At a glance: a new plenary session will start on Monday. In Strasbourg, MEPs will assess the outcome of the last European Council meeting and debate the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy; other items on the agenda include a discussion on how to support energy-intensive industries. Yesterday, the Special committee on the European Democracy Shield discussed the fight against online disinformation.

News in Brief – 28/03/2025 - English

At a glance: during the plenary session, President Metsola welcomed Gaza ceasefire; MEPs debated use of the Digital Services Act to combat foreign interference and protect democracy; Parliament will vote on a resolution condemning Russian disinformation against Ukraine.

News in Brief – 22/01/2025 - English

At a glance: enforcing digital rules to protect democracy; MEPs debate Donald Trump’s second term and EU-US ties; and Bruno Gencarelli selected as top candidate for European Data Protection Supervisor role.

News in Brief – 20/01/2025 - English

At a glance: President Metsola at the EU-Western Balkans summit: ‘It is time to grow’; Parliament sets up new committees on defence, health, democracy and housing; on 1 January, Poland will take over the EU Council presidency from Hungary.

News in Brief – 20/12/2024 - English

At a glance: in Strasbourg tomorrow, MEPs will outline their priorities for the upcoming EU summit on Ukraine, the Middle East and migration and will debate collective bargaining and abusive subcontracting practices; Parliament is also set to establish new committees on defence, health, democracy and housing.

News in Brief – 17/12/2024 - English

At a glance: Sakharov Prize to honour Venezuelan democracy leaders; MEPs to debate the impact of the Assad regime’s collapse in Syria; Parliament to elect the next European Ombudsman.

News in Brief – 16/12/2024 - English

The European Parliament's Sakharov Prize honours the work of people who stand up for these freedoms and rights. This year's Sakharov Prize is to be awarded to María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela's democratic forces, and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia. They represent all Venezuelans both inside and outside the country who are fighting to restore freedom and democracy.

EPRS policy podcast - Laureates of the 2024 Sakharov Prize

Rising prices, the cost of living and the economic situation were the main topics that motivated more than 4 out of 10 EU citizens to vote in the last European elections. A third of voters said that the international situation was a topic which encouraged them to vote, while a similar proportion gave defending democracy and the rule of law as a motivating factor. These are among the main findings of the EU Post-electoral survey 2024.

Eurobarometer - EU Post-electoral survey 2024

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

On Sunday 4 May, the European Parliament &nbsp;kicked 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

Equality and non-discrimination are core EU values and fundamental rights, enshrined in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, research by the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) shows that discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people persists across the EU.

The Commission presented the 'LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025' on 12 November 2020. This was&nbsp;the first ever full EU strategy in this area and is intended to build on the lessons learned from the European Commission's previous actions to advance LGBTI equality from 2015-2019.

In recent years, social acceptance of LGBTIQ people has declined in some Member States. Gaps remain in the EU's legislative framework for combating discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. Combating discrimination has become part of EU internal and external policies, and is the subject of numerous resolutions of the European Parliament. In response to the backsliding of LGBTIQ rights in some EU countries, notably Poland and Hungary, MEPs&nbsp;declared the EU an “LGBTIQ Freedom Zone”.

In 2021 Parliament “condemned&nbsp;in the strongest possible terms” the anti-LGBTIQ legislation and denounced&nbsp;the dismantling of democracy and the rule of law in Hungary.&nbsp;In a resolution&nbsp;MEPs described the Hungarian law as being in clear breach of fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter of fundamental rights, the Treaties and EU internal market legislation.

LGBTIQ freedom in the EU

The problem of disinformation is globally recognised as disruptive to the normal functioning of democratic societies, economies and political systems. In recent years, ‘fake news’ and coordinated disinformation campaigns have an instrument of geopolitical influence.

They have afflicted elections in both established and new democracies, and undermined social and political solidarity in response to global challenges. It is with these and other instances in mind that the European Union (EU) identified ‘the exposure of citizens to large scale disinformation’ as ‘a major challenge for Europe’ in 2018, undertaking an increasingly ambitious programme of action to counter this evolving threat since. The outbreak of the coronavirus has led to disinformation that hampers efforts to contain the pandemic.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said false claims “are spreading faster than the virus” and has already termed it an “infodemic of planetary proportions”. The Russian aggression against Ukraine is also a source of many disinformation.&nbsp;

Special Committee for foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation (INGE) was created in the European Parliament to tackle these challenges

Fight against disinformation

The open day in Brussels takes place on Saturday 10 May from 10:00 until 18:00 (last entrance is at 17:30). Visitors can see the plenary chamber, participate in talks about the work of the Parliament, check out information stands and take part in a variety of other activities.

On 9 May, Europeans celebrate Europe Day as 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.

The Schuman Declaration laid the foundations for the European Union and paved the way for an unprecedented era of prosperity, peace, democracy, solidarity and cooperation in Europe.

EU Open day in Brussels

A ceremony in plenary to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe take place on Wednesday at 11:30. 

Four war veterans, from Belgium, France and Poland, address Parliament. European Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola will open the ceremony. A musical interpretation of the European anthem will close the event.  In a separate debate on Thursday morning, MEPs discuss the legacy of the end of World War II: 80 years of freedom, democracy and security in Europe.

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe

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)

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 Plenary session - 80 years after the end of World War II - freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe

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

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

Over the past two days, thousands of young people have come together to celebrate the power of democracy through debates, exchanges, and artistic expression. As this incredible experience comes to an end, it’s hard to say goodbye. But this is not the end—it’s just the beginning. The conversations sparked here will continue, the ideas shared will take shape, and the connections made will contribute to the future of Europe. Join us for an inspiring closing session to reflect on our journey, explore what’s next, and work together to put democracy in action. The future is in our hands—let’s make it happen!

EYE2025 closing plenary: democracy in action

The EU charter of fundamental rights guarantees EU citizens’ rights. Yet human rights in Europe face critical challenges when it comes to individual liberties and corruption as well as in terms of freedom of speech and media freedom. Journalists increasingly face intimidation and disinformation. Policies such as the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) aim to protect media, although there is still much work to be done to tackle ownership transparency, media pluralism and journalist safety. How can the EU strengthen democratic principles in the face of emerging challenges? In what ways can the EU effectively support and safeguard media pluralism within its member states? What role should the EU play in combating disinformation? How can Europe balance free speech while regulating harmful content?

EYE2025 - Defending democracy and human rights: safeguarding freedom of speech and media

The European Parliament is the house of democracy, the only directly elected body of the European Union, representing 450 million citizens. The decisions it makes impact all of our lives and futures. Now, you have the chance to hear directly from the European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, about the future of Europe and how the Parliament is working to shape it. Join us in the iconic Hemicycle for an opportunity to learn about the challenges, goals, and decisions driving Europe forward.

EYE2025 - Meet the President of the European Parliament: Q&A with Roberta Metsola

Special committee on the European Democracy Shield Ordinary meeting

EUDS

Press conference by Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), rapporteur on Human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter – annual report 2024

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150)

Visit of US Congressional Delegation - House of Democracy Partnership

EUDS - Exchange of views with Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection

JURI - Exchange of views with Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen

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

EP Plenary session - Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights

Press conference on Human rights and democracy in the world and the EU's policy on the matter – annual report 2024

EP Plenary session - Crackdown on democracy in Türkiye and the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu

The open day in Brussels takes place on Saturday 10 May. Visitors can see the plenary chamber, participate in talks about the work of the Parliament, check out information stands and take part in a variety of other activities. On 9 May, Europeans celebrate Europe Day as 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. The Schuman Declaration laid the foundations for the European Union and paved the way for an unprecedented era of prosperity, peace, democracy, solidarity and cooperation in Europe.

Europe Day 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels: extracts from the open day

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) takes place every 17th May. IDAHOBIT commemorates the decision taken in 1990 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases. This infoclip illustrates the importance to still fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ people across Europe and around the world. It stages different same-sex couples in their daily-life routines, a protest to defend the LGBTQIA+ community in Hungary and a famous queer bar in Ireland.

Infoclip: Safeguarding LGBTQIA+ rights

Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, gives an opening statement during the debate on the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms: opening statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

MEPs debate on Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia.

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: closing statements by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Prote

The opening of the ceremony to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe takes place in the hemicycle in Strasbourg. Four war veterans, from Belgium, France and Poland participate to the ceremony. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, opens the commemoration. In her address to members and veterans, EP President reminds that the European Union was born after the Second World War. Roberta METSOLA pays tribute to the men and women who made peace accross the continent possible and to those, fighting in Ukraine, fighting for their sovereignty and democracy.

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: opening of the ceremony and commemorative video-clip

This news video shows extracts of the European Parliament open day from the 2025 edition in Strasbourg of Europe Day. Citizens are invited to a series of events to celebrate European democracy. Events also take place in Luxembourg and Brussels on 9 and 10 May 2025.

Europe Day 2025 at the European Parliament in Strasbourg: extracts from the open day

This video is a news item resuming extracts from the LUX audience award 2025 ceremony. The award celebrates European cinema and it aims to engage and debate with the larger European public on important societal subjects reflecting our common European values such as democracy, rule of law, pluralism and freedom of expression.

LUX Audience Award 2025: extracts from the ceremony

This news item shows the meeting of the LIBE delegation with with Barna György SENYEI, President of the Hungarian National Office for the Judiciary, and with Tamás LÁNCZI, President of the Hungarian Sovereignty Protection Office, in Budapest. The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) delegation mission to Budapest has the goal 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.

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary): meeting with Barna György SENYEI, President of the National Office for the Judiciary, and with Tamás LÁNCZI, President of the Sovereignty Protection Office

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