The COVID-19 global pandemic and Russia’s war against Ukraine had a significant impact on the European Parliament’s agenda during its ninth parliamentary term. In the wake of a health crisis and geopolitical challenges, during its ninth legislative term, Parliament focussed on the green and digital transitions to enhance the EU’s resilience while also strengthening democratic values.

The ninth legislative term of the European Parliament

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

At a glance: the final plenary session of the EP’s ninth legislative term; European Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s address at the Special European Council; and applications for the DiscoverEU programme are open.

News in Brief – 19/04/2024 - English

At a glance: the European Parliament’s political groups are preparing for the last plenary session of this legislative term; the achievements of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender  Equality; and the European Youth Week.

News in Brief – 17/04/2024 - English

At a glance: in Brussels, Parliament adopted ten legislative texts to reform European migration and asylum policy; King Philippe of the Belgians addressed MEPs; and Parliament adopted an EU certification framework for carbon removals.

News in Brief – 12/04/2024 - English

At a glance: the plenary session is ongoing in Brussels. MEPs have voted on revising the pharmaceutical legislation and adopted their position on new rules to improve the health of European soils and to increase CO2 emission reduction targets for trucks, buses and trailers.

News in Brief – 11/04/2024 - English

At a glance: the Committee on Development will take stock of the progress made on the UN Sustainable Development Goals; the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy will look at the main achievements during this legislative term; and the signing of the European Declaration on Cycling.

News in Brief – 08/04/2024 - English

In July 2023, the European Commission adopted a proposal to revise the EU toy safety legislation. This proposal pursues two main objectives: a) achieving a higher level of child protection, including from the most harmful substances; and b) reducing the number of non-compliant and unsafe toys on the EU market.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Toy safety regulation

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

Diets tailored to our individual characteristics could bring about health benefits but require data on our most personal features, such as our DNA. The promises are many, but so are open questions about the interactions between genes, nutrients, environment and health, and the role of socioeconomic factors behind our food choices. Governance of precision nutrition advice, services and products will include various legislation and policies because of its position between lifestyle and health, or food and medicine.

EPRS Science and Technology Podcast Podcast - What if algorithms decided what we should eat by looking at our DNA?

Air pollution is the single largest environmental health risk in the EU and causes significant damage to ecosystems. As part of the European Green Deal's zero pollution ambition, on 26 October 2022 the Commission tabled a proposal for a revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives. The proposed directive would set air quality standards for 2030 that are more closely aligned with the Word Health Organization's recommendations, as updated in 2021. It would also include a mechanism for the standards' regular review based on the latest scientific information. To achieve them on time, the Member States would have to establish air quality plans ahead of 2030.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Revision of EU air quality legislation: Setting a zero pollution objective for air

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10 December 1948 in Paris. The Declaration is a milestone document in the history of human rights because, for the first time, it set out fundamental human rights to be universally protected. The document is composed of a preamble followed by thirty articles. The EU has fully embraced the Declaration's significance, using it to set standards in its legislation and international agreements, and to guide its external policy.

The Universal declaration of Human Rights - English

L’Union européenne élabore actuellement la première législation sur l’intelligence artificielle au monde. Le Parlement européen souhaite encourager l’innovation dans ce domaine tout en protégeant les droits de l’homme et les libertés fondamentales. Cette nouvelle législation interdira les systèmes dont les niveaux de risques sont inacceptables pour la sécurité des personnes et imposera des règles aux autres systèmes.

Le règlement de l’Union européenne sur l’intelligence artificielle - français

As part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, the European Commission made a legislative proposal to review the EU’s current emissions trading system. In order to achieve the ambitious climate target of a 55 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030, set by the European Climate Law, the EU is further strengthening its emissions trading system. In this episode, we will cover the EU’s emissions trading scheme and its most recent reform as part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package.

The European Union’s Emissions Trading System revised - English

Road transport is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for over a quarter of road transport CO2 emissions. The European Commission proposes to revise the legislation setting CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles in the EU. The proposed revision would expand the scope of the existing regulation to include urban buses, coaches, trailers and other types of lorries. It will also require that the average CO2 emissions of heavy-duty vehicles, would have to fall by 45 % from 2030, by 65 % from 2035, and by 90 % from 2040 onwards, compared with 2019 levels.

EPRS policy podcast - CO₂ emission performance standards and reporting obligations for new heavy-duty vehicles

The European Union has played a leading role in the international effort to build a new future for Kosovo since 1999. Kosovo has a clear European perspective as part of the wider Western Balkans region. Since June 2000, all EU partners in the Western Balkans involved in the Stabilisation and Association process, which are not yet recognised as candidates, are considered potential candidates for EU membership. Currently, Kosovo is a potential candidate.

EU - Kosovo - 8th legislative term

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

Between&nbsp;6-9 June 2024, European citizens will decide again on the shape of the next Parliament and the direction of the European Union in the coming years. During this legislation period it has delivered on many legislative files and priorities.

The EP, as the only directly elected EU institution,&nbsp;is the&nbsp;representative of EU citizens. It&nbsp;embodies European democracy by nature and process,&nbsp;protects and enhances democratic rights and values in the EU and the world and&nbsp;takes up citizens´ demands in the EU decision making process.&nbsp;

Through the very nature of its functions, it embodies European parliamentary democracy and lends democratic legitimacy to the European Union. As an&nbsp;inclusive decision-maker, the Parliament listens to citizens' concerns,&nbsp;and takes action based on these concerns. It&nbsp;&nbsp;stands up for peace, democracy, freedom and prosperity for all citizens.&nbsp;Besides,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;fights for&nbsp;democracy and accountability through its political and legislative work, including the budget.&nbsp;And finally,&nbsp;it offers&nbsp;the opportunity to take action&nbsp;(voting, getting in touch with local MEPs, COFOE).

Highlights of the legislative term

The European Parliament in April 2024 adopted ten legislative texts to reform European migration and asylum policy as agreed with EU member states. Five separate EU regulations, establishe&nbsp;how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving.

Following the deal in trilogue in December 2023 ,&nbsp;EP President Roberta Metsola&nbsp;said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States. That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable &nbsp;

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention.&nbsp; The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Migration

In December 2023 , MEPs and national governments reached a long-sought agreement to revamp the EU’s asylum and migration legislation. Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on the final form of five separate EU regulations, establishing how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving. Following the deal, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States.

That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention. &nbsp;The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Asylum

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

Lithuania is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - and a head of state - the President - who appoints the Prime Minister.

The Parliament is a single-chamber legislative body. The country is divided into 60 municipalities, with directly-elected mayors.

There are 11 members of the European Parliament from Lithuania.

Lithuania joined the EU on 1 May 2004 - and the euro area on 1 January 2015.

EU - Lithuania

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in December 2019 the Commission presented a communication on a European Green Deal that sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected.

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.&nbsp; The European Climate Law writes&nbsp;into law the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and attain the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).&nbsp;After 2050 the EU will aim for negative emissions. In July&nbsp;2021 the European Commission presented its “Fit for 55 in 2030” package-the legislative tool to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate law.

The EP adopted the new Nature restoration law during its February plenary. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security.

To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to&nbsp;Natura 2000 areas&nbsp;until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

European Green Deal

During 17-20 January 2022 plenary session in Strasbourg, MEPs elected their President, 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors. New EP President Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote. Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).The other candidates were Alice Kuhnke and Sira Rego. Due to the pandemic, the vote was held remotely. Appointments to parliamentary committees for the rest of this legislative term will also be confirmed during the upcoming plenary session.

Election of the President of the European Parliament

The rapid development of social media and the rise of geopolitical tensions turn the EU into a target for foreign interference and disinformation. 

In 2024, the EU and many other democracies around the world will elect their next leaders. Malicious entities or states try to take advantage of this to undermine trust in elections or democracy.

The European Parliament has adopted a number of legislative acts to protect EU citizens and societies from disinformation and foreign interference. It has also been working to strengthen cooperation between&nbsp;elections authorities,&nbsp;public disinformation specialists,&nbsp;European fact-checkers&nbsp;and independent disinformation specialists, and has developed closer ties with&nbsp;Nato, in order to step up the efforts on fighting disinformation. 
 
This series of videos is part of an effort to raise awareness among EU citizens about disinformation ahead of the European elections, in June. Parliament’s communication team explains the most commonly used tactics and give tips to spot and avoid them.

Disinformation explained

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

A propososal for a regulation adopted by the Commission on 19 December 2017 aims to strenghten controls by nationals market surveillance and customs authorities to ensure that products are safe and comply with the Union rules.

The legislation covers a large proportion of products marketed in the EU in more than 20 industrial sectors, including electro-technical products, machinery, radio/telecoms equipment, toys, medical devices, construction products and high speed rail systems.

The package consists of two regulations and a decision designed to remove barriers to the free movement of goods while improving consumer safety.

Goods package and safer products

As co-legislator, Parliament has long been supportive of EU biodiversity protection and climate change policies.

The EU has played an important international role in seeking solutions to biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate change. The 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change notes the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. As part of the European Green Deal, the Commission has proposed a new biodiversity strategy that aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030, for the benefit of people, the climate and the planet.

Biodiversity Strategy 2030

EU rules on product safety are defined in the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD). Under the directive a product is safe if it meets all statutory safety requirements under European or national law. If there are no regulations or EU standards referenced in the Official Journal of the European Union, the product's compliance is determined according to other reference documents such as other European standards, national or international standards, Commission recommendations, or codes of practice. The General Product Safety Directive applies to consumer products when there are no specific provisions with the same objective in the rules of EU Law governing the safety of the products concerned. That means it applies totally to products such as child care articles or certain COVID-19 related products, such as sanitising gels and certain type of face masks and only residually to products where sectorial legislation exists such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Businesses must: only place products which are safe on the market, inform consumers of any risks associated with the products they supply, make sure any dangerous products present on the market can be traced so they can be removed to avoid any risks to consumers. MEPs want more stringent EU rules to protect children Existing rules and market surveillance activities should be strengthened to ensure the safety of all toys sold on the EU market, including from non-EU countries and online.

In March 2023 MEPs, also endorsed the revised rules on product safety of non-food consumer products. The new regulation aligns the existing General Product Safety Directive with the latest developments in digitalisation and the surge in online shopping.

In this Plenary MEPs are set to vote on their position on a proposal to revamp EU legislation on toy safety. The update of the current directive aims to respond to the increase in online shopping and the use of digital technologies, among other challenges. The proposed regulation extends EU bans on harmful chemicals in toys to include endocrine disruptors and makes it easier for consumers to access safety information, for example via a QR code.

Consumer product safety

From July to December 2021, Slovenia holds the Presidency of the EU Council, following the Portuguese Presidency and preceding the French Presidency. This is the second time Slovenia holds the Presidency.The last time was in 2008.

The presidency of the Council rotates among the EU member states every 6 months. During this 6-month period, the presidency chairs meetings at every level in the Council, helping to ensure the continuity of the EU's work. Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called 'trios'. This system was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

The trio sets long-term goals and prepares a common agenda determining the topics and major issues that will be addressed by the Council over an 18-month period. On the basis of this programme, each of the three countries prepares its own more detailed 6-month programme.

Under the slogan “Together. Resilient. Europe.”,&nbsp;the Slovenian presidency wants to&nbsp;focus on recovery and resilience, translating ambitious green goals into binding legislation, strategic autonomy, the digital transition, rule of law and the protection of external borders.

Slovenian Presidency

Full gender equality is far from being achieved, and this has implications for the lives and life chances of individual women, girls, boys and men, the communities they live in and the EU as a whole. The European Parliament has consistently taken a strong, proactive stance on advancing gender equality, stressing the need to deliver on EU commitments.

The EP´s Committee of Women´s rights and Gender equality (FEMM) is in the heart of these discussions.

Options for further EU involvement could include better implementation and enforcement of existing legislation, moves to modernise it, fill gaps in protection and address emerging issues, and non-legislative measures such as data collection and monitoring, awareness-raising, and support for national and grassroots initiatives.

Promoting equal economic independence for women and men, closing the gender pay gap, advancing gender balance in decision making, ending gender based violence and promoting gender equality beyond the EU are the concrete areas of interest for the EU.

Gender balance

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections. Parliament’s Press Service will organise a briefing for media on the practical details for covering the elections. It will cover Parliament’s main legislative achievements during its ninth term, as well as unfinished business to be dealt with by the new Parliament. Media will also be provided with practical information on the three key events in the run-up to the elections: One month to go (9 May); Eurovision debate with the lead candidates for the EU Commission Presidency (23 May); and Election night (9 June). (Monday 29 April, from 10.00-11.00).

Briefing for media on the 2024 European 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

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

Commissioner and Rapporteur Nicola BEER (Renew, DE), Rapporteur, Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU (on behalf of INTA Committee), Jessica POLFJÄRD (on behalf of ENVI Committee), Thierry BRETON, European Commissioner for Internal Market, Miriam LEXMANN (on behalf of AFET Committee) and Franc BOGOVIČ (on behalf of REGI Committee) deliver opening statements and consequent MEPS  debate on the Framework for Ensuring a Secure and Sustainable Supply of Critical Raw Materials in a plenary session in Strasbourg. 

Electric cars, solar panels and smartphones - all of them contain critical raw materials. They are pivotal for the EU’s green and digital transitions, and securing their supply is crucial for the European Union's economic resilience, technological leadership, and strategic autonomy. Since the Russian war against Ukraine and an increasingly aggressive Chinese trade and industrial policy, cobalt, lithium and other raw materials have also become a geopolitical factor.

The Critical Raw Materials Act, informally agreed with Council in November, should make the EU more competitive and sovereign by cutting red tape, promoting innovation along the entire value chain, and supporting SMEs. It also aims to boost research and the development of alternative materials and more environmentally-friendly mining and production methods.The legislation will set up economic incentives and a more stable and secure business framework for mining and recycling projects, with faster and simpler authorisation procedures.

Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials

CULT - Exchange of views with young people on the Committee’s .achievements in the 9th Legislature

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Resumption of the session

Opening of the sitting

Statements by the President

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)) (action taken)

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6))

Corrigenda (Rule 241)(action taken)

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

Order of business

Resumption of the sitting

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)

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Closure of the sitting

Plenary session

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Composition of Parliament

Verification of credentials

20240410-0900-PLENARY

Composition of committees and delegations

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

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

Announcement by the President (deadline for tabling questions for written answer (Rule 138))

Russia's undemocratic presidential elections and their illegitimate extension to the occupied territories (debate)

Voting time

New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union (debate)

Chinese police activity in Europe (debate)

Ongoing hearings under Article 7(1) TEU regarding Hungary to strengthen Rule of Law and its budgetary implications (debate)

Discharge 2022 (debate)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Explanations of vote

Inclusion of the right to abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (debate)

Promised revision of the EU animal welfare legislation and the animal welfare-related European citizens’ initiatives (debate)

Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia (debate)

Deterioration of living conditions in the EU (debate)

Request for waiver of immunity

Voting time (continuation)

Proposal for a Union act: see Minutes

Healthy lifestyle and active ageing in the EU (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the sitting and forwarding of texts adopted

Dates of forthcoming sittings

Follow-up to a request for the defence of immunity

Calendar of part-sessions of the Parliament - 2025

Horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 (debate)

Substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive) (debate)

Energy performance of buildings (recast) (debate)

Definition of criminal offences and penalties for the violation of Union restrictive measures (debate)

Liability for defective products (short presentation)

Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 as regards the digital labelling of EU fertilising products (short presentation)

European Maritime Safety Agency and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 (short presentation)

Amending the Directive on alternative dispute resolution for consumer disputes (short presentation)

20240311-0900-PLENARY

Corrigendum (Rule 241)

European Central Bank – annual report 2023 (debate)

Transparency and targeting of political advertising (debate)

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

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

Detergents and surfactants (debate)

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

Protection of the environment through criminal law (short presentation)

20240226-0900-PLENARY

Signature of acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 78)

Situation of prisoners in Hungarian jails, including the case of Ilaria Salis (debate)

Instant payments in euro (debate)

State of EU solar industry in light of unfair competition (debate)

Measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union (Interoperable Europe Act) (debate)

Union-wide effect of certain driving disqualifications (debate)

Situation in Haiti on the eve of the deployment of the United Nations Multinational Security Support Mission (debate)

Read-out of the College meeting / press conference by Vice-Presidents JOUROVÁ and ŠUICA on the Defence of Democracy legislative package

The European Elections 2024 (debate)

Role of tax policy in times of crisis (debate)

Small modular reactors (debate)

Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector (short presentation)

Foodstuffs for human consumption: amending certain 'Breakfast' Directives (short presentation)

Mental health (short presentation)

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

Amendment of the agenda

Humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need for the release of hostages and for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire and the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East (debate)

This is Europe - Debate with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Nikolay Denkov (debate)

Reducing regulatory burden to unleash entrepreneurship and competitiveness (topical debate)

Threat to rule of law as a consequence of the governmental agreement in Spain (debate)

Destruction of judicial independence and the persecution of democrats in Hong Kong (debate)

Cyprus confidential - need to curb enablers of sanctions evasion and money laundering rules in the EU (debate)

30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy (debate)

The lack of legislative follow-up by the Commission to the PEGA resolution (debate)

Revised pollinators initiative -  a new deal for pollinators (debate)

Latest attacks against women and women's rights defenders in Iran, and Iran's arbitrary detention of EU nationals

The unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger

The killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia’s occupying forces in Georgia

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

Children first - strengthening the Child Guarantee, two years on from its adoption - Reducing inequalities and promoting social inclusion in times of crisis for children and their families

UN Climate Change Conference 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (COP28) (debate)

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

Common rules promoting the repair of goods

Union certification framework for carbon removals

Implementation of the Regulation establishing measures for the recovery of the stock of European eel (short presentation)

Effectiveness of the EU sanctions on Russia (debate)

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (debate)

Formal sitting - Address by Nikol Pashinyan, Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia

Statement by the President

General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024 - all sections (debate)

Schengen area: digitalisation of the visa procedure - Schengen area: amending the Visa Sticker Regulation (Joint debate – Schengen area)

Commission Work Programme 2024 (debate)

Question Time with Commissioners - European measures to prevent and to fight the rise of organised crime

Composition of the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members

Water scarcity and structural investments in access to water in the EU (debate)

Urgent need for a coordinated European response and legislative framework on intrusive spyware, based on the PEGA inquiry committee recommendations (debate)

Situation of Ukrainian women refugees, including access to SRHR support (debate)

2022 Report on Montenegro (debate)

Report: Clara Aguilera (A9-0016/2021) - Fisheries control

Composition of Parliament's political bodies

Corrigenda (Rule 241)

Announcement by the President - Sakharov Prize

Establishing the Ukraine Facility (debate)

Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (debate)

Fisheries control (debate)

Implications of Chinese fishing operations for EU fisheries and the way forward (short presentation)

Report: Pierre Karleskind (A9-0282/2023) - Implications of Chinese fishing operations for EU fisheries and the way forward

Closure of the procedure concerning a request to defend the immunity of a Member

Signature of acts adopted under the ordinary legislative procedure (Rule 79): see Minutes

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