European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
EP Answers
What is the ‘Free Interrail pass for Europeans’ EU initiative?
Young citizens are increasingly turning to the European Parliament asking for information on the initiative to give EU 18 year olds free Interrail tickets. Continue reading
Summertime: changing of the clocks
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament with comments on the changing of the clocks. Some citizens are in favour of the summer-time and winter-time arrangements; others call on the Parliament to abolish them. Continue reading
Citizens’ enquiries to the European Parliament in 2017
On a daily basis, citizens from all across the EU and the wider world address the European Parliament to request information, express opinions or suggest ideas on an extensive range of topics. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP) provides answers to citizens on the issues raised. In 2017, citizens put more than 52 000 questions, suggestions and comments to the European Parliament or its President. Continue reading
What is the European Youth Event?
The EYE is a two-day event organised by the European Parliament on its premises in cooperation with the European Youth Forum and other organisations. It gives young people the opportunity to take part in political debates, workshops and other activities and interact with leading EU figures, with a view to coming up with innovative solutions to major future issues. Continue reading
What is the EU doing for people with disabilities?
On 6 December 2017, the European Parliament hosted the 4th European Parliament of persons with disabilities event, bringing together delegates from organisations that represent persons with disabilities from across Europe, Members of the European Parliament and representatives of other EU institutions. Continue reading
What is the EU doing to combat cybercrime?
Citizens write to the European Parliament to find out what the EU is doing to combat cybercrime. Continue reading
Wintertime: changing of the clocks, but why?
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament with comments on the changing of the clocks. Some citizens are in favour of the summertime/wintertime arrangement; others call on the Parliament to abolish it. Continue reading
What is the EU doing to reduce food waste?
In the EU, food waste is estimated at some 88 million tonnes in a single year, which equates to 173 kilograms per person. The total amount of food produced in the EU in 2011 was around 865 kg/person. This means that we are wasting 20 % of the total food produced. In this context, citizens turn to the European Parliament to request information on what the EU is doing to reduce food waste, as well as calling for European legislation to end food waste in every country in Europe, including several petitions introduced on this matter. Continue reading
How is the EU reforming air passenger rights?
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament to request information about their rights as passengers. Ongoing legislative framework reform intends to clarify certain aspects of air passenger rights, to ensure a better application of the regulation. Continue reading
‘Erasmus+’: the Union programme for education, training, youth and sport
Young people want to know more about Erasmus+ and are asking for information on mobility opportunities so that they can enhance their skills and improve their job prospects. They frequently pose questions to the European Parliament to find out what support the EU provides for youth training and education. Legal framework Articles 165 and 166 … Continue reading
How is the EU tackling waste management
Citizens are contacting the European Parliament to enquire about what the EU is doing to reduce, recycle and reuse waste. Environmental policy is one of the policy areas most supported by European Union’s (EU) citizens, who recognise that environmental problems go beyond national and regional borders and can only be resolved through concerted action at EU and international level. Continue reading
The Collaborative Economy: What’s at stake?
Citizens have contacted the European Parliament wanting to know how the EU is regulating the new fast moving ‘collaborative or sharing economy’. This rapidly evolving sector touches on a number of aspects of the economy including in the areas of accommodation (short-term letting); passenger transport; household services; professional and technical services, and collaborative finance. Continue reading
What is the EU’s role in the introduction of a road toll for private vehicles in Germany?
In view of the new road toll for private vehicles foreseen in Germany, citizens have turned to the European Parliament and have raised concerns that this ‘infrastructural levy’ might discriminate EU citizens who do not reside in Germany. Following the adoption by the German authorities of a law introducing a road charging scheme for cars, … Continue reading
What is the EU doing to fight against poverty and social exclusion?
European citizens regularly contact the European Parliament on the subject of poverty and social exclusion in Europe, calling for more to be done to help poor people to escape their predicament. So what is the EU doing about it? Continue reading
Summertime: changing of the clocks, but why?
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament with comments on the changing of the clocks. Some citizens are in favour of the summertime /wintertime arrangements; others call on the Parliament to abolish it. On Sunday 26 March 2017 clocks go forward, but why? Continue reading
Petitions to the European Parliament: How does it work?
What is the procedure for submitting a petition to the European Parliament? Citizens are broadly aware of their right to submit a petition, however they often request further information about the procedure to send the petition and on the way the petitions are afterwards discussed in the EP Committee. Right of petition Any citizen of … Continue reading
How does the EU promote sign languages?
In reference to sign languages, citizens contact the European Parliament requesting information on the status of sign languages at EU level, the actions taken to promote it and how its interpretation works in the EU institutions. Continue reading
What measures is the EU taking to combat terrorism?
Following various terrorist attacks in Europe, citizens write to the European Parliament expressing their deepest rejection of these acts of terrorism. Citizens also ask the EU institutions to adopt new measures to combat and prevent these crimes. Many European countries have been affected by terrorism in one form or another. Heinous terrorist attacks have demonstrated … Continue reading
Renewal of the authorisation of the use of the herbicide substance glyphosate
Many citizens want to know what is the European Parliament’s position on the renewal of the authorisation of the use of glyphosate. On November 2015, the European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) declared that glyphosate is unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans and the evidence does not support classification with regard to its … Continue reading
Plastic bags: EU’s response to reducing consumption
Citizens want to know what the EU is doing to reduce the consumption of plastic bags given the negative impact on marine wildlife and the environment. In the EU, plastic carrier bags are considered as packaging under Directive 94/62/EC. The use of plastic carrier bags result in littering and an inefficient use of resources. Moreover, … Continue reading
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