European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
At a glance
Ensuring healthy living conditions [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Anne Altmayer, Our natural environment has improved measurably since the European Community first took up its environmental policy in the early 1970s. These improvements are a result of the comprehensive EU environmental legislation, which is applicable in all Member States alike. EU environmental policy is committed to protecting natural resources essential to human … Continue reading
Energy efficiency and reducing consumption [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Alex Benjamin Wilson, Greater energy efficiency can help to reduce the bills that consumers pay for their heating and electricity, and contributes to the fight against climate change because lower energy consumption leads to fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Energy efficiency can also foster greater energy security in the EU, by reducing the need … Continue reading
Europe leading the way in global climate action [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Gregor Erbach, EU climate and energy policies have performed well: carbon emissions have fallen significantly while the economy has continued to grow. Europe is on track to meet or even exceed its 2020 climate and energy targets. Having been key actors in concluding the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, the EU and … Continue reading
New laws needed for robots [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Rafał Mańko, The European Parliament has recently called upon the Commission to table a legislative proposal laying down a set of civil law rules on robotics and artificial intelligence. These should address such issues as liability for damages caused by a robot, as well as establish a European agency for robotics and artificial … Continue reading
Driving safely in Europe [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Sarah Sheil with Amalie Bjornavold, European roads are the safest in the world, and the introduction of the new harmonised European driving licence is helping to consolidate this trend. In addition to ensuring freedom of movement for the EU’s 300 million drivers – given that the new licences are recognised throughout Europe – … Continue reading
Europe’s emergency telephone number: 112 [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Sarah Sheil with Amalie Bjornavold, EU citizenship has made it much easier to live, work and travel across the European Union. As a consequence of this heightened mobility, a common emergency number was introduced by the EU as a safety net – capable of reaching police, ambulance and fire brigade services free of … Continue reading
Roam like at home as of summer 2017 [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Mar Negreiro, From 15 June 2017 on, using your mobile phone anywhere in the EU will cost you the same as at home. The long-awaited end to roaming charges within the EU was agreed upon by the Council of the EU and the European Parliament two years ago. The Parliament played a crucial … Continue reading
Remember, you have the right to be forgotten [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Shara Monteleone, Increasing use of digital technologies in almost every daily activity and the related flow of data have made access to and availability of personal data easier for companies, governments and citizens. In particular online, finding information about a fact or a person has become unprecedentedly easy. Data protection as a fundamental … Continue reading
Rights for consumers of digital content [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Rafał Mańko, In December 2015, the European Commission proposed legislation that would grant consumers of digital content a set of uniform rights across the EU. The proposal is now before the European co-legislators – the Parliament and Council. A growing online market Contracts for the supply of digital content are concluded on a … Continue reading
Le soutien de l’UE aux pays en développement [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Marta Latek, Dans un monde secoué par des guerres, des désastres naturels de plus en plus fréquents et des crises migratoires sans précédent, l’Europe tente de garder le cap de sa politique de développement sur la lutte contre la pauvreté. Même si le nombre de personnes vivant dans l’extrême pauvreté continue de diminuer, … Continue reading
Electoral rights of EU citizens [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Laura Tilindyte, EU Treaties establish the right of every Union citizen to participate in the democratic life of the Union (Article 10 TEU). This includes those who have made use of their rights of free movement and reside in a Member State other than that of their nationality. Such citizens can vote and … Continue reading
What is the EU doing about regulating banks? [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Andrej Stuchlik, One of the few positive outcomes of the worldwide financial crisis that began in 2007 was renewed vigour in EU banking regulation. New capital requirements laws now strengthen the resilience of European banks and protect everyone’s savings from future financial shocks. Better banking regulation Since the financial crisis, the EU has … Continue reading
Passenger rights in the EU [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Damiano Scordamaglia, Over the past 20 years, EU passenger transport has been growing. With a much wider choice of transport operators, passengers should benefit from the same standards of treatment across modes and EU Member States, and clearly understand their legitimate rights and how to exercise them. Context The EU has adopted a … Continue reading
Studying abroad with Erasmus+ [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Denise Chircop, The European Union’s Erasmus+ programme is best known for subsidising study periods abroad and other forms of learning mobility for individuals, including volunteering and cross-border professional experiences for teaching staff. Studies show the benefits and limitations of learning mobility and after 30 years, the programme continues to evolve. Erasmus+ Erasmus+ is … Continue reading
Workers’ rights in the EU [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Monika Kiss, The 1957 Treaty of Rome gave the European Community competences in certain areas of labour law. Subsequently, the EU has acted to facilitate the free movement of workers, introducing common measures on working conditions, information and consultation of workers, and gender equality at work. In other areas of labour law, the … Continue reading
Structural funds – Investing in people [What is Europe doing for its citizens?]
Written by Christiaan van Lierop, Accounting for over one third of the EU’s budget, structural funds (ESIF) have helped to transform Europe. From motorways to wind farms, airports to urban regeneration schemes, structural fund investments are a tangible expression of the EU’s promise to develop infrastructure and generate economic growth. Yet beyond these very visible … Continue reading
The G20 Summit in Hamburg: Key issues
Written by Elena Lazarou, On 7-8 July 2017, the 12th Summit of Heads of State or Government of the Group of Twenty (G20) will take place in Hamburg, Germany. Besides traditional G20 issues, with an emphasis on financial regulation, the focus is on climate and trade protectionism in light of policies recently adopted by the … Continue reading
Simone Veil, European political pioneer
Written by Philippe Perchoc, Simone Veil, the first President of the directly elected European Parliament in 1979, and the first woman to hold the office, died on 30 June 2017, at the age of 89. A prominent French public figure beyond her years in office, she leaves an important and enduring legacy. First President of … Continue reading
Helmut Kohl, citizen of Europe
Written by Philippe Perchoc, Helmut Kohl died on 16 June 2017 at the age of 87. The father of German reunification and a strong supporter of European integration, he leaves a long-lasting legacy. A European ceremony of honour is planned for the former Chancellor and Honorary Citizen of Europe, in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, … Continue reading
EU abolishes mobile roaming charges
Written by Cornelia Klugman. As of 15 June 2017, all European Union (EU) residents can use their mobile phones throughout the EU without additional charges. Consumers saved €9.6 billion between 2009 and 2013 thanks to lower roaming charges. A genuine digital single market would bring additional growth of €415 billion per year. Almost all EU … Continue reading
