European Parliament News

Lates news and information from the European Parliament.

EU Transparency Register - new version — 27 January 2015, 15:34 CET

A new version of the EU Transparency Register was launched on 27 January following joint work by the European Commission and the European Parliament. This 'second generation' of the Register implements the provisions of the revised Inter-institutional Agreement signed between the European Parliament and the European Commission in April 2014.

EU Transparency Register — 03 March 2016, 15:38 CET

Citizens can, and indeed should, expect the EU decision-making process to be as transparent and open as possible. The more open the process is, the easier it is to ensure balanced representation and avoid undue pressure and illegitimate or privileged access to information or to decision-makers. Transparency is also a key part of encouraging European citizens to participate more actively in the democratic life of the EU. The transparency register has been set up to answer core questions such as what interests are being pursued, by whom and with what budgets. The system is operated jointly by the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Reducing use of plastic bags: MEPs strike deal with Council Presidency — 21 November 2014, 18:05 CET

EU Member States would have to reduce the use of the commonest and most polluting plastic carrier bags, under draft rules informally agreed between MEPs and the Italian Presidency of the Council on Monday and confirmed by the member states’ permanent representatives on 21 November. Plastic carrier bag litter is a major environmental problem, as it is known to pollute bodies of water and aquatic eco-systems in particular.

European Parliament hearings of the Commissioners-designate — 21 October 2014, 17:50 CET

The 27 candidates hoping to be part of the European Commission led by Jean-Claude Juncker start appearing at hearings at the European Parliament on 29 September. During the three-hour hearings EP committees will test the candidate commissioners' expertise and competences ahead of the EP voting on whether to approve the new Commission on 22 October. The hearings will be shown live on our website and can also be followed on various other platforms.

Chairs and vice-chairs of European Parliament committees — 08 July 2014, 23:22 CET

Following the election of a President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors of the European Parliament in Strasbourg last week, parliamentary committees have now elected chair-persons and their deputies for next two and a half years.

Euro-elections 2014 - don't let your vote be a wasted vote — 22 May 2014, 18:08 CET

The challenges faced by the EU following the 2014 European elections will no doubt prove a challenge to many of the new MEPs. Voters should consider which candidates are most qualified and capable of doing this work on their behalf. Don't forget to vote.

Key dates in 2014 European elections — 22 May 2014, 11:51 CET

European Parliament elections which unfold across Europe May 22-25 mark the start of a new, five-year European Union political cycle, with a raft of new leaders to be installed.

10 key facts on the European Parliament elections — 22 May 2014, 11:49 CET

Elections for a new European Parliament take place over four days from Thursday across the 28 European Union countries.

Old and new European Parliaments: facts and figures — 15 May 2014, 23:09 CET

The old European Parliament passed its last laws in April, making a total of over 1,000 in 2009-2014. The new one, elected on 22-25 May, takes office on 1 July. Here is a brief overview of some of Parliament’s work over the past five years and what it will need to do in the next five.

European Parliament powers — 28 April 2014, 22:20 CET

The European Parliament (EP) is the assembly of the representatives of the 500 million Union citizens. Since 1979 they have been elected by direct universal suffrage. The Lisbon Treaty set the total number of EP seats to 751. The number of MEPs per country is set by a European Council decision adopted unanimously on the EP proposal. No country may now have less than 6 or more than 96 MEPs.

2014 European elections — 09 May 2014, 16:29 CET

The European Parliament has launched a special website on the 2014 European elections. There you will find all the information you need regarding the elections for the European Parliament, taking place on 22-25 May next year. It includes a constantly updated news section, all relevant information on the member states and the European political parties taking part, along with information specifically tailored for journalists. On the website you will find up-to-date news in the form of articles, press releases, background notes, slideshows and infographics. In short it will include all products relevant to the election campaign. In addition there will be data sheets on the member states, with information on issues such as the economy, technology, jobs, education, environment, energy and society. They offer a fully interactive, visual overview of data collected from all the countries in the EU. The website offers a list of the European political parties taking part in the election, with a short description and a link to their website.

European Parliament download centre - Elections 2014 — 16 October 2013, 16:42 CET

The European Parliament's download centre is the only online platform where you can find all the electronic materials from the Parliament, from campaigns to events taking place at the EP, logos and the information campaign for the 2014 elections. he download center will feature all the materials of the elections campaign, Humanifesto and teasers that have already been uploaded. In addition, the platform will store materials on the various annual campaigns organised by the EP on human rights, gender equality and cultural diversity. This includes for example the Sakharov Prize, the LUX prize, International Women’s Day, Open days, European years and special events such as Croatia joining the EU. In addition you can also download elements of the Parliament's visual identity. The materials are available in all languages and feature items such as the Parliament's logo, templates and the guidelines for using the logo as well as visuals for campaigns and events, photos and videos, and web products, including banners and electronic signatures.

EU Transparency Register: over 5,000 interest groups sign up — 28 June 2012, 23:01 CET

Over 5,000 interest groups have registered with the European Parliament or European Commission for the EU Transparency Register, in its first year.

Removal or blocking of child pornography on the Internet - questions & answers — 12 July 2011, 22:33 CET

Child abusers and viewers of child sex images on the web would face tough penalties for abuse, exploitation and pornography offences under draft EU rules as agreed with Council representatives and approved by the Civil Liberties Committee on Tuesday. The rules would also require EU Member States to remove child porn web sites, or, failing that, make it possible to block access to them within their territory, if a Member State so decides.

European Parliament: Brussels - Strasbourg Seat Study — 10 February 2011, 18:42 CET

New research shows that more MEPs and their staff than ever before - some 90 per cent - find the monthly trek between Brussels and Strasbourg intolerable. They say it is wasteful, undermines parliament's effectiveness and is bad for the environment and their health.

European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) - guide — 15 December 2010, 23:23 CET

The European Parliament and Council have today reached agreement on the European Citizens' Initiative, which will for the first time allow citizens to directly suggest new EU legislation. An innovation contained in the Lisbon Treaty, the ECI will allow at least one million citizens from at least one quarter of EU Member States to invite the European Commission to bring forward legislative proposals in areas where the Commission has the power to do so. The organisers of a Citizens' Initiative, a citizens' committee composed of at least seven citizens who are residents of at least seven different Member States, will have one year to collect signatures and the Commission will have three months to examine an initiative and decide how to act on it. On request of the Council, the legislation on the European Citizens' Initiative will start applying only one year after it is published in the Official Journal, meaning that the first initiatives can be considered from early 2012.

COSAC — 22 October 2010, 13:10 CET

COSAC is a Conference of the committees of the national parliaments of the European Union Member States dealing with European affairs as well as representatives of the European Parliament. At the biannual meetings of COSAC, six members represent each parliament. In addition, the national parliaments of the candidate and acceding countries are invited to participate with three observers each. COSAC meetings normally take place in the capital of the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Euro-Parliament strikes at Europe's late payment culture — 21 October 2010, 13:11 CET

Small firms should no longer face financial problems due to late payment of bills by public authorities or companies under a deal endorsed by Euro-MPs in plenary session on Wednesday. A recasting of the EU's Late Payment Directive, setting a standard deadline for paying bills at 30 days, is intended to bolster solvency, innovation and jobs.

Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought — 19 October 2023, 21:51 CET

Awarded for the first time in 1988 to Nelson Mandela and Anatoli Marchenko, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work. It gives recognition to individuals, groups and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to protecting freedom of thought. Through the prize and its associated network the EU assists laureates, who are supported and empowered in their efforts to defend their causes.

EU to protect householders from gas supply crises — 13 July 2010, 23:28 CET

European householders would be protected from gas supply crises under legislation approved by the European Parliament's Industry Committee today.

Euro-MPs want to reduce animal testing — 12 July 2010, 20:14 CET

The use of animals in scientific experiments could soon be reduced by new legislation, approved by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee on Monday, which aims for a balance between improving animal welfare and assisting research against diseases.

Euro-MPs call for fair and transparent trade in fish — 08 July 2010, 16:40 CET

The EU's fishing and aquaculture industries must not be exposed to unfair competition from imports, says a resolution adopted by the European Parliament on Thursday, which calls for fishery products to be classified as "sensitive" in global trade talks.

Euro-MPs call for ban on food from cloned animals — 07 July 2010, 22:39 CET

Euro-MPs renewed their appeal for a ban on food from cloned animals when they voted on novel foods legislation on Wednesday. They also demanded a moratorium on foods using nanotechnology until potential health risks can be ruled out.

Euro-MPs approve stricter rules on industrial emissions — 07 July 2010, 22:39 CET

Clearer rules and cleaner air are among the aims of the Industrial Emissions Directive approved by the European Parliament on Wednesday. Stricter limits will apply for air pollution, for example, although EU Member States will have some flexibility to extend deadlines for power plants or waive the rules for other installations in special cases.

MEPs call for EU directive on biowaste — 06 July 2010, 22:59 CET

Compulsory separate collection and recycling of biowaste should be a central plank of a new EU biowaste directive, said MEPs in a resolution adopted on Tuesday.