Based on a year-long investigation into the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware, MEPs argue that the illicit use of spyware has put “democracy itself at stake” and call for credible investigations, legislative changes and better enforcement of existing rules to tackle abuse. The resolution was adopted with 411 votes in favour, 97 against, … Read more
Attempts to interfere with democracy are a “widespread phenomenon that must be countered as vigorously as possible”, warn MEPs in their recommendations on the reform of European Parliament’s rules on transparency, integrity, accountability and anti-corruption. Reiterating their “deep shock and condemnation of the allegations of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organisation” by … Read more
Last ditch talks between the EU’s finance ministers planned for Wednesday on an overhaul of the EU’s public spending rules look set to fall short amid continued disagreement between Germany, France and Italy, according to officials in Brussels. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire and his German counterpart, Christian Lindner, will face the press on … Read more
MEPs urge the European Council to decide at its meeting on 14-15 December to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Provided certain reform steps are taken, they say that accession talks should also be opened with Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia should be granted candidate status. MEPs welcome the new … Read more
The Legal Affairs Committee adopted its position on new rules to ensure EU-wide protection from vexatious lawsuits against public participation with 15 votes in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention. The new draft rules contain safeguards against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) and threats thereof. These are unfounded and abusive legal actions to silence … Read more
President Roberta Metsola will attend the summit on behalf of the European Parliament, together with the Co-Chair of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat) MEP Javi López (S&D, Spain). President Metsola will meet with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso, and Uruguay’s President Luis Lacalle Pou. Ahead of the gathering, … Read more
“Donald Trump channeled his role models as he parroted Adolf Hitler, praised Kim Jong Un, and quoted Vladimir Putin while running for president on a promise to rule as a dictator and threaten American democracy,” Biden campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa said in a statement. “Trump is not shying away from his plan to lock up … Read more
MEPs assess outcome of the UN Climate Change Conference COP 28 From 9.00, MEPs will discuss with Commissioner Dalli and Spanish State Secretary for European Affairs Navarro the results of the COP 28 in Dubai, which concluded on Wednesday. An official EP delegation participated in the COP 28 between 8 and 12 December. Dana POPP(+32) … Read more
On Wednesday, the committees on Civil Liberties and Women’s Rights approved changes to a proposed directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. A consent-based definition of rape Building on the Commission’s proposal for a criminal definition of rape based on the absence of consent, MEPs seek to add fear and intimidation to the … Read more
Unless there is a drastic change of course by the Turkish government, Türkiye’s EU accession process cannot resume under the current circumstances, say MEPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee in a report adopted on Tuesday (by 47 votes in favour, no votes against and 10 abstentions). Urging the Turkish government, the European Union and its … Read more
