Press room 

The ongoing talks on a Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), among countries representing 70% of world trade in services, should deliver a deal that eases EU firms' access to international markets but does not force EU, national and local authorities to open up public services to competition, or otherwise restrict their right to regulate in public interest, say MEPs in recommendations approved on Wednesday.

MEPs approved the new college of 27 Commissioners, as presented by its President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday morning, with 423 votes in favour, 209 against and 67 abstentions. The new Commission now needs to be formally appointed by EU heads of state or government to enable it to take up duty on 1 November for a five-year term.

European elections should be fought with formally endorsed, EU-wide lead candidates (“Spitzenkandidaten”) for the Commission presidency, Parliament said on Wednesday in a formal proposal for a change to EU electoral law. It says these candidates should stand for election to the EP themselves, and be formally nominated at least 12 weeks before the elections.

European Parliament endorsed on Wednesday the first set of rules to ensure smooth transition to the future EU farm policy and provide clarity for farmers before new rules kick in.

MEPs urge the Commission to condemn all public acts of discrimination against LGBTI people, notably the development of so-called ‘LGBTI-free zones’ in Poland.

Parliament discussed the COVID-19 outbreak with the Commission and the Croatian presidency on Tuesday, underlining the need to slow down the spread across Europe.

They advocate creating a genuine single market for recycled plastics, and propose measures to tackle marine litter.

For next year’s budget, MEPs have secured better support for students, unemployed youngsters and researchers.

New rules to create a Europe-wide market for electricity that is cleaner, more competitive and better able to cope with risks, were approved by Parliament on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, MEPs acknowledged Ukraine‘s positive reform track, while condemning Russia‘s aggression in the Kerch Strait and the construction of Nord Stream 2.

MEPs voted on Thursday to double the budget of the 2021-2027 Creative Europe programme and to enhance international circulation of works, supporting better mobility for artists.

Plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and vans by 2030, already informally agreed with EU ministers, were approved by MEPs on Wednesday.

Plenary adopted new rules on paternity leave and non-transferable parental leave, in a final vote on Thursday.

For the first time, MEPs endorsed the setting up of a programme devoted to boosting innovation in European defence industry including cyber security on Tuesday.

The post-2020 EU farm policy must be smarter, simpler, fairer and more sustainable, but also well financed and truly common, MEPs say.

To protect European democracy, MEPs establish financial penalties on EU level political organisations that deliberately misuse personal data in European Elections campaigns.

EU ministers should admit Bulgaria and Romania to the border check-free Schengen area as soon as possible, MEPs urge.

MEPs call on the EU and its member states to take measures to tackle the structural racism people of African descent face in Europe.

MEPs adopted in plenary additional measures providing support to EU fishers and aquaculture farmers severely affected by the pandemic.

Two Iranian activists, lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and film director Jafar Panahi, are this year's joint winners of the European Parliament Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. They were chosen by President Schulz and political group leaders on Friday morning.