At a glance: MEPs from the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee warn that the rule of law in the EU remains in peril; Parliament and the Council have reached a deal to improve worker consultation on transnational matters; President Metsola will travel to the United States for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

News in Brief – 22/05/2025 - English

At a glance: a new EU Entry/Exit System for border security; MEPs and the Council reached an agreement on EUR 4 billion in financial aid for Egypt; and Parliament will debate the ‘Choose Europe for Science’ initiative.

News in Brief – 21/05/2025 - English

At a glance: a new plenary session gets under way in Brussels tomorrow. On the agenda: the situation in the Middle East, the proposal to phase out Russian energy imports, and the fifth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

News in Brief – 20/05/2025 - English

At a glance: a delegation from the Subcommittee on Human Rights is in Geneva; MEPs have backed new tariffs on Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods; and the Committee on Civil Liberties will meet with Commissioner McGrath to discuss safeguarding democracy and diversity of expression.

News in Brief – 19/05/2025 - English

At a glance: a public hearing on the political relations between the European Union and the United States; the Commission’s roadworthiness package; and a hearing on international humanitarian law and international human rights law in conflict zones and fragile contexts.

News in Brief – 16/05/2025 - English

At a glance: the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy pushes for more coordination and resilience in the European electricity grid; the Committee on Environment supports proposals to simplify the EU carbon leakage instrument; and President Metsola calls to re-launch Europe as a global power.

News in Brief – 15/05/2025 - English

At a glance: combating child sexual abuse; the future of the 2008 Horizontal Anti-Discrimination Directive; and tariffs on agricultural goods from Russia and Belarus.

News in Brief – 14/05/2025 - English

At a glance: the European Court of Auditors will present its report on labour market reforms in the EU’s national recovery plans; the Committee on Public Health will review the EU’s crisis response and hold key exchanges; and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs will vote on a new EU body for ethical standards.

News in Brief – 13/05/2025 - English

The energy union strategy aims at building an energy union that gives EU consumers - households and businesses - secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy.&nbsp;The five pillars of the Energy Union are:&nbsp;accelerating decarbonisation with the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) and renewables at is core; scaling up energy efficiency; enhancing energy security and safety; strengthening the internal market; research, innovation and competitiveness.&nbsp; Since 2021, Europe has experienced a hike in energy prices that is part of a global surge. The&nbsp;Russian invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;in 2022 has further affected the energy markets, causing new increases of energy prices and concerns over the EU’s ability to secure its energy supply. &nbsp;

Energy union

On 27 June 2014, the EU and Moldova signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), which entered into force in July 2016. In April 2014, Moldova became the first country in the Eastern Partnership to benefit from a visa-free regime. Moldova is the country which is very much affected by the influx of refugees from Ukraine, after the Russian aggression against the country.

In a speech to the European Parliament on 18 May 2022, Moldovan President Maia Sandu called on EU countries to rally behind her country’s European aspirations. In her address to MEPs in Brussels, President Sandu outlined how Russia’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine had echoes of Europe’s troubled past, with its ‘unabashed land grabs, geopolitical conquests and spheres of influence’.&nbsp;

Against the backdrop of the war, Moldova formally applied for EU membership in March 2022 and President Sandu stated her firm conviction that the country is part of the European community.

EU - Moldova

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

MEPs elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) on January 2022 as President of the European Parliament until 2024.

Roberta Metsola won the election in the first voting round, where she received an absolute majority of 458 votes out of 690 cast in the remote secret vote, among three candidates.&nbsp;

President Metsola is leading the Parliament in the second half of the current legislative term, until a new Parliament is constituted following the 2024 European Elections.

Born in Malta in 1979,&nbsp; Roberta Metsola who has been an MEP since 2013, is the youngest EP President ever elected. She became First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022.

She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after Simone Veil (1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999- 2002).

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2022-2024

The president of the European Parliament Roberta METSOLA has been named the 2025 laureate of the Timișoara Award for European Values, an honor established by the Municipality of Timișoara, western Romania. She will receive the award during a gala ceremony on May 22. The jury also praised Metsola's unwavering support for Romania’s Schengen accession, consistently stating that the country belongs in the EU’s free movement zone. Metsola also meets Romanian students during a town hall discussion.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, official visit to Timisoara (Romania)

Israel/Gaza. On Wednesday, MEPs will debate with Council and Commission representatives the EU’s response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, and how to provide effective humanitarian support and secure the hostages’ release.

EP Plenary debate on the EU's response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip

Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia, meets with Roberta METSOLA, EP Preside, and addresses plenary in a formal sitting after the opening of the session. President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar, will outline her vision for the EU, in a formal sitting starting immediately after the opening. Born in 1968, Ms Pirc Musar has been President of Slovenia since December 2022. After graduating in law, she worked as a journalist for several years and was appointed as Slovenia’s Information Commissioner in 2005, a post she held for two five-year terms. Before becoming President, Pirc Musar also worked as an attorney.

Nataša PIRC MUSAR, President of the Republic of Slovenia, meets with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and addresses the plenary

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Italian President Sergio MATTARELLA. He an Italian politician and jurist who has served as the president of Italy since 2015. He is the longest-serving president in the history of the Italian Republic.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Italian President Sergio MATTARELLA

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Voting session

Batteries are vital to the EU’s clean energy transition, industrial future, and strategic autonomy. While the sector benefits from strong R&D support, it faces challenges such as reliance on third countries, high costs, and competition from regions with lower environmental standards. Sustainable value chains and recycling could help, but uncertainty remains over the EU’s ability to meet future demand. Rising costs, market slowdowns, and gigafactory setbacks, including Northvolt’s collapse, raise concerns. To secure a resilient battery supply chain, the EU focuses on strategic coordination, regulatory frameworks, and funding, offering key lessons for industrial policy.

Battery supply chain

The digital information sphere has become the main space for public debate, shaping opinions and access to information. In the past decade, it has also become a geostrategic battleground, with authoritarian states manipulating public opinion to weaken democracies. At the same time, corporate rivalry over emerging technologies, particularly AI, has intensified. AI-driven disinformation poses growing risks to democratic information ecosystems. Strengthening information integrity is crucial to safeguarding human rights and freedom of expression. Multilateral efforts to enhance resilience align with the EU’s planned European Democracy Shield, building on existing measures and fostering new partnerships.

Information Manipulation and the EU response

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.


The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added.


There are also differences in other aspects of voting, for example regarding the minimum voting age or the rules about voting from abroad.

EU Elections 2024

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.

Map European elections 2024

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Over the past 30 years the single market has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans.

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

Find out about the top cyber threats in 2022, the most affected sectors and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The digital transformation has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies had to adapt to remote working and this created more possibilities for cybercriminals. The war in Ukraine has also affected cybersecurity.

In response to the evolution of cybersecurity threats, Parliament adopted a new EU directive introducing harmonised measures across the EU, including on the protection of essential sectors.

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

Euroscola

Over the past two days, thousands of young people have come together to celebrate the power of democracy through debates, exchanges, and artistic expression. As this incredible experience comes to an end, it’s hard to say goodbye. But this is not the end—it’s just the beginning. The conversations sparked here will continue, the ideas shared will take shape, and the connections made will contribute to the future of Europe. Join us for an inspiring closing session to reflect on our journey, explore what’s next, and work together to put democracy in action. The future is in our hands—let’s make it happen!

EYE2025 closing plenary: democracy in action

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2023

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Choose Europe for Science

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Timisoara (Romania) - Town Hall discussion with Romanian students

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Timisoara (Romania) - Walk to the Philharmonic Hall with Dominic FRITZ, Mayor of Timișoara

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Improving mental health at work

President Metsola, EP President meets with Nicușor DAN, President-Elect of Romania

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Russian energy phase out, Nord Stream and the EU's energy-sovereignty

EP Mini-Plenary Session - Amending the EU Regulation 2023/965 as regards simplifying and strengthening the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

MEPs vote during the plenary session on several reports/amendments: Inese Vaidere (INTA 15/05) - Modification of customs duties applicable to imports of certain goods originating in or exported directly or indirectly from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus / Veronika Vrecionová (AGRI A10-0043/2025) - Granting equivalence with EU requirements to Moldova and Ukraine as regards field inspections and production of seed/ Amendments to the Capital Requirements Regulation as regards securities financing transactions under the net stable funding ratio/ Borys Budka (ITRE A10-0083/2025) - Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for the period 2026-2027 complementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and repealing Council Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765/ Ondřej Knotek (CONT 14/05) - Partial renewal of Members of the Court of Auditors - HR nominee

Votes

MEPs and Council and Commission representatives explore ways to make Europe more attractive to scientists, following the Trump administration’s actions impacting US universities and academic freedom.

Choose Europe for Science: closing statements

Choose Europe for Science: MEPs debate

MEPs and Council and Commission representatives explore ways to make Europe more attractive to scientists, following the Trump administration’s actions impacting US universities and academic freedom. Opening statements by Ekaterina ZAHARIEVA, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Choose Europe for Science: opening statements

MEPs, the Commission and the Council discuss the Commission’s recent proposal to phase out Russian gas, nuclear energy and oil imports. The debate is also expected to touch on Nord Stream and the EU's energy sovereignty.

Russian energy phase out, Nord Stream and the EU's energy-sovereignty: closing statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

Russian energy phase out, Nord Stream and the EU's energy-sovereignty: MEPs debate

MEPs, the Commission and the Council discuss the Commission’s recent proposal to phase out Russian gas, nuclear energy and oil imports. The debate is also expected to touch on Nord Stream and the EU's energy sovereignty. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Russian energy phase out, Nord Stream and the EU's energy-sovereignty: opening statements by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

MEPs debate with Council and Commission representatives the EU’s response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, and how to provide effective humanitarian support and secure the hostages’ release. Closing statements. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, ensuring effective humanitarian support and the liberation of hostages: closing statements

MEPs debate with Council and Commission representatives the EU’s response to the Israeli government's plan to seize the Gaza Strip, and how to provide effective humanitarian support and secure the hostages’ release. MEPs debate (part 2)

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