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

Kurznachrichten – 29/04/2025 - Deutsch

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

Kurznachrichten – 28/04/2025 - Deutsch

Das Übereinkommen von Paris ist ein verbindlicher völkerrechtlicher Vertrag, der 2015 auf der Weltklimakonferenz der Vereinten Nationen in Paris (COP 21 ) geschlossen wurde.
Ziel ist, die Erderwärmung auf deutlich unter zwei Grad Celsius – idealerweise auf 1,5 °C – gegenüber der vorindustriellen Zeit zu begrenzen.
Fast alle Staaten dieser Welt haben sich zu diesem Klimaschutzübereinkommen verpflichtet und wollen ihre Treibhausgasemissionen verringern. Die EU ratifizierte das Übereinkommen von Paris im Jahr 2016. Seitdem bildet es das Herzstück ihrer Klimaschutzpolitik.

Das Übereinkommen von Paris – Klimaschutz für unsere Zukunft

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

Kurznachrichten – 25/04/2025 - Deutsch

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

Kurznachrichten – 24/04/2025 - Deutsch

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

Kurznachrichten – 23/04/2025 - Deutsch

Im Januar 2025 stellte die Europäische Kommission den Kompass für Wettbewerbsfähigkeit vor – die erste größere Initiative in der zweiten Amtszeit von Kommissionspräsidentin von der Leyen. Der Kompass gibt den strategischen Rahmen für die künftige Arbeit der Kommission vor. Er soll den Weg bahnen, damit in der Europäischen Union Zukunftstechnik und innovative Dienstleistungen entwickelt und umweltfreundliche Produkte erfunden, hergestellt und auf den Markt gebracht werden – und gleichzeitig Klimaneutralität erreicht wird.

Der Kompass für die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der EU

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

Kurznachrichten – 16/04/2025 - Deutsch

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

Kurznachrichten – 15/04/2025 - Deutsch

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

Kurznachrichten – 14/04/2025 - Deutsch

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

Kurznachrichten – 11/04/2025 - Deutsch

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

Kurznachrichten – 10/04/2025 - Deutsch

Simone Veil ist eine der Gründermütter der EU. Sie war die erste Präsidentin des ersten direkt gewählten Europäischen Parlaments und eine treibende Kraft hinter den Bemühungen um die europäische Einheit und die Menschenrechte. Als glühende Verfechterin von Frauenrechten setzte sie sich erfolgreich für die Legalisierung von Schwangerschaftsabbrüchen in Frankreich ein und ebnete den Weg für Frauen in Führungspositionen. Veil hatte den Holocaust überlebt – ihr war bewusst, wie wichtig es war, dass die Staaten Europas zueinanderfinden. Das Vermächtnis Simone Veils inspiriert uns bis heute. Mit ihrem Einsatz für Gerechtigkeit und Menschenrechte verkörpert sie wie kaum eine andere Persönlichkeit das Motto der EU: „In Vielfalt geeint“.

Gründermütter der EU: Simone Veil

At a glance: MEPs travel to Washington DC to discuss transatlantic relations with US counterparts; a draft report on the future of agriculture in the EU; the recommendations for the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy.

Kurznachrichten – 09/04/2025 - Deutsch

At a glance: MEPs call for human rights to be at the heart of Ukraine peace talks; Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights will meet with journalists tomorrow to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to protecting media freedom; MEPs explore competition rules to tackle the housing crisis.

Kurznachrichten – 08/04/2025 - Deutsch

Sport hält gesund und bringt Menschen aus allen Lebensbereichen zusammen. Hier erfahren Sie, was die EU für den Sport tut – und was sie tut, damit alle Sport treiben können.

Sport in Europa – Instrument für Entwicklung und Frieden

Nicole Fontaine (born 16 January 1942 in Grainville-Ymauville, Seine-Maritime) was a French politician. Member of the EPP, she was the President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2001.

Nicole Fontaine

Václav Havel, (Czech, born in Prague, 5 October 1936 - died 18 December 2011) was a playwright and essayist, as well as a prominent dissident during the Communist era. He was one of the founders of Charter 77 and of VONS (the Committee for the Defence of the Unjustly Prosecuted). In 1989, he became the last President of Czechoslovakia and, later, President of the Czech Republic (1993 - 2003).

Václav HAVEL, former President of the Czech Republic

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.

IMCO - Committee on Iternal Market and Consumer Protection

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

Every year the European Central Bank publishes an annual report on how it has carried out its supervisory responsibilities, it describes the tasks and activities of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and reports on the Eurosystem’s monetary policy. The report is usually published in April of the following year. The Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB presents the report to the European Parliament at a public hearing and then during a debate in plenary.

European Central Bank - annual report

President Metsola opened the 10-13 February 2025 session with a minute’s silence for the victims of shooting in Örebro - the worst in Sweden’s history. Calling on MEPs to observe a minute’s silence for the victims of the mass shooting at Risbergska school in Örebro on Tuesday 4 February 2025, President Metsola called the tragedy “a senseless act of violence that claimed innocent lives, shattering families, and scarring communities. Europe mourns those who have been lost, and our thoughts are with their loved ones, with all those who have been injured, and with the people of Sweden in this moment of profound sorrow.” She added that “hatred and violence have no place in Europe. T

he values that unite us - peace, democracy, and the dignity of human life - will always prevail.”

EU Sweden

For many years, Sweden had chosen to remain outside the European construction. It was in the 1990s that the idea of membership was born, being in the interest of the country to participate in the decisions that affect Sweden due to its geographical and economic situation.&nbsp;The official application for membership happened in July 1991. Extensive negotiations were undertaken and after a referendum that gave a majority in favour of the accession, Sweden joined the EU in 1995. Sweden has 20 seats in the European Parliament and 10 votes in the EU Council.

EU - Sweden

&nbsp;​​​At a critical time for Ukraine and European security, the EU is committed to becoming more responsible for its own defence and better equipped to act and deal autonomously with immediate and future challenges and threats, including Russia’s war and its repercussions on European security, which constitute an existential challenge for the EU. The common security and defence policy (CSDP) is an integral part of the EU’s common foreign and security policy (CFSP). The CSDP is the main policy framework through which Member States can develop a European strategic culture of security and defence, address conflicts and crises together, protect the Union and its citizens, and strengthen international peace and security. As a result of the tense geopolitical context, the CSDP has been one of the fastest developing policies over the last 10 years.

European security and defence

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

To support its publications, the European Parliamentary Research Service is producing a wide range of informative, timely and varied audio-visual products. These products include content-rich videos and animations, and also regular monthly podcasts, such as policy podcasts and science and technology podcasts. They are based on EPRS' independent, objective and authoritative analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the European Union, so empowering Members and committees in their parliamentary work and supporting parliamentary outreach to the wider public.

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

EPRS Multimedia Centre

Pope Francis (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 to 2025.&nbsp;

He died on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. Pope Francis has been buried on 26 of April&nbsp;at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, which sits outside the Vatican walls in the centre of Rome. The funeral brought together around 400 000 mourners,personalities and politicians.The&nbsp;President of the EP Roberta Metsola attended also the funeral in Rome.

Pope Francis and the EP

Every year around 9 May, ‘Europe Day’, the European Parliament&nbsp;organizes events in the three places of work as well as in the Member States. These open door events (in the case of the EP, taking place in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg) are an opportunity for the institutions to open their doors to citizens, invite them in and showcase what they are, what they do and what they stand for.

This year the EP opens to citizens on the 6th May in Brussels and 9th May in Strasbourg.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Europe Days 2023

Five films are shortlisted for the 2025 LUX Audience Award: “Animal” by Greek director Sofia Exarchou, “Dahomey” by French director Mati Diop, “Flow” by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, “Intercepted” by Ukranian director Oksana Karpovych, and “Julie keeps quiet” by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl.

The winning film is chosen by a combined public vote and vote by MEPs, each group’s choice 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

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

Europe days 2025

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

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

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

Europe Day 2025 (Strasbourg)

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

Pre-session briefing

LUX Audience Award 2025 Press point

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

LUX Audience Award 2025 ceremony

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

Funeral ceremony of His Holiness Pope Francis

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

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

LIBE delegation in Budapest

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with US Congress delegation

Statements of the members of INTA Delegation to the US

Press conference by Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the EP Committee on International Trade, on New tariffs imposed by Trump administration

Parliament, Council, and Commission  discuss Hungary’s restrictions on the right of assembly and the announced ban on the Budapest Pride march.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament assesses the state of fundamental rights in Hungary after the pro-government majority changed the law on public assemblies in March 2025, enabling authorities to classify pro-LGBTIQ+ gatherings as violations of the Child Protection Act and consequently ban the Budapest Pride march. MEPs are set to argue that this limitation of the rights of assembly and expression is a direct violation of the basic human and civil rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the core values of the Union.

In 1997, Budapest became the first capital of a former Communist bloc country to host a Pride march, a landmark moment for equality and freedom. However, Hungary’s government has been taking regressive steps for many years, dismantling institutions, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, to the point where Parliament can no longer consider the country a full democracy. In January 2024, MEPs once more urged the Council to unblock the process to assess Hungary’s “serious and persistent breaches of EU values”.

EP Plenary debate on the threats to fundamental rights in Hungary

Parliament reviews recent Commission proposals to support the EU steel and metals industries, and the EU’s approach to other energy-intensive industries.

On Wednesday morning, MEPs hold an initial debate with the European Commission on its new action plan to transition to a competitive and decarbonised steel and metals industry in Europe. 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.

Energy-intensive industries

In a separate debate on Wednesday, MEPs are set to highlight the crucial role energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, steel, paper, cement and glass, play in the EU economy.

In a draft resolution on which MEPs vote on Wednesday, they propose faster permit-granting processes for clean energy projects and the swift implementation of electricity market design legislation, to lower energy costs, improve energy system integration and increase investment in grid infrastructure. Simplifying administrative procedures and securing the availability of critical and secondary raw materials are essential, the draft text says, to attract private investment and support decarbonisation.

EP Plenary debate on EU steel support and the role of energy intensive industries

The Commission unveils its internal security strategy at the plenary, and discuss with MEPs its latest proposals to enhance crisis preparedness in the EU.

In response to the current global threat landscape, the EU wants to improve intelligence-gathering to build a comprehensive threat picture, improve preparedness against hybrid threats, building on already-announced measures on protecting undersea cable infrastructure, and enhance measures against serious and organised crime. These may include new actions against drug and firearms trafficking, a deepening of the European Ports Alliance, and a new counter-terrorism agenda.

Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner presented an outline of the strategy to the Civil Liberties Committee on 19 March 2025.

In a separate debate on the same day, MEPs will react to the EU’s Preparedness Union strategy, presented by the Commission on 26 March. It contains a wide range of proposals to step up EU preparedness throughout society, including better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EP Plenary debate on plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness

MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas discuss the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian military and authorities have been accused of committing a multitude of war crimes in the occupied Ukrainian territories. There have been deliberate attacks against civilian targets, such as hospitals, medical facilities, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas. Other atrocities include the abduction, torture and murder of civilians, forced deportations, including that of children, and the killing and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Following a statement by Ms Kallas, one speaker from each of Parliament’s political groups will take the floor.

EP Plenary debate on Russian war crimes in Ukraine

MEPs evaluate the outcome of the 20 March European Council in a plenary debate with Presidents António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.

At their meeting in Brussels, the EU’s heads of state or government focused on how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression, with the participation of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They also discussed how to strengthen the EU’s security and defence capabilities, and how to respond to the situation in the Middle East.

Leaders assessed ways to bolster the EU’s competitiveness, had a first exchange of views on the EU’s next long-term budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF), and discussed migration and multilateralism.

EP Plenary debate on the results of 20 March EU summit

Ceremony commemorating the third anniversary of the liberation of Bucha (Ukraine) and Bucha Summit with the participation of Martin HOJSÍK, Vice President of the European Parliament

EP VP Martin HOJSÍK, participates in the ceremony commemorating the third anniversary of the liberation of Bucha (Ukraine) and Bucha Summit

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

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

Europe Day 2025 Opening Ceremony

Press point with the winning filmmaker, Culture and Education Committee chair Nela Riehl and EFA chair Mike Downey

LUX Audience Award Ceremony 2025

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Ordinary meeting

IMCO

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs Ordinary meeting

ECON

Joint exchange of views with the Committee on Development

AFET

DEVE

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Ordinary meeting

ITRE

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Joint meeting Committee on Security and Defence

SEDE

IMCO Committee

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

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

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

ITRE Committee meeting - Energy Community Parliamentary Plenum

ITRE committee: Vote on European Defence Indusry Programme (EDIP) and on Gas storage-securing gas supplies ahead of winter

FISC - Public hearing on ' The Role of Tax in Aligning the Green Transition and Competitiveness '

JURI committee meeting - Exchange of views with Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane SEJOURNÉ

Roberta METSOLA, EP President writes in the condolences book of Pope Francis at the Apostolic Nunciature to the European Union in Brussels

AFET D-ME joint meeting - Exchange of views with Filip Ivanović, Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Foreign and European Affairs

BUDG committee - vote on EU multiannual financial framework (MFF)

EUDS AFET SEDE - Public hearing on Russia’s hybrid threats and attacks in Europe, including best practices to counter them

EU flag at half mast at the EP buidings in Brussels and Strasbourg for the death of Pope Francis.

LIBE delegation Rule of Law mission in Budapest, Hungary

ECON delegation mission in Paris, France

President Metsola is on an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian occupied territory, where she is holding talks with the political authorities. She meets with Hussein AL-SHEIKH, Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Ramallah.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: extracts from the meeting with Hussein AL-SHEIKH, Secretary General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Reem AL HAJAJRA, Director of Women of the Sun, Sakharov Prize Nominee in Ramallah. Reem Alhajajra co-founded the organistion in 2021 to promote cultural awareness as well as political engagement of women in Palestine.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: extracts from the meeting with Sakharov Prize Nominee Reem AL HAJAJRA , Director of Women of the Sun

President Metsola is on an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian occupied territory, where she is holding talks with the political authorities. She exchanges with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog at the Presidencial residence Beit HaNassi in Jerusalem.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: meeting with Isaac HERZOG, President of Israel - Jerusalem

Roberta Metsola, EP President, visits the Nova Festival Victims Memorial commemorating the victims of the massacre. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. During this assault, 364 people, mostly civilians, were killed, and many others were injured at the Supernova Sukkot Gathering, an open-air music festival held near kibbutz Re'im.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: visit to the Site of the Nova Festival, in Re'im

President Metsola travelled to the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing Point to visit the humanitarian operations. From there, President Metsola entered into Gaza where she was able to witness humanitarian aid entering from the Israeli side. President Metsola is the first European leader to enter Gaza in more than a decade. Her crossing of the border at a crucial moment in time is meant to highlight the EU’s critical role in supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza (notably through the EUBAM operation) and the EU’s commitment to continue supporting the ceasefire and hostage exchange deal.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: crossing into Gaza, visit to the border-crossing point and the humanitarian operation station

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, receives an official welcome at the Knesset in Jerusalem where she meets with Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset, and Gideon Sa’ar, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israel.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Israel and occupied Palestinian territories: meeting with Amir OHANA, Speaker of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) and Gideon SA'AR, Israeli Minister for Foreign Affairs

Following his inauguration on 20 January 2025, President Trump signed a large number of executive orders setting the priorities of the new US administration, including the country’s withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Paris Agreement on climate change mitigation. Alongside Commission representatives, MEPs discuss the impact of these decisions internationally and on the EU’s future involvement in these global initiatives.

US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organisation and the suspension of US development and humanitarian aid: extracts from the debate

MEPs examine the Kremlin’s continued repression of Russia’s political opposition a year after the murder of Alexei Navalny. Mr Navalny, one of Russia’s most well-known anti-corruption activists, an opposition politician, and an ardent critic of Vladimir Putin, died under mysterious circumstances in a remote penal colony in the Russian Arctic on Friday 16 February 2024, while serving a long prison sentence on trumped-up charges. After his death, the European Parliament adopted a resolution holding the Russian state, and President Putin in particular, responsible for his death. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

One year after the murder of Alexei Navalny and the continued repression of the democratic opposition in Russia: extracts from the debate

Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and European Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency presents the Commission’s 2025 work programme, outlining its key policy actions and legislative initiatives planned for this year. The work programme sets out in detail how the Commission intends to implement the political guidelines presented by Ursula von der Leyen to the European Parliament in July 2024. They focused on sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, defence and security, strengthening the EU’s social model, quality of life, protecting democracy and upholding EU values, a global Europe, and future-proofing the EU.

Commission Work Programme 2025: extracts from the debate

President Roberta METSOLA (EP President) and Adam SZLAPKA, Minister for the European Union on behalf of the Polish Presidency, sign a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European Health Data Space (EHDS) in Strasbourg.

Lex Signing: extracts from the ceremony

To mark the three years of Russia’s war of aggression, Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada is invited to address to the plenary in Strasbourg. He thanks MEPs for their support, reminds the chamber that the war is very close to Brussels and Strasbourg, and that Ukraine is relentlessly looking at its European future. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Formal sitting with Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada: extracts from the address to the plenary

MEPs assess the impact of three years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and its repression of dissent following Alexei Navalny’s murder. In a debate with representatives of the European Commission, MEPs mark three years since Moscow launched its brutal military invasion of Ukraine. In a resolution adopted in January 2025, Parliament reiterated its firm support for Kyiv, called on Russia to immediately terminate all military activities, and withdraw from Ukraine. MEPs also called on the EU to expand its sanctions against Russian media outlets conducting disinformation and information manipulation campaigns justifying the Kremlin’s war of aggression.

Continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression: extracts from the debate

Prior to the formal sitting, Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada meets with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and with the EP group leaders.

Formal sitting with Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada: arrival, meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meeting with the EP group leaders

MEPs and representatives from the Commission and the Polish Council Presidency assess the current state of EU-US trade relations, multilateralism, and the EU’s potential responses if the US imposes tariffs on European products.

Preparedness for a new trade era - multilateral cooperation or tariffs: extracts from the debate

The European Parliament switches off its lights in Strasbourg for M'illumino di Meno campaign. The 'M'illumino di meno' campaign was launched by the Italian radio programme Caterpillar in 2005 and seeks to reduce private and public energy use. During its annual awareness-raising day, individuals and organisations are asked to make a symbolic gesture of support by switching off lights and all other non-vital electrical devices powered by non-renewable energy sources.

M'illumino di Meno campaign - The European Parliament switches off its lights in Strasbourg

Exterior and interior shots of the EP during the plenary session in Strasbourg.

EP Plenary session (10-13/2): editing shots (exterior and interior shots of the EP)

After her meeting with EP President Roberta METSOLA, ECB President Christine LAGARDE briefs MEPs on the state of European and global economic affairs and the European Central Bank’s activities, then debates with MEPs.

European Central Bank – annual report 2024: extracts from the meeting of Roberta METSOLA, EP President with Christine LAGARDE, ECB President and extracts from the debate

EP President Roberta METSOLA meets with Micheál MARTIN, Irish Prime Minister (Taoiseach) at the European Parliament in Brussels.

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