European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
European Parliament
Plenary round-up – March II 2021
The highlight of the March II 2021 plenary session was the joint debate on the preparation of the European Council and Digital Green Certificates. Continue reading
What is the EU doing to combat cybercrime?
Citizens turn to the European Parliament to ask what the EU is doing to combat cybercrime. Over recent years, cybercrime has been a growing threat to the EU: it is estimated to have increased fivefold from 2013 to 2017. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – March II 2021
With several major debates on the agenda, Members will pack a number of legislative items into the short time available for the part-session taking place on 24 and 25 March 2021. Before that, however, they will discuss preparations for this week’s European Council meeting. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – March I 2021
The highlight of the March I 2021 plenary session was the official signature of the Joint Declaration on the Conference on the Future of Europe, allowing the Conference’s work finally to get under way. Continue reading
What is the European Union (EU) doing to combat corruption in EU countries?
Citizens recurrently turn to the European Parliament to comment on various cases of alleged corruption. Furthermore, they request information on how to lodge a complaint and to ask the EU to act in the fight against corruption. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – February 2021
The main debates held during the February 2021 plenary session concerned the state of play of the EU’s Covid‑19 vaccination strategy and the de facto abortion ban in Poland. Continue reading
Economic and Budgetary Outlook for the European Union 2021
Growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in Europe collapsed in 2020 as a result of the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – January 2021
The main debates of the January 2021 plenary session were on the inauguration of the new President of the United States, and the presentation of the Portuguese EU Council Presidency. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – December 2020
The December 2020 plenary session focused on the agreement on EU finances for the coming years, as well as the conclusions of the 10‑11 December European Council meeting. Continue reading
What measures is the European Parliament taking to tackle vaccine hesitancy in Europe?
Vaccine hesitancy refers to delays in the acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite the availability of vaccination services. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – December 2020
The agreement reached in the European Council meeting of 10‑11 December, which should unblock the adoption of the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) agreed last month, means that budgetary issues are likely to be the focus of this session. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – November II 2020
Parliament’s second plenary session of November 2020 sees Members again able to speak in debates from the Parliament’s external offices in EU countries (and as has been the case since March, they can follow the debates and vote from home) Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – November I 2020
The first item on Parliament’s agenda for the November I session, now that the outcome of the US presidential elections is clear, is to take stock of the results, which are likely to have considerable impact on political and trade relations worldwide. Continue reading
The European Parliament: a key actor in German unification
During the night of 9 to 10 November 1989, with absolutely no warning, the Berlin Wall opened at the same time as the communist government of the German Democratic Republic collapsed. Continue reading
Members of the European Parliament from February 2020
In May 2019, on a turnout of 51%, European Union citizens elected their representatives to the European Parliament for the next five years. Continue reading
The State of the Union debate in the European Parliament, 2020
The State of the Union address of 2020 will be delivered at a time when the coronavirus pandemic continues to create challenges for the European Union and its Member States. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Brussels, June 2020
The June 2020 plenary session was the fourth conducted with Members participating remotely, although this time a majority were present in Brussels, and using the alternative voting procedure put in place in March by Parliament’s Bureau. Continue reading
Apply for a Robert Schuman traineeship in the EPRS
Updated on 01 November 2020. Written by Alec Vuijlsteke with Lisa Pschorn. If you hold a university degree you can now apply for a Robert Schuman traineeship in the European Parliament. The deadline is 30 November for a traineeship to start on 1 March 2021. A paid traineeship will enhance your education and your vocational … Continue reading
European Parliament position on the Conference on the Future of Europe
Members of the European Parliament from the Constitutional Affairs Committee have warned that the Covid‑19 crisis has made the need for reform more crucial than ever. Continue reading
Better Regulation practices in national parliaments
Ex-ante impact assessment and ex-post evaluation are regulatory policy tools that help inform the policy-making process with evidence-based analysis. Both tools are geared towards raising the quality of policies and legislation. Continue reading
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