The nominees for the 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought – the European Parliament’s human rights prize – have been announced. Each year Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to honour exceptional individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms. In 2022, the winners were the brave people of Ukraine, represented by their president, […]
Parliament wants to reduce demand for prostitution and protect those who work in it
Parliament called on Thursday for EU measures to tackle prostitution and policies that eliminate poverty. The report on prostitution in the EU, its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights was adopted by MEPs with 234 votes in favour, 175 against and 122 abstentions. It underlines that the asymmetry between national rules […]
European Parliament condemns attempt to reverse elections in Guatemala
MEPs call on all Guatemalan political parties, branches of government and institutions to respect the integrity of the electoral process and the electoral outcome clearly expressed by Guatemalan citizens in 2023 elections. Congratulating Bernardo Arévalo and Karin Herrera from Movimiento Semilla on their election as President and Vice President, MEPs call on all state institutions […]
70% of jet fuels at EU airports will have to be green by 2050
On Wednesday, MEPs approved a new law to increase the uptake of sustainable fuels, such as advanced biofuels or hydrogen, in the aviation sector. The RefuelEU aviation rules are part of the “Fit for 55 package”, the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to […]
Spain will have two more seats in the 2024 European elections
MEPs have approved the European Council’s decision increasing the number of seats in the European Parliament for the next legislative term from 705 to 720. The European Council’s proposal was based on Parliament’s report of June 2023, which started the process and was prompted by demographic changes in the EU since the 2019 elections. Additional […]
Parliament endorsed new measures to better protect citizens who donate blood, tissues or cells
MEPs adopted the report on new rules governing the use of so-called substances of human origin (SoHO) in the EU, with 483 votes in favour, 52 against and 89 abstentions. The measures apply to substances – such as blood and its components (red/white cells, plasma), tissues and cells – used for transfusions, therapies, transplantations or […]
European Parliament back plans to boost use of renewable energy
Parliament on Tuesday voted to boost the deployment of renewable energy, in line with the Green Deal and REPowerEU plans. The update of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), already agreed upon between MEPs and Council, raises the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states should strive to […]
Spanish film ’20 000 especies de abejas’ nominated for the European Parliament’s LUX Prize
20 000 species of bees (Spain), Fallen Leaves (Finland), In the Adamant (France-Japan), Smoke Sauna Sisterhood (Estonia-France-Iceland) and Teachers’ Lounge (Germany) will compete for the LUX European Film Public Prize, organised by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy. The five shortlisted films were announced in Venice by five MEPs: Laurence Farreng (Renew, France), […]
European Parliament convenes grants to inform 2024 European elections
The European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication published on 27 April a new grant programme, this time aimed at non-profit organisations and citizens, to promote awareness of the role of the European Parliament and its impact on citizens, as well as to increase participation in the next European elections in 2024. Non-profit organisations operating at national […]