&lt;p>The internet is a critical technology infrastructure for almost two thirds of the global population. We use the internet for personal, civic, commercial and professional activities. Failure of the internet would majorly impact how our societies, lives and work is organised. While a total global collapse of the internet is unlikely, major disruptions may arise. Three aspects are key in understanding of how this could materialise: the underlying technological infrastructures, which are evolving with time; the fact that tech companies are increasingly shaping the Internet architecture to seek new commercial strategies; and the increasing control of the digital sphere for political reasons.&lt;/p>

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks 2023: Collapse of the Internet

By 2050, an estimated two thirds of the world population will live in urban areas. Could vertical farming help feed this growing urban population sustainably by reducing the demand for agricultural land and shortening the travel distance between food production and consumption?

EPRS podcast - STOA: What if we grew plants vertically

Managing the risks of the Covid-19 pandemic remains a challenge. While EU vaccination rates have reached three quarters of the population, new SARS-CoV-2 variants keep emerging in the EU. Although these variants appear to be generally less severe, they still pose challenges to health systems. The implementation of a globally effective vaccine strategy remains key to enhancing Europe's resilience. If measures are successful, it is expected that SARS-CoV-19 – while still present – will enter a stage of seasonality, characterised by higher case numbers in the winter months, similarly to the flu. To achieve this, rethinking present surveillance and monitoring schemes, ensuring the distribution of vaccines worldwide and implementing an action plan against disinformation and misinformation could be crucial.

EPRS STOA podcast - Responding better to future pandemics

The European Union already has an outstanding level of social security compared to the rest of the world. While the EU constitutes less than 6 % of the world's population and 20 % of global gross domestic profit (GDP), it accounts for at least 40 % of global public spending on social protection. According to Eurostat, In the EU-27 in 2020, expenditure on social protection stood at 22.0 % of GDP, at 41.3 % of total global public spending and at €2 943 billion. While the European social model is undoubtedly a unique achievement, it has to be adapted to the challenges of the future to maintain its long-term sustainability. #FutureShocks2022

EPRS policy podcast - Future shocks: Building a European social model for the 21st century

The arrival of the Covid-19 vaccines marks a turning point in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. According to estimates, coverage of at least 60 % to 75 % is needed to establish population immunity through vaccination. But, as regards Covid-19 vaccination, surveys suggest that Europeans are among the most sceptical in the world.

EPRS policy podcast - Covid-19 vaccination campaigns: The public dimension

While some argue that AI can potentially be useful or even indispensable in ‘green transitions’, important questions remain open. Should AI be only used in resolving various specific problems (for example, intelligent pollinating robots replacing a declining bee population) or should be employed in ‘governing’ the sustainability of complex socio-economic systems such as mobility, food or energy? While the latter option is currently technically unattainable and may be ethically dubious , it marks the axis of a political debate about possible synergies between sustainability and AI.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if AI could help us become ‘greener’?

As governments scramble to protect their populations from COVID-19 many of the personal freedoms and rights we take for granted are being –temporarily- taken away… Although certain rights enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights can be suspended in situations of emergency, an extra effort is needed to prevent abuse and protect the most vulnerable.

EPRS policy podcast - Upholding human rights in Europe during the pandemic

With a population of around 150 million, there are more pigs than any other livestock category in the EU! The sector is supported by the Common Agricultural Policy, but it is facing serious challenges… Its negative impact on the environment, concerns about animal health and an uncertain international context need to be addressed if the sector is to become more sustainable in the future and match the EU’s green ambitions.

EPRS policy podcast - The EU pig meat sector

Torn by climate change, food insecurity, uncontrolled population growth, political instability and terrorism, the Sahel poses an evolving threat on Europe’s doorstep, as the August coup in Mali has once again shown. With more or less success, the EU’s strategy for the region has tried to address the multiple factors of instability but the new action plan for the region will need to take the EU’s and Africa’s new geopolitical interests on board if it is to be more successful than its predecessor

EPRS policy podcast - Understanding the EU Strategy for the Sahel

Following the post-Cold War reset, EU-Russia relations have been strained, not least by Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, to which the EU responded with hard-hitting sanctions. Putin’s support for rebel groups in eastern Ukraine, his policies in the neighbourhood, disinformation campaigns and Russia’s intervention in Syria just added fuel to the fire... And yet, the two remain closely interdependent… So, how to deal with Putin’s Russia?

EPRS policy podcast - The EU and Russia: Locked into confrontation

Demography matters… it matters for the economy, for the labour market, for healthcare and pensions, even for election results! But future demographic trends in the EU are not encouraging… No, they’re not! A number of demographic challenges, such as a declining birth rate, an ageing population, and depopulation of some of its regions, threaten the future demographic stability of the continent. So, what are the EU and its member states doing about it?

EPRS policy podcast - Demography on the European agenda: Strategies for tackling demographic decline

The coronavirus pandemic forced most of the world’s population into lockdown… But thanks to digital technologies, we were mostly able to keep on working, studying, shopping and chatting with our loved ones without leaving our homes! But the crisis has also highlighted some painful truths about our digital world…

EPRS policy podcast - How digital technology is easing the burden of confinement

Today, rising sea levels place coastal cities under constant threat. An estimated 250 million people currently live on land below projected annual flood levels, often in coastal cities such as London, Lagos, Mumbai or Shanghai; and this number may rise to 630 million by the end of the century. An additional 318 million people have been displaced since 2018, due to climate disasters. Could it be that, instead of humankind fleeing from water, building on it could serve as a better long-term solution? What would the creation of entire water cities entail for societies, economies and the environment? What if populations could live on water instead of facing displacement and migration? The combined effects of climate change, land subsidence and accelerated urbanisation could force us to rethink the use of water surfaces on Earth as potential settlement areas, as an alternative to an Earth surface made uninhabitable by over-population and climate catastrophes.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if we built cities on water?

Did you know that there around six million Roma in Europe? This makes the Roma population Europe’s largest ethnic minority. Here is how the EU helps those that lead non-sedentary lives.

This is what Europe does for members of non-sedentary Roma communities

If you teach adults, then you know what the challenges of adult education are. Members of the active working population want to improve their competences or adjust to shifting job requirements. Adult educators are there to helpIf you teach adults, then you know what the challenges of adult education are. Members of the active working population want to improve their competences or adjust to shifting job requirements. Adult educators are there to help

This is what Europe does for adult educators

Every angler knows that fish are best caught in clean rivers, lakes and coastal waters. The European Union has taken important steps to ensure healthy fish populations. Let’s listen to three actions it has taken.

This is what Europe does for fishing enthusiasts

Living far from the madding crowd is not as easy as some might think. Public services such as transport, education and healthcare can be very limited, as well as job opportunities. Poverty levels are sometimes high too. Here are three things the EU does to help.

This is what Europe does for people from sparsely populated areas

Islands, mountainous areas or sparsely populated areas: people living in these regions often have to face a number of challenges, including access to work, transport or healthcare. Do you live in a remote area? If so, here are three things the European Union does for you.

This is what Europe does for people living in remote areas

Finland joined the EU on 1st January 1995. 

Finland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the EU and is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east. Finland has 13 seats in the European Parliament.

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EU - Finland

Defying international criticism, Iran has sentenced many protestors to death, and continues to execute people arrested during recent demonstrations.

The demonstrations started in mid-September after a young woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of the ‘morality police’ for, they claimed, breaking the strict hijab rules. Hundreds of people have been killed in the protests that have followed and thousands arrested because of their brutal repression by the government.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called these death sentences “state sanctioned killing”, and said that the Iranian government is using executions to intimidate the population and stamp out dissent.

While the EU is discussing a fourth round of sanctions because of the regime crackdown and Iran's military support for Russia, some member states have called for the classification by the EU of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

EU - Iran

Between 1991 and 2017, and especially after 2000, the EU witnessed substantial improvements in terms of road safety, whether measured in terms of fatalities, accidents or injuries.&nbsp; Over a shorter period, between 2001 and 2010, the number of deaths on EU roads decreased by 43 %, and by around another 20 % since 2010.The most recent figures, however, show that progress in reducing the fatality rate is stagnating.

Specific road users or demographic groups are not witnessing the same improvements as the rest of the population.&nbsp;Despite being the safest region in the world, and despite sustained efforts to tackle road safety,&nbsp;around 22 700 people die on EU roads annually, with around 120 000 seriously injured.&nbsp;

Road safety is a shared competence, implying that many measures are primarily dealt with by Member States. However, the EU, has&nbsp;significantly developed the acquis in this area, with the Commission adopting several policy frameworks on road safety.

In 2003, the EU set itself a target in terms of reducing road fatalities, and regularly monitors progress towards this goal. In June 2017, the Council endorsed the Valletta Declaration, which reasserted commitments and targets in the area of road safety. In May 2018, within the context of the third and last 'mobility package', the Commission presented a common framework for road safety for the 2021-2030 period, recalling the EU’s long-term goal of moving as close as possible to zero fatalities in road transport by 2050 ('Vision Zero').

The European Parliament has adopted numerous resolutions regarding or covering road safety, calling notably for more detailed and measurable targets, more account taken of vulnerable users as well as of the safety challenges emerging from the development of connected and automated mobility.

Road safety

The 1979 European elections were parliamentary elections held across all 9 (at the time) European Community member states.

They were the first European elections to be held, allowing citizens to elect 410 MEPs to the European Parliament, and also the first international election in history. Seats in the Parliament had been allocated to the states according to population, and in some cases were divided into constituencies, but members sat according to political groups.

40th Anniversary of the first elections to the European Parliament by direc

Montenegro is one of the Western Balkan countries.

In 2008, Montenegro applied for EU membership, and accession negotiations began in 2012. Montenegro has opened all 33 negotiation chapters, three of which have been provisionally closed. Public opinion surveys show that 75 % of the population support the country’s accession to the European Union.

EU - Montenegro

With a landmass that stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the north to the Alps in the south, Germany has the largest population of any EU country.

Germany borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France and Luxembourg to the southwest, and Belgium and the Netherlands to the northwest. There are 96 members of the European Parliament from Germany.

EU - Germany

Over the course of a two-day summit, EU leaders&nbsp;discussed continued support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression, security and defence, the unfolding situation in the Middle East, enlargement, external relations, migration, agriculture and the European Semester.&nbsp; Concerning Ukraine&nbsp;the European Union and Member States will speed up and intensify the delivery of all the necessary military assistance.

The European Council welcomes all recent initiatives in this regard, including the one launched by Czechia to urgently procure ammunition for Ukraine, which will enable the swift fulfilment of the EU’s commitment to provide Ukraine with one million rounds of artillery ammunition.

The European Council discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. It is appalled by the unprecedented loss of civilian lives and the critical humanitarian situation. The European Council calls for an immediate humanitarian pause leading to a sustainable ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance. The European Council is deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its disproportionate effect on civilians, particularly children, as well as the imminent risk of famine caused by the insufficient entry of aid into Gaza. Full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access into and throughout the Gaza Strip via all routes is essential to provide the civilian population with life-saving assistance and basic services at scale.

European Council, 21 and 22 March 2024

Europe’s Jewish population has been diminishing in recent decades, and a growing number of anti-Semitic acts and anti-Jewish violence have been occurring in recent years in the EU. In defence of its values, including respect for minorities, the EU undertakes and funds actions to counter anti-Semitism.

Jewish communities in the European Union

From childhood to retirement, social policies are important at all stages of our lives.

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges.

The effects of the economic crisis are still deeply felt in many member states and, even though things have improved in many countries, great disparities remain within the EU. Unemployment rates are decreasing overall, but vary strongly among EU countries.

Low birth rates and an aging population also challenge the sustainability of welfare systems. Working life is being transformed due by technological innovation, globalisation and the rise of the services sector. New business models in the sharing economy with more flexible forms of working are becoming more important.

Social Europe (2020)

With increasing population growth, rapid urbanization, climate change and environmental degradation, a growing number of people and resources are exposed to natural disasters.

MEPs have supported different initiatives to help member states respond faster and more effectively to emergencies and disasters.

The European Parliament is also impelled to aid and supervise reconstruction efforts in regions affected by natural disasters both within the EU and abroad.

Natural disasters

The EU4Health programme is a comprehensive response to the political demand to reflect the lessons learned from both the coronavirus crisis and previous health programmes.

On 28 May 2020, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on the establishment of a programmefor the Union's action in the field of health for the 2021-2027 period (EU4Health programme). It was announced as part of the Next Generation EU recovery instrument, aimed at countering the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

EU4Health is intended to boost the EU's preparedness for major cross-border health threats and improve health systems' resilience. This should enable the EU to face not only future epidemics, but also long-term challenges such as an ageing population and inequalities in health.

EU4Health

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Eighty million people in the EU (one-sixth of the population) have disabilities ranging from mild to severe.&nbsp;These people, who are often prevented by their disability from taking part in society and the economy, have a rate of poverty 70 % higher than the EU average.
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<div style="padding-top: 10px;">The European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 (EDS) constitutes a comprehensive multiannual framework for implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) at EU level. The EU adopted the EDS in November 2010, shortly before the UN CRPD entered into force for the EU. The strategy’s declared aim was to empower people with disabilities, so that they can enjoy their full rights as EU citizens and participate in society on an equal basis to others, in a barrier-free Europe. The strategy is based on eight priority areas (“areas for action”): accessibility, participation, equality, employment, education and training (including access to quality education and lifelong learning), social protection, health and external action.</div>

European Disability Strategy 2010-2020

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU) address before the European Parliament, taking stock of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered&nbsp;her speech for 2021&nbsp;on 15 of September. It&nbsp;was&nbsp;followed by a plenary debate with members of the European Parliament.

The&nbsp; 2021 SOTEU addressed the most pressing questions in challenging times for Europe. The EU reached its goal to have 70% of the population fully vaccinated, but the coronavirus pandemic still continues to impact all aspects of European society. “We have 1.8 billion additional doses secured. This is enough for us and our neighbourhood when booster shots are needed. Let’s do everything possible to ensure that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated”, said the President of the European Commission and added:" I am proposing a new health preparedness and resilience mission for the whole of the EU. And it should be backed up by Team Europe investment of EUR 50 billion by 2027. “

She focused also on the economic recovery after the pandemics.&nbsp;She highlighted that, with the Green Deal, the EU was the first major economy to present comprehensive legislation in this area and promised to support developing countries&nbsp;by doubling&nbsp;funding for biodiversity, pledging an additional €4 billion for climate finance until 2027 to support their green transition.

The President of the EC addressed also the situation in Afghanistan and promised to increase&nbsp;" again humanitarian aid for Afghanistan by 100 million euro.” Speaking about foreign and security policy, she called for a European Cyber Defence Policy and a new European Cyber Resilience Act and announced a summit on European defence to be held under the French Presidency. In her speech she&nbsp;touched as well&nbsp;upon rule of law, migration, protection of journalists or young people in the EU.

In their responses the leaders of political groups in the EP and other MEPs challenged the President of the EC on vaccination&nbsp;policy, more ambitious climate legislation, social measures, rule of law, defence plans and other important topics.

The State of the European Union debate is always a key moment to demonstrate the European Commission’s accountability towards the EU’s democratically elected representatives.&nbsp;

State of the European Union 2021

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

Mr Romano PRODI's Commission was made up of twenty Members, two from the five most heavily populated states and one from each of the remaining ten. The team was presented on 9 July 1999.

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.

The candidate commissioners presented were scrutinised by the European Parliament committees from 30 August to 7 September 1999

1999 - Hearings of the Commissioners-designate

Tax avoidance by companies cost EU countries €160-190 billion per year in lost revenue.

According to a Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament, 75% of the EU population expects more EU action on the fight against tax fraud: it is necessary to respond effectively to this concern.
The European Parliament is leading this fight by adopting ambitious and concrete proposals to increase tax transparency and combat tax avoidance. Parliament is calling for the automatic exchange of tax rulings between member states and public country-by-country reporting for multinationals, together with a common definition of tax havens and strong and concrete sanctions.

#EUelections2019 - Corporate tax transparency

EP Plenary session - The spread of anti-LGBTIQ propaganda bills by populists parties and governments in Europe

EP Plenary session - The relations of the Russian government and diplomatic network with parties of extremist, populist, anti-European and certain other European political parties in the context of the war

IMCO Committee -  Ensuring effective approaches to fighting propaganda on online platforms and the role of the DSA in the light of the Russian aggression

EP Plenary session - Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Disinformation and the role of social platforms

Rehabilitation of the former railway station of Turckheim, near Strasbourg, France. A spa and wellness center is already open. Other shops and appartements are planned.

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Former paper factory

Rural desertification

Desertification in European regions - empty houses

Public opening of the exhibition #FakeForReal in the House of European History- KAK performance

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Tackling Covid-19 disinformation and the impact on freedom of expression

ENVI hearing on the revaluation of the wolf population in the EU

ENVI hearing on the revaluation of the wolf population in the EU - Analysis of the wolf population in the EU - Legal framework and international obligations

ENVI hearing on ' Revaluation of the Wolf Population in the EU '- Impacts on the environment and rural communities

Europe Kojeve 2018 - Europe between globalisation, empires and populisms

Debate with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Ingrida ŠIMONYTĖ, Lithuanian Prime Minister, Eduard HEGER, Former Slovak Prime Minister and Kevin BARON, Executive Director "Defense One" at Globsec Security Conference - "Pesky populists: Who is winning the battle of ideas?"

Resumption of the session 

Opening of the sitting

Statement by the President 

Announcement by the President 

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings 

Composition of political groups 

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

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

Order of business 

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 24-25 June 2021 - Relaunch of the Malta Declaration and the use of an effective solidarity mechanism (debate)

The Future of EU-Swiss relations (debate)

Voting session

The Future of EU-Swiss relations (continuation of debate)

Common provisions on European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund Plus, Cohesion Fund, Just Transition Fund, European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, Internal Security Fund and Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy 2021–2027 - European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cohesion Fund 2021–2027 - Specific provisions for European territorial cooperation goal (Interreg) supported by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and external financing instruments 2021–2027 (debate)

Commission’s 2020 Rule of law report (debate)

2019-2020 Reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina (debate)

Resumption of the sitting

Announcement of voting results

Composition of committees and delegations 

Sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health (debate)

European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (debate)

25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) (Nairobi Summit) (debate)

Regulatory fitness, subsidiarity and proportionality – report on Better Law Making 2017, 2018 and 2019 (short presentation)

Agenda of the next sitting 

Closure of the sitting 

Plenary session

Approval of the minutes of the previous sittings : see Minutes

Composition of political groups : see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations : see Minutes

Council positions at first reading: see Minutes

Delegated acts (Rule 111(6)): see Minutes

Order of business: see Minutes

A European Strategy for Energy System Integration - A European Strategy for Hydrogen (debate)

Just Transition Fund (debate)

Impacts of EU rules on the free movements of workers and services: intra-EU labour mobility as a tool to match labour market needs and skills (debate)

Review of the European Union Solidarity Fund (short presentation)

Challenges of sports events organisers in the digital environment (short presentation)

Reversing demographic trends in EU regions using cohesion policy instruments (short presentation)

Securing the objectives of the landing obligation under Article 15 of the Common Fisheries Policy (short presentation)

The impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations in developing countries (debate)

Accelerating progress and tackling inequalities towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 (debate)

Agenda for next sitting: see Minutes

Hate speech, populism, and fake news on social media - towards an EU response (debate)

Dog population management in the European Union (written declaration)

Uganda: the Bahati Bill and discrimination against the LGBT population

European strategy for the economic and social development of mountain regions, islands and sparsely populated areas (debate)

MEPs debate the new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, including in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union. Opening statement by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: Opening statement by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency

MEPs debate the new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, including in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission statements - New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: MEPs debate

MEPs debate the new allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament, including in the upcoming EU elections and the impact on the Union.

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Council and Commission statements - New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: Closing statements

New allegations of Russian interference in the European Parliament: extracts from the debate

MEPs vote on the following topics: Luena (A9-0220/2023) - Nature restoration; Gozi (A9-0009/2023) - Transparency and targeting of political advertising; Ripa (ENVI 14/02) - Detergents and surfactants, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 648/2004; Borchia (A9-0378/2023) - Amending Decision (EU) 2017/1324 as regards the continuation of the Union’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon Europe; Manders (A9-0087/2023) - Protection of the environment through criminal law; and Van Overveldt (A9-0412/2023) - Report on the European Central Bank – annual report 2023.

Voting session: Nature restoration

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Under the new rules, separate and explicit consent must be obtained to use personal data for targeted ads, while the use of special categories of personal data (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation) or minors’ data are banned. Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency and Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: Closing statements by Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency and Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Under the new rules, separate and explicit consent must be obtained to use personal data for targeted ads, while the use of special categories of personal data (e.g. ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation) or minors’ data are banned. MEPs debate.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: MEPs debate

The new rules enhance the integrity of election campaigns and help fight disinformation and foreign interference. The regulation requires political advertising to be clearly labelled, allowing citizens to see why they were targeted, who sponsored the ad, how much they paid and to which elections or referendum it pertains. Sponsoring ads from outside the EU is prohibited in the three-month period leading up to elections. All online political ads are available in an online ad repository. Opening statements by Sandro GOZI (Renew, IT), Rapporteur and Věra JOUROVÁ, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of Values and Transparency, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Chair of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Transparency and targeting of political advertising: Opening statements by Sandro GOZI, Rapporteur, Věra JOUROVÁ, VP of the EC, Sabine VERHEYEN (EPP, DE), Anna Júlia DONÁTH (Renew, HU), Angelika NIEBLER (EPP, DE), and Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE)

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: Closing statements by Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission and Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. Second part of the debate.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: MEPs debate (part 2)

The recent media revelations, which outlined how a European Parliament lawmaker has allegedly collaborated and shared information with Russian security service FSB, has prompted the institution to open an investigation, with President Roberta Metsola referring the specific matter to the Advisory Committee on the Code of Conduct. Following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services, Parliament discusses this case and other interference attempts. First part of the debate.

Russiagate - Allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss Russian attempts to interfere in the EU’s democratic processes following allegations that an MEP colluded with Russian security services. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions and Margaritis SCHINAS, Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of promoting our European Way of Life. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Russiagate - allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union: opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, and the Federal Cultural Institutions an

Parliament calls on the Council to finally act to tackle hate speech and hate crime in the EU. The draft report asks for progress on classifying hate speech and hate crime as “EU crimes” - a process stalled in Council since 2022. MEPs highlight the need to ensure all individuals and groups that can become targets of hate are protected, and to ensure that freedom of expression is not exploited to protect hate speech and hate crimes. They are also set to call for an “open-ended” approach whereby incidents would be assessed based on their contextual circumstances. Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA (Renew, ES), Rapporteur.

Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime: Closing statements by Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA (Renew, ES), Rapporteur

Parliament calls on the Council to finally act to tackle hate speech and hate crime in the EU. The draft report asks for progress on classifying hate speech and hate crime as “EU crimes” - a process stalled in Council since 2022. MEPs highlight the need to ensure all individuals and groups that can become targets of hate are protected, and to ensure that freedom of expression is not exploited to protect hate speech and hate crimes. They are also set to call for an “open-ended” approach whereby incidents would be assessed based on their contextual circumstances. MEP's debate

Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime: MEP's debate

Parliament calls on the Council to finally act to tackle hate speech and hate crime in the EU. The draft report asks for progress on classifying hate speech and hate crime as “EU crimes” - a process stalled in Council since 2022. MEPs highlight the need to ensure all individuals and groups that can become targets of hate are protected, and to ensure that freedom of expression is not exploited to protect hate speech and hate crimes. They are also set to call for an “open-ended” approach whereby incidents would be assessed based on their contextual circumstances. Opening statement by Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA (Renew, ES), Rapporteur, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL), FEMM Committee. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaist delivery.

Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crime: Opening statement by Maite PAGAZAURTUNDÚA (Renew, ES), Rapporteur, Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice and Robert BIEDROŃ (S&D, PL), FEMM Committee

After the parade that took place in Acca Larentia street in Rome on 7 January, marking the 46th anniversary of the killing of three neo-fascists in the Italian capital, in which participants gave fascist salutes, MEPs debate on how to prevent neo-fascism from resurfacing in Europe. Closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Fight against the resurgence of neo-fascism in Europe, also based on the parade that took place in Rome on 7 January: closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

After the parade that took place in Acca Larentia street in Rome on 7 January, marking the 46th anniversary of the killing of three neo-fascists in the Italian capital, in which participants gave fascist salutes, MEPs debate on how to prevent neo-fascism from resurfacing in Europe. MEPs debate

Fight against the resurgence of neo-fascism in Europe, also based on the parade that took place in Rome on 7 January: MEPs debate

After the parade that took place in Acca Larentia street in Rome on 7 January, marking the 46th anniversary of the killing of three neo-fascists in the Italian capital, in which participants gave fascist salutes, MEPs debate on how to prevent neo-fascism from resurfacing in Europe. Opening statements by Hadja LAHBIB, Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs and and Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Fight against the resurgence of neo-fascism in Europe, also based on the parade that took place in Rome on 7 January: Opening statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs

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EP Plenary session - The spread of anti-LGBTIQ propaganda bills by populists parties and governments in Europe

EP Plenary session - The relations of the Russian government and diplomatic network with parties of extremist, populist, anti-European and certain other European political parties in the context of the war

IMCO Committee - Ensuring effective approaches to fighting propaganda on online platforms and the role of the DSA in the light of the Russian aggression

EP Plenary session - Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Disinformation and the role of social platforms

Desertification - Rehabilitation of an old railway station

Desertification - Former paper factory

Rural desertification

Desertification in European regions - empty houses

Public opening of the exhibition #FakeForReal in the House of European History- KAK performance

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Tackling Covid-19 disinformation and the impact on freedom of expression

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Tackling Covid-19 disinformation and the impact on freedom of expression

ENVI hearing on the revaluation of the wolf population in the EU - Analysis of the wolf population in the EU - Legal framework and international obligations

ENVI hearing on ' Revaluation of the Wolf Population in the EU '- Impacts on the environment and rural communities

Europe Kojeve 2018 - Europe between globalisation, empires and populisms

Europe Kojeve 2018 - Europe between globalisation, empires and populisms

Europe Kojeve 2018 - Europe between globalisation, empires and populisms

Europe Kojeve 2018 - Europe between globalisation, empires and populisms