‘The Poland of 2020 is a hell for women’: MEPs slam Polish abortion ban
26 Nov Justice

‘The Poland of 2020 is a hell for women’: MEPs slam Polish abortion ban

Wednesday’s plenary session saw an emotionally-charged debate in which many deputies lambasted Poland’s recent decision to impose a near-total ban on abortion in the country.
by Lorna Hutchinson
Herman Van Rompuy: EU should continue on path of autonomy
20 Nov International & Trade
Herman Van Rompuy: EU should continue on path of autonomy
MEPs back plans to enable more women to stand for election to Parliament
26 Nov EU Institutions
MEPs back plans to enable more women to stand for election to Parliament
MEPs welcome new Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe
26 Nov Health
MEPs welcome new Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe
Still ‘strong support’ for EU’s principles and leadership on global issues, says EU-wide poll
26 Nov Jobs & Social Rights
Still ‘strong support’ for EU’s principles and leadership on global issues, says EU-wide poll
The poll by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) think tank in cooperation with Danish Tænketanken EUROPA, also found that over 40 percent of those surveyed in eight countries have concerns about their country’s influence within the bloc.
Stop the ‘shadow pandemic’ of violence against women
25 Nov Justice
Stop the ‘shadow pandemic’ of violence against women
To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, buildings and landmarks are being bathed in orange light to raise awareness of and galvanise action for 16 Days of Activism.
EU urged to 'do more' to promote gender equality in distribution of top jobs
25 Nov EU Institutions
EU urged to 'do more' to promote gender equality in distribution of top jobs
The demand comes after MEPs gave the green light this week to a controversial appointment to the European Central Bank’s Executive Board.
Former British MEP says EU stands to lose more than UK from No Deal Brexit
24 Nov International & Trade
Former British MEP says EU stands to lose more than UK from No Deal Brexit
Former ECR Group deputy David Campbell Bannerman said, “I had hoped we would end up with a super Canada deal but the thing currently on offer seems much thinner and I think that is a mistake.”
Parliamentarians call Polish abortion ban ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’
24 Nov Justice
Parliamentarians call Polish abortion ban ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’
Over two hundred policymakers across Europe have joined forces to urge the European Commission to launch an infringement procedure over the Polish government’s violation of women’s rights, LGBTI rights and the rule of law.
World ‘must learn lessons’ from Coronavirus crisis to help in fight against superbugs
24 Nov Health
World ‘must learn lessons’ from Coronavirus crisis to help in fight against superbugs
An online debate on Tuesday heard that preparing for a future health pandemic will be crucial in saving the lives of up to 50 million people.
Disinfection robots to be delivered to hospitals across EU to fight COVID-19
23 Nov Health
Disinfection robots to be delivered to hospitals across EU to fight COVID-19
The robots can disinfect standard patient rooms, using ultraviolet light, in as quickly as 15 minutes.
Senior MEP warns that ‘big divergencies’ still threaten to torpedo Brexit deal
23 Nov International & Trade
Senior MEP warns that ‘big divergencies’ still threaten to torpedo Brexit deal
Nathalie Loiseau has tempered expectations that the UK and EU are about to broker a deal, saying, “We are offering an unprecedented partnership with the UK, but this comes with clarity and commitments, and so far they are missing.”
MEPs call for EU action plan to address ‘disastrous’ impact health pandemic has had on sport
20 Nov Health
MEPs call for EU action plan to address ‘disastrous’ impact health pandemic has had on sport
COVID-19 crisis predicted to have serious long-term impact on both sport and young people’s health and wellbeing.
Movers and Shakers | 20 November 2020
20 Nov EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 20 November 2020
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
ECDC downplays fears that infected mink could infect humans with Coronavirus
19 Nov Health
ECDC downplays fears that infected mink could infect humans with Coronavirus
Following a mass cull of infected mink in two European countries, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has concluded that the risk to humans is “low.”
EU leaders gear up for online summit overshadowed by Poland and Hungary row
19 Nov EU Institutions
EU leaders gear up for online summit overshadowed by Poland and Hungary row
Leaders are hoping to resolve an impasse that is holding up agreement on the €1.85tr budget and Coronavirus recovery plan.
EU and UK in ‘final push’ to reach Brexit deal, says Commission Vice-President
18 Nov International & Trade
EU and UK in ‘final push’ to reach Brexit deal, says Commission Vice-President
The comments by Valdis Dombrovskis on Wednesday come with the two sides locked in talks in Brussels in an effort to resolve the remaining obstacles to a deal.
Report on Parliament’s carbon footprint branded ‘public relations exercise’
18 Nov EU Institutions
Report on Parliament’s carbon footprint branded ‘public relations exercise’
The report says the assembly’s current two-seat arrangement, which sees MEPs regularly switching between Brussels and Strasbourg, is unsustainable.
MEPs urge EU to ensure reciprocal access to fishing waters in ongoing Brexit talks
18 Nov International & Trade
MEPs urge EU to ensure reciprocal access to fishing waters in ongoing Brexit talks
Deputies argue that European fishermen should continue to have “unlimited” access to UK waters, irrespective of whether a deal is done or not.
Hungary and Poland refuse to back EU long-term budget and recovery package
17 Nov EU Institutions
Hungary and Poland refuse to back EU long-term budget and recovery package
The move has plunged the bloc into a new crisis and leaders are hoping to find a way out of the impasse when they hold a virtual EU summit on Thursday.
MEPs say EU must respond to future health crises ‘more quickly and efficiently’
16 Nov Health
MEPs say EU must respond to future health crises ‘more quickly and efficiently’
On Monday, Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee held a preliminary discussion on the European Commission’s proposals to deal with future serious cross-border health threats.
MEPs call for more to be done to help staff working from home during pandemic
13 Nov Health
MEPs call for more to be done to help staff working from home during pandemic
Call comes after European Parliament went into effective lockdown in bid to curb sharp rise in Coronavirus cases.
EU calls for speedy approval of newly agreed seven-year budget
13 Nov EU Institutions
EU calls for speedy approval of newly agreed seven-year budget
Concerns that Poland and Hungary could delay sign-off because of opposition to rule of law mechanism.
Movers and Shakers | 13 November 2020
13 Nov EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 13 November 2020
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
MEPs welcome Joe Biden presidency as new era in transatlantic relationship
13 Nov International & Trade
MEPs welcome Joe Biden presidency as new era in transatlantic relationship
European Parliament urged to invite US president-elect to address MEPs.
Senior MEP takes aim at UK government over Internal Market Bill
12 Nov International & Trade
Senior MEP takes aim at UK government over Internal Market Bill
Greens/EFA vice-chair Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield has condemned the UK government for refusing to comply with the House of Lords vote and remove the offending parts of the Brexit legislation.
MEPs hail Commission’s decision to charge Amazon with breaching EU antitrust rules
12 Nov Industry & Finance
MEPs hail Commission’s decision to charge Amazon with breaching EU antitrust rules
This comes after EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager said the company had misused data of third-party merchants that rely on Amazon’s online marketplace to favour its own products.
European Commission presents first-ever LGBTIQ equality strategy
12 Nov Justice
European Commission presents first-ever LGBTIQ equality strategy
The strategy addresses the inequalities and challenges affecting LGBTIQ people, setting out a number of targeted actions for the next five years.