European Union

No entry without a Covid pass: those who are not vaccinated, recovered or tested are not allowed to enter restaurants or workplaces. In many European countries, for example Italy, this is already a reality. Supporters hail this as an effective measure against the pandemic while opponents reject it as indirect mandatory vaccination.

In Poland, a strict ban on abortions with only very few exceptions has been in place for a year now. Now a pregnant woman in the town of Pszczyna has died after doctors refused to perform an abortion before the foetus's heart had stopped beating. Women's rights activists have launched new protests and hundreds of candles have been lit outside the Constitutional Tribunal in Warsaw. The press is also shocked.

Sweden's capital region is suffering from a steadily worsening shortage of midwives. On Friday, 26 Stockholm midwives resigned in protest against undignified working conditions and low wages, and more than 100 have resigned so far this year. The provincial government has now signalled its willingness to negotiate. The press also sees urgent need for action.

The passage of an amendment to the proposed Digital Services Act (DSA) has stirred debate between the media sector and those working in anti-disinformation fields.

Plenary session and committee meetings, Brussels

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The delegation of the European Parliament to Taipei on Friday concluded its visit aimed to study Taiwanese experiences in addressing interference and manipulation campaigns.
Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The delegation of the European Parliament to Taipei on Friday concluded its visit aimed to study Taiwanese experiences in addressing interference and manipulation campaigns.
Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Smart EV charging receives little attention in the debate around the energy performance of buildings. However, with a ‘right to plug’, buildings can spearhead the transition towards clean mobility, write Luka De Bruyckere and Jaap Burger.