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EU citizens should have more ways to get a car checked, but frequency of mandatory tests should not change, say Transport and Tourism Committee MEPs.
Committee on Transport and Tourism

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Dauer des Videos : 30'

Haftungsausschluss : Die Verdolmetschung der Debatten soll die Kommunikation erleichtern, sie stellt jedoch keine authentische Aufzeichnung der Debatten dar. Authentisch sind nur die Originalfassungen der Reden bzw. ihre überprüften schriftlichen Übersetzungen.
Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

ÄNDERUNGSANTRÄGE - 2025 Commission report on Ukraine
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Michael Gahler

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Dauer des Videos : 75'

Haftungsausschluss : Die Verdolmetschung der Debatten soll die Kommunikation erleichtern, sie stellt jedoch keine authentische Aufzeichnung der Debatten dar. Authentisch sind nur die Originalfassungen der Reden bzw. ihre überprüften schriftlichen Übersetzungen.
Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Written by Clare Fergurson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

Members also debated how to ensure accountability and justice in response to Russia’s continued attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine; and the danger of normalising relations with Russia, including its participation in major cultural and sports events. Members also discussed how to support democratic resilience in Armenia; the situation on the implementation of a ceasefire in Lebanon, peace efforts and humanitarian access; as well as Sudan’s ‘abandoned’ humanitarian crisis. Further debates covered the presentation of the Better Regulation and Enforcement Communication from the European Commission; the need for targeted criminal provisions and platforms’ responsibility to effectively address cyberbullying and online harassment; the need to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish life in Europe, following the recent attacks against the Jewish community in the Netherlands and Belgium; and Roma inclusion, equality and fundamental rights.

2028-2034 EU budget: Parliament’s position

Parliament adopted its negotiating mandate for the EU’s 2028-2034 budget following a debate on the interim report on the multiannual financial framework (MFF). The report of the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) defends a budget set at 1.27 % of the EU’s gross national income (GNI), excluding Next Generation EU (NGEU) repayment. This is a 10 % increase compared with the Commission proposal. BUDG also calls for a budget of €385.12 billion to be ringfenced for the common agricultural policy in the next MFF, with a €274.34 billion budget for cohesion policy. In terms of governance and rule of law, Members are concerned that the proposed budget weakens transparency, and stress that the Commission must apply the necessary legal provisions in cases where the EU’s financial interests are threatened.

Guidelines for the 2027 budget

Members adopted guidelines for the 2027 budget, following the debate held during the March session. The 2027 annual EU budget will be the last one under the current multiannual financial framework (MFF), which covers 2021 to 2027. The European Parliament’s set of guidelines contribute to the preparation of next year’s budget, with the Commission expected to adopt the draft 2027 budget in early summer.

Discharge 2024

Members granted discharge for the 2024 financial year to the various institutions and bodies of the EU, except for the Council and European Council. The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) had recommended granting discharge to the Commission and all six executive agencies, but raised concerns about the rule of law and corruption, calling on the Commission to ensure the EU budget is protected. Likewise, CONT recommended granting discharge to seven of the eight other institutions, but yet again recommended postponing discharge for the European Council and the Council of the EU. The Council refuses to acknowledge Parliament’s oversight role, and Parliament has therefore not granted discharge since 2009. The CONT committee also recommended granting discharge for all 33 EU decentralised agencies, but raised concerns about financial risks including rising EU debt and structural weaknesses in financial management, staffing and procurement.

Omnibus VI – chemicals

Rising energy costs and a decline in demand are affecting Europe’s chemicals industry. Parliament supports simplification of certain requirements but prioritises consumer protection and clear labelling. In April 2026, Members of the Committees on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) and Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) opposed the Commission’s proposals to extend the time before bans are applied on the use of carcinogenic substances in cosmetic products as well as the removal of certain text requirements to ensure labels remain legible for consumers. Parliament adopted its negotiating mandate for the ‘Omnibus VI proposal’, which aims at simplifying rules for chemicals, cosmetics and fertiliser manufacturing.

Emissions accounting in transport services

Transport is responsible for about a quarter of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Nevertheless, EU countries have to rely on emissions calculation tools with limited reliability in their efforts to cut emissions. Parliament adopted a proposed common framework to calculate GHG emissions from both freight and passenger transport. This follows a trilogue agreement reached by negotiators from the Committees on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The agreed text, which Parliament considered at second reading, backs the Commission proposal for a single EU methodology and calls for a free public calculation tool to make data widely available. This universal methodology means a reduction in the administrative burden and allow for greater transparency and fairer comparison between services.

Generalised scheme of preferences

Reform of EU trade with less developed countries is on the horizon, and Members adopted a provisional agreement on revision of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Regulation. Following negotiations between Parliament and the Council in December 2025, the agreed text includes the addition of new human rights and environmental treaties, which participating countries must ratify to benefit from trade preferences, as well as stricter criteria that must be met before GSP countries can see their preferential tariffs withdrawn for non-cooperation in the readmission of migrants illegally present in the EU. As adopted, the legislation would apply from 1 January 2027.

Consent-based definition of rape

As combating sexual violence and violence against women remains an urgent issue globally, Parliament continues to support a strong and survivor-centred legal framework. Members debated and adopted a joint own-initiative report from Parliament’s Committees on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), which calls on the Commission to propose EU legislation to define rape based on consent, in line with the Istanbul Convention. The report reiterates Parliament’s previous call to make gender-based violence a specific area of EU crime, stresses that legislation should also apply to virtual acts of sexual assault, and should consider circumstances in which giving consent is precluded. This marks a renewed legislative effort on reform after provisions on a consent-based definition of rape were not included in the EU directive adopted in 2024.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Five decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations – one from the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) on registration documents for vehicles and vehicle registration data recorded in national vehicle registers; one from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) on Directive 2004/37/EC as regards the addition of substances and setting limit values; two from the Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) Committee on economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States in the euro area experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability, and on alignment with the EU economic governance framework and further simplification of that framework; as well as from Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) and Fisheries (PECH) committees on empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles – were approved.

This ‘at a glance’ note is intended to review some of the highlights of the plenary part-session, and notably to follow up on key dossiers identified by EPRS. It does not aim to be exhaustive. For more detailed information on specific files, please see other EPRS products, notably our ‘EU legislation in progress’ briefings, and the plenary minutes.

Read this ‘at a glance note’ on ‘Plenary round-up – April 2026‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

On 4 May, the European Parliament officially launched the call for submissions for entries to the sixth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 4 May, the European Parliament officially launched the call for submissions for entries to the sixth edition of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Am 4. Mai gab das Europäische Parlament den Startschuss für Bewerbungen um den in diesem Jahr zum sechsten Mal verliehenen Daphne-Caruana-Galizia-Preis für Journalismus

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

ÄNDERUNGSANTRÄGE - Interim report in view of the consent procedure on the Political, Economic and Cooperation Strategic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Mexico
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Ausschuss für internationalen Handel
Javi López, Borja Giménez Larraz

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

ÄNDERUNGSANTRÄGE 1 - 166 - Entwurf eines Berichts Zwischenbericht über das Zustimmungsverfahren zu dem umfassenden Paket von Abkommen zur Konsolidierung, Vertiefung und Erweiterung der bilateralen Beziehungen zur Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Christophe Grudler

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

On 4 May (15.30–16.30), DG ENEST will engage with the AFET committee on Ukraine's progress on reforms and disbursement of funds under the Ukraine Facility. A day later, on 5 May (10.00–11.30), the members of the AFET Committee will discuss with members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine the situation in Ukraine and the country’s path towards EU accession in the context of Russia’s war of aggression and continued attacks across the country.
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

ENTWURF EINES BERICHTS über den Vorschlag für eine Verordnung des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates zur Einrichtung des Instruments „Europa in der Welt“
Ausschuss für auswärtige Angelegenheiten
Entwicklungsausschuss
Robert Biedroń, Michael Gahler

Quelle : © Europäische Union, 2026 - EP

Next AFET committee meeting will be held on:

Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 May 2026, room ANTALL 2Q2, Brussels

Thursday 7 May 2026, room ANTALL 4Q1, Brussels - extraordinary meeting "in camera"

Vote

• Countering transnational repression - towards an EU strategy to protect Europe's sovereignty and democratic values (2025/2179(INI)
• 2025 Commission report on Georgia (2025/2257(INI))
• 2025 Commission report on Albania (2025/2250(INI))
• 2025 Commission report on Montenegro (2025/2253(INI))
• Amending Decision (EU) 2021/1764 on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other (2025/0264(CNS))
• Measures to facilitate consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union in third countries (2023/0441(CNS))

Meetings are webstreamed with the exception of agenda items held "in camera".

AFET - DROI calendar of meetings 2026
Meeting documents
Webstreaming
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Elisa Spiropali, étoile montante du courant modernisateur et pro-européen du Parti socialiste, défie le Premier ministre Edi Rama dans un message retentissant publié sur les réseaux sociaux. L'ancienne ministre des Affaires étrangères dénonce un parti figé dans l'obéissance au chef, où la peur remplace le débat.

- Articles / Politique, Albanie, Une - Diaporama, Courrier des Balkans, PS Albanie

C'est une catastrophe industrielle pour la Bosnie-Herzégovine. La mise à l'arrêt des Aciéries de Zenica, lâchées en 2025 par ArcelorMittal, menace indirectement 11 000 emplois et fragilise tout le tissu économique du pays. Récit d'une faillite.

- Articles / Courrier des Balkans, Bosnie-Herzégovine, Economie

In einer gemeinsamen Erklärung warnten die Vorsitzenden der Streitkräfteausschüsse im Senat und Kongress der USA, dass dieser Schritt das Risiko berge, „Wladimir Putin ein falsches Signal zu senden“.

Die Anti-Mercosur-Rhetorik war einst von Forderungen nach mehr Klimabewusstsein geprägt. War das alles nur politischer Opportunismus?

La chasse était la grande passion de Tito, et la Yougoslavie socialiste ne tarda pas à s'ouvrir aux chasseurs et aux pêcheurs étrangers, attirés par sa faune sauvage, notamment dans les régions alpines de Slovénie. Retour sur un pan d'histoire peu connu.

- Articles / animaux, Tourisme balkans, Slovénie, Relations régionales, Histoire, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso

On n'est (toujours) pas sérieux quand on a 28 ans. Doyen des sites d'information francophones, né en 1998, Le Courrier des Balkans s'apprête à lancer une nouvelle version de son site Internet. Retour sur 25 ans d'histoire des Balkans. Second épisode.

- Articles / Médias, Courrier des Balkans, Histoire, Kosovo, 25 ans CdB, Gratuit

Deutschlands Verteidigungsminister erklärte am Samstag, der Abzug amerikanischer Truppen aus Deutschland sei zu erwarten gewesen und Europa müsse mehr tun, um seine eigene Sicherheit zu gewährleisten.