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.

Nieuwsflits – 27/03/2025 - Nederlands

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.

Nieuwsflits – 26/03/2025 - Nederlands

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.

Nieuwsflits – 25/03/2025 - Nederlands

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.

Nieuwsflits – 24/03/2025 - Nederlands

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.

Nieuwsflits – 21/03/2025 - Nederlands

De oerbossen in de EU zijn zeldzaam, klein en versnipperd. Ze vertegenwoordigen minder dan drie procent van het totale beboste gebied van Europa. Het zijn ongerepte natuurlijke ecosystemen, waar er weinig of geen tekenen zijn van menselijke invloed en waar dieren in het wild gedijen zoals ze dat al eeuwenlang doen. Deze eeuwenoude bossen spelen een sleutelrol in het behoud van de biodiversiteit, de absorptie en opslag van koolstofdioxide, de toegang tot zoet water, de regulering van het lokale klimaat en de gezondheid van de mens. Bovendien bieden ze een thuis aan allerlei bedreigde dier- en plantensoorten. 
De bescherming van de Europese bossen is niet alleen een verantwoordelijkheid van de afzonderlijke EU-landen: het is een engagement op EU-niveau. Het Europees Parlement speelt hierbij een centrale rol als sterke voorstander van het behoud van oerbossen.

De bescherming van Europese oerbossen voor de volgende generaties

At a glance: MEPs debate stronger protections for Europe’s forests; Parliament’s Environment and Internal Market Committees push for stricter vehicle recycling rules; the European Parliament and national parliaments discuss how to strengthen the EU’s human rights role at the UN.

Nieuwsflits – 20/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will hold its third monetary dialogue with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde; the Committee on International Trade will discuss the implications of the EU trade countermeasures taken in reaction to the US tariffs on EU products; the Committee on International Trade will also vote on two proposals to provide macro-financial assistance in loans to Egypt and Jordan.

Nieuwsflits – 19/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: Magnus Brunner, the Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, talks to the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs; Judge Tomoko Akane, the President of the ICC, addresses the Human Rights Subcommittee and the Legal Affairs Committee; a delegation from Parliament’s Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee attends the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

Nieuwsflits – 18/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: the Committee on Industry Research and Energy will focus on recent developments in energy policy; Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs will discuss a Commission proposal on new rules for trainees; and the Committee on Transport and Tourism will address passenger rights in the context of multimodal journeys.

Nieuwsflits – 17/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: the plenary session closed yesterday. In Strasbourg, Parliament reiterated that the EU must contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine; MEPs stressed that the EU must support Syria’s political transition; and Parliament approved an agreement on transferring air passenger name data from the EU to Canada.

Nieuwsflits – 14/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: the plenary session is in full swing. In Strasbourg, MEPs vote on a proposal for strengthening European defence; Parliament adopts two resolutions on economic, social and employment priorities; and in the debating chamber, the Commission unveils the new Critical Medicines Act.

Nieuwsflits – 13/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: a new plenary session is ongoing. In Strasbourg, MEPs outlined their priorities for the next European Council summit; Parliament marked International Women’s Day; and President Metsola spoke about the 35th anniversary of the assertion of state continuity by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Nieuwsflits – 12/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: a new plenary session is in progress; in Strasbourg, Parliament will reiterate its unwavering support for Ukraine; MEPs are set to call for the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and accelerate the phase out of Russian gas; Parliament will also outline the EU’s economic, social and employment strategy for 2025.

Nieuwsflits – 11/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: a new plenary session is in progress. In Strasbourg, MEPs will debate EU security and defence following the Special European Council meeting; Parliament will discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the European Commission is expected to present a new legal framework on the return of people who have no legal right to stay in the EU.

Nieuwsflits – 10/03/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality marked International Women’s Day by calling for a stronger role for women in peacebuilding and security; on Monday in Strasbourg, Parliament is set to vote on a 1.9 billion euro support plan for Moldova; MEPs will also discuss EU competitiveness and how to close the skills gap.

Nieuwsflits – 07/03/2025 - Nederlands

The Republic of Ireland covers five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The north-eastern part of the island is Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. There are 11 members of the European Parliament from Ireland.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;plenary is&nbsp;commemorating&nbsp;the 25th anniversary of the Northern Ireland peace agreement on 29 March.&nbsp;&nbsp;Presidents Metsola, Michel and von der Leyen will take the floor, followed by a round of political groups interventions.

EU - Ireland

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) is a committee of the European Parliament which is responsible for the regulation of financial services, the free movement of capital and payments, taxation and competition policies, oversight of the European Central Bank, and the international financial system. It is currently chaired by Irene Tinagli.

ECON - Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Have a look at stockshots (from 2021 onwards) with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

Infoclips - Illustrative footage

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 awhole, 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.

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, plenary discussed with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about how to work together with African partners for a more strategic and results-oriented partnership. The discussion focused on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments.

EU - Africa

The EU's passport-free travel space, known as the Schengen area, is one of the most tangible achievements of European integration. The Schengen area is one of the pillars of the European project.

The border-free Schengen Area guarantees free movement to more than 400 million EU citizens, along with non-EU nationals living in the EU or visiting the EU as tourists, exchange students or for business purposes (anyone legally present in the EU).

Free movement of persons enables every EU citizen to travel, work and live in an EU country without special formalities. Schengen underpins this freedom by enabling citizens to move around the Schengen Area without being subject to border checks.

Currently, all EU member states except Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania are part of the Schengen area. MEPs have called for Bulgaria and Romania to be fully admitted into Schengen on multiple occasions,

Additionally, also the non-EU States Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have joined the Schengen Area.

During&nbsp;the pandemics and in order to slow down the spread of the virus some temporary travel restrictions were&nbsp;necessary to establish in the EU.

Schengen area

The&nbsp;Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)&nbsp;is an intergovernmental institution bringing together all EU countries and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean to promote dialogue and cooperation. Relations centre on six main areas and include research.

The EU established its privileged partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood in 1995 with the launch of the&nbsp;Euro-Mediterranean Partnership&nbsp;at the Barcelona Conference, aiming to establish an area of peace, stability, economic prosperity, upholding democratic values and human rights.

As a continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership,&nbsp;the Union for the Mediterranean&nbsp;was launched In 2008. This inter-governmental partnership promotes cooperation and dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region and brings together all 27 EU Member States and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine*, Syria – suspended, Tunisia and Turkey; Libya is an observer

&nbsp;Climate change, renewable energies and health are the priorities for stronger regional collaboration in research and innovation for the coming years.

EU - Mediterranean

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.

AGRI - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

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

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

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

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

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

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

The European Parliament has a range of supervisory and control powers. These allow it to exercise oversight over other institutions, to monitor the proper use of the EU budget and to ensure the correct implementation of EU law.

Interinstitutional relations

<center>Image: © Dragoș Asaftei | Adobe Stock</center>

 
The EU and NATO have founded their long-standing partnership, in an environment shaped by common principles and values. The European Parliament and NATO engage frequently in active dialogue in order to deepen mutual understanding and consolidate cooperation. In an increasingly volatile and unstable geopolitical context, the dynamic of cooperation has intensified to face new threats ranging from terrorism to climate change to hybrid warfare.&nbsp;

EU - NATO relations

Until the UK withdraws from the EU, all rights and obligations deriving from EU membership continue to apply in the UK.

 
The United Kingdom (UK) consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK is not a member of the Schengen Area. There are 73 members of the European Parliament from the UK.

EU - United Kingdom

MEPs and UK MPs met&nbsp;in Brussels on 3 and 4 July for the third EU-United Kingdom Parliamentary Partnership Assembly to discuss, among other issues, the state of play within the Partnership Council, EU-UK common efforts to support Ukraine, and cooperation on trade and industrial policy - including responses to the US Inflation Reduction Act.&nbsp;

EU-UK relations are changed&nbsp;following Brexit and the deal reached at the end of 2020. The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, after 47 years of EU membership. The UK has lost all the rights and benefits it had as an EU Member State and is no longer a part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union.

The EU-UK withdrawal agreement in force since 1 February 2020, ensured that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU happened in an orderly manner, and protects the rights of EU citizens and UK nationals, the EU’s financial interests, and peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes.&nbsp; In April 2021 the European Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of granting also its consent to the agreement.

EU - UK relations

Ever since Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24&nbsp;February 2022, the EU and the Parliament have supported the country by condemning Russia’s aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material aid. Parliament has also been supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to become an EU candidate country and has been calling on EU countries to launch accession talks.

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April 2022 to express the European Union´s support to the Ukrainian people and to condemn the unjustified Russian attack.&nbsp; On 9 February 2023, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

The&nbsp; new EP reconfirmed in July 2024&nbsp; its view that the EU must continue to support Kyiv for as long as it takes until victory. The resolution, which sets out the newly-elected European Parliament’s first official position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, restates the continued support of MEPs for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It calls on the EU to maintain and extend its sanctions policy against Russia and Belarus, monitor and review its effectiveness and impact, and systematically tackle the issue of sanctions circumvention by EU-based companies, third parties, and third countries.

Parliament held also and&nbsp;extraordinary plenary session on 19th November 2024 with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Solidarity with Ukraine

EU leaders gathered&nbsp; for a special summit to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine and the future of European defence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also joined the discussions. 

 

Main results

The text on Ukraine was firmly supported by 26 heads of state or government.

The leaders will return to both topics at the next European Council meetings.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, exchanged views with the leaders at the beginning of the meeting.

Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression, the EU and its member states have stood by Ukraine’s side as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence, and have underlined the need to put an end to the war through a peace agreement based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law.

The EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine, in coordination with its partners and allies. To date, the EU has provided €135.4 billion to Ukraine, including €49.2 billion in military support. Of the total assistance, 65% has been provided as grants or in-kind support and 35% in the form of highly concessional loans.

Special European Council, 6 March 2025

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

Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries – from Belarus, leader of the country's democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Palina Sharenda Panasiuk; and Lenie Umerova and Tata Kepler from Ukraine – have all been invited to address plenary., Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces, 

will speak to MEPs at a solemn session on Tuesday at noon. 

In the early afternoon, MEPs and Council and Commission representatives will debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights” (expected to be adopted by the Commission on Friday 7 March). The discussion is expected to focus on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. Key issues will include the implementation of EU legislation, such as the first ever EU rules to combat violence against women, the rules on improving gender balance on corporate boards, and binding pay transparency measures. MEPs are also likely to discuss the need for women’s equal participation in the economy and society, including in politics, and the impact of shifting political dynamics on women’s rights and gender equality.

International Women's Day Celebration

Event in the European Parliament to support to Belarusian political prisoners in the presence of EP President Roberta METSOLA

Event in the European Parliament to support to Belarusian political prisoners

EP President, Roberta METSOLA  addresses the EU Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism event

On Tuesday, Parliament assess the outcome of the 6 March Special European Council with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen and discuss the need to bolster Europe’s security.

In a joint debate on European security, MEPs assess the results of the 6 March special European Council convened by President António Costa to discuss Ukraine and European defence and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At a critical time for Ukraine and European security, as President Donald Trump’s new US administration has paused support for Kyiv and raised questions about future US defence engagement in Europe, MEPs will hear from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on how the EU plans to strengthen its defence capabilities.

On Tuesday morning, MEPs also outline their expectations for the 20 -21 March EU summit, which is expected to focus - besides Ukraine - on the Middle East, Europe’s competitiveness, trade policy, and migration management.

In a separate debate on Tuesday afternoon, MEPs and representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission discuss the upcoming white paper on the future of European defence, set to be unveiled by the Commission and the European External Action Service in mid-March 2025. The white paper will address defence sector capability issues, industrial competitiveness and investment needs. It should also frame the overall approach to EU defence integration, and outline how best the EU can respond to security threats. Plenary will wind up the debate with a vote on a resolution on Wednesday.

Debate on the EU summits and on the urgent need to bolster Europe’s security architecture

Last minute briefing on March EP Plenary

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 10 - 13 March session, where MEPs will mark International Women’s Day, debate the future of European defence, and draw their conclusions from the Special European Council meeting of 6 March while outlining their demands and expectations for the 20-21 March EU summit. MEPs will also discuss new Commission proposals on returns of third country nationals with no right to stay, and the Critical Medicines Act, and will debate accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and dealing with Russian frozen assets. Political groups will prepare a resolution on the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, discuss the European Semester for economic, employment and social policy coordination, and explore ways to support the reconstruction of Syria.

Pre-session press briefing. The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday (Anna Politkovskaya room, press centre, Brussels).

Pre session briefing on March EP Plenary

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Malta

Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA UfM)

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

Euroscola

Delegation to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly Ordinary meeting

Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly Ordinary Meeting

DAFR

Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly Ordinary meeting

DACP

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology panel

Committee on Budgetary Control Extraordinary Meeting

CONT

Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee – Inter-Parliamentary Delegation 23rd Meeting of the EU-Montenegro SAPC (Second Session)

Plenary session

Delegation to the EU-Türkiye Joint Parliamentary Committee – Inter-Parliamentary Delegation Meeting

Delegation for Relations with the Pan-African Parliament Ordinary Meeting

DPAP

Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq Countries Ordinary Meeting

DMAS

Delegation for relations with Palestine Ordinary meeting

DPAL

Delegation to the EU-Montenegro Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee – Inter-Parliamentary Delegation 23rd Meeting of the EU-Montenegro SAPC (First Session)

DAFR extraordinary meeting

ECON - Public Hearing with Claudia Buch, Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB

AGRI - The actors in the agricultural supply chain and their role in price formation: problems and perspectives

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents in the presence of Antonio COSTA, President of the European Council

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with  Miloš VYSTRČIL, President of the Czech Senate

High-level event on tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse: Global Action to Combat a Global Crime

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with SOPHIE, Duchess of Edinburgh

TRAN Trilogue on Driving Disqualification Directive

STOA workshop - Accelerating the rollout of EU electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Study visit for Members of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina .

HOUS - Affordable Housing - addressing the housing crisis in the European Union - Press point

HOUS - Affordable Housing - addressing the housing crisis in the European Union

Earth Hour Day 2025: the European Parliament in Strasbourg switches off its lights on the occasion of the Earth Hour Day 2025.

Stockshot - Bulgaria joining the Schengen area.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with  Lorenzo FONTANA, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Paulo RANGEL,l Minister for Foreign Affairs of Portugal

European Council

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

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

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

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

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

Parliament hands 2024 Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition

Het Europees Parlement heeft de Sacharovprijs voor de vrijheid van denken 2024 toegekend aan de Venezolaanse oppositieleider María Corina Machado en de nieuwgekozen president Edmundo González Urrutia.

Bij de ceremonie tijdens de plenaire vergadering van december in Straatsburg bracht de voorzitter van het Europees Parlement, Roberta Metsola, hulde aan hun strijd om de democratie in Venezuela te herstellen.

Het Parlement erkent de oppositie als de legitieme winnaar van de Venezolaanse presidentsverkiezingen van juli 2024. Het veroordeelt ook de verkiezingsfraude en de mensenrechtenschendingen door het regime van Maduro, dat ondanks massale protesten aan de macht bleef.

De Sacharovprijs is de hoogste onderscheiding van de EU voor verdedigers van mensenrechten. De andere finalisten van 2024 waren de Azerbeidzjaanse anticorruptieactivist Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu en de bewegingen Women of the Sun en Women Wage Peace, die verzoening en begrip tussen Israëli's en Palestijnen bevorderen.

Meer informatie over de winnaars van de Sacharovprijs 2024: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/nl/article/20240913STO23909/sacharovprijs-2024-gaat-naar-venezolaanse-oppositieleiders

Parlement reikt Sacharovprijs 2024 uit aan Venezolaanse oppositie 9:16

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

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

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

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners:

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

European Parliament honours María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia

Na een zorgvuldige beoordeling van de kandidaten hebben uw vertegenwoordigers in het Europees Parlement de volgende Europese Commissie, het uitvoerende orgaan van het blok, goedgekeurd.
Ursula von der Leyen stelde haar nieuwe team voor nadat ze in juli werd herkozen als voorzitter van de Commissie. Na een debat in Straatsburg op 27 november gaven de parlementsleden groen licht.
Eerder in november ondervroegen Europarlementariërs de kandidaat-commissarissen tijdens speciale hoorzittingen om hun vaardigheden en staat van dienst te beoordelen.
De Commissie werkt aan het voorstellen van beleid en wetgeving die van cruciaal belang zijn voor het leven van 450 miljoen Europeanen. Het Parlement zal nu nauwlettend toezicht houden op haar leden, om ervoor te zorgen dat zij voldoen aan de behoeften en verwachtingen van de kiezers.

Hoe het Europees Parlement de nieuwe EU-commissie heeft goedgekeurd 16:9

Hoe het Europees Parlement de nieuwe EU-commissie heeft goedgekeurd 9:16

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

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

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

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

How the European Parliament is tackling the housing crisis

Ontdek de vijf films die kans maken op de LUX-publieksprijs 2025. Deze prijs is een van de initiatieven waarmee het Europees Parlement zich inzet voor cultuur en onderwijs, door de Europese filmkunst te ondersteunen en culturele diversiteit te promoten. 
 
️ Animal (van Sofia Exarchou) 
️ Dahomey (van Mati Diop) 
️ Flow (van Gints Zilbalodis) 
️ Intercepted (van Oksana Karpovytsj) 
️ Julie zwijgt (van Leonardo Van Dijl) 
 
Laat je enthousiasme voor Europese films zien door ze te bekijken en te beoordelen op www.luxaward.eu/nl.
Door de films te beoordelen kun je een reis naar het Europees Parlement winnen om de uitreiking van de LUX-publieksprijs 2025 bij te wonen en de regisseurs te ontmoeten.

LUX – Europese publieksprijs voor de beste film: de finalisten van 2025

In de EU hebben grote onlineplatforms een verantwoordelijkheid om ons te beschermen tegen desinformatie, illegale inhoud en oneerlijke praktijken. 
Ze moeten de regels volgen van de Verordening digitale diensten, 's werelds eerste uitgebreide wetgeving om een veilige, eerlijke digitale wereld te garanderen en vrijheid en democratie te respecteren. 
In een plenair debat in september 2024 hebben leden van het Europees Parlement met de Europese Commissie besproken hoe deze verordening kan worden gehandhaafd.   
Lees meer over de Verordening digitale diensten: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/nl/article/20211209STO19124/eu-wet-inzake-digitale-markten-en-wet-inzake-digitale-diensten-toelichting

Hoe worden de digitale regels van de EU in de praktijk gebracht? 9:16

Leden van het Europees Parlement debatteerden over een belangrijk rapport dat aandringt op snelle actie om het concurrentievermogen van de EU te vergroten. 
Volgens zijn auteur, voormalig voorzitter van de Europese Centrale Bank Mario Draghi, loopt de EU achter op de VS en China te midden van trage groei, hoge energieprijzen en bedreigingen van haar veiligheid. 
Hij vertelde de Parlementsleden in Straatsburg dat een extra jaarlijkse investering van 800 miljard euro nodig is om innovatie te stimuleren, de levensstandaard te beschermen en de Europese levenswijze te vrijwaren. 
Veel Parlementsleden reageerden positief op zijn oproep, sommigen vroegen meer steun voor belangrijke sectoren en voor de groene en digitale transformaties. Anderen pleitten voor vrijere markten en waarschuwden ervoor dat maatregelen om klimaatverandering te bestrijden de economische groei kan schaden.

Rapport van Draghi: Europees Parlement bespreekt plan om EU-economie te stimuleren

Hoe worden de digitale regels van de EU in de praktijk gebracht?

Sinds Rusland in 2022 Oekraïne binnenviel, is de Europese Unie het Oekraïense volk blijven steunen door vluchtelingen op te vangen, defensiematerieel te leveren en financiële hulp te bieden. De oorlog heeft verwoestende gevolgen gehad voor de hele Oekraïense samenleving en heeft voor veel jonge Oekraïners hun opleiding ernstig verstoord. 

Met de steun van EU-financiering heeft Kamil, een IT-docent in Tsjechië, het platform Digital University opgezet, zodat Oekraïense studenten online kunnen blijven leren.

En Olena heeft haar opleiding in de EU voortgezet als Erasmus+-student en als jonge Europese ambassadeur in Gdańsk, Polen.

Onderwijs voor Oekraïners garanderen in tijden van oorlog: Maak kennis met Kamil en Olena

Sinds Rusland in 2022 Oekraïne binnenviel, is de Europese Unie het Oekraïense volk blijven steunen door vluchtelingen op te vangen, defensiematerieel te leveren en financiële hulp te bieden. De oorlog heeft verwoestende gevolgen gehad voor de hele Oekraïense samenleving en heeft voor veel jonge Oekraïners hun opleiding ernstig verstoord. 
 
Met de steun van EU-financiering heeft Kamil, een IT-docent in Tsjechië, het platform Digital University opgezet, zodat Oekraïense studenten online kunnen blijven leren.
En Olena heeft haar opleiding in de EU voortgezet als Erasmus+-student en als jonge Europese ambassadeur in Gdańsk, Polen.

Onderwijs voor Oekraïners garanderen in tijden van oorlog: Maak kennis met Kamil en Olena - 9:16

Wat is er beter dan een gesprek over democratie? Een gesprek over democratie met gratis koffie!
Maak kennis met Cille, een vrijwilliger van samen.eu die in Kopenhagen een koffietruck heeft opgezet om democratische participatie in de EU aan te moedigen. 
Samen met haar team organiseert ze het hele jaar door EU-gerelateerde evenementen om mensen aan het praten te krijgen over wat de EU voor ze kan betekenen en hoe de EU-instellingen een rol spelen in ieders leven. 
Samen.eu is een gemeenschap van mensen die om de EU en haar toekomst geven. Door de gemeenschap van samen.eu te steunen, moedigt het Europees Parlement mensen uit de hele EU aan om betrokken te raken bij het democratische proces.

De democratische participatie stimuleren met Cille, een vrijwilliger van samen.eu 9:16

Het Europees Parlement moedigt mensen uit de hele EU aan om betrokken te raken bij het democratische proces.

Samen.eu is een door het Europees Parlement ondersteunde gemeenschap waar je online en offline mensen kunt ontmoeten die democratie belangrijk vinden en je mening kunt geven over Europese kwesties.

Net als Mireya in Madrid en Cille in Denemarken ontmoeten vrijwilligers van samen.eu uit de hele EU elkaar, voeren ze gesprekken, wisselen ze ideeën uit en organiseren ze evenementen om duidelijk te maken wat de EU-instellingen voor de burgers doen en waarom democratische participatie cruciaal is.

Maak kennis met je gemeenschap en sluit je bij ze aan op samen.eu.

Doe mee om de democratie in de EU te versterken! Maak kennis met Mireya en Cille

De Russische invasie van Oekraïne leidde tot een energiecrisis en hoge inflatie in Europa. Het Europees Parlement wil waarborgen dat de EU veerkrachtig genoeg is om andere crises in de toekomst te kunnen weerstaan. Daarom ondersteunt het gedurfde, visionaire projecten om onze economieën en samenlevingen sterker te maken.

Erik hielp Zweedse bedrijven Amokabel en Bennesveds Åkeri om het eerste zelfvoorzienende waterstofstation van het land te openen: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Het levert schone brandstof op basis van plaatselijke windenergie. 

In Ierland is Hannah koolstofspecialist bij Bord na Móna, een bedrijf dat van veenwinning voor brandstof uitgroeide tot leider in de productie van schone energie. Ze werkt aan het herstel van de veengebieden van het land, die enorme hoeveelheden koolstof kunnen opslaan. Zo helpt ze ook de EU om haar klimaatdoelen te halen.
 
Dergelijke initiatieven, financieel gesteund door de Europese faciliteit voor herstel en veerkracht, vormen de kern van een sterker en responsiever Europa.

Bouwen aan de Europese economie van de toekomst: maak kennis met Erik en Hannah - 9:16

De Russische invasie van Oekraïne leidde tot een energiecrisis en hoge inflatie in Europa. Het Europees Parlement wil waarborgen dat de EU veerkrachtig genoeg is om andere crises in de toekomst te kunnen weerstaan. Daarom ondersteunt het gedurfde, visionaire projecten om onze economieën en samenlevingen sterker te maken.

Erik hielp Zweedse bedrijven Amokabel en Bennesveds Åkeri om het eerste zelfvoorzienende waterstofstation van het land te openen: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Het levert schone brandstof op basis van plaatselijke windenergie. 

In Ierland is Hannah koolstofspecialist bij Bord na Móna, een bedrijf dat van veenwinning voor brandstof uitgroeide tot leider in de productie van schone energie. Ze werkt aan het herstel van de veengebieden van het land, die enorme hoeveelheden koolstof kunnen opslaan. Zo helpt ze ook de EU om haar klimaatdoelen te halen.

Dergelijke initiatieven, financieel gesteund door de Europese faciliteit voor herstel en veerkracht, vormen de kern van een sterker en responsiever Europa.

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