At a glance: European Parliament President pays tribute to Pope Francis; the first European Defence Industry Programme; and a proposal to extend the 2022 Gas Storage Regulation.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 23/04/2025 - Gaeilge

I mí Eanáir 2025, chuir an Coimisiún an Compás Iomaíochais i láthair. Is é seo an chéad mhórthionscnamh de dhara téarma Ursula von der Leyen mar Uachtarán an Choimisiúin. Tugann an Compás creat straitéiseach soiléir chun obair an Choimisiúin a shainiú. Leagann sé amach an tslí a mbeidh an Eoraip in ann a bheith ina háit ina ndéanfar teicneolaíochtaí na todhchaí, seirbhísí agus táirgí glana a dhearadh, a mhonarú agus a chur ar an margadh, agus aeráidneodracht á baint amach ag an am céanna.

Compás iomaíochais don Aontas

At a glance: MEPs wrap up their visit to Hungary, which focused on EU values and fundamental rights; in Paris, MEPs from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs push for stronger economic and financial governance in the EU; meanwhile, in Austria, a delegation from the Committee on Petitions assessed the impact of the EU deforestation law.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 16/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: a delegation from the Committee on International Trade is in Indonesia to assess the economic partnership agreement; Meanwhile, MEPs from Parliament’s Committees on Economic and Monetary Affairs and on Budgets are in Greece to review the implementation of the national recovery plan; The fight against drug smuggling is the focus of a visit to Antwerp and Rotterdam by MEPs from the Committee on Civil Liberties.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 15/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: new measures to enhance toy safety in the EU; a delegation from the Committee on Civil Liberties is in Hungary to assess the state of the rule of law and fundamental rights there; MEPs from the Committee on Budgets are visiting Latvia.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 14/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: a new EU law to have healthy European soils by 2050; a first debate on a new EU approach to migrant returns; and Kosovo and Serbia’s path to join the EU.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 11/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: MEPs and Ukrainian parliamentarians discuss shaping a common European future; new screening rules for foreign investments in the EU; and the cost of living, climate change and job opportunities are the main concerns for young people across the EU.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 10/04/2025 - Gaeilge

Bhí ról tábhachtach ag Simone Veil, duine de na mná a bhunaigh an tAontas agus an chéad Uachtarán ar Pharlaimint na hEorpa a toghadh go díreach, ó thaobh aontacht na hEorpa agus cearta an duine a chur chun cinn. D’oibrigh sí ar son chearta na mban, bhí ról lárnach aici sa chomhrac chun ginmhilleadh a dhéanamh dleathach sa Fhrainc, agus réitigh sí an bealach do mhná i róil cheannaireachta. Mar dhuine a tháinig slán ón Uileloscadh, thuig sí an tábhacht a bhain le tabhairt le chéile na hEorpa. Is léiriú é mana an Aontais, ‘aontaithe san éagsúlacht’, ar an oidhreacht a d’fhág sí againn, trína dúthracht i leith an cheartais agus chearta an duine, atá fós ina spreagadh dúinn.

Simone Veil, duine de na mná a bhunaigh an tAontas Eorpach

At a glance: MEPs travel to Washington DC to discuss transatlantic relations with US counterparts; a draft report on the future of agriculture in the EU; the recommendations for the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 09/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: MEPs call for human rights to be at the heart of Ukraine peace talks; Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights will meet with journalists tomorrow to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to protecting media freedom; MEPs explore competition rules to tackle the housing crisis.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 08/04/2025 - Gaeilge

Téann an spórt chun tairbhe dár sláinte agus tugann sé daoine de gach sórt le chéile. Cuir eolas ar an tslí a gcuireann an tAontas an spórt chun cinn agus a gcinntíonn sé go mbíonn an spórt níos inrochtana do chách.

Cur chun cinn na forbartha agus na síochána san Eoraip tríd an spórt

At a glance: the European Parliament adopted its roadmap for supporting energy-intensive industries; a public hearing will take place on the implementation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; an exchange of views will be held on the state of press freedom in the world.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 07/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: the European Union reacts to the tariffs imposed by the United States on all products imported from the European Union; during the plenary session, Parliament set its priorities for the EU’s 2026 budget; and MEPs called for stronger EU action in response to global security threats.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 04/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: today is the last day of this plenary session. In Strasbourg, MEPs discuss the new action plan for a competitive and decarbonised steel and metals industry in the EU; Parliament debates the fundamental rights’ situation in Hungary; and MEPs approve a new financial aid package for Egypt and Jordan.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 03/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: the plenary session is under way in Strasbourg. MEPs discussed the outcomes of the European Council meeting; MEPs also debated the EU’s common foreign, defence, and security policy objectives; and the European Parliament reaffirmed its unwavering support for Ukraine at the Bucha Summit.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 02/04/2025 - Gaeilge

At a glance: a new plenary session is under way in Strasbourg: MEPs are debating support for the steel industry, military mobility between Member States, and threats to fundamental rights in Hungary.

Blúiríní Nuachta – 01/04/2025 - Gaeilge

David McAllister (EPP, DE) will continue as the Chair of Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee for the coming two and a half years. He was re-elected by acclamation on Wednesday, 10 July. During its constituent meeting, the Committee also elected Witold Waszczykowski (ECR, PL) as the Committee’s First Vice-Chair. The remaining three Vice-Chairs will be elected at a future meeting. Together, the Chair and Vice-Chairs will form the Bureau of the Committee.

AFET - Committee on Foreign Affairs

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on the week from 27th to 31st january 2025. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate.

SEDE - Committee on Security and Defence

Pope Francis (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 to 2025.&nbsp;

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis and the EP

Hungary officially joined the EU on 1 March 2004 and the Schengen Area in December 2007.

The Hungarian EU accession negotiations started on 31 March 1998. Hungary had successfully concluded negotiations on its accession at the Copenhagen European Council in December 2002. Hungary has 22 MEPs, 12 votes in the Council and has chaired the Council of the European Union from January to June 2011.

EU - Hungary

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

LIBE - Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

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

During their last visit to Budapest (Monday 14 - Wednesday 16 April), MEPs looked into topics related to the state of <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20210325STO00802/eu-values-explained-in-one-minute" rel="noopener" target="_blank">EU values</a>, including the rule of law and fundamental rights - such as independence of the judiciary, checks and balances, media freedom, academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, the rights of LGBTIQ persons and the freedom of peaceful assembly. They met with government representatives, members of the Hungarian National Assembly, representatives of the judiciary, independent and local authorities, unions, liberal professions and stakeholders from civil society across all areas of concern.

Representatives of five political groups representing different political views, managed to receive a first-hand account of the latest developments. It will help to formulate the Parliament’s stance and communicate it to the Council in the ongoing Article 7 TEU procedure. While the delegation is thankful to the participants of the meetings, it expressed regret that several meetings the delegation requested, with the Government (Prime Minister, Ministers of Justice and of the Interior), the judiciary (Constitutional Court, Curia) and the Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, did not take place.

Rule of law in Hungary

In September 2018, the Article 7(1) TEU procedure was triggered. In this case, the European Parliament voted a resolution calling the Council to determine the existence of a clear risk of a serious breach of EU values in relation to Hungary. This resolution was preceded by numerous others adopted by the Parliament between March 2011 and May 2017, and it made reference to concerns related mainly to judicial independence, freedom of expression, corruption, rights of minorities, and the situation of migrants and refugees in Hungary.

Under Article 2 TEU, the EU is founded on the shared values of democracy, the rule of law and respect for fundamental rights (DRF). Article 7 TEU establishes two mechanisms (preventive and sanctions) to enforce EU values in cases of systemic violations and to sanction Member States departing from them.

See also the previous <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/rule-of-law-in-hungary-8th-parliamentary-term_5702_pk">package</a> on the rule of law in Hungary.

Rule of law in Hungary (2019-2020)

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 2022-2024

In July 2024&nbsp; MEPs re-elected Roberta Metsola (EPP, MT) as President of the European Parliament until 2027, with 562 votes in the first round. Roberta Metsola won the election in the first round of voting, where she received an absolute majority of 562 votes cast out of 699 by secret paper ballot, among two candidates. She will continue to lead Parliament for the first two and a half years of the 10th legislative term.

Born in Malta in 1979, Roberta Metsola has been an MEP since 2013.&nbsp;She was elected First Vice-President in November 2020, and was Parliament’s acting President after President Sassoli passed away on 11 January 2022. On 18 January 2022,&nbsp;she was elected President&nbsp;for the second half of the 9th legislative term. She is the third female President of the European Parliament, after&nbsp;Simone Veil&nbsp;(1979-1982) and Nicole Fontaine (1999-2002).

Addressing the House after she was elected, President Metsola said: “Together, we must stand up for the politics of hope, for the dream that is Europe. I want people to recapture a sense of belief and enthusiasm for our project. A belief to make our shared space safer, fairer, more just and more equal. A belief that together we are stronger and we are better. A belief that ours is a Europe for all.”

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament 2024-2027

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The global economy is changing rapidly, requiring decisive action to safeguard and strengthen Europe's competitiveness, prosperity, and fairness, including in relation to other global actors. The recently-proposed&nbsp;Automotive Industry 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.&nbsp;

Parliament reviews recent Commission proposals to support the EU steel and metals industries, and the EU’s approach to other energy-intensive industries.The sector, which is critical for the EU's security of supply, is facing high energy costs and unfair global competition at a time when money is needed to pay for decarbonisation.

European competitiveness

France is a semi-presidential republic with a head of government - the prime minister - appointed by the president who is the directly elected head of state.

France has been a member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999 and part of the Schengen area since 26 March 1995

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EU  - France

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) is a committee of the European Parliament which is responsible for the regulation of financial services, the free movement of capital and payments, taxation and competition policies, oversight of the European Central Bank, and the international financial system. It is currently chaired by Irene Tinagli.

ECON - Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

Situated in the north-eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea and to the south of Turkey, Cyprus is the largest island in the eastern Mediterranean as well as being the third smallest country in the EU, after Malta and Luxembourg. 

Cyprus joined the EU on 1st of May 2024 and is a member of the Euro area since 1st of January 2008.

Cyprus is currently in the process of joining the Schengen area.

There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Cyprus.

EU - Cyprus

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

On 24 February Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Shortly before&nbsp;Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized&nbsp;two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine&nbsp; as independent.&nbsp;The Conference of Presidents of the EP condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. "Ukraine is an independent and sovereign nation and its territorial integrity is non-negotiable. The invasion is unjustified and illegal. It is a threat to European and regional stability, as well as to the rules-based world order. The attack targets our model of democratic society. It cannot go unanswered, " says declaration of the COP.

"The Russian invasion into Ukraine is part of President Putin’s destabilisation agenda. It is a path that will bring the Kremlin in direct confrontation with Europe and the rule-based world-order. It is a path that pits authoritarianism against democracy. It is a path that we cannot allow him to walk unchallenged," said EP President Roberta Metsola.

European Union leaders met for a special European Council in Brussels on 24 February&nbsp;and adopted a set of sanctions related to the the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors,dual-use goods, exports, Russian individuals etc.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a priority partner for the European Union (EU). The EU supports Ukraine in ensuring a stable, prosperous and democratic future for its citizens and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Association Agreement (AA), including its Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) signed in 2014, is the main tool for bringing Ukraine and the EU closer together. Since 2014, the EU and the Financial Institutions have mobilised more than €15 billion in grants and loans to support the reform process in the country, with strong conditionality on continued progress.

As a result of the cooperation with Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada in the field of democracy support, European Parliament launched on 11 March the website “<a href="https://ukraine.europarl.europa.eu/en/home.html" style="color:#0563c1; text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">The EU stands with Ukraine</a>” (in English and Ukrainian) provides the latest news, videos and podcasts, relevant legislation and resolutions to show how the EU is helping Ukraine. Content from the Ukrainian Parliament could also be shared on the site. Actively supporting EU efforts to promote democracy and human rights in the world is one of Parliament's core responsibilities.

EU - Ukraine

A delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee travels to Budapest to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021. MEPs meet with members of parliament (MPs) and representatives from the government, the judiciary, and local authorities, as well as from civil society across all areas of concern. Press conference on Wednesday at 14.30, local time.

LIBE delegation in Budapest

EP President Roberta METSOLA, meets with US Congress delegation

Statements of the members of INTA Delegation to the US

Press conference by Bernd LANGE (S&D, DE), Chair of the EP Committee on International Trade, on New tariffs imposed by Trump administration

Parliament, Council, and Commission  discuss Hungary’s restrictions on the right of assembly and the announced ban on the Budapest Pride march.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament assesses the state of fundamental rights in Hungary after the pro-government majority changed the law on public assemblies in March 2025, enabling authorities to classify pro-LGBTIQ+ gatherings as violations of the Child Protection Act and consequently ban the Budapest Pride march. MEPs are set to argue that this limitation of the rights of assembly and expression is a direct violation of the basic human and civil rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the core values of the Union.

In 1997, Budapest became the first capital of a former Communist bloc country to host a Pride march, a landmark moment for equality and freedom. However, Hungary’s government has been taking regressive steps for many years, dismantling institutions, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, to the point where Parliament can no longer consider the country a full democracy. In January 2024, MEPs once more urged the Council to unblock the process to assess Hungary’s “serious and persistent breaches of EU values”.

EP Plenary debate on the threats to fundamental rights in Hungary

Parliament reviews recent Commission proposals to support the EU steel and metals industries, and the EU’s approach to other energy-intensive industries.

On Wednesday morning, MEPs hold an initial debate with the European Commission on its new action plan to transition to a competitive and decarbonised steel and metals industry in Europe. The sector, which is critical for the EU's security of supply, is facing high energy costs and unfair global competition at a time when money is needed to pay for decarbonisation.

Energy-intensive industries

In a separate debate on Wednesday, MEPs are set to highlight the crucial role energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, steel, paper, cement and glass, play in the EU economy.

In a draft resolution on which MEPs vote on Wednesday, they propose faster permit-granting processes for clean energy projects and the swift implementation of electricity market design legislation, to lower energy costs, improve energy system integration and increase investment in grid infrastructure. Simplifying administrative procedures and securing the availability of critical and secondary raw materials are essential, the draft text says, to attract private investment and support decarbonisation.

EP Plenary debate on EU steel support and the role of energy intensive industries

The Commission unveils its internal security strategy at the plenary, and discuss with MEPs its latest proposals to enhance crisis preparedness in the EU.

In response to the current global threat landscape, the EU wants to improve intelligence-gathering to build a comprehensive threat picture, improve preparedness against hybrid threats, building on already-announced measures on protecting undersea cable infrastructure, and enhance measures against serious and organised crime. These may include new actions against drug and firearms trafficking, a deepening of the European Ports Alliance, and a new counter-terrorism agenda.

Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner presented an outline of the strategy to the Civil Liberties Committee on 19 March 2025.

In a separate debate on the same day, MEPs will react to the EU’s Preparedness Union strategy, presented by the Commission on 26 March. It contains a wide range of proposals to step up EU preparedness throughout society, including better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EP Plenary debate on plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness

MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas discuss the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian military and authorities have been accused of committing a multitude of war crimes in the occupied Ukrainian territories. There have been deliberate attacks against civilian targets, such as hospitals, medical facilities, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas. Other atrocities include the abduction, torture and murder of civilians, forced deportations, including that of children, and the killing and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Following a statement by Ms Kallas, one speaker from each of Parliament’s political groups will take the floor.

EP Plenary debate on Russian war crimes in Ukraine

MEPs evaluate the outcome of the 20 March European Council in a plenary debate with Presidents António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen.

At their meeting in Brussels, the EU’s heads of state or government focused on how the EU can continue supporting Kyiv against Russia’s aggression, with the participation of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They also discussed how to strengthen the EU’s security and defence capabilities, and how to respond to the situation in the Middle East.

Leaders assessed ways to bolster the EU’s competitiveness, had a first exchange of views on the EU’s next long-term budget (multiannual financial framework – MFF), and discussed migration and multilateralism.

EP Plenary debate on the results of 20 March EU summit

Ceremony commemorating the third anniversary of the liberation of Bucha (Ukraine) and Bucha Summit with the participation of Martin HOJSÍK, Vice President of the European Parliament

EP VP Martin HOJSÍK, participates in the ceremony commemorating the third anniversary of the liberation of Bucha (Ukraine) and Bucha Summit

The EP’s Press Service holds a press briefing with Parliament’s political group spokespersons  

Plenary preparations. The political groups are preparing for the 31 March - 3 April plenary session, where MEPs will assess the outcome of the 20 March European Council, which focused on competitiveness, Ukraine, defence and security, migration and the EU's long-term budget. MEPs will also be debating and adopting their position on the EU’s common foreign, security and defence policy, and scrutinising the new EU internal security strategy. Other items on the April 2025 plenary agenda include a vote on the action plan for the automotive industry, a discussion on how to support energy-intensive industries, and a debate on the importance of the EU’s trans-European transport infrastructure for economic growth and security. In addition, MEPs will outline their priorities for the EU’s 2026 budget, consider the EU Roma strategy, and vote on whether to fast-track postponement of new social and environmental reporting and due diligence requirements.

Pre-session briefing on April Plenary session

Roberta METSOLA, EP President Official visit to Zagreb (Croatia)

At a conference entitled "Affordable Housing - addressing the housing crisis in the European Union”, the Special committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU launches the debate on the causes of this crisis, how the EU can help EU countries tackle it and what measures could be taken at European level. The event, hosted jointly by Parliament and the Commission gathers experts and representatives of EU institutions, and national and regional authorities.

Affordable Housing conference: Joint conference of the EU Parliament and the EU Commission on the EU Housing Crisis

EP President takes part in the European Council, followed by a press conference.

EU leaders meet to discuss the following (provisional agenda):

Ukraine
Middle East
Competitiveness
Next Multiannual Financial Framework and new Own Resources
Migration
Oceans
External relations

EP President, Roberta METSOLA takes part in the European Council meeting

The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs holds its regular debate with European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde. MEPs are likely to question her on the US shift to protectionism and its impact on the euro area economy, and on the recent decision to lower interest rates, among other issues

ECON: Monetary Dialogue with Christine LAGARDE, ECB President

EP President, Roberta METSOLA meets with Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, ahead of the European Council of 20 March 2025. Christodoulides is a politician, diplomat, and academic who has served as the 8th President of Cyprus since 2023.

EP President, Roberta METSOLA meets with Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus

EUDS AFET SEDE - Public hearing on Russia’s hybrid threats and attacks in Europe, including best practices to counter them

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

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

Press conference with the winner representative and Vice President Sabine Verheyen and EFA Chairman Mike Downey

LUX Audience Award Ceremony 2025

Joint exchange of views with the Committee on Development

AFET

DEVE

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Ordinary meeting

ITRE

COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND ENERGY ORDINARY MEETING

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy Joint meeting Committee on Security and Defence

SEDE

Subcommittee on Tax Matters Ordinary meeting

FISC

Committee on Development Ordinary meeting

Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety Ordinary meeting

ENVI

Committee on Legal Affairs Ordinary Meeting

JURI

Committee on Budgets Joint meeting Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

BUDG

ECON

EU flag at half mast at the EP buidings in Brussels and Strasbourg for the death of Pope Francis.

LIBE delegation Rule of Law mission in Budapest, Hungary

ECON delegation mission in Paris, France

ECON delegation mission in Paris, France.

Visit of US Congressional Delegation - House of Democracy Partnership

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives a delegation from the US Congress

IMCO Trilogue on Safety of Toys

BUDG Extraordinary Committee - Voting session

Legal Services Joint Seminar

JURI Extraordinary meeting mission to Luxembourg - Second Annual Dialogue with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), exchange of views with representatives of the European Court of Auditors (ECA), and with representatives of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO)

EMPL Exchange of view with Teresa Ribera Commissioner for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition)

LIBE FEMM - 3rd Trilogue on Directive 2011/29/EU establishing minimum standards on the rights, support and protection of victims of crime

JURI - Exchange of views with the Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation Daren Tang

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Denys SHMYHAL, Ukrainian Prime Minister

JURI - Exchange of views on the Recommendation on measures to combat counterfeiting and enhance the enforcement of intellectual property rights and the Recommendation on combating online piracy of sports and other live events

Pope Francis (17 December 1936 – 21 April 2025) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2013 to 2025. The EU flags are set at half mast at the EP buildings in Strasbourg, Brussels and Luxembourg in tribute following the death of Pope Francis.

EU flags at half mast at the EP buildings in Brussels following the death of Pope Francis

EU flags at half mast at the EP buildings in Strasbourg following the death of Pope Francis

This news item shows the meeting of the LIBE delegation with with Barna György SENYEI, President of the Hungarian National Office for the Judiciary, and with Tamás LÁNCZI, President of the Hungarian Sovereignty Protection Office, in Budapest. The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) delegation mission to Budapest has the goal to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021.

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary): meeting with Barna György SENYEI, President of the National Office for the Judiciary, and with Tamás LÁNCZI, President of the Sovereignty Protection Office

This news item shows the meeting of the LIBE delegation with Meeting with Barna Pál ZSIGMOND, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of European Union Affairs. The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) delegation mission to Budapest has the goal to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021.

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary): meeting with Barna Pál ZSIGMOND, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of European Union Affairs

This news item shows the meeting of the LIBE delegation with the LGBTIQ intergroup of the Hungarian Parliament “Sokszínű Magyarországért”, the meeting with the Committee on Justice and a meeting with Zoltán TESSELY, Chair of the Committee on European Affairs of the Hungarian National Assembly, in Budapest. The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) delegation mission to Budapest has the goal to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021.

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary): extracts from the meetings with the LGBTIQ intergroup of the Hungarian Parliament, with representatives of the Committee on Legal Affairs and with the Committee on European Affairs

This news item shows the arrival of the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) delegation to the town hall and the meeting with Gergely KARÁCSONY, Mayor of Budapest, during the LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary). The mission has the goal to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021.

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary): meeting with Gergely KARÁCSONY, Mayor of Budapest

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary)meets with representatives of the National Judicial Council of Hungary and Csaba Pecsenye, his President. The Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE) delegation mission to Budapest has the goal to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021.

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary): extracts from the meeting with representatives of the National Judicial Council

This news item shows the arrival of the LIBE delegation at the European Parliament Liason Office in Budapest, a statement by Tineke STRIK (Greens/EFA, NL), head of the delegation and two meetings with NGOs and organisations. A Civil Liberties Committee delegation travels to Budapest to look into developments in Hungary around EU values, judicial independence, media and academic freedom, transparency and anti-corruption measures, the situation of civil society, and the rights of LGBTIQ persons, since the committee’s last visit to the country in October 2021. MEPs meet with members of parliament and representatives from the government, the judiciary, and local authorities, as well as from civil society across all areas of concern.

LIBE rule of law mission to Budapest (Hungary): arrival of the delegation, statement by Tineke STRIK (Greens/EFA, NL), head of the delegation and meeting with NGOs and organisations

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives a delegation from the US Congress. Scheduled meeting at the request of a US Congressional Delegation involving Representatives of the House Democracy Partnership. The 8 Members delegation led by Codel BUCHANAN will be meeting Members of the European Parliament across the political spectrum including the Vice-President responsible for Human Rights and Democracy Support and several DEG Members. The House Democracy Partnership is the closest counterpart of the EP's Democracy Support and Election Coordination Group (DEG). Family photo with Vern BUCHANAN, Norman THATCHER, Andy OGLES, Dina TITUS, Lloyd DOGGETT, Anna Paulina LUNA, Ted LIEU, Neal DUNN, Ihlan OMAR, Seth BLAYLOCK, Derek LUYTEN, Courtney BUTCHER

Roberta METSOLA, EP President receives a delegation from the US Congress: extracts from the roundtable and family photo

European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the United States meets Representatives of the US Congress. The visit by MEPs takes place against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of sweeping tariffs on global trade partners. The delegation, led by Brando benifei (S&D, Italy), meets with representatives of the US Congress, in part to prepare for the next Transatlantic Legislators' Dialogue (TLD), a forum of leading lawmakers designed to strengthen relations between the European Parliament and Congress.

European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the United States meets Representatives of the US Congress: extracts from the visit and statements by the members of the delegation

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Denys SHMYHAL, Ukrainian Prime Minister, in the European Parliament in Brussels. This news item shows extracts from the arrival of the Ukrainian Prime Minister Shmyhal, welcome by President Metsola, handshake, family photo and roundtable.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with Denys SHMYHAL, Ukrainian Prime Minister: arrival, welcome and roundtable

EP President Roberta METSOLA visits St Paul’s Missionary College in Rabat - Malta and meets with the students.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the meeting at St Paul’s Missionary College in Rabat

EP President Roberta METSOLA visits Neo Group - Malta

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the visit to Neo Group

EP President Roberta METSOLA visits St Dorothy’s Senior School, in Malta and meets with the students.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to Malta: extracts from the meeting at St Dorothy’s Senior School

European Parliament assesses the state of fundamental rights in Hungary after the pro-government majority changed the law on public assemblies in March 2025, enabling authorities to classify pro-LGBTIQ+ gatherings as violations of the Child Protection Act and consequently ban the Budapest Pride. MEPs are set to argue that this limitation of the rights of assembly and expression is a direct violation of the basic human and civil rights enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and the core values of the Union. In 1997, Budapest became the first capital of a former Communist bloc country to host a Pride march, a landmark moment for equality and freedom. However, Hungary’s government has been taking regressive steps for many years, dismantling institutions, the rule of law, and freedom of expression, to the point where Parliament can no longer consider the country a full democracy.

Recent legislative changes in Hungary and their impact on fundamental rights: extracts from the debate

MEPs hold an initial debate with the European Commission on its new action plan to transition to a competitive and decarbonised steel and metals industry in Europe. The sector, which is critical for the EU's security of supply, is facing high energy costs and unfair global competition at a time when money is needed to pay for decarbonisation.

European steel and metals action plan: extracts from the debate

MEPs and the European Commission discuss the “Preparedness Union” strategy, unveiled on 26 March, focused on better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EU Preparedness Union Strategy: extracts from the debate

MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas discuss the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine. Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian military and authorities have been accused of committing a multitude of war crimes in the occupied Ukrainian territories. There have been deliberate attacks against civilian targets, such as hospitals, medical facilities, and Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas. Other atrocities include the abduction, torture and murder of civilians, forced deportations, including that of children, and the killing and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Following a statement by Ms Kallas, one speaker from each of Parliament’s political groups will take the floor.

Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine: extracts from the statement by Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and from the MEPs debate

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