The CONT Committee organised a conference to mark the 50th anniversary of the Budgetary Treaty of Brussels. The event, held on 24 September 2025, reflected on the history and evolution of the Treaty, highlighting key developments over the past 50 years (1975-2025). It also examined the future challenges of parliamentary scrutiny and budgetary control. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This briefing provides a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in the current 10th parliamentary term (2024-2029) who had held public office at local, regional and/or national level before taking up their mandates (or, in some cases, continue to hold sub-national level public posts). The analysis found that 64 % of MEPs had previously held public office at one or more of these levels before the current term. Their roles included mayors, city councillors, members of regional assemblies, regional ministers, members of national parliaments, national ministers and prime ministers. Specifically, 41 % of MEPs had held office at national level, 37 % at local level and 24 % at regional level. Notably, 23 % had served at two levels of government and 7 % at all three. The average duration of prior experience in these roles is significant: 10 years at local level, 7 years and 8 months at regional level, and 8 years and 5 months at national level. These figures are broadly consistent with those from the 9th parliamentary term (2019-2024), both in the proportion of MEPs with prior office-holding experience and the duration of that experience, which suggests continuity in Parliament's institutional profile. In terms of gender patterns, a higher share of male than female MEPs had held office across all three levels. The gap was relatively small at local and regional level but wider at national level, where 44 % of men had prior experience compared with 35 % of women. Finally, the briefing examines how the share of MEPs with prior office-holding experience varies across parliamentary committees – in which they serve as full members – highlighting variations by policy area and level of government. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Union controls the export of dual-use items and technologies that can be utilised for both civilian and military purposes. This stems from international obligations to counter the proliferation of items with potential military use. Entities planning to export these items need to obtain authorisation. These controls are administered and enforced at Member State level. Current Regulation (EU) 2021/821 sets common rules on the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. Annex I to the regulation, based on internationally agreed controls, lists the dual-use items requiring export authorisation. The Commission periodically amends the list of dual-use items through a simplified delegated regulation. Apart from this annex, which is binding in all EU Member States, the Commission publishes two other lists of export control measures to be taken by Member States. This parallel system means that the EU lacks a uniform, timely and effective control framework, required more than ever during these times of war on Europe's borders. At the same time, evidence shows that Western dual-use items are still feeding Russia's war machine, and the aggressor is hampering expansion of the scope of multilateral non-proliferation agreements. These factors led the Commission to include in its 2025 Annex I update items Russia prevents from being controlled multilaterally. Many experts consider this move an indication that the EU is consolidating powers in export controls to overcome this obstruction. The European Parliament has until 8 November 2025 to raise any objections to the new annex. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

State of play - 10th legislative term, as of October 2025 This document provides an overview of the European Parliament’s committee-level Economic Dialogues with other institutions of the European Union under the European Semester for economic policy coordination. It also lists the Recovery and Resilience Dialogues with the European Commission as undertaken by the competent committee(s) since the start of the current legislative term in June 2024, and includes an overview of the respective legal bases. During the 10th legislative term, the competent committees have so far held 5 Recovery and Resilience Dialogues and 3 Economic Dialogues with the European Commission, 3 Economic Dialogues with the Council, and 1 Economic Dialogue with the Eurogroup. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This study reviews the current framework to protect democracy in the EU in view of the forthcoming European Democracy Shield. It provides a comprehensive map of the existing instruments, while identifying and assessing outstanding policy challenges, regulatory gaps and implementation issues. The study also formulates recommendations to strengthen democratic resilience. The study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Justice, Civil Liberties and Institutional Affairs at the request of the EUDS Special Committee Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

To raise awareness of the many forms of trafficking in human beings and to boost efforts to address them, the European Union has set 18 October as EU Anti-trafficking Day. Marking the day is an opportunity to highlight the European Parliament's call to step up action against trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, which is now broadly recognised as a significant problem across the EU, affecting both EU and non-EU citizens. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

As part of the EU's long-term budget for the 2028-2034 period, the European Commission did not present a separate fund to support the common fisheries policy (CFP). Instead, as part of a redesign of the EU's long-term budget, support for fisheries, aquaculture and ocean-related activities would be integrated into a single, larger fund that also covers other areas, such as cohesion and agriculture. Consequently, rather than launching a legislative proposal to establish the successor to the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) of the 2021-2027 programming period, the Commission published a shorter, sectoral proposal outlining specific conditions for funding in support of the CFP, the ocean pact and the EU's maritime and aquaculture policy. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan (EBCP) was establised in 2021 to put Europe’s ambition on cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for patients and survivors into practice. It consists of ten flagship initiatives, each supported by EU-funded projects, most of which have already concluded. The EBCP has established important foundations by creating networks, mapping inequalities, and investing in knowledge centres. These achievements now provide a basis to advance cancer research, improve care delivery, and make better use of existing tools. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Increased political polarisation has led to a proliferation of attacks against elected representatives, political candidates and party members. Verbal abuse and insults, harassment, threats and intimidation, as well as smear campaigns against politicians, occur regularly both online and offline, marking a serious degradation in the quality of political debate in the EU. During the 2024 European elections campaign, there were serious incidents in several countries. Nevertheless, acts of physical violence remain isolated and less frequent in the EU than in many other parts of the world. Violence is a risk to which politicians have always been exposed, including in democratic regimes. Organised crime and radicalised individuals or groups resort to violence to promote their political or economic agendas. EU countries have been unevenly affected; violence linked to organised crime has particularly affected certain regions, especially southern Italy, where it has proven difficult to eradicate. By contrast, violence driven by political radicalisation is a more recent phenomenon and increasingly affects all EU countries – albeit to varying degrees – and tends to flare up during periods of heightened tension, such as election campaigns and large-scale public protests. The impact on political debate, free exchange of opinions and compromise-building is profoundly negative. Violence and intimidation pressure politicians to self-censor when addressing politically sensitive issues and, in some cases, to step out of politics altogether. To counter this, several EU countries have adopted preventive and protective measures, including regular data collection. Examples include classifying offences against elected representatives as aggravated offences, simplifying reporting, and providing training, counselling and emergency assistance. Parliaments have also promoted civility and mutual respect in debates through codes of conduct and have established support services such as legal aid, psychological counselling and security assistance. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Commission's interim evaluation of the current (2021 2027) European Solidarity Corps programme affirms the programme's success in fostering youth engagement, social cohesion and solidarity across Europe. The evaluation confirms that the programme effectively promotes inclusion, diversity and democratic participation while strengthening European identity and values. However, it also finds that the programme lacks sufficient funds. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Housing affordability problems are widespread across the European Union. This in-depth analysis explains how different groups experience these problems in different ways, focusing on younger people, households with children and older people. It does so using a framework mapping housing affordability problems in terms of housing exclusion, housing insecurity, problematic housing costs and housing inadequacy. It critically discusses how demand and supply oriented housing policies, as well as non-housing policies, can address these problems. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 19 November 2023, Javier Milei, the self-proclaimed 'anarcho-capitalist' and founder of the La Libertad Avanza party (LLA), won the presidential runoff with a campaign promising to radically reduce the Argentine state debt and reverse the country's persistent structural economic problems. Following his assumption of the presidency on 10 December 2023, Milei has implemented the most ambitious austerity and deregulation programme Argentina has seen this century. At the end of the first half of his term there have been impressive successes on the macroeconomic side (reducing inflation, consolidating the state budget and economic recovery). However, the measures have also had severe social implications. Almost two years after Milei's election victory, the midterm legislative elections taking place on 26 October 2025 are an important litmus test on the acceptance of his radical reform programme and his possible re-election in 2027. The question is whether Milei's LLA party can increase its seats in the bicameral Congress, where it will have to negotiate with the opposition on the implementation of further structural reforms. From the EU perspective, Argentina is particularly important as it is one of the four founding members of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) with which the EU is aiming to conclude the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA). Moreover, Argentina holds vast reserves of critical raw materials which are key for the clean transition of the EU economy and for the EU's strategic autonomy. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

At more than one in five, the number of children at risk of poverty in the European Union (EU) remains high. This year's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty presents an opportunity to take stock of what the EU is doing to fight child poverty. Even though legal competence for child policy remains primarily with the Member States, the fight against child poverty is a major EU priority. The European strategy on the rights of the child now reflects the EU's increasing willingness to tackle child poverty, while the use of European funds is key to success. This is a further update of a publication originally from November 2019. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Union (EU) has developed a complex architecture of information systems to support its policies on external borders, migration management and internal security. In response to recent migration and security challenges, the EU has sought to expand and upgrade its existing information systems on borders and security, and establish new systems and ensure their interconnection (interoperability). The underlying policy goal has been to 'close information gaps' on third-country nationals arriving or staying in the EU, to combat irregular migration and counter security threats more effectively. While the legislative work of updating and expanding EU-wide information systems for borders and security has been swift, the implementation of changes has been more challenging. Following the launch of the revised Schengen information system in March 2023, the new entry/exit system started operations on 12 October 2025. The European travel information and authorisation system (ETIAS) will follow at the end of 2026. This briefing provides an overview of EU-wide information systems for border management and security. It discusses recent developments and presents, where available, key figures on the operation of these systems. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The ‘common market organisation’ (CMO) Regulation introduces changes to rules governing the common market organisation in agricultural products (including the rules on wine), the EU quality schemes (geographical indications) and the support measures for remote regions. The aim is to equip agricultural markets with support measures to face new challenges, update provisions, simplify procedures and ensure consistency with other regulations under the common agricultural policy (CAP). Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The economic and monetary union (EMU) is the result of economic integration in the EU. A common currency, the euro, has been introduced in the euro area, which currently comprises 20 EU Member States. All EU Member States – with the exception of Denmark – must adopt the euro once they fulfil the convergence criteria. A single monetary policy is set by the Eurosystem, comprising the European Central Bank’s Executive Board and the governors of the central banks of the euro area. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The ‘Horizontal’ Regulation on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy (CAP) provides the legislative framework for adapting the financing, management and monitoring rules of the CAP to its new delivery model. It seeks to achieve more subsidiarity and simplification, with greater responsibility given to Member States, showing a shift from ensuring compliance to monitoring performance and reduced administrative burdens for the Member States. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Union provides farmers with income support or ‘direct payments’ to function as a safety net and make farming more profitable, guarantee food security in Europe, assist them in the production of safe, healthy and affordable food and reward farmers for delivering public goods not normally paid for by markets. They are managed jointly by the Commission and the Member States through a number of schemes. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

A surge in autocratic governance has become increasingly threatening to global politics, having gathered momentum over the past two decades. This autocratic wave continues to evolve, becoming ever more complex and diverse as it unfolds. Hence, the shifting dynamics driving this wave need to be fully understood and disaggregated if the European Union (EU) is to design effective responses. Democratic strategy needs not only to hold at bay severe repression, but also to engage with the ideas and narratives that underpin autocracy’s apparent appeal. Accordingly, this paper draws on historical and contemporary writings that present various arguments against democracy. After unpacking the different components of this autocratic wave, EU responses over recent years are assessed, looking at how these relate to pro-authoritarian narratives. It finds that the EU has improved many elements of its policies during this time but still needs to tailor its strategies to the ideational aspects of anti-democratic trends. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted both the need for a resilient healthcare system and for quick access to inventions and technologies in challenging situations. Following this experience, EU lawmakers negotiated a compulsory licensing scheme intended to facilitate rapid use of patents while preserving strong patent protection as an incentive to innovate. Views on the original European Commission proposal diverged. Civil society organisations supported broad application of the compulsory licensing scheme, while industry advocated a narrow scope. Stakeholder positions diverged more sharply than those of the co-legislators. Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on 21 May 2025, largely amending the Commission proposal in favour of rights-holders. The compromise would: (i) exclude semiconductor crises, emergencies relating to gas supply security and defence-related products from the regulationʹs scope; (ii) preserve confidentiality of protected know-how; (iii) significantly lower the maximum fines and penalties the Commission may impose on licensees for non-compliance, and remove rights holders from the sanctions regime entirely. By consensus, the co-legislators rejected the Commission's proposal to cap licensing fees. In line with the Parliamentʹs position, the competent advisory body must invite an observer from the European Parliament to relevant meetings. Fourth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This study serves as an evidence base to support policy discussions and contributes to a future revision of the Combined Transport Directive. It identifies and analyses a subset of the network of intermodal freight terminals across the European Union, offering insights into their location, served transport modes, physical area, handling capacity (in TEUs), loading equipment, and additional services provided. The report includes selected case studies that illustrate targeted actions aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of terminal operations. Furthermore, it maps the main connections between inland and port-based terminals and key European seaports. A dedicated analysis is also presented on the average distances travelled to and from intermodal terminals in four selected EU Member States, providing context on logistical patterns and accessibility. Together, these findings lay the groundwork for informed policy development with a view to incentive the expansion of the EU’s multimodal freight transport framework. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Nearly all forms of serious and organised crime have a digital footprint and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted fraud is a growing threat. Thanks to generative AI, fraudsters can replicate voices and create deepfake video calls and synthetic identities. Deepfake voice scams are escalating rapidly, posing a serious threat to both individuals and businesses, as well as legislative frameworks worldwide. Protecting against these threats requires a multi-layered approach using proactive and reactive measures including technology, legislation and increased AI literacy and awareness, among other things. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Japan's culture of national resilience is one of the most advanced in the world. The UN-backed definition of preparedness was adopted in 2017 in Japan, a country highly exposed to natural hazards, under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). Through national resilience, the country aims to prevent human loss by any means, avoid fatal damage to important functions for maintaining administration as well as social and economic systems, mitigate damage to private property and public facilities, and achieve swift recovery and reconstruction. The COVID-19 pandemic made Japan an early mover in the implementation of economic security policies, including reducing the dependence of its supply chains on China. Japan appointed the world's first minister for economic security and adopted legislation to protect the country from coercion by others through economic dependency. Japan's initiatives also made it a leader in global green supply chains. The adoption of three main documents in December 2022 helped Japan reshape its approach to national security and defence and become better equipped to face the current complex geopolitical environment. In March 2025, the European Commission launched the preparedness union strategy. The EU and Japan are increasing cooperation in several aspects related to preparedness and resilience, including in economic security, cybersecurity and foreign information manipulation. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The health workforce crisis in the European UnionThis paper provides a synthesis of high-level recommendations and guidance for developing a HCWF crisis strategy, introducing a complex set of measurements that consider the needs of both health systems and individual HCWs, as well as interventions on different levels of governance and in different sectors. The EU has several tools at hand to promote these efforts, and is supporting EU projects that analyse the issue and contribute new knowledge. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 1 March 2023, as part of the road safety package, the European Commission published a legislative proposal to help ensure EU-wide application of driving disqualifications. The proposal calls for increased cooperation, harmonisation of legislation, simplification of information exchange, capacity-building, and improved public awareness efforts. In order to prevent impunity due to a lack of legislation, the proposal sets out rules to allow better EU-wide enforcement of driver disqualification decisions when drivers commit major traffic offences outside their own country. In the European Parliament, the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) is responsible for the file. The TRAN committee adopted its report on 29 November 2023. Interinstitutional negotiations started in October 2024, and a provisional agreement was found on 25 March 2025. On 14 May 2025, the TRAN committee endorsed the text agreed in negotiations with the Council's representatives. Fifth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 1 March 2023, the European Commission published its legislative proposal on driving licences – a matter of EU competence – to facilitate the free movement of persons and goods throughout the EU by modernising the driving licence system. This involves future-proofing the driving licence rules, improving road safety and simplifying the rules for those wanting to get a driving licence. The proposal provides for accompanied driving for young learners, zero tolerance for drink-driving, better preparation for micro-mobility, and the introduction of digital driving licences. In the European Parliament, the legislative file was assigned to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The TRAN committee report was adopted on 7 December 2023. Trilogue negotiations started in October 2024, and a provisional agreement was reached on 25 March 2025. Parliament now needs to confirm this in plenary. Fifth edition of this briefing, the first edition of which was drafted by Karin Smit Jacobs. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The purpose of World Mental Health Day is to improve knowledge, raise awareness and mobilise efforts in support of mental health around the world. This year's theme – 'Mental health in humanitarian emergencies' – highlights the challenges of providing mental healthcare during large-scale emergencies. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Towns and cities are home to nearly three quarters of the EU's population. Many EU cities and urban areas constitute vibrant spaces of economic growth and innovation. However, they also face multiple challenges, such as building inclusive societies, tackling inequalities, addressing climate change and environmental degradation, and dealing with housing issues and demographic challenges. Cities are at the forefront of implementing EU legislation in several policy areas, including cohesion, and have been demanding a stronger role in shaping these policies and greater access to EU financial resources. Cohesion policy has a strong urban dimension. Its support for sustainable urban development was reinforced in the current 2021-2027 programming period to help cities take an active role in designing and implementing policy responses to their own challenges. Cohesion funds invest more than €100 billion in towns and cities. For their part, cities are directly responsible for designing and implementing investments worth over €24 billion under the cohesion policy programmes. The emergence of the Urban Agenda for the EU in 2016 and the beginning of participatory partnerships raised new expectations about the role of urban authorities in the EU decision-making process. The Pact of Amsterdam provided for urban partnerships focusing on key urban themes such as air quality, urban poverty and housing. However, progress in empowering cities within cohesion policy has been limited. Stakeholders evaluating the progress of the Urban Agenda for the EU highlight issues such as limited EU resources channelled to tackling urban issues, obstacles in achieving direct EU funding, a lack of effective long-term urban governance mechanisms in EU policymaking, and limited input of urban areas into EU policies. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The European Defence Fund (EDF), launched in 2021, has become a central instrument in promoting joint defence research and capability development, defence innovation and cross-border industrial cooperation. Over 160 collaborative projects have been launched within the framework of the EDF, in which over 1 300 entities across 26 Member States (all except Malta) as well as Norway participate. The June 2025 interim evaluation confirms that the Fund has helped reduce duplication, enhanced SME participation, and stimulated pan-European cooperation, but warns that, without procedural simplification, stable co-financing and closer integration with national planning, its long-term potential risks being undercut. The Commission has also called for a substantial EDF funding increase in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework. The European Parliament underscores the EDF's vital contribution to capability development, innovation and technological sovereignty. It consistently calls for increased funding, stronger parliamentary oversight and closer alignment with instruments such as permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) and the coordinated annual review on defence (CARD). Parliament stresses the need for faster, more flexible procedures and insists that EDF-supported projects must reflect jointly defined military priorities to deliver real strategic impact. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

EU Member States' defence expenditure rose significantly between 2021 and 2024. The EU has introduced several initiatives to complement national efforts in order to boost defence spending and collaboration. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This infographic provides insight into the economic performance of Ukraine compared with the European Union (EU) and examines the trade dynamics between them. In 2024, Ukraine experienced an economic growth rate of 3.5%, while the EU-27 recorded a growth rate of only 1.1%. Both regions continue to see declining inflation rates. However, increasing exchange rate of the Ukrainian hryvnia reveals a weakening currency, alongside a rise in the country's public net debt, which has climbed to 89.8%. The EU-27 is Ukraine's primary trading partner, accounting for 53.6% of its trade share, with Poland being the leading country with trade value €17.8 billion. In 2024, while overall EU exports are on the rise, imports from Ukraine to the EU are experiencing a declining trend. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Although microelectronics have a significant role in modern life, their low visibility and complex value chain have contributed to concealing a decline in EU industry in the field. It is broadly assumed that microelectronics are designed in California and manufactured in Taiwan. What if the EU could take a particularly strategic position in this technology? Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 9 September 2025, the European Commission presented its latest strategic foresight report – 'Resilience 2.0: empowering the EU to thrive amid turbulence and uncertainty' – the first such report of the second von der Leyen Commission. Building on established trends, it provides updates on global and EU-specific challenges. The four EU-specific challenges outlined in the report require balancing competitiveness and strategic autonomy, technological innovation and appropriate safeguards, sustained well-being and adaptation to demographic and climate change, and democracy and algorithm-based use of (social) media. Addressing these challenges arguably requires a transformative, proactive and forward-looking approach to resilience, called 'resilience 2.0'. The report identifies eight areas of action for increased EU resilience: global vision, amplified security, enhanced technology and research, economic resilience, sustainable and inclusive well-being, a new perspective on education, strengthened democracy, and intergenerational fairness. These areas echo the political guidelines of the second von der Leyen Commission and the European Council Strategic Agenda, and read more like a political agenda or a set of intentions than a foresight analysis. The European Economic and Social Committee is to draft an opinion on the report, while the European Parliament and the Council do not typically take positions on such reports. However, Parliament might draw inspiration from national parliamentary foresight practices to do so in the future. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This infographic provides insight into the economic performance of Moldova compared with the European Union (EU) and examines the trade dynamics between them. In 2024, Moldova recorded an economic growth rate of 0.5%, compared to 1.1% for the EU-27. Both countries continue to record decreasing inflation rates. Trade between the two economies continues to grow. The EU-27 is Moldova's primary trade partner, representing 54% of total goods trade. Romania has the largest value among EU member states at €3.4 billion, followed by Germany at €0.8 billion and Italy at €0.6 billion. The main EU exports to Moldova are oil, gas, coal, mechanical appliances and electrical equipment, and agri-food products. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP