MEPs assess Commission’s rule of law monitoring in the member states

Parliament points to worrying trends based on the Commission’s latest findings across the EU and highlights specific concerns in the three member states. During a joint debate on rule of law issues on Thursday, MEPs discussed with Commission Vice-President Jourová recent events and allegations of democratic backsliding in Greece, Spain, and Malta. They also voted […]

MEPs back an improved single work and residence permit for non-EU nationals

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs backed on Thursday draft EU legislation to issue work and residence permits more quickly for nationals of third countries and to improve their rights With 47 votes in favour, 13 against, and no abstentions, the Civil Liberties Committee adopted a report updating the […]

MEPs demand the EU boosts clean tech industry and fights human trafficking

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a debate with Presidents Michel and von der Leyen, MEPs reviewed the outcomes of the 9 February EU summit and outlined their expectations for the 23-24 March European Council. President of the European Council Charles Michel acknowledged Ukraine’s urgent need for more weapons […]

MEPs back plans for a climate neutral building sector by 2050

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament adopted draft measures to increase the rate of renovations and reduce energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions on Tuesday. The proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive aims to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy consumption in the EU building […]

New York and Washington, D.C.: MEPs attended UN CSW and discussed women’s rights

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On 6-9 March, a delegation of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women and held meetings in Washington, D.C. on women’s rights. Led by the Chair Robert Biedroń, the delegation attended the 67th session of […]

Brexit: leading MEPs welcome EU-UK political agreement on Northern Ireland

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Statement by David McAllister, Bernd Lange and Nathalie Loiseau on the EU-UK political agreement to resolve outstanding issues relating to the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland. “We welcome today’s political agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom, which shows that practical […]

Protecting the EU’s recovery funds: MEPs on a fact-finding visit to Spain

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. A delegation the EP Budgetary Control Committee, led by chair Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE), will travel to Madrid to look into disbursement of the EU’s recovery and resilience spending. During their visit from 20-22 February, MEPs want to be informed first-hand on the implementation […]

Corruption allegations: MEPs push for ambitious changes and quick progress

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs are asking for more reforms, building on the ones announced by the Conference of Presidents, and demand an EU’s independent ethics body be set up swiftly. On Thursday, Parliament adopted two resolutions on the issue of transparency and integrity in EU decision-making. Strong […]

Provide Ukraine with military aid for as long as necessary, MEPs say

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. MEPs call for serious consideration to be given to delivering fighter jets, helicopters, appropriate missile systems and a substantial increase in munitions to Ukraine. In a resolution marking one year of Russia’s war against Ukraine, MEPs strongly condemn Moscow’s aggression and reiterate their unwavering […]

Violence against women: MEPs demand the EU ratify the Istanbul Convention

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The European Union should ratify the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, in line with a 2021 Court of Justice opinion, MEPs insist. The text, adopted by 469 in favour, 104 against and 55 abstentions, says the Istanbul Convention remains the international […]

Semiconductors: MEPs ready to start talks on new law to boost EU chips industry

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The draft bill seeks to secure the EU’s supply of chips by boosting production and innovation, and setting up emergency measures against shortages. Parliament set its negotiating position on two draft bills: one on the “Chips Act”, which aims to bolster technological capacity and […]

Latvian President to MEPs: Europe must be on the right side of history

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, Latvian President Egils Levits called on Europe to find the political will to try Russia for its crimes and give Ukraine a future in Europe. In a formal address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Mr Levits echoed Parliament’s demand to establish […]

MEPs back deploying new EU satellites to protect government communications

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. A new network of European IRIS² telecommunication satellites will be active from 2024, following the green light by Parliament on Tuesday. A €2.4 billion budget will enable the EU to set up the new Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²); Europe’s […]

Opening: MEPs held minute of silence in memory of the victims of the earthquakes

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. President Metsola led MEPs in a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, at the opening of the session in Strasbourg. Europe stands with the people of Türkiye and Syria, said President Metsola, adding that the […]

MEPs back plans for an EU-wide digital wallet

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The new digital identity framework would provide EU citizens with digital access to key public services across EU borders. The Industry, Research and Energy Committee adopted its position on the proposed update of the European digital identity framework (eID) by 55 votes to 8, […]

Data Act: MEPs back new rules for fair access and use of industrial data

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The “Data Act” aims to boost innovation by removing barriers obstructing consumers and businesses’ access to data. The draft legislation, adopted on Thursday in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, would contribute to the development of new services, in particular in the sector of […]

Digital workers: MEPs ready for talks on new law to improve working conditions

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, Parliament approved the decision to start negotiations on new measures to improve conditions for workers on digital labour platforms. 376 MEPs voted in favour of the mandate for talks with member states, 212 voted against and 15 abstained. Negotiations on the new […]

MEPS urge the EU to deliver a credible migration and asylum policy

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a plenary discussion with the Swedish Presidency and President von der Leyen, MEPs presented their views on how to deal with the migratory challenges facing Europe. On behalf of the Presidency of the Council, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs Jessika Roswall noted that […]

European Media Freedom Act: MEPs and experts assess the draft legislation

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, the Committee on Civil Liberties, joined by experts and stakeholders in a public hearing, discussed the proposed rules aiming to strengthen media pluralism and freedom in the EU. During the public hearing that took place in association with the Committees on Culture […]

Semiconductors: MEPs adopt legislation to boost EU chips industry

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, MEPs backed plans to secure the EU supply of chips by boosting production and innovation, and setting up emergency measures against shortages. The Industry and Energy Committee adopted two draft bills: one on the “Chips Act” that aims to bolster technological capacity […]

Holocaust Remembrance Day: Israel’s President Herzog to address MEPs

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday 26 January at 10.30, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog will address Parliament during the plenary session in Brussels, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will open the solemn sitting with an introductory speech. After President Isaac Herzog’s address, […]

Ukraine war: MEPs push for special tribunal to punish Russian crimes

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs demand the Russian political and military leadership be held accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Parliament says the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha, Irpin and many other Ukrainian towns reveal the brutality of […]

Corruption allegations: Parliament has to seize the moment, MEPs say

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. One month after the allegations and charges against some MEPs, Parliament took stock of developments and demanded concrete action to close loopholes. Opening the debate on behalf of the European Commission, Commissioner Ylva Johansson decried the “few who had put at risk the good […]

Waste shipments: MEPs push for tighter EU rules

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its negotiating position for talks with EU governments on a new law to revise EU procedures and control measures for waste shipments. The revised legislation should protect the environment and human health more effectively, while taking full advantage of the […]

Corruption scandal: MEPs insist on reforms for transparency and accountability

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. Parliament has reacted to recent allegations with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. Following Tuesday’s debate, Parliament has adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the […]

Energy crisis: MEPs back plans to boost the deployment of renewables

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The proposed law will accelerate the procedure to grant permits for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar panels or windmills, or to adapt existing ones. In their amendments to the Commission proposal, MEPs shortened the maximum period to approve new installations from […]

Corruption allegations: MEPs call for full internal investigation

Opening the debate, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said there must be zero tolerance for corruption. Applauding the work of the Belgian prosecutors, law enforcement, alongside EP President Metsola, MEPs and officials, for their full support and decisive action, she called the allegations extremely serious. To anyone accepting payoffs, she said: “Shame on you. […]

MEPs vote not to accept passports issued by Russia in occupied areas

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The European Parliament has endorsed a decision not to accept passports and other travel documents issued by Russia in illegally-occupied regions of Ukraine and Georgia. Parliament approved the agreement with Council on the non-acceptance of travel documents issued by Russia in occupied Ukrainian regions […]

MEPs adopt EU budget 2023: focus on Ukraine, energy and recovery

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. For next year’s EU budget, MEPs secured better and more effective support for addressing the consequences of the war in Ukraine and the pandemic recovery process. In a deal with member states on Monday, 14 November, Parliament obtained €1.05 billion for its priorities on […]

Energy crisis: MEPs back plans to boost the deployment of renewables

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. The proposal would accelerate the procedure to grant permits for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar panels or windmills, or to adapt existing ones. In their amendments to the Commission proposal, MEPs in the Industry, Energy and Research Committee shortened the maximum […]

MEPs back Croatia’s Schengen accession

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. On Thursday, MEPs endorsed lifting internal border controls between the Schengen free-movement area and Croatia. In a report adopted with 534 in favour, 53 against, and 25 abstaining, the European Parliament approves of Croatia becoming a full member of the Schengen area. On 9 […]

MEPs to push for ambitious outcome at COP27 in Egypt

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. A European Parliament delegation arrives in Egypt today to participate in the COP27, where they will meet with key parties to the negotiations. An official delegation from the European Parliament are in Egypt this week to participate in the UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, […]

President Metsola condemns Iranian sanctions on Members of the European Parliament

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament. EP President Roberta Metsola has condemned the decision of the Iranian regime to sanction several MEPs, as well as journalists, human rights defenders and institutions. “On behalf of the European Parliament, I strongly condemn the decision of the Iranian regime to sanction members of […]