&lt;p>More than any other continent, Europe's biodiversity has been shaped by human activities and is under constant pressure from human production and consumption. Changes in ecosystem services that are essential to human life affect livelihoods, incomes and local migration, and can even cause or exacerbate political conflict. Despite significant efforts, the latest European Environment Agency assessment shows that the vast majority of EU habitats (81 %) and species (63 %) have poor or bad conservation status.&lt;/p>

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks 2023: Biodiversity loss or collapse

The fit for 55 package is part of the Commission's European Green Deal, which aims to set the EU firmly on the path towards net zero GHG emissions (climate neutrality) by 2050. The fit for 55 package includes a regulation establishing a new social climate fund (SCF). The aim of the SCF is to help vulnerable households, micro-businesses and transport users meet the costs of the green energy transition in the buildings and road transport sector. The SCF is designed to counter the additional costs that vulnerable consumers may face when the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive is revised to cover these two sectors, as proposed in the fit for 55 package. The SCF aims to provide over €72 billion in EU funding over the 2025-2032 period, to be paid for mainly by ETS credits in the buildings and road transport sectors. In this podcast, we’ll talk about the ‘social climate fund’: a new tool with which the EU aims to support lower-income groups through [...]

EPRS policy podcast - Social climate fund: Fit for 55 package

Are you a farmer or someone with a business in the countryside and hoping to develop some type of tourist activity to improve your income? The EU supports sustainable rural tourism. Here are a few examples of how.

This is what Europe does for rural tourism

The European budget supports citizens, farmers, researchers, businesses and regions across Europe and beyond. It has proven&nbsp;essential for improving the lives of Europeans. Together with NextGenerationEU, it helped overcome a pandemic and energy crisis, while saving millions of jobs during lockdowns and investing in our clean and digital future. The EU budget also provided unprecedented support to Ukraine and the security of Europe, in the face of Russia's war of aggression.<a name="_Hlk189216671"></a>

Next long-term budget&nbsp;will start in 2028. Parliament adopted a&nbsp;<a data-analytics-event-attached="true" href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2025-0090_EN.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">resolution</a>&nbsp;on the future MFF during its May 2025 plenary session, asking for a “significantly more ambitious” budget, and arguing that the current spending ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is not enough. MEPs also rejected the Commission’s idea of replicating the Recovery and Resilience Facility’s "one national plan per Member State" model in the EU’s new long-term budget. Instead, they demand a structure that ensures transparency and parliamentary accountability, and involves regional and local authorities.

The decision on the next long-term EU budget requires unanimous agreement among member states and must also be backed by Parliament, by a majority of its component members.&nbsp;

EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034

The parliamentarians are expected to call for a significantly more ambitious long-term EU budget to match EU citizens' expectations in an increasingly complex global landscape. They are likely to argue that the current budget ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is insufficient to respond effectively to the growing range of crises and challenges.

The&nbsp;text&nbsp;prepared by the Budgets Committee highlights that the United States’ retreat from its global role means EU spending will now have to address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in addition to a highly challenging economic and social backdrop, a competitiveness gap, and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis.

Parliament’s priorities for the next long-term EU budget are designed to feed into the Commission’s proposal on the next MFF, due to&nbsp;&nbsp;be unveiled in July.

The EU’s 2021-2027 long-term budget, together with the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument, amounts to €2.018 trillion in current prices (€1.8 trillion in 2018 prices).&nbsp;The package consists of the long-term budget, the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, made up of €1.211 trillion in current prices (€1.074 trillion in 2018 prices), combined with the temporary recovery instrument, NextGenerationEU, of €806.9 billion (€750 billion in 2018 prices).

EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027

<center>Image: © Dragoș Asaftei | Adobe Stock</center>

At their gathering in the Netherlands, leaders from NATO countries are expected to discuss how to ramp up defence spending in the context of Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine and calls from US President Donald Trump for European countries to invest more and take greater responsibility for their defence.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently warned that Russia could be ready to use military force against the Western alliance within five years and said that NATO allies must have a credible defence. Ahead of the summit, he has urged NATO members to commit to spending 5% of their national income on defence, a call that is expected to feature prominently in the summit deliberations.

The EU and NATO have founded their long-standing partnership, in an environment shaped by common principles and values. The European Parliament and NATO engage frequently in active dialogue in order to deepen mutual understanding and consolidate cooperation. In an increasingly volatile and unstable geopolitical context, the dynamic of cooperation has intensified to face new threats ranging from terrorism to climate change to hybrid warfare.&nbsp;

EU - NATO relations

On 19-20 December, EU Heads of State or Government reviewed the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support for Kyiv, amidst the uncertainty of the new US administration’s approach to the conflict. The European Council also assessed&nbsp;the situation in the Middle East, following the&nbsp;ceasefire in Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israel and&nbsp;&nbsp;humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Other topics for leaders included the EU’s geopolitical role, crisis prevention and response, and migration management.

The December 2024 European Council was&nbsp;the first chaired by incoming President António Costa, who on 1 December replaced Charles Michel as President. The new European Commission led by Ursula von der Leyen also took office on 1 December, following the confirmation vote in plenary on 27 November.

MEPs debated the outcome of the December EU summit with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen on 22 January 2025, focussing on Ukraine, EU-US relations and the EU’s global role.

In his first plenary debate as president of the European Council, António Costa said EU heads of State and Government pledged “to strengthen Ukraine’s position for every scenario. Peace must be the peace chosen by Ukraine and by Ukrainians. For the sake of Ukraine’s security. For the sake of Europe’s security.” He reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine “for as long as necessary, and whatever it takes, for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

European Council, 19-20 December 2024

Launched on 20 May 2020, the 'Farm to Fork' strategy put forward the EU’s ambition for making its food system a model of sustainability at all stages of the food value chain.

This strategy is at the heart of the Green Deal. It addresses comprehensively the challenges of sustainable food systems and recognises the inextricable links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet. Ensuring a sustainable livelihood for primary producers, who still lag behind in terms of income, is essential for the success of the recovery and the transition.

The Farm to Fork strategy aims to accelerate our transition to a sustainable food system that should have neutral and positive environmental impact, help mitigate climate change and adapt to its impact. It should also reverse the loss of biodiversity, ensure food security, nutrition and public health, making sure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe nutritious, sustainable food, preserve affordability of food while generating fairer economic returns, fostering competitivness of the EU supply sector and promoting fair trade.

A shift to a sustainable food system can bring environmental, health and social benefits, offer economic gains and ensure that the recovery from the crisis puts us onto a sustainable path.

Farm to fork

Official portraits selection of incoming during the 8th Parliamentary term.

The European Parliament is made up of 751 Members elected in the 28 Member States of the enlarged European Union. Since 1979 MEPs have been elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year period.

Official portraits of MEPs - 8th Parliamentary term

The Treaty of Nice (2003) has amended the procedure for appointing a new European Commission.

The team of European Commissioners - proposed by its President designate - 'shall be subject as a body to a vote of approval by the European Parliament'. Before taking this vote, European Parliament committees conduct hearings with the proposed Commissioners in accordance with Parliament's internal Rules of Procedure.

At the end of the term of Romano Prodi's European Commission, these Hearings of the Commissioners designate - the team nominated by incoming President José Manuel Barroso - took place between 27 September and 8 October 2004. On 4 November 2004 José Manuel Barroso received approval from the European Council for his team of Commissioners after he had revised it on three positions. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini and Latvian Andris Piebalgs were added and the Hungarian Commissioner designate, László Kovács, was moved to another protfolio.

2004 - Hearings of the Commissioners-designate

The European Parliament elects the President of the European Commission. First opportunity is the July II session (15-18 July).

After the elections, one of the first tasks of an incoming Parliament is to elect a new President of the European Commission (the EU’s executive body). Member States have already nominated a candidate for the post: Ursula VON DER LEYEN, former German Federal Minister for Defense.

Moreover, Parliament needs to approve the new President of the Commission by an absolute majority (half of the existing MEPs plus one). If the candidate does not obtain the required majority, the Member States need to propose another candidate within a month's time (European Council acting by qualified majority).

Appointment of the President of the European Commission

The shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic affects everyone. However, there are big differences in the extent of the harm caused, and the long-term development of the pandemic and associated crises are highly uncertain.

Inequalities have been on the rise, particularly in case of certain vulnerable groups, those who remained all the time at work, but often had low income: health workers, grocery store workers, delivery workers, Amazon factory workers, or street cleaners, among others. Lower income individuals run greater health risks, and many of them are women.

Not all work is suited to transition to teleworking. This is particularly the case for precarious workers. Other factors have also contributed to the increase of social divides across generations and regions. Beside the closure of businesses, school closures have put enormous pressure on families. Aspects of this situation may cause lifelong harm, such in the case of the youngest children who might never recuperate the benefits for their personal development and social integration, school children who miss the opportunity to learn foundational lifelong skills, and those secondary school students who were about to take their exams.

The pandemic has also deeply affected quality of life, including mental wellbeing, trust and employment prospects. Finally, many households have been facing the prospect of falling into poverty due to a drop in their income linked to the coronavirus crisis and their limited resources to cope with the financial shocks.

Concrete measures the EU took to support the economic recovery are: the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues,re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life (2020)

The European Union's&nbsp;cooperation with Ghana is being adapted to the specific needs of an aspiring middle income country (MIC).

The development cooperation focuses on 4 priority areas:&nbsp;security,&nbsp;migration,&nbsp;climage change/resilienceand&nbsp;private sector development.&nbsp;&nbsp;Gender equality remains a transversal priority. Our aim is to help Ghana implement an achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs).&nbsp;The EU also aim to pursue a strong, long-term partnership with Ghana and promote its role as a beacon of stability in the West African region.

EU - Ghana

The shock caused by the coronavirus pandemic affects everyone. However, there are big differences in the extent of the harm caused, and the long-term development of the pandemic and associated crises are highly uncertain.

Inequalities have been on the rise, particularly in case of certain vulnerable groups, those who remained all the time at work, but often had low income: health workers, grocery store workers, delivery workers, Amazon factory workers, or street cleaners, among others. Lower income individuals run greater health risks, and many of them are women.

Not all work is suited to transition to teleworking. This is particularly the case for precarious workers. Other factors have also contributed to the increase of social divides across generations and regions. Beside the closure of businesses, school closures have put enormous pressure on families. Aspects of this situation may cause lifelong harm, such in the case of the youngest children who might never recuperate the benefits for their personal development and social integration, school children who miss the opportunity to learn foundational lifelong skills, and those secondary school students who were about to take their exams.

The pandemic has also deeply affected quality of life, including mental wellbeing, trust and employment prospects. Finally, many households have been facing the prospect of falling into poverty due to a drop in their income linked to the coronavirus crisis and their limited resources to cope with the financial shocks.

Concrete measures the EU took to support the economic recovery are: the EU's recovery plan, Next Generation EU, SURE: temporary support for workers, amendments to the EU budget to address urgent issues,re-direction of EU funds to help member states most in need, support to most affected sectors.

Coronavirus outbreak: impact on social life

Demographic change can pose a major challenge for the EU. Regions with a rapidly shrinking population are affected by a severe gap in the provision of social services (healthcare, cultural), physical (transport) and ICT connectivity, education and labour opportunities.

Depopulated regions are often low-income rural or post-industrial areas, with fewer job opportunities. The exodus of younger, skilled workers has further affected ageing, generation renewal and agricultural development. The economic crisis of 2008 led to young educated professionals from Southern and Eastern Europe moving to North-Western Europe. The Covid-19 crisis is likely to encourage this trend. Reduced economic activity and unemployment are expected to generate a new wave of migration by young people both within and between EU countries.

The European Parliament wants the demographic challenge to be a priority for the EU, alongside climate issues and the digital transition. A coordinated approach - integrating the principles of sustainability, greening and digitalisation across different EU policies - would also contribute to reversing negative demographic trends.

Demography in the EU

Portraits of incoming MEPs for the 9th Parliamentary term are presented on this page.

The European Parliament is made up of 751 Members elected in the 28 Member States of the European Union.

Since 1979 MEPs have been elected by direct universal suffrage for a five-year period.

Official portraits of MEPs - 9th Parliamentary term

MEPs lay out their expectations for the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague on 24-26 June, in a debate with the Council and the Commission.

At their gathering in The Netherlands, leaders from NATO countries are expected to discuss how to ramp up defence spending in the context of Russia’s continued war of aggression against Ukraine and calls from US President Donald Trump for European countries to invest more and take a greater responsibility for their defence. 

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte recently warned that Russia could be ready to use military force against the Western alliance within five years and said that NATO allies must have a creditable defence. Ahead of the summit, he has urged NATO members to commit to spending 5% of their national income on defence, a call that is expected to feature prominently in the summit deliberations.

Debate on the upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025

MEPs debate on Tuesday and vote on Wednesday on Parliament's vision for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF).
The parliamentarians call for a significantly more ambitious long-term EU budget to match EU citizens' expectations in an increasingly complex global landscape. They argue that the current budget ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is insufficient to respond effectively to the growing range of crises and challenges.

The text prepared by the Budgets Committee highlights that the United States’ retreat from its global role means EU spending will now have to address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in addition to a highly challenging economic and social backdrop, a competitiveness gap, and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis. Parliament’s priorities for the next long-term EU budget are designed to feed into the Commission’s proposal on the next MFF, due to be unveiled in July. The co-rapporteurs give a press conference on Wednesday at 14.00, following the vote in plenary.

Revamped long-term budget for the Union

The Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Subcommittee on Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics to be discussed will likely include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs are also set to inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the EU and NATO.

AFET/SEDE- Debate with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO

Parliament is set to approve new rules aiming to protect the environment in the EU through criminal law.

Following a debate on Monday, MEPs are expected to give their final green light to a new directive on environmental crime, as agreed with the member states in November 2023, on Tuesday. The new law provides an updated list of environmental crimes including illegal timber trade, depletion of water resources or breaches of EU chemicals legislation. It also introduces the so-called qualified offence of causing the destruction of an ecosystem, such as large-scale forest fires, and thus comparable to ecocide.

Individual offenders, including company representatives, can face prison sentences of up to five or ten years depending on the severity of the crime. They will also be required to reinstate the environment they destroyed and compensate for the damage. Companies can also face fines of up to 5% of their worldwide turnover or 40 million euro.

Background

The new legislation aims to tackle the rising number of environmental crimes in the EU. Environmental crime is the fourth largest criminal activity in the world and is one of the main sources of income for organised crime alongside drugs, weapons and human trafficking.

Press conference -  Environmental crime directive

French MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

German MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council - Boat tour with Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister of European Affairs

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council - Audience with His Majesty King Frederik X of Denmark and Her Majesty Queen Mary Elizabeth of Denmark

Joint Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister on the the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

Recast of EP results projection based on additional incoming results data by Jaume DUCH, Spokeperson of the European Parliament, Delphine COLARD, Deputy Spokesperson

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)

Resumption of the sitting

Review of the economic governance framework (debate)

Voting time

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

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

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Opening of the session

Opening of the sitting

Data Act (debate)

This is Europe - Debate with the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda (debate)

European Semester for economic policy coordination 2023 - European Semester for economic policy coordination: Employment and social priorities for 2023 (debate)

Adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion (debate)

Question Time (Commission) - How to ensure energy security in the EU in 2023

Question Time (VPC/HR) - Strengthening the Trans-Atlantic ties in an ever challenging multilateral world

Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories (debate)

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

Situation in Georgia (debate)

The challenges facing the Republic of Moldova (debate)

Implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU - The Windsor Framework (debate)

EU-Armenia relations (debate)

EU-Azerbaijan relations (debate)

Press Conference by David SASSOLI, EP President and Jean CASTEX, French Prime Minister on the incoming French Presidency of the Council

Resumption of the session 

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings : see Minutes

Composition of political groups 

Composition of committees and delegations 

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

Order of business 

Strengthening democracy, media freedom and pluralism in the EU

Disclosure of income tax information by certain undertakings and branches (debate)

The European Education Area: a shared holistic approach

An intellectual property action plan to support the EU’s recovery and resilience (short presentation)

One-minute speeches (Rule 172)

Agenda of the next sitting 

Closure of the sitting 

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 17 and 18 October 2019 (debate)

Review of the Juncker Commission (debate)

Negotiations ahead of Council's first reading (Rule 72): see Minutes

Explanations of vote : see Minutes

Corrections to votes and voting intentions : see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting : see Minutes

General budget of the European Union for 2020 - all sections

Corrigenda (Rule 241) (follow-up): see Minutes

Discharge 2017: European Asylum Support Office (EASO) (debate)

Discharge 2017: EU general budget - European Council and Council (debate)

Taking forward the Horizontal anti-discrimination Directive (debate)

State of play of the disclosure of income tax information by certain undertakings and branches - public country-by-country reporting

Agenda of the next sitting : see Minutes

Plenary

The rule of law in Romania (debate)

Debate with the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas, on the Future of Europe (debate)

Composition of Parliament

Negotiations ahead of Parliament's first reading (Rule 69c)

Corrigendum (Rule 231): see Minutes

Minimum income for a fair Europe: a right for citizens (debate)

EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) (debate)

Mutual recognition of freezing and confiscation orders (debate)

Free flow of non-personal data in the European Union (debate)

Risks of money laundering in the EU banking sector (debate)

Humanitarian emergency in the Mediterranean: supporting local and regional authorities (debate)

Fighting customs fraud and protecting EU own resources

EYE 2018 - Basic income: Return of Robin Hood?

EYE2018 - Basic income: Return of Robin Hood?

Disclosure of income tax information by certain undertakings and branches (2016/0107(COD)) (debate)

Cutting the sources of income for Jihadists - targeting the financing of terrorism (debate)

Minimum income policies as a tool for fighting poverty (short presentation)

Disclosure of income tax information by certain undertakings and branches

Minimum income schemes in the EU (debate)

Taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments: repealing the Savings Directive - EU-Switzerland agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information - Mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation (debate)

Taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments: repealing the Savings Directive - EU-Switzerland agreement on the automatic exchange of financial account information - Mandatory automatic exchange of information in the field of taxation ...

Development aspects of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - Role of minimum income in combating poverty and promoting an inclusive society in Europe (debate)

Taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments - Common system of VAT as regards tax evasion linked to import and other cross-border transactions (debate)

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council - Meeting with Søren GADE, Speaker of the Danish Parliament, and members of political groups of the Danish Parliament

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council - Meeting with Meeting with Mette FREDERIKSEN, Danish Prime Minister and Danish Government

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: meeting with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, Marshal of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Senate of Poland

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, Marshal of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Marshal of the Senate of Poland

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and the Polish Government

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister

Croatian MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Swedish MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Austrian MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Bulgarian MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Danish MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Finnish MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term

Hungarian MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Greek MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Irish MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs, and Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration open the plenary debate on the the Commission's proposal on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). Parliament adopted a resolution on the future MFF during its May plenary session, asking for a “significantly more ambitious” budget, and arguing that the current spending ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is not enough. MEPs also rejected the Commission’s idea of replicating the Recovery and Resilience Facility’s "one national plan per Member State" model in the EU’s new long-term budget. Instead, they demand a structure that ensures transparency and parliamentary accountability, and involves regional and local authorities. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Council and Commission statements - The EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: Opening statements by Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs, and Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

MEPs outline their priorities ahead of the presentation by the Commission of its proposal on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). They spell out their positions and expectations for the EU’s post-2027 long-term budget. Parliament adopted a resolution on the future MFF during its May plenary session, asking for a “significantly more ambitious” budget, and arguing that the current spending ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is not enough. MEPs also rejected the Commission’s idea of replicating the Recovery and Resilience Facility’s "one national plan per Member State" model in the EU’s new long-term budget. Instead, they demand a structure that ensures transparency and parliamentary accountability, and involves regional and local authorities.

Council and Commission statements - The EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: MEPs debate part 2

Council and Commission statements - The EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: One round of political group speakers

Council and Commission statements - The EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: MEPs debate part 1

Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, and Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs close the plenary debate on the Commission's proposal on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). They spell out their positions and expectations for the EU’s post-2027 long-term budget. Parliament adopted a resolution on the future MFF during its May plenary session, asking for a “significantly more ambitious” budget, and arguing that the current spending ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is not enough. MEPs also rejected the Commission’s idea of replicating the Recovery and Resilience Facility’s "one national plan per Member State" model in the EU’s new long-term budget. Instead, they demand a structure that ensures transparency and parliamentary accountability, and involves regional and local authorities.

Council and Commission statements - The EU’s post-2027 long-term budget: closing statements by Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, and Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council. Denmark holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2025. This news items shows the boat tour with Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council: extracts from the boat tour with Marie BJERRE, Danish Minister for European Affairs

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, along with political group leaders, is in Copenhagen to prepare for Denmark’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, starting on July 1. Ahead of a broader meeting between the European Parliament delegation and members of the Danish government, President Metsola holds a bilateral meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Discussions focus on key priorities including the war in Ukraine, the climate crisis, and global trade tensions, as Denmark prepares to play a central role in guiding the EU’s future direction. This news item shows extracts from the bilateral, meeting and extracts from the press conference hold by President Metsola and Prime Minister Frederiksen.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council: extracts from the meeting, family photo and press conference with Mette FREDERIKSEN, Danish Prime Minister and the Danish Government

The European Parliament's Conference of Presidents visit to Copenhagen ahead of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU. This news items shows the meeting with Søren GADE, Speaker of the Danish Parliament, and members of political groups of the Danish Parliament. The EP group leaders and its President are the political body in Parliament and, among other things, are responsible for the organisation of Parliament’s business and legislative planning, deciding the responsibilities and membership of committees and delegations, relations with other EU institutions, the national parliaments and non-EU countries.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council: extracts from meeting and family photo with Søren GADE, Speaker of the Danish Parliament, and members of political groups of the Danish Parliament

MEPs debate on Parliament's vision for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). The parliamentarians are expected to call for a significantly more ambitious long-term EU budget to match EU citizens' expectations in an increasingly complex global landscape. They are likely to argue that the current budget ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income is insufficient to respond effectively to the growing range of crises and challenges. The text prepared by the Budgets Committee highlights that the United States’ retreat from its global role means EU spending will now have to address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in addition to a highly challenging economic and social backdrop, a competitiveness gap, and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis. Parliament’s priorities for the next long-term EU budget are designed to feed into the Commission’s proposal on the next MFF, due to be unveilled in July.

A revamped long-term budget for the EU in a changing world: closing statements by Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, and by Siegfried MURESAN (EPP, RO), Carla TAVARES (S&D, PT), Rapporteurs

MEPs debate on Parliament's vision for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). The parliamentarians aim to a more ambitious long-term EU budget to match EU citizens' expectations in an increasingly complex global landscape. The current budget ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income looks insufficient to respond effectively to the growing range of crises and challenges. The text prepared by the Budgets Committee highlights that the United States’ retreat from its global role means EU spending will now have to address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in addition to a highly challenging economic and social backdrop, a competitiveness gap, and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis. Parliament’s priorities for the next long-term EU budget are designed to feed into the Commission’s proposal on the next MFF.

A revamped long-term budget for the EU in a changing world: MEPs debate (part 2)

A revamped long-term budget for the EU in a changing world: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on Parliament's vision for the next multiannual financial framework (MFF). The parliamentarians aim to a more ambitious long-term EU budget to match EU citizens' expectations in an increasingly complex global landscape. The current budget ceiling of 1% of the EU-27’s gross national income looks insufficient to respond effectively to the growing range of crises and challenges. The text prepared by the Budgets Committee highlights that the United States’ retreat from its global role means EU spending will now have to address Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, in addition to a highly challenging economic and social backdrop, a competitiveness gap, and the worsening climate and biodiversity crisis. Parliament’s priorities for the next long-term EU budget are designed to feed into the Commission’s proposal on the next MFF. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

A revamped long-term budget for the EU in a changing world: opening statements Siegfried MURESAN (EPP, RO), Carla TAVARES (S&D, PT), Rapporteurs, and by Piotr SERAFIN, European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

The Committees on Foreign Affairs and Security and Defence and the Delegation for Relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meet Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics discussed include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs also inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the EU and NATO.

Exchange of views with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO): extracts - AFET Committee, SEDE Subcommittee and Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly

The Committees on Foreign Affairs and Security (AFET) and Defence (SEDE) and the Delegation for Relations with the National Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (DNAT) meet NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte for the first time. In the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, and the incoming US administration, the topics discussed include efforts to strengthen NATO defence and deterrence as well as the delivery of military assistance to Ukraine. MEPs also inquire about other regional and global security threats that require close cooperation between the European Union and NATO.

Exchange of views with Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of the NATO: Opening statements by David McALLISTER, AFET Chair, Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN, SEDE Chair, Mark RUTTE, NATO Secretary General, and by Salvatore DE MEO, DNAT Chair

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister hold a joint press conference on the the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Joint Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister on the the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council

The EP Conference of Presidents meets with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and the Polish Government.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council - meeting with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister and the Polish Government: extracts from the meetings, family photo and extracts from the press conference

The EP Conference of Presidents meets with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, President of the Sejm, Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Speaker of the Polish Senate and with Polish members. Extracts from the meetings, familly photo and meeting with Polish members.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council - meeting with Szymon HOŁOWNIA, President of the Sejm and Małgorzata Maria KIDAWA-BŁOŃSKA, Speaker of the Polish Senate: extracts from meetings and family photo

Roberta METSOLA, EP President makes a keynote speech at DESA Unicum, in Poland. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

EP Conference of Presidents meets with the incoming Polish Presidency of the Council: Keynote speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at DESA Unicum

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