The circular economy aims to break away from the traditional linear 'take make use dispose' model by keeping resources in circulation for as long as possible. Its goal is twofold: to lower environmental pressures and increase economic resilience by reducing reliance on virgin materials and unstable global supply chains. Against this backdrop, the planned circular economy act (CEA) must address several structural challenges currently at the centre of the EU policy debate. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

In June 2025, EU Member States that are members of NATO committed to a significant increase in spending on defence to 5% of GDP to be reached withing a decade. 3.5% of GDP would be spent on core defence items, 1.5% on defence-related items. Obviously, such commitments come on top of already tight public finances in most of the economies concerned. Against this background, in autumn 2025, the ECON Committee requested external expertise to better understand the potential synergies and tensions between security-oriented measures and competitiveness objectives, with a view to fostering effective policy scrutiny in light of the European Parliament's economic oversight responsibilities. The experts were asked to examine the economic implications of reducing dependencies in critical supply chains—including raw materials, energy, semiconductors, and defence—identifying where security-motivated investments can simultaneously enhance innovation and productivity. They were further tasked with evaluating policy frameworks to maximise positive spillovers between resilience-building and competitiveness, assessing innovative approaches to industrial policy, and providing concrete recommendations for policy design that leverages synergies whilst offering pragmatic solutions for managing unavoidable tensions. Three papers have been received: one by Maria DEMERTZIS, Alejandro FIORITO and Konstantinos PANITSAS for The Conference Board Europe and European University Institute, one by Erik JONES and Richard YOUNGS for Carnegie Europe and the Robert Schuman Centre, and one by Stefan THURNER and Peter KLIMEK for the Complexity Science Hub and Supply Chain Intelligence Institute Austria (for a comparative overview and links to the papers see the table at the end of this briefing). This briefing offers an overview of all three papers with key takeaways. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

According to international standards, children without parental care should grow up in a setting as close as possible to a family or in a small group. After serious concerns had been raised about residential care for children and youths, several EU countries started to transition from institutional to family-based care. In parallel, residential care in small units may still be seen as part of a continuum of services for children and youths with varying needs. In the EU, care for children and youths is a Member State competence, while the EU supports them with guidance and funding. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The highlight of the first plenary session of 2026 was the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Spain and Portugal's accession to the European Union, marked with a formal sitting addressed by His Majesty Felipe VI, King of Spain, and His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic of Portugal. Members debated with the European Council and European Commission on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 18 December 2025 and the geopolitical tensions currently facing Europe. Parliament also heard and debated a presentation of the Cyprus Council Presidency's programme of activities. Several debates on external issues were held with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, including: on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark and the need for a united EU response to the United States, the situation in Venezuela following the extraction of Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition, and Iran's brutal repression of protesters. Further debates were held following Council and Commission statements on: preparations for the EU-India Summit; tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media through full use of the EU’s digital rules; the pending approval of the Hungarian national plan for Security Action for Europe (SAFE) funding; the attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania; online piracy of sports and other live events; and the proposed cybersecurity and digital networks acts. Finally, Members rejected a motion of censure against the European Commission, and adopted a resolution requesting an opinion from the Court of Justice on the compatibility of the proposed EU–Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) with the EU Treaties. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Expansion and modernisation of the energy infrastructure in Member States is one of the key challenges of the ongoing energy transition in the EU. The electricity grids need to develop in order to ensure the security of energy supply, increase the resilience of Europe's energy system, and integrate the rapid roll-out of renewable energy sources, particularly at the distribution level. Given the peristent challenges relating to permit-granting procedures and delays in grid connection approvals at the national level, on 10 December 2025 the European Commission published the European grids package. Along with the Commission proposal to introduce a new framework on the trans-European energy infrastructure guidelines, the proposal on acceleration of permit-granting procedures forms the core part of the grids package. It seeks to introduce a coherent regulatory framework at the EU level that addresses key challenges to a timely and cost-efficient development and upgrade of the transmission and distribution grids, storage, recharging stations and renewable energy projects. Major hurdles addressed in the proposal are incoherent administrative systems, lack of resources in national competent authorities, the complex nature of environmental impact assesments, the lack of public acceptance, the limited digitalisation of the procedures and data availability, as well as various judicial challenges. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Timely, cost-efficient expansion and modernisation of the European energy infrastructure is one of the key challenges in the EU's ongoing energy transition. Grid development is needed to ensure energy supply security, increase the resilience of Europe's energy system and integrate the rapid roll-out of renewable energy sources. Cross border infrastructure plays a vital role in connecting national energy networks. Meeting the 2030 interconnection targets is particularly important for completing the energy union and reaching European Union energy and climate goals. Given the scale of investment required, the persistent governance challenges around cross border projects and the need to enhance the robustness of the scenarios on which they are based, the European Commission has put forward a proposal to revise the TEN-E regulation, as part of the European grids package published on 10 December 2025. The proposal is one of two legislative initiatives forming the core of the package (the other is on accelerating permit granting procedures). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities, as laid down in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). To ensure that these values are respected, Article 7 TEU provides for an EU mechanism to determine the existence of, and possibly sanction, serious and persistent breaches of EU values by a Member State. The EU is further bound by its Charter of Fundamental Rights and is committed to acceding to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Following the emergence of threats to EU values in some Member States, the EU institutions are strengthening their toolbox to counter democratic backsliding and protect democracy, the rule of law, fundamental rights, equality and minorities across the EU. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is a consultative body of the European Union, based in Brussels. It is composed of 329 members. Its opinions are required on the basis of a mandatory consultation in the fields established by the Treaties or a voluntary consultation by the Commission, the Council or Parliament. It may also issue opinions on its own initiative. Its members are not bound by any instructions. They must be completely independent in the performance of their duties, in the EU’s general interest. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This fact sheet explains what the EU budget is and the aims of the budgetary procedure, the legal basis of the budgetary procedure, the main stages of the budgetary procedure, the evolution of the EU budgetary procedure since the 1970s, Parliament’s role in shaping the budget, and the structured frameworks and coordination involved in managing the EU budget. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

• The European Commission intends to make a proposal to harmonise the definitions, classifications and penalties of firearms offences to place further pressure on illegal markets. • Addressing the availability of illicit firearms has been an aim within the EU for some time. Denying firearms and explosives to terrorists and criminals enhances the safety and security of EU citizens. In the EU 2020-2025 action plan on trafficking in firearms, the Commission noted the challenges that existed in minimising the threat of illegal firearms in an area without internal borders. Following a study into how national legislation was applied across the Member States, it emerged that cross-border cooperation was affected by inconsistent interpretation of firearms measures in Member States' national legislation. • The threat from illicit firearms continues across the Union. The availability of firearms to terrorist groups and organised criminal gangs poses a real threat to society. In international conventions and EU legislation a desire exists to address the problem of illegal firearms at all levels. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor and tackle the issue on the front lines, and it is important that the legislation that underpins their work continues to keep pace with technological advances and close any gaps which terrorists and other criminals exploit. • The Commission believes that strong national legislation is required to enable the successful prosecution of acts that contravene the Firearms Directive, the Firearms Regulation and the UN Firearms Protocol and to have appropriate and consistent penalties. The Commission believes that disjointed and incomplete national criminal legislation among Member States in relation to firearms offences can impede cross-border cooperation in combating this type of offences. Criminals can and do take advantage of inconsistencies or loopholes in Member States' legislation, allowing them to maximise these differences for their criminal operations. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study examines the perpetrators and methods of transnational repression within the European Union (EU) and suggests possible counter-strategies for EU institutions. The study explains how transnational repression relates to associated issues faced by the EU, such as foreign interference, disinformation, abuse of migration frameworks and hybrid threats. Whilst the scale, scope and methods of transnational repression comprise a global phenomenon, this problem is specifically prevalent within the EU. Three case studies feature perpetrator states active inside the EU: Russia, Iran and China. In response, legal frameworks and policy responses have been developed in relevant political contexts, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and various EU Member States. The study concludes by providing recommendations for European institutions to address transnational repression. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study examines how the European Commission and the European Investment Bank measure the impact of their external action programmes and investments on decent and sustainable job creation in Sub Saharan Africa, with particular attention to the Global Gateway. This paper summarises current employment impact assessment practices, recognising their capacity to capture high level direct and indirect employment effects while also identifying clear limitations, especially in harmonising job quality metrics. The paper identifies solid foundations alongside clear shortcomings in the EC and EIB appraisal, monitoring and evaluation systems for measuring decent jobs impacts. It finds that shifts under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe have underscored the importance of adopting robust job creation metrics and for embedding these systematically across EU external action. Finally, the paper showcases good practices in EU programmes and partner multilateral development banks and development finance institutions that have strengthened clarity and commitment to monitoring decent job impacts through country jobs diagnostics, adopting employment markers, reinforcing environmental, social and governance due diligence frameworks and policies promoting responsible business conduct. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study examines transparency in the context of the Recovery and Resilience Facility, with a particular focus on data and information availability, quality, granularity, accessibility, comparability and comprehensibility. Lessons learnt are drawn from the positive examples and shortcomings in transparency identified across National Resilience and Recovery Plans and at EU level. The study puts forward some recommendations, including the adoption of an accessible, consistent and interoperable transparency ecosystem, to enhance the accountability of future EU funding instruments. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the ECON Committee. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The RRF has promoted investments and reforms in nearly any area of domestic policy. The legal framework governing the RRF is broad and undefined, with little practical guidance, leaving the Commission wide discretion to negotiate fund allocation with national governments. In practice, this has led to large amounts of EU funding being directed to national projects without clear EU-level impact. The RRF’s wide scope and strict confidentiality regime, combined with the performance-based delivery mode, enable its implementation to escape scrutiny and make rigorous assessment of value for money nearly impossible. The main risk to the financial interests of Union is not fraud or irregularities, but EU money financing projects that have little relevance for European priorities. - The implementation of the RRF relies on the ability to define milestones and targets and measure performance in a sensible manner. This is particularly hard for reforms, which are difficult to pin down to milestones and targets. Funds have often been disbursed on the basis of procedural milestones that bear little relation to actual performance. - Based on the RRF experience, 27 national plans are not an efficient tool for promoting European priorities that are global and Europe-wide. EU priorities need to be incorporated in the forthcoming legal framework in a clear and operational manner, so as to effectively limit and frame Commission and Member State discretion in drawing up the plan. - The Commission’s MFF package fails to address the core problems of the RRF model. It does not define EU priorities. The legislative framework provides no actual ‘requirements’ that would effectively steer national plans. It leaves too much discretion for the national governments to propose, and the Commission to approve, in a confidential setting, nearly any national project that in their determination seems worthy of funding. - The shift to performance-based funding fundamentally alters what ‘management’ of EU funds consists of, creating new risks to the financial interests of the Union Measured error rates may go down because what constitutes ‘management’ in the new system is less demanding. Costing/pricing takes place at a point where only the outlines of the measures are known. At the point of disbursement, the value of each milestone is calculated with a methodology that bears little connection either to real or estimated costs. The eventual actual national cofinancing rates may end up being far from the numbers required in the regulation. - ⁠Trying to make up for these problems through oversight arrangements in the Parliament or Council is unlikely to succeed. Instead, EU legislators need to maintain control over EU priorities and set clearer limits on what EU funding can be spent on, reconsider the central status given to national plans, and address the deep information asymmetries built into the RRF model. Using EU funds requires appropriate accountability structures at EU level, aimed at ensuring that money is effectively steered to policies with EU-wide interest. Funding national policy measures requires strong involvement of national parliaments and civil society. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Commission’s NRPP proposal seeks to preserve core features of the Cohesion Policy Funds (regional and local authority involvement under shared management) while drawing on RRF innovations (integration of reforms and investments, performance-based disbursement linked to milestones and targets). • The proposed governance model and oversight regime is a potentially credible hybrid. But some modifications are needed to ensure fairness and comparability in Commission assessments of national Plans, secure meaningful stakeholder participation throughout the policy cycle, and develop effective monitoring systems that support learning and adaptability without imposing excessive administrative burdens. • The Commission's proposals address many criticisms of the RRF and CPF through explicit assessment criteria for milestone and target fulfilment; ex-ante payout values per milestone and target; clarified provisions for recovering unjustified payments; and stakeholder-based Monitoring Committees to review implementation and approve amendments to operations. • But major unresolved problems remain, notably: the absence of a definition of what constitutes addressing 'all or a significant subset' of EU recommendations to Member States; the effectiveness of the proposed 'regional test' in ensuring genuine stakeholder participation; ensuring Monitoring Committees’ capacity to oversee national and regional Plans effectively; and ensuring that performance indicators are genuinely useful in monitoring NRPPs in real time. • The NRPPs are more flexible than the RRF and the CPF, featuring smoother disbursement systems; easier Plan revisions based on 'reasoned requests' without requiring demonstration of changes in 'objective circumstances'; a Mid-Term Review leading to mandatory submission of amended Plans; a new EU Facility to support rapid responses to crises and emerging Union priorities. • Verifiability and auditability are strengthened compared to the RRF through clarified assessment criteria and transparent ex-ante payout values. But the multi-tiered Single Audit approach creates new challenges that will require national audit authorities, the Commission, and the European Parliament to develop expertise in assessing performance information alongside traditional cost-based audits. • The 500+ mandatory common indicators proposed by the Commission are unlikely to provide a satisfactory solution, since most are primarily output-focused and do not provide evidence of intervention effects. Effective ‘diagnostic monitoring’, aimed at detecting and correcting problems in real time, would require a more robust set of programme- and project-specific indicators reflecting intervention logics and expected outcomes. • The NRPPs enhance inclusiveness compared to the RRF through the structural embedding of the partnership principle and the involvement of local actors in Plan design, implementation, monitoring, and revision. Yet inclusiveness could be enhanced, for example, by requiring Member States to publish outline proposals for stakeholder involvement in the Plans at each stage of the process. • The proposed governance model and oversight regime has the potential to improve transparency and accountability by enabling the European Parliament to build on the Commission’s oversight of national audit authorities, ECA investigations, and extensive mandatory information provision on the Plans and their implementation. But transparency could be further enhanced by requiring publication of Monitoring Committee discussions and reports of annual review meetings. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study examines the extent to which the EU’s legal framework and Member States’ practices on dual-use export controls align with their respective legal obligations, particularly as they relate to conflict-affected regions. There is a lack of high-quality data on EU trade in dual-use goods. While the EU’s annual report has improved in recent years, it continues to lack granularity regarding what is actually exported. Some Member States produce annual reports, including a few that offer a good level of data granularity. Customs trade data including from Eurostat COMEXT is also examined. However, the limited correlation between this data and specific dual-use goods means that it does not significantly close the gap. Despite this, the current dual-use Regulation 2021/821 does provide Member States with a sufficient basis to implement their international commitments for listed items. The situation is different for non-listed items. Many conflict-affected countries are not subject to UN or EU arms embargoes. While sanctions issues are usually considered separately from dual-use export control issues, there is an important provision in Regulation 2021/821 which allows for the control of non-listed goods to military end uses which is only available to Member States when the country is subject to an arms embargo. The study concludes that the EU should improve reporting so that trade in dual-use goods with conflict-affected regions can be monitored, should discourage the use of open and general licences for conflict-affected regions, should solidify its ability to add items to the EU list outside of the multilateral export control regimes, and should issue additional guidance on interpreting licensing criteria when assessing exports to conflict-affected regions, including how to integrate IHL considerations. Overall, the EU should shift to a more proactive approach to risks associated with dual-use trade with conflict-affected regions. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

A forward-looking and comprehensive European immigration policy, based on solidarity, is a key objective for the European Union. Immigration policy is intended to establish a balanced approach to dealing with both regular and irregular immigration. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Committee of the Regions is made up of 329 members representing the regional and local authorities of the 27 Member States of the European Union. It issues opinions sought on the basis of mandatory (as required by the Treaties) and voluntary consultation and, where appropriate, own-initiative opinions. Its members are not bound by any mandatory instructions. They are independent in the performance of their duties, in the European Union’s general interest. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Indirect taxes include value-added tax (VAT) and excise duties on alcohol, tobacco and energy. The standard VAT system generally applies to goods and services bought and sold for use or consumption in the EU. Excise duties are levied on the sale or use of specific products. EU legislative activities are aimed at coordinating and harmonising VAT law and harmonising duties on alcohol, tobacco and energy, to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market. Parliament’s legislative role with regard to VAT and excise duties is limited to the consultation procedure. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is a central plank of the EU’s broader internal security architecture. Law enforcement cooperation and policies are still developing, with a special focus on countering terrorism, cybercrime and other serious and organised forms of crime. The main goal is to achieve a safer Europe for the benefit of everyone in the EU, in compliance with fundamental rights and data protection rules, as requested several times by Parliament. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The need for effective communication has a legal basis in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter), which guarantees the right to be informed about EU issues for all citizens. The EU institutions have developed several tools and services to stay in contact with and inform the public. Since its formal launch in 2012, the European Citizens’ Initiative has allowed citizens to become more directly involved in new legislation and EU issues. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The great cormorant is a highly mobile, fish-eating bird that has a significant and widespread impact on fish stocks and aquaculture sites. Due to its predation impact, the cormorant was heavily persecuted in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has been a protected species since the European Union Birds Directive came into force in 1979. Its population has grown significantly since then. While the bird cannot be hunted, the Birds Directive permits derogations to prevent serious damage to wild fish stocks and fish farms. These derogations are widely used by Member States, in a highly varied manner. The European Parliament called for the adoption of a European cormorant management plan in 2008, to minimise the increasing impact of cormorants on fish stocks, fishing and aquaculture. This request was reiterated in the Parliament's 2018 and 2022 resolutions on aquaculture. Similarly, at Council meetings in September and October 2025, several Member States urged the European Commission to coordinate EU-wide management of cormorant populations. Following recent discussions, the Commission held a structured dialogue with the Member States in October 2025. In this context, the Commission announced updated guidance on the use of derogations under the Birds Directive. In November 2025, the European Inland Fisheries and Aquaculture Advisory Commission, an intergovernmental fisheries advisory body, published its final framework for a management plan as part of a project co-funded by the EU. The aim of this initiative is to maintain favourable conservation status for the cormorant while protecting fish species and aquaculture fish farms. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Cross-border parental child abductions in the EU are governed by The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and (except for Denmark) the Brussels II-ter Regulation. Countries outside of the EU may or may not be Contracting States to ‘the Convention’, but will not be bound by Brussels II-ter. Research has found that the often negative, long-lasting impact of abduction may continue throughout the lifecycle of those who have been abducted. It may also affect future generations of society. This means that every effort to deter abduction should be made. Where that is not possible, the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention should be nurtured to support its application in contemporary society. Specialist mediation should be encouraged in relation to international child abduction generally, and specifically in relation to Third Countries which are not Contracting States to ‘the Convention’. This study was commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the JURI Committee. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Tax fragmentation across Member States continues to undermine the functioning of the EU single market. Legal uncertainty and administrative complexity create persistent obstacles to cross-border activity. On 27 January 2026, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) will host a public hearing on this topic. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

There has been a significant surge in the number of virtual private networks (VPNs) used to bypass online age verification methods in countries where these have been put in place by law. Protection of children online is high on the political agenda, and new legislative frameworks are being implemented that require a minimum age to access certain online products and services. The European Union's Digital Services Act has introduced recommended guidelines for age assurance, which apply to online intermediaries and social media platforms. Some argue that access to VPN services should be restricted to users above a digital age of majority. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study provides an overview of the EU policy instruments, including Cohesion Policy Funds, that are used in disaster response and recovery. It assesses their contribution to strengthening resilience to climate change and to meeting disaster-relief and reconstruction needs. The study also examines how the ‘Build Back Better’ approach can be integrated into future Cohesion Policy to ensure that disaster-affected areas are rebuilt in a more resilient and sustainable manner. Recommendations are provided on how Cohesion Policy can be improved to support EU regions in responding to disasters. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the adoption, design, and impact of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Contracts for Difference (CfD) across the EU. It assesses current trends, market effects, and policy frameworks, and proposes actionable recommendations to resolve barriers to wider uptake. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health at the request of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Czechia is currently set to receive a total contribution of €8 752.3 million, corresponding to 4.2 % of its 2019 gross domestic product (GDP). This amount consists of €8 409.2 million in grants (including €680.5 million in REPowerEU grants and €54.9 million transferred from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve) and €343.1 million in loans. This total reflects several revisions of Czechia's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP), which initially amounted to €7 036 million in grants only. The latest amendment, approved by the Council on 12 December 2025, was aimed at streamlining the implementation of 109 measures. So far, Czechia has received €6 158.2 million in pre-financing and four result-based payments, representing 70.1 % of its total allocation, compared with the EU average of 61.1 %. The total includes €185 million disbursed on 3 December 2025, following the European Commission's partial lifting of the partial suspension of the third payment after the fulfilment of one outstanding milestone and partial progress on another. Overall, Czechia has so far fulfilled 57 % of its milestones and targets, which is above the EU average of 49 %. Czechia's NRRP devotes 42.7 % of the resources to the green transition and 22.4 % towards digital transformation, with a comprehensive mix of reforms and investment to help the Czech economy recover, while addressing structural weaknesses. Measures under the plan are to be completed by 31 August 2026. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on RRF implementation, and scrutinises the Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fifth edition. Earlier editions were drafted by Marketa Pape and Božena Destin Bobková. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The Commission's proposal for the 2028-2034 Global Europe instrument seeks to ensure a more strategic approach, in line with the objectives of the EU's internal policies – particularly migration control, while taking on board EU and partner countries' mutual interests. It deeply restructures the EU's external financing architecture, introducing a new system of geographic pillars, a global pillar, and a flexible 'cushion', while integrating several existing instruments ranging from development cooperation to humanitarian aid and pre-accession support. Current spending targets, including those on gender and climate, would be removed in favour of broader indicative commitments. The proposal aims to increase responsiveness to crises and geopolitical challenges, however it significantly expands the Commission's discretion over spending, raising concerns about transparency, predictability and parliamentary oversight. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Following a strategy of maximum pressure since January 2025, the United States intervened militarily in January 2026, captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and arraigned them in New York on drug trafficking charges. After their capture, Venezuelan Vice-President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as President. Venezuela's constitution provides for elections when the president is incapacitated, although the deadline by which elections are required to take place is not clear. Trump's message that 'American dominance in the western hemisphere will never be questioned again' –directed in particular towards foreign actors in Venezuela such as China – stressed the US claim that Latin America falls under the US sphere of influence, and recalls the times during the Cold War when Latin America was referred to as America's backyard. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a regulation establishing the European fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for the period 2028-2034 ('the fund') as part of the extensive package on the next EU long-term budget – the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework. The Commission argues that the proposal would bring about more flexibility, simplicity and better value for money, while strategically addressing today's priorities. This would be achieved through national and regional partnership plans: for each Member State, one single plan would regroup initiatives currently managed under separate budgetary instruments covering different policy areas such as the common agricultural policy, cohesion, social and migration. In May 2025, the European Parliament had strongly opposed the use of the 'one national plan per Member State' approach inspired by the Recovery and Resilience Facility for all shared management spending. Parliament's MFF co-rapporteurs call on Members to keep opposing that approach in their draft interim report. In addition, the proposal includes funding for an EU facility, an Interreg plan aimed at enhancing European territorial cooperation, and technical assistance. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP