour.

Press conference on Forced labour regulation

MEPs evaluate the results of the most recent European Council meetings, including the Special European Council of 17-18 April 2024.

Plenary debate- Outcome of European Council meeting

Illuminations: One month to go across the EU

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Berlin (Germany) - Meeting with Angela MERKEL, Former German Chancellor

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Berlin (Germany) - Round-table discussion with young people

Partnership Agreement Reception

Open Day at the European Parliament in Brussels

Open Day at the European Parliament in Brussels - Jaume DUCH speech

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces and Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Valletta (Malta) - Participation in an event on the occasion of the 20th anniversary since Malta joined the European Union

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement - Parliament’s seats illumination

Media event - 2024 European Election campaign briefing

MSU media briefing: On the way to the European Elections 2024 - Go to Vote campaign

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 1:1

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 16:9 You Tube

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 9:16

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 4:5

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 16:9

Interviews with the cast for the Hero movie

Open Days at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Over the past 30 years the single market has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans.

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

Find out about the top cyber threats in 2022, the most affected sectors and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The digital transformation has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies had to adapt to remote working and this created more possibilities for cybercriminals. The war in Ukraine has also affected cybersecurity.

In response to the evolution of cybersecurity threats, Parliament adopted a new EU directive introducing harmonised measures across the EU, including on the protection of essential sectors.

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.

Fast fashion is the constant provision of new styles at very low prices.

To tackle the impact on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
s
So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

Every year 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the EU. More than a quarter of it (27%) is municipal waste: everyday waste collected and treated by municipalities, which is mainly generated by households. Data shows that the amount of waste and the way it is managed varies a lot across EU countries, but there has been a shift to more recycling and less landfilling.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working on packaging waste. The goal is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Euroscola

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night (with International Sign Language and Velotype)

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

EU Elections 2024 - Eurovision Debate – Candidates to the Presidency of the European Commission (with International Sign Language and Velotype)

Debate of the candidates to the presidency of the Commission – EU Elections 2024 (with nametags of speakers)

Press briefing ahead of the Eurovision Lead Candidates Debate

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards (debate)

Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews (debate)

Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Statements by the President

Voting time

Plenary session

Delegation for relations with Palestine

DPAL

Delegation for relations with Israel

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, visits the European Parliament Liason Office (EPLO) in Berlin, Germany and holds a round-table discussion with young students. This news item shows extracts from the arrival, round-table discussion and family photo during her official visit.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Berlin: extracts from the round-table discussion with young people

EP President Roberta METSOLA participates in the ceremony of the Partnership Agreement in the framework of European Elections 2024. The European Parliament is working with more than 500 civil society organisations to increase and widen its messaging to different audiences, to promote EU values and the importance of the European elections.

European Elections 2024 - Partnership Agreement: extracts of the ceremony with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Commemorating the signing of the Schuman Declaration on 9 May 1950, the European Union celebrates its achievements of unity and long-term peace. A month ahead of the European elections, the EU institutions invite citizens to visit their buildings, listen to and participate in debates, live performances, games and other activities. The European Parliament opens its doors on Saturday 27 April in Strasbourg, Saturday 4 May in Brussels, and Thursday 9 May in Luxembourg. This news items shows the celebration of Europe day in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Europe day in the European Parliament in Brussels: extracts from the open day

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces and Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus:. This news shows the meeting and bilateral, the signing ceremony of a letter of Intent on enhancing relations between the European Parliament and the democratic forces and civil society of Belarus and their statements.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces and Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus

EP President Roberta METSOLA participates in an event on the occasion of the 20th anniversary since Malta joined the European Union. The European Fair at the Ta' Qali National Park, is a celebration with various entities, embassies, organisations, NGOs, and local small businesses showcasing their initiatives and involvement in EU projects and initiatives over the years. She exchanges with particpants and visitors. Roberta Metsola delivers also a speech marking Malta's 20th anniversary as an EU member state.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Ta Qali (Malta): participation in an event on the occasion of the 20th anniversary since Malta joined the European Union

Balázs is a together.eu volunteer, politics student, and was born on 1 May 2004, from Szeged, Hungary. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Hungary

Nela comes from Czech Republic where she currently studies at the Faculty of Law. She was born in May 2004 around the same time Czech Republic joined the European Union. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This news item present young Nela's life in Prague and her testimony on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Czech Republic

Milda is a student at ISM University in Vilnius, Lithuania. Bernardas is a student at Vilnius Gediminas technical university (VILNIUS TECH) in Vilnius, Lithuania. They were both born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Lithuania

Kyriakos is a student at the department of Mathematics and Statistics in the University of Cyprus, Nicosia, born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Cyprus

Lisbeth is a physiotherapy student, born in May 2004, from Tartu, Estonia. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Estonia

Eliass is a mechatronics student at Rezekne Academy of Technologies in Rezekne, Latvia, and was born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Latvia

Veronika is a communicative and active young student of bilingual gymnasium from Slovakia. She was born on the 1st of May 2004, which is the same day the country she is from joined the European Union. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This news item shows young Veronika studying in Slovakia, spending time with her friends and sharing her testimony on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Slovakia

Ema and Lejla are young Slovenians that were born in May 2004. The same month Slovenia joined the European Union. Along with their daily life, sporting, and studying they share testimonies on the feelings about this historical event and the EU in this news item. Meanwhile, Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Slovenia

Maciej and Aleksandra are young people and students from Poland that were born in May 2004. In the same month, Poland joined the European Union. In this news item both Maciej and Aleksandra shows their daily student life and share personal testimonies on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement as well. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union - Poland

Ylenia is a dedicated student of European studies in Malta who was born on the 1st of May 2004. On that same day, Malta joined the European Union. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. In this news item young Ylenia shares her testimony on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Malta

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement, the EP buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg are illuminated.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: illuminations of the EP buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg

Parliament’s Press Service organises a briefing for media on the practical details for covering the elections. It covers Parliament’s main legislative achievements during its ninth term, as well as unfinished business to be dealt with by the new Parliament. Media also is provided with practical information on the three key events in the run-up to the elections: One month to go (9 May); Eurovision debate with the lead candidates for the EU Commission Presidency (23 May); and Election night (9 June). Questions and answers.

2024 European Election campaign briefing: Questions and answers

Parliament’s Press Service organises a briefing for media on the practical details for covering the elections. It covers Parliament’s main legislative achievements during its ninth term, as well as unfinished business to be dealt with by the new Parliament. Media also is provided with practical information on the three key events in the run-up to the elections: One month to go (9 May); Eurovision debate with the lead candidates for the EU Commission Presidency (23 May); and Election night (9 June). Protecting the European election from disinformation and external interference by Delphine Colard, Spokesperson’s service and presentation of the Institutional election campaign (Screening of the TV advertising spot) by Philipp Schulmeister, Director for campaigns.

2024 European Election campaign briefing: Protecting the European election from disinformation and external interference and presentation of the Institutional election campaign (Screening of the TV advertising spot)

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