At a glance: MEPs travel to Washington DC to discuss transatlantic relations with US counterparts; a draft report on the future of agriculture in the EU; the recommendations for the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy.

Hírek röviden – 09/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: MEPs call for human rights to be at the heart of Ukraine peace talks; Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights will meet with journalists tomorrow to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to protecting media freedom; MEPs explore competition rules to tackle the housing crisis.

Hírek röviden – 08/04/2025 - magyar

A sportolás jótékony hatással van az egészségre, és összehozza az embereket. De vajon mit tesz az EU azért, hogy kivétel nélkül mindenki sportolhasson?

Sporttal a jóllétért és a békéért

At a glance: the European Parliament adopted its roadmap for supporting energy-intensive industries; a public hearing will take place on the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; an exchange of views will be held on the state of press freedom in the world.

Hírek röviden – 07/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: the European Union reacts to the tariffs imposed by the United States on all products imported from the European Union; during the plenary session, Parliament set its priorities for the EU’s 2026 budget; and MEPs called for stronger EU action in response to global security threats.

Hírek röviden – 04/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: today is the last day of this plenary session. In Strasbourg, MEPs discuss the new action plan for a competitive and decarbonised steel and metals industry in the EU; Parliament debates the fundamental rights’ situation in Hungary; and MEPs approve a new financial aid package for Egypt and Jordan.

Hírek röviden – 03/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: the plenary session is under way in Strasbourg. MEPs discussed the outcomes of the European Council meeting; MEPs also debated the EU’s common foreign, defence, and security policy objectives; and the European Parliament reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine at the Bucha Summit.

Hírek röviden – 02/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: a new plenary session is under way in Strasbourg: MEPs are debating support for the steel industry, military mobility between Member States, and threats to fundamental rights in Hungary.

Hírek röviden – 01/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: a new plenary session of the European Parliament is in progress. MEPs will assess the outcome of the EU summit held on 20 March; investment in the EU defence sector and the situation in Türkiye are also on the agenda.

Hírek röviden – 31/03/2025 - magyar

At a glance: a new plenary session will start on Monday. In Strasbourg, MEPs will assess the outcome of the last European Council meeting and debate the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy; other items on the agenda include a discussion on how to support energy-intensive industries. Yesterday, the Special committee on the European Democracy Shield discussed the fight against online disinformation.

Hírek röviden – 28/03/2025 - magyar

At a glance: new rules to trigger EU-wide driving disqualifications for reckless drivers; Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs holds a hearing with the Chair of the Supervisory Board of the European Central Bank; MEPs from the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will ask Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis for details about the activation of the national escape clause.

Hírek röviden – 27/03/2025 - magyar

At a glance: the new Eurobarometer survey finds that Europeans want greater EU protection and unity; Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on digital driving licences and stricter rules for new drivers; members of the Committee on Development will attend the Nutrition for Growth summit in Paris.

Hírek röviden – 26/03/2025 - magyar

At a glance: the political groups of the European Parliament are preparing for the next plenary session; next week in Strasbourg, MEPs will debate EU security, foreign policy and economic competitiveness; World Water Day: how the EU is tackling water scarcity and protecting access to clean water.

Hírek röviden – 25/03/2025 - magyar

At a glance: the Special committee on the Housing Crisis hosts a conference on affordable housing in the EU; Parliament’s Committee on International Trade approves two proposals to offer financial assistance to Egypt and Jordan; lawmakers and industry experts will meet in Brussels to discuss strategies for expanding Europe’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Hírek röviden – 24/03/2025 - magyar

At a glance: third monetary dialogue with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde; a new EU digital platform to facilitate international recruitment; strengthening the EU’s role at the UN.

Hírek röviden – 21/03/2025 - magyar

Európában ma már csak kevés helyen találunk ősi, természetes erdőket, azokat is többnyire igen kis területen. Az egykori őserdők foltokká zsugorodott maradványai Európa erdeinek alig 3%-át teszik ki. Egyediségük abban rejlik, hogy egyáltalán nem vagy csak kis mértékben viselik magukon az emberi tevékenység nyomait. Olyan természetes életközösségek, melyekben növények és állatok immár évszázadok óta háborítatlanul élnek. Kiemelt szerepet töltenek be a biológiai sokféleség megőrzésében, a légköri szén-dioxid megkötésében és tárolásában, a vízkörforgásban, a mikroklíma alakításában, de egészségünk megóvásában is. Emellett számos veszélyeztetett fajnak adnak otthont.
Erdeink védelme a tagállamok és az EU közös felelőssége. Az erőfeszítésekből az Európai Parlament is tevékenyen kiveszi a részét.

Európa ősi és természetes erdeinek megóvása a jövő nemzedékek számára

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.

IMCO - Committee on Iternal Market and Consumer Protection

During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise changes to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe. The proposal is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament is likely to emphasise the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries.

Migration

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

US President Donald Trump has stated that he would “absolutely” introduce tariffs targeting the EU, citing grievances over EU action against US tech firms and a trade deficit in goods. He also threatened to use tariffs to pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland.

President Trump &nbsp;announced a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, which he later delayed by a month, as well as a 10 percent tariff on imports from China. Parliament is committed to multilateralism and has called for the urgent reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Leading MEPs&nbsp; said it is “imperative for the US and the EU to work closely together to defend multilateralism and the rules-based international order”. Meanwhile, the EU has strengthened the tools at its disposal to protect EU trade, which now include the Anti-Coercion Instrument designed to enable the EU to respond, as a last resort, to economic blackmail from a foreign country.

According to the Commission, the EU has a €154 billion trade surplus in goods with the US, while the US maintains a €104 billion surplus in services with the EU, resulting in an overall EU trade surplus of three percent from a total €1.5 trillion trade flow. In 2023, the US was the largest partner for EU exports of goods and the second largest partner for EU imports of goods.

EU - USA

In June 2018, the European Commission presented the new Space Programme. It aims to ensure investment continuity in EU space activities, encourage scientific and technical progress, and support the competitiveness and innovation capacity of the European space industry.

The 14.8 billion euro programme should improve flagship initiatives such as Galileo, Copernicus and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS). The 2021-2027 EU space programme will fund projects that provide high-quality space-related data as well as services with key socio-economic benefits and potential to create jobs. It also aims to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, its security and its role in the space sector. With more than 30 satellites currently in orbit and over 25 planned for the next 10 to 15 years, the EU is the largest institutional customer for launch services in Europe. According to the European Commission, the strategic importance of the space sector for the Union has increased, as has the need for the European space sector to adapt to the changing global environment. Space technology, data and services have become indispensable to the daily lives of the public and to the EU's strategic interests. Space can play a crucial role in tackling new challenges such as climate change, sustainable development, border control, maritime surveillance and security.

EU space programme

Defying international criticism, Iran has sentenced many protestors to death, and continues to execute people arrested during recent demonstrations.

The demonstrations started in mid-September after a young woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of the ‘morality police’ for, they claimed, breaking the strict hijab rules. Hundreds of people have been killed in the protests that have followed and thousands arrested because of their brutal repression by the government.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called these death sentences “state sanctioned killing”, and said that the Iranian government is using executions to intimidate the population and stamp out dissent.

While the EU is discussing a fourth round of sanctions because of the regime crackdown and Iran's military support for Russia, some member states have called for the classification by the EU of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

EU - Iran

Since October 2020, the EU has&nbsp;progressively imposed restrictive measures&nbsp;against Belarus in response to the fraudulent nature&nbsp; presidential elections in&nbsp;2020, and the&nbsp;intimidation and violent repression&nbsp;of peaceful protesters, opposition members and journalists.&nbsp;

The democratic opposition, including the opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was awarded the&nbsp;2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

The Belarusian regime has became an ally&nbsp;with Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine. This includes the so-called referendum reinstating the country’s nuclear status, but also that Belarus has allowed Russian troops and weapons to move through its territory, use its airspace, refuel and store military ammunition.

Therefore, the EU has extended the sanctios package against Russia to Belarus. The EP has recently called that "all EU sanctions issued against Russia must be strictly mirrored for Belarus and implemented appropriately".

EU - Belarus

Hungary officially joined the EU on 1 March 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007.

The Hungarian EU accession negotiations started on 31 March 1998. Hungary had successfully concluded negotiations on its accession at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002. Hungary has 22 MEPs, 12 votes in the Council and has chaired the Council of the European Union from January to June 2011.

EU - Hungary

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU.

The Commission presented the 'LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025' on 12 November 2020. This was&nbsp;the first ever full EU strategy in this area and is intended to build on the lessons learned from the European Commission's previous actions to advance LGBTI equality from 2015-2019.

In recent years, social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has declined in some Member States. Gaps remain in the EU's legislative framework for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament. In response to the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, notably Poland and Hungary, MEPs&nbsp;declared the EU an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”.

In 2021 Parliament “condemned&nbsp;in the strongest possible terms” the anti-LGBTIQ legislation and denounced&nbsp;the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.&nbsp;In a resolution&nbsp;MEPs described the Hungarian law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights, the Treaties and EU internal market legislation.

LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rule of law

The EU institutions deem&nbsp;the transparency and quality of the Hungarian legislative system a source of concern.&nbsp;In several&nbsp;Rule of Law reports, the European Commission highlighted the worsening situation in the country. It was noted that, among other issues,&nbsp;the risks posed to media pluralism&nbsp;and the pressure faced by those civil society organisations critical of the government.

MEPs have repeatedly expressed concerns over the state of EU values in Hungary, which have&nbsp;further deteriorated&nbsp;due to the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the government” and despite Parliament’s&nbsp;activation of the Article 7 mechanism.

Their latest concerns relate to laws being adopted without sufficient parliamentary scrutiny and public consultation, as well as the abusive invocation of the ‘state of danger’, the misuse of whistleblower protection to undermine LGBTIQ+ rights and freedom of expression, and the infringement of teachers’ social and labour rights.

Parliament underlined&nbsp;the important role the Presidency of the Council has in driving forward legislation, ensuring the continuity of the EU agenda and representing the Council in relations with the other institutions. It questions how Hungary will be able to fulfil this task credibly in 2024, given its lack of compliance with EU law and&nbsp;values, and the principle of sincere cooperation.

Rule of law in Hungary

The obectives of the air transport's market rules are to set up a single air transport market in Europe, ensure its proper functioning, and extend it to certain third countries as far as possible.

More than twenty years after the entry into force of the ‘third package’ (in 1992), the functioning of the Single Aviation Market is, of course, still perfectible, as is illustrated by such factors as: the flaws in the slot allocation system; the fact that the vast majority (80%) of routes departing from EU airports are still served by only one (60%) or two carriers (20%); the financial difficulties that several airlines and secondary airports are facing; or the complicated oversight of air carriers now operating in several Member States. Nevertheless, the primary objective has been fully reached: from 1995 to 2014, while the number of passenger-kilometres within the EU-28 increased by around 23%, for air transport it jumped by about 74%. Over the same period, aviation’s share of total passenger transport increased from 6.5% to 9.2%, which is by far the strongest growth of all modes of transport in the EU. Source: <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/en/sheet/131/air-transport-market-rules">Air transport: market rules</a>.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/air-transport_5203_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Air transport

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

Montenegro is one of the Western Balkan countries.

In 2008, Montenegro applied for EU membership, and accession negotiations began in 2012. Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiation chapters, three of which have been provisionally closed. Public opinion surveys show that 75 % of the population support the country’s accession to the European Union.

EU - Montenegro

The Roma are Europe's largest ethnic minority. Out of an estimated total of 10-12 million in Europe, some 6 million live in the EU, and most of them are citizens of an EU country. &nbsp;The estimated share of the Roma in EU countries in 2012 ranges from 10.3% in Bulgaria, 9.1% in Slovakia, 8.3% in Romania, 7% in Hungary, 2.5% in Greece, 2% in Czechia and 1.6% in Spain, to less than 1% in most of the other countries.

Excessive force, police brutality and misconduct against Romani people continue to be reported across the EU, in line with the&nbsp;2020 findings&nbsp;of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

The FRA report also revealed that Romani people are subject to widespread poverty, inadequate living conditions, poor health, exclusion from the labour market and harassment.&nbsp;

Romani people in the EU

Press conference by Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the EP Committee on International Trade, on New tariffs imposed by Trump administration

Parliament, Council, and Commission  discuss Hungary’s restrictions on the right of assembly and the announced ban on the Budapest Pride march.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament assesses the state of fundamental rights in Hungary after the pro-government majority changed the law on public assemblies in March 2025, enabling authorities to classify pro-LGBTIQ+ gatherings as violations of the Child Protection Act and consequently ban the Budapest Pride march. MEPs are set to argue that this limitation of the rights of assembly and expression is a direct violation of the basic human and civil rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the core values of the Union.

In 1997, Budapest became the first capital of a former Communist bloc country to host a Pride march, a landmark moment for equality and freedom. However, Hungary’s government has been taking regressive steps for many years, dismantling institutions, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, to the point where Parliament can no longer consider the country a full democracy. In January 2024, MEPs once more urged the Council to unblock the process to assess Hungary’s “serious and persistent breaches of EU values”.

EP Plenary debate on the threats to fundamental rights in Hungary

Parliament reviews recent Commission proposals to support the EU steel and metals industries, and the EU’s approach to other energy-intensive industries.

On Wednesday morning, MEPs hold an initial debate with the European Commission on its new action plan to transition to a competitive and decarbonised steel and metals industry in Europe. The sector, which is critical for the EU's security of supply, is facing high energy costs and unfair global competition at a time when money is needed to pay for decarbonisation.

Energy-intensive industries

In a separate debate on Wednesday, MEPs are set to highlight the crucial role energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, steel, paper, cement and glass, play in the EU economy.

In a draft resolution on which MEPs vote on Wednesday, they propose faster permit-granting processes for clean energy projects and the swift implementation of electricity market design legislation, to lower energy costs, improve energy system integration and increase investment in grid infrastructure. Simplifying administrative procedures and securing the availability of critical and secondary raw materials are essential, the draft text says, to attract private investment and support decarbonisation.

EP Plenary debate on EU steel support and the role of energy intensive industries

The Commission unveils its internal security strategy at the plenary, and discuss with MEPs its latest proposals to enhance crisis preparedness in the EU.

In response to the current global threat landscape, the EU wants to improve intelligence-gathering to build a comprehensive threat picture, improve preparedness against hybrid threats, building on already-announced measures on protecting undersea cable infrastructure, and enhance measures against serious and organised crime. These may include new actions against drug and firearms trafficking, a deepening of the European Ports Alliance, and a new counter-terrorism agenda.

Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner presented an outline of the strategy to the Civil Liberties Committee on 19 March 2025.

In a separate debate on the same day, MEPs will react to the EU’s Preparedness Union strategy, presented by the Commission on 26 March. It contains a wide range of proposals to step up EU preparedness throughout society, including better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EP Plenary debate on plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness

MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas discuss the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian military and authorities have been accused of committing a multitude of war crimes in the occupied Ukrainian territories. There have been deliberate attacks against civilian targets, such as hospitals, medical facilities, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas. Other atrocities include the abduction, torture and murder of civilians, forced deportations, including that of children, and the killing and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Following a statement by Ms Kallas, one speaker from each of Parliament’s political groups will take the floor.

EP Plenary debate on Russian war crimes in Ukraine

MEPs evaluate the outcome of the 20 March European Council in a plenary debate with Presidents António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.

At their meeting in Brussels, the EU’s heads of state or government focused on how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression, with the participation of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They also discussed how to strengthen the EU’s security and defence capabilities, and how to respond to the situation in the Middle East.

Leaders assessed ways to bolster the EU’s competitiveness, had a first exchange of views on the EU’s next long-term budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF), and discussed migration and multilateralism.

EP Plenary debate on the results of 20 March EU summit

Ceremony commemorating the third anniversary of the liberation of Bucha (Ukraine) and Bucha Summit with the participation of Martin HOJSÍK, Vice President of the European Parliament

EP VP Martin HOJSÍK, participates in the ceremony commemorating the third anniversary of the liberation of Bucha (Ukraine) and Bucha Summit

The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with Parliament’s political group spokespersons  

Plenary preparations. The political groups are preparing for the 31 March - 3 April plenary session, where MEPs will assess the outcome of the 20 March European Council, which focused on competitiveness, Ukraine, defence and security, migration and the EU's long-term budget. MEPs will also be debating and adopting their position on the EU’s common foreign, security and defence policy, and scrutinising the new EU internal security strategy. Other items on the April 2025 plenary agenda include a vote on the action plan for the automotive industry, a discussion on how to support energy-intensive industries, and a debate on the importance of the EU’s trans-European transport infrastructure for economic growth and security. In addition, MEPs will outline their priorities for the EU’s 2026 budget, consider the EU Roma strategy, and vote on whether to fast-track postponement of new social and environmental reporting and due diligence requirements.

Pre-session briefing on April Plenary session

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Zagreb (Croatia)

At a conference entitled "Affordable Housing - addressing the housing crisis in the European Union”, the Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU launches the debate on the causes of this crisis, how the EU can help EU countries tackle it and what measures could be taken at European level. The event, hosted jointly by Parliament and the Commission gathers experts and representatives of EU institutions, and national and regional authorities.

Affordable Housing conference: Joint conference of the EU Parliament and the EU Commission on the EU Housing Crisis

EP President takes part in the European Council, followed by a press conference.

EU leaders meet to discuss the following (provisional agenda):

Ukraine
Middle East
Competitiveness
Next Multiannual Financial Framework and new Own Resources
Migration
Oceans
External relations

EP President, Roberta METSOLA takes part in the European Council meeting

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs holds its regular debate with European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde. MEPs are likely to question her on the US shift to protectionism and its impact on the euro area economy, and on the recent decision to lower interest rates, among other issues

ECON: Monetary Dialogue with Christine LAGARDE, ECB President

EP President, Roberta METSOLA meets with Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, ahead of the European Council of 20 March 2025. Christodoulides is a politician, diplomat, and academic who has served as the 8th President of Cyprus since 2023.

EP President, Roberta METSOLA meets with Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus

EP President, Roberta METSOLA meets with Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General

International Criminal Court (ICC) President Judge Tomoko Akane speaks to the Human Rights subcommittee and the Legal Affairs committee on the impact of the Court’s recent decisions, and its fight against impunity in cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity

DROI- exchange with the President of International Criminal Court (ICC)

President Metsola addresses the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Society for the Award of the International Charlemagne Prize

EP President, Roberta METSOLA participates to 75th anniversary of the Charlemagne Prize

MEPs and the Commission debate its recently-proposed Automotive Industry Action Plan. Announced on 5 March 2025, it is intended to support the European automotive sector as it deals with high manufacturing costs, the low-carbon transition, and increased competition from China. A resolution will be put to a vote during the April plenary session.

Debate on the Action plan for the automotive industry

On Tuesday, MEPs and the Commission debate changes to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe.

The proposal for a new legal framework on so-called “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, is expected to be formally unveiled by the European Commission on Tuesday.

During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament is likely to emphasise the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries.

Debate on the new EU approach on migrant returns

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi

Batteries are vital to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future, and strategic autonomy. While the sector benefits from strong R&D support, it faces challenges such as reliance on third countries, high costs, and competition from regions with lower environmental standards. Sustainable value chains and recycling could help, but uncertainty remains over the EU’s ability to meet future demand. Rising costs, market slowdowns, and gigafactory setbacks, including Northvolt’s collapse, raise concerns. To secure a resilient battery supply chain, the EU focuses on strategic coordination, regulatory frameworks, and funding, offering key lessons for industrial policy.

Battery supply chain

The digital information sphere has become the main space for public debate, shaping opinions and access to information. In the past decade, it has also become a geostrategic battleground, with authoritarian states manipulating public opinion to weaken democracies. At the same time, corporate rivalry over emerging technologies, particularly AI, has intensified. AI-driven disinformation poses growing risks to democratic information ecosystems. Strengthening information integrity is crucial to safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression. Multilateral efforts to enhance resilience align with the EU’s planned European Democracy Shield, building on existing measures and fostering new partnerships.

Information Manipulation and the EU response

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.
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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 with the winner representative and Vice President Sabine Verheyen and EFA Chairman Mike Downey

LUX Audience Award Ceremony 2025

Joint committee on Foreign Affairs and committee on Budgets

AFET

BUDG

Committee on Budgets Ordinary meeting

Delegation for relations with India Ordinary meeting Exchange of view on the state of play of the EU-India relations

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Ordinary meeting

FEMM

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Ordinary meeting

EMPL

Special committee on the European Democracy Shield Ordinary meeting

EUDS

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Ordinary meeting

ITRE

Delegation for relations with Canada Ordinary meeting

Committee on Constitutional Affairs Ordinary meeting

AFCO

Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Ordinary meeting with delegation for relations with Brazil

ECON ENVI - Exchange of views with Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union, on the draft Commission Delegated Regulation

ECON - Update on the digital euro - Exchange of views with Piero Cipollone, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank

STOA - EU-Japan Cooperation in the Areas of Quantum and AI

CONT - Study ' Methods in the European Court of Auditors and the Commission: the estimated level of error vs estimated risk at payment/risk at closure '

ENVI.- Exchange of views with Dr Bernhard Url, Acting Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority

CULT - Public hearing on ' Enhancing media literacy for the digital age'

Extraordinary meeting of the Conference of Committee Chairs - Second Inter-Committee Meeting of the European Parliament and the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

ECON - Public Hearing on The impact of markets in crypto-assets on financial stability

AGRI - Exchange of views with Maurizio Martina, Deputy Director-General of the FAO

AFET INTA - The implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement

AGRI - Exchange of views with Commissioner Christophe Hansen

ENVI - Exchange of views with Jessika Roswall, Commissioner responsible for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, as part of the structured dialogue

ECON - Structured Dialogue with Teresa Ribera, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition

CONT ECON - ECA Special Report 9/2025: Systems for ensuring compliance of RRF spending with public procurement and state aid rules

CONT BUDG Public Hearing - Lessons learnt from the Rule of Law Conditionality Mechanism and ways to make it more effective for the future

HOUS - Public Hearing on State aid rules on housing

IMCO - Public Hearing - Protection of minors online

EP President Roberta METSOLA visits St Paul’s Missionary College in Rabat - Malta and meets with the students.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the meeting at St Paul’s Missionary College in Rabat

EP President Roberta METSOLA visits Neo Group - Malta

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the visit to Neo Group

EP President Roberta METSOLA visits St Dorothy’s Senior School, in Malta and meets with the students.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Malta: extracts from the meeting at St Dorothy’s Senior School

MEPs vote on the following topics : Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2026 ; Energy-intensive industries ; Targeted attacks against Christians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo – defending religious freedom and security

Voting session

Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, reacts to the 20% tariff announced by US President Donald Trump during a press conference in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Parliament assesses the state of fundamental rights in Hungary after the pro-government majority changed the law on public assemblies in March 2025, enabling authorities to classify pro-LGBTIQ+ gatherings as violations of the Child Protection Act and consequently ban the Budapest Pride. MEPs are set to argue that this limitation of the rights of assembly and expression is a direct violation of the basic human and civil rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the core values of the Union. In 1997, Budapest became the first capital of a former Communist bloc country to host a Pride march, a landmark moment for equality and freedom. However, Hungary’s government has been taking regressive steps for many years, dismantling institutions, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, to the point where Parliament can no longer consider the country a full democracy.

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: MEPs debate

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs and Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law

Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), is holding a press conference as the rapporteur on Human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter – annual report 2024. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), rapporteur on Human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter – annual report 2024

David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE) and Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE (EPP, ES), Rapporteurs, hold a press conference on the Parliament's annual CFSP and CSDP reports. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

Press conference by David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE) and Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE (EPP, ES), Rapporteurs, on the Parliament's annual CFSP and CSDP reports

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: closing statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: extracts from the debate

MEPs vote on the following topics: Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – annual report 2024 ; Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2024 ; Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter

Voting session - part 3

MEPs vote on the following topics : Guidelines for the 2026 budget (A10-0042/2025) Andrzej HALICKI.

Voting session - part 1

MEPs vote on the following topics: the Agreement on a Norwegian Financial Mechanism for the period May 2021 - April 2028 ; Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau ; Cooperation between the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) and the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina competent for judicial cooperation in criminal matters ; Strengthening the security of identity cards of Union citizens and of residence documents issued to Union citizens and their family members exercising their right of free movement

Voting session - part 2

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, makes a statement on the progress in the UN-led efforts for the resumption of negotiations towards a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Progress in the UN-led efforts for the resumption of negotiations towards a solution to the Cyprus problem: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

MEPs debate on Energy-intensive industries.

Energy-intensive industries: MEPs debate part 1

Energy-intensive industries: MEPs debate part 2

MEPs discuss the European steel and metals action plan launched by the European Commission in March 2025. The Plan is designed to strengthen the sector's competitiveness and safeguard the industry's future. A strong steel and metals industry in Europe is crucial to guarantee the EU's security in the current geopolitical context and to deliver on the ReArm Europe Plan.

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