News in Brief

At a glance: European Parliament committees propose new small mid-cap company category to reduce EU regulatory burdens; two Parliament committees call for an EU-wide consent-based definition of rape; and Parliament President Roberta Metsola calls for EU–UK partnership reset during London visit.

At a glance: MEPs back Andrés Ritter as next EU Chief Prosecutor; the European Commission proposes a single system to track EU budget spending after 2027; and Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democratic Shield discusses countering Russian interference ahead of Armenian elections.

At a glance: The European Parliament marks four years of Russia’s war against Ukraine by inviting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to give an address; Parliament freezes Turnberry trade deal with the United States after Trump imposes new tariffs; and ECB President Christine Lagarde discusses interest rates and inflation with MEPs.

At a glance: The European Parliament is hosting European Parliamentary Week in Brussels; a debate on US sanctions and digital rules is taking place with former Commissioner Thierry Breton; and a review of seafood imports to the EU is presented to Parliament’s Committee on Fisheries.

At a glance: the Commission presents its high-speed rail plan to Parliament’s Committee on Transport; the European Court of Auditors discusses the findings of a report on environmental funding projects with MEPs; and a public hearing takes place on neurological health.

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs examines foreign interference risks and critical infrastructure security; MEPs assess the EU farm promotion policy ahead of the 2026 Commission plan; a delegation from the Committee on Fisheries concludes a visit to Seychelles on the sustainable tuna partnership.

At a glance: a delegation from the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield is in the US to discuss digital challenges, cyberdefence and information integrity; members of the Committee on International Trade conclude their visit to the Philippines to advance free trade talks; the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy is to hold a hearing on Horizon Europe 2028–2034.

At a glance: MEPs conclude a visit to Cyprus focused on healthcare; efforts to strengthen Europe’s defence industry are at the centre of a one-day visit to Czechia by members of the Committee on Security and Defence; and MEPs from the Committee on Culture and Education conclude a visit to London to discuss Erasmus+ and Creative Europe.

At a glance: MEPs are in Ireland to discuss the future of work and quality of life; Parliament’s Committees on Budgets and Economic and Monetary Affairs are in Zagreb to review Croatia’s recovery plan; and the Committee on Petitions is in Spain to examine Almaraz nuclear plant and environmental concerns.

At·a·glance: MEPs assess Poland·s defence industry and the EU·s preparedness at its eastern borders; MEPs visit Montenegro and Albania to take stock of EU membership progress; and the European Parliament calls for EU plan to eradicate poverty by 2035.

At a glance: MEPs call for expanded EU defence partnerships amid growing security threats; the European Parliament approves €90 billion EU loan package for Ukraine; and MEPs give green light to €7.5 million in EU aid for laid-off Audi workers in Belgium.

At a glance: the European Parliament approves binding 90% emissions reduction target by 2040; a debate on boosting EU competitiveness; and MEPs back creation of EU list of safe countries to speed up asylum procedures. 

At a glance: the European Parliament debates ECB 2025 annual report; MEPs discuss Commission’s response to recent extreme weather events in southern Europe; and the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis backs proposals to tackle Europe’s housing crisis.

At a glance: the European Parliament debates EU competitiveness and rising cost of living; MEPs question the Council and the Commission on rule of law and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia; Parliament votes on €7.5 million in EU aid for laid-off Audi workers in Belgium. 

At a glance the European Parliament votes on 90% greenhouse gas emissions cut; MEPs debate stronger EU response to extreme weather events; boosting European defence amid rising global tensions is also on Parliament’s plenary session agenda.

At a glance: MEPs to debate ECB priorities as Lagarde presents annual report in Parliament plenary session; President Metsola announces an extraordinary plenary session on 24 February to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine; Parliament marks World Cancer Day with a renewed focus on prevention and research.

At a glance: MEPs prepare for the February plenary in Strasbourg where climate goals, trade safeguards and social inclusion are on the agenda; the Committee on Budgets questions the Commission on EU funding for Ukraine.

At·a·glance:·Parliament·s Committee on Budgets debate amendments to post-2027 EU multiannual financial framework; MEPs discuss security, human rights and geopolitics with Mexico; and Commissioner Hoekstra faces MEPs on 2026 work programme.

At·a·glance:·Parliament·s Committee on Budgets debate amendments to post-2027 EU multiannual financial framework; MEPs discuss security, human rights and geopolitics with Mexico; and Commissioner Hoekstra faces MEPs on 2026 work programme.

At a glance: MEPs push for smarter EU lawmaking to boost competitiveness; Parliament’s Committee on Budgets backs €7.5 million in EU aid for workers laid off after Audi plant closure in Belgium; and MEPs mark World Cancer Day with a debate on Europe’s fight against cancer.

At a glance: MEPs urge action to close Europe’s gender pay and pension gaps; housing affordability under the spotlight in Parliament committee debate; and MEPs push for transparency and fair pay when AI uses copyrighted content.

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on International Trade backs tougher safeguards to protect Europe’s steel industry; MEPs discuss aviation security risks with the Lithuanian transport minister; and MEPs examine the cost of fragmented tax rules across the EU.

At a glance: The European Parliament commemorates International Holocaust Remembrance Day; Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield examines a draft report on democratic resilience; MEPs discuss cyber-defence and cybersecurity at a joint public hearing.

At a glance: Cyprus presents Council presidency priorities to European Parliament committees; NATO chief meets MEPs; Parliament’s Committees on Budgets and on Budgetary Control scrutinise Hungary’s EU funds over rule of law concerns.

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on Transport and Tourism discusses EU maritime safety with EMSA chief; Commissioner Síkela briefs Parliament on EU support for Greenland and overseas territories; and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs holds a hearing on working conditions in Amazon warehouses.

At a glance: the European Parliament approves enhanced cooperation for EUR 90 billion Ukraine loan; MEPs call for firm EU response to coercion and threats against Member States; and Parliament marks the 40th anniversaries of Spanish and Portuguese EU membership.

At a glance: the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides presented the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union; MEPs back new EU-wide company structure to boost competitiveness and measures to reduce shortages of critical medicines.

At a glance: The European Parliament debates the nationwide protests in Iran and the authorities’ violent crackdown on protesters; MEPs discuss the EU’s response to the US President’s claims on Greenland and threats to impose tariffs on countries that oppose him; and MEPs fight to preserve air passenger rights in a vote in plenary.

At a glance: The European Parliament’s first plenary session of the year is under way in Strasbourg. MEPs are discussing streamlining EU funding to maximise its impact; debating the results of the December EU leaders’ summit, covering solidarity with Ukraine, the Middle East and EU defence readiness; and voting on enhanced cooperation for an EU loan for Ukraine.

At a glance: European Parliament plenary to express strong support for Greenland’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; MEPs to debate the situation in Venezuela following the US abduction of its former president; and MEPs to discuss and vote on a resolution on the situation in Iran.

Na kratko: vodilni predstavniki Evropskega parlamenta so izrazili močno podporo Grenlandiji in Danski; poslanci bodo preučili predlog Komisije o novem Skladu za nacionalna in regionalna partnerstva, vrednem 865 milijard evrov; razpravljali bodo tudi o boljši zaščiti pred nevarnimi snovmi pri delu.

At a glance: MEPs prepare to debate EU security, defence and foreign policy at the first plenary of the year; the Parliament plenary will mark 40 years of EU membership for Spain and Portugal and include a debate on the Cyprus Presidency of the Council; and MEPs question the European Commission on EU funds for reform in the Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine.

At a glance: MEPs defend three-hour-delay rule and push for stronger air passenger rights; Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy discusses the Automotive Omnibus and the Battery Booster Strategy; and the Committee on Budgets discusses releasing EUR 7.5 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to support displaced Audi workers in Belgium.

At a glance: European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and political group leaders meet EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas; the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU discusses the new European Affordable Housing Plan; and registrations open for the fourth edition of the EU Tax Symposium, taking place in Brussels in March.

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs discusses simpler banking rules with ECB Vice-President de Guindos; the European Parliament invites young changemakers to apply for Charlemagne Youth Prize; Oulu and Trenčín are the 2026 European Capitals of Culture.

At a glance: Parliament’s Transport Committee will examine new rules on vehicle roadworthiness and safety; the Committee on Agriculture will discuss the European Competitiveness Fund and the future of farm support, and will also hold a public hearing on the EU livestock sector and animal disease control.

At a glance: A delegation from Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee is in Bulgaria focusing on child poverty and protection reforms; MEPs assess human rights and the rule of law during visit to Türkiye; a delegation from Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee wraps up energy, mining and innovation mission to Chile.

At a glance: Bulgaria has become the 21st member of the euro area; Cyprus takes over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union; Spain and Portugal mark their 40th anniversary as EU Member States. 

At a glance: during Parliament’s final plenary session of the year, MEPs push for ‘military Schengen area’ to speed up troop movements across the EU; Parliament approves phased ban on Russian gas imports; and MEPs back citizens’ initiative to improve access to safe abortion in the EU.

At a glance: In Strasbourg, Parliament’s final plenary session of the year draws to a close. Parliament backs measures to boost EU support for defence investment; MEPs endorse simpler rules and more support for farmers; and Parliament honours Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, the 2025 winners of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

At a glance: Parliament’s final plenary session of the year continues in Strasbourg. MEPs focus on banning Russian natural gas imports; President Roberta Metsola condemns antisemitic terror attack in Sydney; and Parliament’s Committee on Public Health backs new measures to secure supply of critical medicines.

At a glance: Parliament’s final plenary session of the year is under way in Strasbourg. MEPs are voting on phasing out Russian gas imports and postponing the application of the EU’s deforestation law, and setting out Parliament’s priorities for the December European Council meeting.

At a glance: Parliament’s plenary session is in progress. In Strasbourg, MEPs debate new EU affordable housing plan; the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to be awarded to imprisoned journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli; and the European Commission unveils measures to strengthen EU automotive competitiveness.

At a glance: Parliament and the Council reach a deal to overhaul EU pharmaceutical rules; the last plenary session of the year kicks off on Monday in Strasbourg; MEPs set to discuss how to boost EU defence investment and vote on a reform package updating key common agricultural policy regulations. 

At a glance: Parliament and Council agree 90% emissions cut by 2040 under updated climate law; EU lawmakers and national MPs meet in Brussels to assess the rule of law; MEPs debate the impact of digital violence on women’s mental health.

At a glance: Parliament and Council reach deal to simplify company sustainability rules; MEPs prepare final plenary of 2025 with votes on defence readiness and the EU-Mercosur safeguard; in Strasbourg Parliament will also vote on housing, agriculture and the citizens’ initiative on abortion.

At a glance: Parliament’s Committee on the Environment marks 10 years since the Paris Agreement with a high-level climate conference; the Committee on Public Health reviews new ways to tackle antimicrobial resistance; the Committee on International Trade backs EU-Mercosur safeguard clause as Commission outlines new economic security strategy.

At a glance: the European Parliament and the Council reach a deal to delay and simplify deforestation law; an agreement is reached on new gene-editing rules to support greener farming; and wine producers have more support in facing market and climate challenges.

At a glance: an agreement is reached on the first common EU rules to fight corruption; Parliament and the Council seal a major deal to renew trade perks for developing countries; and MEPs call for stronger defence by the EU of humanitarian law.

At a glance: the EU moves to end Russian gas imports with new Parliament–Council deal; Parliament leaders in Cyprus prepare for upcoming EU Council Presidency; and stronger protection for package holiday travellers.