EP Plenary session - Post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy

Rule of Law in Hungary - Cities’ resistance to autocracy

EP Plenary session.- 2023 and 2024 reports on North Macedonia

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

EP Plenary session - Two years since the devastating Tempi rail accident

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

LIBE - Radicalisation online, with a focus on the recruitment of children for organised crime and terrorism

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

EP Mini-Plenary Session - The EU's response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages

EP Plenary session - 80 years after the end of World War II - freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe

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

EP Plenary session - High levels of retail food prices and their consequences for European consumers

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

EP Plenary session - Need to ensure democratic pluralism, strengthen integrity, transparency and anti-corruption policies in the EU

Press conference on the situation in Hungary and the rule of law

LIBE mission to Athens, Greece - News conference

LIBE mission to Athens, Greece - Meetings with Eleni TOULOUPAKI, Maria GAVOUNELI, Dimitris VERVESOS

LIBE mission to Athens, Greece - Meeting with representatives of the National Transparency Authority (NTA)

EP LIBE and AFCO delegations to Poland, Warsaw

EP LIBE delegation to Slovenia, Ljubljana - round table

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: one round of political group speakers

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 and representatives from the Commission and the Polish Council Presidency assess developments in Serbia, where the collapse of a railway station canopy has sparked an anti-corruption movement and student-led protests against the government.

Political crisis in Serbia: MEPs debate

MEPs discuss the programme of Poland’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January, with Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. The presidency’s slogan "Security, Europe!" expresses Poland’s objective to strengthen European security in all dimensions: external, internal, information, economic, energy, food and health. MEps debate.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency: 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 4)

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 1 - Political groups coordinators)

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 the European Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of third-country nationals with no legal right to stay in Europe. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen calls for a common approach to returns and stresses the importance of cooperation with third countries on readmitting their nationals. As the EU prepares to implement the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, the debate focuses on securing external borders, strengthening screening processes, and improving return procedures. Poland’s proposal to temporarily suspend asylum requests and Italy’s plan to process asylum seekers in Albania are also discussed.

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: MEPs debate (part 2)

Managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns: MEPs debate (part 1)

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)

Tineke STRIK (Greens/EFA, NL), rapporteur, Michał WAWRYKIEWICZ (EPP, PL), Thijs REUTEN (S&D, NL), Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR) and Konstantinos ARVANITIS (The Left, EL), hold a press conference on the situation in Hungary and the rule of law. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Tineke STRIK (Greens/EFA, NL), rapporteur, Michał WAWRYKIEWICZ (EPP, PL), Thijs REUTEN (S&D, NL), Fabienne KELLER (Renew, FR) and Konstantinos ARVANITIS (The Left, EL), on the situation in Hungary and the rule of law

On Wednesday, MEPs debate the devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, which have claimed lives and displaced thousands. The discussion focuses on the EU's preparedness for handling increasingly severe disasters driven by climate change. The floods, caused by torrential rain, have wreaked havoc across Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria, with entire neighborhoods submerged and widespread damage to infrastructure. Local authorities are describing the floods as the worst in decades, prompting emergency evacuations and calls for EU financial assistance.

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change: MEPs debate part 1

Parliament gives its final green light to the reform of the EU’s asylum and migration rules. The new rules ensure responsibility sharing among Member States in the management of migrant arrivals, a more efficient response in case of crisis, and respect of fundamental rights. Before the vote, MEPs review the ten legal acts in a debate with Council and Commission. First part of MEPs debate.

Joint Debate - Migration and Asylum package: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs debate on the state of the rule of law and media freedom in Greece with Council and Commission representatives during the plenary session in Strasbourg. MEPs have expressed concerns about the respect for EU values in Greece on multiple occasions, including the use of spyware and allegations of political intervention in the investigations, and media freedom and the safety of journalists, especially in light of the lack of progress in the investigation into the murder of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz in 2021. MEPs debate.

Rule of Law and Media freedom in Greece: MEPs debate

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

Following harassment and threats, Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered in a car bomb explosion on 16 October 2017. The outcry over the authorities’ handling of her murder investigation ultimately prompted the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Critical of failings in the investigation, in December 2019, MEPs called on the European Commission to take action. Parliament takes stock of the state of the rule of law in Malta and speaks up for the safety and independence of journalists. First part of the MEPs debate.

Rule of Law in Malta, 6 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists: MEPs debate

In the context of the high human toll of migrant casualties at sea and the recent tragic shipwreck off the Greek coast, MEPs discuss the EU’s capabilities for search and rescue operations of migrants at sea and prospect of more EU action to support rescue naval operations on the Mediterranean migration routes. They also debate the role of NGO sea rescue boats, disembarkations in designated places of safety, alleged pushbacks by Member States, the implementation of an action plan announced by Commissioner Johansson in November 2022, and cooperation with third countries like Tunisia and Libya. First part of MEPs debate.

The need for EU action on search and rescue in the Mediterranean: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss Poland’s revision of its electoral law as well as the new administrative body that threatens civil rights. MEPs had a first discussion during the May II plenary session on the Polish government’s so-called “State Commission for the examination of Russian interference in the internal security of Poland” from 2007-2022. This Commission, created in May 2023, raises serious concerns in terms of conformity with EU law, as it is an administrative body with the power to bar individuals from public office. Furthermore, MEPs focus on the recent judgement of the Court of Justice of the EU, which confirms that Polish justice reform of December 2019 that set up the Disciplinary Chamber for judges infringes EU law - a position that Parliament has repeatedly upheld. One round of political group speakers

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