The need for accountability and increased scrutiny of the European Council has been a constant theme in the European Parliament's resolutions throughout the 2019-2024 legislative term. The increased need to scrutinise the European Council also results from the changing role of the institution over recent years. In this podcast, we analyse the need for democratic oversight of the European Council and outline the different tools at Parliament's disposal to do so. We also look at the content of Parliament's resolutions addressing the European Council and the messages it sends to the EU leaders.

EPRS policy podcast - European Parliament's scrutiny of the European Council: The use of Parliament resolutions

At a glance: the European Parliament is about to start confirmation hearings for candidates for the von der Leyen Commission; members of the Public Health Subcommittee  concluded their visit to the EU Disease Prevention Centre and an EU delegation attended COP16 in Colombia.

Ziņas īsumā – 31/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

At a glance: following Georgia’s elections, MEPs call for investigations into alleged vote manipulation; MEPs push for more support to Ukraine; and European Parliament delegation meets with representatives of international legal bodies in The Hague.

Ziņas īsumā – 30/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

At a glance: MEPs of the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee are in Colombia to attend the UN Conference on Biological Diversity; a delegation of the Committee on Transport and Tourism is in France, to take stock of major EU funded transport projects and MEPs of the Committee on Development are in Guatemala to review the EU development portfolio in the country.

Ziņas īsumā – 29/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

At a glance: MEPs from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs are visiting Poland; a delegation from the Committee on International Trade is in the UK; and Parliament denounces violations of human rights and international law by Azerbaijan.

Ziņas īsumā – 28/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

Dafnes Karuanas Galicijas balva žurnālistikā šogad ir piešķirta starptautiskam bezpeļņas žurnālistikas projektam “Lost in Europe”. Šī pētnieciskā projekta rezultātā atklājās, ka pēc ierašanās Eiropas valstīs no 2021. līdz 2023. gadam bez vēsts ir pazuduši vairāk nekā 51 000 nepavadītu bērnu migrantu. Šī žurnālistikas balva palīdz veicināt Eiropas Savienības principus un vērtības, kas iedibināti Pamattiesību hartā. Balva ir nosaukta par godu Dafnei Karuanai Galicijai — maltiešu žurnālistei, blogerei un pretkorupcijas aktīvistei, kas 2017. gadā tika nogalināta.

Dafnes Karuanas Galicijas 2024. gada balva žurnālistikā

At a glance: during the plenary session, Parliament proposed an overall budget for 2025 of almost EUR 201 billion; María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia win the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; and MEPs expressed their solidarity with Taiwan.

Ziņas īsumā – 25/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

Eiropas Parlamenta 2024. gada Saharova balvu par domas brīvību saņem Marija Korina Mačado un Edmundo Gonsaless Urrutija. Saharova balva par domas brīvību ir iedibināta 1988. gadā, lai godinātu cilvēkus un organizācijas, kas aizstāv cilvēktiesības un pamatbrīvības.

2024. gada Saharova balva par domas brīvību

At a glance: MEPs discuss with the Commission potential changes to EU legislation on the return of non-EU nationals; the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism goes to ‘Lost in Europe’, a not-for-profit cross-border journalism project; Parliament approves more efficient and greener EU airspace.

Ziņas īsumā – 24/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

Tūrisms ir viena no dinamiskākajām Eiropas Savienības nozarēm. Tas vieno, palīdz vairot izpratni par kultūrām un veicina ekonomisko izaugsmi. Kā Eiropas Savienība atbalsta un veicina tūrismu? Kā tā nodrošina ilgtspējīgākas un izdevīgākās ceļošanas iespējas mums visiem?

Kā Eiropas Savienība veido Eiropas tūrismu

At a glance: during the plenary session, Parliament approved 35 billion euro of financial aid to Ukraine; MEPs welcomed the pro-EU results of the constitutional referendum in Moldova; and tomorrow, Parliament will announce the winner of the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Ziņas īsumā – 23/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

At a glance: during this week’s plenary session, MEPs will vote on the EU’s budget for 2025 and debate the migration pact; Parliament will also award the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

Ziņas īsumā – 22/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

At a glance: the European Parliament will call for an urgent ceasefire in Lebanon; the 35 billion euro aid package for Ukraine as part of a G7 initiative; and MEPs are set to approve airspace reforms to reduce flight delays and boost environmental efficiency.

Ziņas īsumā – 21/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

Cenu kāpums, dzīves dārdzība un ekonomiskā situācija bija galvenie faktori, kas rosināja vairāk nekā 4 no katriem 10 ES pilsoņiem balsot nesen notikušajās Eiropas vēlēšanās. Trešdaļa vēlētāju norādīja, ka viņus pamudinājusi balsot pašreizējā starptautiskā situācija, taču līdzīgai vēlētāju daļai motivējošais faktors bija demokrātijas un tiesiskuma aizstāvība. Tie ir vieni no galvenajiem ES 2024. gada pēcvēlēšanu aptaujas secinājumiem.

Eurobarometer - EU Post-electoral survey 2024

At a glance: European Parliament President Metsola addresses the heads of state or government at the European Council; the agenda for Parliament’s next plenary session; and MEPs shortlist the three finalists for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Ziņas īsumā – 18/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

At a glance: an exceptional macro-financial assistance loan of up to EUR 35 billion to Ukraine; EUR 2.7 million in EU aid for 365 Belgian workers through the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers; and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Ziņas īsumā – 17/10/2024 - latviešu valoda

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

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.

TRAN - Committee on Transport and Tourism

Malta joined the European Union 1st May 2004 and it has been a member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2007.

Malta is a single-chamber parliamentary republic with a head of government - the prime minister - and a head of state - the president - whose role is largely ceremonial. The country is divided into 5 regions. Each has its own regional committee, which serves as the intermediary between local and national government.

There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Malta.

EU - Malta

Italy is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the prime minister - appointed by the president and a head of state - the president. The Parliament is composed of 2 houses: the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic.

Italy is a member of the eurozone since 1 January 1999 and of the Schengen area since 26 October 1997. There are 75&nbsp;members of the European Parliament from Italy.

EU - Italy

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

BUDG - Committee on Budgets

The work of CONT committee&nbsp;involves controlling and monitoring the correct, targeted use of the budget (some EUR 166 billion in 2019). The main responsibility for budget management lies with the European Commission, which distributes the lion's share of the funds. Some 80% of the money goes to the Member States, around 13% is invested around the world, and roughly 7% is spent on administration.

The Committee on Budgetary Control is supported in its work by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) in Luxembourg. The remit also covers the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). CONT is also involved in all legislative procedures concerning issues relating to the proper management of the budget and the safeguarding of the EU's financial interests. The Committee is also committed to having a robust European Public Prosecutor's Office.

CONT - Committee on Budgetary Control

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

PECH - Committee on Fisheries

JURI - Committee on Legal Affairs

LIBE - Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

The Euroscola programme in Strasbourg brings together pupils aged 14 and over from the 27 EU Member States, candidate countries and former Member States to simulate the work of the European Parliament by debating, taking sides, negotiating, amending and voting on real European issues. Pupils get an opportunity to exchange views with Members of the European Parliament and experts from this institution, to familiarise themselves with the workings of the European Union, to discuss democracy, fundamental rights, European values and to express their personal opinions on the decisions taken at the European Union level.

Euroscola

The Conference of Presidents (EP President and leaders of political groups) agreed on the calendar for the hearings of the Commissioners-designate. The hearings will start on 4 November and take place until 12 November. The Conference of Presidents also decided on the division of responsibilities among committees for the confirmation hearings.&nbsp;

The European Parliament invites Commissioners-designate to appear before the appropriate committees for hearings in order to scrutinise if they are suitable for the posts they have been assigned to.&nbsp; Ahead of the hearings, Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs scrutinises the declarations of interests of the Commissioners-designate. In order for a Commissioner-designate to take part in a hearing, there must be no conflicts of interest.

The hearings will be followed by meetings in which the committee chair and group representatives (coordinators) of the various committees will assess whether a Commissioner-designate is qualified both to be a member of the College and to carry out the particular duties they have been assigned.

Once all hearings are completed, the Conference of Committee Chairs will assess the outcome of the confirmation hearings and forward its conclusions to the Conference of Presidents. The latter will conduct the final evaluation and decide whether to close the hearings. After the hearings have been concluded, Commission President-elect Ursula von der Leyen will present the full College of Commissioners and its programme in plenary.

Confirmation hearings

IMCO - Committee on Iternal Market and Consumer Protection

ITRE - Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Confirmation hearing of Teresa RIBERA, Executive Vice-President designate, Clean, Just and Competitive Transition

Confirmation hearing of Henna VIRKKUNEN, Executive Vice-President designate, Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

Confirmation hearing of Roxana MÎNZATU, Executive Vice-President designate, People, Skills and Preparedness

Confirmation hearing of Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ, Executive VIce-President designate, Prosperity and Industrial Strategy

Confirmation hearing of Kaja KALLAS, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President designate

Confirmation hearing of Raffaele FITTO, Executive Vice-President-designate, Cohesion and Reforms

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President-designate, Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade

Confirmation hearing of Piotr SERAFIN, Commissioner-designate, Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration

Confirmation hearing of Marta KOS, Commissioner-designate, Enlargement

Confirmation hearing of Wopke HOEKSTRA, Commissioner-designate, Climate Action and acting Commissioner for Transport

Confirmation hearing of Andrius KUBILIUS, Commissioner-designate, Defence and Space

Confirmation hearing of Olivér VÁRHELYI, Commissioner-designated, Health and Animal Welfare

Confirmation hearing of Costantinos KADIS, Commissioner-designate, Fisheries and Oceans

Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, Commissioner-designate, International Partnerships

Confirmation hearing of Maria Luís ALBUQUERQUE, Commissioner-designate, Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union

Confirmation hearing of Hadja LAHBIB, Commissioner-designate, Preparedness and Crisis Management

Confirmation hearing of Magnus BRUNNER, Commissioner-designate, Internal Affairs and Migration

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate, Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Madrid (Spain) - Statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the floods in Spain

TRAN Committee delegation visit to Marseille, France

TRAN Committee delegation visit to Marseille and Nice, France

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

Confirmation hearing of Teresa RIBERA RODRÍGUEZ, Commissioner-designate, Clean, Just and Competitive Transition

IMCO

EMPL

ECON

TRAN

ITRE

AGRI

REGI

ENVI

Confirmation hearing of Henna Maria VIRKKUNEN, Commissioner-designate, Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy

CULT

JURI

AFCO

LIBE

SEDE

Confirmation hearing of Stéphane SÉJOURNÉ, Commissioner-designate, Prosperity and Industrial Strategy

BUDG

INTA

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to the National Archives

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to San Andrea school

TRAN Committee delegation visit to Marseille, France - Visit of the Grand Port maritime

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to the Archbishop Seminary Secondary School

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta - Visit to Lufthansa Technik Malta

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy) - Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the passing of Alcide de Gasperi

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy) - Private audience with His Holiness Pope Francis

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy) - Meeting with Giorgia MELONI, Italian Prime Minister

EP Plenary session  - Protecting our oceans: persistent threats to marine protected areas in the EU and benefits for coastal communities

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session  - Announcement of the winner of 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents

EP Plenary session  - The abuse of new technologies to manipulate and radicalise young people through hate speech and antidemocratic discourse

STOA Constitutive Panel

IMCO-LIBE Working Group on the implementation and enforcement of the Artificial Intelligence Act

EP Plenary session  - Closing the EU skills gap: supporting people in the digital and green transitions to ensure inclusive growth and competitiveness in line with the Draghi report

During her official visit in Madrid (Spain), Roberta METSOLA, EP President gives a statement on the torrential rain which caused devastating flash floods in the region of Valencia and across Spain. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President: statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President on the floods in Spain

In this video, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, visits the National Archives of Malta. She explores the archives' extensive collections, emphasizing the importance of preserving Malta's historical documents for future generations. She meets with the staff and talks about their efforts in digitizing materials and enhancing public access. The National Archives of Malta, established in 2005, serves as the main repository for the country's historical documents and records. It is located in Rabat and houses a vast collection that includes government archives, legal documents, manuscripts, maps, and photographs, some dating back to the medieval period.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the visit to the National Archives

In this video, EP President Roberta METSOLA visits the San Andrea School in l-Imġarr (Malta), and meets the secondary school students. The San Andrea School, founded in 1992, provides education to over 1100 students, ages 2 to 16, from Pre-Nursery through Grade 12. During her visit, Metsola toured the center's facilities, visiting each classroom and engaging in conversations with the students. This meeting highlights Metsola's commitment to connecting with young citizens and listening to their aspirations, reflecting the EU's dedication to supporting youth involvement and awareness across its member states.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the meeting with secondary school students at San Andrea School

In this video, EP President Roberta METSOLA visits the Archbishop's Minor Seminary in Ir-Rabat (Malta), and meets secondary school students at the school. During her visit, Metsola engages in a Q&A session with students and views a student-led presentation on food waste and sustainability. The Archbishop's Minor Seminary, founded in 1703, has a rich history, serving as an educational institution in Malta. This meeting highlights Metsola's commitment to engaging with young citizens on critical topics like sustainability and education, reflecting the EU's dedication to supporting youth engagement and awareness across its member states.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the meeting with secondary school students at the Archbishop's Minor Seminary

In this video, EP President Roberta METSOLA visits Lufthansa Technik Malta in Luqa. Roberta METSOLA, EP President tours the facility, meets with staff, and observes different stages of aircraft maintenance and repair. Lufthansa Technik, a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider within the Lufthansa Group, operates globally with sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Established in 1951, the company offers technical support for commercial aircraft, recently expanding into areas like predictive maintenance and cabin conversion projects.

Visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Malta: extracts from the visit to Lufthansa Technik Malta

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, meets with his Holiness Pope FRANCIS in Rome. Credit: Vatican Media

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome - Private audience of Roberta METSOLA, EP President with His Holiness Pope FRANCIS: arrivals and extracts from the meeting

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, is in Rome, speaking at the Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Alcide De Gasperi's passing, by Fondazione Gasperi. Address by Roberta METSOLA. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the passing of Alcide de Gasperi: address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Roberta METSOLA, EP President commemorates the 70th Anniversary of the Passing of Alcide de Gasperi in Rome, Italy.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome - Participation to the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the passing of Alcide De Gasperi: arrival and statement

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, is in Rome, speaking at the Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Alcide De Gasperi's passing, by Fondazione Gasperi. Welcome speech by Lorenzo FONTANA, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the passing of Alcide de Gasperi: welcome speech by Lorenzo FONTANA, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies

You vote for Members of the European Parliament who take important decisions that impact everyone. But with hundreds of MEPs, from different parties and countries all around Europe, how do they manage to cooperate on the things that matter to you? Find out in our explainer video how Parliament’s political groups help make this possible!

Representing you: How political groups work in the European Parliament

This news item shows extracts from the official meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Giorgia MELONI, Italian Prime Minister, at Palazzo Chigi. The footage includes the arrival, welcome and roundtable.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome - Meeting with Giorgia MELONI, Italian Prime Minister: arrival, welcome and roundtable

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, announces the Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate: María Corina Machado, as leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans inside and outside the country fighting to restore freedom and democracy. The other two finalists were, in alphabetical order: Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu, academic and anti-corruption activist in Azerbaijan and "Women Wage Peace" and "Women of the Sun", Israel/Palestine. Named after Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, who agreed to his name being used, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the EU’s highest human rights award. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Announcement of the Sakharov Prize 2024 laureate

Roberta Metsola, EP announces the winner of this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in the hemicycle shortly after the decision by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (EP President Metsola and political group leaders). The winner of the 2024 Prize are María Corina Machado as the leader of the democratic forces in Venezuela and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia, representing all Venezuelans fighting for the reinstitution of freedom and democracy from both inside and outside the country. Metsola also highlighted that the European Parliamnt stands behind the other finalists, Women Wage Peace & Women of the Sun from Israel/Palestine, and Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu from Azerbaijan.

María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia awarded 2024 Sakharov Prize: roundtable at the Conference of Presidents and extracts from the announcement of the laureate

Lost in Europe receives the award for the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, which recognizes outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core EU principles and values. Geesje van Haren, Lost in Europe co-funder, gives a statement after being awarded with the Prize on behalf of Lost in Europe. Lost in Europe is a not-for-profit cross-border journalism project which investigates and uncovers the stories of child migrants ‘lost’ after arriving in Europe.

Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2024: announcement of the winner and speech by 2024 laureate, Lost in Europe

Parliament awards the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, which recognizes outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core EU principles and values. Opening speech by the Roberta METSOLA, EP President.

Ceremony of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2024: Opening speech by the Roberta METSOLA, EP President

'Lost in Europe' project wins the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism for its investigation into the disappearance of over 50.000 unaccompanied child migrants. Every year, the Prize endorsed by the European Parliament rewards, (on the anniversary of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia) outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights. The investigation, run by media from Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and the UK revealed that at least 51.433 unaccompanied child migrants disappeared after arriving in European countries between 2021 and 2023. This news item shows extracts from the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize ceremony and the statement by Geesje VAN HAREN, representative of the winning project 'Lost in Europe'.

Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2024: extracts from the ceremony and statement by the laureate

Parliament awards the 2024 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, which recognizes outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core EU principles and values. Welcoming words by Pina PICIERNO (S&D, IT), Vice-President of the European Parliament

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