European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
PUBLICATIONS
The Conference on the Future of Europe
This EPRS infographic sets out the structures of the conference, how they will work and the topics to be discussed. Continue reading
What if objects around us flocked together and became intelligent? [Science and Technology podcast]
Smart objects have evolved beyond the original idea of the internet of things (IoT): to offer a better way to track products, replace obsolete barcodes and improve logistics. Continue reading
Understanding EU action on Roma inclusion
Since the mid-1990s, the European Union has stressed the need for better Roma inclusion. Continue reading
Coronavirus: Latest developments [What Think Tanks are thinking]
This note offers links to recent commentaries, studies and reports from international think tanks on the coronavirus and related issues. More studies on the topics can be found in a previous edition in this series, published in February 2021. Continue reading
Establishing the new EU strategy on adaptation to climate change
The Commission’s communication builds on Article 4 of the proposal for a European climate law regulation, which requires the Member States and the EU to enhance their adaptive capacity, strengthen their resilience and reduce their vulnerability to climate change. Continue reading
Outcome of the special European Council meeting of 24-25 May 2021
In accordance with Article 235(2) TFEU, the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, addressed the European Council at the start of its proceedings. As President-in-Office of the Council, the Portuguese Prime Minister, António Costa, provided an overview of progress made on implementing previous European Council conclusions. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – May 2021
Following a joint debate, Members voted on Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE) own-initiative reports on developing EU strategies on hydrogen and on energy system integration. Continue reading
Outlook for the special European Council meeting of 24-25 May 2021
On 23 April 2021, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, called a special European Council to be held on 25 May 2021; it was subsequently announced on 9 May, that the meeting would commence on the evening of 24 May. Continue reading
EU Covid-19 certificate: A tool to help restore the free movement of people across the European Union
A temporary digital health certificate is seen as a less restrictive measure than others currently in place, such as entry bans, quarantine and business closures, and may allow for a gradual reopening of the economy. Continue reading
Roaming Regulation review [EU Legislation in Progress]
Nevertheless, five years after its implementation, the Commission needs to review the Roaming Regulation, with a view to extending the roaming market rules by 10 years. Continue reading
Chinese counter-sanctions on EU targets
The EU sanctions against which China retaliated with counter-sanctions were among the first uses of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (GHRSR) established in December 2020. Continue reading
Matching priorities and resources in the EU budget: Climate action, migration and borders
Underpinned by the European Green Deal strategy, climate action will receive the bulk of its resources through the incorporation of climate considerations and objectives across all relevant EU funding instruments (climate mainstreaming). Continue reading
Brexit adjustment reserve [EU Legislation in Progress]
The European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on the Brexit adjustment reserve on 25 December 2020. Continue reading
Sakharov’s legacy on the centenary of his birth
Sakharov’s achievements, as both a scientist and a human rights defender, are still honoured in Russia. Buildings and streets are named after him, such as Sakharov Avenue in Moscow, which has become a popular protest venue. There are Sakharov museums in Nizhny Novgorod and Moscow. Continue reading
Outcome of the meetings of EU leaders in Porto on 7-8 May 2021
On 8 May 2021, EU Heads of State or Government met in Porto for an informal European Council, preceded on 7 May by a social summit, organised by the Portuguese Presidency. The informal European Council was followed by an EU–India leaders’ meeting, attended remotely by the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Continue reading
Alcohol labelling [Policy Podcast]
Labelling of ingredients and nutritional values on alcoholic drinks already has a long history. First attempts to label ingredients were made in the late 1970s, resulting in the Council not being able to agree on any of the proposed models. Continue reading
The external dimension of the new pact on migration and asylum: A focus on prevention and readmission [Policy Podcast]
In the context of migration, the EU’s external policy has among its objectives to help third countries tackle the root causes of irregular migration or quests for asylum. Continue reading
What if consumers could use devices to sequence DNA? [Science and Technology podcast]
The genetic ‘alphabet’ contains four ‘letters’ or, in other words, four chemical codes for the information stored in DNA, representing a sequence that, if unwrapped, can stretch up to two metres and fill a book of one million pages. Continue reading
The rights of LGBTI people in the European Union
Sexual orientation is now recognised in EU law as grounds of discrimination. However, the scope of the provisions dealing with this issue is limited and does not cover social protection, health care, education or access to goods and services, leaving LGBTI people particularly vulnerable in these areas. Continue reading
National ratification of the Own Resources Decision: Procedure completed on 31 May 2021
The Own Resources Decision (ORD) sets the financing system of the EU budget. It is one of the most complex pieces of legislation for the EU to adopt and modify, on account of the special legislative procedure set out in Article 311 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). Continue reading
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