At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement; the approaching European elections; and the 2024 Europe Day celebrations.

Euroopa Parlamendi lühiuudised – 02/05/2024 - eesti keel

Selles saates räägime ka eestlaste jaoks väga olulisest sündmusest Euroopa Liidu ajaloos. Tänavu möödub ELi suurimast laienemisest 20 aastat. 1. mail 2004 liitus Euroopa Liiduga kümme riiki, sealhulgas Eesti. Ametlikke keeli lisandus selle laienemisega üheksa. See oli pidupäev, mil Euroopas valitses kokkuhoidev ja lootusrikas meeleolu.

20 aastat ELi suurimast laienemisest

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you.

© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Dutch (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Turkish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Swedish (Finland)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Luxembourgish

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - French (Belgium)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Luxembourg)

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - German (Austria)

At a glance: the 20th anniversary of the biggest EU enlargement; President Metsola visit to Malta and Europe’s Days.

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come. The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Valencian

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Galician

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Basque

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot - Catalan

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Radio spot

At a glance: the first ever EU rules on combating violence against women; the EU Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities; and a new law to improve air quality.

Euroopa Parlamendi lühiuudised – 29/04/2024 - eesti keel

The Republic of Ireland covers five-sixths of the island of Ireland. The north-eastern part of the island is Northern Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom. There are 11 members of the European Parliament from Ireland.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;plenary is&nbsp;commemorating&nbsp;the 25th anniversary of the Northern Ireland peace agreement on 29 March.&nbsp;&nbsp;Presidents Metsola, Michel and von der Leyen will take the floor, followed by a round of political groups interventions.

EU - Ireland

Finland joined the EU on 1st January 1995. 

Finland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the EU and is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east. Finland has 13 seats in the European Parliament.

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EU - Finland

Nicole Fontaine (born 16 January 1942 in Grainville-Ymauville, Seine-Maritime) was a French politician. Member of the EPP, she was the President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2001.

Nicole Fontaine

Rule of law is laid down in the EU treaties as one of the values on which the Union is based. It means that governments should be bound by law&nbsp;not to take arbitrary decisions, and that citizens should be able to challenge their actions in independent courts.

It also enshrines the fight against corruption, which unfairly favours some to the detriment of others, and the safeguarding of media freedom, thus ensuring that the public is properly informed about the work of government.

The EU has existing tools at its disposal to protect the rule of law. In&nbsp;September 2020, the European Commission published the first annual rule of law&nbsp;report monitoring both positive and negative developments with regard to the rule of law in all member states. In July 2021 the second edition of the report was published.

There is also&nbsp;dialogue on the rule of law in the Council.

If the Commission deems that a member state is violating EU law, it can start infringement proceedings that may lead to financial sanctions determined by the European Court of Justice. Another procedure, under Article 7 of the Treaty of the European Union, allows the Council to make recommendations or decide by unanimity on sanctions against a member state, including the suspension of membership rights.&nbsp;MEPs have argued that existing tools are insufficient.

​Under the new regulation, effective from January 2021, EU budget payments can be witheld from countries where established breaches of the rule of law compromise management of EU funds. At the same time, the EU ensures that final beneficiaries do not end up paying the bill.

Rule of law

Ahead of European elections the President of the EP is also leading a series of debates with young people across the EU under the name “Get the vote out”- to explain them why their vote matters and encourage them to go to vote.

The European Parliament conduct also an information campaign to engage citizens to come to vote in the European elections in all member states.

The EP signed also a Memorandum of Understanding with ENEX - the European News Exchange. ENEX represents 55 private TV outlets. The partnership will deepen the cooperation between the two sides to ensure broad coverage of the European elections

Election campaign

The Presidential Debate - EU Elections 2019 takes place on 15 May at 21.00 CET. It is an opportunity to discover where the lead candidates stand on a range of issues.

Political parties put forward candidates for the post of president of the European Commission ahead of the European elections. The lead candidate nominated by the Council, and able to command a majority in Parliament, will be elected President of the European Commission by a vote of Parliament.

The lead candidates are sometimes referred to by the German term spitzenkandidaten. This system was first used in 2014 to select current Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

Presidency of the European Commission/Eurovision Debate - EU elections 2019

The European Parliament has its seat in Strasbourg in France but the bulk of its political work is done at its site in Brussels where the parliamentary committees should meet as well as additional part-sessions.

Find in this package, audiovisual content of the activities of the European Parliament in Brussels such as atmosphere inside and outside the buildings or&nbsp;parliamentary work.

The European Parliament in Brussels

The European Union has played a leading role in the international effort to build a new future for Kosovo since 1999. Kosovo has a clear European perspective as part of the wider Western Balkans region. Since June 2000, all EU partners in the Western Balkans involved in the Stabilisation and Association process, which are not yet recognised as candidates, are considered potential candidates for EU membership. Currently, Kosovo is a potential candidate.

EU - Kosovo - 8th legislative term

The European elections of 22-25 May 2014 gave voters the chance to influence the future political course of the European Union when they elected the 751 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to represent their interests for the next five years.

One major new development introduced by the Treaty was that, when the EU Member States have nominated the next president of the European Commission in autumn 2014, they had for the first time - have to take account of the European election results. The new Parliament endorses this candidate: it 'elects' the Commission president, in the words of the Treaty. This means voters now have a clear say in who takes over at the helm of EU government.

European elections 2014

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is usually announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in November/December at plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Sakharov Prize 2017

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded each year by the European Parliament. It was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee. Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote. The winner is announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December at the plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

The nominations for the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought are:

The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by the Coordination Council, initiative of brave women and political and civil society figures, nominated by EPP, S&amp;D, Renew Europe 
Mgr Najeeb Moussa Michaeel, Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq nominated by ID 
Guapinol activists and Berta Caceres in Honduras, nominated by Greens/EFA, GUE/NGL 
The democratic opposition in Belarus, represented by Sviatlana Tsikhanouska, nominated by ECR 
Polish LGBTI activists Jakub Gawron, Paulina Pajak, Paweł Preneta and Kamil Maczuga, founders of the website Atlas of Hate, nominated by Malin Björk, Terry Reintke, Marc Angel, Rasmus Andresen and 39 other MEPs.

The democratic opposition in Belarus has been awarded the 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Democratic Opposition in Belarus, Sakharov Prize 2020

The brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders and civil society, are the&nbsp;2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought laureate.

The&nbsp;finalists for the European Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought were WikiLeaks activist Julian Assange, the Ukrainian people and their representatives and the Colombian Truth Commission for the 2022 Sakharov Prize.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every&nbsp;year by the European Parliament.

The&nbsp;prize was set up in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. Each nominee must have the support of at least 40 MEPs, and each individual Member may support only one nominee.

Signed nominations accompanied by supporting evidence are then assessed in a joint meeting of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Development (DEVE). A shortlist of three candidates is drawn up through a vote by AFET and DEVE committees, and then submitted to the Conference of Presidents for a final vote.

The winner is always announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December during plenary in Strasbourg. In 2021, the prize went to&nbsp;the Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

Sakharov Prize 2022

Until the UK withdraws from the EU, all rights and obligations deriving from EU membership continue to apply in the UK.

 
The United Kingdom (UK) consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The UK is not a member of the Schengen Area. There are 73 members of the European Parliament from the UK.

EU - United Kingdom

On 29 March 2017, Theresa MAY, British Prime Minister, triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty.

The right of a Member State to withdraw from the European Union was introduced for the first time with the Lisbon Treaty; the possibility of withdrawal was highly controversial before that. The Article 50 provides for the negotiation of a withdrawal agreement between the EU and the withdrawing state, defining in particular the latter's future relationship with the Union. If no agreement is concluded within two years, that state's membership ends automatically, unless the European Council and the Member State concerned decide jointly to extend this period.

See also our previous package on <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/brexit-8th-parliamentary-term_1603_pk">Brexit</a>.

Brexit

MEPs and UK MPs met&nbsp;in Brussels on 3 and 4 July for the third EU-United Kingdom Parliamentary Partnership Assembly to discuss, among other issues, the state of play within the Partnership Council, EU-UK common efforts to support Ukraine, and cooperation on trade and industrial policy - including responses to the US Inflation Reduction Act.&nbsp;

EU-UK relations are changed&nbsp;following Brexit and the deal reached at the end of 2020. The United Kingdom (UK) left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, after 47 years of EU membership. The UK has lost all the rights and benefits it had as an EU Member State and is no longer a part of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union.

The EU-UK withdrawal agreement in force since 1 February 2020, ensured that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU happened in an orderly manner, and protects the rights of EU citizens and UK nationals, the EU’s financial interests, and peace and stability on the island of Ireland.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and the UK sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation and participation in Union programmes.&nbsp; In April 2021 the European Parliament voted with a large majority in favour of granting also its consent to the agreement.

EU - UK relations

Since the beginning of the pandemic COVID-19, the EU has developed a wide range of health policy responses, exemplified by the common approach to vaccines through the EU Vaccines Strategy and initiatives across a range of other policies.

A common approach to assessing infection rates in different regions made testing and quarantining much more consistent. EU Digital COVID Certificates were agreed on and implemented in record time, paving the way for the safe resumption of tourism and travel during summer, and beyond.

At the same time, the EU took decisive action to tackle the economic fallout of the pandemic with funds and special economic aid for&nbsp;Member states, entreprises and citizens.

The EU Health Union is underway with&nbsp;reinforcing the mandates of the European Medicines Agency and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, addressing cross-border threats to health and creating a future-proof EU pharmaceutical policy. MEPs obtained better support for the EU4Health programme in the 2022 EU budget, with an additional €51 million to build up a strong Health Union and to make national health systems more resilient.

Effective coordination of national measures as well as solidarity among member states together with the importance of&nbsp;making national health systems more sustainable and resilient are the main challenges of the EU, learned from&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19 pandemic.

EU's response to COVID-19

MEPs debate the consequences of the undemocratic presidential elections in Russia on 18 March, including their illegitimate extension to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Plenary Debate - Russia´s undemocratic presidential elections

EP  President Metsola meets the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians, addresses  MEPs in a formal sitting.

This will be first time King Philippe will have addressed the European Parliament. One of his predecessors, King Baudouin, appeared before MEPs in 1987, during a plenary session in Strasbourg.

Formal sitting - Address by His Majesty King Philippe

The European Parliament press services holds a last-minute online press briefing.

Online last minute session briefing

EP President Metsola meets the President of the Republic of Finland, Alexander Stubb

Press conference by Sophie IN ’T VELD, Fabienne KELLER, Matjaž NEMEC and Jorge BUXADÉ VILLALBA rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (First part)
Press conference by Tomas TOBÉ (EPP, SE), Juan Fernando LÓPEZ AGUILAR (S&D, ES), Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE) and Malin BJÖRK (The Left, SE) rapporteurs on Migration Pact files (Second part)

Press conference on Asylum and migration pact files

The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee holds an exchange of views on the implementation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, independent experts and industry representatives. The discussion will focus on the first assessment of compliance, mostly as regards to self-preferencing and app stores

IMCO Debate on the Digital Markets Act

EP President Metsola meets the President of the National Assembly of Slovenia, Urška Klakočar Zupančič and she addresses the National Assembly of Slovenia. President Metsola and President Klakočar Zupančič speak to the press. She also meets the President of Slovenia, Nataša Pirc Musar and the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob. The EP President and Prime Minister Golob speak to the press.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Slovenia

EP President Roberta Metsola, participates in the European Council, followed by a press conference

EP President Roberta METSOLA, at the European Council

President Metsola meets the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyha

Official meeting of President Metsola and Ukranian Prime Minister Denys  Shmyhal

President Metsola meets the Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa. in Brussels

Official meeting of President Metsola and Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa

EP President Roberta Metsola meets the Federal Minister for the EU and Constitution of Austria, Karoline Edtstadler and the President of the National Council of the Austrian Parliament, Wolfgang Sobotka. She also meets the Chancellor of Austria, Karl Nehammer and they speak to the press.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Austria

EP  President Metsola participates in a Town Hall discussion with young people. She meets the Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden, Andres Norlén and representatives of the political groups in the Parliament. She also meets the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson and they jointly speak to the press

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Sweden

New EU rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers is debated and voted by MEPs.

The regulation governing the type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7), provisionally agreed with the Council in December 2023, aims to support the EU’s transition towards clean mobility and improve air quality.

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 exhaust emissions limits and test conditions will be maintained, while stricter limits would be applied for buses and trucks. The Euro 7 standards also tackle non-exhaust emissions (microplastics from tyres and particles from brakes) and include requirements concerning battery durability.

Plenary Debate - Euro 7

Press conference by Marion WALSMANN (EPP, DE), rapporteur for safety of toys

Press conference on Toys' safety

Press conference by Brando BENIFEI (S&D, IT) and Dragos TUDORACHE (Renew, RO), co-rapporteurs on AI Act plenary vote

Press conference on Artificial Intelligence vote

Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo speaks to MEPs to outline his vision on Europe’s challenges and future.

Before the debate, EP President Roberta Metsola holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Orpo, followed by a press point at 10.20 (still to be confirmed).

Thirteen EU heads of state or government have discussed the future of the EU in the plenary in “This is Europe” debates.

Plenary Debate - This is Europe debate with the Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo

French MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

German MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Danish MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Cyprus MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Romanian MEPs official portraits - 10th Parliamentary term.

Commemoration of the Victims of Soviet Mass Deportations

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections

Euroscola

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

Institutsioonidevaheline eetikaorgan (arutelu)

Laienemiseelsed reformid ja poliitika läbivaatamine (arutelu)

Meetmete raamistik Euroopa nullnetotehnoloogia toodete tootmise ökosüsteemi tugevdamiseks (nullnetotööstuse määrus) (arutelu)

Istungi jätkamine

Istungi juhataja avaldused

Hääletused

Plenary session

Delegation for relations with Palestine

DPAL

Delegation for relations with Israel

Press conference by Lara WOLTERS rapporteur on the first EU due diligence rules for companies

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Press conference by Javi LÓPEZ, rapporteur on Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe

Press conference by Mounir SATOURI, Tineke STRIK, rapporteurs and Karen MELCHIOR on EU-Egypt: a strategic partnership for whom?

Briefing EPP by Manfred WEBER, President

Liidu õigusaktide ettepanekud

Iraani enneolematu Iisraeli-vastane rünnak ja tungiv vajadus ELi reageeringu järele (arutelu)

Pidulik istung - ELi 2004. aasta laienemise 20. aastapäev

Eelmise istungi protokolli kinnitamine

Rünnak kliima ja looduse vastu: paremäärmuslaste ja konservatiivide katsed hävitada roheline kokkulepe ja takistada investeeringuid meie tulevikku (temaatiline arutelu)

Direktiivi 2013/36/EL muutmine seoses järelevalvevolituste, sanktsioonide, kolmanda riigi ettevõtja filiaalide ning keskkonna-, sotsiaalsete ja juhtimisriskidega - Määruse (EL) nr 575/2013 muutmine seoses krediidiriski, krediidiväärtuse korrigeerimise riski, operatsiooniriski, tururiski ja minimaalse väljundmäära nõuetega (ühine arutelu - Pangandusliit)

Kuues rahapesuvastane direktiiv - Rahapesuvastane määrus - Rahapesu ja terrorismi rahastamise tõkestamise ameti asutamine (ühine arutelu - Rahapesu rahastamise tõkestamine)

Euroopa Parlamendi uurimisõigus (arutelu)

Hääletused (jätk)

La Hulpe’i deklaratsioon sotsiaalse Euroopa tuleviku kohta (arutelu)

Üheskoos kestliku tuleviku suunas: konkurentsivõimelise, sidusa ja kaasava Euroopa majanduslikud, sotsiaalsed ja territoriaalsed väljakutsed (arutelu)

Hiljutised diktatuuri eitamise katsed ja oht, et Euroopa pöördub tagasi totalitarismi (arutelu)

Aserbaidžaan, eelkõige kodanikuühiskonna represseerimine ning dr Qubad İbadoğlu ja Ilhamiz Guliyevi juhtumid

Gambias tehtud ettepanek tunnistada naiste suguelundite moonutamise keeldu käsitlev seadus kehtetuks

Hongkongi uus julgeolekuseadus ning Andy Li ja Joseph Johni juhtumid

Ghana parlamendi vastu võetud LGBTIQ-vastane seadus, millel on tagajärjed inimõigustele, väljendusvabadusele ja demokraatia põhimõtetele (arutelu)

Reisijaid käsitlev eelteave: välispiirikontrolli tõhustamine ja hõlbustamine - Reisijaid käsitlev eelteave: terroriaktide ja raskete kuritegude ennetamine, avastamine, uurimine ja nende eest vastutusele võtmine (ühine arutelu - reisijaid käsitlev eelteave)

Selgitused hääletuse kohta

Järgmise istungi päevakord

Istungi lõpp

Press conference by Alin MITUȚA, rapporteur on the Gigabit Infrastructure Act and the abolition of intra-EU calls surcharge

Press conference by Róża THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, rapporteur on Parliament's vote on the Late Payments regulation

Press conference by René REPASI, rapporteur on the Final vote on the right to repair

Press conference by Maria-Manuel LEITÃO-MARQUES and Samira RAFAELA, co-rapporteurs on the adoption of the Forced Labour Regulation

Briefing S&D by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, President

Briefing The Left by Manon AUBRY and Martin SCHIRDEWAN, Co-Presidents

Launch of the 20 KM of Brussels race

Fottball tournament with player Amadou Onana

Eurovision Debate 2024 with Lead Candidates.- Press point

Eurovision Debate 2024 with Lead Candidates

Eurovision Debate 2024 with Lead Candidates.- Arrival of the candidates

Press briefing ahead of the Eurovision Lead Candidates Debate

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) - Rainbow flag next to the EP buildings

Eurovision debate draw 2024 (23/05/2024)

EPAS seminar for teachers on 2024 on European Elections

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Oliver ROPKE, EESC President sign a new cooperation agreement

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, Vasco ALVES CORDEIRO, Cor President sign a new agreement

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Kerkrade (Netherlands) -  Meeting with young people

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Zaventem (Belgium) - Meeting with young people

Unveiling of four branded airplanes to support the 2024 European Election campaign: extracts from the event with the participation of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Aerial view of the European Parliament in Brussels

Event Illuminations : One month to go - EP buildings

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Receiving the Honorary Doctorate from the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Meeting with Denys SHMYHAL, Ukrainian Prime Minister

This news item shows the atmosphere with media during the Election day in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium (09/06/2024). Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European Elections 2024 - Atmosphere shots of the Election day in the European Parliament in Brussels (Belgium)

This footage shows Greek voters arriving at polling stations in Athens (Greece) and casting their ballots. It also includes exterior shots of the city of Athens, such as the Acropolis, the Parthenon, Syntagma Square, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The European elections in Greece are held on the 9th of June and the polling stations will be open, from 7.00 to 19.00.Voters will elect 21 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, same number as in 2019. Preference-based voting system is used,which gives voters the opportunity to choose specific candidates. Those who turn 17 during the year of the elections, have the right to vote. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Athens (Greece)

This news item shows excerpts from Croatian voters arriving at polling stations, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in a wine cellar in Dvorac Pongratz (Croatia). Citizens of Croatia elect their 12 representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections on 9th of June. The newly elected Members, representing all EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station in a wine cellar in Dvorac Pongratz (Croatia)

This news item shows excerpts from Madrid city center - Puerta de Alcalá, Fountain of Cybele, Town Hall of Madrid -, and Spanish first voter and his grandparents arriving at the polling station, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in Madrid. In Spain, voting for the European Parliament takes place on 9th June 2024. This election determines who will guide Europe's direction over the next five years, with Spanish citizens electing 61 Members of the European Parliament in 2024. This is two more Members of the European Parliament than in 2019. As a Spanish or EU citizen voting in Spain, they can cast their vote by post (upon request), or in person at the polling station that corresponds to you according to the electoral roll, which is based on your place of registration.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of two generations voting in Madrid (Spain)

This news item shows excerpts from Hungarian voters arriving at polling stations, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in Szentendre (Hungary). Hungarian citizens, and citizens of every EU Member State, elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections, in Hungary on 9th of June. The newly elected 21 Hungarian Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July with other representatives to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Szentendre (Hungary)

This news item shows excerpts from street views of Vilnius's Financial District and Lithuanian voters arriving at the polling stations, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in in the Financial District of Vilnius. In Lithuania, voting for the European Parliament takes place on 9th June 2024. This election determines who will guide Europe's direction over the next five years, with Lithuanian citizens electing 11 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, the same as in the 2019 elections. In Lithuania, you have to be at least 18 to vote in the European elections. On the election day, Lithuanian citizens can also vote in another polling station - usually they are allocated a polling station based on their home address -, provided the polling station is connected to the central database to ensure that the voter only casts one ballot.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in the Financial District of Vilnius (Lithuania)

This news item shows excerpts from the city of Paris - the Seine river, boats sailing, people walking at the Seine riverside promenade - and French voters arriving at the Quartier Jeunes polling station, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty near the Louvre Museum in Paris. In France, voting for the European Parliament takes place on 8 June 2024 - in the overseas departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guyana, the overseas territories of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Barthélémy, Saint-Martin and French Polynesia, as well as in the polling stations open in the French embassies and consulates on the American continent - and on 9 June 2024 in the rest of France. This election determines who will guide Europe's direction over the next five years, with French citizens electing 81 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, two more than in the 2019 elections.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations near the Louvre Museum in Paris (France)

This news item shows excerpts from Polish voters casting their ballots and engaging in civic duty at the polling station at the Wedding Palace in Warsaw (Poland). Moreover, this news includes exterior shots of the city of Warsaw. Polish citizens along with other citizens of every EU Member State elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections, in Poland on 9th of June. The newly elected 53 Polish Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July with other representatives to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station at the Wedding Palace in Warsaw (Poland)

This news item shows French voters arriving at polling stations, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in Rennes (France). In addition, it shows exterior shots of the city of Rennes. Voters in France will elect 81 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, two more than in the 2019 elections. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union. Provisional results will be published on the evening of 9 June.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Rennes (France)

This news item shows voters arriving at polling stations and engaging in civic duty in polling stations in Nicosia (Cyprus). It also includes exterior shots of the city of Nicosia. The European elections in Cyprus are held on 9 June, 2024. Voters will elect six Members of the European Parliament in 2024, the same number as in the 2019 elections. Cyprus uses preferential voting, which gives the voters the option to indicate their preferences within the coalition of political parties or independents list they choose. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Nicosia (Cyprus)

This news item shows a first-time-voter casting her ballot in a polling station in Bonn (Germany). A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected (96 of them are elected in Germany) during the European Elections which are held on 6-9 of June 2024. The European Parliament is the world’s only directly elected transnational assembly. The MEPs represent the interests of EU citizens at the European level and together with representatives of the governments of EU countries, MEPs shape and decide on new laws that influence all aspects of lives across the European Union, from supporting the economy and the fight against poverty to climate change and security.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of a first-time-voter in a polling station in Bonn (Germany)

This video shows Burgdorf, a medium-sized town with about 30,000 inhabitants in the Lower Saxony region of Hanover (Germany). A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are elected (96 of them are elected in Germany) during the European Elections which are held on 6-9 of June 2024. The European Parliament is the world’s only directly elected transnational assembly. The MEPs represent the interests of EU citizens at the European level and together with representatives of the governments of EU countries, shape and decide on new laws that influence all aspects of lives across the European Union, from supporting the economy and the fight against poverty to climate change and security.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Burgdorf (Germany)

This news item shows excerpts from street views of Lisbon's center city and Portuguese voters arriving at polling stations, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in Lisbon (Portugal). In addition, it shows exterior shots of the city of Lisbon. In Portugal, voting for the European Parliament takes place on 9 June 2024 - voting abroad will be held at diplomatic representations on 8 and 9 June 2024. This election determines who will guide Europe's direction over the next five years, with Portuguese citizens electing 21 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, as in the 2019 elections. For this election, an exceptional regime for mobile voting has been approved.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Lisbon (Portugal)

This news item shows excerpts from Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, S&D group Leader, arriving to the polling station, voting in Laguna de Duero (Valladolid) and giving a statement on European Elections. In Spain, voting for the European Parliament takes place on 9th June 2024. This election determines who will guide Europe's direction over the next five years, with Spanish citizens electing 61 Members of the European Parliament in 2024 - two more Members of the European Parliament than in 2019. The Members of the European Parliament sit in political groups – they are not organised by nationality, but by political affiliation. To form a political group, 23 Members are needed and at least one-quarter of the Member States must be represented within the group. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Elections 2024 - Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, S&D group Leader voting in Valladolid (Spain): arrival, voting moment and statement

This news item shows citizens voting in the European elections at Sava College, an educational institution in Bucharest, Romania, on 9 June 2024. In addition, the news item includes illustrative footage about the city of Bucharest. By voting in the European elections, citizens in Romania, and in all other EU Member States, elect their representatives to the European Parliament. In Romania, voters will elect 33 Members of the European Parliament in 2024. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union. Provisional results of the elections will be published on the evening of 9 June.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Sava College in Bucharest (Romania)

This footage shows citizens voting in the European elections in Laval, France, on 9 June 2024. Voters in France will elect 81 Members of the European Parliament in 2024, two more than in the 2019 elections. In total, the European Parliament will have 720 members, compared to 705 currently. European Parliament decides on new laws that influence all aspects of life across the European Union. Provisional results will be published on the evening of 9 June.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling stations in Laval (France)

This news item shows a first-time-voter casting her ballot in a polling station in Berlin (Germany). It also includes exterior shots of the city of Berlin. A total of 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will be elected (96 of them are elected in Germany) during the European Elections which are held on 6-9 of June 2024. The European Parliament is the world’s only directly elected transnational assembly. The MEPs represent the interests of EU citizens at the European level and together with representatives of the governments of EU countries, MEPs shape and decide on new laws that influence all aspects of lives across the European Union, from supporting the economy and the fight against poverty to climate change and security.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of a first-time-voter in a polling station in Berlin (Germany)

The European elections is held in Belgium on 9 June 2024. Voting is compulsory for Belgian citizens aged 16 or over. Voters in Belgium elect 22 Members of the European Parliament in 2024. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term. This news item shows first time voters and citizens vote in polling stations in Brussels (Belgium).

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