At a glance: three weeks to go until the European elections; preparations underway for the debate between the leading candidates to be the next European Commission President; and applications for Schuman traineeships are still being accepted.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 15/05/2024 - suomi

At a glance: President Metsola’s visit to Kyiv, Schuman traineeships and the ‘Mission Possible Together’ competition.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 14/05/2024 - suomi

At a glance: ‘Sisterhood Pathways’ from Lithuania won the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize; applications for Schuman traineeships are now open and the European Solidarity Corps.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 13/05/2024 - suomi

At a glance: landmarks across the EU lit up ahead of the European elections; Europe Day in Luxembourg; and a joint letter of intent signed in Malta by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the  Belarusian opposition leader, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 08/05/2024 - suomi

At a glance: landmark buildings across the EU will be lit up in blue on Europe Day; there is one month to go until the European elections; entries can now be submitted for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 07/05/2024 - suomi

At a glance: the Europe Day celebrations continue; the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism; and the award ceremony of the 2024 European Charlemagne Youth Prize.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 06/05/2024 - suomi

At a glance: Europe Days, the European elections and the European Solidarity Corps Participation Awards.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 04/05/2024 - suomi

At a glance: the 74th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration; Europe Day celebrations in all EU buildings in Brussels; and the online survey ‘Democracy and You’.

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 03/05/2024 - suomi

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

Uutisia Euroopan parlamentista – 02/05/2024 - suomi

Tässä jaksossa paneudutaan Euroopan historiaan ja juhlistetaan EU:n kaikkien aikojen suurimman laajentumisen 20-vuotispäivää. Toukokuun 1. päivänä 2004 unioniin liittyi kymmenen uutta maata. Samalla EU sai yhdeksän uutta virallista kieltä. Se oli juhlallinen yhtenäisyyden ja rajattomien mahdollisuuksien hetki.

EU:n suurimman laajentumisen 20. vuotispäivä

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.

The European Parliament has a range of supervisory and control powers. These allow it to exercise oversight over other institutions, to monitor the proper use of the EU budget and to ensure the correct implementation of EU law.

Interinstitutional relations

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

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

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

Have a look at the 2021 and 2022&nbsp;stockshots with illustrative pre-edited broadcast quality video footage. These editable stockshots are clean (raw), with natural sound (no voice-over), produced to illustrate priority EU dossiers and parliamentary work. They are intended to help audiovisual media produce their own programs, for example, editing of news reports or documentaries.

Infoclips - Illustrative footage

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

Every five years, EU citizens choose who represents them in the European Parliament, the directly-elected institution that defends their interests in the EU decision-making process.

The next European elections will take place between 6-9 June&nbsp;2024.

The elections take place every five years and are the largest transnational elections in the world. By voting in the European elections, people living in the EU get to choose the 720&nbsp;members that will represent them in the European Parliament until 2029.

Following the elections, Parliament votes to elect the new head of the European Commission, which is the EU’s executive body, and to approve the full team of commissioners.

EU-vaalit 2024

Between&nbsp;6-9 June 2024, European citizens will decide again on the shape of the next Parliament and the direction of the European Union in the coming years. During this legislation period it has delivered on many legislative files and priorities.

The EP, as the only directly elected EU institution,&nbsp;is the&nbsp;representative of EU citizens. It&nbsp;embodies European democracy by nature and process,&nbsp;protects and enhances democratic rights and values in the EU and the world and&nbsp;takes up citizens´ demands in the EU decision making process.&nbsp;

Through the very nature of its functions, it embodies European parliamentary democracy and lends democratic legitimacy to the European Union. As an&nbsp;inclusive decision-maker, the Parliament listens to citizens' concerns,&nbsp;and takes action based on these concerns. It&nbsp;&nbsp;stands up for peace, democracy, freedom and prosperity for all citizens.&nbsp;Besides,&nbsp;Parliament&nbsp;fights for&nbsp;democracy and accountability through its political and legislative work, including the budget.&nbsp;And finally,&nbsp;it offers&nbsp;the opportunity to take action&nbsp;(voting, getting in touch with local MEPs, COFOE).

Highlights of the legislative term

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

A propososal for a regulation adopted by the Commission on 19 December 2017 aims to strenghten controls by nationals market surveillance and customs authorities to ensure that products are safe and comply with the Union rules.

The legislation covers a large proportion of products marketed in the EU in more than 20 industrial sectors, including electro-technical products, machinery, radio/telecoms equipment, toys, medical devices, construction products and high speed rail systems.

The package consists of two regulations and a decision designed to remove barriers to the free movement of goods while improving consumer safety.

Goods package and safer products

The policies of the EU on climate and energy are described, as well as the challenges that must be faced in order to achieve the Paris Agreement target of keeping the increase in global temperature well below 2°C and to pursue efforts to achieve 1.5°C.

The EU faces major challenges from the increased threats of climate change, with serious consequences in the energy sector, where urgent issues are arising concerning the national production mix of each Member State. The renewable energy share needs to be increased, and energy efficiency needs to be improved.

Climate change (2019-2020)

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 plenary sitting in Strasbourg.

Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur economist fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority, is the winner of the Sakharov Prize 2019.

The finalists were:

°Murdered Brazilian political activist and human rights defender Marielle Franco, Native Brazilian leader and environmentalist Chief Raoni and Brazilian environmentalist and human rights defender Claudelice Silva dos Santos °The Restorers, a group of five students from Kenya - Stacy Owino, Cynthia Otieno, Purity Achieng, Mascrine Atieno and Ivy Akinyi - who have developed i-Cut, an app to help girls deal with female genital mutilation (FGM) °Ilham Tohti, an Uyghur economist fighting for the rights of China’s Uyghur minority

Sakharov Prize 2019

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

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in December 2019 the Commission presented a communication on a European Green Deal that sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected.

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.&nbsp; The European Climate Law writes&nbsp;into law the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and attain the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).&nbsp;After 2050 the EU will aim for negative emissions. In July&nbsp;2021 the European Commission presented its “Fit for 55 in 2030” package-the legislative tool to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate law.

The EP adopted the new Nature restoration law during its February plenary. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security.

To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to&nbsp;Natura 2000 areas&nbsp;until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

European Green Deal

In the European elections, people in the European Union vote for Members to represent them in the European Parliament. In 2024, 720 MEPs will be elected.Elections take place every five years. 

The next elections will be from 6 to 9 June 2024. EU countries have elections on different days.

European Elections 2024

Debate of lead candidates ahead of European elections

Lead candidates debate - European Elections 2024

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. During her visit, President Metsola meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addresses the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and meets its Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as meets and discusses with young Ukrainians. Presidents Zelenskyy and Metsola speak to the press present after their meeting.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President in Kyiv (Ukraine) for Europe Day

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting.

European Elections 2024 - One Month to Go, illumination of landmark buildings across the EU

Elections campaign/”One month to go”. On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day of voting.

Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. This was an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union. In 2024, Europe Day takes on even greater significance as it comes exactly one month ahead EE2024. The EU institutions propose a wide range of activities across the EU Member States, as well as in the home of the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Europe Day 2024 - Event in Brussels

Europe Day commemorates the signing of the 'Schuman Declaration' on 9 May 1950. This was an ambitious plan to secure long-term peace in post-war Europe that is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union.  

In 2024, Europe Day takes on even greater significance as it comes exactly one month ahead EE2024. The EU institutions propose a wide range of activities across the EU Member States, as well as in the home of the EU institutions in Brussels and Strasbourg.

Europe Day 2024 - Brussels

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections. Parliament’s Press Service will organise a briefing for media on the practical details for covering the elections. It will cover Parliament’s main legislative achievements during its ninth term, as well as unfinished business to be dealt with by the new Parliament. Media will also be provided with practical information on the three key events in the run-up to the elections: One month to go (9 May); Eurovision debate with the lead candidates for the EU Commission Presidency (23 May); and Election night (9 June). (Monday 29 April, from 10.00-11.00).

Briefing for media on the 2024 European Elections

Europe Day 2024 - Strasbourg

Press conference by Elisabetta GUALMINI, rapporteur on the Platform Work Directive.

Press conference on Platform work directive

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

Press conference on first EU due dilligence rules for companies

EP Plenary- Voting session

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participates in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago.

During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, who are invited to attend the sitting.

Formal sitting commemorating the 20th anniversary of the EU's biggest enlargement

MEPs discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, the need for de-escalation and for an EU response and vote on a resolution on Thursday.

EP President Roberta Metsola described Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on Israel on 20 and 21 April as a major escalation in the region and warned it risks igniting further chaos across the Middle East.

Plenary debate- Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel

In a plenary debate, MEPs discuss the EU’s response to the repeated killing of humanitarian aid workers, journalists and civilians by the Israel Defence Forces in Gaza.

In March, Parliament adopted a resolution warning about the desperate food insecurity and impending starvation in Gaza. MEPs deplored the catastrophic impact of attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries and civilians in Gaza, particularly on children, urged all parties to immediately cease these attacks, and demanded an independent international investigation.

More than 33 000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli strikes on Gaza since 7 October 2023 as part of Israel’s response to the attack during which Hamas militants killed some 1 200 people, mainly civilians, in southern Israel and kidnapped around 250 others.

Plenary debate -   EU’s response to the continuous killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip

Following the final vote on the new rules promoting the right to repair for consumers, rapporteur René Repasi briefs media on its scope and answer questions.

Press conference on the right to repair

Following a final plenary vote, rapporteurs Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, PT) and Samira Rafaela (Renew, NL) discuss new rules banning products made with force labour.

Press conference on Forced labour regulation

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

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

With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.

Fast fashion is the constant provision of new styles at very low prices.

To tackle the impact on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
s
So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

Every year 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the EU. More than a quarter of it (27%) is municipal waste: everyday waste collected and treated by municipalities, which is mainly generated by households. Data shows that the amount of waste and the way it is managed varies a lot across EU countries, but there has been a shift to more recycling and less landfilling.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working on packaging waste. The goal is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Euroscola

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night (with International Sign Language and Velotype)

EU Elections 2024 – Election Night

Debate of the candidates to the presidency of the Commission – EU Elections 2024 (with nametags of speakers)

EU Elections 2024 - Eurovision Debate – Candidates to the Presidency of the European Commission (with International Sign Language and Velotype)

Press briefing ahead of the Eurovision Lead Candidates Debate

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia: the voices of EUVP alumni

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

Toimielinten välinen eettisiä normeja käsittelevä elin (keskustelu)

Laajentumista edeltävät uudistukset ja toimintapolitiikkojen uudelleentarkastelut (keskustelu)

Euroopan nettonollateknologiatuotteiden valmistusekosysteemiä vahvistava toimenpidekehys (nettonollateollisuutta koskeva säädös) (keskustelu)

Istunnon jatkaminen

Puhemiehen julkilausumat

Äänestykset

Plenary session

Delegation for relations with Palestine

DPAL

Delegation for relations with Israel

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

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

Open Days at the European Parliament in Luxembourg

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Address to the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Meeting with Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Attendance and address at the International Summit of Cities & Regions, with Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day - Visit to a damaged power plant and a bombed school

Illuminations: One month to go across the EU

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Berlin (Germany) - Meeting with Angela MERKEL, Former German Chancellor

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Berlin (Germany) - Round-table discussion with young people

Partnership Agreement Reception

Open Day at the European Parliament in Brussels

Open Day at the European Parliament in Brussels - Jaume DUCH speech

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Sviatlana TSIKHANOUSKAYA, Leader of the Belarusian democratic forces and Head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus

Today, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Oliver Röpke and the European Parliament (EP), Roberta Metsola sign a cooperation agreement

Signature of the cooperation agreement between the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Oliver RÖPKE, President of the EESC

Today, the president of the Committee of Regions (CoR) Vasco ALVES CORDEIRO and the European Parliament President, Roberta METSOLA signed a cooperation agreement.

Signature of the cooperation agreement between the European Parliament and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Vasco ALVES CORDEIRO, President of the CoR

Transparency Register (avoimuusrekisteri) on tietokanta, jonne on listattu ryhmät ja organisaatiot, jotka pyrkivät vaikuttamaan EU:n lainsäädännön valmisteluun tai täytäntöönpanoon. Sen tarkoituksena on näyttää, mitkä tahot ovat EU:ssa edustettuina, kenen puolesta ne toimivat, ja mitä taloudellisia ja henkilöresursseja ne käyttävät vaikuttamiseen.

Eurooppalainen avoimuusrekisteri

Lufthansa Group takes its own initiative related to the European elections 2024 and enlarges the scope of the action taken in 2019 elections campaign involving one plane. The ‘Yes to Europe’ campaign features four aircraft, one each from Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa, and Eurowings, branded with the campaign’s name on the side of the fuselage. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, delivers a keynote address at the « Yes to Europe » campaign launch event of the Lufthansa Group, in presence of Alexander DE CROO, Belgian Prime Minister.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, visits a school in Zaventem for the 'townhall event' with young first time voters in presence of Annelies VERLINDEN, Belgian Minister for the Interior, Institutional Reform and Democratic Renewal. This news item shows extracts from the arrival, discussion with Q&A and family photo during her official visit.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Zaventem (Belgium): extracts from the meeting with young people

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting - Views of Nicosia - Eleftheria Square (Cyprus), Copenhaguen - Confederation of Danish Industry (Denmark), Patras - Patra Rio Bridge (Greece), Zagreb - Fountains (Croatia), Budapest - House of Europe (Hungary), The Hague - Willemshof (Netherlands), Madrid - Ministerio Asuntos Exteriores (Spain), Sofia - National Gallery (Bulgary), Italy...

Europe day - European Elections 2024 - "One month to go": Illuminations across Europe

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting. This new item shows drones views of the illuminations of across Italy (Rome, Florence, Torino, Naples, Verona, Agrigento, Milan,...) . Video produced by Video Age Productions for the Liaison office of the European Parliament in Italy and the European Commission representation in Italy in collaboration with Civita Associazone and Enel.

European Elections 2024 - "One month to go": Illuminations across Italy

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting. This new item shows illuminations on the European Parliament facade.

Europe day - European Elections 2024 - "One month to go": Illumination of the European Parliament buildings in Strasbourg (France)

On 8 and 9 May, landmark buildings across the EU will be illuminated to mark Europe Day and “one month to go” to the last day before voting. This new item shows illuminations of the EP Buildings in Luxembourg.

European Elections 2024 - "One month to go": Illumination of the European Parliament buildings in Luxembourg

Open day at the Europa Experience (Visitor Centre of the European Parliament) and Europe Day celebration with the participation of Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Marc ANGEL (S&D, LU), EP Vice-President, Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), EP Quaestor and Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Claude WISELER, Speaker of the Luxembourgish Parliament and Xavier BETTEL, Luxembourgish Deputy Prime Minister.

Open day at the Europa Experience and Europe Day celebration with the participation of HENRI, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Marc ANGEL, EP Vice-President, Isabel WISELER-LIMA, EP Quaestor and Nicolas SCHMIT, EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. Roberta METSOLA, EP President, addresses the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada).

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada)

On the occasion of Europe Day, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, visits Kyiv in Ukraine. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Denys SHMYHAL, Ukrainian Prime Minister.

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

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. At her arrival, President Metsola meets with Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day: arrival and meeting with Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. EP President receives the Honorary Doctorate from the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University

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

During her visit to Kyiv (Ukraine), on the occasion of Europe Day, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, speaks at the International Summit of Cities and Regions. She expresses the continued support of the European Parliament to Ukraine on its European path.

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President at the International Summit of Cities & Regions in Kyiv (Ukraine)

During her visit to Kyiv, President Metsola meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Together they speak to the press. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day.

Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. At her arrival, President Metsola meets with Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Chairman Ruslan Stefanchuk. With him she visits a damaged power plant and a bombed school. Cameraman: Noel Zammit

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day: arrival and meeting with Ruslan STEFANCHUK, Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, visit to a damaged power plant, visit to a bombed school

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine on 9 May 2024, on the occasion of Europe Day. The aim of her visit is to show the European Parliament’s continued support and commitment to Ukraine and its European path. During her visit, President Metsola meets with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and gives a statement at the International Summit of Cities & Regions. Cameraman: Noel Zammit

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, in Kyiv (Ukraine) on Europe Day: attendance and address at the International Summit of Cities & Regions, with Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

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