Photo by Erica Magugliani on Unsplash Israel’s President Isaac Herzog addressed Parliament during the plenary session in Brussels today, to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola opened the solemn sitting with an introductory speech. After President Isaac Herzog’s address, MEPs observed a minute of silence. The ceremony closed with a musical performance by Chen…
Photo by L N on Unsplash MEPs are pushing for the European Union to develop its own capacity for the production of semiconductor chips to keep industry running and jobs in Europe. A majority in the European Parliament’s committee on industry, research and energy improved the legislative proposal made earlier by the European Commission on the measures for…
Photo by noah eleazar on Unsplash The ECR Group in the European Parliament says it “strongly supports” the proposal adopted by the European Parliament to set up an international tribunal to punish those responsible for the criminal war of aggression against Ukraine. Anna Fotyga, ECR Foreign Policy Coordinator, said she called for a heightened focus on the supply…
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash The European Parliament has adopted a near-unanimous position on proposed EU legislation intended to prevent tax evasion by establishing fake companies. Some 637 members voted in favour of what has become known as the Unshell Directive and only two against, an endorsement the Parliament says gives a “uniquely strong message in support…
Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash Members of the European Parliament have voted to elect Marc Angel (S&D) as Vice President, sitting in the Bureau of the Parliament.The vote was held in the wake of the suspension of the former Vice President Eva Kaili, who was caught up in allegations of corruption at the heart of the ‘Qatargate’ scandal….
A solemn commemoration and tribute has been held the late President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli. The Italian Socialist MEP passed away when he was in office, on 11 January 2022, aged 65. His premature death spurred deep emotions among the whole European family and the international community. The Socialist group, in a statement…
MEPs have welcomed the release from jail of Somali refugee Mohammad Hanad Abdi. He was sentenced to 142 years in prison in 2021 for “people smuggling” but has now won his appeal in Greece. Abdi, a 29-year-old Somali political refugee, reportedly saved 31 people during a deadly crossing in a dinghy from Turkey to the…
Photo by Gabriel Silvério on Unsplash The Left group in the European parliament has criticised supporters of former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro for storming key government sites including the Congress. It has echoes of what happened in the U.S two years ago when far right demonstrators, backed by ex President Trump, stormed the U.S Congress. The disorder comes…
Photo by Yellow Cactus on Unsplash President Roberta Metsola has launched an urgent procedure for the waiver of immunity of two Members of the European Parliament, following a request from the Belgian judicial authorities. The first procedural steps have been taken and the President will announce the request in plenary at the first possible opportunity on 16 January. The request…
Photo by Michal Matlon on Unsplash The European Parliament has just voted for a series of measures aimed at strengthening the fight against corruption, following the revelations in the ‘Qatargate’ scandal. The measures include: A cooling off period for MEPs to prevent revolving doors; to prohibit financial ties with lobbyists; stricter rules on ‘friendship groups’; improved whistleblower protection;…
