Transport MEPs reviewing air passenger rights refuse to roll back on compensation for a three-hour delay and push for free cabin luggage and more rights for vulnerable travellers. On Monday, Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee voted to update EU air passenger rights rules, in force since 2004, to ensure that passengers are sufficiently protected against […]
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 […]
‘My Voice, My Choice’: MEPs support citizens’ initiative on accessible abortion
The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee has adopted a report supporting the Citizens’ Initiative “My Voice, My Choice: for safe and accessible abortion”. The Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee (FEMM) adopted a draft resolution and an oral question for the Commission on Wednesday, by 26 votes in favour, 12 against and with no […]
COP30: MEPs want EU climate policy to maintain a high degree of ambition
Last Monday 6th of October, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety adopted its policy demands for the UN Climate Change Conference COP30. The resolution, adopted with 57 votes in favour, 23 against and four abstentions, states that the EU should remain a leader in international climate negotiations and calls on all countries […]
MEPs approve updated EU-Ukraine road transport agreement
On Tuesday, the Transport and Tourism Committee voted to extend the EU road transport agreement with Ukraine until the end of 2025 to continue facilitating the transport of goods. The EU-Ukraine road transport agreement concluded in June 2022 has proven to be an effective EU response to the transport sector disruptions caused by the Russia’s […]
Parliament green lights update of VAT rules to make them fit for digital times
The update will notably require that VAT be paid for services provided through online platforms, putting an end to an unfair distortion of competition. It will also fight VAT fraud. On Wednesday, Parliament’s plenary approved the changes to the rules that member states indicated in November they wished to make to the VAT Directive. MEPs […]
Two Spaniards elected as Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament Fourteen Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament elected
On Tuesday MEPs elected the 14 vice-presidents for the first half of the 10th parliamentary term. Eleven vice-presidents, including the Spanish Esteban González Pons (EPP) and Javi López (S&D), were appointed by secret ballot in a first round, and the remaining three in a second round. The new Vice-Presidents are: Sabine Verheyen (EPP, Germany) Ewa […]
The European Parliament is ready to negotiate new European legislation on trafficking in human beings
Parliament adopted its mandate for negotiations with member states to revise rules on combating human trafficking, ahead of a first round of talks in November 2023. The mandate prepared by the Civil Liberties and Women’s Rights committees would expand the scope of the existing directive to include forced marriage, illegal adoption, surrogacy for the purposes of reproductive […]
Corruption scandal: MEPs insist on reforms for transparency and accountability
Parliament has reacted to recent allegations with immediate changes and demands for measures to close loopholes in existing transparency rules. Following Tuesday’s debate, Parliament has adopted a resolution on the suspicions of corruption by Qatar and the broader need for more transparency in the EU institutions, with 541 votes in favour, two against, and three abstentions. […]