New EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers is debated and voted by MEPs.

The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7), provisionally agreed with the Council in December 2023, aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality.

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 exhaust emissions limits and test conditions will be maintained, while stricter limits would be applied for buses and trucks. The Euro 7 standards also tackle non-exhaust emissions (microplastics from tyres and particles from brakes) and include requirements concerning battery durability.

Plenary Debate - Euro 7

The impact of the announced reform of the criminal code on Slovakia’s efforts to fight corruption is debated with Commission and Council. On 6 December, the new Slovak government tabled a draft law to overhaul the country’s penal code. If approved by its parliament, the special prosecutor’s office dealing with the most serious crimes and corruption would be dismantled. The government also intends to soften penalties for corruption offences. Several investigators and police officers looking into corruption charges have already faced repercussions from the new government, such as being dismissed, suspended or sidelined from these investigations. Prime Minister Robert Fico wants the draft law to be adopted under the urgency procedure. Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová has already said she would veto the law. Critics have warned that dismantling the special prosecutor’s office could have an impact on the ongoing investigation into the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in 2018.

Debate - Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law

Commissioner and Rapporteur Nicola BEER (Renew, DE), Rapporteur, Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU (on behalf of INTA Committee), Jessica POLFJÄRD (on behalf of ENVI Committee), Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Miriam LEXMANN (on behalf of AFET Committee) and Franc BOGOVIČ (on behalf of REGI Committee) deliver opening statements and consequent MEPS  debate on the Framework for Ensuring a Secure and Sustainable Supply of Critical Raw Materials in a plenary session in Strasbourg. 

Electric cars, solar panels and smartphones - all of them contain critical raw materials. They are pivotal for the EU’s green and digital transitions, and securing their supply is crucial for the European Union's economic resilience, technological leadership, and strategic autonomy. Since the Russian war against Ukraine and an increasingly aggressive Chinese trade and industrial policy, cobalt, lithium and other raw materials have also become a geopolitical factor.

The Critical Raw Materials Act, informally agreed with Council in November, should make the EU more competitive and sovereign by cutting red tape, promoting innovation along the entire value chain, and supporting SMEs. It also aims to boost research and the development of alternative materials and more environmentally-friendly mining and production methods.The legislation will set up economic incentives and a more stable and secure business framework for mining and recycling projects, with faster and simpler authorisation procedures.

Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials

EP Plenary session - Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7)

Media seminar - Safeguarding Democracy: the role of the media - European Elections 2024

EP Plenary session - Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Rule of Law and Media freedom in Greece

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Review of the economic governance framework

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to reach a permanent ceasefire and the risks of regional escalation

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Keeping commitments and delivering military assistance to Ukraine

EP Plenary session - Empowering consumers for the green transition

Press conference on establishing a European Health Data Space

EP Plenary session - European Health Data Space

EP Plenary session - Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials

EP Plenary session - The European Elections 2024

COP28 UAE - United Nations Climate Change Conference.

COP28 UAE - United Nations Climate Change Conference

Press conference on review of EU driving licence rules

TRAN Committee - Vote on  update of EU rules on driving licence in order to improve road safety and get closer to zero deaths on EU roads by 2050

TRAN - Exchange of views with Mr Hubert GAMBS, Deputy Director General for the Internal Market, European Commission, on the state of play of the implementation of the tourism pathway and the EU Tourism Agenda

This clip presents the highlights moments of the 9th Legislative Term in photos and videos

Clip: Democracy in Action - Highlights of the 9th Legislative Term

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

With lessons learnt from the pandemic and the recent geopolitical and energy crisis, lawmakers focus on Europe’s green and digital transition to build a resilient economy and strengthen democratic oversight and fundamental rights. This video showcases extracts from debates, press conferences, trilogues and votes highlighting the European Parliament's strides in policy domains pledged by the Parliament, Council, and Commission to fulfill under the Digital Agenda before the 2024 European Elections. These areas include the Digital Market Act, Digital Service Act and Artificial Intelligence Act, reflecting the collective dedication to digital innovation and regulatory coherence.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Safe and competitive digital environment

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, gives an opening remark on the last voting session of this legislature before elections. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, on the Portuguese Carnation Revolution 50th anniversary and on the conclusion of the 9th legislative term

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024)", learn what are the different roles of the EP. The clip illustrates citizens going to vote in 2019. National estimates show that, on the election dates in 2024 the highest numbers of eligible voters are expected in Germany (64.9 million persons), France (49.7 million) and Italy (47 million). The lowest numbers are expected in Malta (0.4 million), Luxembourg (0.5 million) and Cyprus (0.7 million). In 2024, 16 years old citizens in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Malta will be able to go to vote for the first time.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - The European elections in the member states (2019)

This infoclip shows how the European Parliament responded to COVID pandemic from March 2020 with distancing activities of the European Parliament held by David SASSOLI, EP President until the press conference to present the results of the work of the Committee on collecting the evidence and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic as well as to give answers on the impact it had on citizens and their fundamental rights, the businesses, the health sector and international community in June 2023. This infoclip shows illustrations of EP buildings used in the fight against COVID-19, the Green corridor at the Belgium-Dutch border, digital COVID certificates, trilogue on the EU COVID-19 certificate, meetings of the Special COVI Committee, vaccines production and distribution, COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Response to COVID pandemic

This infoclip illustrates the 3 seats of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg with exterior shots of the buildings with drones shots, with interior shots in the chamber and in the corridors, and time lapse.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - The European Parliament’s seats in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Since February 2022 and the Russian aggression against Ukraine, the European Parliament always fought for democratic freedom and self-determination. It had strongly and repeatedly condemned Russia’s war of aggression and called for tough sanctions on Russia and Belarus as of the first days of the military attacks. It continuously pushes for the EU to provide defensive weapons, humanitarian aid and democratic support to the institutions of Ukraine.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): European Parliament stands with Ukraine

This infoclip is a part of the series of videos "How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024)", illustrating the powers of the European Parliament by focusing on budgetary and co-decision procedures. The Parliament acts as a co-legislator, sharing with the Council, the power to adopt and amend legislative proposals and to decide on the EU budget. During the 2019 - 2024 parliamentary term, unexpected crises influenced the Union. In 2021, Parliament approved the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the biggest building block of the Next Generation EU recovery package designed to help EU countries tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2024, the Parliament approved the first-ever revision of the EU's long-term budget, establishing predictable and stable financial support for Ukraine. This info clip illustrates how the EU budget is used and how the Parliament engages with other EU institutions.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - Powers of the European Parliament: budget and co-decision procedures

This infoclip shows the daily work of members of the European Parliament, during a plenary session in Strasbourg or in Brussels, holding a joint public hearing to a Commissioner, voting in a Committee or participating with Council and Commission to a trialogue. This infoclip shows also several the visits of members of the European Parliament : to the Port authorities in Mariupol or in the flood stricken spots in Belgium, to the border infrastructure in Palanca, a village near the border with Ukraine, an other visit of members of the European Parliament to Calais, to the Lampedusa hotspot and the participation of the delegation to the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change which was held in Dubai.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - The members of the European Parliament

This infoclip illustrates the daily work of the European President, David SASSOLI from 30/07//2019 until 18/01/2022, and Roberta, METSOLA from 18/01/2022 until 15/07/2024.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - The European Parliament Presidents

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. On 29 March 2017, the United Kingdom (UK) government gave notice of its intention to leave the European Union (EU), following the outcome of the June 2016 referendum and in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Article 50(2) TEU provides that a withdrawal agreement should set out the terms of such a separation, taking the framework of the departing state's future relationship with the Union into account

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Agreement on future relations with the United Kingdom

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024)", learn what are the different roles of the EP. The European Parliament has a range of supervisory and control powers. These allow it to exercise oversight over other institutions, to monitor the Rule of Law in Member states and to ensure the correct implementation of EU law.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - Powers of the European Parliament: democratic control and influence

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024)", learn what are the different roles of the EP. The candidate for presidency of the European Commission is put forward by national leaders in the European Council, taking account of the results of the European Parliament elections. He or she needs the support of a majority of members of the European Parliament in order to be elected. Commissioners are selected by President of Commission but have to go before MEPs for hearings to be approved.

How does the European Parliament work? (2019-2024) - The European Parliament and the European Commission

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Parliament and Council approved new rules for recycling and producing sustainable batteries and reducing packaging waste. MEPs voted on a series of proposals to limit food and textiles waste. MEPs with the Council on an extensive revamp of the Eco-Design Directive for products to last longer and be easier to repair, upgrade and recycle. They also reached a deal on new rules on the right to repair.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Consumer policies

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Parliament declared a climate emergency in 2019 and fought for more ambitious greenhouse gas - emissions reductions to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. The Climate Law makes it a binding objective for the EU to become climate neutral in 2050 and reduce GHG emissions by at least 55% in 2030. It gives European citizens and businesses the legal certainty and predictability they need to plan for the green transition. At least 30% of the EU budget will support climate objectives (and 8% biodiversity).

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Climate protection and environmental policies

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Parliament defends a European Union built on the rule of law, fundamental rights, media freedom, non-discrimination, and gender equality. MEPs have also welcomed the Commission’s yearly rule of law reports, as well as the methodological improvements made by the Commission based on Parliament’s recommendations.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Rule of law, democracy and equal rights

Following European elections in May 2019, the Parliament held its constituent session on 2 July 2019. Parliament, Council, and the Commission identified common priorities and committed to deliver on before the 2024 European Elections. With the series of videos "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", have a look back at the different legislative and political achievements reached by the EP. Between 2019 and 2024, several Heads of State or Government visited the EP, met with the President and MEPs, addressed the plenary.

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