At a glance: the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees took place on Tuesday in Brussels; the first regular committee meetings; and air passenger rights.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 24/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees are taking place today in Brussels; the EU is turning road safety best practices into draft laws; there are some steps you need to take before travelling around Europe with your pets.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 23/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees will take place in Brussels on Tuesday; new EU rules for the development of the trans-European transport network; and the anniversary of the election of the first female president of any EU institution.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 22/07/2024 - suomi

Yesterday, Parliament approved the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission for a second five-year term; on Wednesday, MEPs approved the proposal on the number of members in Parliament’s 20 specialised standing committees and four sub-committees, as well as its 48 standing delegations; the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees will take place in Brussels on Tuesday.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 19/07/2024 - suomi

Euroopan parlamentissa ei ole vain meppejä. Tämä valtava toimielin kätkee todellisuudessa sisäänsä tuhansia ihmisiä, jotka työskentelevät päivittäin tehdäkseen Euroopan unionista paremmin saavutettavan, toimivamman ja avoimemman kansalaisilleen. Ilman näitä ihmisiä parlamenttia olisi mahdotonta hallita. Siksi puhemiehistön kaltaiset hallintoelimet ovat välttämättömiä.

Käsitteet haltuun. Puhemiehistö

At a glance: the 10th legislative term of the European Parliament has begun; Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as Parliament President; MEPs also elected 14 Vice-Presidents and 5 Quaestors; in Strasbourg, MEPs discussed the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 18/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as Parliament President; MEPs will vote on their position on support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression; Parliament to vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination for a second term as Commission President.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 17/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: the EU institutions react to the shooting that took place during former US president Donald Trump’s campaign rally; the newly elected European Parliament will vote on the composition of its committees and delegations during the plenary session in Strasbourg; MEPs will also vote on a position on Russia’s war of aggression, and are expected to reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 16/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will elect its new President; MEPs will form committees, sub-committees and delegations; the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 15/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: next week, the first plenary session of the tenth legislative term will kick off in Strasbourg; the meeting of the Economic and Social Committee; and World Population Day.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 12/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: next week in Strasbourg, MEPs will assess the outcome of the EU summit of 27 June; the S&D Group’s hearing with Ursula von der Leyen; and water quality at beaches across Europe.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 11/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: next week in Strasbourg, MEPs will assess the outcome of the EU summit of 27 June; Parliament’s political group Identity and Democracy has changed its name; and President Roberta Metsola met the Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 10/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: the political groups are preparing for the constitutive session of Parliament’s 10th legislative term, MEPs will assess the outcome of the EU summit of 27 June in Strasbourg next week, and the saving rate in the euro area has risen.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 09/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: new EU rules on ecodesign for sustainable products; Canada is now part of the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme; and what you need to know about consular protection in case of emergency in a third country .

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 08/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: the newly elected European Parliament will meet from 16 to 19 July in Strasbourg; the EU is working to reduce plastic waste; and the anniversary of the European Customs Union.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 05/07/2024 - suomi

At a glance: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola presided over the Conference of Presidents meeting; Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán paid a visit to Ukraine; and the EU and Egypt held an investment conference to team up to mobilise private sector investments

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 04/07/2024 - suomi

The EP 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, in a ceremony on 12 December. The laureates were represented by Saleh Nikbakht, academic and lawyer representing Jina Mahsa Amini’s family; and Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar, Iranian women's rights defenders who left Iran in 2023.

Opening the award ceremony, President Metsola declared: "This years’ Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded to Jina Masha Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, serves as a tribute to all the brave and defiant women, men and young people in Iran, who despite coming under increasing pressure, are continuing the fight for their rights and push for change. The European Parliament hears you and supports you. You are not alone.ʺ

Jina Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by police in Tehran on 13 September 2022 for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws, and died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody.

Among the finalists&nbsp;were also:&nbsp;Women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion: Justyna Wydrzyńska - Poland, Morena Herrera - El Salvador and Colleen McNichols - United States&nbsp; and&nbsp; Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, Nicaragua.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 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. It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros. Last year, Parliament awarded the prize to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society.

Sakharov Prize 2023

The European Council held an exchange of views with the President of Ukraine. The European Council addressed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in all its dimensions and reviewed progress on the Union’s comprehensive support to Ukraine and its people as Ukraine exercises its inherent right to self-defence.

The European Council is deeply alarmed by the dramatic military escalation in the Middle East and the risk this represents for the entire region. It calls on all parties to exercise the utmost restraint, put an end to all hostilities immediately and fully abide by international law, including international humanitarian law. The European Union is fully committed to helping de-escalate the situation and reduce tensions. The European Council held an in-depth strategic discussion on migration in all its dimensions and across all routes.

&nbsp;The European Council also calls for enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit, through comprehensive mutually beneficial partnerships, to address root causes and to fight trafficking and smuggling with a view to preventing loss of life and irregular departures. Visa policy alignment by neighbouring countries is an important element in this regard. Safe and legal pathways in line with national competences are key for regular and orderly migration.

European Council, 17-18 October 2024

Europe’s Jewish population has been diminishing in recent decades, and a growing number of anti-Semitic acts and anti-Jewish violence have been occurring in recent years in the EU. In defence of its values, including respect for minorities, the EU undertakes and funds actions to counter anti-Semitism.

Jewish communities in the European Union

In a November plenary vote Parliament demanded&nbsp;a robust and multifaceted approach to combat all forms of racism and discrimination, including structural and institutional racism, in the EU.

In a resolution&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemned&nbsp;that minorities and migrants, including LGBTQI persons, face structural racism, discrimination, hate, sustained inequalities, difficulties in accessing the justice system, and violence by the police.

As reported by the 2019 Eurobarometer, over half of Europeans believe that racial discrimination is widespread in their country, with “Being Roma” (61% of respondents), “Ethnic origin” (59%) and “Skin colour” (59%) being the top three grounds for discrimination.

On 18 September 2020, the European Commission published its communication “A Union of equality: EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025”. Concretely, the Action Plan calls for better enforcement of EU law; closer coordination, including through the appointment of a Coordinator for Anti-racism; the adoption of national action plans against racism and racial discrimination; more efforts in preventing discriminatory attitudes by law enforcement authorities; and increased diversity of staff in the EU institutions. Equality is one of the fundamental values on which the EU is founded.

It is duly reflected in the Treaties and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. International agreements, such as the European Convention on Human Rights also prohibit discrimination on various grounds, with limited exceptions in justified cases. With regard to the fight against racism and xenophobia, the main EU instrument is the Framework Decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law. This framework decision harmonises criminal definitions and sanctions.&nbsp;

Fight against racism and xenophobia

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">For many years, Sweden had chosen to remain outside the European construction. It was in the 1990s that the idea of membership was born, being in the interest of the country to participate in the decisions that affect Sweden due to its geographical and economic situation. </div>

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">
The official application for membership happened in July 1991. Extensive negotiations were undertaken and after a referendum that gave a majority in favour of the accession, Sweden joined the EU in 1995.

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Sweden has 20 seats in the European Parliament and 10 votes in the EU Council.
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EU - Sweden

The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg in France but the bulk of its political work is done at its site in Brussels where the parliamentary committees should meet as well as additional part-sessions.

Find in this package, audiovisual content of the activities of the European Parliament in Brussels such as atmosphere inside and outside the buildings or&nbsp;parliamentary work.

The European Parliament in Brussels

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

Subcommittee on Security and Defence

Chair: Ms Nathalie LOISEAU (Renew Europe, FR)

1st Vice-Chair: Mr Nikos ANDROULAKIS (S&amp;D, EL)

2nd Vice-Chair: Ms Kinga GÁL (EPP, HU)

3rd Vice-Chair: Ms Özlem DEMIREL (GUE/NGL, DE)

4th Vice-Chair: Mr Lukas MANDL (EPP, AT)

SEDE Subcommittee on Security and Defence

The work of CONT committee&nbsp;involves controlling and monitoring the correct, targeted use of the budget (some EUR 166 billion in 2019). The main responsibility for budget management lies with the European Commission, which distributes the lion's share of the funds. Some 80% of the money goes to the Member States, around 13% is invested around the world, and roughly 7% is spent on administration.

The Committee on Budgetary Control is supported in its work by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) in Luxembourg. The remit also covers the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). CONT is also involved in all legislative procedures concerning issues relating to the proper management of the budget and the safeguarding of the EU's financial interests. The Committee is also committed to having a robust European Public Prosecutor's Office.

CONT - Committee on Budgetary Control

<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>

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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

Valdis Dombrovskis, born on 5 August 1971 in Riga, is a Latvian politician. He was a Member of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2009.

Since he is already a member of the Commission, Mr Dombrovskis only has to answer questions on whether he is suitable for the portfolio assigned to him. He has been responsible for trade matters since the resignation of Phil Hogan.

Mr Dombrovskis will be heard by the International Trade Committee. The Committees on Foreign Affairs, on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on Development and on Budgets will be invited to participate and can ask one oral question each.

Hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President-designate, Trade

The European Political Community (EPC) is a new platform for political coordination. Initially proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron and supported by EU institutions, the inaugural meeting of the EPC was held in Prague on 6 October. The 'EU+ summit' was hosted by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU and&nbsp;43 national delegations from the EU-27, Western Balkans and other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Turkey attended.

A second meeting of the EPC was scheduled for&nbsp;Thursday June 1st 2023 in&nbsp;Bulboaca, Moldova, where the 47 participants discussed how to foster political dialogue and cooperation and strengthen security, stability and prosperity in Europe.&nbsp; The third took place&nbsp;in Granada on 5 October 2023.

European Political Community

Environment Committee MEPs assessed&nbsp;the skills, experience and suitability of Commissioner-designate for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra on 2 October. He is set to replace Frans Timmermans, who resigned on 22 August to run as a candidate in the forthcoming general elections in the Netherlands.

During his&nbsp;introductory speech, Mr Hoekstra stressed that the Green Deal lays the foundation for the EU’s green transition and underlined that it is of utmost importance to maintain continuity in the EU’s climate ambitions. He hopes to ensure this by swiftly concluding pending climate negotiations and by proposing an ambitious climate target for 2040 in the first quarter of 2024, he said. Mr Hoekstra emphasised that the EU “cannot reach climate neutrality alone”. Global cooperation and climate finance are key during the upcoming UN climate change conference&nbsp;COP28, he stressed, vowing to work “non-stop for success in Dubai”.

He underlined that building a global “Loss and Damage coalition” is crucial to raise finance for developing countries and build trust. Finally, Mr Hoekstra stressed the importance of phasing out fossil fuels, as well as fossil fuels subsidies. “The sooner fossil fuels become history, the better”, he said, as they are “counterproductive for the EU’s energy transition”.

Based on the committee’s recommendations and the assessment by the Conference of Committee Chairs, the Conference of Presidents will conduct the final evaluation and decide whether to close the hearing process and hold a plenary vote.

Hearing of Wopke HOEKSTRA 2023

Switzerland is not in the European Union but has signed up to many of its policies. However, in May the Swiss Federal Council decided to stop negotiations of the EU-Swiss Institutional Framework Agreement.

As an EFTA (European Free Trade Area) member, Switzerland took part in the negotiations for the EEA (European Economic Area) Agreement and signed the agreement on 2 May 1992. Immediately after that, the Swiss Government submitted an application for accession to the EU on 22 May 1992. However, following a referendum held on 6 December 1992 that yielded a vote against participating in the EEA, the Swiss Federal Council stopped pursuing the country’s EU and EEA membership. Since then, Switzerland has developed its relations with the EU through bilateral agreements in order to safeguard its economic integration with the EU. The EU and Switzerland have signed over 120 bilateral agreements, including a free trade agreement in 1972, and two major series of sectoral bilateral agreements that aligned a large portion of Swiss law with that of the EU at the time of signing. While the agreements intensified economic relations, they also created a complex and sometimes incoherent network of obligations. In order to resolve these problems, EU-Swiss negotiations for an Institutional Framework Agreement (IFA) were launched on 22 May 2014.

In May 2021 the Federal Council decided to terminate the negotiations of the EU-Swiss IFA. The European Commission took note of this decision and expressed its regrets.

EU - Switzerland

Lost in Europe on Wednesday won the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism for its investigation into the disappearance of over 50 000 unaccompanied child migrants. The investigation, run by media from Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the UK revealed that at least 51 433 unaccompanied child migrants disappeared after arriving in European countries between 2021 and 2023. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, Vice-President responsible for the Prize, and representatives of the independent European-wide Jury of the Prize participated in the award ceremony held in the European Parliament’s Daphne Caruana Galizia Press Room in Strasbourg.

President Metsola said: "Daphne Caruana Galizia’s legacy continues through the work of journalists who live to tell the truth and refuse to be silenced. Their fight for justice prevails over the threats that try to undermine their important work. Press freedom is non-negotiable. Seven years after Daphne’s assassination, we continue to honour her memory with a prize that reminds us of this Parliament’s long-standing commitment to these fundamental values”.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

The European Parliament in April 2024 adopted ten legislative texts to reform European migration and asylum policy as agreed with EU member states. Five separate EU regulations, establishe&nbsp;how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving.

Following the deal in trilogue in December 2023 ,&nbsp;EP President Roberta Metsola&nbsp;said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States. That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable &nbsp;

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention.&nbsp; The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Migration

The EU and China are two of the biggest traders in the world, with China being the EU's second trading partner.&nbsp; The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue was launched in 1995.&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemns the Chinese government-led system of forced labour – in particular the exploitation of Uyghur, ethnic Kazakh and Kyrgyz, and other Muslim minority groups – in factories within and outside internment camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Over the past year, EU-China bilateral relations have deteriorated, notably related to a growing number of irritants (i.e., China’s counter-measures to EU sanctions on human rights, economic coercion and trade measures against the single market, and China’s positioning on the war in Ukraine).

During his recent visit to China, Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis told his counterparts that “competition must be fair” and urged Beijing to address the lack of reciprocity in economic relations, as the EU’s trade deficit with China in 2022 reached almost 400 billion euro. Mr Dombrovskis said that the EU and China are at a significant political and economic crossroads, and warned that China’s stance on the war in Ukraine could jeopardise its relationship with the EU.

His visit came after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her State of the European Union address that the Commission would launch a probe into whether China's electric vehicle industry is receiving unfair subsidies

EU - China

On August 24th, 2024, the European Parliament marked Ukraine's 33rd Independence Day with a series of symbolic events in Brussels. The "Station Europe" building on Place du Luxembourg was lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, showing solidarity with Ukraine.

Earlier, a ceremony on the Esplanade Solidarność featured the raising of the Ukrainian flag and the unfurling of a 30-meter-long flag. Speeches were delivered by Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, and Serhiy Tereshko, Deputy Head of Mission of Ukraine to the EU. The event also included a performance of the Ukrainian national anthem by Lukiia Apanovych. This commemoration highlighted the ties between the EU and Ukraine and reinforced the EU's ongoing support for Ukraine.

Anniversary of the Ukrainian Independence Day

Parliament to vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination for Commission President

If elected by MEPs on Thursday, Ursula von der Leyen is set to return to the office of European Commission President for the next five years.

At 09.00 on Thursday, she will take the floor in Parliament’s plenary session and outline her vision and plans as Commission President, followed by a debate with MEPs.

The vote by secret paper ballot will take place at 13.00, following the debate. 

Background
Article 14 of the Treaty of the European Union provides that the EP “shall elect the President of the Commission.” In practice, based on Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (rule 128), the candidate proposed by the European Council has to present their political guidelines to Parliament, followed by a debate. Parliament then elects the President of the Commission by a majority of its component MEPs - i.e. 361, in a Parliament of 720 Members. If the candidate does not obtain the required majority, the President will invite the European Council to put forward another within one month, for election in accordance with the same procedure.

Ms von der Leyen has been Commission President since 2019 and was the EPP’s lead candidate in the 6 - 9 June European elections.

Election of the President of the European Commission

MEPs will confirm the number and size of Parliament’s standing committees, sub-committees and delegations on Wednesday. Membership of the committees will be announced on Friday. 

The vote on the proposal by the Conference of Presidents (i.e. the President and political group leaders) to set up the European Parliament’s committees and delegations for the new legislative period is expected to take place on Wednesday. The lists of MEPs to be appointed to each committee and delegation (which are decided internally by the political groups and non-attached members) are expected to be announced on Friday. 

According to Parliament's Rules of Procedure (rule 216), the composition of its committees and subcommittees should as far as possible reflect the composition of Parliament as a whole. The proportional distribution of committee seats among political groups must not depart from the nearest appropriate whole number.

Background

Each committee’s responsibilities are set out in Annex VI of the Rules of Procedure. During the previous legislative period, Parliament approved structural reforms for a more modern and efficient Parliament. 

Committees meet in public (unless the rules dictate otherwise) once or twice a month in Brussels. Their work revolves around drawing up, amending, and voting on legislative proposals and own-initiative reports, as well as holding debates with Council and Commission representatives, hearings with external experts, and organising fact-finding missions. They will play a crucial role in the upcoming hearings of Commissioners-designate.

Parliament can set up sub-committees and special temporary committees to deal with specific issues, and may also create committees of inquiry to investigate allegations of maladministration of EU law. The Conference of Committee Chairs coordinates their work.

Votes on the numerical strength of the Parliament’s standing committees, sub-committees and delegations

The House is expected to elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and its five Quaestors on Tuesday 16 July and Wednesday 17 July.

Following the election of its President, Parliament will also elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, which comprise Parliament’s Bureau. 

What do Vice-Presidents and Quaestors do?

Vice-Presidents can replace the President, including to chair plenary sittings and in representing the Parliament at specific ceremonies or acts, when necessary. Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs. 

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors are members of the European Parliament’s Bureau (where Quaestors participate in an advisory capacity), which lays down rules for Parliament’s smooth functioning. Among its other duties, the Bureau draws up Parliament’s preliminary draft budget and decides on administrative, staff and organisational matters. In practice, the political groups aim to ensure that the composition of the Bureau broadly reflects the numerical strength of the groups, taking into account also the results of the President's election.

The process

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (rules 17 and 18) set out how Bureau members are elected. As for the President, nominations are put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold (1/20th of MEPs). 

Vice-Presidents are elected in a single ballot, by an absolute majority of votes cast. If the number of successful candidates is less than 14, a second vote is held for the remaining seats, under the same conditions. If a third vote is necessary, a simple majority is sufficient. Vice-Presidents take precedence in the order in which they are elected and, in the event of a tie, by age. If voted by acclamation, a vote by secret ballot determines the order of precedence.

In each round MEPs may vote for up to as many candidates as the number of seats available in that round, but they have to vote for more than half of the positions to be filled - rounded up. In practical terms, this means that in the first round MEPs will have to vote for at least eight candidates and, if there is an odd number of seats in subsequent rounds, the number would be rounded up: for example, for nine positions the minimum would be five votes. The ballot papers that do not meet the threshold are not counted.

The election of Quaestors follows the same procedure as that for the election of Vice-Presidents.

Elections of EP's Quaestors

New Parliament set to voice strong support for Ukraine

On Wednesday morning, political group leaders will make statements on the need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine, followed by a vote on a resolution at 17.00.
With Russia intensifying its bombardment of Ukrainian civil infrastructure, including strikes on the country’s largest paediatric clinic, political group leaders will discuss the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression.. In a vote on a resolution at 17.00, MEPs will set out the newly elected Parliament’s position and are expected to reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine. 

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of Ukraine resolutions adopted by MEPs during the previous legislative term (2019-2024).

The need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine

The House is expected to elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and its five Quaestors on Wednesday Tuesday 16 July and Wednesday 17 July.17 July and Thursday 18 July.

Following the election of its President, Parliament will also elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, which comprise Parliament’s Bureau. 

What do Vice-Presidents and Quaestors do?

Vice-Presidents can replace the President, including to chair plenary sittings and in representing the Parliament at specific ceremonies or acts, when necessary. Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs. 

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors are members of the European Parliament’s Bureau (where Quaestors participate in an advisory capacity), which lays down rules for Parliament’s smooth functioning. Among its other duties, the Bureau draws up Parliament’s preliminary draft budget and decides on administrative, staff and organisational matters. In practice, the political groups aim to ensure that the composition of the Bureau broadly reflects the numerical strength of the groups, taking into account also the results of the President's election.

The process

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure set out how Bureau members are elected. As for the President, nominations are put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold (1/20th of MEPs). 

Vice-Presidents are elected in a single ballot, by an absolute majority of votes cast. If the number of successful candidates is less than 14, a second vote is held for the remaining seats, under the same conditions. If a third vote is necessary, a simple majority is sufficient. Vice-Presidents take precedence in the order in which they are elected and, in the event of a tie, by age. If voted by acclamation, a vote by secret ballot determines the order of precedence.

Elections of EP's Vice-Presidents

After the new Parliament is established on 16 July at 10.00 CEST, MEPs must first elect their President for the next two-and-a-half years.

The President enjoys a broad range of executive and representative powers, extending to “all powers that are necessary to preside over the proceedings of Parliament and to ensure that they are properly conducted”.

How is the President elected?

Candidates may be put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold, i.e. 1/20th of MEPs. Ahead of the vote, candidates may address the plenary for a maximum of five minutes. 

The election takes place by secret ballot and requires an absolute majority of valid votes cast, i.e. 50% plus one. Blank or spoiled votes are not taken into account. The deadline for presidential nominations is Monday, 15 July, at 19.00 and the vote will take place on Tuesday 16 July.

If no candidate is elected in the first round of voting, the same or other candidates can be nominated for a second round under the same conditions. A third round may take place if necessary, again with the same rules. If none of the candidates are elected in the third round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes in the third round proceed to a fourth and final round of voting, in which the candidate receiving the most votes wins.

Once elected, the new President will take the chair and may deliver an opening address.

Background

The process for electing the EP President is set out in Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, in rules 14 to 16. The sitting at which a new President is elected is chaired by the outgoing President or by one of the outgoing Vice-Presidents (to be determined according to their order of precedence), or, in the absence of any of them, by the Member who has held office for the longest period. Eight tellers, chosen by lot from among MEPs, oversee the process

Election of the President of the European Parliament

Last minute briefing

Pre- session briefing on the first Plenary session of the new legislature

Pre-session briefing

Provisional agenda of the European Council meeting includes: Ukraine, security and defense, competitiveness, external relations, the next institutional cycle.

European Council Meeting 27/28 June 2024

Following the European Parliament elections, EU leaders meet today in Brussels to discuss the next high-profile EU-level roles in the upcoming institutional cycle.

EP President Metsola particpates and gives a doorstep.

EP President's Metsola doorstep at informal EU leaders meeting

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 are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024. EU elections take place today in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden

Election Night- 9/6/2024

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 elections are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024. 

EU elections take place today in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and in Sweden

Election Days- 9/6/2024

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 elections are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024.

EU elections take place today in Latvia, Malta and in Slovakia.

Election Days- 8/6/2024

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 are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024.

EU elections take place today in Czechia and Ireland.

Election Days- 7/6/2024

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 elections are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024.

EU elections take place today in the Netherlands.

Election Days- 6/6/2024

The Eurovision debate between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency takes place on Thursday 23 May from 15.00-16.45 in Parliament’s plenary chamber in Brussels.

Eurovision debate between lead candidates for the Commission presidency

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. During her visit, President Metsola meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addresses the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and meets its Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as meets and discusses with young Ukrainians. Presidents Zelenskyy and Metsola speak to the press present after their meeting.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President in Kyiv (Ukraine) for Europe Day

EP Plenary session -  EU priorities for the upcoming session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

European Council meeting (19/12)

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Committee on Culture and Education

CULT

Committee on Petitions

PETI

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

ITRE

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

Available on EBS : https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/live/2

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

IMCO

Committee meeting on Regional Development

REGI

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

AGRI

Committee meeting on International Trade

INTA

Committee on Foreign Affairs

AFET

Delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly

DLAT

EP Plenary session - Need to update the European strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ana BRNABIĆ, Serbian Speaker of Serbia

Former Member Association - Management Committee meeting

DG TRAD - Citizens' Language Days 2024! conference

ENVI - Presentation of the responsibilities and activities of the following agencies under ENVI competence - Exchange of views with Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General, on Antimicrobial Resistance

TRAN - Presentation of a study on Expected impacts of ‘Fit for 55’ legislation on connectivity and mobility in Europe

Bureau High Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity  - European Parliament Disability Week

TRAN.- Presentation of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) report on Reaching on EU road safety objectives

ECON - Monetary Dialogue with Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank

DROI - Hearing on the Rights of the Child in the EU external policy

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Vjosa OSMANI-SADRIU, President of Kosovo

Former Members Asociation - Annual Seminar: 'EU Security and Defence: Emerging Threats and Strategies for a Resilient Future'

ENVI - Presentation of the responsibilities and activities of the following agencies under ENVI competence -  Presentation of the responsibilities and activities of the following agencies under ENVI competence

Former Members Associaton - Librorum

FEMM - Public hearing on ' Addressing the challenges faced by women with disabilities in healthcare, employment, societal participation '

JURI Inter parliamentary Committee Meeting - E-justice: lessons learned from national perspectives

TRAN - Exchange of views on existing barriers in the field of transport for people with disabilities

AGRI ENVI joint committee meeting

JURI - Policy department C presentation by Helen Xanthaki on 'One in, one out'

MEPs vote on the following motions for resolutions: the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law in Hong Kong, The increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran, The shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL, Georgia's worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud (Debate: 13/11/2024), Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and on new recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments.

Voting session

MEPs outline proposals to improve the protection of EU citizens against exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols, including from electronic cigarettes. In Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission has previously announced its intention to update the current Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments, which dates back to 20019. A revision was needed to extend its scope to certain emerging products, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco, due to the rapid market growth and appeal of such products in recent years, especially among young people. The Commission recommends EU countries reduce the risk of second-hand exposure by banning the use of all tobacco products in certain outdoor spaces, such as public playgrounds and amusement parks, areas related to restaurants/cafés, public transportation, healthcare and education establishments, as well as workplaces.

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: Closing statements

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: MEPs debate

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: Opening statements

MEPs debate the increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran with closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran: MEPs debate

Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Commission statement on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: MEPs debate

President Roberta METSOLA and a representative of the Hungarian Presidency, János BÓKA, Minister for European Union Affairs sign seventeen COD LEX in Strasbourg.

Lex Signing: extracts from the ceremony

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, hold a press conference following the Parliament’s vote on the College of Commissioners. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission following the Parliament’s vote on the College of Commissioners

MEPs approve a deal on 2025’s EU budget to address current challenges and managing repayment costs for the EU’s recovery plan. During negotiations with member states, Parliament obtained more than €230 million in funding beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, to better focus on key EU programmes and policies aimed at improving people's lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing challenges like climate, health, migration or defence. Negotiators also agreed on a solution to cover repayment costs for the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI). The preliminary figures are €199.44 billion in commitment appropriations and €155.21 billion in payment appropriations.

2025 budgetary procedure: extracts from the debate (26.11) and extracts from the voting session (27.11)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President makes a declaration after the vote on the MUREŞAN BUDG Draft amending budget No 5/2024: adjustment in payment appropriations, update of revenues and other technical updates; and on NEGRESCU, HERBST BUDG 2025 budgetary procedure during the plenary session in Strasbourg

Declaration on the adoption of the General Budget for 2025 by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs vote during the plenary session in Strasbourg on the MUREŞAN BUDG Draft amending budget No 5/2024: adjustment in payment appropriations, update of revenues and other technical updates; and on NEGRESCU, HERBST BUDG 2025 budgetary procedure: Joint text. For the EU’ 2025 budget, MEPs secured more effective support to address challenges such as health, humanitarian aid, border management and climate action. The 2025 budget was adopted with 418 votes to 185 and 67 abstentions. Council already endorsed the deal on 25 November.

Votes on EU budget 2025

MEPs vote on several topics: Cunha (A10-0015/2024) - Amending short-stay visas regulation (EU) 2018/1806) as regards Vanuatu; Objection pursuant to Rule 114(3): Measures to reduce incidental catches of common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) and other small cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay; and Lupo (A10-0020/2024) - Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide assistance to Germany and Italy relating to floods occurred in 2024. Statement by Giuseppe LUPO, (S&D, IT) before the announcement of the results of the vote.

Votes on short-stay visas regulation; incidental catches of common dolphin; and assistance to Germany and Italy relating to floods

President METSOLA signs the transmission letter on the election of the European Commission and presents to Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission the signed transmission letter. While most of the MEP's are applauding, Roberta METSOLA and Ursula VON DER LEYEN do a picture together with the transmission letter. Ursula VON DER LEYEN gets congratulations by most oft the group leaders and shakes hands with some of the new commissioners.

Signature of the Transmission Letter on the election of the European Commission by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Following a debate with Ursula von der Leyen on her new team and programme, MEPs elected the College of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote. 370 MEPs voted in favour, 282 against, and 36 abstained.

Vote on the election of the College of Commissioners: Parliament approves the “von der Leyen II” Commission

Parliament’s committees subjected each Commissioner-designate to individual public hearings between 4 and 12 November. MEPs assessed their suitability to become Commissioners, as well as their ability to carry out the duties linked to their respective portfolios. Once Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (President Metsola and the political group leaders) has conducted the final evaluation and declared the hearings process closed, the full Parliament will vote on the entire list of candidates. The roll call vote on the new Commission is scheduled for Wednesday at noon.

Vote on resolution on the presentation by the Commission President-elect of the College of Commissioners and its programme

This news item shows atmosphere shots from the voting session following the debate with European Commission President-elect von der Leyen on her team and programme ant the Signature of the Transmission Letter on the Election of the European Commission. MEPs elected the College of Commissioners as a whole by roll-call vote - 370 MEPs voted in favour, 282 against, and 36 abstained. This will be Ursula von der Leyen’s second term as Commission President, following the approval of her first Commission by MEPs in November 2019.

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