At a glance: the rise of religious intolerance across the EU; a resolution on current democratic backsliding in Georgia; and a resolution on Russia’s interference in Moldova.

Nieuwsflits – 11/10/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán presented the programme for his country’s six-month Presidency of the Council of the EU; MEPs approved over EUR 1 billion euro in EU Solidarity Fund aid to support five EU countries; Parliament debated affordable housing in Europe.

Nieuwsflits – 10/10/2024 - Nederlands

Ahead of the autumn 2024 Commissioners-designate hearings, Parliament has adapted the rules for the process, which will apply for the members of the second von der Leyen College. Since the 2004 investiture, Parliament has used its role in appointing the Commission to replace certain controversial candidates and force adjustments to certain portfolios, although according to the Treaties Parliament can only reject or accept the College as a whole. Confirmation hearings have become critical for Parliament to hold the Commission accountable, and have gained prominence as a tool for Parliament to take a greater role in EU agenda-setting.

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

EPRS policy podcast - Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate

At a glance: the European Parliament marked the first anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel; Parliament’s priorities for the next European Council meeting; and the crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry.

Nieuwsflits – 09/10/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to present the priorities of the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU; Parliament to hold a debate on affordable housing in Europe and on how to boost security at the EU’s external borders.

Nieuwsflits – 08/10/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: Parliament’s plenary session starts today in Strasbourg. Tomorrow, MEPs will focus on the situation in the Middle East. They will also outline Parliament’s priorities for the October European Council meeting and are set to approve over EUR 1 billion in EU Solidarity Fund aid for five EU countries.

Nieuwsflits – 07/10/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: the hearings of the Commissioners-designate, the results of the Eurobarometer Survey and the Clean Transition Dialogues.

Nieuwsflits – 04/10/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: the European Parliament’s political groups are preparing for the next plenary session; European Parliament President Roberta Metsola met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Nieuwsflits – 03/10/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: Parliament will publish the first Eurobarometer survey since the elections; a workshop on food price inflation; and the Committee on Culture and Education will hear a presentation about the House of European History Museum.

Nieuwsflits – 02/10/2024 - Nederlands

The five films in the running for the 2025 LUX Audience Award are:  Animal, Dahomey, Flow, Intercepted and Julie Keeps Quiet.
The LUX Award puts a spotlight on films that deal with social and political themes. It aims to encourage debate and reflection and use films to help build a stronger European identity.

LUX - The European Audience Film Award 2025

At a glance: preparations are ongoing for the hearings of the Commissioners-designate; discussions have taken place on the financial assistance package for Ukraine; the Chief Prosecutor of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office has met with members of Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

Nieuwsflits – 01/10/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: the first Monetary Dialogue of the 10th parliamentary term with ECB President Christine Lagarde; the Reform Agendas of the Western Balkans countries seeking EU membership; and breast cancer awareness month.

Nieuwsflits – 30/09/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: the announcement of the nominees for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; a financial assistance package for Ukraine; and the Subcommittee on Public Health will mark World Heart Day.

Nieuwsflits – 27/09/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: the exchange of views between the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the Hungarian State Secretary for Environmental Affairs; mobilising the EU Solidarity Fund for five Member States; and Multilingualism Day at the European Parliament.

Nieuwsflits – 26/09/2024 - Nederlands

At a glance: The nominations for the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought; the European Researchers’ Night; and the European Week of Sport.

Nieuwsflits – 25/09/2024 - Nederlands

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

Euroscola

The European Parliament has regularly called for ambitious measures reducing greenhouse gas emissions in road transport.

The EP has been pushing for the implemention of its 2030 goals to be in line with the targets set by the Paris Agreement. MEPs managed to push through a higher target for reducing EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030 (40% compared to the EU Commission’s 30%; year of reference 2021). There is an intermediate target of 20% by 2025.&nbsp; Similar targets are set for new vans as well.

Car emissions

Mario&nbsp;Draghi, formerly the President of the European Central Bank and Prime Minister of Italy, was tasked by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with presenting ideas on the future of European competitiveness. The report calls the challenge facing policy makers an “existential” one and warns that procrastination will lead to hard choices having to be made. It proposes far-reaching changes to numerous areas such as an “unprecedented” boost to public investment, including through the issuance of new EU common debt, a reform of the EU’s cohesion policy, an overhaul of competition policy, and a new industrial policy with at its core a strategy for reducing Europe’s high energy prices.

European competitiveness

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

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

EU - Hungary

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">For many years, Sweden had chosen to remain outside the European construction. It was in the 1990s that the idea of membership was born, being in the interest of the country to participate in the decisions that affect Sweden due to its geographical and economic situation. </div>

<div style="padding-top: 10px;">
The official application for membership happened in July 1991. Extensive negotiations were undertaken and after a referendum that gave a majority in favour of the accession, Sweden joined the EU in 1995.

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Sweden has 20 seats in the European Parliament and 10 votes in the EU Council.
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EU - Sweden

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

Parliament is pressing for measures to increase the use of alternative fuels as well as to improve road safety and to tackle unfair competition and the exploitation of workers.

In line with its Work Programme 2017, the European Commission proposes a set of initiatives to make traffic safer, encourage smart road charging, reduce CO2 emissions, air pollution and congestion, cut red-tape for businesses, fight illicit employment and ensure proper conditions and rest times for workers. These initiatives are linked to the strategy for a Resilient Energy Union, Europe's transition to a low-carbon economy and the strategy for low-emission mobility.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/mobility-8th-parliamentary-term_6507_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Mobility

Following the lessons learned from the pandemic and as a&nbsp;part of&nbsp;building a European Health Union, the Commission proposed a new health security framework on 11 November 2020. The package includes three pieces of legislation: a&nbsp;stronger role for the European Medicines Agency,&nbsp;extending the mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control&nbsp;and a&nbsp;proposal for a regulation on serious cross-border threats to health.

The new legislation aims to strengthen the EU’s capacity to prevent, prepare for and manage communicable diseases outbreaks.The ECDC will cooperate with the European Commission, national authorities, EU bodies and international organisations to ensure their respective activities are consistent and complement each other.&nbsp;

The new rules concerning cross-border threats include improved prevention, preparedness and response planning at EU and national levels. The Commission will be able to formally recognise a public health emergency at EU level, which would trigger stronger intra-EU cooperation and allow for the timely development and stockpiling of medical countermeasures.

EU countries hold primary responsibility for organising and delivering health services and medical care. EU health policy therefore serves to complement national policies, and to ensure health protection in all EU policies.&nbsp; EU policies and actions in public health aim to protect and improve the health of EU citizens, support the modernisation of health infrastructure, improve the efficiency of Europe's health systems.

The Committee for Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety ENVI is Parliament’s main actor on health matters and is responsible for over 10% of Parliament´s total legislative activity.

EU health policy

Worldwide, forests are being lost at the alarming rate of 800 football fields per hour. With deforestation being a critical contributor to climate change and a leading cause of biodiversity loss, it is becoming increasingly clear that a sustainable future cannot be achieved without tackling deforestation and taking measures to protect- and sustainably manage forests.&nbsp; The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)&nbsp;estimates&nbsp;that 420 million hectares of forest — an area larger than the EU — were lost to deforestation between 1990 and 2020. It is estimated that&nbsp;EU consumption represents around 10% of global deforestation.

&nbsp;In October 2020, Parliament made use of its&nbsp;prerogative in the Treaty&nbsp;to ask the Commission to&nbsp;come forward with legislation to halt EU-driven global deforestation.

MEPs have already called for strengthening the overall climate benefits from forests and the forest-based value chain, namely CO2 absorption and carbon storage in wood-based products. Parliament also emphasises the need to increase funding for research into the substitution of fossil fuels and fossil-fuel materials. Forests and the entire forest-based value chain are fundamental to further develop of the circular bio-economy, which delivers important climate change mitigation and adaptation services.Parliament wants binding targets to protect and restore forest ecosystems, especially primary forests (those that have not been been affected by people's actions in recent times).

Forest protection

The European Parliament supports media professionals reporting on parliamentary activities, providing both content and technical facilities for video, radio, multimedia and photo production. The EP Audiovisual teams coordinate state of the art studios for TV broadcast, multimedia, and radio in Strasbourg and in Brussels.

EP Audiovisual Services

During October plenary &nbsp;Parliament will assessed the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon. with EU foreign policy chief Borrell.&nbsp;MEPs debated also with the Commission the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023 and triggered the current war in Gaza and wider Middle East destabilisation.

While around 100 Israeli hostages remain unaccounted for, the numbers of victims in Gaza rises every day, and the war is escalating as Israel has begun ground attacks on Hezbollah inside Lebanon. In retaliation for Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah and on Hamas in Gaza, Iran has fired ballistic missiles on Israel.

The EU remains fully committed to efforts to avert a regional war, according to High Representative Borrell. Furthermore, he called on the EU to pledge to prevent Lebanon’s state institutions from collapsing, to look for a political response to the conflict and has urged for a global alliance to implement the two-state solution for Palestine and Israel. MEPs adopted a number of resolutions in the last 12 months, calling for an&nbsp;immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, 40,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023 as a result of Israel’s response to the attack by Hamas.

Situation in Israel and Gaza

Hungary holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from the 1st of July to 31st of December 2024.&nbsp;Priorities of the Hungarian&nbsp;presidency include: new European Competitiveness Deal ,The reinforcement of European defence policy ,&nbsp;&nbsp;a&nbsp;consistent and merit-based enlargement policy ,&nbsp;stemming illegal migration, shaping the future of cohesion policy, a&nbsp;farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy, addressing demographic challenges.

&nbsp;Make Europe Great Again”&nbsp;will be the motto of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which refers to both an active and proactive Presidency and to the fact that member states are stronger together than apart. It also symbolises the perception that Europe can become an independent global player.

The Rubik’s cube, the main element of the Hungarian presidency logo, refers to Hungarian ingenuity and problem-solving skills, as well as the complexity of European affairs.

Hungarian Presidency

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

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

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

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

Confirmation hearings

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

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

CONT - Committee on Budgetary Control

The EU is a long-term partner of Iraq, cooperating in the field of stabilisation, security and the political reform agenda.

 
In response to the challenges Iraq is facing following the territorial defeat of Da'esh, including ongoing humanitarian, stabilisation, early recovery, reform and reconciliation needs, the EU adopted on 22 January 2018 a new EU strategy for Iraq. The strategy demonstrates the EU's continued commitment to support the Iraqi people and their government as they seek to tackle these key challenges.

EU - Iraq

Mental health has become a major issue of public health, economic and social concern across the whole EU. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crisis have placed a huge strain on everyone's mental health (higher rates of stress, anxiety and depression), with a  severe impact on vulnerable populations, with inequalities in mental health, both within the population and between social groups. Young people's mental health has particularly suffered.
In its last resolution of 5 July 2022 on mental health in the digital world of work, Parliament pointed out that 64 % of young people between 18 and 34 were at risk of depression in 2021, due to a lack of employment and financial and educational prospects, as well as loneliness and social isolation.

World Mental Health Day - need for a comprehensive EU strategy on mental health

The Conference of Presidents meets to confirm the details of the calendar for the confirmation hearings of Commissioners-designate, a crucial step in the approval process of the new European Commission. The Conference of Presidents, led by the EP President and political group leaders, oversees Parliament's legislative planning, committee responsibilities, and relations with EU institutions. This meeting play a key role in setting the Parliament’s agenda.

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents

MEPs delve into the management of Europe’s external borders and the role of the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency.  
Migratory pressures towards Europe are expected to increase and cross border-crime will continue to evolve in the context of geopolitical instabilities in the EU’s neighbourhood, requiring enhanced border management. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Parliament in July that Frontex could further increase its staff to 30 000 agents. MEPs quiz the Commission on technological solutions and possible changes to Frontex’s mandate. They are also likely to raise the issue of the instrumentalisation of migrants by third countries as well as fundamental rights violations at the EU’s borders.
This debate take place against the backdrop of the EU and its member states continuing to prepare for the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum and, in particular the screening regulation, to improve security checks for persons arriving in the EU irregularly and speed up asylum and return procedures for those not entitled to international protection.

Strengthening the security of Europe’s external borders: need for a comprehensive approach and enhanced Frontex support

MEPs discuss with the Commission ways to encourage public and private investment in decent and affordable housing in Europe. Ahead of her confirmation as Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement before Parliament on 18 July that Europe faces a housing crisis and announced she would appoint a Commissioner to be directly responsible for this issue. Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy Dan Jørgensen is the Commissioner-designate for Housing and Energy.
As part of its Renovation Wave Strategy, the Commission launched an Affordable Housing Initiative in October 2023. Before that, in January 2021, Parliament called on the EU to recognise access to decent and affordable housing as an enforceable human right.

Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe

MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán the programme for Hungary’s six-month Council Presidency that started on 1 July 2024.The Hungarian government has announced the following priorities for its six month Presidency: A new European competitiveness deal; Boosting European defence policy; A consistent and merit-based enlargement policy; Stemming illegal migration; Shaping the future of cohesion policy; A farmer-oriented EU agricultural policy; Addressing demographic challenges.


During the 2019-2024 legislative period, Parliament repeatedly denounced the Hungarian government’s deliberate and systematic efforts to undermine EU values and the threat it poses for EU institutions and funds. MEPs have expressed serious concerns about the Orbán government’s ability to credibly fulfil its role leading the Council. According to Parliament, the situation has worsened since the activation of the Article 7(1) procedure - to the point that Hungary can no longer be considered a full democracy.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Hungarian Presidency

MEPs discuss the declining state of democracy in Georgia with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell, ahead of a vote on a related resolution scheduled for Thursday. As the country prepares for parliamentary elections on 26 October, concerns have arisen over the ruling Georgian Dream party's increasingly authoritarian policies, particularly regarding media freedom and LGBTQ+ rights. Despite being granted EU candidate status in December 2023, the party has faced criticism for its crackdown on pro-democracy protests and for advancing a law labeling Western-funded media and NGOs as "foreign agents." If Georgian Dream secures a significant majority in the upcoming elections, there are fears that the multi-party system and political pluralism in Georgia could be further jeopardized.

Threats to political pluralism in Georgia

MEPs wengage in a debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell regarding Russian attempts to interfere in Moldova's upcoming presidential elections. Following this discussion, a resolution addressing these concerns will be put to a vote on Thursday.

Moldova is set to hold its presidential election on 20 October 2024, coinciding with a referendum on EU membership. Senior Moldovan officials have raised alarms about Moscow's use of hybrid tactics aimed at undermining the country's pro-European government, led by President Maia Sandu, as it seeks to advance its EU integration following the granting of EU candidate status in June 2022.

Strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russian interference

MEPs address the ongoing crisis in the EU’s automotive industry, focusing on enhancing competitiveness and preventing potential plant closures. This discussion arises as the sector grapples with challenges stemming from the shift to low-carbon technologies, supply chain disruptions, heightened competition from Asia, and a decline in demand for electric vehicles. MEPs will engage with representatives from the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency to explore measures aimed at revitalizing the automotive sector.

The EU automotive industry, a historically significant sector employing 13.8 million people and contributing 8% of European manufacturing value, is currently at a pivotal moment. The transition towards electrification, with all new vehicles mandated to be zero emissions by 2035, alongside digitalization and global competition, necessitates a swift adaptation of business models. In 2023, while the EU produced 14.8 million vehicles, the industry faces the challenge of competing against emerging leaders like China. MEPs are expected to propose a resolution in a future session to address these urgent concerns and secure the future of this vital sector.

The crisis facing the EU’s automotive industry

Parliament evaluates the escalating violence in the Middle East and the latest developments in Lebanon with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. This discussion follows the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023, and which has since triggered ongoing conflict in Gaza and broader regional instability.

As Israel intensifies ground operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, around 100 Israeli hostages remain unaccounted for, and casualty numbers in Gaza continue to rise. In response to the conflict, Iran has launched ballistic missiles at Israel. High Representative Borrell has emphasized the EU's commitment to prevent a regional war. MEPs have previously called for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, and unrestricted humanitarian aid access, with reports from the Gaza Health Ministry indicating that approximately 40,000 Palestinians have died since October 2023 due to Israel's response to the attack by Hamas.

Escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon

MEPs convene to discuss the priorities for the upcoming October European Council, assessing the latest developments in the ongoing war in Ukraine and the escalating conflict in the Middle East with the Commission and the Hungarian Presidency. As the summit approaches on 17-18 October in Brussels, MEPs will deliberate on how the EU can enhance its support for Ukraine amidst Russian aggression and respond effectively to the ongoing Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon, alongside Iran's missile strikes on Israel.

Additionally, EU leaders will address strategies to bolster the European economy's competitiveness, inspired by Mario Draghi’s report advocating for increased public investment and extensive economic reforms. Migration management and border protection will also be key topics on the agenda, reflecting the EU's ongoing commitment to addressing complex challenges within the region.

Preparation of the European Council of 17-18 October 2024

MEPs will engage in a debate with the Commission focused on media pluralism, independent journalism and on combating the rising tide of disinformation. With fake news and coordinated disinformation campaigns increasingly used as tools for political interference the urgency of this discussion is heightened by recent incidents surrounding the June 2024 European elections and various national elections. The surge in disinformation has also been exacerbated by significant events such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, Ursula von der Leyen announced the introduction of a new European Democracy Shield aimed at countering foreign information manipulation.

The European Parliament has taken proactive steps to safeguard citizens from disinformation and foreign interference through legislative measures like the anti-SLAPP directive and the Media Freedom Act. The latter aims to protect editorial freedom from political interference while offering enhanced safeguards for journalists and their sources. The EU's broader strategy seeks to address the challenges posed by disinformation by strengthening cooperation among member states, enhancing accountability for online platforms, and establishing a robust regulatory framework under the Digital Services Act. This comprehensive approach aims to preserve democratic integrity and foster public trust amidst an increasingly complex information landscape.

Facing fake news, populism and disinformation in the EU

MEPs engage with the Commission to address the urgent need to combat gender-based violence in Europe. Amid ongoing high-profile trials in Italy and France related to violent crimes against women, discussions will likely emphasize the importance of establishing a common EU definition of consent. MEPs are also expected to request an update on the implementation of the recently adopted EU directive aimed at enhancing protections for victims and preventing violence, particularly domestic violence.

The new legislation includes provisions to prohibit female genital mutilation and forced marriage, along with measures targeting online offenses. With a commitment to prioritizing equality, MEPs will urge the Commission to ensure effective transposition of these rules across member states, highlighting the necessity for accessible healthcare, sheltered accommodations for victims, and enhanced public awareness campaigns regarding consent and non-consensual acts.

Need to fight the systematic problem of gender based violence in Europe

MEPs debate the reintroduction of internal border controls in the Schengen area and its impact on EU free movement in a session with the Commission on Monday. Recent decisions by Germany and other Schengen members to reinstate checks have sparked concerns about the future of the Schengen zone and its ability to maintain open borders.

The reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of Member States and its impact on the Schengen Area

On Monday afternoon, MEPs debate with the Commission the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack that killed 1,200 Israelis on 7 October 2023 and triggered the current war in Gaza and wider Middle East destabilisation.

One year after the 7 October terrorist attacks by Hamas

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola meets with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party from 2020 until 2024 and Prime Minister of the UK since July 2024, has a background as a human rights lawyer and is the former Director of Public Prosecutions.

EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Prime Minister of the UK, Sir Keir Starmer.

The Conference of Presidents will meet to discuss the confirmation hearings of Commissioners-designate, a crucial step in the approval process of the new European Commission. On Tuesday, the Conference of Committee Chairs will finalize the structure and schedule of these hearings, including common questions and the division of responsibilities among parliamentary committees and a proposal will be made to the Conference of Presidents.

The Conference of Presidents, led by the EP President and political group leaders, oversees Parliament's legislative planning, committee responsibilities, and relations with EU institutions. This meeting play a key role in setting the Parliament’s agenda.

On Monday, 30 September 2024, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) holds its first Monetary Dialogue of the 10th parliamentary term with Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB). This important session focuses on the ECB's recent monetary policy decisions, following the ECB Governing Council's move on 12 September to lower the key interest rate by 25 basis points, marking a continued shift in policy since June.

In addition to monetary policy, the dialogue will also cover the Capital Markets Union (CMU) and its significance for the ECB's strategies. The Capital Markets Union (CMU) is an initiative aimed at creating a single, integrated capital market across all EU member states. Its primary goal is to make it easier for businesses to access funding, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by diversifying sources of finance beyond traditional banking systems. The CMU seeks to connect savings more effectively with investment opportunities, promote cross-border investments, and deepen financial integration within the EU.

Economic Dialogue with Christine LAGARDE, ECB President - EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is in New York for the 2024 United Nations General Assembly, actively promoting the EU's global agenda. From the critical importance of international parliamentary cooperation in addressing global challenges and tackling inequalities to supporting sustainable development and highlighting sport’s role in fostering economic and social development, Metsola's presence in New York underscores the European Parliament’s active role in shaping multilateralism, global governance, and sustainable development at the UN General Assembly.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to New York (United States)

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.


The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added.


There are also differences in other aspects of voting, for example regarding the minimum voting age or the rules about voting from abroad.

EU Elections 2024

The European elections are the largest transnational elections in the world. There are some common rules that apply in all EU countries but many details vary by country.


Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise the vote.

Map European elections 2024

Online shopping, take-away food, coffee to go... Packaging waste is growing. Find out how much is being produced and how the EU wants to reverse the trend

How to reduce packaging waste in the EU

With war having returned to the European continent, measuring the level of threats to peace, security and democracy around the world – as the 'Normandy Index' does – is more important than ever. The annual Index was presented for the first time at the Normandy Peace Forum in June 2019, as a result of a partnership between the European Parliament and the Region of Normandy. The Index has been designed and prepared by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in conjunction with and on the basis of data provided by the Institute for Economics and Peace. This paper sets out the findings of the 2023 exercise, which draws on data compiled in 2022, and explains how the Index can be used to compare peace – defined on the basis of a given country's performance against a range of predetermined threats – across countries and regions. It is complemented by 61 individual country case studies, derived from the Index. The paper forms part of the EPRS contribution to the 2023 Normandy World Peace Foru

Mapping threats to peace and democracy worldwide: Normandy Index 2023

Discover key figures about the repatriation of migrants and proposed changes to EU law.
The EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum includes new rules and the revision of existing legislation, such as the Return Directive.
In a draft resolution on the Return Directive adopted in December 2020, MEPs stressed the importance of protecting individual fundamental rights as well as respect for procedural safeguards.

Repatriation: how many migrants in the EU are sent back?

Over the past 30 years the single market has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans.

30 years of EU single market: benefits and challenges

Find out about the top cyber threats in 2022, the most affected sectors and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The digital transformation has inevitably led to new cybersecurity threats. During the coronavirus pandemic, companies had to adapt to remote working and this created more possibilities for cybercriminals. The war in Ukraine has also affected cybersecurity.

In response to the evolution of cybersecurity threats, Parliament adopted a new EU directive introducing harmonised measures across the EU, including on the protection of essential sectors.

Cybersecurity: main and emerging threats

With fast fashion, the quantity of clothes produced and thrown away has boomed. Find out more about the environmental impact and what the EU is doing about it.

Fast fashion is the constant provision of new styles at very low prices.

To tackle the impact on the environment, the EU wants to reduce textile waste and increase the life cycle and recycling of textiles. This is part of the plan to achieve a circular economy by 2050.

The impact of textile production and waste on the environment

Find out about the economic inequalities that continue to persist between women and men in the EU.

It has been more than 25 years since the adoption of the UN’s Beijing Declaration, which aims to promote equality between men and women. The same goal lies behind the creation of UN Women - dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women - and the inclusion of gender equality in the Sustainable Development Goals.
s
So where do we stand? Progress has been made, but inequality between men and women persists, including on the labour market. On average, women in the EU are paid less than men.

Gender pay gap in Europe: facts and figures

Every year 2.2 billion tonnes of waste are generated in the EU. More than a quarter of it (27%) is municipal waste: everyday waste collected and treated by municipalities, which is mainly generated by households. Data shows that the amount of waste and the way it is managed varies a lot across EU countries, but there has been a shift to more recycling and less landfilling.

To reduce waste and its impact on the environment, the EU has adopted ambitious targets on recycling and landfill and is working on packaging waste. The goal is to promote the shift towards a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

Waste management in the EU: infographic with facts and figures

Award Ceremony for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism 2024

Pre-session briefing

Committee on Budgetary Control

CONT

Constitutive meeting of Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

Subcommittee meeting on Security and Defence

SEDE

Subcommittee meeting on Human Rights

DROI

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

ITRE

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the EU-Mexico Joint Parliamentary Committee

Subcommittee meeting on Tax Matters

FISC

Committee on Fisheries

PECH

Subcommittee meeting on Public Health

SANT

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Johan FLODERUS, Swedish diplomat

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Consequences of the devastating forest fires in the Amazon and the importance of the Amazon for climate change

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - World Mental Health Day - need for a comprehensive EU strategy on mental health

EP Plenary session - The rise of religious intolerance in Europe

CONT - European Court of Auditors Annual Report 2023

EP Plenary session - Protecting the EU budget and ensuring that EU funds do not benefit entities or individuals linked to terrorist or Islamist movement

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

EP Plenary session - Urgent need to revise the medical devices regulation

EP Plenary session - 2024 Annual Rule of law report

EP Plenary session - Prevention of drug-related crimes, their effect on European citizens and the need for an effective European response

Andre RODRIGUES meets with colleagues from the outermost regions

EP Plenary session - Strengthening the security of Europe’s external borders: need for a comprehensive approach and enhanced Frontex support No resolution

Delegations for relations with the Pan-African Parliament Constitutive meeting

LEX signing ceremony in presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and and János BOKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, on behalf of the Hungarian Presidency

EP Plenary session -  Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe - encouraging investment, private property and public housing programmes

Leden van het Europees Parlement debatteerden over een belangrijk rapport dat aandringt op snelle actie om het concurrentievermogen van de EU te vergroten. 
Volgens zijn auteur, voormalig voorzitter van de Europese Centrale Bank Mario Draghi, loopt de EU achter op de VS en China te midden van trage groei, hoge energieprijzen en bedreigingen van haar veiligheid. 
Hij vertelde de Parlementsleden in Straatsburg dat een extra jaarlijkse investering van 800 miljard euro nodig is om innovatie te stimuleren, de levensstandaard te beschermen en de Europese levenswijze te vrijwaren. 
Veel Parlementsleden reageerden positief op zijn oproep, sommigen vroegen meer steun voor belangrijke sectoren en voor de groene en digitale transformaties. Anderen pleitten voor vrijere markten en waarschuwden ervoor dat maatregelen om klimaatverandering te bestrijden de economische groei kan schaden.

Rapport van Draghi: Europees Parlement bespreekt plan om EU-economie te stimuleren

In de EU hebben grote onlineplatforms een verantwoordelijkheid om ons te beschermen tegen desinformatie, illegale inhoud en oneerlijke praktijken. 
Ze moeten de regels volgen van de Verordening digitale diensten, 's werelds eerste uitgebreide wetgeving om een veilige, eerlijke digitale wereld te garanderen en vrijheid en democratie te respecteren. 
In een plenair debat in september 2024 hebben leden van het Europees Parlement met de Europese Commissie besproken hoe deze verordening kan worden gehandhaafd.   
Lees meer over de Verordening digitale diensten: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/nl/article/20211209STO19124/eu-wet-inzake-digitale-markten-en-wet-inzake-digitale-diensten-toelichting

Hoe worden de digitale regels van de EU in de praktijk gebracht?

Hoe worden de digitale regels van de EU in de praktijk gebracht? 9:16

Sinds Rusland in 2022 Oekraïne binnenviel, is de Europese Unie het Oekraïense volk blijven steunen door vluchtelingen op te vangen, defensiematerieel te leveren en financiële hulp te bieden. De oorlog heeft verwoestende gevolgen gehad voor de hele Oekraïense samenleving en heeft voor veel jonge Oekraïners hun opleiding ernstig verstoord. 
 
Met de steun van EU-financiering heeft Kamil, een IT-docent in Tsjechië, het platform Digital University opgezet, zodat Oekraïense studenten online kunnen blijven leren.
En Olena heeft haar opleiding in de EU voortgezet als Erasmus+-student en als jonge Europese ambassadeur in Gdańsk, Polen.

Onderwijs voor Oekraïners garanderen in tijden van oorlog: Maak kennis met Kamil en Olena - 9:16

Sinds Rusland in 2022 Oekraïne binnenviel, is de Europese Unie het Oekraïense volk blijven steunen door vluchtelingen op te vangen, defensiematerieel te leveren en financiële hulp te bieden. De oorlog heeft verwoestende gevolgen gehad voor de hele Oekraïense samenleving en heeft voor veel jonge Oekraïners hun opleiding ernstig verstoord. 

Met de steun van EU-financiering heeft Kamil, een IT-docent in Tsjechië, het platform Digital University opgezet, zodat Oekraïense studenten online kunnen blijven leren.

En Olena heeft haar opleiding in de EU voortgezet als Erasmus+-student en als jonge Europese ambassadeur in Gdańsk, Polen.

Onderwijs voor Oekraïners garanderen in tijden van oorlog: Maak kennis met Kamil en Olena

Wat is er beter dan een gesprek over democratie? Een gesprek over democratie met gratis koffie!
Maak kennis met Cille, een vrijwilliger van samen.eu die in Kopenhagen een koffietruck heeft opgezet om democratische participatie in de EU aan te moedigen. 
Samen met haar team organiseert ze het hele jaar door EU-gerelateerde evenementen om mensen aan het praten te krijgen over wat de EU voor ze kan betekenen en hoe de EU-instellingen een rol spelen in ieders leven. 
Samen.eu is een gemeenschap van mensen die om de EU en haar toekomst geven. Door de gemeenschap van samen.eu te steunen, moedigt het Europees Parlement mensen uit de hele EU aan om betrokken te raken bij het democratische proces.

De democratische participatie stimuleren met Cille, een vrijwilliger van samen.eu 9:16

Het Europees Parlement moedigt mensen uit de hele EU aan om betrokken te raken bij het democratische proces.

Samen.eu is een door het Europees Parlement ondersteunde gemeenschap waar je online en offline mensen kunt ontmoeten die democratie belangrijk vinden en je mening kunt geven over Europese kwesties.

Net als Mireya in Madrid en Cille in Denemarken ontmoeten vrijwilligers van samen.eu uit de hele EU elkaar, voeren ze gesprekken, wisselen ze ideeën uit en organiseren ze evenementen om duidelijk te maken wat de EU-instellingen voor de burgers doen en waarom democratische participatie cruciaal is.

Maak kennis met je gemeenschap en sluit je bij ze aan op samen.eu.

Doe mee om de democratie in de EU te versterken! Maak kennis met Mireya en Cille

De Russische invasie van Oekraïne leidde tot een energiecrisis en hoge inflatie in Europa. Het Europees Parlement wil waarborgen dat de EU veerkrachtig genoeg is om andere crises in de toekomst te kunnen weerstaan. Daarom ondersteunt het gedurfde, visionaire projecten om onze economieën en samenlevingen sterker te maken.

Erik hielp Zweedse bedrijven Amokabel en Bennesveds Åkeri om het eerste zelfvoorzienende waterstofstation van het land te openen: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Het levert schone brandstof op basis van plaatselijke windenergie. 

In Ierland is Hannah koolstofspecialist bij Bord na Móna, een bedrijf dat van veenwinning voor brandstof uitgroeide tot leider in de productie van schone energie. Ze werkt aan het herstel van de veengebieden van het land, die enorme hoeveelheden koolstof kunnen opslaan. Zo helpt ze ook de EU om haar klimaatdoelen te halen.
 
Dergelijke initiatieven, financieel gesteund door de Europese faciliteit voor herstel en veerkracht, vormen de kern van een sterker en responsiever Europa.

Bouwen aan de Europese economie van de toekomst: maak kennis met Erik en Hannah - 9:16

De Russische invasie van Oekraïne leidde tot een energiecrisis en hoge inflatie in Europa. Het Europees Parlement wil waarborgen dat de EU veerkrachtig genoeg is om andere crises in de toekomst te kunnen weerstaan. Daarom ondersteunt het gedurfde, visionaire projecten om onze economieën en samenlevingen sterker te maken.

Erik hielp Zweedse bedrijven Amokabel en Bennesveds Åkeri om het eerste zelfvoorzienende waterstofstation van het land te openen: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Het levert schone brandstof op basis van plaatselijke windenergie. 

In Ierland is Hannah koolstofspecialist bij Bord na Móna, een bedrijf dat van veenwinning voor brandstof uitgroeide tot leider in de productie van schone energie. Ze werkt aan het herstel van de veengebieden van het land, die enorme hoeveelheden koolstof kunnen opslaan. Zo helpt ze ook de EU om haar klimaatdoelen te halen.

Dergelijke initiatieven, financieel gesteund door de Europese faciliteit voor herstel en veerkracht, vormen de kern van een sterker en responsiever Europa.

Bouwen aan de Europese economie van de toekomst: maak kennis met Erik en Hannah

In juni waren miljoenen Europeanen op de afspraak voor de grootste transnationale verkiezing ter wereld. Nu de stemmen zijn geteld en nieuwe parlementsleden zijn gekozen, gaan we even kijken hoe het Europees Parlement eruit zal zien. Hoeveel Europarlementsleden zijn er in elke fractie? Hoeveel Europarlementsleden zijn er per land? Wie hebben ze gekozen tot voorzitter van het Europees Parlement en de Europese Commissie?

Wat is de samenstelling van het nieuwe Europees Parlement?

In juni waren miljoenen Europeanen op de afspraak voor de grootste transnationale verkiezing ter wereld. Nu de stemmen zijn geteld en nieuwe parlementsleden zijn gekozen, gaan we even kijken hoe het Europees Parlement eruit zal zien. 
 
Hoeveel Europarlementsleden zijn er in elke fractie? Hoeveel Europarlementsleden zijn er per land? Wie hebben ze gekozen tot voorzitter van het Europees Parlement en de Europese Commissie?

Wat is de samenstelling van het nieuwe Europees Parlement? - 9:16

In juli 2024 heeft het Europees Parlement Ursula von der Leyen bevestigd voor een tweede termijn als voorzitter van de Commissie. Ze zal een team van commissarissen, één uit elk land, leiden, die de invoer van EU-wetten in de komende vijf jaar zullen voorstellen en controleren.    
 
Het kiezen van de voorzitter van de Europese Commissie is een van de eerste taken van het Parlement na de Europese verkiezingen. 
    
De leiders van de EU-landen dragen een kandidaat voor Commissievoorzitter voor, rekening houdend met de resultaten van de Europese verkiezingen.    
   
De kandidaat moet worden goedgekeurd door het Parlement met de steun van de meerderheid van zijn leden plus één in een geheime stemming.   
   
Indien de kandidaat de vereiste meerderheid niet haalt, moet de Europese Raad een andere kandidaat voorstellen binnen een maand.   
   
Meer informatie: https://elections.europa.eu/nl/commission-president/

Europees Parlement kiest Von der Leyen opnieuw als voorzitter van de Commissie

Wie is Roberta Metsola, de voorzitter van het Europees Parlement die in juli 2024 werd verkozen voor een tweede termijn? Hoe werd ze gekozen en wat is haar rol? 
 
Om de tweeënhalf jaar selecteert het Europees Parlement iemand om het te vertegenwoordigen bij andere EU-instellingen en in de rest van de wereld. De voorzitter van het Parlement wordt gekozen in een geheime stemming die plaatsvindt in de eerste plenaire sessie na de verkiezingen.
 
De kandidaat die de absolute meerderheid van de stemmen haalt krijgt de functie. 
 
De voorzitter stuurt ook de activiteiten van Parlement, leidt de plenaire sessies en verklaart de EU-begroting definitief goedgekeurd. De rol omvat ook het toelichten van het standpunt van het Parlement aan het begin van elke bijeenkomst van de Europese Raad. 
 
Lees ons artikel voor meer info: https://elections.europa.eu/nl/parliament-president/

Roberta Metsola: maak kennis met de voorzitter van het Europees Parlement

In 2015 riepen de Duitse bondskanselier Angela Merkel en de Franse president François Hollande de Europese landen op om de verantwoordelijkheid voor de opvang van asielzoekers te delen. De EU beleefde dat jaar een ongekende migratiegolf, waarbij honderdduizenden mensen via irreguliere kanalen de EU binnenkwamen. Velen waren op de vlucht voor de oorlog in Syrië. De meesten gingen naar Duitsland en talloze anderen trokken naar andere landen. Tijdens een historische gezamenlijke toespraak voor het Europees Parlement riepen Merkel en Hollande op tot gezamenlijke actie om de oorzaken van de crisis aan te pakken. *Bekijk de volledige toespraak op het multimediakanaal van het Europees Parlement: http://epfacebook.eu/SpeechMerkelHollande

Toespraken van Merkel en Hollande over de migratiecrisis | Europees Parlement

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 - 9:16

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

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.

2.876 resultaten