European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
European Parliament
European Parliament Plenary Session – June I 2021
Over 60 % of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which employ 100 million people, have reported a fall in turnover in 2020. Members will take part in a joint debate on the State of the SMEs Union on Monday evening and have already called for the EU strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe to take the impact of Covid‑19 into account. Continue reading
Apply for a Robert Schuman traineeship in the EPRS
If you hold a university degree you can apply from 1 June onwards for a Robert Schuman Programme traineeship in the European Parliament. You can apply for 26 traineeship positions in the EPRS. The deadline is 30 June for a traineeship to start on 1 October 2021. A paid traineeship will enhance your education and … 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
European Parliament Plenary Session – May 2021
A full agenda features measures to move forward on meeting EU climate ambitions, data protection, and votes on a number of programmes under the 2021 2027 multiannual financial framework, among other issues. Continue reading
Story of the European Anthem
Du côté de ce qui deviendra l’Union européenne, les institutions saisissent l’occasion des débats sur le thème de l’Europe des citoyens, au milieu des années 1980, pour adopter, elles aussi, l’Ode à la joie comme hymne. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – April 2021
Members of the European Parliament certainly have their work cut out for them this month with a very full agenda, featuring budgetary discharge in respect of EU financial management in 2019, spending plans for a number of EU programmes in 2021‑2027, and a number of other legislative proposals, including on the proposed digital green certificate. Continue reading
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
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