At a glance: MEPs push for faster green pest-control approvals; MEPs warn that Arctic militarisation threatens security; and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs approves proposal to allow MEPs to vote in plenary by proxy.

Korte nyheder – 06/11/2025 - dansk

At a glance: MEPs review EU defence readiness with Commissioner Kubilius; Parliament marks 25 years of UN Women, Peace and Security agenda; and the European Commission to present its first report on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the EU.

Korte nyheder – 05/11/2025 - dansk

At a glance: MEPs to quiz EU Budget Commissioner on next long-term budget; voting to take place on releasing EU Solidarity Fund money for Spain and France following natural disasters; and Commissioners to discuss the Connecting Europe Facility proposal with MEPs.

Korte nyheder – 04/11/2025 - dansk

At a glance: Parliament committees mark the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter; MEPs from the Trade and Foreign Affairs Committees meet in Brussels; the European Parliament hosts the sixth annual Gender Equality Week.

Korte nyheder – 03/11/2025 - dansk

Daphne Caruana Galizia-prisen for journalistik 2025 går til "Follow the Money", på dansk "Følg pengene", en nederlandsk platform for undersøgende journalistik. Undersøgelsen, som blev foretaget i samarbejde med nyhedsredaktioner fra Belgien, Danmark, Tyskland, Grækenland, Italien, Norge og Storbritannien, afslørede, hvordan vestlige rederier tjente over 6 mia. dollars ved at sælge 230 ældre tankskibe til Ruslands skyggeflåde.
Prisen er med til at promovere EU's principper og værdier, der er nedfældet i Den Europæiske Unions charter om grundlæggende rettigheder. Prisen er opkaldt efter Daphne Caruana Galizia, en maltesisk journalist, blogger og antikorruptionsaktivist, der blev myrdet i 2017.

Daphne Caruana Galizia-prisen for journalistik 2025

At a glance: MEPs review housing and wildfire response in Madeira, Portugal; Parliament to hold workshop on housing crisis and short-term rentals; EU trade delegation concludes talks in New Delhi on India free-trade deal.

Korte nyheder – 31/10/2025 - dansk

At a glance: the European Parliament hosts the sixth annual Gender Equality Week; a delegation from the Employment and Social Affairs Committee concludes its visit to Cyprus; and the Commissioner for Enlargement presents the 2025 enlargement package to the Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Korte nyheder – 30/10/2025 - dansk

At a glance: Parliament President Metsola condemns Belarus airspace violations and backs Lithuania’s security; Euronest Parliamentary Assembly meets in Armenia to deepen EU-Eastern Partnership ties; and MEPs conclude DRC mission on sustainable development and governance.

Korte nyheder – 29/10/2025 - dansk

At a glance: a delegation from Parliament’s Regional Development Committee is visiting north-eastern Poland; MEPs from the Committee on Fisheries assess challenges for French and Spanish fishing fleets in the Bay of Biscay; and MEPs visit Nova Gorica and Gorizia, the first-ever cross-border European Capital of Culture.

Korte nyheder – 28/10/2025 - dansk

At a glance: Parliament sets its climate goals ahead of COP30; MEPs visit Brazil ahead of Mercosur trade deal; economic and investment relations top of the agenda for International Trade Committee delegation visiting India.

Korte nyheder – 27/10/2025 - dansk

At a glance: MEPs back stronger 2026 EU budget; Belarus opposition leaders call for continued EU support; the two jailed journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli are the winners of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Korte nyheder – 24/10/2025 - dansk

De fængslede journalister Andrej Patjobut fra Belarus og Mzia Amaglobeli fra Georgien har modtaget Europa-Parlamentets Sakharovpris for tankefrihed 2025.

Sakharovprisen for tankefrihed blev oprettet i 1988 for at ære enkeltpersoner og organisationer, der forsvarer menneskerettighederne og de grundlæggende frihedsrettigheder.

Sakharovprisen for tankefrihed 2025

Italienskfødte Domenico Lenarduzzi betragtes som Erasmusprogrammets ophavsmand. I sin ungdom oplevede han megen racisme, og det prægede ham. Han var overbevist om, at der var behov for at opbygge et europæisk medborgerskab.

Domenico Lenarduzzi, Erasmusprogrammets ophavsmand

At a glance: Parliament’s plenary session is closing today. MEPs looked ahead to today’s EU summit; Parliament approves new rules for EU driving licences; the Dutch platform Follow the Money wins the 2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

Korte nyheder – 23/10/2025 - dansk

Et Kreativt Europa er EU's støtteprogram til at fremme kreativitet. Dets formål er at udvikle og promovere europæisk kulturarv og kulturel mangfoldighed. Programmet støtter de kulturelle og kreative sektorer og særligt den audiovisuelle sektor. Idéen med det er at gøre Europa mere inkluderende, digitalt og miljømæssigt bæredygtig. Hvis du er en ung fagperson eller arbejder for en organisation, der arbejder i de kulturelle eller kunstneriske sektorer, så find ud af, hvordan EU kan hjælpe med at bringe kreative projekter til verden.

Et Kreativt Europa – muligheder for unge i EU

At a glance: Parliament’s plenary session is ongoing. MEPs debate with Commissioner Šuica on the EU’s role in supporting the peace process in the Middle East; Parliament discusses antitrust rules with Commission Vice-President Ribera; and the Committees on Employment and on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality review their report on the gender care gap. 

Korte nyheder – 22/10/2025 - dansk

The progress of&nbsp;digital transformation&nbsp;has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats.&nbsp;Also the COVID19 crisis has again exposed the cyber vulnerabilities of some critical sectors, in particular healthcare, while teleworking and social distance has increased our dependency on digital technologies and connectivity.

As&nbsp; a consequence, in December 2020 the European Commission launched a new EU Cybersecurity Strategy&nbsp;to make physical and digital critical entities more resilient.

The European Parliament and the Coucil reached a deal on&nbsp;May 2022 on the new rules to&nbsp;strengthen EU-wide resilience

The agreed text&nbsp;sets tighter cybersecurity obligations in terms of risk management, reporting obligations and information sharing. The requirements include incident response, supply chain security, encryption and vulnerability disclosure, among other provisions.

Cybersecurity

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

On 6th October plenary held a joint debate on two motions of censure against the European Commission and&nbsp;in two separate votes on 9th October, Parliament rejected them both.

According to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, a motion of censure in respect of the Commission may be submitted to the President by one 10th of the component Members of Parliament, i.e. 72 MEPs.

The reception of two admissible motions will be formally announced to plenary on Monday, before the joint debate with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.. Two separate votes, by roll call, will take place on Thursday. To be adopted, a motion must secure a two-thirds majority of the votes cast, representing a majority of the component Members of Parliament.

On 10 July, Parliament rejected a motion of censure against the Commission, by 175 votes in favour and 360 against, with 18 abstentions.

2024-2029 Commission

Launched in 1962, the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) is a partnership between agriculture and society, and between Europe and its farmers. It aims to: support farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ensuring a stable supply of affordable food; safeguard European Union farmers to make a reasonable living; help tackle climate change and the sustainable management of natural resources; maintain rural areas and landscapes across the EU; keep the rural economy alive by promoting jobs in farming, agri-food industries and associated sectors.

The CAP is a common policy for all EU countries. It is managed and funded at European level from the resources of the EU’s budget. CAP 2023-27 To consolidate the role of European agriculture for the future, the CAP has evolved over the years to meet changing economic circumstances and citizens’ requirements and needs.

The CAP 2023-27 entered into force on 1 January 2023.&nbsp;Support for farmers and rural stakeholders across the 27 EU countries is based on the CAP 2023-27 legal framework and the choices detailed in the&nbsp;CAP Strategic Plans, approved by the Commission. The approved Plans are designed to make a significant contribution to the ambitions of the&nbsp;European Green Deal,&nbsp;Farm to Fork Strategy&nbsp;and&nbsp;Biodiversity Strategy.

Common agricultural policy (CAP)

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

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

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

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

EU - Iran

Relations between the European Union and Guinea go back over 40 years.

Today, the framework for these relations is defined by the June 2000 Cotonou Agreement, concerning political and economic issues, trade, development co-operation, dialogue with civil society and humanitarian aid. 
 
The EU remains committed to supporting Guinea in promoting a stable and democratic political environment that can contribute to regional peace and security. The consolidation of democracy, the rule of law, good governance and human rights is indispensable for the creation of a favourable setting for private investment and sustainable economic development in Guinea.

EU - Guinea

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;©Eugene_Photo / AdobeStock

The global economy is changing rapidly, requiring decisive action to safeguard and strengthen Europe's competitiveness, prosperity, and fairness, including in relation to other global actors. The recently-proposed&nbsp;Automotive Industry 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.&nbsp;

Parliament reviews recent Commission proposals to support the EU steel and metals industries, and the EU’s approach to other energy-intensive industries.The sector, which is critical for the EU's security of supply, is facing high energy costs and unfair global competition at a time when money is needed to pay for decarbonisation.

European competitiveness

Restrictions: © The material of this package may not be edited and single videos must be shown in its entirety.

DG ITEC: Directorate-General for Information Technologies and Cybersecurity

The Drinking Water Directive sets quality standards for drinking water and requires that Member States ensure monitoring and compliance with these standards.

The plans aim to increase citizens’ confidence in the water supply and increase the use of tap water for drinking, which could contribute to reducing plastic usage and litter.

If confidence in tap water improves, citizens can also contribute to reducing plastic waste from bottled water, including marine litter. Plastic bottles are one of the most common single use plastic items found on European beaches. With the update of the Drinking Water Directive, the Commission takes an important legislative step towards implementing the EU Plastics Strategy presented on 16 January 2018.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/water-quality-8th-parliamentary-term_9403_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Water quality

The European Parliament has regularly called for ambitious measures reducing greenhouse gas emissions in road transport.

The EP has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025.&nbsp; Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

Car emissions

2025&nbsp; EU budget was signed into law by European Parliament’s President Metsola during the plenary in November. In February 2024, during the revision of the EU's long-term budget, Parliament secured substantial increases for key priorities, such as support for Ukraine, additions which MEPs were able to maintain for 2025’s budget. They also ensured the financing of the repayment costs for the European Recovery Instrument (EURI), which are almost twice the amount initially forecast for 2025, while at the same time protecting funding for essential programmes like Erasmus+ or research.

MEPs also obtained further funding for essential programmes in the 2025 annual budget. They successfully negotiated an additional €230.7 million beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, focusing on key initiatives including research, health, education, young farmers, coordination of social security schemes, crisis response to natural disasters, climate action, humanitarian aid, military mobility and border management. On top of this extra funding, major increases sourced from previous savings will benefit the 2025 budget, including €422 million for Erasmus+ and €20 million for Horizon Europe.

EU Budget 2025

The EU and Latin America and the Caribbean have enjoyed privileged relations since the first bi-regional Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1999, which established a strategic partnership. They are natural partners linked by strong historical, cultural and economic ties. The EU is the leading investor in the region and its third external trade partner.

EU - Latin America

The film “Flow”, directed by Latvian Gints Zilbalodis, was awarded the 2025 LUX Audience Award at a ceremony&nbsp;&nbsp;in the European Parliament in Brussels. “Flow”, a Latvian, French and Belgian co-production, tells the story of Cat, a solitary animal whose home is devastated by a great flood. In his efforts to adapt to a new world, Cat finds refuge on a boat populated by other animals. The film deals with issues that are central in the European Parliament’s work: climate change, migration, displacement, and resilience.

The four other films shortlisted for the award were: “Animal” by Greek director Sofia&nbsp;Exarchou, “Dahomey” by French director Mati&nbsp;Diop, “Intercepted” by Ukranian director Oksana&nbsp;Karpovych, and “Julie keeps quiet” by Belgian director Leonardo&nbsp;van&nbsp;Dijl. The winning film was chosen by combining a public vote and a vote by MEPs, each weighted at 50%.

The LUX Audience Film Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas. A symbol of the European Parliament’s commitment to culture, the Lux award continues to build cultural bridges across Europe, by putting the spotlight on films that go to the heart of the European public debate. The award aims to strengthen ties between politics and citizens, by inviting European audiences to become active protagonists and cast their vote for their favourite films.

Lux Audience Award 2025

Europe’s Jewish population has been diminishing in recent decades, and a growing number of anti-Semitic acts and anti-Jewish violence have been occurring in recent years in the EU. In defence of its values, including respect for minorities, the EU undertakes and funds actions to counter anti-Semitism.

Jewish communities in the European Union

The European Union produces more than&nbsp;2.2 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently updating its&nbsp;legislation on waste management&nbsp;to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

The circular economy is a&nbsp;model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the&nbsp;life cycle of products is extended.

In March 2020, the European Commission presented the circular economy action plan,&nbsp;&nbsp;which aims to promote more sustainable product design, reduce waste and empower consumers, for example by creating aright to repair). There is a focus on resource intensive sectors, such as&nbsp;electronics and ICT,&nbsp;plastics,&nbsp;textiles&nbsp;and construction.

In February 2021, the Parliament adopted a resolution on the&nbsp;new circular economy action plan&nbsp;demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050, including tighter recycling rules and&nbsp;binding targets for materials use and consumption&nbsp;by 2030.

In March 2022, the Commission released the&nbsp;first package of measures&nbsp;to speed up the transition towards a circular economy, as part of the circular economy action plan. The proposals include boosting sustainable products, empowering consumers for the green transition, reviewing construction product regulation, and creating a strategy on sustainable textiles.

In November 2022, the Commission proposed&nbsp;new EU-wide rules on packaging. It aims to reduce packaging waste and improve packaging design, with for example clear labelling to promote reuse and recycling; and calls for a transition to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Circular economy

Since its creation in 1993, the single market has helped to make everyday life easier for people and businesses, fuelling jobs and growth across the EU. In 2023, the EU commemorated&nbsp;the 30th anniversary since its creation.&nbsp;

Three decades since its creation,&nbsp;&nbsp;MEPs called for renewed commitment and political will from member states and EU institutions, as well as a specific action plan for 2030 and beyond, in order to further strengthen and develop the single market, especially in areas such as services, energy, telecommunications and the digital single market.

The single market is generally considered to be the cornerstone of the EU economy and one of the greatest achievements of the European Union. Comprising nearly 450 million people and 20 million enterprises, it constitutes the largest integrated market in the world, worth €14 trillion in 2018.

The free movement of persons, goods, services and capital is the pillar on which the single market is built. The cross-border movement of the first three has been severely affected by the pandemic of Covid-19. Soon after its outbreak, the majority of Member States reintroduced internal border controls on grounds of an immediate threat to public health. These have been accompanied by restrictions or bans on international passenger transport and bans on entry and exit.&nbsp;

Single market

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Chisinau (Moldova)

Harnessing women’s talent through education, training and employment, to drive economic growth and progress, is the main topic of several events being organised by parliamentary committees this week (Monday to Thursday). 

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opens the hearing on “Women’s leadership in politics” in the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee on Wednesday.

Every year Parliament holds a Gender Equality Week to take stock of the achievements and identify new measures to advance girls' and women's rights and ensure gender equality. Events are organised by Parliament's committees, delegations, political groups and administration. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee.

In 2025 the European Gender Equality Week will focus on talent. The main event will host a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents.

Parliament wishes to emphasise that creating the conditions for women to participate fully in the workforce and public life is not only a matter of fairness, but it also brings economic and social benefits.

Gender Equality Week: "Women's leadership on politics"

President Roberta Metsola meets with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, and addresses the boards of agriculture sector organisations Coldiretti and Confagricoltura. She also speaks at an event organised by Formiche and addresses the opening of the Sigma Summit

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy)

President Metsola’s three-day mission to Washington DC (27–29 October 2025) featured a dense programme of high-level meetings, strategic dialogues, and media engagements. Her visit included exchanges with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senators and Congressman, alongside discussions with representatives from leading global companies including Warner Bros. Discovery, META, Airbus, Spotify, Amazon and Microsoft. The President also took part in a World Economic Forum roundtable on technology and artificial intelligence and delivered a keynote speech with Q&A at Georgetown University.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Washington DC (USA)

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Milan and participates in the event ‘Sport as a Key Factor in European Policy: The Impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on our Society’. Twenty years after Turin 2006, the event celebrates the return of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics to Europe. In the afternoon, in the Council Room of ICE - Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalisation of Italian Businesses, President Metsola participates in a meeting with business representatives and trade associations to discuss the issues of simplification and competitiveness.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Milan (Italy)

European Council

The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. 

Provisional Agenda of 23.10.2025

1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Ukraine
3. Middle East
4. European defence and security
5. Competitiveness and twin transition
6. Housing
7. Migration

Conclusions: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/10/23/european-council-conclusions-23-october-2025/

European Council meeting 23.10.2025

EP Plenary discusses the recent allegations that the Hungarian government has been spying on the EU institutions.

On 9 October, several media outlets published allegations that the Hungarian secret services, posing as diplomats at the Hungarian Permanent Representation to the EU, attempted to recruit EU officials as informants in Brussels. The Commission has said it will set up an internal group to investigate the allegations.

In a plenary debate on Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss the allegations with Commission and Council representatives.

EP Plenary debate on allegations of Hungarian espionage

In a formal sitting, the two prominent opposition leaders from Belarus address plenary.

Sergey Tihanovski was pardoned and released from jail, along with 13 other political prisoners in June. He ran as presidential candidate in 2020 but was arrested and sentenced to 18 years in prison for “organising riots” and “inciting hatred” and then to 18 months extra for “insubordination”. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya entered the presidential race in her husband’s place and ran against Alexander Lukashenko, who was declared winner of the fraudulent 2020 elections. In a text adopted in October 2020, the European Parliament noted that Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya was president-elect in the eyes of the Belarusian people and that her Coordination Council was the legitimate representative of the people of Belarus.

MEPs and Council and Commission representatives discuss the situation in Belarus five years after the fraudulent presidential elections

After the 2020 presidential elections in Belarus, the Lukashenko regime launched a brutal and systematic crackdown on peaceful protests against the fraudulent election result. Since then, the Belarusian authorities have pursued a campaign to shut down civil society, silence independent media and eliminate all forms of political opposition. Thousands have been unjustly detained, subjected to torture and ill-treatment, or forced into exile. In January 2025, Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, won a seventh consecutive presidential term. Opposition leaders and activists did not react to the vote, as most had been jailed or gone into exile, and no dissent is tolerated inside the country.

Formal sitting with Sergey Tihanovski and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Parliament President Roberta Metsola, announces the laureate of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the EU's highest human rights award. It has been awarded annually by Parliament since 1988, to individuals, groups or organisations in recognition of their outstanding commitment to human rights, freedom of expression or the defence of democratic values.

This year, MEPs from the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Development voted for the following three finalists on 16 October 2025 (in alphabetical order): 

-Imprisoned journalists fighting for your freedom and ours, Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia;
 -Journalists and humanitarian aid workers in Palestine and all conflict zones, represented by the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, the Red Crescent, and UNRWA;
 -Serbian students.

After this committee vote, the Sakharov Prize laureate is chosen by the Conference of Presidents, composed of President Metsola and the leaders of parliament’s political groups.

Announcement of  the laureate of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

MEPs look ahead to the 23 October EU summit in a debate with the European Commission and the Danish Presidency.

Ahead of the meeting of Heads of State or Government in Brussels on 23 October, plenary discusses how the EU can continue to support Ukraine against Russia’s aggression, as well as the EU’s response to recent developments in the Middle East, where the release of the remaining hostages and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza followed the first phase of a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel.

At their meeting, EU leaders also focus on strengthening Europe’s economic competitiveness, guided by the Competitiveness Compass and the Draghi Report, which call for higher public investment and wide-ranging economic reforms. They will also address Europe’s housing crisis, defence and security policy, and ways to manage migration flows and ensure border protection.

EP Plenary debate on Parliament’s priorities for the October European Council

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism

The Prize is a tribute to the Maltese investigative journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was assassinated in October 2017. It rewards, on a yearly basis, outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union, such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and human rights.

The Prize is open to professional journalists and teams of professional journalists of any nationality to submit in-depth stories that have been published or broadcast by a media outlet based in one of the 27 European Union member states. From 21 May to 31 July 2025, more than 300 applications were submitted by journalists from the 27 EU countries for this fourth edition of the Prize.

The Prize itself, and the €20,000 prize money, demonstrate the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and the protection of journalists around the world.



Follow the Money won the 2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism for exposing the hidden financial networks enabling Russia’s sanction-evading oil trade.

The investigation, coordinated by the platform for investigative journalism “Follow the Money” in collaboration with media from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, revealed how Western shipowners earned over 6 billion dollars selling 230 aging tankers to Russia's shadow fleet.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize 2025 Award ceremony

A “reparations loan” to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction and defence is the subject of a debate with Commission and Council representatives.

The EU is working on an ambitious initiative to unlock €185 billion in frozen Russian Central Bank assets. Announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month during her State of the Union speech as a “reparations loan”, the assets themselves would not be touched and Ukraine would only reimburse the loan once Russia pays the reparations. EU leaders will be discussing this plan at their summit on 23-24 October.

Background

After Russia launched its full-scale illegal invasion of Ukraine, the international community prohibited all transactions involving the assets and reserves of the Central Bank of Russia. As a result, €260 billion of these assets worldwide are currently “immobilised”, with more than two thirds (about €210 billion) in the EU. Depending on the interest rates, revenues from these immobilised assets can total up to €3 billion annually.

EP Pleanry debate on the stepping up funding for Ukraine and using frozen Russian assets

In a key debate  MEPs and Commission representatives discuss the recent Middle East peace agreement and the role of the EU.

Welcoming the peace deal for the Middle East, Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the EU stands ready to help ensure its implementation. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of providing governance support and support for the reform of the Palestinian Authority. In a statement following his participation in the Sharm El-Sheikh Summit, European Council President António Costa said the EU stands ready to participate in the International Peace Board and to support transitional governance, recovery, and reconstruction.

On 11 September 2025, MEPs adopted a resolution, stating that the creation of a Palestinian state is key to peace, Israel’s security, and regional normalisation.

Since the announcement of the peace agreement and the coming into effect of the ceasefire the remaining 20 living Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for 2,000 Palestinians held by Israel. Key aspects of the peace plan, such as the disarmament of Hamas, withdrawal of Israel’s army, and the future governance of Gaza are yet to be resolved.

EP Plenary debate on the Middle East peace agreement and the role of the EU

The Foreign Affairs and Development Committees votes to shortlist three candidates for the European Parliament’s 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The prize has been awarded since 1988 and is the highest European award for commitment to and work on human rights

Sakharov Prize 2025: Vote on a shortlist of 3 candidates

EP President addresses the Riga Conference and meets with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa.

The Rīga Conference is an annual meeting of regional and international experts in foreign policy and defense, academics, journalists, and business representatives, promoting the discussion and assessment of issues affecting the transatlantic community. Convening in the Latvian capital since 2006, the conference has become a recognized annual tradition in the region.

The Rīga Conference 2025 will be taking place from 9th till 11th of October, 2025.  Conference will be organised in a hybrid format: with a limited number of participants in person and a wider audience online in order to ensure maximum safety and flexibility for all participants and speakers.

Explore highlights from previous years here and follow the upcoming information on the web page and in our social media channels to find the latest information on speakers, agenda and much more!

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia)

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen delivers a speech in the European Parliament’s hemicycle in Strasbourg.

With US President Donald Trump stating that he could not rule out an American annexation of the strategically important island, Greenland has found itself at the centre of geopolitical tension between the US and Europe. While Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, both Greenlandic and Danish authorities have continuously stressed Greenland’s right to self-determination and that Greenland is “not for sale”.

Nielsen assumed office in April 2025.

Formal sitting with Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen

MEPs debate recent Russian incursions into EU airspace with representatives of the Danish Council Presidency and the European Commission.

A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday.

The debate follows incidents in which Russian drones and aircraft violated both Polish and Estonian airspace in recent weeks. It also comes after drones of unidentified origin caused disturbances at and around civilian airports and military bases in Denmark – events that the Danish authorities have referred to as “concerted hybrid attacks”.

EP Plenary debate on Russian violations of EU airspace and critical infrastructure

Following the US President’s Gaza peace proposal, MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how the EU should join in peace efforts and support the two-state solution.

US President Donald Trump announced his roadmap for peace in Gaza last Monday. It includes a plan for the release of the hostages and the demilitarisation of Hamas. EU leaders, including the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, have welcomed the proposal.

Last month, Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation on Gaza, sounding the alarm over the catastrophic humanitarian crisis there and stressing that Israel’s right to defend itself cannot justify indiscriminate military action. MEPs also said member states should consider recognising the State of Palestine, with a view to carrying through the two-state solution.

EP Plenary debate on the EU’s role in supporting peace efforts for Gaza

CONT - Hearing on MFF 1 and MFF 5, Security and Defence with Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Andrius KUBILIUS, in the presence of ECA reporting Members Mihails KOZLOVS (MFF Heading 1), and Marek OPIOLA (MFF Heading 5)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Richard RAŠI, Speaker of the National Council of Slovakia

SEDE - Current challenges facing UN Peacekeeping with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Peace Operations

As many women and girls continue to face barriers in accessing affordable menstrual products, menstrual poverty remains a significant socioeconomic issue. To combat it, the EU Value Added Tax (VAT) Directive now allows Member States to apply reduced or zero VAT rates to sanitary products. On 4 November 2025, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will hold a public hearing on this issue in light of the Parliament's Gender Equality Week.

VAT rates on tampons across the EU

This briefing provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the current 10th parliamentary term (2024-2029) who had held public office at local, regional and/or national level before taking up their mandates (or, in some cases, continue to hold sub-national level public posts).

MEPs' public-office experience before being elected in 2024

Attracting young people to agriculture has been a goal of the European Union's (EU) common agricultural policy (CAP) since the 1980s. However, EU farmers are getting older – 57 % of farm managers are over 55 years of age, while only 12 % are under 40. Young farmers ensure continuity of agricultural production and bring vitality to rural areas.

Generational renewal in EU agriculture

Maternity leave and voting procedures for Members of parliaments differ widely across the European Union (EU). Maternity-related absences are considered justified for Members of the European Parliament, but the current rules do not permit remote voting, proxy voting or temporary substitution. Maternity leave for parliamentarians is generally permitted across the EU's Member States, although legal frameworks and practical arrangements differ.

Maternity leave and voting procedures in EU national parliaments

This infographics summarises the results of integrated assessments of Baltic Sea's pressures and status. It illustrates the proportion of the Baltic Sea, based on square kilometers, in different assessment status categories. The assessment was carried out during the period 2016-2021.

State of the Baltic Sea environment

Care work, whether provided in institutional settings such as childcare centres and healthcare facilities, or in home settings, is largely invisible, undervalued and carried out by women. The resulting gender care gap has profound consequences for the European Union's (EU) labour market and competitiveness as well as the well-being and cohesion of society. This briefing seeks to support the European Parliament's committees on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) in their preparation of an own-initiative report on addressing the gender care gap.

Addressing the gender care gap: Potential European added value

With the growing weaponisation of trade, the EU's trade defence toolbox is increasingly relevant. The importance of the EU's trade defence arsenal is underscored, among other factors, by persistent global overcapacity in a range of sectors, which has significant distorting effects on international markets, and by the weaponisation of trade, including through economic coercion amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Understanding the EU trade defence toolbox

Military mobility, defined as the capacity of armed forces to swiftly move troops and equipment across the European Union (EU), is a crucial but long-overlooked aspect of European defence. After decades of underinvestment and unresolved obstacles, there is a need to intensify coordinated and integrated efforts at EU, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Member State level to increase resources and address physical, legislative, and regulatory barriers that continue to cause delays and disruptions for military forces. Failure to act would leave armed forces unprepared in the face of threats, and undermine the security of citizens. This briefing looks within and beyond the current framework and explores the potential impact of additional investment of between €75 billion and €100 billion until 2035 to improve the current state of infrastructure. Our analysis finds that the added value associated with a larger amount of funds invested collectively leads to benefits which are almost three times higher (€21 billion additional GDP per year in 2035) than when Member States invest separately and in an uncoordinated way.

CEF military mobility funding by transport mode

One of the first, and boldest, measures taken by Western countries as a response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was the immobilisation of the Russian central bank assets held under their jurisdictions, the value of which could be around €300 billion worldwide, according to recent estimations. As the war is well into its fourth year, the debate on how to use the immobilised assets to sustain Ukraine's reconstruction efforts – a cost estimated at US$524 billion – has evolved.

Frozen Russian assets: where are they immobilised?

This EPRS paper analyses how the European Commission is delivering on the policy agenda set by its President, Ursula von der Leyen, and her College of Commissioners, since taking office in December 2024. It provides a first assessment of the delivery of the agenda's seven priorities, on the eve of the first State of the Union address of von der Leyen's second mandate as Commission President. The von der Leyen II Commission has set seven new priorities – none of which continues directly from the six priorities of her first mandate – and has so far announced some 250 initiatives with which to achieve them. Half of these initiatives fall under the first priority, on prosperity and competitiveness.

The European Commission's seven priorities: delivery up to 1 September 2025

Smart and sustainable transport plays a significant role in advancing the EU's green and digital transitions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the crisis-response instrument the EU launched to boost EU economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. All EU Member States included transport-related measures in their national recovery and resilience plans.

Smart and sustainable transport investments in the national recovery and resilience plans

The College of Commissioners is currently composed of 27 individuals: the President, Ursula von der Leyen, 6 Executive Vice-Presidents and 20 Commissioners. The Executive Vice-Presidents have a dual role; they manage a specific portfolio and coordinate efforts across the main priorities of the Commission's political agenda. The other Commissioners are each responsible for a specific policy area, working under the guidance of the Executive Vice-Presidents. The table below shows for each Commissioner the Vice-President(s) guiding work on their portfolio (in certain cases, Commissioners work directly under the guidance of the President).

European Commission: Political make-up of the College of Commissioners

The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. Under the Treaties, its tasks are to 'promote the general interest of the Union', without prejudice to individual Member States, to 'ensure the application of the Treaties' and measures adopted under them, for instance through taking infringement measures against Member States who do not correctly implement EU legislation, and to 'execute the budget'. It also holds a near monopoly on the right of legislative initiative, alone proposing virtually all EU legislation to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The College of Commissioners is currently composed of 27 individuals: the President, Ursula von der Leyen, 6 Executive Vice-Presidents and 20 Commissioners. The table below shows for each Commissioner the Vice-President(s) guiding work on their portfolio (in certain cases, Commissioners work directly under the guidance of the President).

European Commission: Commissioners' relationships with parliamentary committees

The Council of the European Union – often referred to as the Council of Ministers, or simply the Council – forms one part of the legislature and the budgetary authority of the Union. The Council and European Parliament together adopt much of the EU's legislation and the Union's annual budget, on the basis of proposals put forward by the executive, the European Commission. The Council also takes decisions on specific areas of EU action, in particular in common foreign and security policy (CFSP), where it seeks to coordinate Member States' positions, and concludes – subject to the consent of the Parliament – international agreements, usually negotiated by the Commission on the basis of a mandate from the Council. The Council of the EU is distinct from the European Council, which is a separate institution made up of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States. The European Council is responsible for defining the general political directions and priorities for the Union, but does not have formal legislative functions.

Rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union

As every year, two annual procedures are central to the budgetary work of the European Parliament and the other institutions – agreeing on the 2026 budget, and granting discharge for the implementation of the 2024 budget. In addition, in 2025, the process of agreeing the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the years from 2028 will also get under way. This timeline sets out the main steps in the three procedures up to end 2025.

Timeline for the three key EU budgetary procedures up to end 2025

The EU and its Member States have made efforts and funds available to support the integration of displaced people from Ukraine in terms of employment, housing, education and healthcare. Research indicates that Ukrainian refugees have a high employment rate in host countries, reflecting the circular mobility pattern observed among Ukrainians prior to 2022, when they were the largest non-EU workforce within the EU. However, with no end to the war in sight, the situation of Ukrainian refugees remains uncertain.

Displaced Ukrainians

There are over 210 innovation hubs in the EU, with at least one in every Member State. The scope of innovative European companies could be aligned with the EU's Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which was established to support European industry and investment in critical technologies. The 28th regime could also help to streamline the public sector's purchasing power and 'European' preference through public procurement. Doing so could help align the strategic scale-up of innovative European companies in relation to society's needs.

Digital innovation hubs

The clean tech sector in the EU is driven to a large extent by the European Green Deal, which aims to support the energy transition and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. At present, the EU is relatively competitive in the development and scale-up of clean technologies and is at the centre of global patenting networks. Yet, urgent and decisive action is needed to ensure the EU's continued leadership, to strengthen its strategic autonomy in access to certain key clean technologies (such as batteries), and to meet the climate neutrality target.

Global trends in clean tech co-patenting

Euroscola

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs - ICM

LIBE

Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting ICM

SEDE

Beyond the numbers: the contribution of Article 17 TFEU to an EU Multiannual Financial Framework grounded in ethics, solidarity and inclusion

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

Plenary session

Last minute session briefing

Press Briefing: Protection of minors

STOA-ERC event: From Science to Policy: Shaping a Sustainable and Competitive Europe

Subcommittee on Human Rights Ordinary meeting

DROI

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Ordinary meeting

Subcommittee on Human Rights Ordinary meeting - Jointly with AFET

AFET

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Ordinary meeting

IMCO

Committee on Regional Development Ordinary meeting

REGI

FEMM LIBE - Presentation by the Commission - Baseline evaluation procedure of the European Union's implementation of the Council of Europe   Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention)

SEDE - Defence readiness agenda - 2030: achievements, state of play and priorities for 2026 with Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation

Hearing on Neighbourhood and the World (MFF6) with Commissioners Marta KOS, Dubravka SUICA and Joseph SIKELA, in the presence of ECA reporting Members Laima ANDRIKIENNE (Neighbourhood and the World), and Marek OPIOLA (EDF)

FEMM SEDE - Hearing: The 25th anniversary of UN SCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security

TRAN - TTF meeting - Beyond resilience: leveraging connectivity, heritage and local excellence to build lasting sustainability in tourism

MFF Contact Group

TRAN ITRE - Joint Committee procedure CJ05 (ITRE-TRAN) - Presentation of the CEF proposal by the Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Mr Dan Jørgensen

EPAA 20th Anniversary Conference

ECON -  Structured Dialogue with Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union

STOA - Research and Innovation for the Future: Gender Equality Driving Science, Society, and Democracy

BUDG - Exchange of views on the MFF Regulation, the Inter-institutional Agreement, and the Own Resources Decision with Piotr Serafin, Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

CONT - Hearing on the RRF with Vice President Valdis DOMBROVKIS and Commissioner Raffaele FITTO, in the presence of ECA Member for Annual Report Jan GREGOR

Public Hearing with Dominique Laboureix, Chair of the Single Resolution Board (SRB)

TRAN - Exchange of views with European Coordinators for the TEN-T

On the occasion of the sixth edition of the European Parliament's Gender Equality Week 2025, ECON's contribution featured high level female representatives in European finance, on Wednesday 5 November 2025. Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) addressed ECON Members via a video message on 'The EIB Group's strategy for gender equality and women's economic empowerment'.

Video message by Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank on 'The EIB Group's strategy for gender equality and women's economic empowerment'

Antonella SBERNA, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for the Gender Equality Week delivers a speech, opening the public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics at the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). This year the European Gender Equality Week focus on talent. The main event hosts a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents. Parliament wishes to emphasise that creating the conditions for women to participate fully in the workforce and public life is not only a matter of fairness, but it also brings economic and social benefits. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee.

Public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics: speech by Antonella SBERNA, Vice-President of the European Parliament responsible for the Gender Equality Week

Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Chair of the Committee delivers welcoming remarks, opening the public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics at the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). This year the European Gender Equality Week focus on talent. The main event hosts a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents. Parliament wishes to emphasise that creating the conditions for women to participate fully in the workforce and public life is not only a matter of fairness, but it also brings economic and social benefits. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee.

Public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics: welcoming remarks by Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Chair of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality

EP President Roberta METSOLA delivers a speech, opening the public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics at the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM). This year the European Gender Equality Week focus on talent. The main event hosts a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents. Parliament wishes to emphasise that creating the conditions for women to participate fully in the workforce and public life is not only a matter of fairness, but it also brings economic and social benefits. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics: speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

This News item shows extracts from the public hearing on Women's Leadership in Politics at the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and statement by Lina GÁLVEZ (S&D, ES), Chair of FEMM Committee. This year the European Gender Equality Week focus on talent. The main event hosts a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents. Parliament wishes to emphasise that creating the conditions for women to participate fully in the workforce and public life is not only a matter of fairness, but it also brings economic and social benefits. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Women's Leadership in Politics: extracts from the public hearing and statement by Lina GÁLVEZ (S&D, ES), Chair of FEMM Committee

EP President Roberta METSOLA delivers a speech at the International final event of the S-INFO – Sustainable Information project, “The future of investigative and independent journalism in Europe”. Over the past two years, the S-INFO project has built bridges between journalists, activists, and civil society organisations across Europe to rethink the role of journalism as a public good. Now, at this final stage, we’ll present the Manifesto for Sustainable Information – a shared political and ethical vision for independent journalism – and unveil the key results of the project: Transnational investigations exposing issues of corruption, environment, and social rights - A European network of journalists and CSOs working together for media freedom - Training programmes, mentoring, and safer spaces for journalists.

“The future of investigative and independent journalism in Europe”: address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

The Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) has put forward a proposal to allow MEPs to vote in plenary by proxy during pregnancy and in the months following childbirth. Under the proposed targeted revision to the EU Electoral Act, a member who is pregnant or has given birth would be able to delegate their plenary voting rights to another MEP for a maximum of three months before the estimated date of birth and six months after. The legislative initiative report was adopted by 28 votes in favour, one against and without abstentions, while the accompanying resolution received 26 votes in favour and four against, without abstentions. This news items shows extracts from the vote and a statement by the Rapporteur Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES).

European Electoral act - Proxy vote during pregnancy: extracts from the vote and statement by Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Rapporteur

This News items shows extracts from the participation of EP President Roberta METSOLA to the opening ceremony of Sigma Central Europe. SiGMA Central Europe is a regional iGaming event offering insights into regulation, tech solutions, and networking for Central European markets. It stands as a major global event organizer in the iGaming. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): extracts from the participation to the opening ceremony of Sigma Central Europe, major global event organizer in the iGaming

EP President Roberta METSOLA delivers a speech at the Sigma Central Europe. SiGMA Central Europe is a regional iGaming event offering insights into regulation, tech solutions, and networking for Central European markets. It stands as a major global event organizer in the iGaming. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): opening speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the Sigma Central Europe

This Infoclip illustrates different views of Washington D.C. including its institutions (Capitol, Rayburn House Office, Russel Senate, US Chamber of Commerce, Georgetown University) and key companies (CNN, META, Airibus Experience Center, Microsoft, Brookings Institute).

Infoclip: Washington: General views, institutions and companies

EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Confagricoltura, the largest collective organisation of farmers in Italy, representing 60% of the country’s territory, 70% of agri-food turnover and 34% of Italian farmers.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): meeting with Confagricoltura, General Confederation of Italian Agriculture

EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Roberto GUALTIERI, Mayor of Rome, on the occasion of her official visit.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): meeting with Roberto GUALTIERI, Mayor of Rome

EP President Roberta METSOLA delivers a speech at the Formiche European Gala, in Rome. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at Formiche European Gala

On the occasion of her official visit to Rome, Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with the Italian agriculture trade association Coldiretti. Representing and providing assistance to Italian agriculture, the Italian organisation Coldiretti based its claims and actions on farmers' incomes. The success of its supply chain contracts for cereals, tomatoes and tobacco has made its reputation. This news item shows arrival of President Metsola, extracts from her speech and cutaways of the event.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy): extracts from the address to the Board of Coldiretti, Italian agricultural trade association

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