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.

AFCO - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Vĕra Jourova, born on 18 August 1964 in Třebíč, is a Czech politician and lawyer.

After the hearing by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) and the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament, the committees prepare an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President-designate, Values and Transparency

Dubravka Suica, born on 20 May 1957 in Dubrovnik, is a Croatian politician who has been a member of the European Parliament since 2013.

After the hearing by the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Dubravka ŠUICA, Vice-President-designate, Democracy and Demograp

Maroš Šefčovič, born on 24 July 1966 in Bratislava, is a Slovak diplomat and politician. He has been a European Commissioner since 2009. He is EC's Vice-President-designate and Commissioner-designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight.

After the hearing by the Committees on Constitutional affairs (AFCO) and on Legal affairs (JURI), the committees prepare an evaluation letter on the candidate.

Hearing of Maroš ŠEFČOVIČ, EC's Vice-President-designate

AFCO hearing on the CoFE follow-up

AFCO - Presentation of the priorities of the Belgian Presidency

Committee on the Rules of Procedure, deputy Ethics and Arrangement of Activity of the Verkhovna Rada of Uraine Study Visit - The role of the AFCO and JURI Committees

AFCO Committee and Ad Hoc Delegation Mission to the U.S.A and Canada

AFCO Interparliamentary Meeting - Preparing the European Elections 2024

FEMM AFCO joint meeting : Elect her – how to support women's political participation

AFCO - Presentation of the Spanish Presidency programme of the EU Council

AFCO extraordinary committee meeting - Vote on the European Council decision endorsing Parliament’s proposal to increase the number of seats by 11 ahead of the European elections in June 2024

AFCO Committee

AFCO Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - Reform of the European Electoral System

AFCO Committee -  Presentation of the Council Presidency’s programme by Jessika ROSWALL, Minister for EU Affairs of the Kingdom of Sweden

AFCO Committee - Vote on defence of privileges and immunity and Rule 9 on procedures on immunity

Othmar KARAS meets with Salvatore DE MEO, AFCO Chair.

AFCO Committee meeting - Conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and the Role of National Parliaments in the EU

AFCO Committee - Election of the new Chair

Antonio TAJANI meets with AFCO members

AFCO Committee meeting -  Presentation of the Czech Presidency programme of the Council of the EU

AFCO Interparliamentary Committee Meeting - First results of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

Proposals for Union acts

Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Formal sitting – 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

The attack on climate and nature: far right and conservative attempts to destroy the Green Deal and prevent investment in our future (topical debate)

Amending Directive 2013/36/EU as regards supervisory powers, sanctions, third-country branches, and environmental, social and governance risks - Amending Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 as regards requirements for credit risk, credit valuation adjustment risk, operational risk, market risk and the output floor (joint debate - Banking Union)

The sixth Anti-Money Laundering Directive - Anti-Money Laundering Regulation - Establishing the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (joint debate - Anti-money laundering)

The European Parliament's right of inquiry (debate)

Voting time (continuation)

La Hulpe declaration on the future of social Europe (debate)

Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe (debate)

Recent attempts to deny dictatorships and the risk of Europe returning to totalitarianism (debate)

Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev

The proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia

The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John

The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles (debate)

Advance passenger information: enhancing and facilitating external border controls - Advance passenger information: prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime (joint debate - Advance passenger information)

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

20240424-0900-PLENARY

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

AFCO

Resumption of the session

Opening of the sitting

Statements by the President

Composition of Parliament

Follow-up to a request for the defence of immunity

Composition of political groups

Composition of committees and delegations

Negotiations ahead of Parliament’s first reading (Rule 71)

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

Signing of acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79)

Order of business

European Central Bank – annual report 2023 (debate)

Transparency and targeting of political advertising (debate)

Need to overcome the Council deadlock on the platform workers directive (debate)

Tackling the inflation in food prices and its social consequences and root causes (debate)

Detergents and surfactants (debate)

Amending Decision (EU) 2017/1324: continuation of the Union’s participation in PRIMA under Horizon Europe (short presentation)

Protection of the environment through criminal law (short presentation)

20240226-0900-PLENARY

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Joint committee on Foreign Affairs and committee on Constitutional Affairs

AFET

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 71) (action taken)

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023 and preparation of the Special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 - Situation in Hungary and frozen EU funds (joint debate – European Council meetings)

Review of the economic governance framework (debate)

Quality jobs in a competitive future-oriented social market economy (topical debate)

Norway's recent decision to advance seabed mining in the Arctic

Improving the socio-economic situation of farmers and rural areas, ensuring fair incomes, food security as well as a just transition

Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime (debate)

Situation of fundamental rights in the EU in 2022 and 2023 (debate)

Rule of Law and media freedom in Greece (debate)

Situation in Serbia following elections (debate)

Geothermal energy (debate)

Gender aspects of the rising cost of living and the impact of the energy crisis (debate)

Addressing urgent skills shortages and finding the right talents to boost job creation (European Year of Skills) (debate)

The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande

The threat of famine following the spread of conflict in Sudan

Tajikistan: state repression against the independent media

Committee on Foreign Affairs Jointly with the Committee on Constitutional Affairs

Committee on Constitutional Affairs - Interparliamentary committee meeting

JURI - AFCO

JURI

AFET - AFCO

Remarks on the closing of the 9th legislative term, MEPs vote on the following topics: Azerbaijan, notably the repression of civil society and the cases of Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and Ilhamiz Guliyev; the proposed repeal of the law banning female genital mutilation in The Gambia; the new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John; Freund (AFCO 22/04); Asimakopoulou (BUDG 22/04); Mureşan (A9-0174/2024); Mureşan (BUDG 22/04); Oetjen (A9-0409/2023); Kanko (A9-0411/2023); Ehler (A9-0343/2023); Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories; new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union; attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society and Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel, the need for de-escalation and an EU response.

Voting session

MEPs vote on the following topics: Reinhard Bütikofer (AFET A9-0373/2023) - EU-Japan relations; María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos (AFET A9-0371/2023) - The situation of children deprived of liberty in the world; Barry Andrews (DEVE A9-0322/2023) - Role of EU development policy in transforming the extractive industries for sustainable development in developing countries; György Hölvényi (DEVE A9-0338/2023) - EU development cooperation to enhance access to education and training in developing countries; Erik Poulsen (ENVI A9-0366/2023) - Non-communicable diseases; Tomislav Sokol, Annalisa Tardino (ENVI/LIBE A9-0395/2023) - European Health Data Space; Victor Negrescu (AFCO A9-0384/2023) - Implementation of the Treaty provisions on special legislative procedures; Objection to a delegated act pursuant to Rule 111(3); Motions for resolutions - 30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy.

The European Gender Equality Week takes place on 23-29 October 2023 in the European Parliament and many other European as well as national institutions. This year's edition brings also a change: "Gender Equality: What's next?" The success of the previous editions in 2020, 2021 and 2023 was marked by the growing number of participating committees and delegations and organised events, as well as broader inclusion of partners. This footage shows the extracts from Committees meetings and events of the Gender Equality Week, and statement of Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), Vice-president of the European Parliament.

Gender Equality Week in the European Parliament: extracts from Committees meetings and events, and statement of Evelyn REGNER (S&D, AT), Vice-president of the European Parliament

The data act establishes common rules governing the sharing of data generated by the use of connected products or related services (e.g. the internet of things, industrial machines) to ensure fairness in data sharing contracts. Opening statements by Pilar del CASTILLO VERA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur, Adam BIELAN (ECR, PL), IMCO; Ibán GARCÍA DEL BLANCO (S&D, ES), AFCO; Sergey LAGODINSKY (Greens/EFA, DE), LIBE and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Data Act: opening statement by Pilar del CASTILLO VERA (EPP, ES), Rapporteur, Adam BIELAN (ECR, PL), Ibán GARCÍA DEL BLANCO (S&D, ES), Sergey LAGODINSKY (Greens/EFA, DE), and by Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market

New rules on political advertising. MEPs deabte and vote on new political advertising rules to make EU elections more transparent and resistant to interference. The draft text demands that more information be made available to citizens, authorities and journalists, banning online advert providers from carrying out micro-targeting, and introducing additional sanctions for breaches. Opening statement by Sandro GOZI (Renew, FR), Rapporteur, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP,DE), CULT; Dragoş TUDORACHE (Renew,RO), LIBE, Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships and by Angelika NIEBLER (EPP,DE), JURI and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA,DE), AFCO.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: opening statement by Sandro GOZI (Renew, FR), Rapporteur and by Jutta URPILAINEN, European Commissioner for International Partnerships

MEPs debate on the CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the common foreign and security policy and the common security and defence policy - annual reports 2022. Opening statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE) and by Tom VANDENKENDELAERE (EPP, BE), Rapporteurs, by Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO) AFCO and Susana SOLÍS PÉREZ (Renew, ES) FEMM and by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of a stronger Europe in the World.

Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP (Article 36 TEU) Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy: opening statements

The Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) Committee proposes amendments to Parliament’s rules of procedure to bring them in line with the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The updated rules will expressly refer to the Chief Prosecutor’s ability to request that the immunity of sitting MEPs be waived. Extracts from the vote and statement by Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE), Rapporteur.

Defence of privileges and immunity and Rule 9 on procedures on immunity: extracts from the vote and statement by Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D,DE), Rapporteur

&lt;p>MEPs in a debate discuss on how democracy and fundamental rights in Hungary have further deteriorated since Parliament triggered the Article 7 procedure in 2018, through the “deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian government”. Opening statements by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ (S&amp;D, PL) AFCO.&lt;/p>

Risk of a serious breach by Hungary of the values on which the EU is founded: opening statements by Gwendoline DELBOS-CORFIELD (Greens/EFA, FR), Rapporteur, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and by Włodzimierz CIMOSZEWICZ (S&D, PL)

The draft report, which will be debated on Wednesday and put to the vote on Thursday, asks for more in-depth analysis, a broader scope, and a more effective approach from the Commission in its annual monitoring of the state of the rule of law in the European Union. MEPs are set to criticise the report’s failure to encompass EU valuesin their entirety, as well as its methodological shortcomings in highlighting the deliberate nature of the backsliding in Poland and Hungary. Opening statements by Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), rapporteur, Petri SARVAMAA (EPP, FI), CONT; by Franco ROBERTI (S&D, IT), JURI, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Eider GARDIAZABAL RUBIAL (S&D, ES), BUDG; Sophia in 't VELD (Renew, NL), AFCO; Isabel BENJUMEA BENJUMEA (EPP, ES), PETI.

Commission’s 2021 Rule of Law report: opening statements by Terry REINTKE (Greens/EFA, DE), rapporteur, and Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice

The Constitutional Affairs Committee discuss the recast of regulation laying down the conditions governing the statute and funding of European political parties and foundations. Co-rapporteur Charles GOERENS (Renew, LU) explains that the recast proposal intends to introduce a co-financing rate for European political parties, allow political groups from Council of Europe to join EU political groups and to include in the statute of political parties their internal rules on gender equality.

The funding of European political parties: statement by Charles GOERENS (Renew, LU), co-rapporteur - AFCO Committee

The EP delegation ended its three-day visit to Poland, where MEPs met politicians, judges, civil society and journalists, to assess the rule of law situation. They meet with Judges and prosecutors affected by disciplinary / criminal proceedings for applying EU Law. Statements by Gabriel Bischoff (S&D, DE), first Vice-President of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES), Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee and Othmar Karas (EPP, AT), EP first Vice-President

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: meeting with Judges and statements by co-chairs of the delegation

Press point by Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D, ES), Chair of the Civil Liberties Committee, Gabriele Bischoff (S&D, DE), first Vice-President of the Constitutional Affairs Committee and Othmar Karas (EPP, AT), EP first Vice-President.

Press point by the Chairs of the EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw

MEPs from the Civil Liberties and Constitutional Affairs committees are in Poland to look into the rule of law situation. They exchanges views with Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate and representatives of political parties in Senate, as well as with the National Council for the Judiciary. At the Liaison Office of the EP, members meet also professional associations of judges, prosecutors and lawyers.

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: meeting with representatives of the National Council for the Judiciary, meeting with Senate members

An EP delegation from the Civil Liberties and Constitutional Affairs committees travel to Warsaw to look into the rule of law situation in Poland, in the framework of the ongoing Article 7 procedure. MEPs meet with Representatives of the parliamentary groups of the Sejm. Statements by Paulina Kieszkowska-Knapik, Member of the PProf. Zbigniew Holda Association, Michal Wawrykiewicz, Representative of Wolne Sady / Free court initiative, Urszula Grycuk, International Advocacy Coordinator, Federation for Women and Familly planning, Marta Lempart, Leader of Ogolnopolski Strajk Kobiet/Women's Strike, Jakub Sypiański, Representative of Grupa Granica, Tomasz Pietrzak, Representative fundacja Ocalenie, Legal Team Coordinator Centrum Pomocy Cudzoziemco/Help Centre fo Foreigners and Erwa Wrzosek, Prosecutor.

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: roundtable and statements by NGO representatives

A delegation from the Civil Liberties and Constitutional Affairs Committees travels to Warsaw. They assess the rule of law situation, including the issue of the primacy of EU law, in the framework of the ongoing “Article 7” procedure on possible breach of EU values against Poland.

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw: arrival of the delegations, statement and roundtable with NGO representatives

During the plenary session (23-24 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the Commission’s 2020 Rule of law report. Opening statements by Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES), rapporteur; Isabel GARCÍA MUÑOZ (S&D, ES) BUDG; Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, BG) JURI; Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE) AFCO and by Margrete AUKEN (Greens/EFA, DK) PETI.

Commission 2020 Rule of law report: opening statements by Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES), Isabel GARCÍA MUÑOZ (S&D, ES), Ilhan KYUCHYUK (RE, BG), Didier REYNDERS, Commissioner for Justice, Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE) and Margret AUKEN (Greens/EFA, DK)

Meeting of the EP Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) in Brussels where MEPs discuss the Conference on the Future of Europe and the role of the European Parliament. Opening statement by Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE), AFCO Vice Chair and Reporting back to committee by Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE), co-chair of the Executive Board of the Conference on the Future of Europe. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

The Conference on the Future of Europe and the role of the European Parliament - Committee on Constitutional Affairs: Opening Gabriele BISCHOFF (S&D, DE), AFCO Chair and reporting back by Guy VERHOFSTADT (Renew, BE), co-chair of the Executive Board

Meeting of the EP Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) in Brussels where MEPs discuss the Conference on the Future of Europe and the role of the European Parliament. exchange of views

The Conference on the Future of Europe and the role of the European Parliament - Committee on Constitutional Affairs: exchange of views

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