First step towards sainthood of Robert Schuman is ‘wonderful’, says senior MEP
13 Apr EU Institutions

First step towards sainthood of Robert Schuman is ‘wonderful’, says senior MEP

It is reported that Pope Francis could recognise the “heroic virtues” of one of the EU’s founding fathers within weeks.
by Martin Banks
Rights group calls for “tough sanctions” on Turkey
12 Apr International & Trade
Rights group calls for “tough sanctions” on Turkey
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
13 Apr Justice
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
Pandemic has underlined need for more legal migration for low-paid work, say MEPs
13 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Pandemic has underlined need for more legal migration for low-paid work, say MEPs
MEPs to hold emergency debate on rule of law in Malta
24 Mar Justice
MEPs to hold emergency debate on rule of law in Malta
On Thursday, Parliament will discuss the rule of law in the tiny Mediterranean island and recent developments in the investigation of the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Conference on the Future of Europe beset by gender imbalance claims
24 Mar EU Institutions
Conference on the Future of Europe beset by gender imbalance claims
A flagship attempt to reform the EU has hit another obstacle before it even starts, this time over a lack of gender balance in its Executive Board.
Commission goes on offensive in bid to deflect alarm at vaccine programme
24 Mar Health
Commission goes on offensive in bid to deflect alarm at vaccine programme
Speaking to MEPs on Tuesday, Sandra Gallina, the executive’s Director General of health, launched a blistering attack on AstraZeneca, the pharma company at the centre of a huge spat with the EU over vaccine supplies.
Five MEPs ‘blacklisted’ by China as Beijing retaliates against fresh EU sanctions
23 Mar International & Trade
Five MEPs ‘blacklisted’ by China as Beijing retaliates against fresh EU sanctions
The new EU sanctions were imposed on Monday over alleged human rights abuses by China.
EMA chief set to be grilled by MEPs on latest EU bid to boost sluggish vaccination rates
22 Mar Health
EMA chief set to be grilled by MEPs on latest EU bid to boost sluggish vaccination rates
Emer Cooke, the European Medicines Agency executive director, has been invited to an “exchange of views” to update deputies on the state of play of the evaluation and authorisation of COVID-19 vaccines.
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Turkey’s decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention
22 Mar Justice
EU leaders and MEPs condemn Turkey’s decision to withdraw from Istanbul Convention
The controversial move to withdraw from the international treaty, designed to combat violence against women, sparked immediate protests from world leaders and campaigners.
EU Member States to resume AstraZeneca COVID vaccinations
19 Mar Health
EU Member States to resume AstraZeneca COVID vaccinations
Move follows European Medicines Agency’s all clear regarding blood clot concerns.
Anti-racism groups claim European Commission guilty of excluding them from flagship anti-racism summit
19 Mar EU Institutions
Anti-racism groups claim European Commission guilty of excluding them from flagship anti-racism summit
Campaigners say anti-racism organisations “didn’t have chance to meaningfully contribute to design of summit’s agenda.
Movers and Shakers | 19 March 2021
19 Mar EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 19 March 2021
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
Khashoggi lawyer urges MEPs and EU to help ‘close the net’ on Saudi Crown Prince
18 Mar International & Trade
Khashoggi lawyer urges MEPs and EU to help ‘close the net’ on Saudi Crown Prince
Rodney Dixon was taking part in an exchange of views on the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia including the case of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
MEPs throw weight behind ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign
18 Mar Agriculture & Food
MEPs throw weight behind ‘End the Cage Age’ campaign
A letter to the European Commission supports calls for the executive to propose a phase-out of the use of cages for farmed animals, starting with laying hens.
MEPs give guarded welcome to new Commission plans for ‘Digital Green Certificate’
17 Mar Health
MEPs give guarded welcome to new Commission plans for ‘Digital Green Certificate’
The “vaccine passport” will collate details on vaccinations, tests and Coronavirus recovery to let travellers cross borders freely again after a year of severe restrictions.
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
17 Mar Security & Defence
‘Newly assertive’ Russia and ‘rise’ of China pose biggest security threats to West, says NATO chief
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was speaking at a news conference where he presented his annual report for the last 12 months.
EMA chief admits public trust in Coronavirus vaccines could erode due to AstraZeneca safety probe
17 Mar Health
EMA chief admits public trust in Coronavirus vaccines could erode due to AstraZeneca safety probe
Emer Cooke, Executive Director of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), has sought to allay fears concerning the AstraZeneca vaccine, emphasising that the benefits “outweigh any risks.”
Entrevista a Jordi Cañas: Un instrumento de cambio
17 Mar International & Trade
Entrevista a Jordi Cañas: Un instrumento de cambio
Con el Acuerdo de Asociación UE-Mercosur acercándose a la línea de meta, el ponente del Parlamento Europeo, Jordi Cañas, explica a Ana Gallego por qué esta puede ser la última oportunidad para sellar un acuerdo con el bloque comercial sudamericano.
Senior ECDC official tells EU it must move ‘faster, faster, faster’ on vaccine rollout
16 Mar Health
Senior ECDC official tells EU it must move ‘faster, faster, faster’ on vaccine rollout
Bruno Ciancio, chief of the surveillance section at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, was speaking to MEPs on Monday on the new Coronavirus variants.
MEPs back legal action against UK over alleged breach of Northern Ireland Protocol
16 Mar International & Trade
MEPs back legal action against UK over alleged breach of Northern Ireland Protocol
European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič said he hopes the issue can be resolved without further legal action, but it could lead to the UK having to defend its actions at the European Court of Justice.
The Parlimag Poll: MEP personal safety
16 Mar EU Institutions
The Parlimag Poll: MEP personal safety
With an increasing number of policymakers expressing real concerns over their personal safety, both online and in their day-to-day lives, The Parliament Magazine conducted a survey of MEPs and the dangers that they face. The responses we received exposed not only an alarming reality but also a stark contrast between the experiences of male and female parliamentarians.
Commission’s ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to help boost travel during the ongoing crisis
15 Mar Health
Commission’s ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to help boost travel during the ongoing crisis
The proposed certificate is designed to provide proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has recovered from it, or has received a negative test result.
MEPs to learn more about new EU attempt to contain variants of Coronavirus
15 Mar Health
MEPs to learn more about new EU attempt to contain variants of Coronavirus
With Member States still firmly in the grip of the pandemic, the Commission is proposing what it calls “immediate action” to prepare Europe for the “increased” threat of Coronavirus variants.
EU Ombudsman investigating European Medicines Agency ‘fast tracking’ procedure
15 Mar EU Institutions
EU Ombudsman investigating European Medicines Agency ‘fast tracking’ procedure
Emily O’Reilly told MEPs that the EMA had been required to make recommendations on vaccines for COVID-19 in “record time” and has been working with a “fast-track procedure.”
Senior MEP says recent case of live animals transported at sea demonstrates ‘urgent need’ for major crackdown
15 Mar Agriculture & Food
Senior MEP says recent case of live animals transported at sea demonstrates ‘urgent need’ for major crackdown
Thomas Waitz says he was incensed by the suffering of a shipload of animals who were stranded at sea for over two and a half months.
COVID-19 crisis having ‘huge toll on children, warn MEPs
12 Mar Health
COVID-19 crisis having ‘huge toll on children, warn MEPs
European parliament’s warning comes as EU authorises use of fourth COVID-19 vaccine.
MEPs lead growing calls for EU to boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing
12 Mar International & Trade
MEPs lead growing calls for EU to boycott Winter Olympics in Beijing
Demand follows concerns over alleged human rights violations in China, and erosion of democratic autonomy in Hong Kong.