About: European Parliament
Populism and cozy ties with Russia and China: Vucic takes Serbia further away from EU
European tolerance has greatly contributed to Serbian President Alexander Vučić and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party's establishing an authoritarian system that has nothing to do with the rule of law, writes Svetla Miteva.
European Parliament gives initial backing to UK trade deal
The European Parliament’s committees on relations with Britain on Thursday (15 April) voted overwhelmingly in favour of the post-Brexit trade and cooperation agreement, clearing the path to its final ratification.
MEPs move closer to ratifying Brexit deal but final date remains unclear
EU lawmakers moved closer to ratifying the bloc’s new trade agreement with the UK on Thursday (15 April), after the European Parliament’s International Trade and Foreign Affairs Committees gave their green light to the pact.
Airlines could use new EU COVID pass this summer, Reynders tells MEPs
Airlines could check new European Union COVID certificates before allowing onboard passengers going on summer holidays, a senior official said on Tuesday (13 April) as the bloc seeks to restart a travel sector ravaged by the pandemic.
Von der Leyen, Michel seek way forward after ‘sofa-gate’ tensions
EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel held their first talks Monday (12 April) since a diplomatic gaffe in Turkey -- dubbed "sofa-gate" -- laid bare tensions between the bloc's major institutions.
Protocol scandal symbolises the state of EU-Turkey relations, EU lawmaker says
We shouldn't place "sofa-gate" into the epicentre of a plenary debate, but rather discuss how to rebuild relations with Turkey under a President who no longer has a commitment toward a European future, a leading MEP told EURACTIV.
The EU should get serious about Georgia’s political crisis
The lack of visionaries in Georgian politics increases the European Union’s responsibility to make sure that the country gets out of its current crisis, write Vakshuti Menabde and Teona Lavrelashvili. By Vakhushti Menabde is director of Program of Support for...
EU data watchdog has ‘critical concerns’ with Parliament’s biometric register
The European Union's institutional data protection watchdog has voiced 'critical concerns' about the European Parliament's plans to install a biometric register that will allow EU lawmakers to collect their daily allowance and sign in for hearings on the Brussels premises.
French dairy farmers sour after milk origin labelling scrapped
A decision by France's top court to annul the obligation to label the origin of milk has provoked outrage in France. Dairy farmers and politicians are particularly sour about the move, calling it an "unacceptable step backwards." EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs pressure Bulgaria to lift North Macedonia accession veto
MEPs put pressure on Bulgaria on Thursday (25 March) to lift its veto on the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia but failed to pass an amendment criticizing the Bulgarian position.
Ukraine sanctions French MEPs for visiting Crimea
Ukraine has imposed sanctions on two dozen Russian officials and three French members of the European Parliament who visited Russian-annexed Crimea without Kyiv's permission.
European Parliament supports the people of Belarus in their quest for democracy
The quest for democracy and freedom is in the hands of the people of Belarus. They should know that they are not alone, writes David McAllister.
EU Commission faces lawsuit unless it acts fast on rule of law conditionality
The European Parliament is set to pass a resolution warning that it will sue the European Commission unless the EU executive arm applies new legislation that makes access to billions of EU funds conditional on respecting the rule of law.
China sanctions 10 Europeans including parliamentarians
China on Monday (22 March) announced sanctions on 10 Europeans including politicians and scholars, as well as four entities, in retaliation against the EU's approval of measures over Beijing's crackdown on the Uighur minority.
EU’s fund to cover Brexit costs urgently needed, MEPs say
The EU Parliament's regional development committee has discussed the details of the EU's €5 billion Brexit Adjustment Reserve, with lawmakers calling for the fund to be implemented as soon as possible. EURACTIV France reports.
EU reaches agreement on cross-border infrastructure funding
Following lengthy and at times contentious negotiations, the European Parliament and Council agreed Friday (11 March) on the Connecting Europe Facility, making available over €30 billion in funding for transport, digital, and energy projects.
French right, Greens join forces on EU carbon border levy
The European Parliament has finally voted to maintain free CO2 allowances. This has provoked outrage among some European People's Party (EPP) MEPs, particularly from the French Republican party, who, together with the Greens, have sided against the amendment. EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs demand ambitious law on human rights due diligence
MEPs have urged the European Commission to table an ambitious due diligence law obliging EU companies to address all aspects of their value chains that could affect human rights, the environment and good governance.
EU Parliament strips Puigdemont, two other Catalans of immunity
The European Parliament has voted to waive the immunity of Catalonia’s former regional head of government and two other separatist lawmakers, taking them a step closer to extradition to Spain, where they are charged with sedition.
Trouble brews in Macron’s Renew as EU Parliament power shift looms
Trouble is brewing in Renew Europe, the third-largest group in the European Parliament, pitting the old 'liberals and democrats' of ALDE against the group leadership and the French delegation of Emmanuel Macron's party, according to an insider source in the centrist group.
Fugitive kleptocrat supports protest in Kazakhstan
Police in Kazakhstan detained dozens of protesters on Sunday (28 February) who were calling for the release of political prisoners in line with a resolution passed by the European Parliament.
EU lawmakers recommend lifting immunity of Catalan MEPs
The European Parliament's legal committee on Tuesday (23 February) voted to recommend lifting the immunity of three Catalan lawmakers wanted by Spain for sedition over a failed 2017 independence bid, parliamentary sources said.
Appointment with history
Crises boost EU integration: an unprecedented budget, common bonds, border guards in EU uniforms. But EU parliamentary democracy is lagging far behind and the European Parliament should defend democratic oversight. If it shies away from using its powers, it will lose them, writes Sophie in ‘t Veld.