In recent years an increasing number of attacks and threats against journalists have been documented and reported in Europe. Physical attacks against journalists as well as online threats and harassment in reprisal for journalists' work are on the rise in several EU countries. Around the world, the number of dead and wounded journalists is still too high, as is the number of journalists who are detained, imprisoned and mistreated. The most recent Council of Europe assessment of press freedom in Europe reports that war remains a threat to press freedom and the safety of media workers. Reporters without Borders confirms that the situation is particularly dangerous for journalists, who are sometimes deliberately targeted by military fire despite displaying 'Press' identification.

EPRS policy podcast - Protection of journalists in the European Union

Current state-of-the-art hardware is not optimised for machine learning, and both academic and private sector research is already leading to new designs. At the same time, the need for more time- and energy-efficient machine-learning hardware is increasing as more consumers and companies want access to machine-learning applications. The EU has the opportunity to leverage its strong regulatory framework for AI products as a mark of trust and safety, while also investing to support the next generation of hardware, opening up a new market for Europe's high tech industry. What would happen if the EU formulated a cohesive plan to support these technologies through both research and economic policy?

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if Europe championed new AI hardware?

The European Parliament's Sakharov Prize honours the work of people who stand up for these freedoms and rights. This year's Sakharov Prize is to be awarded to María Corina Machado, leader of Venezuela's democratic forces, and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia. They represent all Venezuelans both inside and outside the country who are fighting to restore freedom and democracy.

EPRS policy podcast - Laureates of the 2024 Sakharov Prize

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

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

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 -  Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate

EPRS policy podcast - Confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate

On Its first and constituent plenary sitting of the new parliamentary term (16-19 July 2024), the European Parliament will elect its 32nd President, to hold office for the first half of the 10th parliamentary term, until January 2026. The President has an important and increasingly visible function in the EU institutional and international setting, mirroring Parliament's influential role as shaper of EU policies and as co-legislator.

EPRS policy podcast - How is the European Parliament's President elected?

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

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

EPRS Multimedia Centre

EPRS event - How speeches can bring trust in democracy

This is the tenth edition of an annual EPRS paper aimed at identifying and framing many of the key issues and policy areas that will feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union over the coming year. The topics analysed encompass, the next long term EU budget, Ukraine's integration into the EU, defence, EU-China relations, the impact of artificial intelligence on the web, the potential of startup companies, irregular migration, climate policy, action for the oceans, and lessons from the post-COVID 19 Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Ten issues to watch in 2026: Which key events will shape the year?

In January 2025, the European Commission announced it would present a European grids package as part of its competitiveness compass for the EU. The intention of building on the 2023 action plan for grids was reiterated in February 2025, in the Clean Industrial Deal and action plan for affordable energy; and most recently as part of the 2026 Commission work programme adopted in October 2025. The Commission is expected to present the grids package on 10 December 2025.

European grids package: Lessons learnt from the implementation of the TEN E framework

The EU and its Member States have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and use its definition of disability as a common reference at EU level. There is no other harmonised definition of disability in the EU. The introduction of the Global Activity Limitation Instrument indicator (GALI) in most of Eurostat's social and economic surveys offers the opportunity to have a clearer assessment of disability in the EU than before. It confirms that in 2024 the prevalence of disability was higher among female, older and less educated respondents. The EU combats all forms of discrimination alongside and in support of its Member States.

Understanding EU policies for people with disabilities

Over the past two EU legislatures, efforts to tackle foreign information manipulation and interference have grown into a broad, society-wide approach involving citizens, fact-checkers, civil society, media, and governments. The new European Democracy Shield aims to strengthen these efforts by expanding existing tools and responsibilities. It focusses on combating disinformation and protecting elections, supporting media and journalists, and safeguarding civil society and human rights defenders.

Timeline: the EU’s response to information manipulation since the Russian annexation of Crimea

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

VAT rates on tampons across the EU

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

MEPs' public-office experience before being elected in 2024

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

Generational renewal in EU agriculture

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

Maternity leave and voting procedures in EU national parliaments

EPRS Policy roundtable - Ten issues to watch in 2025

EPRS Policy roundtable - Towards a European democracy shield in our digital world: The role of information integrity

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

EPRS - Conference on Foresight and Better Law-Making

EPRS Policy roundtable -Ten issues to watch in 2024

EPRS event ' The European Elections and beyond: What to expect after June 2024? '

What will shape the European Union’s political agenda in the year ahead? Discover the 10th edition of EPRS’ annual flagship publication, which identifies and frames the key issues set to dominate public debate and EU policymaking.

EPRS - Ten Issues to Watch in 2026

With the growing weaponisation of trade, the EU's trade defence toolbox is becoming increasingly relevant. When non-EU companies and countries use unfair trade practices, the European Union has tools to protect its interests. What are the EU's trade defence tools? They can be divided into two categories: the traditional trade defensive instruments, based on multilateral trade agreements, and the more recent autonomous trade instruments, most of which were enacted between 2019 and 2024. Together, these instruments can help to protect the EU's economic security and interests.

EU trade defence toolbox: What are the EU's trade defence tools?

Foresight is increasingly used to explore how EU policies may evolve in the years to come. This methodology combines an evidence-based approach — including literature reviews, surveys, and trend analysis — with the imagination needed to visualise possible futures, often developed through expert insights and scenario building. When applied to long-term decision-making, this work is known as strategic foresight. In a policy context — often called policy foresight — it supports agenda-setting, strategic planning, and the design of more resilient public policies.

EU policy foresight: Anticipating and shaping the EU's future

EPRS - Timeline: the EU’s response to information manipulation since the Russian annexation of Crimea

Ever wondered how EU laws are negotiated? Let’s break down trilogue meetings step-by-step — with the help of the European Parliament’s Rules of Procedure! Who takes part in trilogue meetings, and what happens afterwards? Curious to know more?

EPRS - Trilogues explained: how they work, step-by-step

The European Parliament legislates on an equal footing with the Council under the ordinary legislative procedure. This means both institutions have equal say in creating new laws. They usually take time to negotiate carefully during 'trilogue' meetings to come to an agreement on a common text. What are trilogue meetings? Watch our video to find out!

EPRS - Trilogues explained: what they are and why they matter

Space holds promise for both economic prosperity and the attainment of strategic goals. The EU's future role in space is contingent on fast-changing geopolitical dynamics, which can range from peaceful cooperation to heightened competition or conflict among global powers. Given the importance of this subject, the European Commission has announced plans to propose an EU space act in the second quarter of 2025. This paper aims to describe the geopolitical context of space activities that affect the EU's current and future capabilities, with a specific focus on the use of space for security and defence and the response to space-related risks. Four distinct future scenarios present contextual conditions that may shape the EU's ambitions in space. The scenarios also highlight challenges and opportunities, while considering policy considerations for EU action.

EPRS - EU capabilities in space: Scenarios for space security by 2050

Irregular migration is difficult to define and measure. Existing EU data on border crossings, unauthorised stays, and returns are often incomplete and inconsistent, offering only a partial and sometimes misleading picture. Yet these figures shape policymaking and fuel a narrative of a long-standing migration crisis in the EU. They also trigger renewed efforts to reinforce EU measures seeking to deter, criminalise, and return irregular migrants. While new data sources may fill some gaps, a fuller understanding requires additional indicators focused on rights, effectiveness, and policy coherence.

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