IMCO - When U.S. sanctions target EU citizens: Defending the DSA and Europe’s Digital Sovereignty - Exchange of views with former European Commissioner Thierry Breton and other EU citizens sanctioned by U.S

IMCO -  Structured dialogue with Henna Virkkunen, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

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

EP Plenary session - Situation in Venezuela

EP Plenary session - Voting session

MEPs debate on the situation in Venezuela, following the abduction of ex-President Nicolás Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition. Former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were extracted from Caracas by US soldiers during a pre-dawn raid on 3 January 2026. They were subsequently flown to New York where they are facing court charges, including for narco-terrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine to the US, and possession of machine guns. In parallel, President Donald Trump has also announced that Washington will “run Venezuela”, including its oil industry, for the time being.

Situation in Venezuela: MEPs debate (part 2)

This news item includes extracts from the European Parliament debate (25 November 2025) and vote (26 November 2025) on protecting minors online, along with a statement by rapporteur Christel Schaldemose. The debate highlighted concerns about the mental-health impact of social media, addictive design features and persuasive technologies. MEPs called for restricting targeted advertising, influencer marketing, loot boxes and dark patterns for minors, and proposed a common EU-wide minimum age of 16 to access social media platforms, supported by privacy-preserving age-assurance systems. The item features interventions from several MEPs and Commission representatives addressing the balance between child protection, parental responsibility, digital rights, privacy and platform accountability.

Protection of minors online: extracts from the debate (25.11), the vote (26.11) and statement by Christel SCHALDEMOSE (S&D, DK), Rapporteur

MEPs debate on the protection of minors online. MEPs debate a report calling for accelerating the enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act and the AI Act, while closing legal gaps to ensure online services are safe for minors to use. Sounding the alarm over the mental health risks and rising social media addiction among children and adolescents, MEPs want to ban the most harmful addictive practices for minors and for the EU to take action against persuasive technologies and practices such as targeted ads, influencer marketing, addictive design, loot boxes and dark patterns. The text proposes a common EU-wide minimum age threshold of 16 years for accessing social media platforms and the development of privacy preserving age assurance systems.

Protection of minors online: MEPs debate (part 1)

Following the US President’s Gaza peace proposal, MEPs discuss with the Council and Commission how the EU should join in peace efforts and support the two-state solution. US President Donald Trump announced of his roadmap for peace in Gaza. It includes a plan for the release of the hostages and the demilitarisation of Hamas. EU leaders, including the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, have welcomed the proposal. Last month, Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation on Gaza, sounding the alarm over the catastrophic humanitarian crisis there and stressing that Israel’s right to defend itself cannot justify indiscriminate military action. MEPs also said member states should consider recognising the State of Palestine, This transcription if the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The EU’s role in supporting the recent peace efforts for Gaza and a two-state solution: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs assess the latest developments in EU-US trade relations with Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Danish Minister Marie Bjerre for the Council during the plenary session in Strasbourg. Council and Commission are seeking a negotiated solution with the US to restore stability and predictability in transatlantic trade relations, but has also prepared for potential countermeasures if no agreement is reached. They are also pursuing trade diversification by negotiating new agreements with other partners like Mercosur, Mexico, and others. First part of MEPs debate.

Council and Commission statements - EU-US trade negotiations: MEPs debate part 1

In summer 2024, while presenting her political programme to Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen said that active EU engagement with the Middle East would be one of her priorities if re-elected as Commission President. In President von der Leyen’s mission letter to Kaja Kallas, published in autumn 2024, she tasked the new EU foreign policy chief with presenting a comprehensive EU Middle East strategy, “with a view to the day after the war in Gaza”. The focus of the strategy should, she said, be the promotion “of all the steps needed for the two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders”. MEPs debate (Part 1)

Wider comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy: MEPs debate (Part 1)

MEPs and the the Commission will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, the role of UNRWA, and the need to release all hostages. With violence in the Middle East intensifying with Israel’s attacks on Hamas and Hezbollah targets in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, humanitarian organizations are warning of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. According to UN sources, the number of aid shipments into the Gaza Strip is now lower than at any time over the past year and there is “a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within the northern Gaza Strip.”

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, UNRWA’s essential role in the region and the need to release all hostages: MEPs debate (part 1)

Teresa RIBERA RODRÍGUEZ, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committees on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). Questions / Answers (part 5 - Political groups in reverse order).

Confirmation hearing of Teresa RIBERA RODRÍGUEZ, Executive Vice-President-designate of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition: Questions / Answers (part 5 - Political groups in reverse order)

MARTÍN FRÍAS, Jorge (PfE, ES)

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