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 - Catalan

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

At a glance: the first ever EU rules on combating violence against women; the EU Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities; and a new law to improve air quality.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 29/04/2024 - Malti

At a glance: Europe Day at the European Parliament in Strasbourg; Parliament’s final plenary session before the European elections; and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 27/04/2024 - Malti

Wasal iż-żmien li nivvutaw! Bejn is-6 u d-9 ta’ Ġunju ta’ din is-sena, miljuni ta’ ċittadini tal-UE se jgħinu fit-tiswir tal-futur tal-Unjoni Ewropea billi jivvutaw fl-elezzjonijiet Ewropej. Il-Parlament Ewropew huwa l-uniku korp tal-UE elett direttament u l-elezzjonijiet Ewropej huma wieħed mill-akbar avvenimenti demokratiċi fid-dinja. Ingħaqad magħna f’dan l-episodju hekk kif nagħtu ħarsa aktar mill-qrib lejn kif jitqassmu s-siġġijiet fost il-pajjiiżi tal-UE.

Nispjegaw l-elezzjonijiet Ewropej: kif jitqassmu s-siġġijiet?

At a glance: the ‘Net-Zero Industry Act’; the go-ahead for a review of the common agriculture policy; and an EU Body for Ethical Standards for all the EU institutions.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 26/04/2024 - Malti

At a glance: celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement; the situation in the Middle East; and the extension of temporary trade liberalisation measures for Ukraine.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 25/04/2024 - Malti

At a glance:  President Metsola opens the final plenary session before the European elections; the debate on Europe’s competitiveness; and the ‘right to repair’ for consumers.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 24/04/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the last plenary session of this term is currently under way. In Strasbourg, Parliament will mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round, MEPs are set to renew the EU’s commitment to finishing major trans-European transport projects, and there will be a final vote on new rules to reduce, reuse and recycle packaging.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 23/04/2024 - Malti

This podcast revisits the milestones achieved in Europe since the first European Parliament elections in 1979. We examine the historical context leading up to those first elections and reflect on the positive changes that have occurred since then, as well as the challenges we face today.

Shaping Europe: the story of European elections

At a glance: the final plenary session of Parliament’s ninth legislative term kicks off today. In Strasbourg, the agenda includes a debate on the situation in the Middle East; a vote on banning the sale of goods made using forced labour; and a vote on preventing and addressing plastic pellet losses into the environment.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 22/04/2024 - Malti

At a glance: the final plenary session of the EP’s ninth legislative term; European Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s address at the Special European Council; and applications for the DiscoverEU programme are open.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 19/04/2024 - Malti

At a glance: Parliament publishes its final Eurobarometer survey before the elections in June; ‘The Teachers’ Lounge’ by German director Ilker Çatak wins the 2024 LUX Audience Award and Metsola visits Portugal.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 18/04/2024 - Malti

Ir-rebbieħ tal-LUX – Il-Premju Ċinematografiku Ewropew tal-Udjenza 2024 huwa “The Teachers’ Lounge”
Il-Premju LUX huwa strument li jitfa’ dawl u jġegħlna nirriflettu fuq films li jindirizzaw temi soċjali u politiċi. L-għan tiegħu hu li jinkoraġġixxi d-dibattitu u r-riflessjoni, filwaqt li juża l-films bħala għodda biex tgħinna nsaħħu l-identità Ewropea tagħna.

LUX – Il-Premju Ċinematografiku Ewropew tal-Udjenza 2024

At a glance: the European Parliament’s political groups are preparing for the last plenary session of this legislative term; the achievements of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender  Equality; and the European Youth Week.

L-Aħbarijiet fil-Qosor – 17/04/2024 - Malti

Women continue to be under-represented in EU countries at all levels of political decision-making as well as in political parties. The origins of this situation are complex, but one reason stands out: violence against women active in politics discourages many women from entering the political arena. Women politicians are exposed to two severe and intersecting forms of violence: political violence and gender-based violence. Violence against women in politics takes multiple forms, from physical attacks to psychological and symbolic abuse, including sexual and sexist comments, online hate speech and sexual harassment, etc.

EPRS Policy Podcast - Violence against women active in politics in the EU: A serious obstacle to political participation

Getting involved in political life: standing for elected office, joining a political party, or following the news; is at the heart of what it means to live in a democracy. People with disabilities are active citizens, keen to participate given the right opportunities. However, they face legal, administrative, institutional and accessibility barriers to taking part. Several EU initiatives encourage people with disabilities to participate in politics. With the 2024 European elections on the horizon, the European Parliament is committed to helping them take part.

EPRS Policy Podcast - People with disabilities and the European elections

In June 2024, around 400 million EU citizens go to the polls to elect the Members of the European Parliament's 10th legislature. As the only EU institution that represents EU citizens, elections to the European Parliament are a major democratic event, and the only one at EU level that resembles national democratic electoral consultation. European elections, however, differ from the national version, as they are part of a context of multi-tier government, sometimes perceived as 'second order elections'. The main difference is that the European elections are a rather fragmented exercise, since a great part of the electoral process, including the way in which the right to vote is exercised, remains subject to national rules.

EPRS Policy Podcast - European elections 2024: Rules of a pan-European democratic event

With a landmass that stretches from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea in the north to the Alps in the south, Germany has the largest population of any EU country.

Germany borders Denmark to the north, Poland and the Czech Republic to the east, Austria and Switzerland to the south, France and Luxembourg to the southwest, and Belgium and the Netherlands to the northwest. There are 96 members of the European Parliament from Germany.

EU - Germany

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

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

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

EPRS Multimedia Centre

Compared to the rest of the world, Europe has the best levels of social protection and also ranks highly in terms of quality of life and wellbeing. However, it faces a wide range of challenges, including impact of the COVID situation.

The EU has only limited competence when it comes to social issues as most of it is up to national governments. The responsibility for employment and social policies lies mostly with the member states and their governments. This means that national governments - and not the EU - decide on issues such as wage regulations, including minimum wage, the role of collective bargaining, pensions systems and retirement age, and unemployment benefits.

However, over the years, the EU has been working on social issues throughout the European integration process and come up with a series of instruments in the social sector. These include EU laws, funds and tools to better coordinate and monitor national policies. The EU also encourages countries to share best practices on issues such as social inclusion, poverty and pensions.

One of the supporting tools is the European Social Fund+, with a total budget of €88 billion for next 7 years. It will play an important role in the implementation of the action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights and in countering the socio-economic effects of the pandemic. It integrates the former European Social Fund, the Youth Employment Initiative (YEI), the Fund for European Aid to the most Deprived (FEAD) and the EU programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) into one fund.

Social Europe

On May 1, 2004, ten&nbsp;new member states joined the European Union, marking the&nbsp;largest enlargement in terms of people and number of countries in the EU's history. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia joined the Union, growing from 15 to 25 members.

The European Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of these ten nations joining the European Union&nbsp;and engaging in the EP's democratic process to defend the interests of European citizens.

20th anniversary of the 2004 enlargement of the European Union

In March 2021, the European Commission adopted the Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030. The Strategy builds on the results of the previous European Disability Strategy 2010-2020, which paved the way to a barrier-free Europe and to empower persons with disabilities so they can enjoy their rights and participate fully in society and economy.

Despite the progress made in the past decade, persons with disabilities still face considerable barriers and have a higher risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The objective of this Strategy is to progress towards ensuring that all persons with disabilities in Europe, regardless of their sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age or sexual orientation enjoy their human rights, have equal opportunities, equal access to participate in society and economy, are able to decide where, how and with whom they live, move freely in the EU regardless of their support needs and no longer experience discrimination.

The EU and its Member States are committed to improving social and economic situation of disabled people building on the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and on the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU. The European Union and all its Member States are party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

European Disability Strategy

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

The brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders and civil society, are the&nbsp;2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought laureate.

The&nbsp;finalists for the European Parliament’s 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought were WikiLeaks activist Julian Assange, the Ukrainian people and their representatives and the Colombian Truth Commission for the 2022 Sakharov Prize.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, named in honour of the Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov, is awarded every&nbsp;year by the European Parliament.

The&nbsp;prize 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 always announced in October, and the award ceremony takes place in December during plenary in Strasbourg. In 2021, the prize went to&nbsp;the Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

Sakharov Prize 2022

The EP 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought has been awarded to Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, in a ceremony on 12 December. The laureates were represented by Saleh Nikbakht, academic and lawyer representing Jina Mahsa Amini’s family; and Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar, Iranian women's rights defenders who left Iran in 2023.

Opening the award ceremony, President Metsola declared: "This years’ Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded to Jina Masha Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, serves as a tribute to all the brave and defiant women, men and young people in Iran, who despite coming under increasing pressure, are continuing the fight for their rights and push for change. The European Parliament hears you and supports you. You are not alone.ʺ

Jina Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. She was arrested by police in Tehran on 13 September 2022 for allegedly ignoring Iran’s strict veiling laws, and died in a Tehran hospital three days later following physical abuse while in custody.

Among the finalists&nbsp;were also:&nbsp;Women fighting for a free, safe and legal abortion: Justyna Wydrzyńska - Poland, Morena Herrera - El Salvador and Colleen McNichols - United States&nbsp; and&nbsp; Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Bishop Rolando José Álvarez Lagos, Nicaragua.

The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 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. It is named in honour of Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov and the prize money is 50 000 euros. Last year, Parliament awarded the prize to the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society.

Sakharov Prize 2023

Full gender equality is far from being achieved, and this has implications for the lives and life chances of individual women, girls, boys and men, the communities they live in and the EU as a whole. The European Parliament has consistently taken a strong, proactive stance on advancing gender equality, stressing the need to deliver on EU commitments.

The EP´s Committee of Women´s rights and Gender equality (FEMM) is in the heart of these discussions.

Options for further EU involvement could include better implementation and enforcement of existing legislation, moves to modernise it, fill gaps in protection and address emerging issues, and non-legislative measures such as data collection and monitoring, awareness-raising, and support for national and grassroots initiatives.

Promoting equal economic independence for women and men, closing the gender pay gap, advancing gender balance in decision making, ending gender based violence and promoting gender equality beyond the EU are the concrete areas of interest for the EU.

Gender balance

Every year around 9 May, ‘Europe Day’, the European Parliament&nbsp;organizes events in the three places of work as well as in the Member States. These open door events (in the case of the EP, taking place in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg) are an opportunity for the institutions to open their doors to citizens, invite them in and showcase what they are, what they do and what they stand for.

This year the EP opens to citizens on the 6th May in Brussels and 9th May in Strasbourg.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Europe Days 2023

Every year around 9 May, ‘Europe Day’, the European Parliament&nbsp;organizes events in the three places of work as well as in the Member States. These open door events (in the case of the EP, taking place in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg) are an opportunity for the institutions to open their doors to citizens, invite them in and showcase what they are, what they do and what they stand for.

This year the EP opens to citizens on the 27th April in Strasbourg, 4th May in Brussels and 9th May in Luxembourg.

Europe days 2024

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

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

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

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

EU - Belarus

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

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’s main export partners are Greece, the UK and Israel, while its main import partners are Greece, Israel and the UK. 
There are 6 members of the European Parliament from Cyprus.

EU - Cyprus

MEPs evaluate the results of the most recent European Council meetings, including the Special European Council of 17-18 April 2024.

Plenary debate- Outcome of European Council meeting

MEPs debate on Monday evening and vote on Tuesday on the provisional agreement reached with member states on the so-called “right to repair” for consumers, which aims to promote the repair of goods within and beyond the legal guarantee period. Beyond the legal guarantee, consumers will have a new right to claim repair for products that are technically repairable under EU law (e.g. washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and smartphones). To encourage repair and to revitalise the EU repair market, the rules put in place a European online platform to find local repair shops or sellers of refurbished goods. They also allow access to spare parts, tools, and maintenance information, and ban the use of hardware and software practices that obstruct repairs.

Plenary debate on Right to Repair

Parliament’s Spokesperson will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17.00

Last minute briefing

Political groups prepare for the 22-25 April plenary, the last session of this legislature. 
MEPs hold debates and final votes on, among other things, the right to repair, prohibiting products made with force labour, fighting violence against women, new “ecodesign” rules, combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims, a new EU Ethics Body, economic governance, establishing the European Disability Card, and on anti-money laundering. 
They hold final votes on packaging and packaging waste, working conditions for platform workers, due diligence rules for companies, ambient air quality and clean air for Europe, plants obtained with new genomic techniques, the European Health Data Space and on the Net Zero Industry Act. MEPs also debate the 20th anniversary of the largest ever round of EU enlargement in 2004 with Council and Commission.

Pre-session briefing

President Metsola meets the President of the Assembleia da República of Portugal, José Pedro Aguiar-Branco? the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro and they hold a press conference. President Metsola also meets the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Portugal

The special European Council is expected to discuss the new European competitiveness deal and relations with Türkiye.

Special European Council, 17-18 April 2024

Parliament publishes its last Eurobarometer survey before the 6-9 June elections, covering, among other issues, citizens’ interest in and awareness of the elections as well as their likelihood to vote. The survey will also report on the image citizens have of the EU and Parliament, their priorities for the electoral campaign, and the core values they want to defend (Wednesday at 7.00).

European Parliament Eurobarometer - Spring 2024

The LUX European Audience Film Award ceremony takes place in Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels. 

Press conference with the winner takes place immediately afterwards. 

Parliament and the European Film Academy award the LUX prize to help the distribution of European films with significant artistic merit that reflect cultural diversity in Europe and beyond.

2024 LUX European Audience Film Award and Press conference with the winner

Voting session

MEPs discuss the EU’s role in protecting the Roma language and culture, following a statement by President Roberta Metsola.

Statement of EP President on International Roma Day

Parliament quizes the Council and the Commission about how they intend to address the controversial reform proposals made by Robert Fico’s government. 

MEPs are expected to reiterate concerns about the Slovak government’s plans for criminal code reform and changes in the functioning of the country’s public-service media. MEPs say the ongoing reform, which led to the dissolution of Slovakia’s Special Prosecutor’s Office on 20 March and reduces penalties and limitation periods for financial crimes, threatens Slovakia’s ability to fight corruption and protect the EU budget. They are also likely to stress that the plans for the public broadcaster will have to be assessed in light of the EU’s recently-adopted Media Freedom Act. The proposed Act on Slovak Television and Radio is facing widespread criticism for giving the government direct control over public media, and curtailing their independence.

Plenary debate - Rule of Law in Slovakia

MEPs debate and take a final vote on the reform of the EU electricity market to protect consumers from sudden price shocks and on new rules to facilitate the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, on the EU’s gas market.

Plenary debate - Reform of the energy and electricity markets

MEPs quiz Council and Commission representatives on the premature release of frozen EU funds, the lack of progress in the Article 7 procedure, and other threats to EU values.

MEPs discuss the President’s decision (based on a recommendation of the Committee on legal Affairs) to ask the Court of Justice of the EU to clarify the Commission’s role in and margins of discretion around the unfreezing of EU cohesion funds for Hungary. They will also look into the continuing threat to EU values, institutions, and funds posed by the Hungarian government, including the lack of progress on the Article 7(1) procedure initiated by Parliament in 2018. Last January, MEPs asked the European Council to determine whether Hungary has committed “serious and persistent breaches of EU values” under the more direct Article 7(2) procedure.

MEPs are likely to raise the upcoming Hungarian Presidency of the Council of EU (in the second half of 2024), Hungary’s repeated abuse of the right of veto and blackmail in the European Council, and the Commission’s launch of an infringement procedure concerning the country’s “sovereignty law”.

Plenary debate - Hungary: threats to rule of law.

MEPs debate the consequences of the undemocratic presidential elections in Russia on 18 March, including their illegitimate extension to the occupied Ukrainian territories.

Plenary Debate - Russia´s undemocratic presidential elections

EP  President Metsola meets the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová

MEPs discuss and vote on Wednesday on ten new bills updating the EU asylum and migration rules, emphasising cooperation and mandatory but flexible solidarity. 

Plenary wraps up this term’s legislative work in the field of migration and asylum with a debate with the Belgian Council Presidency and the Commission on the outcome of negotiations over the Migration and Asylum Pact. The already agreed texts aim to improve cooperation among European states and enhance the EU’s response in case of crises. 

The Pact encompasses a new framework for a comprehensive asylum and migration policy based on solidarity, fair responsibility sharing, and updated rules on criteria and mechanisms to determine the member state responsible for examining an application for international protection (formerly known as the Dublin rules). Member states will be able to choose between relocating asylum applicants to their territory, making financial contributions or providing operational and technical support to member states under migratory pressure. 

There will be specific rules for crisis situations, and the rules on reception standards for asylum applicants will be updated. The amended qualification rules will set uniform standards across the EU to recognise people applying for international protection, as well as their rights. There will be a faster common procedure –including provisions on inadmissible claims and more expedited returns- across the EU to grant and to withdraw international protection, following an initial pre-entry screening and registration of fingerprints and facial images in a common database (Eurodac). Finally, a new EU framework for resettlement will regulate the opportunities for refugees in third countries to come to the EU, based on member states’ voluntary participation

Plenary debate - EU migration and asylum rules

His Majesty King Philippe, King of the Belgians, addresses  MEPs in a formal sitting.

This will be first time King Philippe will have addressed the European Parliament. One of his predecessors, King Baudouin, appeared before MEPs in 1987, during a plenary session in Strasbourg.

Formal sitting - Address by His Majesty King Philippe

Open Days at the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Jaume DUCH speech

Signing of the Grand Est agreement in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Euroscola

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)

EP Plenary session - Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews

EP Plenary session - Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - La Hulpe declaration on the future of social Europe

EP Plenary session - Oral Questions - The European Parliament's right of inquiry

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Anti Money Laundering

Press conference on the first EU due diligence rules

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, on behalf of the Belgian Presidency

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Banking Union

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Press conference by Javi LÓPEZ, rapporteur on Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe

Press conference by Mounir SATOURI, Tineke STRIK, rapporteurs and Karen MELCHIOR on EU-Egypt: a strategic partnership for whom?

Briefing EPP by Manfred WEBER, President

Proposti għal atti tal-Unjoni

L-attakk bla preċedent tal-Iran fuq Iżrael, il-ħtieġa ta’ tnaqqis tat-tensjoni u rispons tal-UE (dibattitu)

Tkomplija tas-seduta

Seduta solenni - L-20 Anniversarju tat-Tkabbir tal-UE tal-2004

Ħin tal-votazzjonijiet

Approvazzjoni tal-Minuti tas-seduta ta’ qabel

L-attakk fuq il-klima u n-natura: tentattivi tal-lemin estrem u tal-konservattivi biex jeqirdu l-Patt Ekoloġiku u jipprevjenu l-investiment fil-futur tagħna (dibattitu topiku)

Emenda tad-Direttiva 2013/36/UE fir-rigward tas-setgħat superviżorji, tas-sanzjonijiet, tal-fergħat ta' pajjiżi terzi, u tar-riskji ambjentali, soċjali u ta' governanza - Emenda tar-Regolament (UE) Nru 575/2013 fir-rigward tar-rekwiżiti għar-riskju ta' kreditu, għar-riskju ta' aġġustament tal-valwazzjoni tal-kreditu, għar-riskju operattiv, għar-riskju tas-suq u għall-minimu tal-output (dibattitu konġunt - L-Unjoni Bankarja)

Is-sitt Direttiva dwar il-Ġlieda Kontra l-Ħasil tal-Flus - Regolament dwar il-Ġlieda Kontra l-Ħasil tal-Flus - L-istabbiliment tal-Awtorità għall-Ġlieda kontra l-Ħasil tal-Flus u l-Finanzjament tat-Terroriżmu (dibattitu konġunt - Il-ġlieda kontra l-ħasil tal-flus)

Id-dritt ta' inkjesta tal-Parlament Ewropew (dibattitu)

Ħin tal-votazzjonijiet (segwitu)

Id-dikjarazzjoni ta’ La Hulpe dwar il-futur tal-Ewropa soċjali (dibattitu)

Nibnu futur sostenibbli flimkien: l-isfidi ekonomiċi, soċjali u territorjali għal Ewropa kompetittiva, koeżiva u inklużiva (dibattitu)

It-tentattivi reċenti li jiġu mċaħħda d-dittaturi u r-riskju ta’ ritorn tal-Ewropa għat-totalitariżmu (dibattitu)

L-Ażerbajġan, b’mod partikolari r-repressjoni tas-soċjetà ċivili u l-każijiet ta’ Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu u Ilhamiz Guliyev

It-tħassir propost tal-liġi li tipprojbixxi l-mutilazzjoni ġenitali femminili fil-Gambja

Il-liġi l-ġdida dwar is-sigurtà f’Hong Kong u l-każijiet ta’ Andy Li u Joseph John

L-abbozz ta’ liġi kontra l-persuni LGBTIQ adottat mill-parlament tal-Ghana b’implikazzjonijiet għad-drittijiet tal-bniedem, il-libertà tal-espressjoni u l-prinċipji demokratiċi (dibattitu)

Informazzjoni bil-quddiem dwar il-passiġġieri: titjib u faċilitazzjoni tal-kontrolli fil-fruntieri esterni - Informazzjoni bil-quddiem dwar il-passiġġieri: prevenzjoni, skoperta, investigazzjoni u prosekuzzjoni ta' reati terroristiċi u kriminalità serja (dibattitu konġunt - Informazzjoni bil-quddiem dwar il-passiġġieri)

Spjegazzjonijiet tal-vot

L-aġenda tas-seduta li jmiss

Għeluq tas-seduta

Plenary session

Press conference by Alin MITUȚA, rapporteur on the Gigabit Infrastructure Act and the abolition of intra-EU calls surcharge

Press conference by Róża THUN UND HOHENSTEIN, rapporteur on Parliament's vote on the Late Payments regulation

Press conference by René REPASI, rapporteur on the Final vote on the right to repair

Press conference by Maria-Manuel LEITÃO-MARQUES and Samira RAFAELA, co-rapporteurs on the adoption of the Forced Labour Regulation

Briefing S&D by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ, President

Briefing The Left by Manon AUBRY and Martin SCHIRDEWAN, Co-Presidents

Briefing Greens/EFA by Philippe LAMBERTS and Terry REINTKE, Co-Presidents

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs - DRFMG meeting

LIBE

Ftuħ tas-seduta

Il-konklużjonijiet tal-laqgħat reċenti tal-Kunsill Ewropew, b’mod partikolari dwar patt ġdid għall-Kompetittività Ewropea u l-aġenda strateġika tal-UE 2024-2029 (dibattitu)

Il-koordinazzjoni effettiva tal-politiki ekonomiċi u s-sorveljanza baġitarja multilaterali - Tħaffif u ċċarar tal-implimentazzjoni tal-proċedura ta' defiċit eċċessiv – Regolament emendatorju - Ir-rekwiżiti għal oqfsa baġitarji tal-Istati Membri – Direttiva emendatorja

Il-ġlieda kontra l-vjolenza kontra n-nisa u l-vjolenza domestika (dibattitu)

Il-Kard Ewropea tad-Diżabilità u l-Kard Ewropea għall-Parkeġġ għall-persuni b’diżabilità - Il-Kard Ewropea tad-Diżabilità u l-Kard Ewropea għall-Parkeġġ għall-persuni b’diżabilità għal ċittadini ta' pajjiżi terzi li jirrisjedu legalment fi Stat Membru  (dibattitu konġunt - Il-kards tad-diżabilità)

Ir-rispons tal-UE għall-każijiet ripetuti ta’ qtil ta’ ħaddiema umanitarji, ġurnalisti u ċivili mill-Forzi tad-Difiża ta’ Iżrael fl-Istrixxa ta’ Gaża (dibattitu)

Atti delegati (Artikolu 111(6) tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura) (azzjonijiet meħuda)

Rettifiki (Artikolu 241 tar-Regoli ta' Proċedura)(azzjonijiet meħuda)

Tentattivi biex terġa’ tiddaħħal liġi dwar l-aġenti barranin fil-Georgia u r-restrizzjonijiet tagħha fir-rigward tas-soċjetà ċivili (dibattitu)

Is-sitwazzjoni fil-Haiti (dibattitu)

Il-ħruġ tal-Unjoni mit-Trattat tal-Karta tal-Enerġija (dibattitu)

Sħubija strateġika u komprensiva UE-Eġittu u ftehimiet ma’ pajjiżi terzi ewlenin (dibattitu)

Il-produzzjoni u l-kummerċjalizzazzjoni tal-materjal riproduttiv tal-pjanti - Il-produzzjoni u l-kummerċjalizzazzjoni tal-materjal riproduttiv tal-foresti (dibattitu konġunt - Il-materjal riproduttiv tal-pjanti u tal-foresti)

L-istabbiliment tal-Faċilità għar-Riforma u t-Tkabbir għall-Balkani tal-Punent (dibattitu)

Approvazzjoni tal-minuti tas-seduta li għaddejja

Joint committee on Budgets and committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

BUDG

ECON

Committee on Constitutional Affairs

AFCO

Committee on Budgets

Illuminations: One month to go across the EU

Illuminations: One month to go across the EU.

Ema and Lejla are young Slovenians that were born in May 2004. The same month Slovenia joined the European Union. Along with their daily life, sporting, and studying they share testimonies on the feelings about this historical event and the EU in this news item. Meanwhile, Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Slovenia

Maciej and Aleksandra are young people and students from Poland that were born in May 2004. In the same month, Poland joined the European Union. In this news item both Maciej and Aleksandra shows their daily student life and share personal testimonies on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement as well. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union - Poland

Eliass is a mechatronics student at Rezekne Academy of Technologies in Rezekne, Latvia, and was born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Latvia

Ylenia is a dedicated student of European studies in Malta who was born on the 1st of May 2004. On that same day, Malta joined the European Union. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. In this news item young Ylenia shares her testimony on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Malta

Milda is a student at ISM University in Vilnius, Lithuania. Bernardas is a student at Vilnius Gediminas technical university (VILNIUS TECH) in Vilnius, Lithuania. They were both born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Lithuania

Balázs is a together.eu volunteer, politics student, and was born on 1 May 2004, from Szeged, Hungary. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Hungary

Veronika is a communicative and active young student of bilingual gymnasium from Slovakia. She was born on the 1st of May 2004, which is the same day the country she is from joined the European Union. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This news item shows young Veronika studying in Slovakia, spending time with her friends and sharing her testimony on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Slovakia

Kyriakos is a student at the department of Mathematics and Statistics in the University of Cyprus, Nicosia, born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Cyprus

Nela comes from Czech Republic where she currently studies at the Faculty of Law. She was born in May 2004 around the same time Czech Republic joined the European Union. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. This news item present young Nela's life in Prague and her testimony on the feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivering.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Czech Republic

With lessons learnt from the pandemic and the recent geopolitical and energy crisis, lawmakers focus on Europe’s green and digital transition to build a resilient economy and strengthen democratic oversight and fundamental rights. This video showcases extracts from debates, press conferences, trilogues and votes highlighting the European Parliament's strides in policy domains pledged by the Parliament, Council, and Commission to fulfill under the Digital Agenda before the 2024 European Elections. These areas include the Digital Market Act, Digital Service Act and Artificial Intelligence Act, reflecting the collective dedication to digital innovation and regulatory coherence.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Safe and competitive digital environment

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement, the EP buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg are illuminated.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: illuminations of the EP buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg

Use your vote – European elections 2024 video – Trailer 4 Dubbed 16:9 - Dutch (Belgium)

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.

Qed jintwerew 44,931 ir-riżultati tal-Stampi għal ""

Open Days at the European Parliament in Strasbourg - Jaume DUCH speech

Signing of the Grand Est agreement in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Euroscola

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)

EP Plenary session - Pre-enlargement reforms and policy reviews

EP Plenary session - Interinstitutional Body for Ethical Standards

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - Advance passenger information

EP Plenary session - The anti-LGBTIQ bill passed by the Ghanaian parliament with implications for human rights, freedom of expression and democratic principles

EP Plenary session - Debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 144)

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Forging a sustainable future together: economic, social and territorial challenges for a competitive, cohesive and inclusive Europe

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - La Hulpe declaration on the future of social Europe

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Oral Questions - The European Parliament's right of inquiry

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Anti Money Laundering

Press conference on the first EU due diligence rules

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian Secretary of State for Digitalisation, on behalf of the Belgian Presidency

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - Banking Union