European Parliament

Far-right Finns Party moves to ECR group in EU Parliament

The far-right Finns Party has decided to leave the nationalist Identity and Democracy (ID) group in the European Parliament to join the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the party…

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EP President Roberta Metsola visits Ukraine

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that she has hope that the EU accession negotiations could begin as early as this year. She said she was impressed by the pace at which…

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Two MEPs lose immunity in Qatargate corruption case

BRUSSELS, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to waive the immunity from prosecution of two lawmakers following a request by Belgian investigators to question them…

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EP President Metsola named “Woman of the Year”

The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola was named "Woman of the Year" during the Women in a Legal World Conference in Spain. The award was given for the…

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Metsola: Publication of gift list is unprecedented, positive example

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola' spokesperson Jaume Duch described her decision to publish all information regarding the gifts received as President of the institution as an exercise in transparency, and…

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EU lawmakers to vote on tighter crypto, ESG rules for banks

Lawmakers to vote on tougher shadow bank rules Lawmakers seek to tie ESG with bonuses Lawmakers seek to align with global rules on crypto By Huw Jones (Reuters) - Banks…

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Metsola highlights transparency in move to publish gift lists, denies wrongdoing

Updated 23/01/2023 - 1930 - EP reacts In reaction to the DPA report below, the European Parliament has described Roberta Metsola's move to publish a list of gifts and travels…

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Qatar should not be dragged into EU corruption scandal, minister tells CNBC

(Reuters) - Qatar's foreign minister said his country should not be dragged into a cash-for-influence corruption scandal at the European Parliament with investigations still ongoing, rejecting allegations of Doha's involvement…

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Marc Angel elected Vice-President of the European Parliament instead of Eva Kaili

The newly elected Vice-President replaces Eva Kaili as the fifth VP in the Parliament’s Bureau. Kaili was arrested on money laundering and corruption charges allegedly involving Qatar On Wednesday, in…

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UPDATED: Former MEP Panzeri’s tax accountant arrested in Italy over EU graft scandal

ROME, Jan 18 (Reuters) - The tax consultant of a former EU lawmaker at the centre of a cash-for-influence corruption scandal at the European Parliament has been arrested in Italy,…

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Unshell directive: MEPs adopt position on legislation to clamp down on shell companies

MEPs have proposed to widen the scope and toughen sanctions of proposed legislation aimed at clamping down on shell companies used for tax purposes. MEPs adopted their opinion on Tuesday…

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EP reconvenes for first plenary of 2023 as Qatargate dominates proceedings

The European Parliament resumes plenary sessions in Strasbourg this week, where it will be voting for a new Vice President of the European Parliament, deciding its position on a new…

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Photo Story: Launch of a book with selected speeches of late President of EP David Sassoli

(L-R) Former president of the European Commission Romano Prodi, President of European Commission Ursula von her Leyen and Italian Foreign Affair Minister Antonio Tafani attend a launching event of a…

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European Parliament to waive immunity of two MEPs in corruption case

BRUSSELS, Jan 2 (Reuters) - The European Parliament said on Monday it had begun a procedure to waive the immunity of two of its members after a request from Belgian judiciary investigating a European Union-Qatar corruption…

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Greece asks Panama to check possible money transfers from Qatar to MEP Kaili

POLITICO reports that Greek authorities have asked Panama for information regarding possible money transfers from Qatar to accounts belonging to MEP Eva Kaili, who’s currently detained in Brussels pending trial…

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Former European Parliament VP Kaili remains in custody amid corruption investigation

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A Belgian judge ruled on Thursday that European lawmaker Eva Kaili will remain in custody for another month as an investigation continues into corruption charges in a…

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Italy delays hearing on EU graft scandal suspect on Belgian jail claim

BRESCIA, Italy (Reuters) - An Italian court on Tuesday postponed until January a hearing on whether to hand over to the Belgian authorities a second woman suspected of involvement in…

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Italy agrees to transfer suspect in EU graft scandal to Belgium

An Italian court on Monday agreed to hand over to Belgian authorities a woman suspected of involvement in a Qatar graft scandal that has rocked the European Parliament. An appeals court in…

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Qatar reiterates denial that its government involved in EU corruption case

DUBAI (Reuters) - Qatar reiterated on Sunday that the country denies any involvement in a corruption case being investigated by Belgian authorities involving people linked to the European Parliament. Belgian…

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Italian top official of NGO at centre of EU Qatar scandal is convicted terrorist

An influential member of the non-governmental organisation at the heart of the Qatargate scandal in the European Parliament is a convicted terrorist. Sergio Segio, 67, a “commander” of Italian far-Left…

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European prosecutor requests immunity lifted from two Greek MEPs

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European chief prosecutor requested on Thursday that the European Parliament lift the immunity from prosecution of two Greek members over suspicions of fraud. The prosecutor's office…

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EU Parliament suspends work on Qatar amid corruption allegations

All action on any work involving Qatar was suspended in the European Parliament on Thursday, as the chamber reels from the removal of Eva Kaili as vice president following her…

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EP President Metsola warns: no sweeping under the carpet on Qatar scandal

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told reporters at her press conference on Thursday “We just had a long exchange of views with the Prime Ministers and the Presidents of the…

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UPDATED: We first need to know all the facts, France’s Macron says on Qatar corruption probe

By Philip Blenkinsop and Charlotte Campenhout Year-long, pan-EU investigation into MEPs Graft scandal rocks European Parliament Raids uncover suitcase, briefcases stacked with cash MEP Kaili's detention hearing pushed to Dec.22…

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Judge to decide on detention of EU-Qatar graft scandal suspects

By Philip Blenkinsop and Johnny Cotton BRUSSELS, Dec 14 (Reuters) - A three-judge panel will decide on Wednesday whether four suspects charged and arrested in a fraud scandal rocking the…

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Factbox: The European Parliament’s cash-for-influence scandal

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian authorities have charged four people linked to the European Parliament over allegations World Cup host Qatar lavished them with cash and gifts to influence decision-making. RAIDS…

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UPDATE European Parliament acts against lawmaker Kaili over Qatar graft charges

By Andreas Buerger and Charlotte Van Campenhout STRASBOURG, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The European Parliament took steps on Tuesday to strip lawmaker Eva Kaili of her senior assembly post after she and…

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Qatar graft probe damages European Parliament, EU ministers say

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union's credibility is at stake, EU foreign ministers warned on Monday, following allegations Qatar lavished cash and gifts on European Parliament officials to influence decision-making. Greece…

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EU’s Borrell: Belgium’s European Parliament corruption probe is “very worrisome”

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgium's decision to charge four people over allegedly receiving money and gifts from a Gulf state to influence decisions in the European Parliament is "very worrisome," European…

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EU parliament aides, Gulf state probed over suspected graft

By Marine Strauss BRUSSELS, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Belgium launched an investigation on Friday examining possible corruption involving an unidentified Gulf state and assistants working in the European Parliament, the…

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MEPS vote to make it easier for EU citizens to participate in European elections

MEPs adopted a series of proposals to reinforce the right of mobile EU citizens to vote and stand in European elections in the EU country in which they reside. The…

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MEPs vote not to accept passports issued by Russia in occupied areas

The European Parliament has endorsed a decision not to accept passports and other travel documents issued by Russia in illegally-occupied regions of Ukraine and Georgia. Parliament approved the agreement with…

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Energy crisis: MEPs back plans to boost the deployment of renewables

MEPs in the Industry, Energy and Research Committee shortened the maximum period to approve new installations from twelve to nine months, if located in the so-called "renewables acceleration areas". These…

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European Parliament calls for united stand towards Libya

The European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee this week approved a set of recommendations regarding the political situation in Libya, with 49 votes in favour, nine against, and five abstentions. The…

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Finalists chosen for the Sakharov Prize 2022

The people of Ukraine resisting Russia's invasion, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and Colombia's Truth Commission are this year's finalists for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, the European Union's…

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European Parliament President Says Citizens Must Know Sanctions Are Price Paid For Democracy

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola hinted that the European Union could impose more sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, saying in an interview with RFE/RL that the bloc's…

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Energy savings drive directs EU parliament to turn down heat

BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (Reuters) - The European Parliament will turn off heating in its buildings for three days per week and adjust its thermostats for other days in a drive…

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People of Ukraine nominated for EU human rights prize

Lawmakers from four European Parliament groups have nominated the people of Ukraine for this year’s Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The Sakharov Prize has been awarded since 1988 “to…

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Photo Story: Yulia Navalnaya welcomed at the European Parliament

Alexei Navalny's wife, Yulia Navalnaya (R) is welcomed by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola ahead of a meeting at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, 28 September 2022. Photo: DAINA…

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ECB boss pledges to MEPs to fight inflation and restore confidence

Members of the European Parliament voiced concerns about rising energy and food prices, and mortgage rates during a hearing with European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde. MEPs in the Economic…

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EU Commission President von der Leyen delivers State of the Union speech

LIVE BLOG Thank you for following us today. Below, you can find a round up of the key points raised by Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the…

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Europe needs strategic autonomy in energy, food, defence and technology – Finnish PM

Addressing MEPs in Strasbourg as part of the “This is Europe” debate series, Prime Minister of Finland Sanna Marin said that Ukrainians have proven their bravery and endurance and they…

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EP appoints Alessandro Chiocchetti as new Secretary General

Today the Bureau of the European Parliament appointed Mr Alessandro Chiocchetti as the institution’s new Secretary General. The newly appointed Secretary General will take up his functions on 1 January…

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EU agenda

Here are the latest events at the European Parliament, European Commission and European Council: 30 August: On 30 and 31 August, Prague will host a Gymnich meeting of EU foreign…

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EU Parliament says Orbán’s remarks go against bloc’s values

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's racist remarks have met with strong criticism in the European Parliament. Leaders of the European Parliament’s main groups on Friday castigated Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s “inexcusable…

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EU agenda

Here are the latest events in the European Union institutions. 26 July: Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy): Energy ministers will hold an exchange of views on security of energy…

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EU lawmakers seek more energy savings to tackle gas crunch

BRUSSELS, July 13 (Reuters) - Lawmakers on the European Parliament's energy committee supported more ambitious EU targets to save energy and expand renewable power on Wednesday, viewed as key to ending Europe's…

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UPDATED: Adapted, two-strain vaccines to lift COVID protection – EU official

FRANKFURT/LONDON, July 13 (Reuters) - Adapted versions of established mRNA COVID-19 vaccines that address two variants in one shot will soon offer people better protection than vaccines that are now available, a…

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EU agenda

Here are this week's events at the European Parliament, European Council and European Commission: 12 July: The European Council is expected to adopt the final three legal acts which will…

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Big Tech platforms could face new major EU limits on targeted political ads

Facebook and Google could be significantly restricted from targeting people with political ads ahead of the 2024 European Parliament elections, according to a draft Parliament report released Wednesday. Lead MEP,…

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EU lawmakers back mandatory use of green jet fuel from 2025

BRUSSELS, July 7 (Reuters) - The European Parliament on Thursday backed landmark rules on aviation fuel that set binding targets for the replacement of kerosene with less polluting energy sources, but extended…

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EU parliament backs labelling gas and nuclear investments as green

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Parliament on Wednesday backed EU rules labelling investments in gas and nuclear power plants as climate-friendly, throwing out an attempt to block the law that has…

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UPDATED: Austria to challenge EU’s “greenwashing” nuclear, gas decision

BERLIN, July 6 (Reuters) - Austria will bring a legal complaint against the European Union's decision to classify gas and nuclear energy as green and sustainable transitional energy sources, its climate protection…

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EU agenda

Here are the latest events at the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission: 5 June:Digital Services Package: Parliament will hold the final vote on the new Digital Services…

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The EU needs a fallback position on Green Deal – MEP Alfred Sant

The EU needs a fallback position on the Green Deal in terms of finance and energy supplies, MEP Alfred Sant says. “My argument is that the EU needs a fallback…

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EU agenda

Here are the latest events at the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission: 28 June: Environment ministers will aim at reaching a general approach on proposals that…

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“We are at crunch time with Poland,” MEP says

It's crunch time on Poland, Renew MEP Sophie In't Veld said, adding that she was disappointed in the latest European Commission decision to endorse a €36 billion fund to the…

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