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

Group picture of the Members of the Anti-Corruption Intergroup's bureau

LIBE the constitutive meeting of the LIBE Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG)

BUDG CONT - Confirmation hearing of Piotr Arkadiusz SERAFIN, European Commissioner-designate for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

INTA AFCO - Confirmation hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner-designate for Trade, Economic Security, and Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency

EP Plenary session - Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report 2023

EP Plenary session - Voting session

CONT - European Court of Auditors Annual Report 2023

EP Plenary session - 2024 Annual Rule of law report

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

Delegations for relations with the Arab Peninsula Constitutive meeting

Daniel FREUND in the EP in Brussels

EP Plenary session - Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards

Press seminar with journlaists from Ouest France

Press conference on Proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties

Press conference on Did Hungary fulfil the necessary milestones to unfreeze EU funds?

Seminar with France TV journalists 2

CONT delegation  fact-finding mission to Budapest, Hungary - Meeting with Dr Tibor NAVRACSICS, Minister for Regional Development

EP Press conference on the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary

Press conference on on the study on suspending EU funding to Hungary under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation

Press conference on the Rule of Law conditionality: EU Court ruling on the annulment request by Hungary and Poland

Visit of EP facilities with DG INLO

COFOE - Meeting of the Green Caucus for the Conference Future EU

Fact finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee to Czech Republic - Visit of LASER ELI Beamlines EU project

Fact finding mission of the Budgetary Control Committee to Czech RepublicMeeting with the Association of Private Farming in the Czech Republic, with Chairman Mr J. SEBEK

Meeting of the Anti-Corruption Intergroup

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

Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner-designate for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration of the VON DER LEYEN Commission, is heard by the Budgets (BUDG) and Budgetary Control (CONT) Committees. Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and Legal Affairs (JURI) are also invited to participate as joint committees. Questions and answers.

Confirmation hearing of Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner-designate for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration: Questions / Answers (part 2)

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner-designate, Trade and Economic Security & Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency of the VON DER LEYEN Commission, is heard by the International Trade (INTA) and Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) Committees. Committees on Foreign Affairs (AFET), on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), on Petitions (PETI), on Development (DEVE) and on Legal Affairs (JURI) are also invited to participate as joint committees. Questions and answers.

Confirmation hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Commissioner-designate, Trade and Economic Security & Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency: Questions / Answers (part 5 - Political groups in reverse order)

Seven years after the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the European Parliament discusses the state of the rule of law in Malta. MEPs assess the country's recent developments in upholding European values, focusing on media freedom and anti-corruption efforts. Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed corruption, money laundering, and organized crime in Malta, was murdered in a car bomb attack in 2017. Her assassination sparked widespread outrage, leading to political upheaval and the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. In the same session on Wednesday, the winner of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism will be announced, honoring her legacy in the fight for transparency and justice. The debate underscores the EU's broader commitment to promoting democracy and the rule of law, not only within its borders but also in candidate countries as part of the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. MEPs debate (part 1)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs that the Commission is requesting further details from the Hungarian government about this expansion.

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: MEPs debate (part 1)

The Body would develop and interpret common minimum standards of ethical conduct, as well as publish reports on how these have been applied in internal rules. Parliament decides on Thursday whether to approve the agreement to establish an Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards, which aims to set up a framework for cooperation for the EU’s institutions and bodies. Even though Parliament’s negotiators managed to improve the Commission’s proposal significantly, which was described as “unsatisfactory” by MEPs in July 2023, MEPs are set to raise issues related to the scope and powers of the envisioned body (including Council’s limited participation) in the debate preceding the vote. Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

EP Plenary session - Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards: Closing statements by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

MEPs are set to give their final green light on Wednesday to new legislation to protect EU journalists and media from political or economic interference. Plenary will discuss the draft European Media Freedom Act, agreed provisionally with the EU ministers in December 2023, on Tuesday afternoon. The new law will oblige member states to protect media independence from governmental, political, economic or private interference. It will ban all forms of interventions in editorial decisions and prevent the external pressuring of journalists to force them to disclose their sources or by targeting them with spyware. To increase media ownership transparency, all outlets regardless of their size will have to publish information about their owners and report on their receipt of state funding. MEPs debate.

EP Plenary session - European Media Freedom Act: MEPs debate

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Opening statements by Sandro GOZI (Renew, IT), Rapporteur and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: Opening statements by Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur, Věra JOUROVÁ, VP of the EC, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

MEPs discuss the December European Council, the 1 February Special summit and assess the situation in Hungary with the European Council's and Commission's presidents. During their meeting on 14 - 15 December, heads of state or government agreed, among other things, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia. First part of MEPs debate.

Joint debate on European Council meetings: MEP debate (part 1)

MEPs debate the impact of the announced reform of the criminal code on Slovakia’s efforts to fight corruption. On 6 December, the new Slovak government tabled a draft law to overhaul the country’s penal code. If approved by its parliament, the special prosecutor’s office dealing with the most serious crimes and corruption would be dismantled. The government also intends to soften penalties for corruption offences. Several investigators and police officers looking into corruption charges have already faced repercussions from the new government, such as being dismissed, suspended or sidelined from these investigations.

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law: MEPs debate

MEPs put forward draft changes to the EU’s core rules, following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe and reacting to unprecedented challenges. The text, prepared in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs by five co-rapporteurs representing a broad majority, includes a more bicameral system, as well as granting Parliament the full right to initiate legislation and the right to co-legislate on the EU’s long-term budget. It also calls for an increase in the number of decisions taken by qualified majority in the Council. Closing statements Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Democracy and Demography, Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE), Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE), Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE) and Helmut SCHOLZ (The Left, DE), Rapporteurs.

Proposal of the European Parliament for the amendment of Treaties: Closing statements Dubravka ŠUICA, VP of the EC in charge of Democracy and Demography, and Rapporteurs

MEPs put forward draft changes to the EU’s core rules, following up on the Conference on the Future of Europe and reacting to unprecedented challenges. The text, prepared in the Committee on Constitutional Affairs by five co-rapporteurs representing a broad majority, includes a more bicameral system, as well as granting Parliament the full right to initiate legislation and the right to co-legislate on the EU’s long-term budget. It also calls for an increase in the number of decisions taken by qualified majority in the Council. Opening statements by Rapporteurs and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Proposal of the EP for the amendment of Treaties: opening by Rapporteurs and Pascual NAVARRO RÍOS, Spanish Secretary of State for the European Union and Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE) Sven SIMON (EPP, DE) Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE) Daniel FREUND (Gscreens/EFA, DE) Helmut SCHOLZ (Left, DE) co-rapporteurs hold a press conference after the vote on Proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties. The text includes a more bicameral system, as well as granting Parliament the full right to initiate legislation and the right to co-legislate on the EU’s long-term budget. It also calls for an increase in the number of decisions taken by qualified majority in the Council. Other proposals touch upon the election of the Commission President, citizens’ participation including EU-wide referendums, and more EU powers in areas such as environment and biodiversity, security and defense, civil protection, public health, energy, and cross-border-infrastructure.

Press conference by Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE) Sven SIMON (EPP, DE) Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE) Daniel FREUND (Gscreens/EFA, DE) Helmut SCHOLZ (Left, DE) co-rapporteurs on Proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties.

Following harassment and threats, Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered in a car bomb explosion on 16 October 2017. The outcry over the authorities’ handling of her murder investigation ultimately prompted the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Critical of failings in the investigation, in December 2019, MEPs called on the European Commission to take action. Parliament takes stock of the state of the rule of law in Malta and speaks up for the safety and independence of journalists. First part of the MEPs debate.

Rule of Law in Malta, 6 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists: MEPs debate

The European Court of Auditors (ECA) is an institution of the European Union (EU) and the external auditor of the EU’s finances. In this capacity, it acts as the independent guardian of the financial interests of all EU citizens, notably by helping to improve the EU’s financial management. Its annual report on the implementation of the EU budget presents the statement of assurance as to whether the EU’s accounts are reliable and whether the EU budget has been used in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. Tony Murphy, President of the European Court of Auditors, attends the hemicycle in order to discuss the Court of Auditors' annual report 2022 with MEPs.

Presentation of the Court of Auditors' annual report 2022 - in the presence of Tony Murphy, President of the Court of Auditors: MEPs debate

MEPs ask the Commission about allegations that Member States are issuing visas in return for bribes in the Schengen area. In a debate with the European Commission, MEPs discuss recent allegations that Polish overseas consulates are accepting bribes in return for issuing Schengen visas, and their impact on the EU’s common visa policy and the Schengen free-travel area. Second part of the debate.

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: MEP's debate (part 2)

The 2023 Rule of Law Report, including its 27 country chapters, examines developments across all Member States, both positive and negative, in four key areas for the rule of law: the justice system, the anti-corruption framework, media pluralism and freedom, and other institutional issues related to checks and balances. The country chapters, which rely on a qualitative assessment carried out by the Commission, analyse new developments since the previous Report and the follow-up to the challenges and developments identified in the 2022 edition.

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