At a glance:  President Metsola opens the final plenary session before the European elections; the debate on Europe’s competitiveness; and the ‘right to repair’ for consumers.

News in Brief – 24/04/2024 - English

At a glance: the final plenary session of Parliament’s ninth legislative term kicks off today. In Strasbourg, the agenda includes a debate on the situation in the Middle East; a vote on banning the sale of goods made using forced labour; and a vote on preventing and addressing plastic pellet losses into the environment.

News in Brief – 22/04/2024 - English

The winner of the  LUX - European Audience Film Award 2024 is  ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’
The LUX Award is an instrument for highlighting and reflecting on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims at encouraging debate and reflection and using films to help build a stronger European identity.

The European Audience Film Award 2024

At a glance: the landmark Artificial Intelligence Act; MEPs call for tougher rules to reduce textile and food waste in the EU; and the fourteenth debate in the ‘This is Europe’ series with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

News in Brief – 15/03/2024 - English

At a glance: the European Media Freedom Act; the debate on Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia; and the ceremony marking International Women’s Day.

News in Brief – 14/03/2024 - English

At a glance: the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine commemorated in Strasbourg; revising the EU’s long-term budget; and the plenary debate with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde.

News in Brief – 28/02/2024 - English

Today: the thirteenth ‘This is Europe’ plenary debate with Romanian president Iohannis;  new rules to ensure that euro money transfers arrive within ten seconds; and Parliament’s concerns about very serious threats to EU values in Greece.

News in Brief – 09/02/2024 – English

Today: the situation of farmers and the price of agricultural products take centre stage in the debate in Strasbourg. Parliament and Council negotiators agree on a long-term solution for Ukraine’s funding needs. Negotiators also reach a deal on rules to combat gender-based violence.

News in Brief – 08/02/2024 – English

Today: In Strasbourg, the plenary session is under way. In the debating chamber, MEPs assessed the outcomes of the most recent EU summits. The global climate crisis  and Russian attempts to interfere in the EU’s democratic processes were also on the agenda.

News in Brief – 07/02/2024 – English

Today: the plenary session is under way in Strasbourg with MEPs due to discuss the demands of farmers and rural communities across Europe; a resolution on threats to the rule of law and media freedom in Greece and the thirteenth ‘This is Europe’ plenary debate with Romanian president Klaus Iohannis.

News in Brief – 06/02/2024 – English

Early work is underway on the post-2027 reform of EU cohesion policy. This creates a unique opportunity for regional and local stakeholders to influence national positions and those of the European institutions at an early stage, well before the actual start of the legislative process. This reflection process is not only technical, but is also highly political because it touches on many of the challenges the EU is facing. Key issues include the degree to which other EU policies support cohesion objectives

EPRS Policy Podcast - The future of EU cohesion policy: The emerging debate

Recent events have multiplied concerns about potential fragmentation of the internet into a multitude of non-interoperable and disconnected 'splinternets'. Composed of thousands of compatible autonomous systems, the internet is by definition technically divided. Yet, the internet was also designed to be an open and global technical infrastructure. The unity and openness of the internet appear to be under great pressure from political, commercial and technological developments. This report explores the implications of the EU's recent policies in this field as well as the opportunities and challenges for EU Member States and institutions in addressing internet fragmentation. It underlines how recent EU legislative proposals – on the digital services act, digital markets act, artificial intelligence act, and NIS 2 Directive – could help to address patterns of fragmentation, but also have limitations and potentially unintended consequences.

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast - 'Splinternets': Addressing the renewed debate on internet fragmentation

The democratic information sphere is facing unprecedented strategic and systemic threats. The 'infosphere' - the online public space for debate where people not only express, but also inform themselves to make democratic decisions - is being eroded by foreign and domestic anti-democratic forces with a (geo-) strategic agenda. According to a flash Eurobarometer survey published in July 2022, 28% of respondents said they had been exposed to disinformation and 'fake news' very often or often in their recent past.

EPRS Policy podcast - Future shocks 2023: Strategic and systemic threats to the democratic information sphere

The winner of the 2023 LUX Audience Award is ‘Close’. LUX – the European Audience Film Award’ is an instrument for highlighting and reflecting on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims at encouraging debate and using films to help build a stronger European identity.

LUX – The European Audience Film Award 2023

The five films that are running for the 2023 LUX Audience Award are: ‘Alcarràs’, ‘Burning days’, ‘Close’, ‘Triangle of Sadness’ and ‘Will O’-The-Wisp’. The LUX Award’ is an instrument for highlighting and reflecting on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims at encouraging debate and using cinema to help build a stronger European identity.

LUX - The European Audience Film Award 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been under the limelight of so strong political and social debate that its suitability for its main original purpose of improving supply chain efficiency may come up as a surprise; but, what if, under the actual situation of stress artificial intelligence really can provide solutions for strategic sectors significantly improving their capacity to cope with pressure? More specifically, can the agri-food sector benefit from this technology to the extent of compensating for the shortages being broadly foreseen?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if AI could make the agri-food sector more resilient?

In this plenary round-up: new rules for safer, fairer digital services, the Czech Council Presidency’s priorities, the ‘This is Europe’ debate, the right to abortion and Croatia ready to join the euro area. All this against a backdrop of debates and voting. Highlights.

Plenary Round-Up — Strasbourg, July 2022

In this plenary round-up: the EU enlargement process, gas reserves before the onset of winter, Parliament’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the ‘This is Europe’ debate, and the EU COVID certificate extended for another year. All of this against a backdrop of debates and voting. Highlights.

Plenary Round-Up - Brussels, June II 2022

The Euroscola programme in Strasbourg brings together pupils aged 14 and over from the 27 EU Member States, candidate countries and former Member States to simulate the work of the European Parliament by debating, taking sides, negotiating, amending and voting on real European issues. Pupils get an opportunity to exchange views with Members of the European Parliament and experts from this institution, to familiarise themselves with the workings of the European Union, to discuss democracy, fundamental rights, European values and to express their personal opinions on the decisions taken at the European Union level.

Euroscola

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.

“The Teachers’ Lounge” by German director Ilker Çatak won the 2024 LUX European Audience Film Award, in a ceremony in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels.

The film, produced in Germany, tells a story about Carla, a young high school teacher, distinguished from her colleagues by her idealism. When a series of unsolved thefts sour the atmosphere among the teaching staff, Carla decides to investigate. With the help of a hidden camera and to everyone’s surprise, she exposes the thief but her revelation unleashes forces that slide steadily out of control and presents Carla with an unsolvable dilemma.

The five films shortlisted for the 2024 LUX European Audience film award were&nbsp;unveiled at the Venice film festival on Friday 1st of September.&nbsp; 20 000 Species of Bees, Fallen Leaves, On the Adamant, Smoke Sauna Sisterhood and The Teachers’ Lounge&nbsp;competed for the 2024 LUX Audience Award.

Lux Audience Award 2024

Mr TAJANI was elected President of the European Parliament on 17 January 2017. 

The President chairs the plenary sittings of Parliament, the Conference of the Presidents of Political Groups and the Bureau of Parliament. The President is responsible for the application of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, and, to this end, oversees all the activities of Parliament and its bodies. The President represents Parliament in all legal matters. He addresses the European Council prior to each of its meetings, stating Parliament's viewpoint on the subjects on the agenda in the framework of a debate with the heads of state and government. The President represents Parliament in its international relations, and, in this connection, undertakes official visits within and outside the EU. The President signs the EU budget into being following Parliament's vote on it at second reading. During the procedure, the President chairs the EP/Council conciliation delegations. The President may, under the EP/Council codecision procedure, chair the EP/Council conciliation committee.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President's Agenda

Ahead of European elections the President of the EP is also leading a series of debates with young people across the EU under the name “Get the vote out”- to explain them why their vote matters and encourage them to go to vote.

The European Parliament conduct also an information campaign to engage citizens to come to vote in the European elections in all member states.

The EP signed also a Memorandum of Understanding with ENEX - the European News Exchange. ENEX represents 55 private TV outlets. The partnership will deepen the cooperation between the two sides to ensure broad coverage of the European elections

Election campaign

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

The Russian aggression has brought destruction to Ukraine and its people, but also a wide range of economic and social consequences across Europe and the European Union. MEPs regularly debate on how to respond to the current cost of living crisis,&nbsp;bolstered by&nbsp;inflation and&nbsp;hikes in energy prices.

In the annual&nbsp;&nbsp;2022 report on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy, MEPs called the EU and its member states need to increase their military, political and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and strengthen their defence in countering Russian threats to European security.

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Consequences of the war in Ukraine on the EU

Exposing and eradicating discrimination on the grounds of gender and sex remains a priority for the European Parliament. Through the&nbsp;FEMM Committee and plenary debates, MEPs frequently discuss&nbsp;the impact on women of social and economic changes.

The European Parliament aims to address and denounce events and policy that breach or threaten the rights of women,&nbsp;both within the EU and abroad.

During the last week of October 2023, the European Parliament holds its fourth European Gender Equality Week,&nbsp;at the initiative of the Women’s Rights Committee. Several committees will hold debates with a gender perspective to discuss policy shortcomings and achievements, and how to advance women's rights in all EU policy areas.

Women's rights

Parliament holds debates on human rights, democracy and rule of law topics.

Human rights are fundamental values of the entire international community. More than 70 years after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first comprehensive international human rights document to set common standards to which all UN members should aspire, human rights have become a cornerstone of the international system and have reached almost universal recognition. However, much remains to be done in practice so that every human being can enjoy their fundamental rights.

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

The European Parliament invites EU heads of state and governments to speak in the EP Plenary in Strasbourg and outline their vision on Europe’s challenges and future under the theme of “This is Europe” debates.&nbsp;

Until March 2024, fourteen EU heads of state or government have discussed the future of the EU in the plenary in “This is Europe” debates.

This is Europe Debates

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders.

The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies.

To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as a whole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Debates on foreign affairs and security policy

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.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/european-central-bank-annual-report-8th-parliamentary-term_4003_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

European Central Bank - annual report

Economic Dialogues are held in order to enhance the dialogue between the EU institutions on the application of economic governance rules and with Member States, if appropriate, to ensure greater transparency and accountability.

Representatives of Member States, the European Commission, the President of the Council, the President of the European Council and the President of the Eurogroup can be invited to discuss economic and policy issues before the competent Committee of the European Parliament.

The European Semester is the framework for integrated surveillance and coordination of economic and employment policies across the EU. Since its introduction in 2011, it has become a well-established forum for discussing EU countries’ fiscal, economic and employment policy challenges under a common annual timeline. It's being adapted to take into account the creation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The implementation of Member States’ recovery and resilience plans will drive their reform and investment agenda for the years ahead. The European Semester, with its broader scope and multilateral surveillance, will usefully complement the implementation of the recovery and resilience plans.

During the last economic dialogue, on 7 February 2022, Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for An Economy that Works for People, and Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, debated with Members from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs ECON the fiscal part of the Autumn Package of the 2022 European Semester and in particular overall assessment of the 2022 draft budgetary plans and policy guidance on the appropriate fiscal stance.

Economic Dialogue

GMO stands for genetically modified organisms. They are organisms whose genetic material has been artificially modified in order to give it a new property. For example, this could be to make it easier for a plant to resist a disease, insects or drought, or to increase crop productivity.

The EU's GMO legislation stems from 1990 when the first two directives concerning GMOs came into force. Both original directives have since been updated, but the definition of a GMO has remained unchanged. This is causing problems for new techniques developed since then. New plant genetic modification techniques, referred to as 'gene editing' or 'genome editing', have evolved rapidly in recent years, allowing much faster and more precise results than conventional plant-breeding techniques. They are seen as a promising, innovative field for the agri-food industry, offering great technical potential.There is, however, considerable debate as to how these new techniques should be regulated, and whether some or all of them should fall within the scope of EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/genetically-modified-organism-8th-parliamentary-term_6504_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Genetically modified organism

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders. The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies. To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as awhole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, plenary discussed with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about how to work together with African partners for a more strategic and results-oriented partnership. The discussion focused on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments.

EU - Africa

José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, delivers his State of the Union Address to the European Parliament on 28 September.

He sets out the European Commission's strategic priorities in his annual State of the Union address to Parliament, which is followed by a debate in which MEPs set out their thoughts on and requests for the future work of the Union.

State of the Union 2011

The President of the European Commission, deliver his State of the Union Address

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers a State of the Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the Union

The spring European Council will focus on economic affairs. Heads of state or government will also look at a number of the other pressing issues, including taxation and foreign affairs. Finally, EU leaders will also discuss Brexit (in an EU 27 format) and eurozone (Euro Summit format).

 
EU leaders will adopt conclusions on several issues relevant for jobs, growth and competitiveness. Heads of state or government are also expected to address trade issues. EU leaders will hold a debate on taxation, in particular in the digital economy. The European Council will be invited to adopt conclusions on Western Balkans, ahead of the May summit in Sofia. In the light of events, the heads of state or government may address specific foreign policy issues. The Bulgarian Prime Minister, who represents the state currently holding the rotating presidency, will brief other leaders on the implementation of earlier European Council conclusions, including ongoing work on the reform of the Common European Asylum System.The European Council (Art. 50), in an EU 27 format, will review the state of the negotiations following the United Kingdom's notification of its intention to leave the EU and adopt additional guidelines.

European Council, 22 and 23 March 2018

Debate of lead candidates ahead of European elections

Lead candidates debate - European Elections 2024

Parliament’s Press Service outline all practical details for covering the lead candidates’ debate and election night as well as the EP communication campaign.

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday.

EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East.

Plenary debate- Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel

In a plenary debate, MEPs discuss the EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

In March, Parliament adopted a resolution warning about the desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza. MEPs deplored the catastrophic impact of attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries and civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, urged all parties to immediately cease these attacks, and demanded an independent international investigation.

More than 33 000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October 2023 as part of Israel’s response to the attack during which Hamas militants killed some 1 200 people, mainly civilians, in southern Israel and kidnapped around 250 others.

Plenary debate -   EU’s response to the continuous killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip

MEPs evaluate the results of the most recent European Council meetings, including the Special European Council of 17-18 April 2024.

Plenary debate- Outcome of European Council meeting

MEPs debate on Monday evening and vote on Tuesday on the provisional agreement reached with member states on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers, which aims to promote the repair of goods within and beyond the legal guarantee period. Beyond the legal guarantee, consumers will have a new right to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (e.g. washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and smartphones). To encourage repair and to revitalise the EU repair market, the rules put in place a European online platform to find local repair shops or sellers of refurbished goods. They also allow access to spare parts, tools, and maintenance information, and ban the use of hardware and software practices that obstruct repairs.

Plenary debate on Right to Repair

Political groups prepare for the 22-25 April plenary, the last session of this legislature. 
MEPs hold debates and final votes on, among other things, the right to repair, prohibiting products made with force labour, fighting violence against women, new “ecodesign” rules, combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims, a new EU Ethics Body, economic governance, establishing the European Disability Card, and on anti-money laundering. 
They hold final votes on packaging and packaging waste, working conditions for platform workers, due diligence rules for companies, ambient air quality and clean air for Europe, plants obtained with new genomic techniques, the European Health Data Space and on the Net Zero Industry Act. MEPs also debate the 20th anniversary of the largest ever round of EU enlargement in 2004 with Council and Commission.

Pre-session briefing

Parliament quizes the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government. 

MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget. They are also likely to stress that the plans for the public broadcaster will have to be assessed in light of the EU’s recently-adopted Media Freedom Act. The proposed Act on Slovak Television and Radio is facing widespread criticism for giving the government direct control over public media, and curtailing their independence.

Plenary debate - Rule of Law in Slovakia

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market.

Plenary debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

MEPs quiz Council and Commission representatives on the premature release of frozen EU funds, the lack of progress in the Article 7 procedure, and other threats to EU values.

MEPs discuss the President’s decision (based on a recommendation of the Committee on legal Affairs) to ask the Court of Justice of the EU to clarify the Commission’s role in and margins of discretion around the unfreezing of EU cohesion funds for Hungary. They will also look into the continuing threat to EU values, institutions, and funds posed by the Hungarian government, including the lack of progress on the Article 7(1) procedure initiated by Parliament in 2018. Last January, MEPs asked the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) procedure.

MEPs are likely to raise the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of EU (in the second half of 2024), Hungary’s repeated abuse of the right of veto and blackmail in the European Council, and the Commission’s launch of an infringement procedure concerning the country’s “sovereignty law”.

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

MEPs debate the consequences of the undemocratic presidential elections in Russia on 18 March, including their illegitimate extension to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Plenary Debate - Russia´s undemocratic presidential elections

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee holds an exchange of views on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, independent experts and industry representatives. The discussion will focus on the first assessment of compliance, mostly as regards to self-preferencing and app stores

IMCO Debate on the Digital Markets Act

New EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers is debated and voted by MEPs.

The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7), provisionally agreed with the Council in December 2023, aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality.

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 exhaust emissions limits and test conditions will be maintained, while stricter limits would be applied for buses and trucks. The Euro 7 standards also tackle non-exhaust emissions (microplastics from tyres and particles from brakes) and include requirements concerning battery durability.

Plenary Debate - Euro 7

Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo speaks to MEPs to outline his vision on Europe’s challenges and future.

Before the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Orpo, followed by a press point at 10.20 (still to be confirmed).

Thirteen EU heads of state or government have discussed the future of the EU in the plenary in “This is Europe” debates.

Plenary Debate - This is Europe debate with the Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo

MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how to address the urgent concerns surrounding Ukrainian children being forcibly deported to Russia. 

Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began in February 2022, international organisations have documented a wide range of serious human rights violations affecting children. Reports of children forcibly deported or displaced by Russian authorities, combined in many cases with them being subjected to re-education programmes and forced adoption, have raised concern. According to the Children of War initiative of the Ukrainian National Information Bureau (NIB), more than 19 500 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, and only 388 have been returned. 

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against President Putin, and Maria Lvova-Belova, the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights. Both have been charged with the unlawful deportation of children and the unlawful transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.

Plenary Debate - Concerns surrounding Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia

Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo from the Spanish women’s national football team address MEPs.

To mark International Women’s Day, captain of the Spanish women’s football team Ivana Andrés and Alba Redondo, captain for club Levante, addresses MEPs,  followed by a round of political group speakers. Spain won the World Cup in 2023 for the first time, but the trophy presentation was marred by harassment. 

On the same day at around 10.30, , MEPs discuss whether Parliament should give its consent to Council for member states to ratify the International Labour Organization’s Convention on Violence and Harassment. The convention is the first international treaty to recognise the right to work free from violence and harassment.

Plenary Debate -  Parliament marks International Women’s Day (8 March)

Plans to reduce the energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions from the buildings sector are debated by plenary. 

The revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, agreed with the Council in December, aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sector by 2030, and have it achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The new rules also mean more of the worst-performing buildings will undergo renovation, and information-sharing on energy performance will be improved.
New buildings must be zero-emission as of 2030, and new buildings occupied or owned by public authorities must be zero-emission as of 2028. For residential buildings, member states have to put in place measures to ensure a reduction in the average level of primary energy used of at least 16% by 2030 and at least 20-22% by 2035.

Member states also have to adopt measures to decarbonise heating systems and phase out fossil fuels in heating and cooling with fossil fuel boilers being completely phased e out by 2040.

Plenary Debate - Energy performance of buildings

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards (debate)

Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews (debate)

Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Statements by the President

Voting time

Plenary session

Proposals for Union acts

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

Formal sitting – 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

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

Opening of the sitting

Conclusions of the recent European Council meetings, in particular on a new European Competitiveness deal and the EU strategic agenda 2024-2029 (debate)

Effective coordination of economic policies and multilateral budgetary surveillance - Speeding up and clarifying the implementation of the excessive deficit procedure – amending Regulation - Requirements for budgetary frameworks of the Member States – amending Directive

Combating violence against women and domestic violence (debate)

European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities - European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities for third country nationals legally residing in a Member State (joint debate - Disability cards)

EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in the Gaza Strip (debate)

20240423-0900-PLENARY

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)) (action taken)

Corrigenda (Rule 241)(action taken)

Attempts to reintroduce a foreign agent law in Georgia and its restrictions on civil society (debate)

Situation in Haiti (debate)

Withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty (debate)

EU-Egypt strategic and comprehensive partnership and agreements with key third countries (debate)

Production and marketing of plant reproductive material - Production and marketing of forest reproductive material (joint debate - Plant and forest reproductive material)

Establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Resumption of the session

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings

20240422-0900-PLENARY

Composition of political groups

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

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))

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

Order of business

Preventing plastic pellet losses to reduce microplastic pollution (debate)

Common rules promoting the repair of goods (debate)

Prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market (debate)

Amending Directive 2011/36/EU on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims (debate)

EU-debatt i Europaparlamentet

The role of primary schools High-level debate

JURI

Internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen (recast) - Common rules for the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas and hydrogen (recast) - Union’s electricity market design: Regulation - Union’s electricity market design: Directive (joint debate – Reform of the energy and electricity markets)

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