The European Parliament is marking 70 years of democracy in action - from its first assembly in 1952 to being stronger than ever during challenging times today.

70th Anniversary of the European Parliament: 70 years of European democracy

Il-Parlament Ewropew qed ifakkar is-70 sena ta' demokrazija fl-azzjoni, mill-ewwel assemblea tiegħu fl-1952 saż-żminijiet diffiċli tal-lum fejn aktar minn qatt qabel qed juri kemm huwa b'saħħtu.

Is-70 Anniversarju tal-Parlament Ewropew: 70 sena ta' demokrazija Ewropea

Het Europees Parlement kijkt terug op zeventig jaar democratie in actie, vanaf de eerste vergadering in 1952 tot het Parlement van vandaag, dat ondanks zeer moeilijke tijden sterker staat dan ooit.

Het zeventigjarige bestaan van het Europees Parlement: Zeventig jaar Europese democratie

El Parlamento Europeo celebra sus setenta años de democracia en acción: desde su primera asamblea en 1952 hasta hoy, más fuerte que nunca en estos tiempos difíciles.

70.º aniversario del Parlamento Europeo: setenta años de democracia europea

Euroopan parlamentti juhlii 70-vuotista taivaltaan demokratiatoiminnassa: ensimmäisestä edustajakokouksesta vuonna 1952 haastaviin nykypäiviin saakka, jolloin se on vahvempi kuin koskaan.

Euroopan parlamentin 70-vuotisjuhla: 70 vuotta eurooppalaista demokratiaa

Hetvenéves fennállását ünnepli az Európai Parlament, amely a kezdeti konzultatív fórumból mára az európai demokrácia erős bástyájává vált. Erre szükség is van ezekben az embert próbáló időkben.

70 éves az Európai Parlament, az európai demokrácia letéteményese

Europaparlamentet firar 70 år av demokratiskt arbete – Från sitt första möte 1952 till våra dagars utmaningar har det växt sig starkare än någonsin.

Europaparlamentets 70-årsjubileum: 70 år av europeisk demokrati

Parlamentul European aniversează 70 de ani de democrație în acțiune: de la prima sa adunare, în 1952, până la instituția puternică de astăzi, care răzbate vremuri dificile.

Cea de-a 70-a aniversare a Parlamentului European: 70 de ani de democrație europeană

Il Parlamento europeo festeggia 70 anni di democrazia attiva, dalla sua prima assemblea, nel 1952, fino alla sua attuale presenza, più forte che mai, in questi tempi difficili.

70° anniversario del Parlamento europeo: 70 anni di democrazia europea

Eiropas Parlaments atzīmē demokrātijas 70 gadus — no pirmās asamblejas 1952. gadā līdz mūsdienu pārbaudījumiem, kas demokrātiju padarījuši spēcīgāku nekā jebkad.

Eiropas Parlamenta 70. gadadiena: Eiropas demokrātijas 70 gadi

O Parlamento Europeu assinala 70 anos de democracia em ação – desde a sua primeira assembleia, em 1952, até se tornar mais forte do que nunca nos tempos difíceis que correm.

Cerimónia do 70.º aniversário do Parlamento Europeu: 70 anos de democracia europeia

Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο γιορτάζει 70 χρόνια δημοκρατίας στην πράξη - από την πρώτη του συνεδρίαση το 1952 ως το ισχυρό θεσμικό όργανο που μπορεί να αντιμετωπίσει τις προκλήσεις του σήμερα.

70ή επέτειος του Ευρωπαϊκού Κοινοβουλίου: 70 χρόνια ευρωπαϊκής δημοκρατίας

Evropski parlament praznuje 70 let demokracije. Prva skupščina je bila sestavljena leta 1952, v današnjih časih, polnih izzivov, pa je Parlament močnejši kot kdaj koli prej.

70 let Evropskega parlamenta: 70 let evropske demokracije

Europos Parlamentas švenčia veikiančios demokratijos 70 metų sukaktį – tiek laiko praėjo nuo 1952 m. įvykusios jo pirmosios asamblėjos. Per visus tuos metus jis nepaliovė stiprėti, kad įveiktų šiandienos iššūkius.

Europos Parlamento 70 metų sukaktis: 70 Europos demokratijos metų

Europa-Parlamentet markerer 70 års demokrati i praksis – fra den første forsamling i 1952 til et parlament, der i dag er stærkere end nogensinde, trods store udfordringer.

Europa-Parlamentets 70-års jubilæum: 70 år med europæisk demokrati

Европейският парламент отбелязва 70 години демокрация в действие — от първата си асамблея през 1952 година до днес, по-целеустремен от всякога в тези трудни времена.

70-ти рожден ден на Европейския парламент: 70 години демокрация в Европа

Evropský parlament se ohlíží za 70 lety demokracie v akci – od svého prvního shromáždění v roce 1952 po dnešní náročnou dobu, v níž musí být silnější než kdy jindy.

70. výročí vzniku Evropského parlamentu: 70 let evropské demokracie

Europski parlament obilježava 70 godina demokracije na djelu. Od prve Zajedničke skupštine osnovane 1952. do izazova današnjice, Parlament je snažniji nego ikad.

70. obljetnica Europskog parlamenta: 70 godina europske demokracije

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

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

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

At each plenary session in the European Parliament, debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law may also give rise to motions for resolutions. These texts are generally tabled by a committee, apolitical group or at least 40 Members.

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.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU (2019- 2020)

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2) TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

Rule of law - 8th parliamentary term

On the 16th October 2017, the Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb explosion. Ms Caruana Galizia gave to the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA) evidence about her work on the Panama Papers at a meeting in February 2017 in Malta.

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed. Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in Malta (2019-2020)

Since the Law and Justice party (PiS) won both the presidential and parliamentary elections in Poland in autumn 2015, the government has undertaken a series of reforms that critics say restrict democracy.

Under the rule of law, governmental powers are limited by law and may be exercised only on the basis of law. An independent judiciary is indispensable to guaranteeing this state of affairs, and appropriate procedures, including legal remedies, must be in place to guarantee that individuals can protect their rights and trigger judicial review of governmental action.

Should an EU Member State be suspected of breaching the rule of law, a number of procedures are available to verify this and, if needed, remedy the situation.

Rule of law in Poland (2019-2020)

Languages are an integral part of European Democracy. With its 27 member states and 24 official languages, Parliament has to be multilingual. Not only for its members, but also for you! It ensures equality of treatment and transparency towards its citizens. Discover more about the importance of languages and multilingualism in this package!

Online Multilingualism Day 2020

Disinformation campaigns are a threat to the proper functioning of democracies. The Parliament is committed to ensuring people are able to access reliable information.

Elements of disinformation and propaganda are that such information (i) is designed to be wholly or partly false, manipulated or misleading, or uses unethical persuasion techniques; (ii) regards an issue of public interest; (iii) has the intention to generate insecurity, hostility or polarisation, or attempts to disrupt democratic processes; (iv) and is disseminated and/or amplified through automated and aggressive techniques, such as social bots, artificial intelligence (AI), micro-targeting or paid human 'trolls’, often used to boost public visibility.

Fight against disinformation (2019-2020)

Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Because MEPs are the EU's only directly elected representatives, their contribution is essential. With personal experience of campaigns, issues of financing and the work of representing citizens, MEPs bring political legitimacy to observation missions.

Over more than three decades, the European Parliament has observed several hundred elections. Every year, MEPs travel to as many as a dozen countries across the world.
Observing Election Day is one of the principal ways the European Parliament supports democracy.

Election Observation Missions

Every day journalists risk their lives to help keep us informed.

Freedom of Press is considered to be an essential element of democracy by the European Parliament, which strongly supports it within the EU and beyond. Article 11 of the EU's Charter of Fundamental Rights clearly states that “freedom and pluralism of the media shall be respected”.

Press freedom in the EU - 8th Parliamentary term

The European Union and Lebanon enjoy close political relations in the framework of an Association Agreement between the two, which has been in force since April 2006.

This agreement promotes human rights, political dialogue, free movement of goods, and economic, social and cultural cooperation. The EU is committed to supporting democracy, good governance, social inclusion, education and sustainable development in Lebanon.

EU - Lebanon

Election observation is a highly visible demonstration of the European Union's commitment to supporting democracy and promoting human rights around the world.

It contributes to strengthening democratic institutions, building public confidence in electoral processes, helping to deter fraud, intimidation and violence, especially in fragile, post-conflict or developing regions. It also complements other key EU foreign policy objectives, particularly peace-building.

International election observation

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights.

Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctioning mechanisms) to enforce European Union values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them. The sanctions mechanism empowers the Council to suspend certain membership rights of a Member State, including voting rights in the Council in cases of a 'serious and persistent breach' of EU values (Article 7(2)TFEU)’. However, these mechanisms require a high decision-making threshold in the Council and in the European Parliament (when Parliament is called to participate) and rely heavily on Member States’ willingness to take action.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-8th-parliamentary-term_10601_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Rule of law (2020)

The EU and Jordan have a strong partnership across many sectors and have been linked through an Association Agreement since 2002. Furthermore, Jordan was the first Mediterranean partner country to conclude technical negotiations leading to an "Advanced Status" with the EU in 2010.

The European Union (EU) stands by the Jordanian people in their ongoing efforts to achieve democracy, respect for human rights, social justice, security and socio-economic development.

EU - Jordan

Nelson Mandela led the struggle to replace the apartheid regime of South Africa by a multi-racial democracy. Sentenced to life in prison, he spent 27 years in jail before becoming the country's first black President. He played a leading role in the drive for peace.He is laureate of the 1988 Sakharov Prize and of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize®.This video illustrates the relations between Nelson Mandela and the European institutions.

Nelson Mandela

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

LIBE Working Group on Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group (DRFMG)

Article 17 seminar on Liberal Democracy

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Conclusions and way forward

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Partnerships for democracy support

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Creating parliamentary democratic culture through dialogue and consensus building

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - Comprehensive approach to the institutional reform and capacity development

10 years of supporting parliamentary democracy beyond the EU - What have we achieved and what have we learned?

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Closing

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Youth Talks

Youth Democracy Event - Level Up! - Opening

Press conference by Dubravka ŠUICA, EC Vice-President for Democracy and Demography and Jutta URPILAINEN, Commissioner for International Partnerships on the Youth Action Plan in EU external action for

Opening event of the ICONIC exhibition - How does an iconic photo help defend democracy?

Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at Copenhagen Democracy Summit

Press conference by Dragos Tudorache , Lead Member Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group, on programme Jean Monnet Dialogue with the Moldovan Parliament

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup on European democracy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - European Democracy

Parliament hold urgent debates on the following human rights, democracy and rule of law topics. Iran: in particular the poisoning of hundreds of school girls. Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The situation of the poisoning of hundreds of school girls in Iran

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. MEPs debate (part 2)

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. First part of the MEPs debate.

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. Opening statement 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.

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: Opening statement by Josep BORRELL FONTELLES, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission in

MEPs take stock of the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. Israel has recently seen the biggest protest movement in the country’s history erupt on its streets, with hundreds of thousands of people in several cities marching against a planned legal overhaul of the judiciary pushed by the Netanyahu-led government. Extracts from the debate.

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories: extracts from the debate

Sophie IN'T VELD (Renew, NL) Chair of the LIBE delegation to Greece, gives a press conference in Athens on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission. The fact-finding mission is organised under the remit of the Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) and in line with the DRFMG (working group on Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights) mandate. The aim of the mission is to take stock of the new developments in the country, and to continue the DRFMG work dedicated to the situation in Greece, with special focus on the situation of the rule of law, fight against corruption and media freedom. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Sophie IN'T VELD (Renew, NL) Chair of the LIBE delegation to Greece, on the conclusions of the fact-finding mission

From 20 to 21 February, a delegation of ten MEPs visits Budapest, Hungary, to learn more about allegations of spyware abuse targeting journalists, the opposition and civil society. During their two-day visit, the MEPs speak with the leadership of the Hungarian National Assembly’s Committee on National Security, the President of the National Authority for Data Protection and Freedom of Information Dr. Attila Péterfalvi, journalists and NGO representatives. The visit finishes with a press conference by Jeroen LENAERS, PEGA Chair and Sophia IN'T VELD, Rapporteur.

Press conference by Jeroen LENAERS (EPP, NL), PEGA Chair and Sophia IN'T VELD (Renew, NL), Rapporteur, following the visit of the PEGA delegation in Budapest (Hungary)

Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The recent deterioration of the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexey Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia. Closing statement by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management:

The recent deterioration of the inhuman imprisonment conditions of Alexey Navalny and other political prisoners in Russia

President of Latvia addresses MEPs at a formal sitting .In his address, Mr Levits focused on Russia’s war against Ukraine, Russia’s responsibility for crimes committed under international law, the EU’s continued support for Ukraine as well as strengthening democracy in the face of current threats. Extracts from the meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and from the formal sitting.

Visit of Egils LEVITS, President of Latvia to the European Parliament: meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the Formal sitting

Egīls LEVITS, President of Latvia, is addressing MEPs at a formal sitting. He focuses on Russia’s war against Ukraine, Russia’s responsibility for crimes committed under international law, the EU’s continued support for Ukraine as well as strengthening democracy in the face of current threats. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Formal sitting: address by Egils LEVITS, President of Latvia

During a public hearing of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic, MEPs discuss about how to tackle misleading and false information, especially on social media, the impact of conspiracy theories on vaccine hesitancy, the role of online platforms and traditional media outlets in spreading awareness but also misinformation and disinformation around the pandemic. Extracts from the public hearing.

The impact of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda on democracy during the pandemic: extracts from the public hearing - EP Special Committee on the COVID-19 pandemic

The world is witnessing a trend towards democratic decay and authoritarian resurgence. Even if it was unsuccessful, the 2021 insurrection on the US Capitol in Washington DC showed that even the most powerful democracies can be threatened by post electoral violence and contestation. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Peace and security: cross-border crime

MEPs vote on the following topics: 30th Anniversary of the Single Market, Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach - Adriana MALDONADO LÓPEZ (S&D, ES), Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 - David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 - Tom VANDENKENDELAERE (EPP, BE), Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - annual report 2022 - Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU).

Voting session including 30th the resolution on the Anniversary of the Single Market, the report on the Consumer protection in online video games and the report on the implementation of the common foreign and security policy

The European Union and NATO have a joint history of security and defence cooperation. Their strategic partnership is based on shared interests and values, like democracy, human rights and attachment to a rules-based international order. In 2016 and 2018, the EU and NATO signed two joint declarations. A third joint declaration is currently in preparation. Their aim is to strengthen cooperation in key areas of mutual interest to both organisations like hybrid threats, cyber-security, operational cooperation, defence capabilities, capacity-building, research and industry and training. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Working together to tackle common threats : The EU - NATO relationship

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Protecting media freedom and journalists

Powerful. Moving. Visionary. There were speeches in the history of the European Union that have made Europe the way it is today. In this short video, you can see a selection of famous quotes from:TIMOTHY GARTON ASH, LOUISE WEISS, FRANÇOIS MITTERRAND, HELMUT KOHL, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, NADIA MURAD, TOOMAS ILVES, TIMOTHY SNYDER, ROBERTA METSOLA, SVIATLANA TSIKHANOUSKAYA, VACLAV HAVEL, GRETA THUNBERG Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely. Powerful. Moving. Visionary. There were speeches in the history of the European Union that have made Europe the way it is today. In this short video, you can see a selection of famous quotes from:

EPRS - Speeches that have made Europe

Parliament will award the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave People of Ukraine for their fight for freedom and democracy. 
 
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address MEPs via video link and members of Ukraine’s State Emergency Services, civil society as well as elected leaders will receive the award at the ceremony in Strasbourg in the name of the People of Ukraine. 
 
MEPs will vote on proposals to speed up issuing renewable energy project permits and reducing the energy consumption of buildings. Both steps will help the green transition and boost energy independence. 
 
Parliament is also expected to call for more robust rules to support people with disabilities. All that and more, coming up in Parliament.

Sakharov Prize, green energy permits, disabilities – coming up in Parliament

Citizens who were at the core of the Conference on the Future of Europe's work came to Brussels to check how the EU institutions are following up on their recommendations for change.     

A unique exercise in participatory democracy, the Conference wrapped up in May 2022, delivering dozens of proposals to make sure Europe can deal with upcoming challenges. 
    
The Parliament, the Council and the Commission had promised since the beginning to follow up on its final proposals, whatever those may be. 

On 2 December, representatives from the three institutions took questions from citizens at a feedback event in the European Parliament in Brussels.

Showing 32 audios results for "democracy"