Sittings

Amending Directive 2009/38/EC as regards the establishment and functioning of European Works Councils and the effective enforcement of transnational information and consultation rights

✦ AI Parliament adopted its position on a proposed law updating the rules on European Works Councils, which inform and consult employees on transnational issues. The position aims to bring older agreements into the directive's scope and to improve enforcement of information and consultation rights. Parliament's position will now be forwarded to the Council, the Commission, and national parliaments.

Jobs, social affairs & equality

New laws · committee report · 1st reading · voted 12:11 · A-10-2024-0029 · 2024/0006

Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration

✦ AI Parliament gave its consent to the EU concluding the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration. The Convention increases public access to documents and hearings in investor-state disputes and lets civil society participate. It applies transparency rules to investment treaties signed before 1 April 2014, covering about 1,200 agreements involving EU member states. Ratification is a first step towards broader reform of investment dispute settlement, including a possible Multilateral Investment Court.

Economy & single marketForeign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Anna Cavazzini · consent procedure · voted 12:21 · A-10-2024-0021 · 2015/0012

Setting up a Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office

✦ AI Parliament set up a special committee on the European Democracy Shield to counter foreign interference, disinformation and threats to democracy in the EU. The committee will examine gaps in EU law and policy, and propose measures to protect democratic processes and citizens from such attacks. It will work with other parliamentary committees and may make recommendations for future action.

EU institutions & ParliamentDefence & securityJustice, rule of law & rights

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 7 ballots · voted 12:15 · B-10-2024-0216 · 2024/2999

Setting up a Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union, and defining its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office

✦ AI Parliament set up a special committee on the housing crisis in the European Union to propose solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing. The committee will map housing needs, analyse policies, assess speculation and short-term rentals, and identify barriers to construction, among other tasks. It will have 33 members and a 12-month term, starting from its constituent meeting, and must present a final report at the end.

EU institutions & ParliamentEconomy & single market

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 17 ballots · voted 12:17 · B-10-2024-0217 · 2024/3000

Appointment of the Chair of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA)

✦ AI Parliament approved the appointment of Ms Bruna Szego as Chair of the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA). The decision follows a hearing with the candidate and an evaluation of her credentials against the requirements of the relevant EU regulation. Parliament will forward this decision to the Council, the Commission, AMLA and the governments of the member states.

Justice, rule of law & rightsEU institutions & Parliament

Resolutions · committee report · A-10-2024-0032 · 2024/0802

Forest reproductive material of the ‘tested’ category

✦ AI The law updates EU rules on importing forest reproductive material, adding the 'tested' category to the existing equivalence regime for third countries. Parliament adopted its position, extending the regime to cover 'tested' material and updating labelling and authority names. The rules apply from 1 January 2025, with the Commission to be informed if its proposal is substantially amended.

Agriculture, food & fisheriesClimate & environmentEconomy & single market

New laws · report by Veronika Vrecionová · 1st reading · 3 ballots · voted 12:58 · A-10-2024-0022 · 2024/0214

Discontinuation of the European ODR Platform

✦ AI The European Parliament approved the Council's position on a regulation that repeals the EU law setting up the European Online Dispute Resolution Platform and amends related consumer protection rules. This means the platform will be discontinued, and the regulation will be adopted as agreed, ending the current system for resolving online disputes through that platform. Parliament instructed its President and Secretary-General to sign the act and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Economy & single marketDigital, AI & data

New laws · committee report · 2nd reading · A-10-2024-0028 · 2023/0375

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2024/002 BE/Limburg machinery and paper – Belgium

✦ AI Parliament approved the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers to support workers made redundant in the machinery and paper sectors in Belgium's Limburg province. The decision releases EU funding for personalised services such as guidance, training, and job-search support for the affected workers. The application follows 681 redundancies at Sappi Lanaken and Purmo Group Belgium, with 632 workers targeted for assistance.

Jobs, social affairs & equalityEU budget & funds

Budget · report by Matjaž Nemec · 3 ballots · voted 12:58 · A-10-2024-0019 · 2024/0286

Electronic value added tax exemption certificate

✦ AI The proposal replaces the paper value added tax exemption certificate with an electronic version for transactions such as diplomatic supplies and NATO forces. Parliament adopted its position approving the Commission proposal, meaning it backs the move to a digital certificate. Parliament asks the Council to notify it if it intends to depart from the approved text and to consult it again on substantial amendments.

Economy & single market

New laws · report by Aurore Lalucq · consultation · voted 11:22 · A-10-2024-0012 · 2024/0152

Faster and Safer Relief of Excess Withholding Taxes

✦ AI Parliament approved the Council's draft directive on faster and safer relief of excess withholding taxes, which introduces a common EU digital tax residence certificate and two fast-track procedures for tax refunds. The directive also sets reporting obligations for financial intermediaries and exempts member states with comprehensive relief-at-source systems and small financial markets from certain requirements. Parliament calls on the Council to notify it if it intends to depart from the approved text and to consult Parliament again if it makes substantial amendments.

Economy & single market

New laws · report by Herbert Dorfmann · consultation · voted 11:23 · A-10-2024-0011 · 2023/0187

Amendment of the EIB’s Statute

✦ AI The European Parliament approved the proposal to amend the Statute of the European Investment Bank (EIB), which aims to remove the statutory lending limit and replace the maximum 250% gearing ratio with a unanimous decision by the Board of Governors. This decision means Parliament supports the change, allowing the EIB's governing bodies full authority over risk and leverage metrics, and it calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it departs from the approved text. Parliament also asks the Council to consult it again if it intends to substantially amend the text, and it will forward its position to the Council, the Commission, the EIB, and national parliaments.

EU institutions & ParliamentEU budget & fundsEconomy & single market

New laws · report by Joachim Streit · consultation · voted 11:27 · A-10-2024-0013 · 2024/0803

EU actions against the Russian shadow fleets and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia

✦ AI Parliament adopted a resolution on EU actions against Russia's shadow fleets and on ensuring full enforcement of sanctions against Russia. The text condemns Russia's use of shadow fleets, which it calls a key financial lifeline for Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. It calls for measures such as a full ban on re-exported Russian refined oil products and stricter inspections of suspicious ships. Parliament also urges member states to take action against companies registered there that enable sanctions circumvention.

Foreign affairsDefence & securityTransport & tourism

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 19 ballots · voted 11:48 · B-10-2024-0166 · 2024/2885

Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

✦ AI Parliament adopted its position on the proposed Council decision setting guidelines for member states' employment policies. The adopted text approves the Commission proposal as amended, meaning the guidelines will reflect Parliament's requested changes. Parliament calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly and asks the Council to notify it if departing from the approved text.

Jobs, social affairs & equality

New laws · committee report · consultation · 19 ballots · voted 13:46 · A-10-2024-0004 · 2024/0599

Urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation

✦ AI Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the Commission to propose a revision of the Medical Devices Regulation and the In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation. The revision should address implementation challenges, consider stakeholders' views, and focus on timely availability of medical technologies, a more predictable system, and less administrative burden for manufacturers. It should also boost sector competitiveness while ensuring high patient safety. Parliament asks that the resolution be forwarded to the Council, the Commission, and member states' governments and parliaments.

Economy & single marketHealth

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 17 ballots · voted 13:52 · B-10-2024-0127 · 2024/2849

Implementation of the Single European Sky (recast)

✦ AI The regulation updates the Single European Sky framework to make air navigation services and network management contribute to climate neutrality. Parliament approved the Council's position, meaning the act is adopted and will be signed into law. It also approves a joint statement inviting the Commission to propose a new budget line for administrative support of the Performance Review Board.

Transport & tourism

New laws · committee report · 2nd reading · A-10-2024-0010 · 2013/0186

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2024/001 BE/Match-Smatch

✦ AI Parliament approved the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers to support former Match-Smatch supermarket employees in Belgium. The decision releases EU funding for tailored measures such as training, business creation support and allowances to help 365 redundant workers back into jobs. Parliament agreed with the Commission that Belgium meets the conditions for the contribution.

Jobs, social affairs & equalityEU budget & funds

Budget · report by Michalis Hadjipantela · 5 ballots · voted 13:11 · A-10-2024-0009 · 2024/0226

The case of Bülent Mumay in Türkiye

✦ AI Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the prison sentence of journalist Bülent Mumay in Türkiye and the harassment of independent media and journalists. It calls on Turkish authorities to end repression, release arbitrarily detained people, and ensure judicial independence and press freedom. Parliament also urges the Council to make Türkiye's rule of law and fundamental rights obligations an integral part of EU-Türkiye relations.

Foreign affairsJustice, rule of law & rights

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 11 ballots · voted 13:22 · B-10-2024-0095 · 2024/2856