At a glance: the Committees’ first regular meetings; a statement by the chair of Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries on the stricken fishing vessel in the Falkland Islands; and the European Disability Card and Parking Card.

Destaques do dia – 25/07/2024 - português

Depois de eleger o presidente e os 14 vice-presidentes, o Parlamento Europeu elege os questores. Mas qual é o seu papel?

O jargão simplificado. O que é um questor?

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees took place on Tuesday in Brussels; the first regular committee meetings; and air passenger rights.

Destaques do dia – 24/07/2024 - português

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees are taking place today in Brussels; the EU is turning road safety best practices into draft laws; there are some steps you need to take before travelling around Europe with your pets.

Destaques do dia – 23/07/2024 - português

At a glance: the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees will take place in Brussels on Tuesday; new EU rules for the development of the trans-European transport network; and the anniversary of the election of the first female president of any EU institution.

Destaques do dia – 22/07/2024 - português

Yesterday, Parliament approved the nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission for a second five-year term; on Wednesday, MEPs approved the proposal on the number of members in Parliament’s 20 specialised standing committees and four sub-committees, as well as its 48 standing delegations; the constitutive meetings of the European Parliament’s standing committees and subcommittees will take place in Brussels on Tuesday.

Destaques do dia – 19/07/2024 - português

O Parlamento Europeu é bem mais do que apenas os seus deputados. Por detrás desta enorme instituição, há milhares de pessoas que diariamente se empenham em tornar a União Europeia mais acessível, funcional e transparente para os seus cidadãos. E um tão elevado número de pessoas pode rapidamente tornar-se impossível de gerir. É por isso que órgãos administrativos como a Mesa são indispensáveis.

O jargão simplificado. O papel da Mesa

At a glance: the 10th legislative term of the European Parliament has begun; Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as Parliament President; MEPs also elected 14 Vice-Presidents and 5 Quaestors; in Strasbourg, MEPs discussed the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Destaques do dia – 18/07/2024 - português

At a glance: Roberta Metsola has been re-elected as Parliament President; MEPs will vote on their position on support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression; Parliament to vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination for a second term as Commission President.

Destaques do dia – 17/07/2024 - português

At a glance: the EU institutions react to the shooting that took place during former US president Donald Trump’s campaign rally; the newly elected European Parliament will vote on the composition of its committees and delegations during the plenary session in Strasbourg; MEPs will also vote on a position on Russia’s war of aggression, and are expected to reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine.

Destaques do dia – 16/07/2024 - português

At a glance: in Strasbourg, the European Parliament will elect its new President; MEPs will form committees, sub-committees and delegations; the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement.

Destaques do dia – 15/07/2024 - português

At a glance: next week, the first plenary session of the tenth legislative term will kick off in Strasbourg; the meeting of the Economic and Social Committee; and World Population Day.

Destaques do dia – 12/07/2024 - português

At a glance: next week in Strasbourg, MEPs will assess the outcome of the EU summit of 27 June; the S&D Group’s hearing with Ursula von der Leyen; and water quality at beaches across Europe.

Destaques do dia – 11/07/2024 - português

At a glance: next week in Strasbourg, MEPs will assess the outcome of the EU summit of 27 June; Parliament’s political group Identity and Democracy has changed its name; and President Roberta Metsola met the Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof.

Destaques do dia – 10/07/2024 - português

At a glance: the political groups are preparing for the constitutive session of Parliament’s 10th legislative term, MEPs will assess the outcome of the EU summit of 27 June in Strasbourg next week, and the saving rate in the euro area has risen.

Destaques do dia – 09/07/2024 - português

At a glance: new EU rules on ecodesign for sustainable products; Canada is now part of the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme; and what you need to know about consular protection in case of emergency in a third country .

Destaques do dia – 08/07/2024 - português

Austria has been an EU Member since 1st January 1995. Austria is a federal parliamentary republic with a head of government - the chancellor - and a head of state - the president.

Austria ihas also been a member of the Euro area since 1 January 1999 and a member of Schengen since December 1997.

There are 19 members of the European Parliament from Austria. The country held the EU Presidency in 1998, 2006 and 2018.

Austria consists of 9 states (Bundesländer). Both regional and federal governments exercise executive power. The federal Parliament consists of 2 chambers: the Lower House (Nationalrat) - directly elected - and the Upper House (Bundesrat) - elected by regional parliaments.

EU - Austria

The&nbsp;Union for the Mediterranean (UfM)&nbsp;is an intergovernmental institution bringing together all EU countries and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean to promote dialogue and cooperation. Relations centre on six main areas and include research.

The EU established its privileged partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood in 1995 with the launch of the&nbsp;Euro-Mediterranean Partnership&nbsp;at the Barcelona Conference, aiming to establish an area of peace, stability, economic prosperity, upholding democratic values and human rights.

As a continuation of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership,&nbsp;the Union for the Mediterranean&nbsp;was launched In 2008. This inter-governmental partnership promotes cooperation and dialogue in the Euro-Mediterranean region and brings together all 27 EU Member States and 15 countries of the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Mauritania, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Palestine*, Syria – suspended, Tunisia and Turkey; Libya is an observer

&nbsp;Climate change, renewable energies and health are the priorities for stronger regional collaboration in research and innovation for the coming years.

EU - Mediterranean

The historic partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Kingdom of Morocco, underpinned by a number of political and economic agreements, has given Morocco a new momentum for its modernisation and democratic transition process.

With the signing of an association agreement in 1996, coming into force in 2000, the cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the EU has expanded to include politics and security. This Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement aims to provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue between the EU and its partners in the Mediterranean Basin. The principle behind this is to work for the development of this region in a climate of peace, security and stability, in accordance with democratic principles and fundamental rights.

EU - Morocco

On Tuesday at 11.30, the Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan will hold a speech in the European Parliament in Strasbourg.&nbsp;

Mr Pashinyan’s visit takes place in the aftermath of Azerbaijan’s military attack and recapture of the breakaway enclave Nagorno-Karabakh on 19 September, which forced over 100 000 ethnic Armenians living in the area to flee their homes. In a resolution adopted on 5 October, MEPs strongly condemned the unjustified military offensive while highlighting that the Armenian exodus amounted to ethnic cleansing.

They also called on the EU to thoroughly reassess its relations with Azerbaijan and, among other things, to suspend the current&nbsp;Memorandum of&nbsp;Understanding on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy&nbsp;between the EU and Baku government.

Mr Pashinyan has been Prime Minister of Armenia since May 2018.

Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh

The constitutive meetings of the European Parliament's standing committees and subcommittees take place in Brussels on 10 July 2019, following the appointment of their members in the plenary sitting of 3-4 July. During the meetings, each committee and subcommittee will elect its respective bureau, made up of a Chair and Vice-Chairs, for a two-and-a-half year mandate. The newly set up committees will then start holding their regular meetings during the week of 22 July.

REGI - Committee on Regional Development

The European Parliament released in October 2024 the “EU Post-Electoral Survey 2024” looking at voting behaviour and the main priorities of EU citizens. Rising prices and the cost of living (42%) and the economic situation (41%) were the main topics that motivated European citizens to vote in the last European elections in June this year. A third of voters (34%) say that the international situation was a topic that encouraged them to vote, while a similar proportion mentions defending democracy and the rule of law (32%).

Those who did not vote also say the cost of living (46%) and the economic situation (36%) could have motivated them to participate in the elections.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, commenting on the results of the survey, says: “Last June, people across Europe made their voice count as we saw the highest turnout in the European Parliament elections in 30 years. They gave us a mandate to act, to provide answers and solutions and to make a positive difference in their daily lives. We will deliver. Over the coming weeks, the European Parliament is scrutinising the new European Commission to ensure it will address the issues that are a priority for people: the cost of living, the state of our economy, democracy, rule of law, migration and security. The European Parliament will continue to work to make people’s voice count in the EU.”

Eurobarometer

Under current procedures, together with the (newly) elected Commission President, the Council appoints the Commissioners-designate. Each Commissioner-designate is assigned responsibility for a specific policy area by the Commission President. The relevant EP committees assess each of the Commissioners-designate, before a plenary vote on the appointment of the College as a whole.

Confirmation hearings in the relevant committee or committees

The Commissioner-designate is invited to a three-hour confirmation hearing, streamed live, in front of the EP committees responsible for their portfolio.&nbsp;

Conclusion of the confirmation hearing process

The Conference of Presidents declares the confirmation hearings closed after having analysed the evaluation letters from the Committees in charge and the recommendation of the Conference of Committee Chairs (CCC). Only at this point can the evaluation letters be published and comments on the evaluation be made.

Plenary vote of investiture

The Commission President takes the results of the confirmation hearings, as well as consultations with Parliament's political groups, into account. They then presents their team and political priorities during a plenary session. After a debate, MEPs will decide, by a majority of votes cast, whether to invest the new College of Commissioners for a mandate of five years.

Election of the 2024-2029 Commission

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

Every five years, EU citizens choose who represents them in the European Parliament, the directly-elected institution that defends their interests in the EU decision-making process.

The European elections took place from 6th to 9th of June 2024.

The elections take place every five years and are the largest transnational elections in the world. By voting in the European elections, people living in the EU get to choose the 720&nbsp;members that will represent them in the European Parliament until 2029.

Following the elections, Parliament votes to elect the new head of the European Commission, which is the EU’s executive body, and to approve the full team of commissioners.

Eleições europeias 2024

In March 2012 Serbia was granted EU candidate status.

On 19 April 2013, after ten rounds of often grueling talks in the EU-facilitated Dialogue in Brussels, the intervenants reached a landmark agreement aimed at normalising relations between Serbia and Kosovo. Concrete results in the implementation of this agreement will bring about a brighter future and lasting stability to the region. In line with the decision of the European Council in June 2013 to open accession negotiations with Serbia, the Council adopted in December 2013 the negotiating framework and agreed to hold the 1st Intergovernmental Conference with Serbia in January 2014. On 21 January 2014, the 1st Intergovernmental Conference took place, signaling the formal start of Serbia’s accession negotiations.

EU - Serbia

The EU and China are two of the biggest traders in the world, with China being the EU's second trading partner.&nbsp; The EU-China Human Rights Dialogue was launched in 1995.&nbsp;Parliament strongly condemns the Chinese government-led system of forced labour – in particular the exploitation of Uyghur, ethnic Kazakh and Kyrgyz, and other Muslim minority groups – in factories within and outside internment camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Over the past year, EU-China bilateral relations have deteriorated, notably related to a growing number of irritants (i.e., China’s counter-measures to EU sanctions on human rights, economic coercion and trade measures against the single market, and China’s positioning on the war in Ukraine).

During his recent visit to China, Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis told his counterparts that “competition must be fair” and urged Beijing to address the lack of reciprocity in economic relations, as the EU’s trade deficit with China in 2022 reached almost 400 billion euro. Mr Dombrovskis said that the EU and China are at a significant political and economic crossroads, and warned that China’s stance on the war in Ukraine could jeopardise its relationship with the EU.

His visit came after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced during her State of the European Union address that the Commission would launch a probe into whether China's electric vehicle industry is receiving unfair subsidies

EU - China

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the EU, after cardiovascular diseases. Each year there are 3.5 million new diagnoses; and every year 1.3 million people die from cancer, accounting for 25% of all deaths. If the current trend continues, the projection is that by 2035 cancer cases will have doubled in number, and cancer will have become the leading cause of death in the EU.

Though public health is the primary responsibility of the Member States, the EU has a strong role in supporting, coordinating and complementing Member States’ efforts. On 4 February 2020 – World Cancer Day – the European Commission started its outreach on Europe’s Cancer Plan at an event in the European Parliament in Brussels.

The Plan aims to reduce the cancer burden for patients and families, and health care systems. The Plan is ambitious in addressing cancer-related inequalities between and in the Member States. The European Parliament, as law-maker and policy-maker, plays an active role in shaping the new Cancer Plan and related legislative proposals and policy initiatives.

Fight against cancer

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

The ECB President takes part in a regular monetary dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs.

The European Central Bank (ECB) is the central institution of the Economic and Monetary Union and has been responsible for conducting monetary policy for the euro area since 1 January 1999. The ECB and the national central banks of all EU Member States constitute the European System of Central Banks.

On 2 July 2019, Christine Lagarde was nominated by the European Council to succeed Mario Draghi as President of the European Central Bank on 1 November 2019.

Monetary dialogue (2019-2020)

The President of the European Central Bank (ECB) takes part four times a year in a monetary dialogue with Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) to report on monetary policy and answer question from MEPs.&nbsp;Although guaranteed independence under the Treaty, the ECB is accountable for its actions towards the European Parliament, and more precisely the ECON Committee.

The European Central Bank is the central institution of the Economic and Monetary Union and has been responsible for conducting monetary policy for the euro area since 1 January 1999 The ECB and the national central banks of all EU Member States constitute the European System of Central Banks.

Monetary dialogue

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders. The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies. To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as awhole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Ahead of the 17-18 February European Union-African Union summit in Brussels, plenary discussed with Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, about how to work together with African partners for a more strategic and results-oriented partnership. The discussion focused on the common challenges facing both continents, including the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, boosting vaccination and stimulating investments.

EU - Africa

Bosnia and Herzegovina - along with other Western Balkans countries – was identified as a potential candidate for EU membership during the Thessaloniki European Council summit in June 2003.

Since then, a number of agreements between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina have entered into force - visa facilitation and readmission agreements (2008), Interim Agreement on Trade and Trade-related issues (2008). The Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) has been ratified and entered into force on 1 June 2015.

Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in February 2016.&nbsp;The European Council granted the&nbsp;candidate status to the country on December 2022.

EU - Bosnia and Herzegovina

During her official visit to Poland, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola participated in a series of high-profile engagements that underscored the importance of EU-Poland relations. 

The visit began with a meeting between President Metsola and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Chancellery of the Prime Minister in Warsaw. 

Following this, President Metsola attended the "The Future of Poland 2024" event at the University of Warmia and Mazury. During the event, she delivered a speech.. The subsequent Q&A session was moderated by Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Poland

On August 24th, 2024, the European Parliament marked Ukraine's 33rd Independence Day with a series of symbolic events in Brussels. The "Station Europe" building on Place du Luxembourg was lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag, showing solidarity with Ukraine.

Earlier, a ceremony on the Esplanade Solidarność featured the raising of the Ukrainian flag and the unfurling of a 30-meter-long flag. Speeches were delivered by Sophie Wilmès, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for the Internal Market, and Serhiy Tereshko, Deputy Head of Mission of Ukraine to the EU. The event also included a performance of the Ukrainian national anthem by Lukiia Apanovych. This commemoration highlighted the ties between the EU and Ukraine and reinforced the EU's ongoing support for Ukraine.

Anniversary of the Ukrainian Independence Day

Parliament to vote on Ursula von der Leyen’s nomination for Commission President

If elected by MEPs on Thursday, Ursula von der Leyen is set to return to the office of European Commission President for the next five years.

At 09.00 on Thursday, she will take the floor in Parliament’s plenary session and outline her vision and plans as Commission President, followed by a debate with MEPs.

The vote by secret paper ballot will take place at 13.00, following the debate. 

Background
Article 14 of the Treaty of the European Union provides that the EP “shall elect the President of the Commission.” In practice, based on Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (rule 128), the candidate proposed by the European Council has to present their political guidelines to Parliament, followed by a debate. Parliament then elects the President of the Commission by a majority of its component MEPs - i.e. 361, in a Parliament of 720 Members. If the candidate does not obtain the required majority, the President will invite the European Council to put forward another within one month, for election in accordance with the same procedure.

Ms von der Leyen has been Commission President since 2019 and was the EPP’s lead candidate in the 6 - 9 June European elections.

Election of the President of the European Commission

MEPs will confirm the number and size of Parliament’s standing committees, sub-committees and delegations on Wednesday. Membership of the committees will be announced on Friday. 

The vote on the proposal by the Conference of Presidents (i.e. the President and political group leaders) to set up the European Parliament’s committees and delegations for the new legislative period is expected to take place on Wednesday. The lists of MEPs to be appointed to each committee and delegation (which are decided internally by the political groups and non-attached members) are expected to be announced on Friday. 

According to Parliament's Rules of Procedure (rule 216), the composition of its committees and subcommittees should as far as possible reflect the composition of Parliament as a whole. The proportional distribution of committee seats among political groups must not depart from the nearest appropriate whole number.

Background

Each committee’s responsibilities are set out in Annex VI of the Rules of Procedure. During the previous legislative period, Parliament approved structural reforms for a more modern and efficient Parliament. 

Committees meet in public (unless the rules dictate otherwise) once or twice a month in Brussels. Their work revolves around drawing up, amending, and voting on legislative proposals and own-initiative reports, as well as holding debates with Council and Commission representatives, hearings with external experts, and organising fact-finding missions. They will play a crucial role in the upcoming hearings of Commissioners-designate.

Parliament can set up sub-committees and special temporary committees to deal with specific issues, and may also create committees of inquiry to investigate allegations of maladministration of EU law. The Conference of Committee Chairs coordinates their work.

Votes on the numerical strength of the Parliament’s standing committees, sub-committees and delegations

The House is expected to elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and its five Quaestors on Tuesday 16 July and Wednesday 17 July.

Following the election of its President, Parliament will also elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, which comprise Parliament’s Bureau. 

What do Vice-Presidents and Quaestors do?

Vice-Presidents can replace the President, including to chair plenary sittings and in representing the Parliament at specific ceremonies or acts, when necessary. Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs. 

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors are members of the European Parliament’s Bureau (where Quaestors participate in an advisory capacity), which lays down rules for Parliament’s smooth functioning. Among its other duties, the Bureau draws up Parliament’s preliminary draft budget and decides on administrative, staff and organisational matters. In practice, the political groups aim to ensure that the composition of the Bureau broadly reflects the numerical strength of the groups, taking into account also the results of the President's election.

The process

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure (rules 17 and 18) set out how Bureau members are elected. As for the President, nominations are put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold (1/20th of MEPs). 

Vice-Presidents are elected in a single ballot, by an absolute majority of votes cast. If the number of successful candidates is less than 14, a second vote is held for the remaining seats, under the same conditions. If a third vote is necessary, a simple majority is sufficient. Vice-Presidents take precedence in the order in which they are elected and, in the event of a tie, by age. If voted by acclamation, a vote by secret ballot determines the order of precedence.

In each round MEPs may vote for up to as many candidates as the number of seats available in that round, but they have to vote for more than half of the positions to be filled - rounded up. In practical terms, this means that in the first round MEPs will have to vote for at least eight candidates and, if there is an odd number of seats in subsequent rounds, the number would be rounded up: for example, for nine positions the minimum would be five votes. The ballot papers that do not meet the threshold are not counted.

The election of Quaestors follows the same procedure as that for the election of Vice-Presidents.

Elections of EP's Quaestors

New Parliament set to voice strong support for Ukraine

On Wednesday morning, political group leaders will make statements on the need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine, followed by a vote on a resolution at 17.00.
With Russia intensifying its bombardment of Ukrainian civil infrastructure, including strikes on the country’s largest paediatric clinic, political group leaders will discuss the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression.. In a vote on a resolution at 17.00, MEPs will set out the newly elected Parliament’s position and are expected to reaffirm their strong support for Ukraine. 

Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of Ukraine resolutions adopted by MEPs during the previous legislative term (2019-2024).

The need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine

The House is expected to elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and its five Quaestors on Wednesday Tuesday 16 July and Wednesday 17 July.17 July and Thursday 18 July.

Following the election of its President, Parliament will also elect its 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors, which comprise Parliament’s Bureau. 

What do Vice-Presidents and Quaestors do?

Vice-Presidents can replace the President, including to chair plenary sittings and in representing the Parliament at specific ceremonies or acts, when necessary. Quaestors deal with administrative matters directly affecting MEPs. 

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors are members of the European Parliament’s Bureau (where Quaestors participate in an advisory capacity), which lays down rules for Parliament’s smooth functioning. Among its other duties, the Bureau draws up Parliament’s preliminary draft budget and decides on administrative, staff and organisational matters. In practice, the political groups aim to ensure that the composition of the Bureau broadly reflects the numerical strength of the groups, taking into account also the results of the President's election.

The process

Parliament’s Rules of Procedure set out how Bureau members are elected. As for the President, nominations are put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold (1/20th of MEPs). 

Vice-Presidents are elected in a single ballot, by an absolute majority of votes cast. If the number of successful candidates is less than 14, a second vote is held for the remaining seats, under the same conditions. If a third vote is necessary, a simple majority is sufficient. Vice-Presidents take precedence in the order in which they are elected and, in the event of a tie, by age. If voted by acclamation, a vote by secret ballot determines the order of precedence.

Elections of EP's Vice-Presidents

After the new Parliament is established on 16 July at 10.00 CEST, MEPs must first elect their President for the next two-and-a-half years.

The President enjoys a broad range of executive and representative powers, extending to “all powers that are necessary to preside over the proceedings of Parliament and to ensure that they are properly conducted”.

How is the President elected?

Candidates may be put forward either by a political group or by a group of MEPs reaching the low threshold, i.e. 1/20th of MEPs. Ahead of the vote, candidates may address the plenary for a maximum of five minutes. 

The election takes place by secret ballot and requires an absolute majority of valid votes cast, i.e. 50% plus one. Blank or spoiled votes are not taken into account. The deadline for presidential nominations is Monday, 15 July, at 19.00 and the vote will take place on Tuesday 16 July.

If no candidate is elected in the first round of voting, the same or other candidates can be nominated for a second round under the same conditions. A third round may take place if necessary, again with the same rules. If none of the candidates are elected in the third round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes in the third round proceed to a fourth and final round of voting, in which the candidate receiving the most votes wins.

Once elected, the new President will take the chair and may deliver an opening address.

Background

The process for electing the EP President is set out in Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, in rules 14 to 16. The sitting at which a new President is elected is chaired by the outgoing President or by one of the outgoing Vice-Presidents (to be determined according to their order of precedence), or, in the absence of any of them, by the Member who has held office for the longest period. Eight tellers, chosen by lot from among MEPs, oversee the process

Election of the President of the European Parliament

Last minute briefing

Pre- session briefing on the first Plenary session of the new legislature

Pre-session briefing

Provisional agenda of the European Council meeting includes: Ukraine, security and defense, competitiveness, external relations, the next institutional cycle.

European Council Meeting 27/28 June 2024

Following the European Parliament elections, EU leaders meet today in Brussels to discuss the next high-profile EU-level roles in the upcoming institutional cycle.

EP President Metsola particpates and gives a doorstep.

EP President's Metsola doorstep at informal EU leaders meeting

In the European elections, people in the European Union vote for Members to represent them in the European Parliament. In 2024, 720 MEPs will be elected. Elections take place every five years. The next are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024. EU elections take place today in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland, Sweden

Election Night- 9/6/2024

In the European elections, people in the European Union vote for Members to represent them in the European Parliament. In 2024, 720 MEPs will be elected. Elections take place every five years. The elections are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024. 

EU elections take place today in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Finland and in Sweden

Election Days- 9/6/2024

In the European elections, people in the European Union vote for Members to represent them in the European Parliament. In 2024, 720 MEPs will be elected. Elections take place every five years. The elections are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024.

EU elections take place today in Latvia, Malta and in Slovakia.

Election Days- 8/6/2024

In the European elections, people in the European Union vote for Members to represent them in the European Parliament. In 2024, 720 MEPs will be elected. Elections take place every five years. The next are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024.

EU elections take place today in Czechia and Ireland.

Election Days- 7/6/2024

In the European elections, people in the European Union vote for Members to represent them in the European Parliament. In 2024, 720 MEPs will be elected. Elections take place every five years. The elections are held in the EU Member States from 6 to 9 June 2024.

EU elections take place today in the Netherlands.

Election Days- 6/6/2024

The Eurovision debate between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency takes place on Thursday 23 May from 15.00-16.45 in Parliament’s plenary chamber in Brussels.

Eurovision debate between lead candidates for the Commission presidency

Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with Japan

Delegation to the EU-North Macedonia Joint Parliamentary Committee Constitutive meeting

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the OACPS-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly

DACP

Constitutive meeting of Delegation for Northern cooperation and for relations with Switzerland and Norway and to the EU-Iceland Joint Parliamentary Committee and the European Economic Area (EEA) Joint

DEEA

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly

DEPA

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with Canada

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the Pacific-EU Parliamentary Assembly

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with the Mashreq countries

DMAS

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation Committee

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

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

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the Cariforum-EU Parliamentary Committee

DCAR

Committee on Culture and Education

CULT

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with the Maghreb countries and the Arab Maghreb Union, including the EU-Morocco, EU-Tunisia and EU-Algeria Joint Parliamentary Committees

DMAG

Technical briefing on the Commission confirmation hearings and the latest Eurobarometer survey

Constitutive meeting of Delegation for relations with Belarus

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with Mercosur

DMER

Constitutive meeting of Delegation to the EU-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee

Committee meeting on Regional Development

REGI

Constitutive meeting of Delegations for relations with Iran

Delegations for relations with the countries of Central America, including the EU-Central America Parliamentary Association Committee Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Partnership Committee, the EU-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Cooperation Committee and the EU-Georgia Parliamentary Association Committee Constitutive meeting

Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Constitutive meeting

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Keir STARMER, British Prime Minister

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents

Debate on the Future of Cohesion Policy

DG PERS Annual Inter-Parliamentary Seminar on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

European Parliament in Brussels lit in pink to mark the Breast Cancer Awareness Month

High Level Group on Gender Equality and Diversity Constitutive meeting

EPRS Policy roundtable - EU finances: Is Next Generation EU delivering?

Conference of Committee Chairs

Delegations for relations with India Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with the United States Constitutive meeting

Delegation to the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly Connstitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with New Zealand Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with Central Asia Constitutive meeting

Delegations for relations with South Africa Constitutive meeting

MEPs debate on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs that the Commission is requesting further details from the Hungarian government about this expansion.

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: MEPs debate (part 2)

Closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, and by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs, on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice, and Home Affairs that the Commission is requesting further details from the Hungarian government about this expansion.

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: closing statements by Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner, and by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs

Opening statements by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on the Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice. MEPs review the Hungarian National Card residence permit scheme and its effects on the Schengen area with the Commission and Council. In July, Hungary expanded its National Card residence permit scheme to include nationals from Russia and Belarus. MEPs have expressed concerns that this could lower screening requirements for these individuals, potentially increasing security risks for the Schengen free-travel zone. On 4 September, Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed to Parliament’s LIBE Committee that the Commission is requesting further details. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The Hungarian “National Card” scheme and its consequences for Schengen and the area of freedom, security and justice: opening statements by János BÓKA, Hungarian Minister for European Affairs and Stella KYRIAKIDES, European Commissioner

Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, HU), Chair of the Justice Committee (JURI), speaks to the press on procedures assessing potential conflict of interests of Commissioners-designate. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, HU), JURI Committee Chair, on procedures assessing potential conflict of interests of Commissioners-designate

MEPs vote on the following topics: Numerical strength of interparliamentary delegations; Maximum residue levels for carbendazim and thiophanatemethyl; and Maximum residue levels for cyproconazol.

Voting session

Closing statements by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, for the debate on the devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, which have claimed lives and displaced thousands. The discussion focuses on the EU's preparedness for handling increasingly severe disasters driven by climate change. The floods, caused by torrential rain, have wreaked havoc across Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria, with entire neighborhoods submerged and widespread damage to infrastructure. Local authorities are describing the floods as the worst in decades, prompting emergency evacuations and calls for EU financial assistance.

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change: Closing statements

Statement by Leonardo VAN DIJL, Director of "Julie keeps quiet," one of the five films nominated to the LUX European Audience Film Award 2025. The LUX Audience Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Statement by Leonardo VAN DIJL, Director of "Julie keeps quiet"

Statement by Sofia EXARCHOU, Director of "Animal", one of the five films nominated to the LUX Audience Award 2025. The LUX Audience Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Statement by Sofia EXARCHOU, Director of "Animal"

Statement by Pauline TRAN VAN LIEU, producer of "Intercepted," one of the five films nominated to the LUX European Audience Film Award 2025. The LUX Audience Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Statement by Pauline TRAN VAN LIEU, Producer of "Intercepted"

Statement by Gints ZILBALODIS, Director of "Flow", one of the five films nominated to the LUX Audience Award 2025. The LUX Audience Award is presented every year by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and Europa Cinemas.

LUX Audience Award 2025 - Statement by Gints ZILBALODIS, Director of "Flow"

&lt;p>On 18th September 2024, the 2025 edition of the LUX Audience Award is officially launched in the European Parliament, with the announcement of the 5 nominated films: Animal by Sofia Exarchou (Greece, Austria, Romania,Cyprus, Bulgaria); Dahomey by Mati Diop (France, Senegal, Benin); Flow by Gints Zilbalodis (Latvia, France, Belgium); Intercepted by Oksana Karpovych (Canada, France, Ukraine); Julie Keeps Quiet by Leonardo van Dijl (Belgium, Sweden). The five nominated films for the LUX Audience Award are chosen by a panel of film professionals from across EU member states. The nominated films will be screened in cinemas across the EU until April 25, and rated by citizens and MEPs. The views of MEPs and the results of the public ratings will be weighed equally in deciding the final winner of the 2025 LUX Audience Award.&lt;/p>

Clip: LUX Audience Award 2025 - Presentation of the 5 nominated films

On Wednesday, MEPs debate the devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, which have claimed lives and displaced thousands. The discussion focuses on the EU's preparedness for handling increasingly severe disasters driven by climate change. The floods, caused by torrential rain, have wreaked havoc across Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria, with entire neighborhoods submerged and widespread damage to infrastructure. Local authorities are describing the floods as the worst in decades, prompting emergency evacuations and calls for EU financial assistance.

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change: MEPs debate part 1

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change: MEPs debate part 3

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change: MEPs debate part 2

The statement by Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez LENARČIČ, and the debate among the MEPs focus on the devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, which have claimed lives and displaced thousands. At the heart or the discussion is the EU preparedness in handling increasingly severe disasters exacerbated by climate change. The floods, caused by torrential rain, have wreaked havoc across Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria, with entire neighborhoods submerged and widespread damage to infrastructure. Local authorities are describing the floods as the worst in decades, prompting emergency evacuations and calls for EU financial assistance.

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change: extracts from the debate

The devastating floods in Central and Eastern Europe, the loss of lives and the EU’s preparedness to act on such disasters exacerbated by climate change: opening statements

Mounir SATOURI (Greens/EFA, FR), Chair of the Subcommittee on human rights (DROI) in Afghanistan holds a press conference on the situation of human rights for women in Afghanistan with with Tahmina SALIK, founder of Empowerment for Her, advocate for women's rights and empowerment, Parwana IBRAHIMKHAIL, founder of the Women's Movement for Peace and Freedom, and women's rights advocate, Farukh Leqa UNCHIZADAH, President of the Women’s Rights Organization recognized human rights activist in Afghanistan, Zakia KHUDADADI, Afghan athlete and European champion, Parasto YARI, Afghan lawyer and activist, Shukria BARAKZAI, former Afghan MP and Ambassador to Norway. Afghan women testify in the European Parliament. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Mounir SATOURI (Greens/EFA, FR), Chair of the DROI Subcommittee on human rights in Afghanistan: Afghan women testify in the European Parliament

MEPs discuss during a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law, on the deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”. Opening statements by Isabel WISELER-LIMA (EPP, LU), Alessandra MORETTI (S&D, IT), Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS (Renew, LT), Hannah NEUMANN (Greens/EFA, DE), Isabel SERRA SÁNCHEZ (The Left, ES), Veronika VRECIONOVÁ (ECR, CZ), authors. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”: opening statements

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