One in five under 25 can't find a job within the EU. Parliament wants to use unspent 82 billion euros from structural funds to create new job opportunities in...(read more) Facebook
The EU's trade deficit with China tripled in just 10 years. How do we rebalance? As a first step, Members want to establish a monitoring board to find out to...(read more) Facebook
Some Parliament members are suggesting that European politicians should show Euro 2012 in Ukraine the red card in protest over the treatment of opposition...(read more) Facebook
Strong - but not invulnerable. Despite an impressive 4 metres and 600kg, the blue fin tuna is an endangered species. And why? Overfishing and illegal catches....(read more) Facebook The parliament began the year with the election of a new president, followed by elections for vice-president and quaestors. That was followed Wednesday morning by a debate on the Danish priorities during their 6-months at the helm of the Council and on Wednesday afternoon by a debate on recent controversial developments in Hungary.
MEPs had their first opportunity to have a say on the talks for a new international agreement on reinforced economic union.
Also on the agenda during the 16-19 January plenary session in Strasbourg were rules to improve recycling of electrical waste, safer pest control and a call for measures to cut massive food wastage in the EU.
Read on for more details of what went on.
Start
Newsletter - 16-19 January 2012 - Strasbourg plenary session
Opening: tributes to Gilles Jacquier, Manuel Fraga Iribarne and Václav Havel
Martin Schulz elected President of the European Parliament
14 Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament elected
Alarm bells for talks on closer economic union deal
Danish Presidency - Europe at work in the Parliament
Orbán faces political group leaders in heated debate on Hungary
Better management of e-waste
Stricter controls on pest control products
Parliament calls for urgent measures to halve food wastage in the EU
European space strategy: call for adequate funding