European Union

Belgium's prime minister has a penchant for colourful analogies to portray his predicament. But who's the good guy in the pursuit of this golden goose?

Andriy Yermak, a key aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, resigned on Friday after his office was searched by the country’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). Yermak is suspected of using his position as head of Zelenskyy’s office to have law enforcement pursue NABU investigators and those prosecuting anti-corruption cases. Considered Zelenskyy’s closest adviser, Yermak  was […]

Si l’initiative de la Jeunesse socialiste termine sous la barre des 30%, cela compliquerait toute discussion sur une future imposition des successions.

While the government wants to establish a clear definition before tightening regulations, NGOs are denouncing a lack of political courage

Sollen die Schweiz und Österreich eine gemeinsame Luftwaffe aufbauen? Das findet die SP. In der Schweiz bleibt die Idee unbeachtet, von gewöhnlichen Bürgern aus dem Nachbarland kommen aber nette Worte über die Schweiz. Die eigene Regierung kommt deutlich schlechter weg.

European countries have agreed on a maximum level of seabed litter permissible in EU territorial waters, with the new cap intended to help the bloc in a long-running fight against marine pollution. No more than one item per 1,000 square meters will be permitted in areas under visual monitoring, according to an agreement reached on […]

Le Conseil fédéral lance un groupe de travail interdépartemental pour contrer les campagnes de manipulation menées par certains États.

Hungary claims the Council’s text would expand EU authority over the news media sector

“Germany and France bear a special responsibility,” the lawmakers state in the draft seen by Euractiv

Policymakers have already called for more coordinated action at the EU level

The Council agreed its negotiating mandate on two regulations to implement the EU-US Joint Statement, eliminating or reducing import tariffs on certain US goods.

The Council has approved conclusions stressing the need to safeguard and promote culture in all its forms and Europe’s cultural heritage as crucial factors in building and maintaining democratic resilience.

“Most” countries stressed that education and personal development should be the main focus, according to a council report

Committee meetings

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

The key moments of the November II 2025 plenary session included the adoption of the 2026 EU budget and a debate on the EU position on the proposed plan and EU engagement towards a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Members also debated statements on the EU response to Russian and Belarusian violations of EU airspace and infrastructure sabotage and on tackling China’s export restrictions. Members debated Parliament’s statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and exchanged views with the Commission on the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil (COP30). Further debates were held on the Democracy Shield, the digital package, sustainable aviation and maritime fuel, citizens’ right to make cash payments, and fishing opportunities for 2026. Debates were also held on the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process marking its development into today’s Pact for the Mediterranean, the war in Sudan, and the political situation in Myanmar.

2026 EU budget

Parliament’s negotiators reached a provisional agreement on next year’s budget on 15 November, which reflects Parliament’s priorities, particularly increased funding for competitiveness, research and defence initiatives. The budget for the year sets commitment appropriations at €192.77 billion and payments at €190.1 billion. Following the Council’s approval, Members considered and adopted the agreed text. The vote on the 2026 EU budget concludes the budgetary procedure for 2026, and enabled Parliament’s President to sign the budget into law immediately.

European defence industry programme (EDIP)

Seeking to strengthen Europe’s defence industry, and guarantee reliable access to defence equipment when needed, Members debated and adopted a provisional agreement reached with the Council on the European defence industry programme (EDIP). The negotiators succeeded in maintaining the €1.5 billion budget for 2025 to 2027, including €300 million to support Ukraine. The agreement on EDIP also sets a 35 % limit on non-EU components, and excludes suppliers who pose a risk to EU security, a key Parliament priority.

Defence of democracy package

Members debated and adopted two reports from the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) on new lobbying rules, including a proposed directive setting harmonised transparency requirements, as part of a package aimed at tackling covert foreign influence. The vote sets Parliament’s position for negotiations on addressing third-country interference in democratic processes.

Stronger role for Europol to fight migrant smuggling and human trafficking

Migrant smugglers are responsible for over 90 % of irregular external EU border crossings. And migrants smuggled this way are at higher risk of falling victim to trafficking in human beings. Members debated and adopted an agreement reached with the Council on a proposal to strengthen Europol’s role in combating migrant smuggling and trafficking. The agreement would establish a permanent European Centre against Migrant Smuggling within Europol. It also introduces greater information-sharing in immigration operations and strengthens biometric data processing capabilities through additional staff and funding.

InvestEU

Members debated and adopted an agreement reached between the Committees on Budgets (BUDG) and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) negotiators and the Council to amend and simplify the InvestEU Regulation. The changes would mobilise a further €55 billion in investment through InvestEU, the EU’s public-private risk-sharing instrument, supporting greater competitiveness and innovation.

Toy safety regulation

Parliament adopted an interinstitutional agreement at second reading on the proposed new toy safety regulation. Following negotiations between the co-legislators, the revised proposal strengthens customs checks on imported toys and requires that safety assessments of digitally connected toys consider risks to children, including their mental health. It also bans additional harmful chemicals in toys.

EU strategy and cooperation in the Arctic

Competition between global powers for influence in the Arctic region is contributing to a growing sense of instability. Members debated and adopted a report from Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), calling for a security-oriented strategy in the Arctic. The report recommends deeper partnerships with Arctic countries – and supports future EU enlargement prospects and increased EU funding for the region.

Digital safety for minors

Parliament debated and adopted an IMCO report, recommending measures to address the growing problem of children bypassing uneven age-verification in the EU to access adult content online. The own-initiative report on digital safety for minors warns of the risks of addiction, mental health problems and exposure to illegal content, and calls for stronger enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA), for the expected digital fairness act to close legislative gaps in online child safety, and for an EU-wide digital age limit.

European disabilities strategy

People with disabilities still face disadvantages in income, access to jobs, inclusive education, housing and healthcare. Parliament debated and adopted a report from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, aimed at addressing these disadvantages in the remaining years of the European disability strategy. The report also highlights the situation of women and girls with disabilities, who face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and violence.

Subsidiarity, proportionality and the role of national parliaments in the EU

The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, which ensure the EU only acts where appropriate and where national governments cannot, is fundamental to the EU legislative process. Members adopted a report from the Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) calling for improved definition and application of subsidiarity and proportionality and extending the deadline for national parliaments in the Member States to engage in the EU legislative process.

Read this ‘at a glance note’ on ‘Plenary round-up – November II 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Talks with Canada are ongoing, and look more promising, suggests the European Commission

The Council also backed a proposal to allow duty-free imports of US lobster, following the expiration of the previous arrangement in July

The EU continues to spearhead efforts to keep Russia off the board. The outcome comes against the backdrop of intense negotiations over a peace plan for Ukraine

A leaked document shows Paris preparing a policy shift long deemed too dangerous, with new teams set to patrol the coast

Prime Minister Bart De Wever has denounced the scheme as “fundamentally wrong” and urged the EU to support Kyiv by using the headroom in the bloc’s long-term budget