With 175 votes in favour, 360 against and 18 abstentions, the European Parliament on Thursday rejected a motion of censure against the European Commission. The motion was put to a roll-call vote in plenary. It required a two-thirds majority of the votes cast and the backing of a majority of the members of the […]
EP calls for addressing China’s restrictions on rare earth exports
Parliament is concerned about China’s export restrictions on key raw materials and the impact on the EU economy. On 4 April 2025, China imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in the defence, energy and automotive sectors in response to increased US tariffs on Chinese products. Under the new rules, exporters […]
Parliament condemns Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukrainian civilians
In a resolution, MEPs strongly condemn Russia’s ongoing war crimes in Ukraine, expressing firm support for the investigations of the International Criminal Court. The text, approved on Wednesday by 507 votes in favour, 77 against, and with 45 abstentions, states that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which was launched in February 2022, has shattered peace […]
New EU rules to make the automotive sector more sustainable
On Monday, the Environment and Internal Market Committees adopted their proposals on new EU rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment. The regulation would apply to cars and vans one year after its entry into force (five years for buses, heavy-duty vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, quads, mopeds and minicars). There […]
Transport MEPs seek to reinforce passenger rights
MEPs push for a common reimbursement form, no charge for selecting a child seat, free on-board personal item and small hand luggage and better protection for multimodal journeys. On Tuesday, Transport and Tourism Committee proposed changes to EU passenger rights rules by 38 votes to two and two abstentions to close enforcement gaps and make sure […]
Clean Industrial Pact must reconcile competitiveness and climate action
The Industrial Decarbonisation Bank and the Affordable Energy Action Plan are crucial for the competitiveness and resilience of European industry, says the EP. The resolution adopted by the plenary on Thursday is a response to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Pact Plan. It stresses the need to combine climate action with industrial competitiveness. It also […]
Training – Free Sofia Corradi Summer Course on the European Union – Online or in person
The European Parliament Office in Barcelona, the Representation of the European Commission and CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs) are organising the fifth edition of the Sofía Corradi Summer Course on the European Union. The three teaching days will be monographic sessions, focused from a theoretical and practical perspective. The sessions will be divided […]
EP calls for more coordinated and resilient European electricity grids
Parliament on Thursday put forward measures to modernise the EU’s electricity grid, make it more resilient, integrate renewables and speed up permitting. The text adopted by the plenary calls for the implementation of the European action plan for electricity grids and stresses the need for ambitious investment and substantial improvements in infrastructure, with the aim […]
Agreement reached to suspend visa-free travel over security and rights concerns
EP and Council teams have reached an agreement on grounds for suspending visa-free travel for short stays into the EU. A reform of the mechanism to suspend short-stay visa-free travel into the EU, agreed today between Parliament and Council negotiating teams, will allow the EU to respond more flexibly when countries backslide on important principles […]