European Parliament updates

 

European Parliament updates Monthly round-up of key debates and votes, curated by the social media team of the European… European elections special: Use your vote! European Parliament Read this article on LinkedIn to join the conversation Read on LinkedIn The wait is almost over, the European elections are this week on 6 to 9 June. This year, over 350 million Europeans are eligible to vote for Members of the European Parliament to represent their interests and shape the future direction of the European Union. Every five years, the European elections are the biggest transnational elections on the planet and they shape not only the EU, but also the Europe's place in the world. Are you planning to vote? Do you know when and how? Do you want to encourage others to take part? From civil society organisations to companies, celebrities and citizens: everyone has a role to play in standing up for democracy and encouraging as many people as possible to vote. Read on to find out more. Voting in EU elections: national rules Voting in the European elections: how and why The European elections are your chance to have your say on the future of Europe. While there are some common rules that apply in all EU countries, many others vary by country. Election days range from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June, and it is up to each country to decide when and how they organise their European election. The number of MEPs elected varies between countries: bigger countries get more seats than smaller ones. Due to changes in the size of the population, some EU countries will get extra seats in the upcoming elections compared to the outgoing Parliament. In total 15 seats will be added. There are also differences in other aspects of voting, such as the minimum voting age, the rules about voting from abroad, and the voting system itself. You can find the election rules in your country on elections.europa.eu.   After polls close, the results will be available in real... Keep Reading on LinkedIn

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ESM AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SIGN MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION

 

ESM AND EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT SIGN MEMORANDUM OF COOPERATION 13 May 2024 ESM Press Release no. 6/2024 (Luxembourg/Brussels) — The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and the European Parliament signed on 7 May a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) to establish a framework of cooperation between the two institutions. This MoC builds on a longstanding dialogue between the two institutions, including exchanges in the context of the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and of the Inter-institutional Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance of the European Union. The cooperation will be strengthened through exchanges of views during bilateral meetings. In particular, the ECON Committee will invite the ESM Managing Director to participate in exchanges of views with the Committee at least once a year. In turn, the ESM will invite a delegation of the ECON Committee on an annual basis. “This agreement reflects the ESM’s commitment to further enhancing transparency, accountability, and inter-institutional dialogue. The ESM has had an ongoing dialogue with the European Parliament since 2012. It has presented to the Parliament, on a voluntary basis, important developments concerning ESM activities and the euro area. This additional step will strengthen the engagement with the Parliament, ensuring a more robust framework for discussions,” said ESM Managing Director Pierre Gramegna. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament Pierre Gramegna, ESM Managing Director Media Enquiries Cédric Crelo Head of Communications and Chief Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 205 c.crelo@esm.europa.eu Anabela Reis Deputy Head of Communications and Deputy Chief Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 551 a.reis@esm.europa.eu George Matlock Senior Financial Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 232 g.matlock@esm.europa.eu Juliana Dahl Principal Speechwriter and Principal Spokesperson Phone: +352 260 962 654 j.dahl@esm.europa.eu About the ESM <p>The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has the mandate to preserve financial stability in the euro area by providing financial assistance to Member States with severe financing problems. It is a permanent inter-governmental institution, operating since October 2012. The shareholders of the ESM are the 20 euro area Member States. All financial assistance to Member States is linked to appropriate conditionality. The ESM finances its assistance by issuing bonds and other debt instruments. It has a total subscribed capital of approximately €700 billion, which comprises €80 billion in paid-in capital and €624 billion in committed callable capital. The ESM’s maximum lending capacity is €500 billion.</p>

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT:Parliament concerned about very serious threats to EU values in Greece

European Parliament

Parliament concerned about very serious threats to EU values in Greece
Press Releases
5 hours ago

Hostile environment for media and journalists
Spyware, corruption and the use of force by the police
Call on the Commission to assess disbursement of EU funds


The European Parliament raised on Wednesday the alarm over several worrying developments in Greece threatening the rule of law, and called on the Commission to act.


In a resolution adopted with 330 votes in favour, 254 against, and 26 abstentions, MEPs express grave concerns about very serious threats to democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights in the country.


Media freedom

Regarding media pluralism and the safety of journalists, MEPs complain about the lack of progress in the investigation into the murder of George Karaivaz in April 2021. They denounce that journalists are subject to physical threats and verbal attacks (also from high-ranking politicians), violations of their privacy with spyware, and abusive lawsuits –including from the Prime Minister’s entourage. Parliament also has concerns over the independence of the national audiovisual regulatory authority, the concentration of media in the hands of oligarchs, and the distribution of state subsidies.

Spyware

Parliament condemns the instrumentalisation of ‘national security threats’ to wiretap political opponents, including MEPs. In response to so-called “Predatorgate”, MEPs demand that democratic safeguards should be strengthened and call for effective investigations with the help of Europol. They ask to reverse legislation that placed the intelligence service under the direct control of the Prime Minister. The resolution voices concerns over the transfer of the investigation to a different prosecutor and political pressure, intimidation and harassment of officials who are scrutinising the government.


Police violence, mistreatment of migrants, checks and balances

Parliament also points to the excessive use of force by police and the deficient quality of subsequent investigations and court rulings, alleged corruption, the length of judicial proceedings, and possible conflicts of interest, including police infiltration by organised crime.

The treatment of migrants and systematic pushbacks worry MEPs, as well as the attacks against civil society, particularly the smear campaigns and judicial harassment against human rights activists. MEPs suspect lack of political impartiality in the parliamentary inquiry into the Tempi train disaster –which caused dozens of deaths in February 2023- and are concerned about the pro-government parliamentary majority’s refusal to conduct an investigation into two former ministers for transport as requested by the EU Public Prosecutor’s Office.

In view of all this, the Commission should make full use of the tools available to address the breaches of EU values in Greece, including assessing the use of EU funds under the Common Provisions Regulation in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights on the one hand, and in relation to the non-implementation of judgments by the European courts in line with the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation.


Background

MEPs have repeatedly raised concerns about the state of media freedom in Greece, based on the Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform and the World Press Freedom Index. Further, the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index shows a worrying decline in issues concerning the rule of law.

Το Κοινοβούλιο ανησυχεί για πολύ σοβαρές απειλές για τις αξίες της ΕΕ στην Ελλάδα
Δελτία Τύπου

πριν 5 ώρες

Εχθρικό περιβάλλον για ΜΜΕ και δημοσιογράφους
Spyware, διαφθορά και χρήση βίας από την αστυνομία
Ζητήστε από την Επιτροπή να αξιολογήσει την εκταμίευση των κονδυλίων της ΕΕ

Το Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο σήμανε την Τετάρτη τον κώδωνα του κινδύνου για αρκετές ανησυχητικές εξελίξεις στην Ελλάδα που απειλούν το κράτος δικαίου και κάλεσε την Επιτροπή να δράσει.

Σε ψήφισμα που εγκρίθηκε με 330 ψήφους υπέρ, 254 κατά και 26 αποχές, οι ευρωβουλευτές εκφράζουν σοβαρές ανησυχίες για πολύ σοβαρές απειλές για τη δημοκρατία, το κράτος δικαίου και τα θεμελιώδη δικαιώματα στη χώρα.

Ελευθερία των ΜΜΕ

Όσον αφορά τον πλουραλισμό των μέσων ενημέρωσης και την ασφάλεια των δημοσιογράφων, οι ευρωβουλευτές διαμαρτύρονται για την έλλειψη προόδου στην έρευνα για τη δολοφονία του George Karaivaz τον Απρίλιο του 2021. Καταγγέλλουν ότι οι δημοσιογράφοι δέχονται σωματικές απειλές και λεκτικές επιθέσεις (επίσης από υψηλόβαθμους πολιτικούς). παραβιάσεις του απορρήτου τους με λογισμικό υποκλοπής spyware και καταχρηστικές μηνύσεις –συμπεριλαμβανομένου του περιβάλλοντος του Πρωθυπουργού. Το Κοινοβούλιο εκφράζει επίσης ανησυχίες για την ανεξαρτησία της εθνικής ρυθμιστικής αρχής οπτικοακουστικών μέσων, τη συγκέντρωση των μέσων ενημέρωσης στα χέρια των ολιγαρχών και τη διανομή κρατικών επιδοτήσεων.

Spyware

Το Κοινοβούλιο καταδικάζει την εργαλειοποίηση των «απειλών για την εθνική ασφάλεια» για να παρακολουθούν πολιτικούς αντιπάλους, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των ευρωβουλευτών. Σε απάντηση στο λεγόμενο «Predatorgate», οι ευρωβουλευτές απαιτούν να ενισχυθούν οι δημοκρατικές εγγυήσεις και ζητούν αποτελεσματικές έρευνες με τη βοήθεια της Europol. Ζητούν να ανατραπεί η νομοθεσία που έθεσε την υπηρεσία πληροφοριών υπό τον άμεσο έλεγχο του Πρωθυπουργού. Το ψήφισμα εκφράζει ανησυχίες για τη μεταφορά της έρευνας σε διαφορετικό εισαγγελέα και πολιτική πίεση, εκφοβισμό και παρενόχληση αξιωματούχων που ελέγχουν την κυβέρνηση.

Αστυνομική βία, κακομεταχείριση μεταναστών, έλεγχοι και ισορροπίες

Το Κοινοβούλιο επισημαίνει επίσης την υπερβολική χρήση βίας από την αστυνομία και την ελλιπή ποιότητα των επακόλουθων ερευνών και δικαστικών αποφάσεων, την εικαζόμενη διαφθορά, τη διάρκεια των δικαστικών διαδικασιών και πιθανές συγκρούσεις συμφερόντων, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της αστυνομικής διείσδυσης από το οργανωμένο έγκλημα.

Η μεταχείριση των μεταναστών και οι συστηματικές απωθήσεις ανησυχούν τους ευρωβουλευτές, καθώς και οι επιθέσεις κατά της κοινωνίας των πολιτών, ιδιαίτερα οι εκστρατείες συκοφαντικής δυσφήμισης και η δικαστική παρενόχληση κατά των ακτιβιστών των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων. Οι ευρωβουλευτές υποψιάζονται έλλειψη πολιτικής αμεροληψίας στην κοινοβουλευτική έρευνα για την καταστροφή του τρένου στα Τέμπη -η οποία προκάλεσε δεκάδες θανάτους τον Φεβρουάριο του 2023- και ανησυχούν για την άρνηση της φιλοκυβερνητικής κοινοβουλευτικής πλειοψηφίας να διεξαγάγει έρευνα σε δύο πρώην υπουργούς Μεταφορών, όπως ζητήθηκε από το Εισαγγελία της ΕΕ.

Ενόψει όλων αυτών, η Επιτροπή θα πρέπει να κάνει πλήρη χρήση των διαθέσιμων εργαλείων για την αντιμετώπιση των παραβιάσεων των αξιών της ΕΕ στην Ελλάδα, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της αξιολόγησης της χρήσης των κονδυλίων της ΕΕ βάσει του κανονισμού για τις κοινές διατάξεις σύμφωνα με τον Χάρτη των Θεμελιωδών Δικαιωμάτων αφενός. , και σε σχέση με τη μη εφαρμογή αποφάσεων από τα ευρωπαϊκά δικαστήρια σύμφωνα με τον Κανονισμό Προϋποθέσεων για το Κράτος Δικαίου .

Ιστορικό

Οι ευρωβουλευτές έχουν επανειλημμένα εκφράσει ανησυχίες για την κατάσταση της ελευθερίας των μέσων ενημέρωσης στην Ελλάδα, με βάση την Πλατφόρμα για την Ασφάλεια των Δημοσιογράφων του Συμβουλίου της Ευρώπης και τον Παγκόσμιο Δείκτη Ελευθερίας του Τύπου . Περαιτέρω, ο Δείκτης Αντίληψης για τη Διαφθορά του 2023 δείχνει ανησυχητική πτώση σε θέματα που αφορούν το κράτος δικαίου.

Think Tank European Parliament: Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/

Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)
Briefing 03-07-2023
Combating strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)


On 27 June 2023, the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) adopted its report on the proposal for a directive concerning the protection of journalists and human rights defenders from abusive civil proceedings. The Commission's proposal of 27 April 2022 came in response to a legislative initiative of Parliament. The JURI committee supports the proposal, and has put forward a number of amendments seeking to strengthen it. Once approved in plenary, the report will form the basis for trilogue negotiations with the Council, which adopted its general approach on 9 June 2023. The main changes to the Commission proposal set out in the JURI report include the introduction of a minimum harmonisation clause, expansions of the definitions of abusive court proceedings and public participation, and a wider scope for the cross border element, necessary to trigger the directive. People engaged in public participation would enjoy a right to information, legal aid, financial assistance and psychological support. There would be national registers of anti-SLAPP court decisions, and a Union-wide register run by the Commission. New rules on conflict of laws and jurisdictions would determine the courts having jurisdiction and the applicable law. Member States would be obliged to set up 'one-stop shops' composed of national networks of specialised lawyers, legal practitioners and psychologists to offer guidance, information and protection, including legal aid, financial and psychological support, to people targeted by abusive litigation. The topic of SLAPPs would have to form part of legal profession training, in order to raise awareness of abusive proceedings and the remedies available under the directive. 

Third edition. The first and second editions were written by Micaela Del Monte and Maria Díaz Crego. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure.

Στρατηγικές αγωγές κατά της δημόσιας συμμετοχής (SLAPPs)
Ενημέρωση 03-07-2023

Καταπολέμηση στρατηγικών αγωγών κατά της δημόσιας συμμετοχής (SLAPPs)


Στις 27 Ιουνίου 2023, η Επιτροπή Νομικών Θεμάτων (JURI) ενέκρινε την έκθεσή της σχετικά με την πρόταση οδηγίας σχετικά με την προστασία των δημοσιογράφων και των υπερασπιστών των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων από καταχρηστικές αστικές διαδικασίες. 

Η πρόταση της Επιτροπής της 27ης Απριλίου 2022 ήρθε ως απάντηση σε νομοθετική πρωτοβουλία του Κοινοβουλίου. 

Η επιτροπή JURI υποστηρίζει την πρόταση και έχει υποβάλει ορισμένες τροπολογίες για την ενίσχυσή της. 

Μόλις εγκριθεί στην ολομέλεια, η έκθεση θα αποτελέσει τη βάση για τριμερείς διαπραγματεύσεις με το Συμβούλιο, το οποίο υιοθέτησε τη γενική του προσέγγιση στις 9 Ιουνίου 2023. 

Οι κύριες αλλαγές στην πρόταση της Επιτροπής που αναφέρονται στην έκθεση JURI περιλαμβάνουν την εισαγωγή μιας ρήτρας ελάχιστης εναρμόνισης, διευρύνει τους ορισμούς των καταχρηστικών δικαστικών διαδικασιών και της συμμετοχής του κοινού, καθώς και ευρύτερο πεδίο εφαρμογής για το διασυνοριακό στοιχείο, που είναι απαραίτητο για την ενεργοποίηση της οδηγίας. Τα άτομα που συμμετέχουν στη δημόσια συμμετοχή θα απολαμβάνουν δικαίωμα σε ενημέρωση, νομική βοήθεια, οικονομική βοήθεια και ψυχολογική υποστήριξη. Θα υπάρχουν εθνικά μητρώα δικαστικών αποφάσεων κατά του SLAPP και ένα μητρώο σε επίπεδο Ένωσης που θα διαχειρίζεται η Επιτροπή. Νέοι κανόνες για τη σύγκρουση νόμων και δικαιοδοσιών θα καθορίσουν τα αρμόδια δικαστήρια και το εφαρμοστέο δίκαιο. Τα κράτη μέλη θα υποχρεωθούν να δημιουργήσουν «ενιαία καταστήματα» αποτελούμενα από εθνικά δίκτυα εξειδικευμένων δικηγόρων, νομικών επαγγελματιών και ψυχολόγων για να προσφέρουν καθοδήγηση, πληροφορίες και προστασία, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της νομικής βοήθειας, της οικονομικής και ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης, σε άτομα που αποτελούν στόχο καταχρηστικών διαφορών. 

Το θέμα των SLAPPs θα πρέπει να αποτελεί μέρος της κατάρτισης του νομικού επαγγέλματος, προκειμένου να ευαισθητοποιηθεί σχετικά με τις καταχρηστικές διαδικασίες και τα ένδικα μέσα που είναι διαθέσιμα βάσει της οδηγίας. 

Τρίτη έκδοση. Η πρώτη και η δεύτερη έκδοση γράφτηκαν από τη Micaela Del Monte και τη Maria Díaz Crego. Οι ενημερώσεις για τη «Νομοθεσία της ΕΕ σε εξέλιξη» ενημερώνονται σε βασικά στάδια καθ' όλη τη διάρκεια της νομοθετικής διαδικασίας.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT update

Ευρωπαϊκό
Κοινοβούλιο

REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing - A9-0151/2023

14/04/2023


REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purposes of money laundering or terrorist financing
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Damien Carême, Eero Heinäluoma

of the European Parliament and of the Council introducing a screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817 - A9-0149/2023

14/04/2023


REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council introducing a screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Birgit Sippel
Answer to a written question - Interest costs resulting from macro-financial assistance to Ukraine - E-004087/2022(ASW)

14/04/2023


See question(s) : E-004087/2022

Answer to a written question - Modernisation of the Energy Charter Treaty - P-003556/2022(ASW)

14/04/2023


See question(s) : P-003556/2022
Answer to a written question - Violation of the Non-Proliferation Treaty by increasing the number of European countries with US nuclear weapons - E-000222/2023(ASW)

14/04/2023


See question(s) : E-000222/2023

Answer to a written question - Designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation - E-000195/2023(ASW)

14/04/2023


See question(s) : E-000195/2023

Answer to a written question - Designation of the Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation - P-000194/2023(ASW)

14/04/2023

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT's latest

Ευρωπαϊκό
Κοινοβούλιο
Minutes - Tuesday, 14 March 2023 - Strasbourg - Results of votes - Provisional edition

14/03/2023Η ΠΡΟΤΑΣΗ ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΣ σχετικά με την περαιτέρω καταστολή κατά του λαού της Λευκορωσίας, και ιδίως τις υποθέσεις των Andrzej Poczobut και Ales Bialiatski - RC-B9-0164/2023(001-002)

14/03/2023


ΤΡΟΠΟΛΟΓΙΕΣ 001-002
ΚΟΙΝΗ ΠΡΟΤΑΣΗ ΨΗΦΙΣΜΑΤΟΣ
σύμφωνα με το άρθρο 132 παράγραφοι 2 και 4 του Κανονισμού
που αντικαθιστά τις ακόλουθες προτάσεις ψηφίσματος:
B9-0164/2023 (PPE)
B9-0165/2023 (Renew)
B9-0166/2023 (Verts/ALE)
B9-0167/2023 (S&D)
B9-0168/2023 (ECR)
σχετικά με την περαιτέρω καταστολή κατά του λαού της Λευκορωσίας, και ιδίως τις υποθέσεις των Andrzej Poczobut και Ales Bialiatski
(2023/2573(RSP))
Sandra Kalniete, Michael Gahler, Rasa Juknevičienė, Željana Zovko, David McAllister, Andrius Kubilius, Isabel Wiseler-Lima, Vladimír Bilčík, Tomasz Frankowski, Andrzej Halicki, Arba Kokalari, Andrey Kovatchev, David Lega, Miriam Lexmann, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Liudas Mažylis, Janina Ochojska, Radosław Sikorski, Milan Zver
εξ ονόματος της Ομάδας PPE
Pedro Marques, Tonino Picula, Thijs Reuten, Juozas Olekas
εξ ονόματος της Ομάδας S&D
Petras Auštrevičius, Nicola Beer, Bernard Guetta, Karen Melchior, Karin Karlsbro, Ramona Strugariu, Hilde Vautmans
εξ ονόματος της Ομάδας Renew
Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, Hannah Neumann
εξ ονόματος της Ομάδας Verts/ALE
Anna Fotyga, Beata Mazurek, Angel Dzhambazki, Elżbieta Kruk, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Dominik Tarczyński, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Andżelika Anna Możdżanowska, Alexandr Vondra, Veronika Vrecionová, Assita Kanko, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Beata Kempa, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Zbigniew Kuźmiuk, Charlie Weimers, Adam Bielan, Roberts Zīle, Zdzisław Krasnodębski, Eugen Jurzyca, Bogdan Rzońca, Elżbieta Rafalska, Ryszard Czarnecki, Waldemar Tomaszewski
εξ ονόματος της Ομάδας ECR
Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Nikolaj Villumsen, Silvia Modig

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT's update

Ευρωπαϊκό
Κοινοβούλιο
AMENDMENTS 007-009 - REPORT on EU-Azerbaijan relations - A9-0037/2023(007-009)/REV1

10/03/2023


AMENDMENTS 007-009
REPORT
on EU-Azerbaijan relations
(2021/2231(INI))
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rapporteur: Željana Zovko
AMENDMENTS 028-029 - REPORT on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast) - A9-0033/2023(028-029)/REV1

10/03/2023


AMENDMENTS 028-029
REPORT
on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast)
(COM(2021)0802 - C9-0469/2021 - 2021/0426(COD))
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Rapporteur: Ciarán Cuffe
AMENDMENTS 001-010 - REPORT on the implementation report on the Agreement on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU - A9-0052/2023(001-010)

Think Tank Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο

 Think Tank

Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο

Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play

Briefing 20-02-2023

Romania's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) embodies an ambitious agenda of reforms and investment aimed at mitigating the socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis. The total cost of the plan amounts to €29.2 billion, or 13.1 % of the country's 2019 gross domestic product (GDP). This allocation, corresponding to 4 % of the total volume of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), includes the entire initial grant allocation (€14.2 billion) and a considerable part (€14.9 billion) ...

Russia's war against Ukraine: US support

Briefing 17-02-2023

Since Russia launched its unprovoked war against Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the United States (US) has worked in lockstep with allies and partners, notably the European Union, its Member States and other G7 countries, towards a strong collective response. This has included several packages of economic sanctions against Russia aimed at severing the country from technologies and financial sources that fuel its war, and directly targeting the persons and entities involved. The US in cooperation with ...

Russia's war on Ukraine: US sanctions

Briefing 17-02-2023

The United States (US) has been imposing sanctions on Russia since its illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. Since the outbreak of Russia's war on Ukraine in February 2022, these sanctions have become increasingly severe and far-reaching. The US, together with the European Union and other close allies, has targeted Russian assets, international trade and the economic sectors involved in the war, as well as specific individuals and entities engaged in sanctioned activities. The sanctions seek to weaken ...

The European public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons for future cross border health threats

Μελέτη 17-02-2023

This study was drawn up to support the work of the European Parliament's Special Committee on the COVID 19 pandemic. It examines the European Union's public health response to the COVID 19 pandemic across the following five pillars: (1) the EU vaccines strategy and national vaccination strategies; (2) independent scientific evidence on vaccine effectiveness; (3) the EU public health response to COVID 19, addressing the EU framework for crisis response; (4) the EU's prevention and preparedness efforts ...

Ukraine: Awaiting Russia’s offensive [What Think Tanks are thinking]

Briefing 17-02-2023

During his first visit to the European Parliament and the European Council, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed to the European Union to provide his country with aircraft and other military equipment needed to repel Russia’s further military aggression. Greeted with a standing ovation in the European Parliament, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was not only defending its own independence, but also the ‘European way of life’. EU leaders vowed to stand by Ukraine with steadfast support, but ...

President Biden's 2023 State of the Union address

Εν συντομία 17-02-2023

On 7 February 2023, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, gave his State of the Union (SOTU) address to a joint session of the 118th US Congress (2023-2024). Unlike in 2022, when the US had a 'united' government, with the President's party, the Democrats, holding the majority in both chambers of Congress, Biden now faces a 'divided' government, with a Republican-led House of Representatives, and has to decide on a potential second-term bid in 2024. While in 2022, Russia's then newly launched ...

Plenary round-up – February II 2023

Εν συντομία 17-02-2023

The highlight of the February II 2023 plenary session was a debate with the Council and the European Commission marking one year since Russia's invasion and the start of its war of aggression against Ukraine. Members also debated the European Union response to the humanitarian situation following the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria. Members discussed EU funding allocated to non-governmental organisations incriminated in recent corruption revelations, following up on measures requested by Parliament ...

New Product Liability Directive

Briefing 16-02-2023

As products have become more complex in the digital age, on 28 September 2022, the European Commission published a proposal for a new directive on liability of defective products. This would revise the existing Product Liability Directive, adopted nearly 40 years ago in 1985. The proposal aims to bring the European Union's product liability regime up to speed with the digital age, circular economy business models and global value chains. Addressing the need to ease the burden of proof for consumers ...

Revising the Effort-sharing Regulation for 2021-2030: 'Fit for 55' package

Briefing 16-02-2023

The EU's effort-sharing legislation covers greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in sectors not included in the EU emissions trading system. A wide range of sources – such as fuels used for road transport, energy used for heating and cooling in buildings, animal digestion and fertilisers used in agriculture, waste treatment, and small industries – account for these emissions. To cut the emissions in these sectors, the EU Effort-sharing Regulation (ESR) establishes collective and national binding targets ...

Brazilian democracy in the aftermath of 8 January

Briefing 16-02-2023

On 8 January 2023, far-right supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the presidential palace, the Supreme Court and the Congress in Brasilia. The events, widely acknowledged as echoing the attack on the US Capitol on 6 January 2021, took place only a week after the inauguration of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as President of Brazil for the third time; Bolsonaro, who did not concede defeat in the October 2022 election, was notably absent from the inauguration. Brazil is one of the biggest ...

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT THINK TANK:Τα έγγραφα που συμβάλλουν στη διαμόρφωση νέας νομοθεσίας της ΕΕ

THINK TANK 
Τα έγγραφα που συμβάλλουν στη διαμόρφωση νέας νομοθεσίας της ΕΕ



Αναρτήθηκε στις03-02-2023

Climate change [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Briefing 03-02-2023


Last year’s UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, made some headway in efforts to fight climate change, but its overall progress was limited. The gathering agreed to create a loss-and-damage fund, to support poorer countries disproportionately affected by climate change while only being responsible for a small share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Governments at COP27 also called for reform of the International Monetary Fund and the multilateral development banks, to align global public finance ...


Plenary round-up – February I 2023
Εν συντομία 03-02-2023


Highlights of the February I 2023 plenary session included debates with the Council and the European Commission on preparation of the 3 February EU-Ukraine Summit, and a vote on a resolution addressing Ukraine's EU accession perspective, calling for increased military, economic and humanitarian support for Ukraine, and stressing the importance of preparing a comprehensive recovery package for the country. Members also heard about preparations for the special European Council meeting on 9 and 10 February ...


European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA)
Briefing 03-02-2023


On 19 July 2022, the Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation establishing the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA). On 1 December 2022, the Council adopted its general approach. On 18 January 2023, the rapporteurs from the AFET and ITRE joint committee published their draft report. EDIRPA is a short-term joint defence procurement instrument worth €500 million. It seeks to address the most urgent and critical defence capability gaps and to incentivise ...


Malta's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play
Briefing 03-02-2023


Malta's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) has a total value of €344.9 million. However, under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which is at the core of the EU's Next Generation EU instrument, Malta is expected to receive around €316.4 million, slightly below the value of the plan, and entirely in grants. On 30 June 2022, the European Commission recalculated the maximum grant amounts for all Member States; this resulted in a cut for Malta and a new total of €258.3 million ...
Αναρτήθηκε στις17-11-2022

Recovery and Resilience Plans: Payment requests and disbursements made so far
Briefing 03-02-2023


This briefing presents, in tabular form, information available on submitted payment requests under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), and of Commission disbursements following approval of such requests. It will be regularly updated.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT update

European
Parliament

Press release - Deal on establishing the Social Climate Fund to support the energy transition

18/12/2022

On Saturday night, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement to set up a new fund to help vulnerable citizens most affected by energy and transport poverty.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

Press release - Climate change: Deal on a more ambitious Emissions Trading System (ETS)

18/12/2022


On Saturday night, MEPs and EU governments agreed to reform the Emissions Trading System to further reduce industrial emissions and invest more in climate friendly technologies.
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Press release - Deal on establishing the Social Climate Fund to support the energy transition

18/12/2022


On Saturday night, Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement to set up a new fund to help vulnerable citizens most affected by energy and transport poverty.
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Press release - Climate change: Deal on a more ambitious Emissions Trading System (ETS)

Think Tank by European Parliament

 

What if quantum technologies were to revolutionise healthcare?

At a Glance 08-12-2022

Quantum technologies could be a game-changer in the digital transformation of health care. By enabling much faster and more complex data analysis, they could open the door to the accelerated discovery and development of novel therapeutics, improved diagnostics and treatments, including for rare and complex diseases, genuinely personalised medicine, and better data-driven health policy planning. However, as is also the case in other sectors, quantum technologies come with risks, particularly to cybersecurity ...

International Anti-Corruption Day

At a Glance 08-12-2022

International Anti-Corruption Day is marked every year on 9 December to raise awareness of the negative effects of corruption on all areas of life. While difficult to measure, corruption entails not only economic but also social and political costs. International and EU anti-corruption efforts have translated into a multi-layered policy and legal framework. The European Parliament recently called for strengthened EU anti-corruption rules.

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - December 2022

At a Glance 08-12-2022

The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.