Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances
16 Apr International & Trade

Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances

Despite approval from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committees, the European Parliament has decided not to set a date for the final vote until the UK fully implements the Withdrawal Agreement.
by Martin Banks
Gunnar Beck: von der Leyen should step down over “disastrous” vaccine rollout
16 Apr Health
Gunnar Beck: von der Leyen should step down over “disastrous” vaccine rollout
Europol voices concern over rise in online child abuse during pandemic
15 Apr Justice
Europol voices concern over rise in online child abuse during pandemic
Parliament’s trade and foreign affairs committees gear up for Brexit trade deal vote
15 Apr International & Trade
Parliament’s trade and foreign affairs committees gear up for Brexit trade deal vote
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.
Charles Michel at centre of war of words with UK over COVID vaccines
12 Mar Health
Charles Michel at centre of war of words with UK over COVID vaccines
Row follows Council President’s swipe at the UK over its vaccine roll out.
Movers and Shakers | 12 March 2021
12 Mar EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 12 March 2021
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
EU’s attempt to reform itself branded ‘biased from the very beginning’
11 Mar EU Institutions
EU’s attempt to reform itself branded ‘biased from the very beginning’
The strong broadside comes after a symbolic event on Wednesday to mark the start of Conference on the Future of Europe.
MEPs declare entire European Union an ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’
11 Mar Justice
MEPs declare entire European Union an ‘LGBTIQ Freedom Zone’
The move comes two years after the first so-called ‘LGBT-free zone’ was declared in the Polish town of Świdnik.
Conference on EU’s future must be open to citizens beyond Brussels bubble
10 Mar EU Institutions
Conference on EU’s future must be open to citizens beyond Brussels bubble
The much-delayed Conference on the Future of Europe is set to start in early May, after the leaders of two of the EU’s main institutions finally gave it the green light at a formal ceremony on Wednesday.
Most EU citizens want their voices to be heard when it comes to future of Europe
09 Mar EU Institutions
Most EU citizens want their voices to be heard when it comes to future of Europe
The results of an EU-wide poll come on the eve of a ceremonial event on Wednesday to mark the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Parliamentary immunity lifted for former Catalan leader and two other separatist MEPs
09 Mar EU Institutions
Parliamentary immunity lifted for former Catalan leader and two other separatist MEPs
The decision, in a vote late on Monday, now clears the way for formal legal moves by Spain, where Carles Puigdemont and colleagues Antoni Comín and Clara Ponsatí all face charges relating to the Catalan independence referendum in 2017.
Plenary to focus on LGBTIQ rights in Poland and Hungary
09 Mar Justice
Plenary to focus on LGBTIQ rights in Poland and Hungary
At the plenary session in Brussels, MEPs will discuss current events in Poland and Hungary in the wake of the introduction of discriminatory laws against the LGBTIQ community in both states.
MEPs welcome moves to strengthen security in Brussels’ EU quarter after spate of violent attacks
08 Mar EU Institutions
MEPs welcome moves to strengthen security in Brussels’ EU quarter after spate of violent attacks
UPDATED: 08 March 2021 10:28 | Victim of attempted sexual assault told by local police that they didn’t have the resources to investigate.
Commission’s equal pay proposal a “positive step forward”
05 Mar EU Institutions
Commission’s equal pay proposal a “positive step forward”
MEPs have welcomed plans to plug Europe’s gender pay gap.
Movers and Shakers | 5 March 2021
05 Mar EU Institutions
Movers and Shakers | 5 March 2021
Keep track of developments in the European institutions and public affairs with our Movers and Shakers column.
MEP slams Member States that broke ranks from EU vaccine strategy
04 Mar Health
MEP slams Member States that broke ranks from EU vaccine strategy
The EU has sought to maintain a unified approach to the vaccination procurement process but the painfully slow rollout in recent weeks has led to several Member States deciding to “go it alone.”
Major step forward for Conference on Future of Europe after Parliament approves joint declaration
04 Mar EU Institutions
Major step forward for Conference on Future of Europe after Parliament approves joint declaration
The long-delayed forum, due to generate ideas for reforming the EU, should have started last May but has been delayed due to inter-institutional wrangling and the Coronavirus crisis.
Clare Daly: Nicolas Sarkozy sentence ‘not much more’ than what people have endured during lockdown
03 Mar Justice
Clare Daly: Nicolas Sarkozy sentence ‘not much more’ than what people have endured during lockdown
Ex-French President Sarkozy - who was nicknamed the “Gallic Thatcher” - was found guilty of corruption on Monday and sentenced to three years in prison.
Fidesz resigns from EPP Group after overwhelming vote in favour of new rules
03 Mar EU Institutions
Fidesz resigns from EPP Group after overwhelming vote in favour of new rules
Parliament’s biggest political group will have 11 less seats after Wednesday’s vote, bringing to an end a period of protracted wrangling over whether Fidesz should remain a member.