At a glance: a new European Parliament plenary session kicks off in Strasbourg today; Parliament and the Commission discuss the crisis in the Middle East; MEPs to debate Baltic Sea infrastructure sabotage and address violence against women.

News in Brief – 25/11/2024 - English

The multiannual financial framework is essentially the European Union’s long-term budget plan. It sets the spending priorities and limits for the EU for several years, ensuring that the EU’s financial resources are in line with its political and economic goals. The multiannual financial framework sets out the structure for annual budgets and helps balance the competing interests of EU countries.
It allocates financial resources across a variety of areas, including funding for less developed regions, subsidies and rural development, humanitarian aid and investments in the green and digital transitions, and in EU foreign policy.

The Multiannual Financial Framework

At a glance: a new Parliament plenary session kicks off next week in Strasbourg; today, Parliament President Roberta Metsola is in Malta.

News in Brief – 22/11/2024 - English

At a glance: MEPs are preparing for next week’s Strasbourg plenary session; this week is the European Week for Waste Reduction.

News in Brief – 21/11/2024 - English

At a glance: the European Parliament marked 1000 days of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; MEPs are preparing for the next plenary session which is planned for next week in Strasbourg.

News in Brief – 20/11/2024 - English

At a glance: MEPs push for global climate financing at COP29; Parliament’s Subcommittee on Public Health to tackle child healthcare challenges; and European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, meets with the Secretaries-General of EU national parliaments, the Prime Minister of Romania and the President of the Assembly of North Macedonia.

News in Brief – 19/11/2024 - English

At a glance: Parliament to hold a special plenary session in Brussels marking 1 000 days of Russia’s war against Ukraine; the European Parliament sets demands for COP29 climate action goals; and MEPs approve postponing enforcement of deforestation law by one year.

News in Brief – 18/11/2024 - English

Strong mental health and well-being are crucial for everyone to live fulfilling lives, reach their full potential, actively contribute to their communities and cope with stress and challenges. The European Union strives to ensure that no one is excluded and that people have equal access to mental health prevention and services across EU countries. However, a lot more still needs to be done to help everyone achieve the best possible standard of mental health and well-being.

A comprehensive approach to mental health

At a glance: Parliament pays homage to the victims of the recent floods in Spain; former President of Finland Sauli Niinistö presents his report on a more proactive approach to EU preparedness; and Parliament votes on its demands for the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference, COP29.

News in Brief – 15/11/2024 - English

At a glance: Spain has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism; the European Parliament will hold an extraordinary session to mark 1 000 days of Russia’s war against Ukraine; and the European Parliament supports Ukraine’s ‘Bring Kids Back’ initiative to rescue forcibly taken children.

News in Brief – 14/11/2024 - English

At a glance: Parliament’s committees finished the hearings of the Commissioners-designate; at a plenary session in Brussels, MEPs will debate defence readiness and vote on delaying the implementation of deforestation rules.

News in Brief – 13/11/2024 - English

At a glance: the European Parliament is set to debate EU-US relations, defence readiness, and deforestation rules in a plenary session in Brussels – other items on the agenda include measures to combat money laundering, and the introduction of new sanctions against Russia; ahead of the COP29 climate summit in Baku, MEPs will shape the EU’s stance on climate and vote on delaying the implementation of deforestation rules.

News in Brief – 12/11/2024 - English

At a glance: Parliament’s committees will hold the last confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate; the hearings will conclude tomorrow; evaluation letters will then go to the Conference of Committee Chairs, then to the Conference of Presidents.

News in Brief – 11/11/2024 - English

Europe is experiencing a demographic shift like never before. By 2050, nearly one third of the EU’s population will be aged 65 and over. The EU’s ageing population will have profound implications across various areas, including healthcare, social welfare, the labour market and the economy. EU policies for older people focus on several key areas: active ageing, social inclusion, health and long-term care, and financial security. What the EU needs now is a comprehensive strategy for older persons.

Towards a European strategy for older persons

At a glance: Parliament’s committees are holding the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate, which will conclude on 12 November 2024; a workshop has been held on the post-2027 EU long-term budget.

News in Brief – 08/11/2024 - English

At a glance: The European Parliament President, Roberta Metsola, has congratulated the newly elected US President, Donald Trump; Parliament’s committees are holding the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate, which will conclude on 12 November 2024.

News in Brief – 07/11/2024 - English

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

TRAN - Committee on Transport and Tourism

AGRI - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

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

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

On 24 February 2022,&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;began a&nbsp;military invasion&nbsp;of Ukraine, in a major escalation of the conflict that had begun in 2014. Shortly before, on 21 February, Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent.&nbsp;

Since then, the EU and its international allies have rallied firmly behind the Kyiv government. This support has resulted in unprecedented levels of financial aid, assistance, weapons deliveries to Ukraine, sweeping sanctions against Moscow, and the granting of EU candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova.

On 1&nbsp;March&nbsp;the European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;and the Speaker of the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada (parliament) Ruslan Stefanchuk spoke live from Kiev.&nbsp;The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April&nbsp;to express the European Union´s support of&nbsp;the Ukrainian people and to condemn the Russian attack. On&nbsp;8 June&nbsp;Stefanchuk adressed Parliament in the Strasbourg hemicycle.

Following the atrocities carried out by Vladimir Putin’s regime against Ukrainian civilians, the European Parliament has&nbsp;recognised Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism in a resolution on November 2022.

On 9th February 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy&nbsp;addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

In March 2024, &nbsp;MEPs voted to to amend the Commission’s proposal to suspend import duties and quotas on Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU for another year, from 6 June 2024 to 5 June 2025.&nbsp;

Russian aggression against Ukraine

Ever since Russia launched an illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24&nbsp;February 2022, the EU and the Parliament have supported the country by condemning Russia’s aggression, sanctioning those responsible and providing financial and material aid. Parliament has also been supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to become an EU candidate country and has been calling on EU countries to launch accession talks.

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola was in Kyiv on 1 April 2022 to express the European Union´s support to the Ukrainian people and to condemn the unjustified Russian attack.&nbsp; On 9 February 2023, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels.

The&nbsp; new EP reconfirmed in July 2024&nbsp; its view that the EU must continue to support Kyiv for as long as it takes until victory. The resolution, which sets out the newly-elected European Parliament’s first official position on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, restates the continued support of MEPs for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. It calls on the EU to maintain and extend its sanctions policy against Russia and Belarus, monitor and review its effectiveness and impact, and systematically tackle the issue of sanctions circumvention by EU-based companies, third parties, and third countries.

Parliament held also and&nbsp;extraordinary plenary session on 19th November 2024 with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking 1000 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Solidarity with Ukraine

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

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

&nbsp;The hearings of Commissioners-designate started&nbsp;on 4 November and take place until 12 November.&nbsp;

The European Parliament invites Commissioners-designate to appear before the appropriate committees for hearings in order to scrutinise if they are suitable for the posts they have been assigned to.&nbsp; Ahead of the hearings, Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs scrutinised&nbsp;the declarations of interests of the Commissioners-designate.&nbsp;

The hearings are&nbsp;followed by meetings in which the committee chair and group representatives (coordinators) of the various committees&nbsp;assess whether a Commissioner-designate is qualified both to be a member of the College and to carry out the particular duties they have been assigned.

Once all hearings are completed, the Conference of Committee Chairs will assess the outcome of the confirmation hearings and forward its conclusions to the Conference of Presidents. The latter will conduct the final evaluation and decide whether to close the hearings. After the hearings have been concluded, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen will present the full College of Commissioners and its programme in plenary.

Confirmation hearings

INTA - Committee on International Trade

AFCO - Committee on Constitutional Affairs

The Euroscola programme in Strasbourg brings together pupils aged 14 and over from the 27 EU Member States, candidate countries and former Member States to simulate the work of the European Parliament by debating, taking sides, negotiating, amending and voting on real European issues. Pupils get an opportunity to exchange views with Members of the European Parliament and experts from this institution, to familiarise themselves with the workings of the European Union, to discuss democracy, fundamental rights, European values and to express their personal opinions on the decisions taken at the European Union level.

Euroscola

Since October 2020, the EU has&nbsp;progressively imposed restrictive measures&nbsp;against Belarus in response to the fraudulent nature&nbsp; presidential elections in&nbsp;2020, and the&nbsp;intimidation and violent repression&nbsp;of peaceful protesters, opposition members and journalists.&nbsp;

The democratic opposition, including the opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was awarded the&nbsp;2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

The Belarusian regime has became an ally&nbsp;with Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine. This includes the so-called referendum reinstating the country’s nuclear status, but also that Belarus has allowed Russian troops and weapons to move through its territory, use its airspace, refuel and store military ammunition.

Therefore, the EU has extended the sanctios package against Russia to Belarus. The EP has recently called that "all EU sanctions issued against Russia must be strictly mirrored for Belarus and implemented appropriately".

EU - Belarus

Poland is a member of the EU since 1st of May 2004 and member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Poland is a parliamentary republic with a Head of government - the Prime Minister - and a Head of state - the President. The government structure is centred on the council of Ministers. The country is divided into 16 provinces, largely based on the country’s historic regions. Administrative authority at provincial level is shared between a government-appointed Governor, an elected regional Assembly and an executive elected by the regional Assembly.

There are 51 members of the European Parliament from Poland.

EU - Poland

After a series of special committees and a committee of inquiry, created to delve into the various tax leaks and scandals of recent years, Parliament established a more permanent setup to shed light on the matter.

The Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) subcommittee on tax matters, FISC, will be composed of 30 members. It will deal particularly with the fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance, as well as financial transparency for taxation purposes.

The constituent meeting will take place on Wednesday, 23 September 2020.

FISC - Subcommittee on Tax Matters

CULT - Committee on Culture and Education

The UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) takes place from 11 to 22 November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan, gathering world leaders and climate experts to define a new global goal for climate finance and advance climate action. A delegation from the European Parliament will participate from 18 to 22 November to contribute to discussions on the EU's climate commitments and financial support for sustainable development worldwide.

COP29’s key objective is to establish a post-2025 framework for climate finance as nations update their commitments under the Paris Agreement, due in early 2025. On Monday, 21 October, Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee adopted a resolution with 54 votes in favor, 23 against, and four abstentions, outlining the EU's stance. MEPs call on all countries to set a socially fair and equitable climate finance goal, aligned with the polluter-pays principle and incorporating diverse public, private, and innovative financial resources.

The resolution further urges the EU to create a stable finance mechanism to ensure reliable support for its climate finance obligations, reinforcing the EU's leadership role in global climate action and the importance of predictable funding for effective climate policies. Parliament will soon vote on the resolution during the plenary session, setting the EU’s expectations and priorities for COP29.

UN Climate Change Conference 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan (COP29)

Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, which sees Donald Trump and JD Vance defeating Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the European Parliament debates the future of EU-U.S. relations under the new administration. With Trump set to be inaugurated in January 2025, MEPs assess how this shift affects shared priorities. As the EU seeks stable transatlantic relations, MEPs consider how to engage with the new administration to address challenges and leverage opportunities for both regions.

EU-US relations in the light of the outcome of the US presidential elections

In response to the devastating floods in Spain that have claimed over 200 lives, the European Parliament debates measures to strengthen the EU’s resilience to extreme weather events and provide support to those impacted by the disaster. This new item, added to the agenda  plenary approval, is discussed by MEPs following a tribute to the victims.

The debate focuses on enhancing the EU’s crisis response, particularly in regions increasingly vulnerable to such climate-driven events. This session underscores the EU's commitment to improving climate adaptation efforts across member states.

The devastating floods in Spain, the urgent need to support the victims, to improve preparedness and to fight the climate crisis

Henna Virkkunen is a Finnish Member of the European Parliament since 2014. She is now Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President designate, Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

Teresa RIBERA RODRÍGUEZ was the Third Deputy Spanish Prime Minister and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge. She is now Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Teresa RIBERA RODRÍGUEZ, Executive Vice-President designate, Clean, Just and Competitive Transition

Roxana Mînzatu was Romanian Minister for European Funds in 2019. From January 2022 until July 2024, she served as Secretary of State coordinating the Department for Integrated Evaluation and Monitoring of Public Funded Programs. She is Member of the European Parliament since July 2024 but now, she is Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for People, Skills and Preparedness, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President designate, People, Skills and Preparedness

Stéphane Séjourné was a Member of the European Parliament from 2019 to 2024, Chair of the Renew Europe Group of the European Parliament in 2021 and French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs in 2024. He is now Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ, Executive VIce-President designate, Prosperity and Industrial Strategy

Raffaele Fitto was a Member of the European Parliament (1999-2000, 2014-2022) and became Co-Chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group (ECR) of the European Parliament in 2019. He was the Italian Minister for European Affairs, Southern Italy, Cohesion Policy and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) from 2022 to present, and he is now Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President-designate, Cohesion and Reforms

Kaja Kallas was Member of the EP from 2014 to 2018, Estonian Prime Minister since 2021 and she is now High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President designate

EU Leaders meet in Budapest for an informal European Council meeting. Competitiveness is on top of the agenda and is discussed in depth during an informal meeting of Heads of State or Government on 8 November 2024, which is expected to result in a ‘Budapest Declaration’.

Informal European Council in Budapest

Piotr Serafin became Head of cabinet of Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, in 2014 and Acting Permanent Representative of Poland to the EU in 2023. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Piotr SERAFIN, Commissioner-designate, Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

Valdis Dombrovskis was Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade in the von der Leyen Commission I. He was also Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue, and in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union in the Juncker Commission and he is a former Member of the EP. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, and European Commissioner-designate for Implementation and Simplification, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commisioner-designate for Economy and Productivity Implementation and Simplification

Marta Kos is self-employed, working through Kos Consulting and Coaching since 2021. From 2017 to 2021, she was the Slovenian Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and the Ambassador to Germany and Latvia (2013-2017). She is now the European Commissioner-designate for Enlargement, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate, Enlargement

Wopke Hoekstra was Dutch Minister for Finance from 2017 to 2022, Dutch Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2022 to 2023 and European Commissioner for Climate Action and acting Commissioner for Transport in the von der Leyen Commission I. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Wopke HOEKSTRA, Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth

The European Political Community (EPC) is a political platform designed to foster cooperation among European countries that share the European Union's fundamental values. Proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron during the closing ceremony of the Conference on the Future of Europe in May 2022, the EPC held its first meeting in Prague in October 2022.

The discussions will be on the security challenges, followed by four breakout sessions on the topics of migration and economic security. The session on migration will cover all aspects of migration, while the one on economic security will also discuss connectivity in terms of energy, transport, IT and also global trade.

5th European Political Community Summit

Olivér Várhely was European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement in the von der Leyen Commission I. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Health and Animal Welfare, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designated, Health and Animal Welfare

Andrius Kubilius was Lithuanian Prime Minister (1999-2000, 2008-2012), Member of the European Parliament since 2019 and he is now European Commissioner-designate for Defence and Space, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Andrius KUBILIUS, Commissioner-designate, Defence and Space

Costas Kadis was Cypriot Minister for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment from 2018 to 2023. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Fisheries and Oceans, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Costantinos KADIS, Commissioner-designate, Fisheries and Oceans

Jacques Delors European Book Prize

Joint committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

ECON

Joint Committee on Development, Committee on Foreign Affairs and Subcommittee meeting on Human Rights - Exchange of views with Sakharov Prize Candidates

DEVE

DROI

AFET

Plenary session

Last minute session briefing

Pre-session briefing

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality

FEMM

Joint committee on Budgets and committee on Foreign Affairs

BUDG

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

AGRI

High-Level Conference - Standing with the People of Belarus

Subcommittee meeting on Public Health

SANT

Committee on Budgets

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs - Interparliamentary committee meeting Rule of Law

Joint committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and committee on Transport and Tourism

TRAN

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

IMCO

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Press conference by Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left, DE) Co-president and Ilaria SALIS (The Left, IT) on criminalisation of antifascism in Europe

Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

12th EU-Kosovo SAPC Meeting.

DROI Extraordinary committee meeting

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Meeting with students at the Mediterranean College of Sport

Keynote Speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at a discussion organised by Polityka Insight

ECPR seminar - Parliamentary Research and Libraries : Navigating and Supporting Change in a New Parliament

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

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

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

ECON - Economic Dialogue and exchange of views on the medium-term fiscal-structural plans and the draft budgetary plans for the euro area

Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula (DKOR) -  Exchange of views on the relations between the EU and the Republic of Korea in the context of the Russia-DPRK Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

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

SEDE - Exchange of views with Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space

ECON - Public Hearing with Dominique Laboureix, Chair of the Single Resolution Board (SRB)

TRAN - Exchange of views on Transport poverty and gender equality

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Ana BRNABIĆ, Serbian Speaker of Serbia

Former Member Association - Management Committee meeting

DG TRAD - Citizens' Language Days 2024! conference

At the House of the European History in Brussels (Belgium), Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with António COSTA, President of the European Council and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with António COSTA, President of the European Council and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission: family photo and meeting

One of the European Parliament's most important roles, beside legislating and deciding on the EU budget, is to hold the European Commission to account. How does that work? It starts with the election of the European Commission President, followed by the investiture of the entire College of Commissioners. In addition to its role in the appointment of the Commission, one of Parliament's strongest scrutiny tools is a motion of censure.

EPRS - The European Parliament’s role in the appointment of the Commission

Each year, the European Union decides how to allocate billions of euros to key areas like the digital and green transitions, agriculture or regional development. How does this budget get approved? Who checks whether the money is well spent? That’s where the European Parliament steps in! In this video, we explain how this process works in a nutshell. We also take a closer look at the discharge of the European Commission.

EPRS - The European Parliament’s role in the annual EU budget and its discharge

Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament shares her thoughts about Parliament’s commitment to gender equality

Parliament’s President on gender equality

After carefully reviewing candidates, your representatives in the European Parliament have approved the next EU Commission, the bloc’s executive body.
Ursula von der Leyen put forward her new team after being re-elected as Commission President in July. Members of Parliament gave it the green light following a debate in Strasbourg on 27 November.
Earlier in November, MEPs questioned the prospective Commissioners at special confirmation hearings to assess their skills and track records.
The Commission works on proposing policies and laws central to the lives of 450 million Europeans. Parliament will now keep a close eye on its members, to make sure they deliver on voters’ needs and expectations.

How the European Parliament approved the new EU Commission 16:9

How the European Parliament approved the new EU Commission 9:16

MEPs vote on the following motions for resolutions: the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law in Hong Kong, The increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran, The shrinking space for civil society in Cambodia, in particular the case of the labour rights organisation CENTRAL, Georgia's worsening democratic crisis following the recent parliamentary elections and alleged electoral fraud (Debate: 13/11/2024), Reinforcing EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine against Russia’s war of aggression and the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, and on new recommendation on smoke and aerosol-free environments.

Voting session

MEPs outline proposals to improve the protection of EU citizens against exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosols, including from electronic cigarettes. In Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the Commission has previously announced its intention to update the current Council Recommendation on smoke-free environments, which dates back to 20019. A revision was needed to extend its scope to certain emerging products, such as electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco, due to the rapid market growth and appeal of such products in recent years, especially among young people. The Commission recommends EU countries reduce the risk of second-hand exposure by banning the use of all tobacco products in certain outdoor spaces, such as public playgrounds and amusement parks, areas related to restaurants/cafés, public transportation, healthcare and education establishments, as well as workplaces.

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: Closing statements

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: MEPs debate

Smoke and aerosol-free environments: Opening statements

MEPs debate the increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran with closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality.

The increasing and systematic repression against women in Iran: MEPs debate

Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: Opening statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: Closing statement by Helena DALLI, European Commissioner for Equality

Commission statement on Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea.

Critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and hybrid threats in the Baltic Sea: MEPs debate

President Roberta METSOLA and a representative of the Hungarian Presidency, János BÓKA, Minister for European Union Affairs sign seventeen COD LEX in Strasbourg.

Lex Signing: extracts from the ceremony

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, hold a press conference following the Parliament’s vote on the College of Commissioners. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission following the Parliament’s vote on the College of Commissioners

MEPs approve a deal on 2025’s EU budget to address current challenges and managing repayment costs for the EU’s recovery plan. During negotiations with member states, Parliament obtained more than €230 million in funding beyond the Commission's initial draft proposal, to better focus on key EU programmes and policies aimed at improving people's lives, boosting competitiveness, and addressing challenges like climate, health, migration or defence. Negotiators also agreed on a solution to cover repayment costs for the European Union Recovery Instrument (EURI). The preliminary figures are €199.44 billion in commitment appropriations and €155.21 billion in payment appropriations.

2025 budgetary procedure: extracts from the debate (26.11) and extracts from the voting session (27.11)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President makes a declaration after the vote on the MUREŞAN BUDG Draft amending budget No 5/2024: adjustment in payment appropriations, update of revenues and other technical updates; and on NEGRESCU, HERBST BUDG 2025 budgetary procedure during the plenary session in Strasbourg

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