European Union

David Lammy told Euractiv and other outlets that the deal only "begins to arrest the decline" in relations with EU capitals.

Written by Clare Ferguson with Olga Dunderberg.

Members participate in the second plenary session of May this week, with an agenda featuring a number of the current hot topics in Europe, including Council and European Commission statements on the situation in Gaza. The session opens on Wednesday, with Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia, to address Parliament in a formal sitting.

Continued single market fragmentation constrains EU companies’ ability to scale up and compete internationally, and many of the issues remain the same as they were 20 years ago. Following a Commission statement on Wednesday, Members are due to debate the new strategy, which should bring new impetus to the single market. While reaffirming Parliament’s role in the process, Parliament has emphasised Member States must play their part in implementing and enforcing existing single market legislation. It also demands renewed commitment from Member States and other EU institutions to strengthen and further develop the single market, particularly in the services, digital and energy sectors.

As tackling climate change remains an urgent priority, the EU has set stringent rules on greenhouse gas emissions. As the rules make carbon-intensive activities more costly, this leads to a risk that some companies try to increase their profits by moving their carbon-heavy activity outside the EU. To level the playing field for businesses, the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) ensures prices fairly reflect the carbon emitted during production of imported goods such as cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers and electricity. Before it comes into full operation in 2026, the Commission is proposing to simplify the CBAM. On Wednesday, Members are set to debate a report from Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety that largely endorses the Commission proposal to simplify and strengthen the CBAM, pending clarifications on electricity generation and embedded emissions. If approved, the vote will set Parliament’s position for negotiations with the Council on the proposal.

Following Council and Commission statements on Wednesday on ending Europe’s dependency on Russian energy by phasing out imports, Members are due to debate plans to increase the EU’s energy sovereignty. The Commission’s recent roadmap – addressing the security and economic risks of continued reliance on Russian energy – is expected to provide an answer to Parliament’s repeated calls for measures to provide alternatives to imported Russian energy, to abandon Nord Stream 1 and 2, and to secure a reliable supply of medical radioisotopes.

Academic freedom is increasingly coming under attack in many parts of the world. Following Council and Commission statements on attracting scientists, researchers and academics to Europe, particularly to contribute to the development of new, cutting-edge technologies, Members are set to debate the Commission’s ‘Choose Europe for Science‘ initiative on Thursday. Parliament already called for increased Horizon Europe funding for researchers in its resolution on the 2026 budget guidelines

With estimates suggesting that more than 84 million people struggle with mental health problems, mental health issues have a considerable impact on society and the economy across the EU. Parliament strongly supports the promotion of good mental health and its inclusion in EU policymaking. It has called for an EU strategy for mental health and legislation on the use of artificial intelligence at work. Parliament also urged the Commission to propose minimum requirements for telework; legislation on psychosocial risks and wellbeing at work; and a ‘long-term, comprehensive and integrated European mental health strategy’.  On Wednesday afternoon, Members are due to debate EU initiatives to improve mental health at work.

• European Parliament Plenary Session agenda
• Single market strategy
• Russian energy phase-out, Nord Stream and EU energy sovereignty
• Simplifying and strengthening CBAM
• Improving mental health at work
• Choose Europe for Science

Written by Ivana Katsarova.

Pollination is a fundamental process for the survival of our ecosystems and ultimately, of our planet. Nearly 90 % of the world’s wild flowering plant species depend on pollination, along with more than 75 % of the world’s food crops and 35 % of global agricultural land. Without pollination, many interconnected species and processes functioning within the ecosystem would collapse. Not only do pollinators contribute directly to food security, but they are key to conserving biodiversity. There are different pollinator species – such as bees, birds and bats. Most of the over 20 000 species of bees are pollinators, and together with moths, flies, wasps, beetles, and butterflies, they make up the majority of pollinating species. However, close to 35 % of invertebrate pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, face extinction globally. If this trend continues, staple crops like rice, corn and potatoes will increasingly be substituted for nutritious crops, such as fruits, nuts and vegetables, eventually resulting in an imbalanced diet.

Read this infographic on ‘World Bee Day 2025: We all depend on pollinators‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

In today’s edition of The Capitals, read about a Spanish court ordering Airbnb to delist over 65,000 illegal tourist rentals, Borissov highlighting Erdogan ties as key to protecting the EU’s external border, and so much more.

After Sunday’s surprise win, Nicuşor Dan faces no honeymoon – just economic woes, a fragile government, and a populist-packed Parliament.

Borissov said his and Bulgaria’s “good neighbourly relations” with Turkey and ties to President Erdoğan guarantee border security and curb illegal migration.

Slovakia’s government faces backlash after PM Fico and an ally rejected a WHO pandemic accord despite broad support from health minister and president among others.

Poland 2050’s Szymon Hołownia and Third Way partner PSL back Rafał Trzaskowski from PM Tusk’s Civic Platform in 1 June runoff.

Commission sources and EU diplomats say Kostelac often interferes in political matters beyond her job description.

The upswing shocked analysts who predicted a weaker euro would partially soften the impact of Trump's levies.

So far three MEPs have confirmed that the Belgians want Parliament to lift their immunity.

On Monday night, Parliament and Council negotiators reached an agreement on a financial aid package for Egypt worth up to €4 billion in loans.
Committee on International Trade

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On Monday night, Parliament and Council negotiators reached an agreement on a financial aid package for Egypt worth up to €4 billion in loans.
Committee on International Trade

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

"Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War," Trump posted on social media.

None of the deals announced today will winch the once regnant Britannia back up the economic slipway down which she slides.

Parliament and Council have reached an agreement on gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Parliament and Council have reached an agreement on gradually rolling out the Entry-Exit System (EES) at the EU’s external borders.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In short: Probably walk or take your bike if you can do so.

In his campaign manifesto, Romania's new president-elect pledged to “actively participate” in joint EU defence efforts and increase military spending.

Striking "win-win" deals is what "independent, sovereign nations do", said the British prime minister.