In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Dutch (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Turkish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Swedish (Finland)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Luxembourgish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - French (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Luxembourg)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Austria)

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Valencian

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Galician

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Basque

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Catalan

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot

Edith Steinschreiber Bruck was born in 1931 in Tiszabercel, a small town in Hungary close to the border with Slovakia and Ukraine. She is a writer, poet, screenwriter, director, playwright, translator, and Holocaust survivor. Let’s listen to her story. Hundreds of stories, documents, photos and videos published by people from all over Europe. This is ‘My History’, a collaborative project of the European Parliament, where history and the lives of European citizens coincide.

“Lights in total darkness” by Edith Bruck - a survivor’s story

2022. aasta Daphne Caruana Galizia auhinna said ajakirjanikud Clément Di Roma ja Carol Valade dokumentaalfilmi eest „Kesk-Aafrika Vabariik Venemaa mõju all“. Clément Di Roma on kanali France24 video- ja fotokorrespondent Rwandas. Multimeediareporter Carol Valade töötab Aafrikas pressikorrespondendina.

Daphne Caruana Galizia nimeline ajakirjandusauhind 2022

In December 1989, Romania was experiencing violent civil unrest which culminated in the events that changed the country forever. Follow Otilia’s footsteps through the streets of Bucharest and relive the decisive moments of the Romanian revolution. Hundreds of stories, documents, photos and videos published by people from all over Europe. This is ‘My History’, a collaborative project of the European Parliament, where history and the lives of European citizens coincide.

I felt that I was making history – my memories from the Romanian Revolution.

Deepfakes are hyper-realistic videos created through artificial intelligence techniques. They present many possibilities, but also dangers. A wide range of malicious uses have been identified, including fraud, extortion and political disinformation. The impacts of such misuse can be financial, psychological and reputational. While the technology itself is legal, some malicious uses are not, and a combination of legal and technical measures may be mobilised to limit their production and dissemination.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if deepfakes made us doubt everything we see and hear?

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.&nbsp;Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon.

EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

The action plan to reinforce the fight against the financing of terrorism focuses on two main strands of action: tracing terrorists through financial movements and preventing them from moving funds or other assets and disrupting the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, by targeting their capacity to raise funds.

In April the European Parliament adopted a new regulation that will target content such as texts, images, sound recordings or videos, including live transmissions, that incite, solicit or contribute to terrorist offences, provide instructions for such offences or solicit people to participate in a terrorist group. It will also cover material that provides guidance on how to make and use explosives, firearms and other weapons for terrorist purposes.

Hosting service providers will have to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content in all member states within one hour of receiving a removal order from the competent authority. Member states will adopt rules on penalties, the degree of which will take into account the nature of the breach and the size of company responsible.

Fight against terrorism

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

Have a look at stockshots (from 2021 onwards) with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

Infoclips - Illustrative footage

A new set of rules for Audiovisual media services, including digital platforms, will be approved by the EP after an agreement reached by the EU institutions in April this year.

The revised legislation will apply to broadcasters, but also to video-on-demand and video-sharing platforms, such as Netflix, YouTube or Facebook; as well as to the live streaming on video-sharing platforms. EP negotiators managed to secure enhanced protection for children and at least 30% of European productions (currently at 20%) in the catalogue of TV channels and VOD platforms. Clearer and stricter rules on advertising will apply both for broadcasters and online platforms. Once the revised directive is published, the Member States will have 21 months to implement the directive into national law.

Audiovisual media services in the EU - 8th parliamentary term

To support its publications, the European Parliamentary Research Service is producing a wide range of informative, timely and varied audio-visual products. These products include content-rich videos and animations, and also regular monthly podcasts, such as policy podcasts and science and technology podcasts. They are based on EPRS' independent, objective and authoritative analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the European Union, so empowering Members and committees in their parliamentary work and supporting parliamentary outreach to the wider public.

Restrictions: © The material of this package may not be edited and single videos must be shown in its entirety.

EPRS Multimedia Centre

The European Parliament supports media professionals reporting on parliamentary activities, providing both content and technical facilities for video, radio, multimedia and photo production. The EP Audiovisual teams coordinate state of the art studios for TV broadcast, multimedia, and radio in Strasbourg and in Brussels.

EP Audiovisual Services

Infographics on EU Elections of 6 to 9 June 2024 on the results and explainer videos

Infographics and explainers

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

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Original subtitled 16:9

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Dubbed 16:9

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Audio description 16:9

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – International Sign 16:9

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Original subtitled 4:5

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Dubbed 4:5

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Audio description 4:5

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

Nelson Mandela

European Elections Night 2024

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 16:9 You Tube

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 16:9

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 4:5

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 1:1

Opening of the sitting

Announcement by the President: see Minutes

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Swedish Presidency (debate)

Report: Lídia Pereira (A9-0293/2022) - Rules to prevent the misuse of shell entities for tax purposes

Resumption of the sitting

Voting time

Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach (debate)

Surge of respiratory infections and the shortage of medication in Europe (debate)

Approval of the minutes of the previous sitting

Question Time (Commission) - Food price inflation in Europe

New developments in allegations of corruption and foreign interference, including those related to Morocco, and the need to increase transparency, integrity and accountability in the European institutions (debate)

Implementation of the common foreign and security policy - annual report 2022 - Implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2022 (debate)

Human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union’s policy on the matter - annual report 2022 (debate)

The EU’s response to the appalling attack against civilians in Dnipro : strengthening sanctions against the Putin regime and military support to Ukraine (debate)

The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine (debate)

EU response to the protests and executions in Iran (debate)

“The Road to 2023” - Towards a stronger EU-Latin America partnership (debate)

Explanations of vote

Agenda of the next sitting

Approval of the minutes of the sitting

Plenary session

Statements by the President

Composition of Parliament

Composition of political groups: see Minutes

Composition of committees and delegations

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

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

Order of business

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 20-21 October 2022 (debate)

Outcome of the modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty (debate)

EU response to the increasing crack-down on protests in Iran (debate)

REPowerEU chapters in recovery and resilience plans (debate) (debate)

Communication on ensuring availability and affordability of fertilisers

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (debate)

Digital finance: Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) - Digital Finance: Amending Directive regarding Digital Operational Resilience requirements (debate)

Full application of the provisions of the Schengen acquis in Croatia (debate)

Esports and video games (debate)

One-minute speeches on matters of political importance

Closure of the sitting

Video call between Roberta METSOLA, EP President and astronaut Samantha CRISTOFORETTI , next Commander of the International Space Station

Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs VIDEO EN ERREUR (SON)

ECON

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video thumbnails - 9:16

EP Plenary session - Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach

EP Plenary session - E-sport and videogames

Video Games Stockshots

Video call between Roberta METSOLA, EP President and astronaut Samantha CRISTOFORETTI, next Commander of the International Space Station

General atmosphere at the end the SOTEU 2022

Roberta METSOLA, EP President recording a video message

Roberta METSOLA, EP President in video meeting with Nancy PELOSI, Speaker of the US House of Representatives

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with EU Ambassadors

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with Nancy PELOSI, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with the Italian students of the University of Bruges

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with Rumen RADEV, President of the Bulgarian Republic

David SASSOLI, EP President in video meeting with Nancy PELOSI, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and with Anthony ROTA, Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada

This video shows the atmosphere in the chamber before the statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, candidate for a second mandate 2024-2029, to present her political priorities and outline her vision and plans as Commission President.

Statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, candidate for a second mandate 2024-2029: atmosphere in the chamber

On 16 July, MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola as President of the European Parliament, with 562 votes in the first round. President Metsola will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term. The video shows her statement after the vote. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Election of the President of the European Parliament: statement by Roberta METSOLA, re-elected President of the European Parliament

This video shows a timelapse of the first plenary sitting of the 10th Parliamentary Term in Strasbourg.

European Parliament Stockshots 10th legislative term: timelapse of the first plenary sitting in Strasbourg

This clip presents the highlights moments of the 9th Legislative Term in photos and videos

Clip: Democracy in Action - Highlights of the 9th Legislative Term

Five days after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, the country's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to the European Parliament by video link from Kyiv, a city under siege.
 
In a defiant speech, he praised the bravery of his fellow Ukrainians, denounced the senseless killing and called on the European Parliament to back Ukraine's application to join the EU.
 
* Watch the full recording of the 1 March 2022 speech on the European Parliament's Multimedia Centre: http://epyoutube.eu/speechZelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech on war in Ukraine | European Parliament

Human rights campaigner Nadia Murad told the European Parliament in 2016 that the fights against terrorism and racism go hand in hand.
   
Her speech came as she was awarded the 2016 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought alongside Lamiya Aji Bashar.
 
The pair, from Iraq’s Yazidi community, were soldinto sexual slavery by the Islamic State terror group in 2014. Murad managed to escape and went on to advocate for victims of sexual violence and human trafficking. In 2018 she won the Nobel Peace Prize.     
   
*Watch the full speech on the European Parliament's multimedia channel.  
 
*Watch more videos from past Sakharov prizes: http://epyoutube.eu/Sakharov_Prize_playlist

Nadia Murad’s speech on fighting extremism | European Parliament

Discover Europe in the heart of the European quarter in Luxembourg by visiting our visitors' center, Europa Experience

Europa Experience Luxembourg: promotional video (DE version)

Europa Experience Luxembourg: promotional video (FR version)

Europa Experience Luxembourg: promotional video (EN version)

Misleading information can throw any of us off course. Both misinformation – mistakes without ill intent – and disinformation – created and spread with the aim of fooling people – can make it hard to take informed decisions. Fast evolving technologies – including deepfake video and audio – make it too easy to produce and spread deceptive content very rapidly. Many of us worry about the effect: some 85 % of people worldwide are concerned about the impact of disinformation on their fellow citizens; 87 % think disinformation has already affected political life in their country (Unesco/Ipsos 2023); and 38 % of EU citizens list false and/or misleading information as a threat to democracy (Eurobarometer 2023). These tips will help you steer around falsehoods.

EPRS - Fact-checking compass: how to spot information manipulation

This video shows Burgdorf, a medium-sized town with about 30,000 inhabitants in the Lower Saxony region of Hanover (Germany). A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected (96 of them are elected in Germany) during the European Elections which are held on 6-9 of June 2024. The European Parliament is the world’s only directly elected transnational assembly. The MEPs represent the interests of EU citizens at the European level and together with representatives of the governments of EU countries, shape and decide on new laws that influence all aspects of lives across the European Union, from supporting the economy and the fight against poverty to climate change and security.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Burgdorf (Germany)

The video shows a polling station in front of the Colosseum, in the historical city center of Rome (Italy). It is the largest ancient amphitheater ever built, construction began in 69 AD, and is still the largest standing amphitheater in the world, despite its age. The Colosseum is a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. Hundreds of millions of people across 28 member states vote for the members of Parliament they want to take Europe forward over the next five years, making the European Elections the largest transnational democratic exercise in the world.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station near the Colosseum in the historical city center of Rome (Italy)

The video shows a polling station inside an elementary school, in the seaside town of Terracina (Italy), near Rome. The European Elections are the largest transnational democratic exercise in the world. Hundreds of millions of people across 27 member states vote for the members of Parliament they want to take Europe forward over the next five years.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations inside a school in Terracina (Italy)

The video shows Nicola PROCACCINI (ECR, IT), ECR group Leader voting in Terracina (Italy). Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. Hundreds of millions of people across 27 member states vote for the members of Parliament they want to take Europe forward over the next five years, making the European Elections the largest transnational democratic exercise in the world.

European elections 2024 - Nicola PROCACCINI, ECR group Leader voting in Terracina (Italy)

This news item shows excerpts from Latvian voters arriving at the polling station, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in the Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka ("National Library") in Riga (Latvia). Moreover, the video shows exterior shots of the peculiar locations of the city of Riga. The European elections take place in Latvia on 8 June 2024. Eligible voters who are at least 18 years old on the election date can cast their vote in order to elect nine Latvian Members of the European Parliament. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station inside the Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka (National Library) in Riga (Latvia)

This news item shows voters exercising their democratic right in one of the halls of the Czech Academy of Sciences, in Prague (Czech Republic). Moreover, the video shows exterior shots of the peculiar locations of the city of Prague, including the Pražský hrad - "Prague Castle", St. Nicholas Church and St. Thomas Church, and the preparation of the polling station inside the Academy of Sciences with workers setting up the polling equipment and building up the polling booths. Czech citizens of the age 18 and over elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections on 7th and 8th of June. The newly elected 21 Czech Members, representing its citizens until 2029, meet in July with other representatives to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station at the Academy of Sciences in Prague (Czechia)

This footage shows Finnish citizens voting in the European elections at Central Library Oodi in Helsinki, Finland, on June 4, 2024. The European elections take place in Finland on June 9, 2024, but the advance voting period enables citizens to cast their ballots before election day. During this advance voting period, eligible voters may vote at any of the general advance polling stations in Finland or abroad. In total, Finnish citizens elect 15 Members of the European Parliament. European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union. The voting place shown in the video, Central Library Oodi in Helsinki, is known for its award-winning architecture. Apart from the top floor, Oodi’s facade is made entirely from wood. The wood used for the exterior wall is spruce. The library has ample space for both silent and noisier activities, ranging from reading and working to film screenings and cooking classes.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of advance voting at Central Library Oodi in Helsinki (Finland)

The video shows a polling station inside a mill, the Kerkhovense Molen in Oisterwijk built in 1895. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. Hundreds of millions of people across 27 member states vote for the members of Parliament they want to take Europe forward over the next five years, making the European Elections the largest transnational democratic exercise in the world.

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