Wat is het Hof van Justitie van de EU en waarom is het belangrijk voor ons dagelijks leven? In deze aflevering bekijken we hoe de instelling zorgt voor een eerlijke en gelijke toepassing van het EU-recht in alle EU-landen — van baanbrekende uitspraken tot de rol ervan bij de verdediging van burgerrechten.

Het Hof van Justitie van de Europese Unie

At a glance: the European Parliament remembers the victims of the terrorist attacks that took place in Paris ten years ago; plenary debate on the EU’s next long-term budget; MEPs discuss the outcome of October European Council meeting.

Nieuwsflits – 14/11/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: President Metsola is in Paris to honour terror attack victims and discuss Europe’s economic and digital future; safer toys for children; MEPs call for new EU rules to ensure human oversight of AI in the workplace.

Nieuwsflits – 13/11/2025 - Nederlands

Nieuwsflits – 12/11/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: MEPs debate future EU budget and warn against cuts to key programmes; Parliament outlines priorities for new EU gender equality strategy and calls for tougher action on violence and pay gaps; a new European Parliament office opens in Moldova, reaffirming support for country’s EU accession.

Nieuwsflits – 11/11/2025 - Nederlands

Alcide De Gasperi werd geboren in 1881 in een overwegend Italiaans gebied van het Oostenrijks-Hongaarse Rijk en was een vurig tegenstander van het fascisme. In 1943 richtte hij de Christendemocratische Partij op en werd hij de eerste premier van de Italiaanse Republiek tot 1953. Samen met Konrad Adenauer en Robert Schuman speelde hij een leidende rol bij de Europese eenwording.

Alcide De Gasperi, een van de grondleggers van de EU

At a glance: Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs reviews progress made on Work-Life Balance Directive; MEPs debate youth and fairness priorities with Commissioner Micallef; and a public hearing takes place on the human rights situation in Sudan.

Nieuwsflits – 10/11/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: Parliament and the Council strike deal to boost EU defence investment; MEPs back citizens’ call for safe and accessible abortion across Europe; and the Committee on Civil Liberties warns of deepening rule of law crisis in Hungary.

Nieuwsflits – 07/11/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: MEPs push for faster green pest-control approvals; MEPs warn that Arctic militarisation threatens security; and the Committee on Constitutional Affairs approves proposal to allow MEPs to vote in plenary by proxy.

Nieuwsflits – 06/11/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: MEPs review EU defence readiness with Commissioner Kubilius; Parliament marks 25 years of UN Women, Peace and Security agenda; and the European Commission to present its first report on the implementation of the Istanbul Convention in the EU.

Nieuwsflits – 05/11/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: MEPs to quiz EU Budget Commissioner on next long-term budget; voting to take place on releasing EU Solidarity Fund money for Spain and France following natural disasters; and Commissioners to discuss the Connecting Europe Facility proposal with MEPs.

Nieuwsflits – 04/11/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: Parliament committees mark the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter; MEPs from the Trade and Foreign Affairs Committees meet in Brussels; the European Parliament hosts the sixth annual Gender Equality Week.

Nieuwsflits – 03/11/2025 - Nederlands

De Daphne Caruana Galizia-prijs voor journalistiek 2025 werd uitgereikt aan het onderzoek naar de Russische schaduwvloot van het Nederlandse platform voor onderzoeksjournalistiek Follow the Money. De Nederlandse onderzoeksjournalisten werkten samen met 13 nieuwsredacties uit België, Denemarken, Duitsland, Griekenland, Italië, Noorwegen en het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Uit hun onderzoek is gebleken dat westerse scheepseigenaren meer dan zes miljard dollar hebben verdiend door 230 oude tankers te verkopen aan de Russische schaduwvloot.
Het Parlement wil met deze prijs de beginselen en waarden van de EU helpen bevorderen, die verankerd zijn in het Handvest van de grondrechten van de Europese Unie. De prijs is een eerbetoon aan Daphne Caruana Galizia, de Maltese journaliste, blogster en anticorruptieactiviste die in 2017 werd vermoord.

De Daphne Caruana Galizia-prijs voor journalistiek 2025

At a glance: MEPs review housing and wildfire response in Madeira, Portugal; Parliament to hold workshop on housing crisis and short-term rentals; EU trade delegation concludes talks in New Delhi on India free-trade deal.

Nieuwsflits – 31/10/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: the European Parliament hosts the sixth annual Gender Equality Week; a delegation from the Employment and Social Affairs Committee concludes its visit to Cyprus; and the Commissioner for Enlargement presents the 2025 enlargement package to the Members of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

Nieuwsflits – 30/10/2025 - Nederlands

At a glance: Parliament President Metsola condemns Belarus airspace violations and backs Lithuania’s security; Euronest Parliamentary Assembly meets in Armenia to deepen EU-Eastern Partnership ties; and MEPs conclude DRC mission on sustainable development and governance.

Nieuwsflits – 29/10/2025 - Nederlands

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

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

Interinstitutional relations

Finland joined the EU on 1st January 1995. 

Finland is one of the most sparsely-populated countries in the EU and is bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north and Russia to the east. Finland has 13 seats in the European Parliament.

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EU - Finland

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

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

Climate change (2019-2020)

Climate change remains a key challenge. The EU and the European Parliament are working to ensure a more sustainable society and economy through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. It is already on track to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target for 2020, and has put forward a plan to further cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Alongside reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the EU is also taking action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. By 2050, Europe aims to be a climate-resilient society. Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from drastically cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation, to preserving Europe’s natural environment.

Climate change

The 30th UN climate conference will take place from 10 to 21 November 2025 in Belém, Brazil. A Parliament delegation led by Chair Lídia Pereira (EPP, PT) and Vice-Chair Mohammed Chahim (S&amp;D, NL) will attend COP30 from 17 to 21 November.

MEPs will stress that all sectors must play a part in reducing emissions and achieving climate neutrality, and will push for all countries to contribute their fair share towards providing adequate climate finance. MEPs will also advocate in favour of ending fossil fuel dependence, phasing out related subsidies and accelerating the energy transition.

COP30 will focus on the efforts needed to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, the presentation of new national action plans (through “nationally determined contributions” or NDCs) and the progress on the finance pledges made at COP29.

COP 30

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

Infoclips - Illustrative footage

In December 2023 , MEPs and national governments reached a long-sought agreement to revamp the EU’s asylum and migration legislation. Parliament and Council negotiators agreed on the final form of five separate EU regulations, establishing how to share the management of asylum and migration flows among member states and what to do in cases of sudden migratory crisis.

The rules also regulate how to deal with people arriving at the EU’s external borders, the processing of asylum claims, and the identification of those arriving. Following the deal, EP President Roberta Metsola said: “”Today is a truly historic day, as we have delivered on the Migration and Asylum Pact, possibly the most important legislative package of this mandate. Europe will now get a robust legislative framework that is the same in all Member States.

That functions and that protects, an approach that is humane and fair with those seeking protection, that is firm with those who are not eligible, and that is strong with those who exploit the most vulnerable

Refugee movements and migration are at the centre of global attention. &nbsp;The European Parliament is actively involved, in the adoption of new laws on irregular and regular immigration. It is a full co-legislator together with the Council representing member states on these matters since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009.

Asylum

Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism.&nbsp;Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools, as well as financial support, to address this borderless phenomenon.

EU spending in the area of counter-terrorism has increased over the years and is set to grow in the future, to allow for better cooperation between national law enforcement authorities and enhanced support by the EU bodies in charge of security, such as Europol and eu-LISA.

The action plan to reinforce the fight against the financing of terrorism focuses on two main strands of action: tracing terrorists through financial movements and preventing them from moving funds or other assets and disrupting the sources of revenue used by terrorist organisations, by targeting their capacity to raise funds.

In April the European Parliament adopted a new regulation that will target content such as texts, images, sound recordings or videos, including live transmissions, that incite, solicit or contribute to terrorist offences, provide instructions for such offences or solicit people to participate in a terrorist group. It will also cover material that provides guidance on how to make and use explosives, firearms and other weapons for terrorist purposes.

Hosting service providers will have to remove or disable access to flagged terrorist content in all member states within one hour of receiving a removal order from the competent authority. Member states will adopt rules on penalties, the degree of which will take into account the nature of the breach and the size of company responsible.

Fight against terrorism

In June 2023 Parliament adopted its position for negotiations with member states on rules to integrate human rights and environmental impact into companies’ governance. Companies will be required to identify, and where necessary prevent, end or mitigate the negative impact of their activities on human rights and the environment such as on child labour, slavery, labour exploitation, pollution, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss.

They will also have to monitor and assess the impact of their value-chain partners including not only suppliers but also sale, distribution, transport, storage, waste-management and other areas.

The European Parliament has consistently called for more corporate accountability and mandatory due diligence legislation. The European Commission proposal was introduced on 23 February 2022. It complements other existing and upcoming legislative acts, such as the deforestation regulation, conflict minerals regulation and draft regulation prohibiting products made with forced labour.

Corporate Responsibility

The films Christy, Sorda, It Was Just An Accident, Love Me Tender, and Sentimental Value are the nominees for the 2026 LUX Audience Award.

The five nominated films for the LUX Audience Award were chosen by a panel of film professionals from across EU member states.

A ceremony to announce the 2026 LUX Audience Award laureate will take place at the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels in mid-April 2026.

The LUX Audience Award has been awarded by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network, since 2020. It fosters dialogue and engagement between politics and the public. The award is complemented by the Young Talent Programme, which seeks to engage young cinema professionals in the promotion of European values and the LUX Audience Award project.

Lux Audience Award 2026

The European Parliament defends women’s rights across the EU. Its efforts to ensure gender equality at work, in politics and other areas have led to landmark legislation. New legally-binding measures cover a vast variety of issues: helping ending unequal pay, eliminating gender-based discrimination, boosting women’s presence on corporate boards and combatting violence against women.

Every year Parliament holds a Gender Equality Week to take stock of the achievements and identify new measures to advance girls' and women's rights and ensure gender equality. Events are organised by Parliament's committees, delegations, political groups and administration. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee.

In 2025 the European Gender Equality Week takes place from 3 to 6 November and will focus on talent. The main event will host a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents.

Women's rights

The European Council meeting in Brussels focused on key strategic issues facing the EU. Leaders discussed continued support for Ukraine, including financial assistance and the use of frozen Russian assets, while also assessing ways to increase pressure on Russia. Defence readiness was&nbsp;a major topic, with discussions on accelerating capability development, countering hybrid threats, and enhancing European defence coordination by 2030.

Competitiveness and the digital and green transitions were also&nbsp;addressed. Leaders seeked solutions to reduce bureaucratic burdens, ensure digital sovereignty, and support the path to climate neutrality. Economic discussions included the current outlook, the role of the euro, and the potential for a digital euro.

Other key topics included improving access to affordable housing across Member States, supporting peace and reconstruction efforts in Gaza, and continuing work on EU migration policy.

European Council, 23-24 October 2025

Bilateral negotiations with Singapore were launched in March 2010 and the trade and investment agreements reached with Singapore are the first to have been concluded between the EU and a Southeast Asian economy and represent a stepping stone to a greater engagement between the EU and the region.

EU - Singapore

A Parliament delegation attends the 30th United Nations climate conference taking place in Belém, Brazil. MEPs will stress that all sectors must play a part in reducing emissions and achieving climate neutrality, and will push for all countries to contribute their fair share towards providing adequate climate finance. MEPs will also advocate in favour of ending fossil fuel dependence, phasing out related subsidies and accelerating the energy transition.

COP30 in Bélem, Brazil

Antonio COSTA, President of the European Council participates in  the CoP

Conference of Presidents (CoP) with Antonio COSTA, President of the European Council

EP President Roberta Metsola, meets President of Finland, Alexander Stubb

President Metsola meets with business leaders organised by MEDEF, with Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate and with Arthur Mensch, CEO of Mistral AI 
President Metsola also meets with the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France)

President Metsola attends a Ceremony to pay tribute to the victims of the November 2015 terrorist attacks and the inauguration of the November 13th Garden

Press point with EP President Roberta Metsola and rapporteur Juan Fernando López Aguilar on Proxy voting in plenary before and after childbirth place, outside the hemicycle after the votes at around 12.30

Press point with EP President Roberta Metsola and rapporteur Juan Fernando López Aguilar on Proxy voting in plenary before and after childbirth

MEPs assess the outcome of the October European Council meeting, in a debate with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen. During their meeting, EU leaders focused on Ukraine, the Middle East, security and defence, competitiveness, housing and migration

EP Plenary debate on October European Council

MEPs and Commission and Council representatives discuss the architecture and governance of the EU’s 2028-2034 long-term budget (multiannual financial framework - MFF). Lead MEPs have warned that setting the spending ceiling at 1.26% of the EU-27’s gross national income, as proposed by the Commission in July, will force cuts to flagship programmes. The proposal also falls short of Parliament’s expectations regarding democratic oversight and scrutiny, the EU’s agriculture and cohesion policy, and the need for more regional and local authority involvement.

EP Plenary debate on the new 2028-2034 MFF: architecture & governance

MEPs, with the Commission and the Danish Presidency, debate the next steps in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum 

The Commission is set to table the first European annual asylum and migration report, accompanied by a decision on EU countries that are experiencing migratory pressure and are therefore entitled to rely on the use of solidarity contributions from other member states. A proposal identifying concrete annual solidarity measures, including relocations, financial contributions and alternative solidarity measures, is also expected at the same time.

In the plenary debate, MEPs are expected to voice their concerns about, and priorities for, migration policy, including how to ensure an effective, fair, and humane approach to migration, and the importance of cooperation with countries outside the EU.

Parliament is currently working on three legislative proposals to complete and complement the legislative framework of the EU’s Pact on Migration and Asylum, including an EU-wide list of safe countries of origin, revised rules governing the “safe third country” concept, and a common European system for returning third-country nationals that have been found to be staying in the EU illegally.

EP Plenary debate on next steps in implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Chisinau (Moldova) 

President Metsola meets the President of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova Igor Grosu.
She then addresses the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova.
She meets the President of the Republic of Moldova Maia Sandu, followed by a press conference.
She meets the Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Alexandru Munteanu.
President Metsola and President Sandu participate in a European Youth dialogue.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Chisinau (Moldova)

Harnessing women’s talent through education, training and employment, to drive economic growth and progress, is the main topic of several events being organised by parliamentary committees this week (Monday to Thursday). 

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opens the hearing on “Women’s leadership in politics” in the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee on Wednesday.

Every year Parliament holds a Gender Equality Week to take stock of the achievements and identify new measures to advance girls' and women's rights and ensure gender equality. Events are organised by Parliament's committees, delegations, political groups and administration. The first edition was held in 2020, on the initiative of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee.

In 2025 the European Gender Equality Week will focus on talent. The main event will host a discussion on how to ensure women can access the same opportunities as men in order to be able to harness their talents.

Parliament wishes to emphasise that creating the conditions for women to participate fully in the workforce and public life is not only a matter of fairness, but it also brings economic and social benefits.

Gender Equality Week: "Women's leadership on politics"

President Roberta Metsola meets with the Mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, and addresses the boards of agriculture sector organisations Coldiretti and Confagricoltura. She also speaks at an event organised by Formiche and addresses the opening of the Sigma Summit

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Rome (Italy)

President Metsola’s three-day mission to Washington DC (27–29 October 2025) featured a dense programme of high-level meetings, strategic dialogues, and media engagements. Her visit included exchanges with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Senators and Congressman, alongside discussions with representatives from leading global companies including Warner Bros. Discovery, META, Airbus, Spotify, Amazon and Microsoft. The President also took part in a World Economic Forum roundtable on technology and artificial intelligence and delivered a keynote speech with Q&A at Georgetown University.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Washington DC (USA)

The European Parliament President Roberta Metsola visits Milan and participates in the event ‘Sport as a Key Factor in European Policy: The Impact of the Olympic and Paralympic Games on our Society’. Twenty years after Turin 2006, the event celebrates the return of the Winter Olympics and Paralympics to Europe. In the afternoon, in the Council Room of ICE - Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalisation of Italian Businesses, President Metsola participates in a meeting with business representatives and trade associations to discuss the issues of simplification and competitiveness.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Milan (Italy)

European Council

The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. 

Provisional Agenda of 23.10.2025

1. Adoption of the agenda
2. Ukraine
3. Middle East
4. European defence and security
5. Competitiveness and twin transition
6. Housing
7. Migration

Conclusions: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/10/23/european-council-conclusions-23-october-2025/

European Council meeting 23.10.2025

EP Plenary discusses the recent allegations that the Hungarian government has been spying on the EU institutions.

On 9 October, several media outlets published allegations that the Hungarian secret services, posing as diplomats at the Hungarian Permanent Representation to the EU, attempted to recruit EU officials as informants in Brussels. The Commission has said it will set up an internal group to investigate the allegations.

In a plenary debate on Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss the allegations with Commission and Council representatives.

EP Plenary debate on allegations of Hungarian espionage

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Visit of the  Station F and meeting with startups

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Meeting with Arthur MENSCH, CEO of Mistral AI

As many women and girls continue to face barriers in accessing affordable menstrual products, menstrual poverty remains a significant socioeconomic issue. To combat it, the EU Value Added Tax (VAT) Directive now allows Member States to apply reduced or zero VAT rates to sanitary products. On 4 November 2025, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will hold a public hearing on this issue in light of the Parliament's Gender Equality Week.

VAT rates on tampons across the EU

This briefing provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the current 10th parliamentary term (2024-2029) who had held public office at local, regional and/or national level before taking up their mandates (or, in some cases, continue to hold sub-national level public posts).

MEPs' public-office experience before being elected in 2024

Attracting young people to agriculture has been a goal of the European Union's (EU) common agricultural policy (CAP) since the 1980s. However, EU farmers are getting older – 57 % of farm managers are over 55 years of age, while only 12 % are under 40. Young farmers ensure continuity of agricultural production and bring vitality to rural areas.

Generational renewal in EU agriculture

Maternity leave and voting procedures for Members of parliaments differ widely across the European Union (EU). Maternity-related absences are considered justified for Members of the European Parliament, but the current rules do not permit remote voting, proxy voting or temporary substitution. Maternity leave for parliamentarians is generally permitted across the EU's Member States, although legal frameworks and practical arrangements differ.

Maternity leave and voting procedures in EU national parliaments

This infographics summarises the results of integrated assessments of Baltic Sea's pressures and status. It illustrates the proportion of the Baltic Sea, based on square kilometers, in different assessment status categories. The assessment was carried out during the period 2016-2021.

State of the Baltic Sea environment

Care work, whether provided in institutional settings such as childcare centres and healthcare facilities, or in home settings, is largely invisible, undervalued and carried out by women. The resulting gender care gap has profound consequences for the European Union's (EU) labour market and competitiveness as well as the well-being and cohesion of society. This briefing seeks to support the European Parliament's committees on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) in their preparation of an own-initiative report on addressing the gender care gap.

Addressing the gender care gap: Potential European added value

With the growing weaponisation of trade, the EU's trade defence toolbox is increasingly relevant. The importance of the EU's trade defence arsenal is underscored, among other factors, by persistent global overcapacity in a range of sectors, which has significant distorting effects on international markets, and by the weaponisation of trade, including through economic coercion amid growing geopolitical tensions.

Understanding the EU trade defence toolbox

Military mobility, defined as the capacity of armed forces to swiftly move troops and equipment across the European Union (EU), is a crucial but long-overlooked aspect of European defence. After decades of underinvestment and unresolved obstacles, there is a need to intensify coordinated and integrated efforts at EU, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Member State level to increase resources and address physical, legislative, and regulatory barriers that continue to cause delays and disruptions for military forces. Failure to act would leave armed forces unprepared in the face of threats, and undermine the security of citizens. This briefing looks within and beyond the current framework and explores the potential impact of additional investment of between €75 billion and €100 billion until 2035 to improve the current state of infrastructure. Our analysis finds that the added value associated with a larger amount of funds invested collectively leads to benefits which are almost three times higher (€21 billion additional GDP per year in 2035) than when Member States invest separately and in an uncoordinated way.

CEF military mobility funding by transport mode

One of the first, and boldest, measures taken by Western countries as a response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was the immobilisation of the Russian central bank assets held under their jurisdictions, the value of which could be around €300 billion worldwide, according to recent estimations. As the war is well into its fourth year, the debate on how to use the immobilised assets to sustain Ukraine's reconstruction efforts – a cost estimated at US$524 billion – has evolved.

Frozen Russian assets: where are they immobilised?

This EPRS paper analyses how the European Commission is delivering on the policy agenda set by its President, Ursula von der Leyen, and her College of Commissioners, since taking office in December 2024. It provides a first assessment of the delivery of the agenda's seven priorities, on the eve of the first State of the Union address of von der Leyen's second mandate as Commission President. The von der Leyen II Commission has set seven new priorities – none of which continues directly from the six priorities of her first mandate – and has so far announced some 250 initiatives with which to achieve them. Half of these initiatives fall under the first priority, on prosperity and competitiveness.

The European Commission's seven priorities: delivery up to 1 September 2025

Smart and sustainable transport plays a significant role in advancing the EU's green and digital transitions under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the crisis-response instrument the EU launched to boost EU economic recovery in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. All EU Member States included transport-related measures in their national recovery and resilience plans.

Smart and sustainable transport investments in the national recovery and resilience plans

The College of Commissioners is currently composed of 27 individuals: the President, Ursula von der Leyen, 6 Executive Vice-Presidents and 20 Commissioners. The Executive Vice-Presidents have a dual role; they manage a specific portfolio and coordinate efforts across the main priorities of the Commission's political agenda. The other Commissioners are each responsible for a specific policy area, working under the guidance of the Executive Vice-Presidents. The table below shows for each Commissioner the Vice-President(s) guiding work on their portfolio (in certain cases, Commissioners work directly under the guidance of the President).

European Commission: Political make-up of the College of Commissioners

The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. Under the Treaties, its tasks are to 'promote the general interest of the Union', without prejudice to individual Member States, to 'ensure the application of the Treaties' and measures adopted under them, for instance through taking infringement measures against Member States who do not correctly implement EU legislation, and to 'execute the budget'. It also holds a near monopoly on the right of legislative initiative, alone proposing virtually all EU legislation to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The College of Commissioners is currently composed of 27 individuals: the President, Ursula von der Leyen, 6 Executive Vice-Presidents and 20 Commissioners. The table below shows for each Commissioner the Vice-President(s) guiding work on their portfolio (in certain cases, Commissioners work directly under the guidance of the President).

European Commission: Commissioners' relationships with parliamentary committees

The Council of the European Union – often referred to as the Council of Ministers, or simply the Council – forms one part of the legislature and the budgetary authority of the Union. The Council and European Parliament together adopt much of the EU's legislation and the Union's annual budget, on the basis of proposals put forward by the executive, the European Commission. The Council also takes decisions on specific areas of EU action, in particular in common foreign and security policy (CFSP), where it seeks to coordinate Member States' positions, and concludes – subject to the consent of the Parliament – international agreements, usually negotiated by the Commission on the basis of a mandate from the Council. The Council of the EU is distinct from the European Council, which is a separate institution made up of the Heads of State or Government of the Member States. The European Council is responsible for defining the general political directions and priorities for the Union, but does not have formal legislative functions.

Rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union

As every year, two annual procedures are central to the budgetary work of the European Parliament and the other institutions – agreeing on the 2026 budget, and granting discharge for the implementation of the 2024 budget. In addition, in 2025, the process of agreeing the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the years from 2028 will also get under way. This timeline sets out the main steps in the three procedures up to end 2025.

Timeline for the three key EU budgetary procedures up to end 2025

The EU and its Member States have made efforts and funds available to support the integration of displaced people from Ukraine in terms of employment, housing, education and healthcare. Research indicates that Ukrainian refugees have a high employment rate in host countries, reflecting the circular mobility pattern observed among Ukrainians prior to 2022, when they were the largest non-EU workforce within the EU. However, with no end to the war in sight, the situation of Ukrainian refugees remains uncertain.

Displaced Ukrainians

There are over 210 innovation hubs in the EU, with at least one in every Member State. The scope of innovative European companies could be aligned with the EU's Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which was established to support European industry and investment in critical technologies. The 28th regime could also help to streamline the public sector's purchasing power and 'European' preference through public procurement. Doing so could help align the strategic scale-up of innovative European companies in relation to society's needs.

Digital innovation hubs

The clean tech sector in the EU is driven to a large extent by the European Green Deal, which aims to support the energy transition and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. At present, the EU is relatively competitive in the development and scale-up of clean technologies and is at the centre of global patenting networks. Yet, urgent and decisive action is needed to ensure the EU's continued leadership, to strengthen its strategic autonomy in access to certain key clean technologies (such as batteries), and to meet the climate neutrality target.

Global trends in clean tech co-patenting

Euroscola

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs - ICM

LIBE

Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting ICM

SEDE

Beyond the numbers: the contribution of Article 17 TFEU to an EU Multiannual Financial Framework grounded in ethics, solidarity and inclusion

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Meeting with Gérard LARCHER, President of the French Senate

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Meeting with business learders organised by MEDEF

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Meeting with Jean-Noël BARROT, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Paris (France) - Ceremony for the victims of November 13th attacks

Press conference on simplified sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements

Photo action by pregnant women after voting in plenary for Members during pregnancy and after giving birth

Press point on proxy voting in plenary for Members during pregnancy and after giving birth

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025

EP Plenary session - Protecting EU consumers against the practices of certain e-commerce platforms

EP Plenary session - Short presentations of reports

EP Plenary session - Conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

EP Plenary session - Condemning the illegal unilateral declaration of the secessionist entity created by Türkiye in Cyprus and the continued Turkish military occupation

EP Plenary session - Gender Equality Strategy 2025

EP Plenary session - Framework for achieving climate neutrality

Press conference on the MFF negotiations

Pelagie ontvluchtte de Democratische Republiek Congo omdat ze voor haar leven vreesde. Met de hulp van de liefdadigheidsorganisatie Refugees Welcome Italia vond ze in Rome een nieuw thuis.Todor is advocaat bij het Center for Legal Aid Voice in Bulgarije, een ngo die vluchtelingen helpt integreren en rechtsbijstand verleent.Met initiatieven zoals het Fonds voor asiel, migratie en integratie begeleidt de EU zowel migranten en asielzoekers als de EU-landen die hen opvangen.Het Europees Parlement steunt een Europese aanpak van de uitdagingen die met migratie samenhangen.

De uitdagingen rond migratie in de EU aangaan: Dit zijn Pelagie en Todor

Meet Mireya, a together.eu volunteer whose main goal in the last few months has been to spread the word on EU elections!

Everyone’s voice counts in the upcoming vote, this is why, with her teammates, she organised an event to let people air their concerns, hopes and dreams for the EU.

Together.eu is a community of people who care about the EU and its future. By meeting, discussing and organising, people like Mireya and other together.eu volunteer can exchange views with like-minded people.

Getting the vote out in Madrid with Mireya, a together.eu volunteer! - 9:16 EE24

A global pandemic, war in Ukraine and a cost-of-living crisis: the 2019-2024 European Parliament stepped up as people faced unprecedented challenges.

Parliament responded with measures that strengthened the EU and its economy while standing up for European values.

June’s European elections will decide how Parliament will deal with the challenges of the future.

Six big issues the European Parliament dealt with in the last five years

Six big issues the European Parliament dealt with in the last five years - 9:16

Five candidates for the European Commission presidency gathered in the European Parliament, in Brussels, to debate issues that affect everyone in the European Union, from jobs and migration to climate, innovation and security.

The Eurovision debate was organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and moderated by Martin Řezníček (Czech TV) and Annelies Beck (VRT, Belgium).

The following candidates took part:

Walter Baier (Austria, European Left)
Sandro Gozi (Italy, Renew Europe Now)
Ursula von der Leyen (Germany, European People’s Party)
Terry Reintke (Germany, European Greens)
Nicolas Schmit (Luxembourg, Party of European Socialists)

The position of each candidate on the stage, the first speaker on each topic and the order of the ‘spotlight’ interviews were decided on 16 May by a draw organised by the EBU in the European Parliament.

2024 Eurovision debate between lead candidates for the Commission presidency - 9:16 EE24

2024 Eurovision debate between lead candidates for the Commission presidency – EE24

The European Parliament has been working to protect people and the planet from the worst effects of climate change.   

 It passed ambitious and binding greenhouse gas reduction targets to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and backed vital funds to help Europeans meet the cost of the green transition.   

New rules encourage cleaner, more efficient energy and industry, creating new jobs and opportunities for businesses.  

EU action on climate change: use your vote in June! 

The European Parliament has been working to protect people and the planet from the worst effects of climate change.   

 It passed ambitious and binding greenhouse gas reduction targets to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and backed vital funds to help Europeans meet the cost of the green transition.   

New rules encourage cleaner, more efficient energy and industry, creating new jobs and opportunities for businesses.

EU action on climate change: use your vote in June!  - 9:16

Hoe beschermen we de integriteit van de communautaire instellingen en de democratie in deze tijden van gepolariseerde ideeën, wijdverbreide desinformatie en grensoverschrijdende conflicten? Overal in Europa bestuderen onderzoekers en ngo's manieren om samenlevingen weerbaarder te maken voor crisissen en buitenlandse actoren die zich met onze democratische processen proberen te bemoeien.  

Twee van deze onderzoekers zijn Julia van het Instituut voor Internationale Betrekkingen Clingendael in Nederland en Katarina van het Centrum voor Democratie en Weerbaarheid aan het beleidsinstituut GLOBSEC in Slowakije. Zij zijn gespecialiseerd in de westelijke Balkan en toetredende EU-lidstaten zoals Oekraïne. 

Het Europees Parlement steunt wetgeving om dit soort onderzoek te helpen bevorderen. Het begrijpt het belang van onafhankelijke organen. Verdere informatie over hoe het Parlement de dreigingen voor de democratie in de EU het hoofd biedt, vind je hier: https://europa.eu/!rg6kY7

De onafhankelijkheid en democratie in de EU bewaren: dit zijn Julia en Katarína EE24

De onafhankelijkheid en democratie in de EU bewaren: dit zijn Julia en Katarína 9:16 EE24

Soms willen de mensen achter desinformatie enkel verwarring en twijfel zaaien.

Ze overspoelen de sociale media dan met allerlei tegenstrijdige versies van dezelfde gebeurtenis, niet om ons ergens van te overtuigen maar om een algemeen gevoel van wantrouwen en desinteresse te creëren.

Bekijk deze video van de experts van het Europees Parlement en leer de dreiging te herkennen en tegen te gaan.

Meer informatie over het Europees Parlement en de Europese verkiezingen vind je hier: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/portal/nl

Hoe desinformatie werkt | Episode 3: de informatieruimte overspoelen - EE24

Hoe desinformatie werkt | Episode 3: de informatieruimte overspoelen - 9:16 EE24

Het Transparantieregister is een onlinedatabank met groepen en organisaties, die vorming of uitvoering van EU-beleid en -wetgeving trachten te beïnvloeden. Het is samengesteld om te verduidelijken welke belangen op EU-niveau worden behartigd en namens wie, en welke financiële en personele middelen voor deze activiteiten worden ingezet.

Europees Transparantieregister

Ben je ooit een discussie uit de weg gegaan omdat de toon te agressief was en jouw mening verloren leek te gaan tussen allerlei extreme opmerkingen?

Dat gebeurt meestal als de extreemste standpunten kunstmatig worden gestimuleerd.

Door het debat te polariseren, willen de verspreiders van desinformatie ons doen geloven dat de verschillen die tussen ons bestaan veel groter zijn dan ze eigenlijk zijn. Zo wordt het moeilijk om tot compromissen en oplossingen te komen.

Bekijk deze video om te zien hoe dit in zijn werk gaat en hoe je kunt voorkomen dat je in die val trapt.

Meer informatie over het Europees Parlement en de Europese verkiezingen vind je hier: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/portal/nl

Hoe desinformatie werkt, afl. 2: verdeeldheid creëren – EE24

Hoe desinformatie werkt, afl. 2: verdeeldheid creëren – 9:16 EE24

Hoe kan de EU haar economisch model zo hervormen dat consumenten en planeet er baat bij hebben? Aimilios in België en Laetitia in Frankrijk hebben (een deel van) het antwoord!

Aimilios en zijn team van Watt4Ever reviseren oude elektrische autoaccu's om er nieuwe energieopslagsystemen van te maken. Zo geven ze die accu's letterlijk een nieuw leven, terwijl ze tevens kostbare grondstoffen en energie besparen en verdere vervuiling voorkomen.

Laetitia en “Halte à l'Obsolescence Programmée” of HOP (“Stop Geplande Veroudering”), een campagne om dagelijkse producten langer te laten meegaan en geschikter te maken voor reparatie.

Het Europees Parlement steunt de Europese maatregelen ter bevordering van een circulaire economie, het recht op reparatie en een betere recycling van grondstoffen, om vervuiling van de planeet te voorkomen en geld te besparen.

EU-programma's zoals Horizon Europe en lokale en regionale ontwikkelingsfondsen zorgen ervoor dat zulke projecten de middelen krijgen die ze nodig hebben.

De economie laten werken voor jou en de planeet: dit zijn Aimilios en Laetitia - 9:16 EE24

De economie laten werken voor jou en de planeet: dit zijn Aimilios en Laetitia - EE24

The European Parliament has acted to ensure the EU economy and society are stronger and fairer in the aftermath of unprecedented challenges.  

The Covid-19 pandemic damaged the EU’s social and economic fabric, while the war in Ukraine sparked an energy crisis and saw the cost of living rise.  

Find out more about how Parliament is ensuring decent pay for workers and equal opportunities, while supporting businesses and making sure the EU is better prepared for future crises.

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