European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
European Parliament
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
Citizens’ enquiries on the Patrick Zaky case
Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament (or to the institution’s public portal) expressing their views on current issues and/or requesting action from the Parliament. Continue reading
What role for the European Parliament’s committees and how do they work?
The European Parliament’s committees carry out detailed examination of proposed EU laws and draw up proposed changes, upon which Members subsequently debate and vote. The committees are fundamental to EU decision-making systems and to the powers of the European Parliament. The European Parliament has 20 parliamentary committees composed of Members. Each committee is headed by … 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
What are political groups in the European Parliament and how are they formed?
The European Parliament regularly receives questions from citizens about its political groups. Continue reading
Parliament’s right of legislative initiative [Policy podcast]
The European Commission has a near monopoly on legislative initiative in the European Union (EU), with special initiative rights for other institutions applying only in certain specific cases. Continue reading
Agreement on the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU
On 29 January 2020, the European Parliament is set to vote on the recommendation to give consent to the treaty on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), endorsed in its current version by EU leaders and the UK Prime Minister in October 2019. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, January I 2020
January highlights included statements on ongoing hearings on the rule of law under Article 7(1) of the Treaty on European Union (EU) regarding Hungary and Poland; bushfires in Australia and climate change consequences; cross-border organised crime and its impact on free movement; a common charger for mobile radio equipment; the gender pay gap; and the ‘Housing First’ approach to address homelessness. Continue reading
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