At a glance: President Metsola at the EU-Western Balkans summit: ‘It is time to grow’; Parliament sets up new committees on defence, health, democracy and housing; on 1 January, Poland will take over the EU Council presidency from Hungary.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 20/12/2024 - Gaeilge

At a glance: Georgian President Salomé Zourabichvili warns MEPs of high stakes for EU if Georgia falls under Russian influence; Parliament approves faster disaster recovery funding; MEPs elect Teresa Anjinho from Portugal as European Ombudsman.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 19/12/2024 - Gaeilge

At a glance: Romania and Bulgaria will officially join the Schengen free-movement area on 1 January 2025; the geopolitical implications of the toppling of the Assad regime in Syria; the European Parliament awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia from Venezuela.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 18/12/2024 - Gaeilge

At a glance: in Strasbourg tomorrow, MEPs will outline their priorities for the upcoming EU summit on Ukraine, the Middle East and migration and will debate collective bargaining and abusive subcontracting practices; Parliament is also set to establish new committees on defence, health, democracy and housing.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 17/12/2024 - Gaeilge

Ar shuíomh na Traenach Reachtaí, baintear úsáid as meafar na n-iarnród, na dtraenacha agus na gcarráistí, chun a chur ar chumas d’úsáideoirí cosúil le Feisirí, foireann na Parlaiminte agus an pobal i gcoitinne — a bheith ag leanúint na ndoiciméad reachtach le linn téarma reachtach Pharlaimint na hEorpa atá ann faoi láthair agus le linn théarmaí reachtacha na bParlaimintí a bhí ann roimhe seo.

Cad is traein reachtach ann?

At a glance: Sakharov Prize to honour Venezuelan democracy leaders; MEPs to debate the impact of the Assad regime’s collapse in Syria; Parliament to elect the next European Ombudsman.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 16/12/2024 - Gaeilge

In recent years an increasing number of attacks and threats against journalists have been documented and reported in Europe. Physical attacks against journalists as well as online threats and harassment in reprisal for journalists' work are on the rise in several EU countries. Around the world, the number of dead and wounded journalists is still too high, as is the number of journalists who are detained, imprisoned and mistreated. The most recent Council of Europe assessment of press freedom in Europe reports that war remains a threat to press freedom and the safety of media workers. Reporters without Borders confirms that the situation is particularly dangerous for journalists, who are sometimes deliberately targeted by military fire despite displaying 'Press' identification.

EPRS policy podcast - Protection of journalists in the European Union

At a glance: Gender Equality Week wraps up with a digital focus; the 2024 Gender Equality Index reveals slow progress across the EU; MEPs discuss the future of EU cohesion policy beyond 2027.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 13/12/2024 - Gaeilge

At a glance:  MEPs are preparing for the next plenary session. In Strasbourg, Parliament will award the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2025 to María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia; MEPs will debate misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms and vote on EU aid for member states affected by natural disasters.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 12/12/2024 - Gaeilge

At a glance: the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs to address ‘sticky floor’ in labour market; European Commissioner for Equality to discuss gender and health with MEPs; the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development to host a discussion on gender equality in farming.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 11/12/2024 - Gaeilge

At a glance:  The European Parliament highlights women’s safety in digital spaces during European Gender Equality Week; the Subcommittee on Human Rights marks Human Rights Defenders Day with a high-level conference; and Parliament President Roberta Metsola to meet with the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 10/12/2024 - Gaeilge

Is mian le beirt as gach triúr ógánach san Eoraip cur leis an aistriú glas ina bpoist. Níl na scileanna glasa ag 45% d’Eorpaigh óga chun é sin a dhéanamh, áfach. Ba cheart go mbeadh na scileanna agus an t-eolas ábhartha ag an aos óg chun gníomhú ar son na haeráide. Is é a bheadh i scéim ‘cathracha glasa Erasmus’ ná obair dheonach agus cúrsaí oiliúna íoctha a sholáthar do dhaoine óga i dtionscadail ghlasa áitiúla.

I dtreo ‘cór gníomhaíochta aeráide’ don aos óg san Eoraip

At a glance: Moldova’s reform facility under review by the Committee on Budgetary Control; Gender Equality Week with gender mainstreaming and the gender pay gap.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 09/12/2024 - Gaeilge

Current state-of-the-art hardware is not optimised for machine learning, and both academic and private sector research is already leading to new designs. At the same time, the need for more time- and energy-efficient machine-learning hardware is increasing as more consumers and companies want access to machine-learning applications. The EU has the opportunity to leverage its strong regulatory framework for AI products as a mark of trust and safety, while also investing to support the next generation of hardware, opening up a new market for Europe's high tech industry. What would happen if the EU formulated a cohesive plan to support these technologies through both research and economic policy?

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if Europe championed new AI hardware?

The European Parliament's Sakharov Prize honours the work of people who stand up for these freedoms and rights. This year's Sakharov Prize is to be awarded to María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela's democratic forces, and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia. They represent all Venezuelans both inside and outside the country who are fighting to restore freedom and democracy.

EPRS policy podcast - Laureates of the 2024 Sakharov Prize

At a glance: Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee holds a hearing with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, on diplomatic spending; final budget review hearing to take place with Commissioner Serafin; European Parliament concludes Disability Rights Week with calls for inclusion.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 06/12/2024 - Gaeilge

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.&nbsp;Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon.

EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

The action plan to reinforce the fight against the financing of terrorism focuses on two main strands of action: tracing terrorists through financial movements and preventing them from moving funds or other assets and disrupting the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, by targeting their capacity to raise funds.

In April the European Parliament adopted a new regulation that will target content such as texts, images, sound recordings or videos, including live transmissions, that incite, solicit or contribute to terrorist offences, provide instructions for such offences or solicit people to participate in a terrorist group. It will also cover material that provides guidance on how to make and use explosives, firearms and other weapons for terrorist purposes.

Hosting service providers will have to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content in all member states within one hour of receiving a removal order from the competent authority. Member states will adopt rules on penalties, the degree of which will take into account the nature of the breach and the size of company responsible.

Fight against terrorism

With increasing population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change and environmental degradation, a growing number of people and resources are exposed to natural disasters.MEPs have supported different initiatives to help member states respond faster and more effectively to emergencies and disasters. The European Parliament is also impelled to aid and supervise reconstruction efforts in regions affected by natural disasters both within the EU and abroad.

Natural disasters

Malta joined the European Union 1st May 2004 and it has been a member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Malta is a single-chamber parliamentary republic with a head of government - the prime minister - and a head of state - the president - whose role is largely ceremonial. The country is divided into 5 regions. Each has its own regional committee, which serves as the intermediary between local and national government.

There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Malta.

EU - Malta

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 2022-2024

In July 2024&nbsp; MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) as President of the European Parliament until 2027, with 562 votes in the first round. Roberta Metsola won the election in the first round of voting, where she received an absolute majority of 562 votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot, among two candidates. She will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.

Born in Malta in 1979, Roberta Metsola has been an MEP since 2013.&nbsp;She was elected First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022. On 18 January 2022,&nbsp;she was elected President&nbsp;for the second half of the 9th legislative term. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after&nbsp;Simone Veil&nbsp;(1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).

Addressing the House after she was elected, President Metsola said: “Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe. I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal. A belief that together we are stronger and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.”

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

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.

ITRE - Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

IMCO - Committee on Iternal Market and Consumer Protection

&nbsp;The hearings of Commissioners-designate started&nbsp;on 4 November and take place until 12 November.&nbsp;

The European Parliament invites Commissioners-designate to appear before the appropriate committees for hearings in order to scrutinise if they are suitable for the posts they have been assigned to.&nbsp; Ahead of the hearings, Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs scrutinised&nbsp;the declarations of interests of the Commissioners-designate.&nbsp;

The hearings are&nbsp;followed by meetings in which the committee chair and group representatives (coordinators) of the various committees&nbsp;assess whether a Commissioner-designate is qualified both to be a member of the College and to carry out the particular duties they have been assigned.

Once all hearings are completed, the Conference of Committee Chairs will assess the outcome of the confirmation hearings and forward its conclusions to the Conference of Presidents. The latter will conduct the final evaluation and decide whether to close the hearings. After the hearings have been concluded, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen will present the full College of Commissioners and its programme in plenary.

Confirmation hearings

On 19-20 December, EU Heads of State or Government review the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support for Kyiv, amidst the uncertainty of the new US administration’s approach to the conflict. The European Council also assesses the situation in the Middle East, following the recent ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists and there are still dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Other topics for leaders include the EU’s geopolitical role, crisis prevention and response, and migration management.

The December 2024 European Council is the first chaired by incoming President António Costa, who on 1 December replaced Charles Michel as President. The new European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen also took office on 1 December, following the confirmation vote in plenary on 27 November.

European Council, 19-20 December 2024

The alleged attempts to influence MEPs unveiled loopholes in Parliament’s internal rules, alongside other issues, says&nbsp;Special Committee on Foreign Interference. Interference attempts are a “widespread phenomenon that must be countered as vigorously as possible”, warn MEPs, expressing their “deep shock and condemnation of the allegations of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation” by three MEPs, one former MEP and one parliamentary assistant.

The committee has identified “numerous loopholes in Parliament’s integrity and transparency rules” and calls for President Metsola’s&nbsp;14-point proposal to&nbsp;reform Parliament’s rules to be put into concrete actions as soon as possible.

MEPs demand also that compliance with the six-month cooling-off period for former MEPs should be monitored by the new&nbsp;EU ethics body. Parliament should introduce a monitoring system and rules for revoking access for former MEPs who lobby on behalf of high-risk countries beyond the cooling-off period.

Parliament has also reacted to corruption&nbsp;allegations &nbsp;with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. In&nbsp;&nbsp;December 2022,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the EU institutions.

Fight against corruption, corruption and money laundering

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 EU has developed a policy to support the gradual integration of the Western Balkan countries with the Union. The EU aims to promote peace, stability and economic development in the region&nbsp;and open up the prospect of EU integration.

In order to apply for EU membership a country has to be European and respect the EU’s democratic values. It also needs stable institutions guaranteeing democracy and the rule of law; a functioning market economy; and the ability to take on and carry out the obligations of EU membership.

Parliament is fully involved in the Stabilisation and Association Process &nbsp;and must also consent to any new accession to the EU. In addition, through its budgetary powers, it has direct influence over the amounts allocated to the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs appoints standing rapporteurs for all candidate and potential candidate countries. Parliament expresses its positions on enlargement in the form of annual resolutions responding to the Commission’s latest annual country reports.

On 1&nbsp;July&nbsp;2013, Croatia became the first of the seven countries to join, and Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of North Macedonia and Albania are official candidates. Accession negotiations and chapters have been opened with Montenegro and Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo are potential candidate countries.

EU Enlargement - Western Balkans

Mr TAJANI was elected President of the European Parliament on 17 January 2017. 

The President chairs the plenary sittings of Parliament, the Conference of the Presidents of Political Groups and the Bureau of Parliament. The President is responsible for the application of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and, to this end, oversees all the activities of Parliament and its bodies. The President represents Parliament in all legal matters. He addresses the European Council prior to each of its meetings, stating Parliament's viewpoint on the subjects on the agenda in the framework of a debate with the heads of state and government. The President represents Parliament in its international relations, and, in this connection, undertakes official visits within and outside the EU. The President signs the EU budget into being following Parliament's vote on it at second reading. During the procedure, the President chairs the EP/Council conciliation delegations. The President may, under the EP/Council codecision procedure, chair the EP/Council conciliation committee.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President's Agenda

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

As co-legislator, Parliament has long been supportive of EU biodiversity protection and climate change policies.

The EU has played an important international role in seeking solutions to biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate change. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change notes the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. As part of the European Green Deal, the Commission has proposed a new biodiversity strategy that aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030, for the benefit of people, the climate and the planet.

Biodiversity Strategy 2030

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

Since then, the EU and its international allies have rallied firmly behind the Kyiv government. This support has resulted in unprecedented levels of financial aid, assistance, weapons deliveries to Ukraine, sweeping sanctions against Moscow, and the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.

On 1&nbsp;March&nbsp;the European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk spoke live from Kiev.&nbsp;The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April&nbsp;to express the European Union´s support of&nbsp;the Ukrainian people and to condemn the Russian attack. On&nbsp;8 June&nbsp;Stefanchuk adressed Parliament in the Strasbourg hemicycle.

Following the atrocities carried out by Vladimir Putin’s regime against Ukrainian civilians, the European Parliament has&nbsp;recognised Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in a resolution on November 2022.

On 9th February 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

In March 2024, &nbsp;MEPs voted to to amend the Commission’s proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from 6 June 2024 to 5 June 2025.&nbsp;

Russian aggression against Ukraine

EP President participates at European Council

EP President meets with the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković

MEPS debate on the EU-Western Balkans summit of 18 December 2024

Debate on EU-Western Balkans summit

MEPs outline their demands of European leaders ahead of the December EU summit (19-20 December) , which is set to focus on Ukraine and the Middle East, crisis prevention, migration.

Debate on December European Council

MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine.

The debate is likely to focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty.

Debate on Russian disinformation on Ukraine

MEPs discuss misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media, and the dangers they pose to free and fair elections in Europe.

Debate on disinformation on social media

EP President Metsola awards the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to María Corina Machado, the leader of Venezuela’s democratic forces, and Edmundo González Urrutia, the President-elect of Venezuela. Press conference with EP President Metsola and the laureates takes place after the ceremony, Ahead of the ceremony.

Award of the 2024 Sakharov prize

MEPs debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas and take stock of the street protests rocking Georgia following the recent disputed elections.

Debate ongoing protests in Georgia

Debate on the latest developments in Syria

MEPs debate a report evaluating the work of the outgoing EU Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, in 2023. 

O’Reilly’s term ends in February 2025. On Tuesday, Parliament will elect the new European Ombudsman, with six candidates vying for the position. The European Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body, tasked with holding the EU institutions and agencies to account and promoting good administration.

Debate on the activities of the European Ombudsman with Emily O'Reily

Last minute briefing on December Plenary session

Last minute briefing on Plenary session

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in a series of events to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. She participates in the commemoration at American Military Cemetery of Hamm (Luxembourg), meets with Belgian and Luxemburgish authorities at Senningen Castle (Luxembourg) and joins the ceremony in Bastogne (Belgium).

The Battle of the Bulge, or Ardennes Offensive, was the final significant German offensive on the Western Front in World War II, occurring from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. It was launched in the heavily forested Ardennes area, situated between Belgium and Luxembourg. The goal of the offensive was to disrupt the Allies' use of the Belgian port of Antwerp and to divide their lines, enabling the Germans to encircle and defeat the four Allied armies, ultimately forcing the western Allies to negotiate a peace treaty favorable to the Axis powers.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates in the ceremony for the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Madrid (Spain)

EP's Press Service briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons

EP's Press Service briefing ahead of December EP Plenary

High-Level Conference - Standing with the People of Belarus

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, receives the President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia SANDU

During an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, addresses the situation in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy emphasizes that this moment marks a historic opportunity for the Syrian people to rebuild their nation based on dignity, freedom, and justice, and for a Syrian-led and inclusive dialogue to ensure a peaceful transition, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

The EU pledges support for Syria’s territorial integrity, the protection of minorities, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Kallas stresses the importance of avoiding further violence and upholding international humanitarian law. The EU remains committed to working with international partners and supporting UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen in facilitating Syria’s transition toward stability and democracy.

Extraordinary AFET (committee on Foreign Affairs) meeting, exchange of views with Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the situation in Syria

EP President Roberta Metsola visits Malta, where she meets students from the Mediterranean College of Sport and St Albert the Great College and takes part in a discussion organised by the Malta Business Network.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to Malta

European, German, French and Croatian flags at half-mast in Brussels and in Strasbourg, as a sign of European solidarity and out of respect for the victims of the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, the Chido Cyclone in Mayotte, France and the knife attack at an elementary school in Zagreb, Croatia

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.


The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added.


There are also differences in other aspects of voting, for example regarding the minimum voting age or the rules about voting from abroad.

EU Elections 2024

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.

Map European elections 2024

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

Press conference opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President following her participation at the European Council meeting

Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

DACP

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

An gá atá leis an Straitéis maidir le Cearta Daoine faoi Mhíchumas a thabhairt cothrom le dáta

Moladh chuig an gComhairle maidir le tosaíochtaí an Aontais don 69ú seisiún de Choimisiún na Náisiún Aontaithe um Stádas na mBan - Tosaíochtaí an Aontais don 69ú Seisiún den Choimisiún um Stádas na mBan

Athchromadh ar an suí

Am vótála

Formheas mhiontuairiscí an tsuí roimhe sin

Pleananna an Choimisiúin chun an t-athbhreithniú ar na tograí atá fós gan réiteach maidir le leas ainmhithe a áireamh ina phlean oibre do 2025

Mínithe ar na vótálacha

Formheas mhiontuairiscí an tsuí agus na téacsanna a glacadh a chur ar aghaidh

Dátaí na suíonna amach anseo

Críoch an tsuí

Atráth an tseisiúin

Plenary session

Delegations for relations with Palestine

DPAL

Press Briefing on the next EU long-term Budget

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Victoria Gozo ( Malta ) - Meeting with the Gozo Business Chamber

EP Plenary session - Commission’s plans to include the revision of the outstanding proposals on animal welfare in its work plan for 2025

EP Plenary session - Voting session

European Council meeting (19/12) - Press Conference

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

European Council meeting (19/12)

OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

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

Pre- summit EPP

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

EP Plenary session - The urgent need for EU action to preserve nature and protect biodiversity to avoid the extinction of species

EP Plenary session - The need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity

EU-Western Balkan Summit

EP Plenary session - Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Andrej PLENKOVIC,  Prime Minister of Croatia

EP Plenary session - Tackling abusive subcontracting and labour market intermediaries

EP Plenary session - Promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining and the right to strike in the EU

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

During the ceremony at December’s plenary session in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola paid tribute to their fight to restore democracy in Venezuela.

Parliament recognises the opposition as the legitimate winners of Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential election, and condemns the electoral fraud and rights violations carried out by the Maduro regime that stayed in power despite mass protests.

The Sakharov Prize is the EU’s highest award for human rights defenders. The other finalists from 2024 were Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and the Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace movements, which promote reconciliation and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

Parliament hands 2024 Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition

Tá Duais Sakharov 2024 um Shaoirse Smaointeoireachta bronnta ag Parlaimint na hEorpa ar cheannaire fhreasúra Veiniséala María Corina Machado agus ar an Uachtarán toghaí Edmundo González Urrutia.

Le linn an tsearmanais ag seisiún iomlánach mhí na Nollag in Strasbourg, thug Uachtarán Pharlaimint na hEorpa Roberta Metsola ómós dá gcomhrac chun an daonlathas a athbhunú i Veiniséala.

Aithníonn an Pharlaimint an freasúra mar bhuaiteoirí dlisteanacha thoghchán uachtaránachta Iúil 2024 i Veiniséala, agus cáineann sí an chalaois toghcháin agus na sáruithe ar chearta a rinne réimeas Maduro a d’fhan i gcumhacht in ainneoin oll-agóidí.

Is í Duais Sakharov an duais is airde ar fad san AE do chosantóirí chearta an duine. Ba iad na hiomaitheoirí eile sa bhabhta ceannais ó 2024 ná an gníomhaí frith-éillithe Asarbaiseáinis an Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu agus na gluaiseachtaí Women of the Sun agus Women Wage Peace, a chothaíonn athmhuintearas agus tuiscint idir Iosraelaigh agus na Palaistínigh.

Léigh tuilleadh faoi bhuaiteoirí Dhuais Sakharov 2024: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/ga/article/20240913STO23909/buann-ceannairi-an-fhreasura-i-veiniseala-duais-sakharov-2024

Tugann an Pharlaimint Duais Sakharov 2024 do fhreasúra Veiniséala 9:16

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

Parliament recognised the opposition as rightful winners of July 2024’s presidential election and rejected the widespread electoral fraud and the proclaimed victory of Nicolas Maduro.

With the EU’s highest honour for human rights defenders, Parliament pays tribute to Ms Machado and Mr González Urrutia’s fight to restore democracy, and stands with those defending freedom against authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

European Parliament honours María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia

Tar éis athbhreithniú cúramach a dhéanamh ar iarrthóirí, d’fhormheas d’ionadaithe i bParlaimint na hEorpa an chéad Choimisiún Eorpach eile, comhlacht feidhmiúcháin an bhloic.
Chuir Ursula von der Leyen a foireann nua chun cinn tar éis í a bheith atofa mar Uachtarán an Choimisiúin i mí Iúil. Cheadaigh Feisirí na Parlaiminte é tar éis díospóireachta in Strasbourg an 27 Samhain.
Ní ba luaithe, cheistigh Feisirí na Coimisinéirí ionchasacha ag éisteachtaí deimhniúcháin speisialta chun a scileanna agus a gcuntais teiste a mheasúnú.
Oibríonn an Coimisiún chun beartais agus dlíthe a mholadh atá lárnach i saol 450 milliún Eorpach. Coimeádfaidh an Pharlaimint súil ghéar ar a feisirí, lena áirithiú go riarann siad ar riachtanais agus ar ionchais vótálaithe.

Mar a cheadaigh Parlaimint na hEorpa Coimisiún nua Eorpach 9:16

Mar a cheadaigh Parlaimint na hEorpa Coimisiún nua Eorpach 16:9

Buying or renting a decent, affordable home is a growing struggle for many Europeans. 

House prices in the EU in the second quarter of 2024 were over 50% higher than in 2010. Rents increased by nearly 25% over the same period. (EUROSTAT). Recent high prices for energy and goods have placed additional pressure on people’s budgets. 

The European Commission says tackling the housing crisis is a top EU priority. 
In October 2024, Members of the European Parliament debated solutions with its representatives

How the European Parliament is tackling the housing crisis  9:16

How the European Parliament is tackling the housing crisis

Cuir eolas ar na cúig scannán atá ar an ngearrliosta do Ghradam Lucht Féachana LUX 2025. Tarraingíonn an Gradam seo aird ar thiomantas Pharlaimint na hEorpa don chultúr agus don oideachas, trí thacú le scannánaíocht na hEorpa agus trí éagsúlacht chultúrtha a chur chun cinn. 
 
️ Animal (arna stiúradh ag Sofia Exarchou) 
️ Dahomey (arna stiúradh ag Mati Diop) 
️ Flow (arna stiúradh ag Gints Zilbalodis) 
️ Intercepted (arna stiúradh ag Oksana Karpovych) 
️ Julie Keeps Quiet (arna stiúradh ag Leonardo Van Dijl) 
 
Léirigh do ghrá do scannáin Eorpacha trí fhéachaint ar na scannáin agus iad a rátáil ag www.luxaward.eu
Má dhéanann tú rátáil ar na scannáin, d’fhéadfá turas chuig Parlaimint na hEorpa a bhuachan, freastal ar shearmanas bronnta Ghradam Lucht Féachana LUX 2025 agus casadh le stiúrthóirí na scannán.

Gradam Lucht Féachana LUX: gearrliosta 2025

Tá an fhreagracht ar na hardáin mhóra ar líne sinn a chosaint ar bhréagaisnéis, inneachar mídhleathach agus ar chleachtais éagóracha. 
Tá orthu na rialacha a chomhlíonadh mar atá leagtha amach sa Ghníomh um Sheirbhísí Digiteacha, an chéad reachtaíocht chuimsitheach ar domhan a dhíríonn ar dhomhan digiteach cothrom sábháilte a áirithiú agus a sheasann le saoirse agus le daonlathas. 
I ndíospóireacht iomlánach i Meán Fómhair 2024, rinne Feisirí de Pharlaimint na hEorpa díospóireacht leis an gCoimisiún Eorpach maidir le forfheidhmiú.   
Léigh tuilleadh faoin nGníomh um Sheirbhísí Digiteacha: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/ga/article/20211209STO19124/eu-digital-markets-act-and-digital-services-act-explained

Conas a bhíonn rialacha digiteacha an Aontais á gcur i bhfeidhm? 9:16

Conas a bhíonn rialacha digiteacha an Aontais á gcur i bhfeidhm?

Rinne Feisirí de Pharlaimint na hEorpa díospóireacht ar mhórthuairisc a iarrann gníomh pras chun geilleagar an Aontais Eorpaigh a dhéanamh níos iomaíche. 
Deir an t-údar, Iar-Uachtarán an Bhainc Ceannais Eorpaigh, go bhfuil an tAontas Eorpach ar chúl SAM agus na Síne agus fás spadánta, praghsanna arda ar fhuinneamh agus bagairtí ar shlándáil ann. 
D’inis sé do na Feisirí in Strasbourg go bhfuil infheistíocht bhliantúil de €800 billiún sa bhreis de dhíth chun nuálaíocht a threisiú, caighdeáin mhaireachtála a chosaint agus modh maireachtála na nEorpach a chaomhnú. 
Chuir cuid mhór Feisirí fáilte roimh a ghairm chun gnímh, d’éiligh cuid eile tacaíocht bhreise do na príomh-thionscail agus don aistriú glas agus digiteach. Chuir Feisirí eile ar son margaí níos saoire agus thug rabhadh gur féidir le bearta a théann i ngleic leis an athrú aeráide dochar a dhéanamh don fhás eacnamaíoch.

Tuairisc Draghi: Déanann Parlaimint na hEorpa díospóireacht ar bheart chun geilleagar an Aontais a threisiú

Ón uair a sheol an Rúis a hionradh iomlán ar an Úcráin in 2022, sheas an tAontas Eorpach le muintir na hÚcráine, ag fáiltiú roimh dhídeanaithe, ag soláthar trealamh cosanta agus cúnamh airgeadais. Bhí tionchar uafásach ag an gcogadh ar shochaí na hÚcráine agus i gcás an-chuid Úcránach óg, chuir sé isteach go mór ar a gcuid oideachais. 

Le tacaíocht ó mhaoiniú an Aontais, tá Kamil, ollamh TF sa tSeicia, ag bunú ardán na hOllscoile Digití chun go mbeidh mic léinn ón Úcráin in ann leanúint ar aghaidh ag foghlaim ar líne.

Agus lean Olena lena hoideachas san Aontas mar mhac léinn Erasmus+ agus mar ambasadóir óg Eorpach in Gdańsk, an Pholainn.

Oideachas a áirithiú d’Úcránaigh le linn cogaidh: Cuir aithne ar Kamil agus Olena

Ón uair a sheol an Rúis a hionradh iomlán ar an Úcráin in 2022, sheas an tAontas Eorpach le muintir na hÚcráine, ag fáiltiú roimh dhídeanaithe, ag soláthar trealamh cosanta agus cúnamh airgeadais. Bhí tionchar uafásach ag an gcogadh thar shochaí na hÚcráine agus i gcás an-chuid Úcránach óg, chuir sé isteach go mór ar a gcuid oideachais. 
 
Le tacaíocht ó mhaoiniú an Aontais, tá Kamil, ollamh TF sa tSeicia, ag bunú ardán na hOllscoile Digití chun go mbeidh mic léinn ón Úcráin in ann leanúint ar aghaidh ag foghlaim ar líne.
Agus lean Olena lena hoideachas san Aontas mar mhac léinn Erasmus+ agus mar ambasadóir óg Eorpach in Gdańsk, an Pholainn.

Oideachas a áirithiú d’Úcránaigh le linn cogaidh: Cuir aithne ar Kamil agus Olena - 9:16

Cad atá níos fearr ná comhrá faoin daonlathas? Comhrá faoin daonlathas le caife saor in aisce!
Buail le Cille, oibrí deonach le together.eu a bhunaigh cairrín caife i gCóbanhávan chun rannpháirtíocht dhaonlathach san AE a spreagadh. 
I gcomhar lena foireann, eagraíonn sí imeachtaí a bhaineann leis an AE i rith na bliana chun daoine a chur ag caint faoin méid is féidir leis an AE a dhéanamh ar a son agus faoin ról atá ag institiúidí an AE i saol gach duine. 
Is pobal é together.eu ar suim leo an tAontas Eorpach agus an méid atá i ndán dó. Trí thacú le pobal together.eu, tá Parlaimint na hEorpa ag spreagadh daoine ar fud an Aontais Eorpaigh le bheith páirteach sa phróiseas daonlathach.

Rannpháirtíocht dhaonlathach á treisiú le Cille, oibrí deonach de chuid together.eu 9:16

Tá Parlaimint na hEorpa ag spreagadh daoine ar fud an Aontais Eorpaigh le bheith páirteach sa phróiseas daonlathach.

Is pobal é together.eu, arna spreagadh ag Parlaimint na hEorpa, inar féidir bualadh le daoine ar spéis leo an daonlathas - ar líne agus as líne - agus do thuairimí a chur in iúl ar shaincheisteanna na hEorpa.

Dála Mireya i Maidrid agus Cille sa Danmhairg, tagann oibrithe deonacha together.eu ó gach cearn den Aontas Eorpach le chéile, déanann díospóireacht, roinneann smaointe agus eagraíonn imeachtaí chun béim a leagan ar a ndéanann institiúidí an Aontais Eorpaigh ar son saoránach agus an fáth a bhfuil rannpháirtíocht dhaonlathach ríthábhachtach.

Buail le do phobal agus bí leo ar together.eu.

Bí páirteach chun daonlathas an Aontais Eorpaigh a neartú! Seo Mireya agus Cille

Chuir ionradh na Rúise ar an Úcráin tús le géarchéim fuinnimh agus boilsciú ard ar fud na hEorpa. Ba mhaith le Parlaimint na hEorpa a áirithiú go mbeidh an tAontas Eorpach athléimneach go leor chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar ghéarchéimeanna eile amach anseo. Sin an fáth a bhfuil sí ag tacú le tionscadail mhisniúla fhíseacha chun ár ngeilleagair agus chun ár sochaithe a neartú.

Chuidigh Erik le Amokabel agus Bennesveds Åkeri, cuideachtaí sa tSualainn, an chéad ionad hidrigine féinsoláthair a bhunú sa tír: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Soláthraíonn sé breosla glan a tháirgeann cumhacht ghaoithe áitiúil. 

In Éirinn, is saineolaí carbóin í Hannah le Bord na Móna, cuideachta a bhain móin mar bhreosla roimhe seo ach atá anois chun tosaigh mar cheannródaí i dtáirgeadh fuinnimh ghlain. Tá sí ag cuidiú le tailte portaigh na tíre a athshlánú, tailte is féidir méideanna móra carbóin a stóráil, rud a chuidíonn le spriocanna aeráide an Aontais a chomhlíonadh.
 
Tá tionscadail dá leithéid, arna maoiniú ag Saoráid Téarnaimh agus Athléimneachta an AE, i gcroílár Eoraip atá níos láidre agus níos freagrúla.

Geilleagar an AE a thógáil don todhchaí: cuir aithne ar Erik agus ar Hannah - 9:16

Chuir ionradh na Rúise ar an Úcráin tús le géarchéim fuinnimh agus boilsciú ard ar fud na hEorpa. Ba mhaith le Parlaimint na hEorpa a áirithiú go mbeidh an tAontas Eorpach athléimneach go leor chun aghaidh a thabhairt ar ghéarchéimeanna eile amach anseo. Sin an fáth a bhfuil sí ag tacú le tionscadail mhisniúla fhíseacha chun ár ngeilleagair agus chun ár sochaithe a neartú.

Chuidigh Erik le Amokabel agus Bennesveds Åkeri, cuideachtaí sa tSualainn, an chéad ionad hidrigine féinsoláthair a bhunú sa tír: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Soláthraíonn sé breosla glan a tháirgeann cumhacht ghaoithe áitiúil. 

In Éirinn, is saineolaí carbóin í Hannah le Bord na Móna, cuideachta a bhain móin mar bhreosla roimhe seo ach atá anois chun tosaigh mar cheannródaí i dtáirgeadh fuinnimh ghlain. Tá sí ag cuidiú le tailte portaigh na tíre a athshlánú, tailte is féidir méideanna móra carbóin a stóráil, rud a chuidíonn le spriocanna aeráide an Aontais a chomhlíonadh.

Tá tionscadail dá leithéid, arna maoiniú ag Saoráid Téarnaimh agus Athléimneachta an AE, i gcroílár Eoraip atá níos láidre agus níos freagrúla.

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