Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Frederich MERZ, German Federal Chancellor: arrival, welcome and extracts from the press point

European Water Resilience Strategy: extracts from the debate, from the vote and statement by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), Rapporteur

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: speeches by War World II Veterans

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: opening of the ceremony and commemorative video-clip

EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Council President António Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gathered at Robert Schuman’s birthplace. The program featured a tour of the Schuman House, signing of the guestbook, the unveiling of a commemorative stamp and an official photo. They conclude the day with a visit to the former ECSC headquarters. On May 9, 1950, Robert Schuman unveiled an initiative to establish the European Coal and Steel Community. This step marked the beginning of the European integration.

Europe day - 75th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration with Luc FRIEDEN, Roberta METSOLA, António COSTA, and Ursula von der LEYEN: extracts from the visit to the birthplace house of Robert Schuman and a a visit to the former ECSC headquarters

Roberta Metsola, EP President welcomes Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, on Europe Day, in the European Parliament in Brussels. After a bilateral meeting, EP President and German Chancellor give a press point. Extracts from the arrival, the welcome, the signature of the guests book and the joint press point. Friedrich Merz was elected Chancellor on Tuesday 6 May, following the legislative elections held on 23 February.

In light of the recent widespread blackouts that affected Spain, Portugal, and southern France, MEPs debate on assessing the resilience of the EU’s energy infrastructure and the critical need to strengthen cross-border interconnections within the internal energy market with Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Dan JØRGENSEN, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing. MEPs raised concerns about the vulnerability of national power grids to extreme weather events, technical failures, emphasizing that the recent outages serve as a wake-up call for accelerating investment in a more integrated and robust European electricity network. Discussions also touched on the role of renewable energy, energy storage, and smart grid technologies in enhancing energy security and meeting the EU’s climate goals.

The first lessons from the blackout in the Iberian Peninsula: extracts from the debate

LEX signing ceremony in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Adam SZLAPKA, Minister for the European Union on behalf of the Polish Presidency. 3 cods LEX Signing: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Councilon a Border Regions’ instrument for development and growth (BRIDGEforEU), Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European Union labour market statistics on businesses, Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 as regardsthe scope of the rules for benchmarks

LEX signing ceremony in the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Adam SZLAPKA, Minister for the European Union on behalf of the Polish Presidency

This news item presents highlights from the debate and vote on the European Parliament’s recommendations for the upcoming European Water Resilience Strategy, along with a statement by Rapporteur Thomas Bajada (S&D, MT). The Parliament adopted its recommendations—expected to guide the European Commission's strategy due before summer 2025—with 470 votes in favour, 81 against, and 92 abstentions. In their report, MEPs call for a bold and comprehensive approach to water management across the EU, aiming to address growing water-related challenges. Key proposals include setting water efficiency targets, enhancing climate adaptation efforts, ensuring sufficient funding for vital water resilience measures, and promoting digitalisation and innovation in the sector.

This news item shows extracts from President Roberta Metsola's meeting with World War II veterans (Mr. Robert CHOT, Mr. Janusz KOMOROWSKI and Mr. Janusz MAKSYMOWICZ), as well as moments from the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, held during the plenary session in Strasbourg. The event opened with remarks by Presidents Metsola and Costa, who both expressed deep gratitude to the veterans and emphasized the importance of not taking peace for granted, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The ceremony concluded with a musical performance of the European anthem by a soprano, accompanied by a string ensemble.

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: extracts from the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and World War II veterans, and extracts from the ceremony

Raise of the European Union flag by the Eurocorps during a ceremony in Strasbourg in the presence of three war veterans: Mr. Robert CHOT, Member of the Royal National Federation of War Volunteers; Mr. Janusz KOMOROWSKI, President of the Association of Home Army Soldiers; and Mr. Janusz MAKSYMOWICZ, Vice-President of the Warsaw Uprising Insurgents Association.

Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe - Eurocorps flags raising ceremony with the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Antonio COSTA, President of the European Council: extracts from the event

MEPs discuss with the President of the Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, and Council's representatives how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. The debate focuses on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law. In particular, the plenary debate is centered on the plan presented by the Commission, which paves the way to ensure the EU's energy independence from Russia.

EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine: extracts from the debate

Luc FRIEDEN, Luxembourgish Prime Minister, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, António COSTA, President of the European Council and Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, make a statement to the press to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Schuman declaration, in front of his birthplace house in Luxembourg. On May 9, 1950, Robert Schuman put forward a proposal to establish the European Coal and Steel Community, a move that became the cornerstone of modern European integration.

Press statement with Luc FRIEDEN, Luxembourgish Prime Minister, Roberta METSOLA, EP President, António COSTA, President of the European Council and Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

Roberta Metsola, EP President welcomes Friedrich Merz, German Chancellor, on Europe Day, in the European Parliament in Brussels. After a bilateral meeting, EP President and German Chancellor give a press point. They talk about challenges faced by Europe such as competitiveness, migration and the unwavering support to Ukraine. Friedrich Merz was elected Chancellor on Tuesday 6 May, following the legislative elections held on 23 February.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Frederich MERZ, German Federal Chancellor

Jacek Protas (REGI A10-0066/2025) - Ninth report on economic and social cohesion / Raphaël Glucksmann (INTA A10-0061/2025) - The screening of foreign investments in the Union and repealing Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council / Karin Karlsbro (INTA A10-0059/2025) - Suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union / (ENVI) Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified soybean MON 87705 × MON 87708 × MON 89788

Voting session

MEPs debate on the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms, in plenary in Strasbourg.

The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms: MEPs debate

Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, gives an opening statement during the debate on the fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The fine against TikTok and the need to strengthen the protection of citizens’ rights on social media platforms: opening statement by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection

MEPs debate on Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia.

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: opening statements by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs, and Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Prote

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: MEPs debate

Malta's Golden Passport scheme circumventing EU sanctions against Russia: closing statements by Michael MCGRATH, European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European

Europe Day 2025

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

During the ceremony at December’s plenary session in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola paid tribute to their fight to restore democracy in Venezuela.

Parliament recognises the opposition as the legitimate winners of Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential election, and condemns the electoral fraud and rights violations carried out by the Maduro regime that stayed in power despite mass protests.

The Sakharov Prize is the EU’s highest award for human rights defenders. The other finalists from 2024 were Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and the Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace movements, which promote reconciliation and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

Parliament hands 2024 Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

During the ceremony at December’s plenary session in Strasbourg, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola paid tribute to their fight to restore democracy in Venezuela.

Parliament recognises the opposition as the legitimate winners of Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential election, and condemns the electoral fraud and rights violations carried out by the Maduro regime that stayed in power despite mass protests.

The Sakharov Prize is the EU’s highest award for human rights defenders. The other finalists from 2024 were Azerbaijani anti-corruption activist Dr Gubad Ibadoghlu and the Women of the Sun and Women Wage Peace movements, which promote reconciliation and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leader

Parliament hands 2024 Sakharov Prize to Venezuelan opposition 9:16

The European Parliament has awarded the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia.

Parliament recognised the opposition as rightful winners of July 2024’s presidential election and rejected the widespread electoral fraud and the proclaimed victory of Nicolas Maduro.

With the EU’s highest honour for human rights defenders, Parliament pays tribute to Ms Machado and Mr González Urrutia’s fight to restore democracy, and stands with those defending freedom against authoritarian regimes worldwide.

Read more on the 2024 Sakharov Prize winners:

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240913STO23909/sakharov-prize-2024-goes-to-venezuelan-opposition-leaders

European Parliament honours María Corina Machado and Edmundo González Urrutia

After carefully reviewing candidates, your representatives in the European Parliament have approved the next EU Commission, the bloc’s executive body.
Ursula von der Leyen put forward her new team after being re-elected as Commission President in July. Members of Parliament gave it the green light following a debate in Strasbourg on 27 November.
Earlier in November, MEPs questioned the prospective Commissioners at special confirmation hearings to assess their skills and track records.
The Commission works on proposing policies and laws central to the lives of 450 million Europeans. Parliament will now keep a close eye on its members, to make sure they deliver on voters’ needs and expectations.

How the European Parliament approved the new EU Commission 9:16

How the European Parliament approved the new EU Commission 16:9

Buying or renting a decent, affordable home is a growing struggle for many Europeans. 

House prices in the EU in the second quarter of 2024 were over 50% higher than in 2010. Rents increased by nearly 25% over the same period. (EUROSTAT). Recent high prices for energy and goods have placed additional pressure on people’s budgets. 

The European Commission says tackling the housing crisis is a top EU priority. 
In October 2024, Members of the European Parliament debated solutions with its representatives

How the European Parliament is tackling the housing crisis  9:16

The International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) takes place every 17th May. IDAHOBIT commemorates the decision taken in 1990 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to remove homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases. This infoclip illustrates the importance to still fight for the rights of the LGBTQIA+ people across Europe and around the world. It stages different same-sex couples in their daily-life routines, a protest to defend the LGBTQIA+ community in Hungary and a famous queer bar in Ireland.

Infoclip: Safeguarding LGBTQIA+ rights

This infoclip illustrates the growing importance of combating disinformation, featuring scenes of individuals scrutinizing online content, the use of professional fact-checking platforms, a conference held at the European Parliament, co-organized by EDMO (European Digital Media Observatory) and EFCSN (European Fact-Checking Standards Network), underscoring the collaborative European effort to promote trustworthy information and media literacy, and journalists engaging in the verification process.

Infoclip: Fact-checking and fight against disinformation

This infoclip illustrates the European Union long term budget (MFF) and EU funded projects in several sectors. Therefore this infoclip shows illustrative footages of some EU funded projects in areas such as agriculture, energy, transports, innovation, culture and education, defence and industry. The current multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 is over €2 trillion euros strong (€1,2 trillion boosted with the additionnal EU Next Generation recovery instrument and its €800 billion). This long term budget uphold the different policies and main programs of the EU.

Infoclip: EU long-term budget and EU funded projects

This video presents current ground and drone views of Warsaw, focusing on areas where the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto wall can still be seen, along with various monuments commemorating the victims and the 1943 Ghetto Uprising. These locations, spread across different districts of the city. Established by Nazi Germany in 1940, the Warsaw Ghetto was the largest of its kind in occupied Europe, where hundreds of thousands of Jews were forcibly confined in overcrowded, inhumane conditions before mass deportations to extermination camps.

Infoclip: Remains of the Warsaw Ghetto wall across the city (Poland)

This infoclip presents current ground and drone views of Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer (France). It presents views of the shore, bunker remainings, monuments, and graves of soldiers. Located on the coast of Normandy, Omaha Beach was one of the five landing zones of the Allied invasion on D-Day, June 6, 1944. It was here that American troops faced fierce resistance in one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War. Just above the cliffs lies the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer, where nearly 9,400 U.S. servicemen are laid to rest.

Infoclip: Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer (France)

This video presents current views of the district of the Bundestag in Berlin (Germany). The Bundestag is the German federal parliament.

Infoclip: Bundestag district in Berlin (Germany)

This infoclip shows illustrative footage on water resilience. Announced by the Commission for the second quarter of 2025, the European Water Resilience Strategy aims to address, inter alia, growing water scarcity by improving water management practices, increasing water efficiency and promoting sustainable water use.The European Parliament has taken several initiatives calling for sustainable water policy as strategic priority. Following the public hearing "The way to a European Water Resilience Strategy - an EU Blue Deal" organised in January 2025, ENVI has prepared a report ahead of the upcoming Commission's Strategy. The report aims to deliver a basis for a comprehensive strategy, including binding legislation, and addresses water resilience through six key pillars: water efficiency, pollution mitigation, climate adaptation, funding, digitalisation and innovation, and cross-border cooperation.

Infoclip: Water resilience

This memoclip shows, in order, the extracts from: Pope Francis' visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in 2014, the awarding of the Charlemagne Prize to Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2016, former EP President David SASSOLI's visit to the Vatican and his meeting with Pope Francis in 2021 and EP President Roberta Metsola's visit in 2024.

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