Given the speed and complexity of challenges faced by the European Union, unity, urgency and ambition are key. That is also the spirit behind which President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, representing the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von […]
EP and Council reach a deal to update safe third country rules
Parliament and Council negotiators have reached a political agreement on updates to the 2024 Asylum Law regarding the conditions for applying the rules on safe third countries. On Thursday the negotiating team of the Civil Liberties Committee informally agreed with the Council new rules under which member states may decide that a non-EU country is […]
MEPs support initiative on accessible abortion
On Wednesday, the plenary backed a European citizens’ initiative to improve access to abortion in Europe through a voluntary solidarity mechanism. Parliament recalls that many women in Europe still lack full access to safe and legal abortion and warns of the legal and practical barriers that persist in several Member States. MEPs call on these […]
Critical medicines: new measures to strengthen security of supply
On Monday evening, Parliament’s public health committee adopted its proposals to enhance the availability of key medicines in the EU. The draft bill, adopted with 27 votes in favour, one against and eight abstentions, aims to ensure a high level of public health protection for EU citizens by reducing the EU’s dependency on third countries […]
Circular economy: deal on new EU rules for the automotive sector
Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on new EU circularity rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment. Improved vehicle design and use of recycled materials According to the agreed draft, all new vehicles should be designed so as to allow the easy removal of as many parts […]
EU strengthens legal protections and support systems for victims of crime
The new rules, provisionally agreed by EU co-legislators, seek to reinforce support and protection measures for victims and their rights in criminal proceedings. On Wednesday evening, negotiators from Parliament reached an informal agreement with the Council to update the 2012 Victims’ Rights directive following a proposal by the Commission in 2023. The agreement succeeds in: strengthening […]
Agreement reached on the first EU-wide criminal law rules against corruption
MEPs secured new EU measures for the more effective prevention and prosecution of corruption, including reinforced cooperation and greater transparency. On Tuesday evening, Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on the EU’s first ever directive harmonising criminal laws to fight corruption, strengthening efforts to prevent, prosecute and punish offences across the EU. A […]
Package travels: new rules on traveller protection
Parliament has struck a deal with Council on updating protection rules for package holidaymakers, based on lessons learned from the pandemic and high-profile bankruptcies. The draft law informally agreed by Parliament and Council negotiators clarifies the definition of a travel package, conditions for cancelling a trip, and travellers’ rights to information, help and refund in […]
Disability strategy: EP calls for greater efforts in employment, housing and healthcare
The EP wants ambitious measures to ensure access for people with disabilities to the labour market, social protection, education, healthcare, housing and digital services. In a resolution adopted on Thursday by 490 votes to 9, with 109 abstentions, MEPs call for an effective strategy for 2025-2030 that includes concrete measures and legal instruments to address […]