María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia are the 2024 winners of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. 
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2024

When we think of the European Parliament, we usually imagine MEPs voting in the debating chamber. In reality, though, voting only takes place once a month, during plenary part-sessions. But what actually are these part-sessions, and how do they work?

What are plenary sessions?

Out of the jargon jungle. The role of the European Parliament President?

The role of the European Parliament President?

On 19 March 1958, the European Parliamentary Assembly hold a first meeting in Strasbourg. Luciano GRANZOTTO BASSO, Oldest member of the Assembly leads the election. The representatives elect Robert Schuman as President. He is the single candidate at the function.

Constitutive session of the European Parliamentary Assembly: election of Robert SCHUMAN, as President of the Assembly

A formal sitting is&nbsp;held to mark an official visit to the European Parliament, made at the President’s invitation after consulting with the Conference of Presidents.

The official guest is seated to the right of the President on the podium. After the welcoming remarks by the President, the official guest addresses the&nbsp; Parliament from the central rostrum in the Chamber.

The address for a formal sitting of Parliament&nbsp;usually lasts 30 minutes and generally takes place before the voting session.

Formal Sittings

On certain occasions, David SASSOLI, President of the European Parliament, gives a speech during plenary sessions highlighting the news, a special event or pays tribute to a personality and asks for a minute of silence.

Statements of David SASSOLI, EP President in Plenary

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

EP Plenary session - Voting session

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

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

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

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

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

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

EP Plenary session - Tackling abusive subcontracting and labour market intermediaries

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

EP Plenary session - Restoring the EU’s competitive edge - the need for an impact assessment on the Green Deal policies

EP Plenary session - Parliament’s statements - Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit

EP Plenary session - Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024

EP Plenary session - Formal sitting with Salome ZOURABICHVILI, President of Georgia

EP Plenary session - Towards a shared vision for European tourism, its sustainable growth and brand Europe

EP Plenary session - The situation in Mayotte following the devastating cyclone Chido and the need for solidarity

EP Plenary session - Situation of female politicians in EU candidate and neighbouring countries facing harassment and cyber violence

MEPs debate on the need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity: Closing statement

Need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity: Opening Statement

MEPs debate on the need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity.

Need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity: MEPs Debate

MEPs debate on challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being.

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being: Opening Statement

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being: Closing statement by Christophe HANSEN, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food

Challenges facing EU farmers and agricultural workers: improving working conditions, including their mental well-being: MEPs Debate

Appointment of the Chair of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tonga EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Niue EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tuvalu

Voting Session

MEPs debate on the preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit. The leaders of the two regions meet in Brussels to pursue the new momentum for the strategic partnership between the European Union and the Western Balkans, including a reflection on how to deepen that partnership and move forward together towards a joint future in the European Union.

Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit: MEPs Debate

Preparation of the EU-Western Balkans Summit: one round of political group speakers

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, and Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: Closing statements by Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, EC for Trade and Economic Security, and Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. Second part of MEPs debate.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: MEPs Debate part 2

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. First part of MEPs debate.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: MEPs Debate part 1

MEPs outline their demands of European leaders ahead of the EU summit, which is set to focus on Ukraine and the Middle East, crisis prevention, migration. On 19-20 December, EU Heads of State or Government will review the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support for Kyiv, amidst the uncertainty of the new US administration’s approach to the conflict. The European Council will also assess the situation in the Middle East, following the recent ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel, while the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists and there are still dozens of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: extracts from the debate

In a debate with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Barna Zsigmond, Hungary’s Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs, MEPs outline their expectations for the European Council meeting taking place on Thursday 19 December, focusing on the situation in the Middle East, the EU’s support to Ukraine in its war against Russia, and crisis prevention and migration management. Opening statement by Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Preparation of the European Council of 19-20 December 2024: Opening statement by Barna ZSIGMOND, Hungarian Deputy-Minister for European Union Affairs and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

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

Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine: MEPs Debate (part 2)

Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine: MEPs Debate (part 3)

EPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine. The debate focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Russia’s disinformation and historical falsification to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine: Opening Statement

Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, debate Russia’s manipulation of history and use of false narratives to justify its war in Ukraine. The debate focus on Russian historical disinformation narratives to discredit and undermine international support for Ukraine, efforts which are intended to hurt Ukrainian independence and sovereignty. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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