María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia are the 2024 winners of the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. 
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2024

When we think of the European Parliament, we usually imagine MEPs voting in the debating chamber. In reality, though, voting only takes place once a month, during plenary part-sessions. But what actually are these part-sessions, and how do they work?

What are plenary sessions?

Out of the jargon jungle. The role of the European Parliament President?

The role of the European Parliament President?

On 19 March 1958, the European Parliamentary Assembly hold a first meeting in Strasbourg. Luciano GRANZOTTO BASSO, Oldest member of the Assembly leads the election. The representatives elect Robert Schuman as President. He is the single candidate at the function.

Constitutive session of the European Parliamentary Assembly: election of Robert SCHUMAN, as President of the Assembly

A formal sitting is&nbsp;held to mark an official visit to the European Parliament, made at the President’s invitation after consulting with the Conference of Presidents.

The official guest is seated to the right of the President on the podium. After the welcoming remarks by the President, the official guest addresses the&nbsp; Parliament from the central rostrum in the Chamber.

The address for a formal sitting of Parliament&nbsp;usually lasts 30 minutes and generally takes place before the voting session.

Formal Sittings

On certain occasions, David SASSOLI, President of the European Parliament, gives a speech during plenary sessions highlighting the news, a special event or pays tribute to a personality and asks for a minute of silence.

Statements of David SASSOLI, EP President in Plenary

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens - Week 149

EP Plenary session - EU action on treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular neurological diseases and measles

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market

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

EP Plenary session - Democratic legitimacy and the Commission’s continued authorisation of genetically modified organisms despite Parliament’s objections

EP Plenary session - The illegal visit of President Erdogan to the occupied areas of Cyprus

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

MEPs vote on the following files: Arrest and risk of execution of Tundu Lissu, Chair of Chadema, the main opposition party in Tanzania, Return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia, Violations of religious freedom in Tibet, Ninth report on economic and social cohesion, CO2 emission performance standards, The protection status of the wolf (Canis lupus), The role of gas storage for securing gas supplies ahead of the winter season, The screening of foreign investments in the Union and repealing Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union, Competition policy – annual report 2024, Banking Union – annual report 2024, Objection (ENVI) Genetically modified soybean, Old challenges and new commercial practices in the internal market.

Voting session

MEPs debate on the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms, in plenary in Strasbourg.

The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms: MEPs debate

Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, gives an opening statement during the debate on the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms: opening statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

MEPs debate on Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia.

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: closing statements by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: MEPs debate

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Prote

MEPs debate on the resilience and the need to improve the interconnection of energy grid infrastructure in the EU and the first lessons from the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula.

Resilience and the need to improve the interconnection of energy grid infrastructure in the EU: the first lessons from the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula: MEPs debate

MEPs debate Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing, on the resilience and the need to improve the interconnection of energy grid infrastructure in the EU and the first lessons from the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Resilience and need to improve the interconnection of energy grid infrastructure, lessons from the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA Polish Minister for European Affairs and Dan JØRGENSEN Commissioner for Energy

plenary session

Videos

Photos

Photosets

Topics

Audios

Media published for this tag

2

Topics

7,061

Videos

7,812

Photosets

4

Audios

196,943

Photos