This press kit is a compilation of recent press releases, prepared for the informal European Council on 23 May, setting out the European Parliament's work and positions regarding growth and jobs .

Almost half of the Europeans surveyed think that combining public spending cuts with measures to boost economic growth is the best way to end the current economic crisis, says the latest European Parliament Eurobarometer poll. Over half (55%), say these measures should be coordinated among Member States. Most Europeans also say that financial help for Member States in difficulty must be conditional on compliance with common rules (80%).

Na abertura da sessão plenária de Estrasburgo, os eurodeputados deploraram o bombardeamento brutal de uma escola em Brindisi e manifestaram a sua solidariedade com as vítimas e as suas famílias. O plenário prestou igualmente tributo às vítimas do sismo de Emilia-Romagna.

Parliament decided on Thursday not to defend the immunity of Corneliu Vadim Tudor (NA, RO), who had asked that it be upheld in connection with proceedings before Romania's High Court of Cassation.

Martin Schulz abriu a sessão plenária de Bruxelas condenando a escalada de violência contra ativistas dos direitos humanos no Barém e no Egito. Em seguida, o Parlamento Europeu prestou homenagem ao eurodeputado português Miguel Portas, falecido no dia 24 de abril de 2012. "Os nossos pensamentos estão com a sua família e com os seus amigos ", disse Schulz.

The European Parliament's current President, Jerzy Buzek, is soon to hand over the reins to his successor, who will be chosen by the full body of MEPs at the Strasbourg plenary session in January 2012. This mid-way point between the European elections of 2009 and 2014 gives an opportunity to review some of the main legislation adopted by MEPs over the last two and a half years.

The European Parliament will mark this year's anniversary of the Schumann Declaration by opening its doors to citizens and offering them many activities that provide behind-the-scenes insights into Parliament's activities.

Raising the retirement age of EU staff, cutting the costs of their salaries and pension adjustment method and reducing their paid travelling time are among proposals, approved by the Legal Affairs Committee on Wednesday, to make substantial savings on EU administration costs. The committee also agreed on a series of provisions to improve efficiency and prevent conflicts of interest.

O Presidente Martin Schulz deu as boas-vindas aos 12 observadores croatas que irão começar a participar nas reuniões dos grupos políticos e das comissões parlamentares, no âmbito dos preparativos da adesão da Croácia à União Europeia. Referindo-se ao interesse da Croácia na adesão, Schulz afirmou que o mesmo é um sinal de que, "apesar da crise económica, a União Europeia continua o seu processo de integração".

The European Citizens' Initiative regulation, which takes effect on 1 April, empowers European Union (EU) citizens to work together across borders to play a direct part in shaping democratic decisions. It is the world's only transnational tool of direct democracy.