European Union

In today’s edition: NATO allies meet to address Russian airspace violations, an internal rift emerges in the Commission over new Israel sanctions, EU capitals push to dilute the AI Act mid-rollout, and the EU palms off the Green Deal with an Indonesia pact

Call for sovereign AI by the EPSU public servants' union also presses the Commission to give workers a say in how workplaces are digitised, per letter seen by Euractiv

Pharmacists across Europe "have taken on more responsibility since our last studies five years ago,” said PGEU President Clare Fitzell

Slovakia’s ruling coalition faces mounting pressure as parliament prepares to vote on a sweeping austerity package, triggering rare unity between unions and employers and fuelling fresh street protests

A nationwide strike over Gaza sparked major disruption across Italy, with blocked ports, halted trains, and clashes in several cities—fuelled by anger over arms exports, war spending, and labour conditions

As Poland moves to tighten residency rules for Ukrainian refugees, Kyiv is preparing for a possible surge in returns, with officials stressing the urgent need for a social support system at home

Boosting demand and investment is key, Eurelectric warns

With millions exposed to so-called “forever chemicals,” campaigners fear EU governments will weaken long-overdue water pollution rules instead of strengthening them

EPP MEP Köhler confident majority will back rejection of forest law

Germany’s decades-long energy transition faces mounting political and economic pressure, as soaring costs, falling demand, and grid bottlenecks fuel calls to abandon the once-celebrated Energiewende model

New composition of the Chambers of the General Court of the European Union

Written by Clément Evroux.

CONTEXT

On 25 June 2025, the Commission published a proposal for a regulation on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities in the European Union (EU) (‘the EU space act’). A majority of Member States have already adopted or are considering adopting legislation on space activities. The regulation’s relevance was highlighted by Mario Draghi’s report on the future of European competitiveness, which explained the role of space systems and services in supporting the EU’s sovereignty and economy.

Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – TFEU (internal market) is the legal basis of the proposed regulation. It aims to create a single market for space activities, grounded on common safety, sustainability and resilience rules, which should apply in principle to any space operator providing space services in the EU. The proposal is expected to lay down rules on: the authorisation, registration and supervision of space activities and services carried out by space service providers; orbit traffic management; and the establishment of an EU space label. On resilience, the proposed regulation is expected to complement Directive (EU)2022/2555 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the EU, and Directive (EU) 2022/2557 on the resilience of critical entities. In the Parliament, the file has been referred to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), which has appointed Elena Donazzan (ECR, Italy) as rapporteur. In the Council, the working party on space has started examining the proposal.

LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL

2025/0335(COD) – Proposal for a regulation on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities in the Union – COM(2025) 335, 25 June 2025

NEXT STEPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For the latest developments in this legislative procedure, see the Legislative Train Schedule: 2025/0335(COD) EU space law

Read the complete briefing on ‘EU space act‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Length of video : 105'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

A delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), led by MEP Matjaž Nemec (S&D, SI) traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 16 to 18 September 2025. This was the first official visit of the AFET Committee to the Western Balkans in the 10th legislative term.
The visit aimed to underline the Committee's commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina's European integration, grounded in unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity. Members discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress, and the further reforms needed to advance in its accession path towards the EU.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

A delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), led by Chair David McAllister, traveled to Ottawa and Toronto from 16 to 18 September 2025. This was the AFET Committee's first official visit to Canada under the European Parliament's current mandate and after the 2025 Canadian federal elections.
During the trip, Members discussed how to further strengthen the EU's strategic partnership with Canada, reinforce the shared commitment to supporting Ukraine, and jointly address challenges such as the situation in the Middle East, China's growing global influence and geopolitical competition in the Arctic. Insights gathered from the visit will inform the Committee's ongoing work on the Recommendation on enhanced EU-Canada cooperation in the light of the current geopolitical context.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

A delegation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), led by Chair David McAllister, traveled to Bern, Switzerland from 11 to 12 September 2025. During the visit, Members discussed notably the new broad package of agreements that aim to consolidate, deepen and expand the bilateral relations between the EU and Switzerland.
Political agreement on this broad package has been reached in December 2024. In Bern, Members had the opportunity to exchange with representatives of the government and parliament on the upcoming ratification processes on both sides.
Location : Switzerland
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 60'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Written by Steven Blaakman.

Although euthanasia and assisted dying remain highly controversial in large parts of the globe, an increasing number of countries have legislation on it in place or are considering doing so. This is due to changing attitudes, advancements in medical technology and an ageing population.

Several EU countries are at the forefront of these legal changes; at the same time, each of them has come up with its own solutions for addressing challenges such as how to avoid abuse.

Neither EU law nor the European Convention on Human Rights contain provisions precluding EU countries from legislating on euthanasia. In response to questions from Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission has made it clear the EU is not competent to deal with the issue in any way.

Four EU countries – Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – have legislation in force that allows euthanasia to be administered by a physician. Germany, Italy and Austria allow assisted suicide only.

The Netherlands and Belgium, the two EU countries that were the first to allow euthanasia, have seen an increasing number of people apply for euthanasia over the years, with studies showing no sign of the legislation leading to any abuse.

In addition, several EU countries are working on legislation on euthanasia or assisted dying. These include: Ireland, France, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia. The Portuguese parliament adopted relevant legislation back in 2023; however, owing to vetoes by the Portuguese president and rulings by the country’s constitutional court, it has still not entered into force.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Euthanasia legislation in the EU‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

On Tuesday, Parliament’s political groups will present their candidates for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2025.
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Development
Subcommittee on Human Rights

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Tuesday, Parliament’s political groups will present their candidates for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2025.
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Development
Subcommittee on Human Rights

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP