At a glance: the plenary session is in full swing. In Strasbourg, MEPs vote on a proposal for strengthening European defence; Parliament adopts two resolutions on economic, social and employment priorities; and in the debating chamber, the Commission unveils the new Critical Medicines Act.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 13/03/2025 - suomi

At a glance: a new plenary session is ongoing. In Strasbourg, MEPs outlined their priorities for the next European Council summit; Parliament marked International Women’s Day; and President Metsola spoke about the 35th anniversary of the assertion of state continuity by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 12/03/2025 - suomi

At a glance: a new plenary session is in progress; in Strasbourg, Parliament will reiterate its unwavering support for Ukraine; MEPs are set to call for the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and accelerate the phase out of Russian gas; Parliament will also outline the EU’s economic, social and employment strategy for 2025.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 11/03/2025 - suomi

At a glance: a new plenary session is in progress. In Strasbourg, MEPs will debate EU security and defence following the Special European Council meeting; Parliament will discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the European Commission is expected to present a new legal framework on the return of people who have no legal right to stay in the EU.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 10/03/2025 - suomi

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality marked International Women’s Day by calling for a stronger role for women in peacebuilding and security; on Monday in Strasbourg, Parliament is set to vote on a 1.9 billion euro support plan for Moldova; MEPs will also discuss EU competitiveness and how to close the skills gap.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 07/03/2025 - suomi

Kansainvälinen naistenpäivä juontaa juurensa työväenliikkeiden nousuun 1900-luvulla. Naistenpäivänä muistetaan kamppailua tasa-arvon puolesta ja juhlistetaan edistysaskelia kohti sukupuolten tasa-arvoa. Euroopan parlamentti on yksi äänekkäimmistä sukupuolten tasa-arvon puolestapuhujista EU:ssa. Se on antanut merkittäviä päätöslauselmia ja lakeja naisten oikeuksien suojelemiseksi, yhtäläisten mahdollisuuksien edistämiseksi ja syrjinnän torjumiseksi.

Kansainvälinen naistenpäivä

At a glance: MEPs are preparing for the next plenary session in Strasbourg where they will focus on women’s rights and European defence; Parliament will also tackle the phase out of Russian gas and confirm EU support for Ukraine; also on the agenda is how to bolster critical medicine supply chains in the EU.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 06/03/2025 - suomi

At a glance: the European Council will convene in Brussels for a special summit on Ukraine and defence; in preparation for the summit, President Metsola met with NATO Secretary General Rutte and stressed the EU’s commitment to security and lasting peace in Ukraine; ahead of International Women’s Day, the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality will hold a special meeting on security and peacebuilding.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 05/03/2025 - suomi

Clean energy is energy produced and consumed with a minimum of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

The transition to clean energy requires large investments in all areas of energy use: electricity generation, transport, heating and cooling, and also industrial activities. Reducing energy demand by means of energy efficiency measures also helps to lower the emissions associated with energy use.

Clean energy

To support its publications, the European Parliamentary Research Service is producing a wide range of informative, timely and varied audio-visual products. These products include content-rich videos and animations, and also regular monthly podcasts, such as policy podcasts and science and technology podcasts. They are based on EPRS' independent, objective and authoritative analysis of, and research on, policy issues relating to the European Union, so empowering Members and committees in their parliamentary work and supporting parliamentary outreach to the wider public.

Restrictions: © The material of this package may not be edited and single videos must be shown in its entirety.

EPRS Multimedia Centre

Bosnia and Herzegovina - along with other Western Balkans countries – was identified as a potential candidate for EU membership during the Thessaloniki European Council summit in June 2003.

Since then, a number of agreements between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina have entered into force - visa facilitation and readmission agreements (2008), Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related issues (2008). The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) has been ratified and entered into force on 1 June 2015.

Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016.&nbsp;The European Council granted the&nbsp;candidate status to the country on December 2022.

EU - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Since October 2020, the EU has&nbsp;progressively imposed restrictive measures&nbsp;against Belarus in response to the fraudulent nature&nbsp; presidential elections in&nbsp;2020, and the&nbsp;intimidation and violent repression&nbsp;of peaceful protesters, opposition members and journalists.&nbsp;

The democratic opposition, including the opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, was awarded the&nbsp;2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

The Belarusian regime has became an ally&nbsp;with Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine. This includes the so-called referendum reinstating the country’s nuclear status, but also that Belarus has allowed Russian troops and weapons to move through its territory, use its airspace, refuel and store military ammunition.

Therefore, the EU has extended the sanctios package against Russia to Belarus. The EP has recently called that "all EU sanctions issued against Russia must be strictly mirrored for Belarus and implemented appropriately".

EU - Belarus

President Metsola addresses the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Society for the Award of the International Charlemagne Prize

EP President, Roberta METSOLA participates to 75th anniversary of the Charlemagne Prize

MEPs and the Commission debate its recently-proposed Automotive Industry Action Plan. Announced on 5 March 2025, it is intended to support the European automotive sector as it deals with high manufacturing costs, the low-carbon transition, and increased competition from China. A resolution will be put to a vote during the April plenary session.

Debate on the Action plan for the automotive industry

On Tuesday, MEPs and the Commission debate changes to EU rules on the returns of people who have no legal right to remain in Europe.

The proposal for a new legal framework on so-called “returns”, announced by President Ursula von der Leyen in July 2024, is expected to be formally unveiled by the European Commission on Tuesday.

During the plenary debate, MEPs scrutinise the proposal, which is intended to increase the return rate of third-country nationals not entitled to stay in the EU. Parliament is likely to emphasise the importance of cooperation with third countries, including on the readmission of their own nationals, as well innovative measures such as the establishment of return hubs in third countries.

Debate on the new EU approach on migrant returns

Four women fighting for freedom, peace and justice in their home countries – from Belarus, leader of the country's democratic forces Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and Palina Sharenda Panasiuk; and Lenie Umerova and Tata Kepler from Ukraine – have all been invited to address plenary., Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of Belarus’ democratic forces, 

will speak to MEPs at a solemn session on Tuesday at noon. 

In the early afternoon, MEPs and Council and Commission representatives will debate the Commission’s “Roadmap for Women’s Rights” (expected to be adopted by the Commission on Friday 7 March). The discussion is expected to focus on the EU’s role in safeguarding and advancing women’s rights and the principles and measures outlined in the Roadmap. Key issues will include the implementation of EU legislation, such as the first ever EU rules to combat violence against women, the rules on improving gender balance on corporate boards, and binding pay transparency measures. MEPs are also likely to discuss the need for women’s equal participation in the economy and society, including in politics, and the impact of shifting political dynamics on women’s rights and gender equality.

International Women's Day Celebration

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens . Week 11

Strasbourg's Plenary session through the lens . Week 11.

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

EP Plenary session - European Schools Alliance: potential to achieve the European education area by driving innovation, enhancing mobility and championing inclusivity

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Action Plan for Affordable Energy

Minority Intergroup

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents

6th EU-Bosnia and Herzegovina Stabilisation and Association Parliamentary Committee meeting

EP Plenary session - A Vision for Agriculture and Food

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law

MEPs vote on : MRs - Democracy and human rights in Thailand, notably the lese-majesty law and the deportation of Uyghur refugees MRs - Severe political, humanitarian and human rights crisis in Sudan, in particular the sexual violence and child rape MRs - Unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan MRs - Social and employment aspects of restructuring processes: the need to protect jobs and workers’ rights

Votes

In a debate on Thursday, MEPs and the Commission discuss plans for the future of the agri-food sector in the EU. The ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ was announced by Ursula von der Leyen in the political guidelines for her new Commission and adopted on 19 February 2025. The communication outlines planned initiatives to simplify and better target the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) to farmers who need support the most. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

A vision for agriculture and food: closing statements

In a debate on Thursday, MEPs and the Commission discuss plans for the future of the agri-food sector in the EU. The ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ was announced by Ursula von der Leyen in the political guidelines for her new Commission and adopted on 19 February 2025. The communication outlines planned initiatives to simplify and better target the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) to farmers who need support the most.

A vision for agriculture and food: MEPs debate

In a debate on Thursday, MEPs and the Commission discuss plans for the future of the agri-food sector in the EU. The ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’ was announced by Ursula von der Leyen in the political guidelines for her new Commission and adopted on 19 February 2025. The communication outlines planned initiatives to simplify and better target the EU common agricultural policy (CAP) to farmers who need support the most. Opening statements. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

A vision for agriculture and food: opening statements

MEPs call on the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and accelerate the phase-out of Moscow’s energy. In the second debate with representatives of the European Commission, MEPs are set to call on the EU to accelerate the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities. Closing statements by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing. Closing statements by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

Accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU: closing statements by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

MEPs call on the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and accelerate the phase-out of Moscow’s energy. In the second debate with representatives of the European Commission, MEPs are set to call on the EU to accelerate the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities.

Accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU: MEPs debate

MEPs call on the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and accelerate the phase-out of Moscow’s energy. In the second debate with representatives of the European Commission, MEPs are set to call on the EU to accelerate the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities. Opening statement by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Accelerating the phase-out of Russian gas and other Russian energy commodities in the EU: Opening statement by Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing

MEPs call on the EU to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine and accelerate the phase-out of Moscow’s energy. During the first debate with representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission MEPs are set to renew their calls to move from freezing Russian assets to seizing them and using them to support and rebuild war-torn Ukraine. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the EU, the U.S. and its allies froze over 300 billion U.S. dollars in Russian sovereign assets, with roughly 200 billion dollars held in the Belgium-based securities depository Euroclear. In July 2024, the EU made available the first €1.5 billion transfer of interest generated from immobilised Russian assets to support Kyiv, which was channelled through the European Peace Facility and to the Ukraine Facility to support Ukraine's military and reconstruction efforts.

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