EP Plenary session - Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act

EP Plenary session - The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report

EP Plenary session - Combating the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children

EP Plenary session - State of play and follow-up two years after the PEGA recommendations and the illegal use of spyware

EP Mini-Plenary Session - The Hungarian government's drift to Russia-style repression: legislative threats to freedom of expression and democratic participation

EP Plenary session - The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms

EP Plenary session - EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine

EP Plenary session - A revamped long-term budget for the Union in a changing world

EP Plenary session - Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the New European Internal Security Strategy

EP Plenary session - Adoption of the proposal for a Parenthood Regulation

EP Plenary session - Collaboration between conservatives and far right as a threat for competitiveness in the EU

EP Plenary session - The Hungarian government’s illegal espionage of EU institutions and investigative bodies

EP Plenary session - The need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms against foreign interference and biased algorithms

EP Plenary session - Misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, such as TikTok, and related risks to the integrity of elections in Europe

EP Plenary session.- Misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, such as TikTok, and related risks to the integrity of elections in Europe

Group picture of the Members of the Anti-Corruption Intergroup's bureau

BUDG Committee

EP Press conference on the Rule of Law conditionality regulation: Commission’s upcoming evaluation of the 17 remedial measures by Hungary

Press conference on on the study on suspending EU funding to Hungary under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation

Remote participation of MEP KÖRNER, Moritz (Renew, DE) to the Extraordinary Plenary session of 16 and 17 April 2020.

Political group speakers quiz the Commission on its stance on respect for European values in Hungary in light of the government’s ban of the Budapest Pride march. During the debate, MEPs are set to demand that the Commission apply for interim measures as part of the ongoing trial, so that the Court of Justice of the EU can order the suspension of the legislation. They are also expected to point to the recent opinion of the EU Court of Justice’s Advocate General, who considers Hungary’s Child Protection Act incompatible with EU law.

Freedom of assembly in Hungary and the need for the Commission to act: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs complete their review of the Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law Report and more recent developments in EU Member States threatening the European values. This report, prepared in the Committee in Civil Liberties (LIBE), takes stock of the Commission’s findings published in the 2024 Rule of Law Report, as well as of the recent developments in EU Member States. MEPs debate.

The Commission’s 2024 Rule of Law report: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on updating EU-wide legislation on child sexual abuse crimes to account for technological advances and to improve victim support. The legislation would revise the definitions of crimes to take account of new technological realities, raise certain maximum punishments, and provide better support to victims. The draft law criminalises child sexual abuse instruction manuals and artificially-created deepfake imagery, among other things. MEPs debate

Combating the sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and child sexual abuse material: MEPs debate (part 2)

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

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

European Parliament assesses the state of fundamental rights in Hungary after the pro-government majority changed the law on public assemblies in March 2025, enabling authorities to classify pro-LGBTIQ+ gatherings as violations of the Child Protection Act and consequently ban the Budapest Pride. MEPs are set to argue that this limitation of the rights of assembly and expression is a direct violation of the basic human and civil rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the core values of the Union. In 1997, Budapest became the first capital of a former Communist bloc country to host a Pride march, a landmark moment for equality and freedom. However, Hungary’s government has been taking regressive steps for many years, dismantling institutions, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, to the point where Parliament can no longer consider the country a full democracy.

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: MEPs debate

MEPs assess recent media reports alleging that Hungary’s intelligence services spied on EU officials investigating fraud in the country. MEPs debate

The Hungarian government’s illegal espionage of EU institutions and investigative bodies: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the need to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA) and tackle the spread of illegal content, online disinformation, and other societal risks to safeguard European democracy from foreign interference and algorithmic manipulation.

Need to enforce the Digital Services Act to protect democracy on social media platforms including against foreign interference and distorted algorithms: MEPs debate (part 3)

MEPs debate on the need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity.

Need to ensure swift action and transparency on corruption allegations in the public sector to protect democratic integrity: MEPs Debate

MEPs and the Commission discuss misinformation and disinformation circulating on social media platforms such as TikTok, and the dangers they pose to the holding of free and fair elections in Europe. Second part of the debate.

Misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, such as TikTok, and related risks to the integrity of elections in Europe: MEPs Debate (part 2)

Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner-designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law of the VON DER LEYEN Commission, is heard by the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and Legal Affairs (JURI) Committees. Committees on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), Culture and Education (CULT), Budgets (BUDG), Budgetary Control (CONT) and Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) are also invited to participate as joint committees.Questions and Answers.

Confirmation hearing of Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner-designate for Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law: Questions / Answers (part 5)

Seven years after the assassination of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the European Parliament discusses the state of the rule of law in Malta. MEPs assess the country's recent developments in upholding European values, focusing on media freedom and anti-corruption efforts. Daphne Caruana Galizia, who exposed corruption, money laundering, and organized crime in Malta, was murdered in a car bomb attack in 2017. Her assassination sparked widespread outrage, leading to political upheaval and the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. In the same session on Wednesday, the winner of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism will be announced, honoring her legacy in the fight for transparency and justice. The debate underscores the EU's broader commitment to promoting democracy and the rule of law, not only within its borders but also in candidate countries as part of the 2024 Rule of Law Report.

Seven years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss with Viktor ORBÁN, Hungarian Prime Minister, the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024. The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: a new European competitiveness deal; boosting European defence policy; a consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; stemming illegal migration; shaping the future of cohesion policy; a farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; and addressing demographic challenges. MEPs debate (part 1)

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on the conclusions of the recent European Council meetings, in particular on a new European Competitiveness deal and the EU strategic agenda 2024-2029, on foreign relations issues and the current unstable geopolitical situation - the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine and the EU’s support for Ukraine’s defense, as well as the latest developments regarding Israel’s operation in Gaza and the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Second part of MEPs debate.

Conclusions of the recent European Council meetings, in particular on a new European Competitiveness deal and the EU strategic agenda 2024-2029: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs are set to approve long-term funding for Ukraine, the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP), and associated major changes to the multi-year EU budget. The revision of the EU’s long-term budget – the multiannual financial framework (MFF) – includes the €50 billion Ukraine Facility and the “Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform” (STEP) which aims to support EU competitiveness and resilience in strategic sectors. It also bolsters the EU’s budget to deal with migration and external challenges as well as the EU's crisis preparedness and budgetary flexibility. Furthermore, in line with Parliament’s demands, the revision introduces a mechanism to tackle escalating costs linked to the repayment of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan amid rising interest rates. On Tuesday, Parliament will debate and vote on the corresponding texts recently agreed with the EU member states: MFF revision

Joint debate - MFF revision: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the outcome of the Special European Council of 1 February, with Charles Michel, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The special summit was about finding an agreement on the mid-term review of the EU’s long-term 2021-2027 budget (multiannual financial framework, MFF) and a €50 billion financial aid package for Ukraine. Second part of the debate.

Conclusions of the special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss the December European Council, the 1 February Special summit and assess the situation in Hungary with the European Council's and Commission's presidents. During their meeting on 14 - 15 December, heads of state or government agreed, among other things, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia. Second part of MEPs debate.

Joint debate on European Council meetings: MEP debate (part 2)

MEPs debate the impact of the announced reform of the criminal code on Slovakia’s efforts to fight corruption. On 6 December, the new Slovak government tabled a draft law to overhaul the country’s penal code. If approved by its parliament, the special prosecutor’s office dealing with the most serious crimes and corruption would be dismantled. The government also intends to soften penalties for corruption offences. Several investigators and police officers looking into corruption charges have already faced repercussions from the new government, such as being dismissed, suspended or sidelined from these investigations.

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law: MEPs debate

Parliament wants to take stock of the implementation of the Digital Services Act, after the first 19 platforms and search engines that have to comply with its obligations since 25 August were named. Platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Tiktok and Instagram are now required to take concrete measures to assess and mitigate system risks related to the spread of disinformation or harmful content on their services. MEPs discuss with Council and Commission how to respond to the increase in violent, terrorist and false content circulating on social media. Second part of the MEPs debate.

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