Press briefing Renew Europe

EP Plenary session - Council and Commission statements - Preparation of the European Council of 17-18 October 2024

Meeting of the Conference of Presidents

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - 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 discuss the December European Council, the 1 February Special summit and assess the situation in Hungary with the European Council's and Commission's presidents. During their meeting on 14 - 15 December, heads of state or government agreed, among other things, to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and grant candidate status to Georgia. First part of MEPs debate.

Joint debate on European Council meetings: MEP debate (part 1)

As President of the Council, Belgium leads the European agenda and promote cooperation among the Member States in the following six months. Their aim is to strengthen the European Union and make progress in several areas, such as rule of law, democracy, green and just transition or social and health agenda. MEPs discuss with Prime Minister Alexander De Croo the programme of Belgium’s six-month Council Presidency, which started on 1 January. MEPs debate

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency: MEPs debate

MEPs debate the impact of the announced reform of the criminal code on Slovakia’s efforts to fight corruption. On 6 December, the new Slovak government tabled a draft law to overhaul the country’s penal code. If approved by its parliament, the special prosecutor’s office dealing with the most serious crimes and corruption would be dismantled. The government also intends to soften penalties for corruption offences. Several investigators and police officers looking into corruption charges have already faced repercussions from the new government, such as being dismissed, suspended or sidelined from these investigations.

Planned dissolution of key anti-corruption structures in Slovakia and its implications on the Rule of Law: MEPs debate

MEPs present their demands and expectations one day ahead of the EU summit on 14-15 December. At their meeting in Brussels, heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and continued EU support for the country and its people, on the situation in the Middle East and on EU enlargement policy, including the stabilisation and association process. They also discuss the EU’s long-term 2021-2027 budget with a view to reaching an agreement, security and defence issues as well as external relations.

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 14-15 December 2023: MEPs debate

MEPs debate on a deal that secures the 2024 EU budget aimed at addressing global challenges and supporting young people and research. The Parliament obtained better support, totalling almost €670 million in funding, for its priorities on top of what the Commission had initially proposed in its draft budget for 2024. Negotiations between Parliament, Council and the Commission ended with an agreement on Saturday 11 November. The preliminary figures for 2024 are €189.4 billion in commitment appropriations and €142.6 billion in payment appropriations. This news includes extracts from the debate (21/11), extracts from the vote and signature ceremony.

2024 budgetary procedure: extracts from the debate (21/11), extracts from the vote and signature ceremony

MEPs debate on the conclusions adopted by the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023 and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause. During their meeting, EU heads of state or government assessed the situation in Israel and Gaza, following Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel on 7 October and the subsequent Israeli military response in the Gaza Strip. Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for the country, the revision of the EU’s 2024-2027 long-term budget and the economic situation in the EU were also discussed by leaders. The progress in negotiations between Council and Parliament on the reform of the asylum and migration system was also on the table. First part of the debate.

Joint debate - Conclusions of the European Council and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the need for a humanitarian pause: MEPs debate (part 1)

At their meeting in Brussels, the Heads of State or Government are set to focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for the country, the revision of the EU’s 2024-2027 long-term budget and the economic situation in the EU summit on 26-27 October. In a debate with Council and Commission, MEPs present their demands and expectations ahead of the European Council meeting. Second part of the MEPs debate.

Preparation of the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate on the establisment of the Ukraine Facility, a €50 billion package to support Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and modernisation from 2024 to 2027. MEPs have improved the proposal by strengthening transparency and democratic accountability. One of the key demands is that Russian assets should be used to fund Ukraine’s reconstruction. Second part of MEPs debate.

Establishing the Ukraine Facility: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs ask the Commission about allegations that Member States are issuing visas in return for bribes in the Schengen area. In a debate with the European Commission, MEPs discuss recent allegations that Polish overseas consulates are accepting bribes in return for issuing Schengen visas, and their impact on the EU’s common visa policy and the Schengen free-travel area. Second part of the debate.

Commission statement - Corrupt large scale sale of Schengen visas: MEP's debate (part 2)

Following the Commission’s proposal for a mid-term revision on the EU’s long-term budget (multiannual financial framework, MFF) the full house debate on the proposal of the Committee on Budgets to demand an extra €10 billion for 2024-2027. MEPs want to boost areas linked to external challenges, especially the Russian war against Ukraine and growing migration issues, the EU’s strategic autonomy, and enhance the EU’s crisis-response capabilities. First part of the debate.

Mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027: MEPs debate (part 1)

MEPs discuss and assess the outcome of the 29 - 30 June European Council during the plenary session. During the summit, Heads of State or government focused on the latest developments in Russia, its war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for the country, and on EU migration and asylum policy. They also discussed security and defence cooperation, the economic situation in the EU, as well as relations with China and the upcoming leaders’ meeting with Latin American and Caribbean states. Second part of MEPs debate.

Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 29-30 June 2023, in particular the recent developments in Ukraine and Russia: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs debate about the deliberate and systematic efforts of the Hungarian Government to undermine the founding values of the EU enshrined in Article 2 TEU, after the state of rule of law and fundamental rights have worsened in the country. They discuss as well about the situation of the "frozen" recovery funds and how the future Hungarian Presidency would affect the Council's work on EU legislation, the continuity of the EU agenda, and the Council’s relations with the other EU institutions. MEPs debate part 2

Breaches of the Rule of Law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds: MEPs debate (part 2)

Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Chair of the BUDG Committee, José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT) and Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), co-rapporteurs, hold a press conference on EU budget in Strasbourg.This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Johan VAN OVERTVELDT (ECR, BE), Chair of the BUDG Committee, José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT) and Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), co-rapporteurs on EU budget: Repaying the recovery plan, new "Own Resources"

MEPs vote on the following subjects: Amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning question time, the central rostrum, the blue-card procedure, the explanations of votes, the transparency register and the Ombudsman; Protocol Amending the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization; Deforestation regulation; Methods and procedure for making available own resources based on the Emissions Trading System, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and reallocated profits and on the measures to meet cash requirements; Combating discrimination in the EU - the long-awaited horizontal anti-discrimination directive - Motions for resolutions; Challenges facing the Republic of Moldova- Motions for resolutions; Rule of Law in Greece - Motions for resolutions; Rule of Law in Spain - Motions for resolutions; Rule of Law in Malta - Motions for resolutions

Voting session, including the vote on Deforestation regulation

MEPs debate on the reform of Emissions Trading System including for aviation and the maritime sector, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund. In particular, during the debate they discuss deals reached with EU countries in late 2022 on several key pieces of legislation that are part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”. This is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law. Statements by José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), Margarida MARQUES (S&D, PT), Mauri PEKKARINEN (Renew, FI), Izabela-Helena KLOC (ECR, PL) and by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy.

Joint debate - Fit for 55: statements by José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), Margarida MARQUES (S&D, PT), Mauri PEKKARINEN (Renew, FI), Izabela-Helena KLOC (ECR, PL) and by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

MEPs debate with the presidents of the European Council and Commission the conclusions of the Special European Council meeting of 9 February and preparation of the European Council meeting of 23-24 March 2023. EU's Heads of state or government focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine and the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, on competitiveness, the Single Market, how to boost the EU economy, and on energy related issues. Second part of the debate.

Conclusions of the European Council of 9 February and preparation of the European Council of 23-24 March 2023: MEPs debate (part 2)

Suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions. Second part of MEPs debate.

Suspicions of corruption from Qatar and the broader need for transparency and accountability in the European institutions: MEPs debate (part 2)

MEPs discuss on short-term funding needs of Ukraine, during Russia’s war against the country. The Commission’s proposal asks MEPs to fast-track approval under the EP’s accelerated “urgent procedure”, the €18 billion will cover part of an estimated €4 billion monthly funding need in Ukraine to cover essential public services, macroeconomic stability and the restoration of critical infrastructure destroyed by Russia. First part of the debate.

108 výsledkov