EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT update

 

Press service European Parliament

Press release 27-04-2026 Plenary session   CONT Press conference: assessing EU budget management       MEP Daniel Freund will hold a press conference on Wednesday at 10.00, on Parliament’s assessment of the European Commission’s management of the EU budget in 2024. In a series of votes on Wednesday, MEPs will decide whether to approve the way the Commission and other EU institutions managed the EU budget in 2024. The Budgetary Control Committee recommends granting discharge to the European Commission − responsible for managing most EU expenditure − but demands stronger rule of law safeguards and more transparency. WHO? Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA, DE), rapporteur for the 2024 discharge procedure: EU general budget – Commission WHEN? Wednesday 29 April, 10.00 CET WHERE? Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room, European Parliament, Strasbourg, WEISS N-1/201 Accredited journalists can attend the press conference in person. Those wishing to participate actively and ask questions remotely can do so via Interactio. The press conference will be streamed live and be made available on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre website. Interpretation will be provided in English, French, German, Hungarian, Polish and Slovak. Using Interactio to ask questions Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages. For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. Further information  Committee on Budgetary Control  Procedure file  Discharge 2024  European Parliamentary Research Service plenary at a glance note: Discharge for 2024 budget: Commission including RRF, executive agencies, EDFsSpecial committee on the European Democracy Shield 27-04-2026 Plenary session EP TODAY       Monday 27 April Last-minute press briefing at 16:30 The Parliament’s Spokesperson and the Press Service will hold a press briefing on this week’s plenary session at 16:30. You can follow the last-minute briefing live. Journalists wishing to take part and ask questions should please connect via Interactio. Consent-based legal definition of rape In a debate with Equality Commissioner Hadja Lahbib from around 18.00, MEPs are expected to urge the Commission to table legislation to establish a common definition of rape based on the absence of freely given, informed and revocable consent. MEPs will vote on the report prepared by the Civil Liberties and Women’s Rights Committees tomorrow at noon, and a press conference with the rapporteurs will follow at 17.00. Kyriakos KLOSIDIS (+32) 470 96 47 35 Polona TEDESKO (+32) 470 88 42 82 @EP_GenderEqual @EP_Justice Financial literacy Social media financial communicators (“finfluencers”) are now a primary source of financial information for younger people. From around 20.30, MEPs and Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque will be discussing the need for minimum standards in this field, a high-risk environment for hidden advertising, conflicts of interest, misleading claims and scams. The report, to be put to a vote on Thursday, calls for age-appropriate financial education, to equip citizens to identify scams and think critically about online financial content. Dorota KOLINSKA (+32) 498 98 32 80 @EP_Economics In brief Protecting the EU’s financial interests. From around 19.00, MEPs and Commissioner Piotr Serafin will discuss the Commission’s 2024 annual report on protecting the EU’s financial interests and combating fraud. Parliament will vote on the report tomorrow. EIB annual report. Immediately following the opening of the session, at around 17.30 MEPS and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis will discuss the Budgetary Control Committee’s assessment of the activities of the European Investment Bank in 2024. The report will be put to a vote tomorrow. Ocean diplomacy. A Fisheries Committee report on how ocean diplomacy can help boost the competitiveness of the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector is last on today’s agenda. MEPs will be joined by Commissioner Costas Kadis from around 21.00. The vote is scheduled for tomorrow. Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+. For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter. Find more information regarding plenary. Press release 27-04-2026 IMCO   LIBE   AI: press conference debrief on the negotiations to update EU rules       On Wednesday at 11.00, lead MEPs Arba Kokalari and Michael McNamara will hold a press conference following Tuesday’s negotiations with the Council on the so-called AI “digital omnibus”. Arba Kokalari (EPP, Sweden), rapporteur for the Internal Market committee, and Michael McNamara (Renew, Ireland) for the Civil Liberties committee, will answer journalists’ questions on the outcome of the second set of talks (trilogue) with member states on a proposal to amend EU rules governing artificial intelligence. When: Wednesday, 29 April, at 11.00 CEST Where: European Parliament in Strasbourg, Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N -1/201) How: Accredited media representatives can attend the press conference in person. Journalists wishing to ask questions remotely need to connect via Interactio (supported on iPad with Safari and Mac/Windows with Google Chrome). Negotiators from the European Parliament and Council will hold interinstitutional negotiations on Tuesday afternoon with the intention to reach an agreement, so that the changes can enter into force before August. The simplification (“omnibus”) proposal amending the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) aims to introduce flexibility for companies and support for small mi-caps, delays certain rules on high-risk AI systems and includes a likely ban on so-called AI “nudification” systems. The press conference will also be webstreamed live and recorded on the Parliament’s Multimedia Centre. Interpretation will be available in the following languages: EN, FR, DE, ES, IT, SV. Further information  Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection  Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs  Procedure file   27-04-2026 Plenary session Press briefing on this week’s plenary session       The European Parliament’s spokesperson will hold a last-minute briefing on the 27-30 April plenary session today at 16.30. When: Monday 27 April at 16.30 Where: Daphne Caruana Galizia press room and via Interactio Key topics this week include: - Debate and vote on MEPs’ position on the 2028-2034 EU budget (multiannual financial framework - MFF) - Debate on the ongoing Middle East crisis and its implications for energy prices and fertiliser availability - Debate and vote on ensuring accountability and justice for Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukrainian civilians - Defining rape based on absence of consent: debate and vote - Vote on proxy voting rights for MEPs during pregnancy and after giving birth - Debate and vote on how to tackle cyberbullying and online harassment - Vote on first ever EU standards to protect the health of cats and dogs - Vote on revised rules for the EU’s preferential trade arrangement with developing countries Interpretation of the press briefing will be available in English and French. You can follow it live from 16.30 in Parliament’s Daphne Caruana Galizia press room or via Parliament’s webstreaming and EbS. Information for the media - Use of Interactio to ask questions Journalists wishing to participate actively and ask questions, please connect via Interactio using this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/link/pressconfp1254698545582 Interactio is only supported on iPads (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for questions asked on video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.       Press release 27-04-2026 Plenary session   BUDG 2027 EU budget: press conference with lead MEP on Tuesday at 13.30       Journalists are invited to a press conference with rapporteur Nils Ušakovs following the vote on Parliament's guidelines for the 2027 EU budget. When: Tuesday 28 April, 13.30 CET Where: Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N -1/201), European Parliament in Strasbourg, and via the Interactio platfrom. Who: General rapporteur for the 2027 budget, Nils Ušakovs (S&D, LV). Interpretation will be provided in English, French, Germany, Spanish and Latvian. The press conference will also be live streamed. Using Interactio to ask questions Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages. For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. Further information  Report on the Parliament’s guidelines  Press release after the committee vote (5.3.2026.)  Details of the procedure  Rapporteur: Nils Ušakovs (S&D, LV)  Factsheet on the budgetary procedure  Guide to Parliament’s budgetary powers  Committee on Budgets I Press release 24-04-2026 Plenary session   LIBE Rule of law in the EU: press conference on Tuesday 28 April at 15.30 CEST       Parliament rapporteur Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left, EL) will present Parliament’s assessment of the Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report and recent developments. The report on the Commission’s 2025 Rule of Law Report and recent developments, to be debated in plenary on Tuesday and voted on Wednesday, warns of limited progress on the Commission’s recommendations and highlights serious issues relating to judicial independence, corruption, media freedom and pluralism, and the safety of journalists. The text also raises the alarm over the shrinking civic space and challenges posed by the proliferation of digital technologies, including online platforms and AI-generated content. When: Tuesday 28 April 2026, 15.30 CEST. Where: European Parliament in Strasbourg, Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room (WEISS N -1/201). Who: Parliament’s rapporteur Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left, EL) How: Accredited media representatives are invited to attend the press conference in person. In addition, journalists can join the press conference and ask questions remotely via the Interactio platform. When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name/last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video. The press conference will also be webstreamed on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre. Further information  Procedure file  Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home AffairsCommittee on Constitutional AffairsConference websiteEP draft resolution on enhancing connectivity, preserving cultural heritage and driving local excellence in European tourism The full agenda   Press service European Parliament       Press release 24-04-2026  EP President Metsola to EU leaders: “Europe cannot face a new era with an old budget”       At the European Council, President Metsola addressed three main topics: the situation in the Middle East, the ‘One Europe One Market’ Roadmap and the Multiannual Financial Framework. Speaking to EU leaders, Parliament President Metsola focused on three topics: The situation in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices, the ‘One Europe One Market’ Roadmap and the Multiannual Financial Framework. She also welcomed the adoption of the 20th sanctions package against Russia and the release of the €90 billion loan for Ukraine. On the situation in the Middle East and energy prices, President Metsola called a swift and lasting end to the war that secures rights, dignity and liberty for the Iranian people and addresses concerns over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile and puts an end to the obstructions in the Strait of Hormuz. She underlined the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation and continuing investments in Europe’s energy resilience. The EU’s gas-storage rules have already helped stabilise markets and improve cooperation between Member States, while efforts to diversify Europe’s energy mix and reduce dependence are making the Union more resilient, independent and less exposed to shocks: “While we act for today, we cannot abandon what is working for tomorrow. We shouldn’t fix what isn’t broken. Our long-term strategy is working. We need to stay the course,” she said. Referring to the ‘One Europe, One Market’ Roadmap, President Metsola welcomed the agreement reached between the three institutions. She said the Roadmap is ambitious, strengthens Europe’s capacity to withstand shocks, and delivers on the Joint Declaration agreed by leaders. President Metsola stressed that the focus must now shift from commitments to implementation, while ensuring respect for the legislative process and democratic oversight. “We are now at the point where commitments need to turn into delivery. On the priority files in the roadmap, the European Parliament will do its job. And we will do it well,” she said. She added that Europe’s citizens “judge Europe on one thing - whether it delivers.”. Finally, on the Multiannual Financial Framework, President Metsola underlined that the European Parliament is moving swiftly: “Next week, plenary will vote. That will allow us to enter negotiations with the Council, once they adopt their mandate. So next week, we will have our position, we will know what we want, and we will be ready.” The President also called for a long-term EU budget that is fit for purpose and capable of responding to today’s geopolitical and economic realities. She reiterated Parliament’s support for a stronger focus on competitiveness and defence, while calling for openness to new Own Resources and warning against burdening future generations with old debt. President Metsola said: “Europe cannot face a new era with an old framework. We cannot keep responding to a changing world with outdated tools. What we need now is a budget that is fit for purpose - ready to deliver where, and when, it matters most.” Find here the full speech.