EP Plenary session - Commission statement - The lack of legislative follow-up by the Commission to the PEGA resolution

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Threat to rule of law as a consequence of the governmental agreement in Spain

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Continuing threat to the rule of law, the independence of justice and the non-fulfilment of conditionality for EU funding in Hungary

LIBE - Vote on Laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Rule of Law in Malta: 6 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Urgent need for a coordinated European response and legislative framework on intrusive spyware, based on the PEGA enquiry committee recommendations

EP Plenary session - Question Time with Commission - European measures to prevent and to fight the rise of organised crime

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package

LEX signing

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

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

The Plenary discusses the need for a speedy adoption of a comprehensive European pact on asylum and migration as well as challenges in member states. In the context of continued arrivals of refugees and migrants to the EU by sea, MEPs will debate with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the state of play of negotiations on the new European rules on migration and asylum. The situation in some countries, such as Italy –and particularly on the island of Lampedusa- could feature prominently. MEPs debate (part 1)

The need for a speedy adoption of the asylum and migration package: MEPs debate (part 1)

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

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: MEP's debate (part 1)

The Parlamentarians discuss the strengthening of EU cooperation with Tunisia on migration. Following an increase in arrivals of migrants by boat from Tunisia via the Central Mediterranean route, MEPs will with the Spanish Council Presidency and the Commission the recent memorandum of understanding between the EU and Tunisia. MEPs are expected to raise questions about the scope of the cooperation and its legal status. They are also interested in the measures to fight smuggling and to improve cooperation on search and rescue at sea.

EU-Tunisia Agreement - aspects related to external migration policy: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs are set to adopt recommendations to tackle and prevent spyware abuse in Europe, based on the inquiry into illicit use of Pegasus and other spyware. The recommendations set out a range of proposals, including investigations into suspected abuse; EU standards for the deploy of spyware; legal remedies for people who have been targeted; strict enforcement of the EU’s export control rules; an EU Tech Lab to conduct technical investigations; and co-ordination with third countries. First part of the debate.

Pegasus spyware: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs adopt recommendations based on the inquiry into illicit use of Pegasus and other spyware and its impact on democracy, civil society and the media. In a debate on Wednesday and recommendations put to the vote on Thursday, Parliament will present its proposals for tackling spyware abuse in Europe. In its final report adopted in May, the Committee of Inquiry investigating Pegasus and other spyware raised concerns about the impact of spyware abuse on democracy, civil society and the media in several EU member states. Extracts from the debate and from the vote.

Pegasus spyware: extracts from the joint debate

MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law, as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights, and the ECJ’s judgment on the Disciplinary Chamber. The revision of Poland’s electoral rules finalised in March 2023 foresees changes to polling stations and free transport for elderly and disabled people on voting day. MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law, as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights, and the ECJ’s judgment on the Disciplinary Chamber. The revision of Poland’s electoral rules finalised in March 2023 foresees changes to polling stations and free transport for elderly and disabled people on voting day. Extracts from the debate.

The Electoral Law and the Rule of Law in Poland: extracts from the debate

During its year-long mandate, the Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (PEGA) commissioned studies, held hearings with experts and people targeted with spyware, and organised several fact-finding visits. Pegasus is a hacking tool designed to secretly turn mobile phonesinto 24-hour surveillance devices, as it grants complete and unrestricted access to all sensors and information of the targeted device. The transcript is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL) chair of the PEGA Committee and Sophie IN 'T VELD (RE, NL), rapporteur on the adoption of the PEGA Inquiry conclusions

LENAERS, Jeroen (EPP, NL)

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