At a glance: the film ‘Flow’ has been awarded the 2025 LUX Audience Award; Parliament will kick off Europe Day celebrations on Sunday; and a public hearing will be held on ‘the future of EU anti-avoidance tax rules’.

Hírek röviden – 02/05/2025 - magyar

A legjobb filmnek járó LUX európai közönségdíjat 2025-ben az Áradás című animációs kalandfilm nyerte el!
A LUX fontos társadalmi és politikai kérdéseket taglaló európai filmeket állít reflektorfénybe. A mozgókép erejével kíván vitára és reflexióra ösztönözni, hogy az európai identitást erősítse.

A 2025-ös LUX közönségdíj

At a glance: on Sunday, Parliament will kick off Europe Day celebrations; in mid-May, the Subcommittee on Tax Matters will host a public hearing on global tax challenges; and at the beginning of June, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs will hold a public hearing entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence at the workplace’.

Hírek röviden – 30/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: Parliament’s political groups are preparing for the next plenary session, which will start next Monday in Strasbourg. International trade, the EU’s Banking Union and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War are all on the plenary agenda.

Hírek röviden – 29/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: MEPs are in favour of a more ambitious European Defence Industry Programme; the EU's gas storage scheme will be extended until the end of 2027; and Vice-President of the European Central Bank Luis de Guindos presents the Bank’s 2024 Annual Report to the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

Hírek röviden – 28/04/2025 - magyar

Az ENSZ 21. éghajlatváltozási konferenciáján 2015-ben a részes országok elfogadtak egy jogilag kötelező erejű nemzetközi egyezményt, hogy közös erővel megfékezzék az üvegházhatású gázok kibocsátását. Egész pontosan azt tűzték ki célul, hogy ezzel jóval 2 °C-on belül, sőt ha lehet, 1,5 °C-on tartják a globális felmelegedés mértékét az iparosodást megelőző szinthez képest. Ez volt a Párizsi Megállapodás. Az EU 2016-ban ratifikálta, és azóta is erre a kötelezettségvállalásra alapozza klímapolitikáját.

Együtt a bolygónkért: a Párizsi Megállapodás

At a glance: The Committee on Budgets set out Parliament’s priorities for the next long-term EU budget; the Committee on Civil Liberties endorsed plans to gradually roll out the Entry/Exit System at the EU’s external borders; and the Commission’s assessment of EU countries’ measures under the marine strategy framework.

Hírek röviden – 25/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: Trade MEPs endorsed simplified carbon border rules to strengthen EU climate efforts; Parliament experts sound the alarm on Russia’s escalating hybrid threats across Europe; European Parliament President Metsola will attend Pope Francis’ funeral in Vatican City.

Hírek röviden – 24/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: European Parliament President pays tribute to Pope Francis; the first European Defence Industry Programme; and a proposal to extend the 2022 Gas Storage Regulation.

Hírek röviden – 23/04/2025 - magyar

2025 januárjában az Európai Bizottság előterjesztette „versenyképességi iránytű” elnevezésű stratégiáját, amely Ursula von der Leyen második elnöki mandátumának első mérvadó kezdeményezése. A terv egyértelmű keretet ad a Bizottság következő években végzendő munkájának. Kijelöli az utat, amelyen haladva itt, Európában születhetnek meg a jövő technológiái, szolgáltatásai és tiszta termékei, ráadásul úgy, hogy a kontinens mindeközben klímasemlegessé válik.

Versenyképességi iránytű az EU számára

At a glance: MEPs wrap up their visit to Hungary, which focused on EU values and fundamental rights; in Paris, MEPs from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs push for stronger economic and financial governance in the EU; meanwhile, in Austria, a delegation from the Committee on Petitions assessed the impact of the EU deforestation law.

Hírek röviden – 16/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: a delegation from the Committee on International Trade is in Indonesia to assess the economic partnership agreement; Meanwhile, MEPs from Parliament’s Committees on Economic and Monetary Affairs and on Budgets are in Greece to review the implementation of the national recovery plan; The fight against drug smuggling is the focus of a visit to Antwerp and Rotterdam by MEPs from the Committee on Civil Liberties.

Hírek röviden – 15/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: new measures to enhance toy safety in the EU; a delegation from the Committee on Civil Liberties is in Hungary to assess the state of the rule of law and fundamental rights there; MEPs from the Committee on Budgets are visiting Latvia.

Hírek röviden – 14/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: a new EU law to have healthy European soils by 2050; a first debate on a new EU approach to migrant returns; and Kosovo and Serbia’s path to join the EU.

Hírek röviden – 11/04/2025 - magyar

At a glance: MEPs and Ukrainian parliamentarians discuss shaping a common European future; new screening rules for foreign investments in the EU; and the cost of living, climate change and job opportunities are the main concerns for young people across the EU.

Hírek röviden – 10/04/2025 - magyar

Simone Veil, jedna od utemeljiteljica Europske unije i prva predsjednica izravno izabranog Europskog parlamenta, imala je ključnu ulogu u promicanju europskog jedinstva i jačanju ljudskih prava. Bila je ikona borbe za prava žena i ključna figura u legalizaciji pobačaja u Francuskoj te je utrla put ženama na vodećim položajima. Kao preživjela zatočenica logora Auschwitz znala je koliko je važno ujediniti Europu. Njezina ostavština, koju odlikuje predanost pravdi i ljudskim pravima, utjelovljenje je slogana EU-a „ujedinjena u raznolikosti”.

Simone Veil, az európai egység egyik megálmodója

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

The ECB President takes part in a regular monetary dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central institution of the Economic and Monetary Union and has been responsible for conducting monetary policy for the euro area since 1 January 1999. The ECB and the national central banks of all EU Member States constitute the European System of Central Banks.

On 2 July 2019, Christine Lagarde was nominated by the European Council to succeed Mario Draghi as President of the European Central Bank on 1 November 2019.

Monetary dialogue (2019-2020)

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) takes part four times a year in a monetary dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) to report on monetary policy and answer question from MEPs.&nbsp;Although guaranteed independence under the Treaty, the ECB is accountable for its actions towards the European Parliament, and more precisely the ECON Committee. The European Central Bank is the central institution of the Economic and Monetary Union and has been responsible for conducting monetary policy for the euro area since 1 January 1999 The ECB and the national central banks of all EU Member States constitute the European System of Central Banks.

Monetary dialogue

Finland joined the EU on 1st January 1995. 

Finland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the EU and is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east. Finland has 13 seats in the European Parliament.

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EU - Finland

Marie Arena will serve as Chair of Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) for the coming two and a half years. She was elected by acclamation by Subcommittee members on Wednesday. “I would like to express my thanks to all of you for your trust in electing me as Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights”, Ms Arena said after the vote.

MEPs also elected the four Vice-Chairs that will form, together with Marie Arena, the Subcommittee's bureau:

Ms <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197625/IRINA_VON+WIESE/home" target="_blank">Irina Von Wiese</a> (Renew Europe, UK) will be first Vice-Chair,

Ms <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197464/HANNAH_NEUMANN/home" target="_blank">Hannah Neumann</a> (Greens/EFA, DE) will be second Vice-Chair,

Ms <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197643/KAROLINE_EDTSTADLER/home" target="_blank">Karoline Edtstadler</a> (EPP, AT) will be third Vice-Chair, and

Mr <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197694/RAPHAEL_GLUCKSMANN/home" target="_blank">Raphaël Glucksmann</a> (S&amp;D, FR) will be fourth Vice-Chair.

DROI Subcommittee on Human Rights

On Wednesday 10 July, the Committe on Development (DEVE) met for the first time in its new composition and elected as its Chair Swedish MEP Tomas TOBÉ (EPP). The Committee also elected four Vice Chairs: Pierrette HERZBERGER-FOFANA (Greens/EFA), Norbert NEUSER (S&amp;D), Chrysoula ZACHAROPOULOU (Renew Europe), Erik MARQUARDT (Greens/EFA). The next meeting of the Committee will take place in the morning of 24 July and is set to discuss the state of play of development cooperation, the 2020 budget and the future partnership with ACP countries. The Finish EU Council Presidency will set out its priorities, in particular in humanitarian aid.

DEVE - Committee on Development

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.

AFCO - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

January 27 has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Every year, the European Parliament holds a commemoration ceremony to mark the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau and to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, along with the millions of other victims of Nazism.

Holocaust Remembrance Day: a story dedicated to its six million victims

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed MEPs during the plenary session on 24 March. On Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he stressed that NATO and the EU are more resolved and united than ever and that pressure on Putin must be increased. Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Canada was an ally and precious partner of the EU. “Our relationship has withstood the test of time”, she said. 
Canada´s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was the first Canadian PM to address the European Parliament on February 2017, one day after the European Parliament approved the EU-Canada trade agreement.

The collaboration between the EU and Canada, based on shared values, a long history of close cooperation, and strong people-to-people ties, has been considerably strengthened in the last few years. 

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the result of the positive developments in EU-Canada trade relations that have taken place over the past decade. It has considerably improved the economic, trade and investment relationship between the EU and Canada, opening up the markets to one another’s goods, services and investments, including public procurement.

EU - Canada

PETI - Committee on Petitions

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

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

EU - Germany

Clean energy is energy produced and consumed with a minimum of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

The transition to clean energy requires large investments in all areas of energy use: electricity generation, transport, heating and cooling, and also industrial activities. Reducing energy demand by means of energy efficiency measures also helps to lower the emissions associated with energy use.

Clean energy

Toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow after Syrian rebels captured Damascus over the weekend of 7-8 December, ending decades of the Assad dynasty’s reign. Before armed fighters launched an offensive in November 2024, Syria’s territory was divided between regime forces (supported by Russia and Iran) and rebel factions – some backed by Turkey and the USA. After a 13-years-long civil war, Syria’s armed opposition said it ultimately plans to form a government based on functioning institutions and a “council chosen by the people”.

While analysts warn of an extremely challenging transition due to the “diverse coalition” of armed fighters, an end to the war could allow millions of refugees scattered across camps in Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to return home after more than a decade.

Situation in Syria

<center>Image: ©sibway/AdobeStock</center>

 

International Women’s Day is held every year on 8 March. Equality between women and men is one of the objectives of the European Union.

Over time, legislation, case-law and changes to the Treates have helped shore up this principle and its implementation in the EU. The European Parliament has always been a fervent defender of the principle of equality between men and women.

On this occassion, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces,&nbsp;Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk, a Belarusian opposition activist,&nbsp;Leniie Umerova, a&nbsp;Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar activist&nbsp;and Tata Kepler, a Ukrainian volunteer in military medicine highlighted the ongoing struggles for freedom, justice, and democracy in Belarus and Ukraine, stressing the deep connection between both countries' fates. They called on the EU to maintain strong support for civil society, independent media, and political prisoners, particularly the many women still unjustly detained.Testimonies exposed the brutal realities of occupation, including torture, forced labour, and systematic repression in Russian-controlled territories. The message was clear: only a strong and united Europe can help secure freedom for Belarus and Ukraine, ensuring peace and stability for the entire region.

International Women’s Day

Exposing and eradicating discrimination on the grounds of gender and sex remains a priority for the European Parliament. Through the&nbsp;FEMM Committee and plenary debates, MEPs frequently discuss&nbsp;the impact on women of social and economic changes.

The European Parliament aims to address and denounce events and policy that breach or threaten the rights of women,&nbsp;both within the EU and abroad.

During the last week of October 2023, the European Parliament holds its fourth European Gender Equality Week,&nbsp;at the initiative of the Women’s Rights Committee. Several committees will hold debates with a gender perspective to discuss policy shortcomings and achievements, and how to advance women's rights in all EU policy areas.

Women's rights

Following the lessons learned from the pandemic and as a&nbsp;part of&nbsp;building a European Health Union, the Commission proposed a new health security framework on 11 November 2020. The package includes three pieces of legislation: a&nbsp;stronger role for the European Medicines Agency,&nbsp;extending the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control&nbsp;and a&nbsp;proposal for a regulation on serious cross-border threats to health.

The new legislation aims to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and manage communicable diseases outbreaks.The ECDC will cooperate with the European Commission, national authorities, EU bodies and international organisations to ensure their respective activities are consistent and complement each other.&nbsp;

The new rules concerning cross-border threats include improved prevention, preparedness and response planning at EU and national levels. The Commission will be able to formally recognise a public health emergency at EU level, which would trigger stronger intra-EU cooperation and allow for the timely development and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

EU countries hold primary responsibility for organising and delivering health services and medical care. EU health policy therefore serves to complement national policies, and to ensure health protection in all EU policies.&nbsp; EU policies and actions in public health aim to protect and improve the health of EU citizens, support the modernisation of health infrastructure, improve the efficiency of Europe's health systems.

The Committee for Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety ENVI is Parliament’s main actor on health matters and is responsible for over 10% of Parliament´s total legislative activity.

EU health policy

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders.

The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies.

To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as a whole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Debates on foreign affairs and security policy

A ceremony in plenary to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe take place on Wednesday at 11:30. 

Four war veterans, from Belgium, France and Poland, address Parliament. European Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola will open the ceremony. A musical interpretation of the European anthem will close the event.  In a separate debate on Thursday morning, MEPs discuss the legacy of the end of World War II: 80 years of freedom, democracy and security in Europe.

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe

MEPs discuss with the Council and the Commission how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine.

The debate focuses on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law. MEPs aunderline the importance of long-term commitment to Ukraine and the need for international coordination in building a lasting peace.

EU support for peace in Ukraine

Parliament debate  its recommendations ahead of the European Commission’s water resilience strategy.

MEPs discuss and vote on a draft report, prepared by the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, detailing how the EU should manage its water resources more efficiently and respond better to current challenges. The resulting resolution will serve as Parliament input to the European water resilience strategy soon to be put forward by the Commission.

The text calls for the introduction of sectoral targets for water efficiency and water abstraction (taking water from a surface or underground source), and highlights the need for adequate funding, better use of digital tools and artificial intelligence solutions. MEPs may also call on the EU to do more to reduce water pollution from pharmaceuticals, chemical pesticides and fertilisers, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, microplastics and chemicals, and to phase out “forever chemicals” (PFAS).

European Water Resilience Strategy

MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on Parliament's vision for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF).
The parliamentarians call for a significantly more ambitious long-term EU budget to match EU citizens' expectations in an increasingly complex global landscape. They argue that the current budget ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is insufficient to respond effectively to the growing range of crises and challenges.

The text prepared by the Budgets Committee highlights that the United States’ retreat from its global role means EU spending will now have to address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in addition to a highly challenging economic and social backdrop, a competitiveness gap, and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis. Parliament’s priorities for the next long-term EU budget are designed to feed into the Commission’s proposal on the next MFF, due to be unveiled in July. The co-rapporteurs give a press conference on Wednesday at 14.00, following the vote in plenary.

Revamped long-term budget for the Union

Parliament debate and vote on a targeted change to CO2 emission performance standards for new cars and vans.

Plenary decides on Tuesday whether to apply its “urgent procedure” to proposed draft legislation that would allow car manufacturers comply with emissions obligations for the years 2025, 2026 and 2027 by averaging their performance over the whole three-year period, rather than being assessed on each year’s emissions individually. Ahead of the vote, political groups’ representatives will hold one round of short interventions.

If approved, MEPs are expected to vote on the substance of the proposal on Thursday. The aim of the proposed change is intended to provide support for Europe’s automotive sector, which is experiencing rapid technological changes and increasing competition.

The proposal is part of the Commission's industrial action plan for the European automotive sector, announced on 5 March 2025. It followed the strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry launched by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 30 January 2025, which involved an open public consultation and discussions with the industry and other stakeholders to address the most pressing challenges facing the sector.

CO2 emission performance standards

MEPs discuss with the Commission and the Council a unified EU response to US trade measures, and global trade opportunities for the EU.

The debate in Parliament follows the global reaction to the US government’s decision to increase existing tariffs and impose new ones – and its subsequent postponement of their imposition.

MEPs consider the countermeasures adopted by the EU – which were later suspended as well. Plenary will also review EU trade opportunities elsewhere in the world. The EU has concluded deals with a number of countries and regional groupings, and talks are ongoing on several more potential trade deals.

Unified response to US trade measures

MEPs, together with Commission and Council representatives, debate the preparations for the first EU-UK summit on British soil since Brexit.

EU and UK leaders will meet in London on 19 May for the first institutional bilateral gathering in Britain since the UK left the EU in 2020. Among other topics, they will discuss defence cooperation, opportunities for young people, and trade issues – the latter in the wake of the new US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on trade partners. 

In particular, this includes a potential EU-UK security pact that could see the UK participate in the EU’s joint arms procurement scheme. Leaders will review the possibility of a youth mobility scheme to facilitate freedom of movement for young people aged 18-30, as well as efforts to eliminate sanitary and phytosanitary checks (SPS) on certain products that are exported from the UK to the EU, in particular those entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

Preparation of EU-UK summit

On Sunday 4 May, the European Parliament kicks off the celebration of Europe Day (9 May) in Strasbourg, with citizens invited to a series of events to celebrate European democracy. Events also take place in Luxembourg and Brussels on 9 and 10 May.

Europe Day 2025 (Strasbourg)

The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with Parliament’s political group spokespersons 

Plenary preparations. The political groups are preparing for the 5-8 May plenary session, where MEPs will debate how the EU should respond to US trade measures, and assess global trade opportunities for the EU. They will also debate and vote on their priorities for the upcoming proposal on the EU’s long-term budget, outline their priorities for the EU-UK summit, and debate and vote on the EU water resilience strategy. The draft plenary agenda also includes a debate on the Commission’s latest reports on Türkiye, and debates and votes on the 2023 budget discharge for the EU institutions and agencies, and on progress on establishing the EU banking union. Parliament will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe

Pre-session briefing

LUX Audience Award 2025 Press point

The winner of the 2025 LUX Audience Award is announced at a ceremony in the European Parliament hemicycle in Brussels. Five films made the shortlist: “Animal” by Greek director Sofia Exarchou, “Dahomey” by French director Mati Diop, “Flow” by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, “Intercepted” by Ukrainian director Oksana Karpovych, and “Julie keeps quiet” by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl

LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, is in Rome alongside António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to attend the funeral ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on 21 April 2025.

Funeral ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis

EU flags at half mast at the EP buildings in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg following the death of Pope Francis

A delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee travels to Budapest to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021. MEPs meet with members of parliament (MPs) and representatives from the government, the judiciary, and local authorities, as well as from civil society across all areas of concern. Press conference on Wednesday at 14.30, local time.

LIBE delegation in Budapest

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with US Congress delegation

Statements of the members of INTA Delegation to the US

Euroscola

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.
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

Plenary session

Delegation for Relations with the Maghreb Countries and the Arab Maghreb Union Ordinary Meeting

DMAG

Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly Ordinary meeting

DAFR

Press conference by Riho TERRAS (EPP, ET) and Tonino PICULA (S&D, HR), rapporteurs on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Kosovo and on Serbia

Press conference by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), rapporteur on the European Water Resilience Strategy

Delegation to the EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee – Inter-Parliamentary Delegation Ordinary Meeting

Delegation for relations with Palestine Ordinary meeting

DPAL

Press conference by Siegfried MUREŞAN (EPP, RO) and Carla TAVARES (S&D, PT), co-rapporteurs on the next EU long-term budget (MFF): outcome of the vote on Parliament's priorities

Press conference by Hilde VAUTMANS (RE, BE), chair of UE/ACP delegation and Denis MUKWEGE, 2014 Sakharov Prize and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on combating sexual violence in the DRC and beyond

Press conference by Nacho SÁNCHEZ AMOR (S&D, ES), rapporteur on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye

Press conference by Jacek PROTAS (EPP, PL), rapporteur, on the 9th Report on economic and social cohesion

Briefing Patriots for Europe by Jordan BARDELLA, President and Kinga GÁL, Vice-President

Press conference of  LUX Audience Award 2025 laureate

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Arrival of guests

Future-Fit legislation: Mainstreaming Intergenerational Fairness

STOA Workshop - Generative AI and scientific development

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Youth Seminar with European Parliament Ambassador School teachers and students

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Meeting with film representatives and content creators

Workshop on Gender-Sensitive Parliaments - Inter Pares Partnership with the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Exchanges among film representatives by Euronews

ECON - Exchange of views following the presentation of the 2024 Annual Report by ECB Vice-President, Luis De Guindos

IMCO Committee

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Angel TÎLVAR, Romanian Minister for Defence

Visit with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to a Civil Bomb Shelter as a part of the European Union’s “Preparedness Union Strategy”

EU Preparedness Union Strategy - Visit to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the RescEU warehouse to examine the medical stockpile and emergency shelters

ITRE Committee meeting - Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum

This infoclip illustrates the growing importance of combating disinformation, featuring scenes of individuals scrutinizing online content, the use of professional fact-checking platforms, a conference held at the European Parliament, co-organized by EDMO (European Digital Media Observatory) and EFCSN (European Fact-Checking Standards Network), underscoring the collaborative European effort to promote trustworthy information and media literacy, and journalists engaging in the verification process.

Infoclip: Fact-checking and fight against disinformation

Irregular migration is difficult to define and measure. Existing EU data on border crossings, unauthorised stays, and returns are often incomplete and inconsistent, offering only a partial and sometimes misleading picture. Yet these figures shape policymaking and fuel a narrative of a long-standing migration crisis in the EU. They also trigger renewed efforts to reinforce EU measures seeking to deter, criminalise, and return irregular migrants. While new data sources may fill some gaps, a fuller understanding requires additional indicators focused on rights, effectiveness, and policy coherence.

EPRS - Measuring irregular migration and returns in the EU

This infoclip illustrates the European Union long term budget (MFF) and EU funded projects in several sectors. Therefore this infoclip shows illustrative footages of some EU funded projects in areas such as agriculture, energy, transports, innovation, culture and education, defence and industry. The current multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 is over €2 trillion euros strong (€1,2 trillion boosted with the additionnal EU Next Generation recovery instrument and its €800 billion). This long term budget uphold the different policies and main programs of the EU.

Infoclip: EU long-term budget and EU funded projects

Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA , DE), Chair of European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Gregory ZALCMAN, producer, Ron DYENS, producer, and Rihards ZAĻUPE, composer of the LUX Audience Award winner "Flow", and Mike DOWNEY, Chair of the European Film Academy, give a joint press point after the LUX Audience Award 2025. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of CULT Committee, producers and composer of the LUX Audience Award winner "Flow", and by Mike DOWNEY, Chair of the European Film Academy

After the winner is announced, the other four finalists receive their trophies. The LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony concludes with a family photo and closing statements.

LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony: awarding of trophies to the 4 other finalists, family photo and final statements

This video from the LUX Audience Award 2025 begins with the announcement of the 5 finalists by the moderators, and is followed by trailers of the movies and addresses by the 5 finalists. Screnning of the Lux Award retrospective video 2025, announcement of the winner by Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), and photo with the winner.

LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony: retrospective video 2025, announcement of the winner by Nela RIEHL (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the CULT Committee, and photo of the winninf film's team "Flow"

This video from the LUX Audience Award 2025 begins with the announcement of the 5 finalists by the moderators, and is followed by trailers of the movies and addresses by the 5 finalists.

LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony: announcement of the 5 finalists by the moderators, trailers of the movies and addresses by the 5 finalists

Sabine VERHEYEN, (EPP, DE), EP Vice-President appears during the ceremony in a video message on the LUX Audience Award 2025, followed by an opening statement by Nela RIEHL, (Greens/EFA, PT), Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT).

LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony: video message by Sabine VERHEYEN, (EPP, DE), EP Vice-President, and opening statement by Nela RIEHL, (Greens/EFA, PT), Chair of the CULT Committee

This video is a news item resuming extracts from the LUX audience award 2025 ceremony. The award celebrates European cinema and it aims to engage and debate with the larger European public on important societal subjects reflecting our common European values such as democracy, rule of law, pluralism and freedom of expression.

LUX Audience Award 2025: extracts from the ceremony

This video is the beginning of the LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony, composed with welcoming words from the moderators and a musical interlude.

LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony: welcome from the moderators and musical interlude

This video presents current ground and drone views of Warsaw, focusing on areas where the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto wall can still be seen, along with various monuments commemorating the victims and the 1943 Ghetto Uprising. These locations, spread across different districts of the city. Established by Nazi Germany in 1940, the Warsaw Ghetto was the largest of its kind in occupied Europe, where hundreds of thousands of Jews were forcibly confined in overcrowded, inhumane conditions before mass deportations to extermination camps.

Infoclip: Remains of the Warsaw Ghetto wall across the city (Poland)

This video presents current views of the district of the Bundestag in Berlin (Germany). The Bundestag is the German federal parliament.

Infoclip: Bundestag district in Berlin (Germany)

This infoclip presents current ground and drone views of Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer (France). It presents views of the shore, bunker remainings, monuments, and graves of soldiers. Located on the coast of Normandy, Omaha Beach was one of the five landing zones of the Allied invasion on D-Day, June 6, 1944. It was here that American troops faced fierce resistance in one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War. Just above the cliffs lies the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, where nearly 9,400 U.S. servicemen are laid to rest.

Infoclip: Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer (France)

This infoclip shows illustrative footage on water resilience. Announced by the Commission for the second quarter of 2025, the European Water Resilience Strategy aims to address, inter alia, growing water scarcity by improving water management practices, increasing water efficiency and promoting sustainable water use.The European Parliament has taken several initiatives calling for sustainable water policy as strategic priority. Following the public hearing "The way to a European Water Resilience Strategy - an EU Blue Deal" organised in January 2025, ENVI has prepared a report ahead of the upcoming Commission's Strategy. The report aims to deliver a basis for a comprehensive strategy, including binding legislation, and addresses water resilience through six key pillars: water efficiency, pollution mitigation, climate adaptation, funding, digitalisation and innovation, and cross-border cooperation.

Infoclip: Water resilience

Roberta METSOLA, EP President is in Rome with António COSTA, European Council President and Ursula von der LEYEN European Commission President to assist to the funeral ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis. He died at the age of 88 on 21 April 2025.

Funeral ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis: Attendance of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, António COSTA, European Council President and Ursula von der LEYEN European Commission President

This video displays the statement by Anna CAVAZZINI (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of the Euroepan Parliament's Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee, on the first fines for breaches of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission determined today, 23rd of April 2025, that Apple violated the DMA's anti-steering rules, while Meta failed to comply with the requirement to offer users a less data-intensive service. As a result, Apple was fined €500 million and Meta €200 million. The DMA aims to ensure contestable and fair markets in the digital sector. It regulates gatekeepers, which are large digital platforms that provide an important gateway between business users and consumers.

Statement by Anna CAVAZZINI (Greens/EFA, DE), Chair of IMCO Committee, on the first fines for breaches of the Digital Markets Act (DMA)

Oral History Interview With Astrid Lulling - Working As A Quaestor. With German subtitles.

Oral History Interview with Astrid Lulling – Working As A Quaestor - DE Subtitles

Oral History Interview With Astrid Lulling - Working As A Quaestor. With English subtitles.

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