Tax measures must be adopted unanimously by the Member States. The European Parliament has the right to be consulted on tax matters, except on budgetary-related issues, for which it is co-legislator.

The power to tax is in the hands of the Member States, with the EU having only limited EU competences. As EU tax policy is geared towards the smooth running of the single market, the harmonisation of indirect taxation was addressed before direct taxation. The fight against harmful tax evasion and tax avoidance has become a recent policy priority.

Fight against tax fraud and evasion - 8th parliamentary term

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

In February 2014, with an overwhelming majority, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to submit legislative proposals aimed at improving the functioning of the European Arrest Warrant. In Parliament’s opinion, revision of the current legislation is needed to prevent miscarriages of justice, long waits in pre-trial detention and other breaches of suspects‘ human rights.

European Arrest Warrant - 8th parliamentary term

Multiple studies have measured the effects of the single market on the EU economy. Quantifications of the benefits vary, but are overwhelmingly positive. A 2019 study suggested that EU citizens' per capita welfare gains from the single market amount to €840 annually. Also in 2019, the European Commission estimated that, mainly due to the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, EU GDP is 8-9% higher than if the single market did not exist.

Single market - 8th parliamentary term

The EU first unified the summer-time arrangements in 1980, in order to ensure a harmonised approach to time switching within the single market, as until then, national summer-time practices and schedules were diverging. The current summer-time arrangements directive requires Member States to switch to summer-time on the last Sunday of March and back to standard time (informally known as winter-time) on the last Sunday of October. MEPs voted to end the practice of adjusting clocks by an hour in spring and autumn from 2021 on 26/03/2019

The system of bi-annual clock changes has been increasingly questioned, by citizens, by the European Parliament, and by a growing number of Member States. The Commission has, therefore, analysed available evidence, which points to the importance of having harmonised rules in this area to ensure a proper functioning of the internal market. This is also supported by the European Parliament as well as other actors. In February 2020, the TRAN Committee designated Johan Danielsson (S&D, Sweden) as rapporteur.

Seasonal time change

Brussels Pride 2023

Brussels Pride - The Belgian & European Pride 2023

LOW court EP building Strasbourg

1 Week at the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Week 38 2019

Selection of the week 38 - 2019 in Strasbourg in 35 images

1 Week at the European Parliament in Brussels - Week 36 2019

Selection of the week 36 - 2019 in Brussels in 29 images

1 Week at the European Parliament in Brussels - Week 30 2019

Selection of the week 30 - 2019 in Brussels in 32 images

1 Week at the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Week 34 2019

Selection of the week 29 - 2019 in Strasbourg in 34 images

1 Week at the European Parliament in Brussels - Week 28 2019

Selection of the week 28 - 2019 in Brussels in 32 images

1 Week at the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Week 27 2019

Selection of the week 27 - 2019 in Strasbourg in 40 images

Family photo of Outgoing Members - End of 8th Parliamentary term

Raising of the flags on the occasion of the beginning of the 9th Parliamentary term

Medal handover for Outgoing Members - End of 8th Parliamentary term

Solemn Ceremony to mark the end of 8th Parliamentary term of outgoing Members

Medal handover ceremony to mark the end of 8th Parliamentary term of outgoing Members

Antonio TAJANI, EP President meets with Marco MARSILIO.

Antonio TAJANI, EP President meets with Josep BORRELL.

EPP group meeting

Antonio TAJANI, EP President meets with the Polish delegation.

Cyprus and European  flags at half mast to honour the memory of former President Dimitris CHRISTOFIAS (2008-2013)

European Council meeting - Press conference by EP President

European Council meeting - Arrival and doorstep by EP President

On the occasion of the Medals ceremony for outgoing MEPs, the EP's Audiovisual Service published a video showing the European Parliament achievements 2014-2019.

Slideshow on the 8th parliamentary term

European Parliament - Stockshots 8th Parliamentary Term : Antonio TAJANI, EP President

Illustrations demonstrations against CETA

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