Our infographic shows the overview of the BRICS+ countries’ economic and trade relations with the EU. All 9 BRICS+ states have experienced a relatively consistent increase in their GDP per capita (PPP) since 2007. Female labour force participation rates vary significantly from country to country. At the extremes are Iran with 14.4, and Ethiopia, with 74.8%. EU trade in goods (imports and exports) with the BRICS+ countries has risen steadily comparatively to 2007 volumes. The BRICS+ group is now the EU's main trading partner for goods. Mechanical appliances and electrical equipment, vehicles and aircraft, and pharmaceutical products comprise about 54% of all goods exported by the EU to the BRICS+ countries. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

This analysis discusses specific issues regarding the proposal for a Directive on the transparency of third-country lobbying. It highlights complex questions in relation to civil society organisations and the need for uniform implementation and effective judicial protection. If designed and implemented well, the Directive could establish a transparent framework for foreign governments to engage in lobbying within the EU. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO). Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which began in 2021, will go on until the end of 2026. In 2024, the fourth year, this implementation is well under way, although with some differences having emerged across EU Member States. In August 2024, disbursements had reached €170.8 billion in grants and €94.6 billion in loans, or 41 % of the total RRF funding available. With the exception of pre-financing, the condition for disbursing RRF funds to Member States is the successful achievement of pre-defined milestones and targets, or qualitative and quantitative steps. They are laid out in the annexes to the Council implementing decisions endorsing the individual national recovery and resilience plans, and linked to each payment request. The RRF Regulation envisages the possibility of suspending all or part of the financial contribution available to Member States if milestones and targets have not been satisfactorily achieved. At an early stage of RRF implementation, both the European Court of Auditors and the European Parliament urged the European Commission to develop a methodology that would allow the impact of not meeting a milestone or target to be quantified. In February 2023, the Commission delivered on that request and published a methodology for partial suspension of payments. As a result, the Commission has been able to proceed with partial payments to Member States corresponding to what they have achieved, despite the non-fulfilment (or partial fulfilment) of one or more milestones or targets linked to a given request. This has helped keep RRF implementation on track. The suspension payment methodology has already been applied in several instances. The first country to be subject to it was Lithuania, followed by Romania, Portugal, Italy, Spain and Belgium. In 2023, a total of €841 million was withheld (0.13 % of all RRF funds). While Member States have generally welcomed the methodology, it is still perceived as lacking in clarity and raises questions, not least as to the discretion it affords the Commission in defining the amounts to be suspended. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Despite considerable progress towards a Banking Union in the euro area, banks in the EU continue to be subject to widely varying insolvency law as applied to their lending customers. This paper provides evidence that bank interest margins tend to be higher in countries with weaker loan enforcement. Higher bank interest margins are a sign of less efficient bank intermediation, and hence the evidence of this paper suggests that bank intermediation is less efficient in countries with weaker loan enforcement. This policy-induced national variability in bank efficiency is incompatible with banking union. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

In May 2023, the European Commission presented an anti-corruption package, which includes a proposal for a directive on combating corruption. Based on Articles 83 and 82 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the proposal defines criminal offences and sanctions relating to corruption, one of the 'areas of particularly serious crime with a cross-border dimension' for which the European Parliament and the Council may establish minimum rules by means of directives. The proposal seeks to update the fragmented EU legislative framework, including by incorporating international standards binding on the EU. It addresses corruption in both the public and private sectors. In Parliament, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs adopted its report in January 2024. The committee decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations was confirmed by plenary in February 2024. The Council confirmed its position in June. The new Parliament now needs to confirm its position before trilogue negotiations can take place. First edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The European Parliament's September 2024 plenary session took place as floods devastated many areas in central European Member States, leading Members to debate and adopt a resolution on the EU's preparedness to act to tackle disasters exacerbated by climate change. The flooding also led to the postponement of the planned statement on the priorities of the Hungarian Council Presidency. During the session, Members debated a number of European Commission statements: on financial and military support to Ukraine; addressing migration and effective return; strengthening the role of the Digital Services Act in regulating social media platforms and protecting democracy online; as well as persistent antisemitism, hate speech and hate crime in Europe; and the EU response to the Mpox outbreak. Members further debated the outcome of the strategic dialogue on the future of EU agriculture, the state of the energy union, and the danger of criminalisation of environmental defenders. Members held debates on European Commission statements on external relations issues, including: on the war in the Gaza Strip and the situation in the Middle East, the situation in Venezuela, and the outcome of the G20 ministerial meeting in Brazil. Two debates followed Council and Commission statements: on the Hungarian 'National Card' scheme and its consequences for the Schengen area, and the Court of Justice of the EU ruling on the Apple State aid case. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

According to a 2022 Eurobarometer survey, while two out of three young Europeans wish to contribute to the green transition through their jobs, 45 % of young Europeans lack green skills. In the United States (US), a new traineeship programme, the American Climate Corps (ACC), has been operational since June 2024. It allows young people to enter paid traineeships that provide them with important skills for green professions. Young people in the US have welcomed the initiative, which offers a chance to move from 'climate angst' to climate action. Here in Europe, an 'ecological civil service' was launched in France in the spring of 2024, in response to strong demand from young people. In April 2024, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) proposed that a pilot project be launched in the European Union (EU), following the example of the ACC programmes, offering young people traineeships to empower them with the skills needed for the green transition. In the EU, several possibilities exist for supporting youth traineeships. Meanwhile, European cities have created networks to support them in achieving their green ambitions. This briefing explores possible synergies between the existing EU youth and green cities programmes, and whether there is scope for a traineeship scheme at European level to help develop green skills for young people. This briefing has been drafted at the request of the European Committee of the Regions, in the framework of the agreement between the European Parliament and the Committee. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

This study examines key rulings on the supervision and resolution of credit institutions in the EU and their impact on the Banking Union framework. It explores how case law has refined the European Central Bank’s practices, shareholders' and boards' rights, and the interaction between ECB and Single Resolution Board powers during ‘failing or likely to fail’ assessments. While highlighting how litigation has clarified processes, rights, and the criteria for resolution, the study’s findings underscore the need for heightened scrutiny of agencies to prevent political interference and ensure effective oversight. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The Banking Union makes ten years. It is a story of success. Courts have been crucial for this success. This study explains why, and what should be done to preserve (and improve) their role. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the ECON Committee. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

In September 2022, the European Commission presented a proposal for a directive on adapting non contractual civil liability rules to artificial intelligence (AILD), with an accompanying impact assessment. The European Parliament's Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) requested the present complementary impact assessment of the proposal, which focuses on specific research questions. The study critique identifies key shortcomings in the European Commission's impact assessment, not least an incomplete exploration of regulatory policy options and an abridged cost-benefit analysis, in particular of the strict liability regime. The complementary impact assessment study proposes that the AILD should extend its scope to include general-purpose and other 'high-impact AI systems', as well as software. It also discusses a mixed liability framework that balances fault-based and strict liability. Notably, the study recommends transitioning from an AI-focused directive to a software liability regulation, to prevent market fragmentation and enhance clarity across the EU. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) – 'achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls' – is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations (UN) that is very likely to be missed by the target date of 2030. This undermines the rest of the goals. The inclusion in the SDGs of a standalone goal on gender equality was seen as a spur to mobilise action and resources to tackle persistent barriers to women and girls' full enjoyment of their rights, which also undermine sustainable development. The targets in SDG 5 specify actions or outcomes that countries should aim for. These are to remove discriminatory legislation and social norms, eliminate gender-based violence, ensure the bodily autonomy of women and girls, value their unpaid care work and close gender gaps in access to resources and decision-making. At the mid-point to 2030, no country or region in the world has achieved all these targets. Already slow, global progress has stalled, prompting evaluation of which policy measures have been effective, where gaps exist and how to catalyse further action. The European Union (EU) supported the inclusion of SDG 5 and has comprehensive policy frameworks in place to support non-EU countries to achieve the targets and to advance gender equality in the Union. In the EU itself, many of the targets are on track, but progress has been uneven, with significant disparities between Member States. The European Parliament has taken a strong stance on putting gender equality at the heart of sustainable development policy and has called for concrete steps to accelerate progress towards SDG 5. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Bringing all European financial markets under one roof, the Capital Markets Union (CMU), stands to provide European savers and borrowers with better opportunities. This, in turn, is expected to boost long-term growth and to improve the functioning of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Yet, powerful private and public interest groups have been able so far to stand in the way of this transformation. Most governments are torn between the benefits from CMU and the pressure of these interest groups. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) ahead of the Monetary Dialogue with the ECB President on 30 September 2024. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

This study provides an overview of the Common Fisheries Policy and other EU policies in relation to Fisheries, Aquaculture, the Blue Economy and International Ocean Governance. The current and future challenges facing these are described. Strengths and weaknesses of EU policy in addressing these challenges are assessed, leading to the authors making a range of specific policy recommendations. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The European defence industrial strategy (EDIS), unveiled on 5 March 2024, aims to enhance the EU's defence readiness, particularly its defence industrial capacity, by 2035. Despite a significantly increased €290 billion combined EU Member State defence budget in 2023 and a radically changed security environment following the launch of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, significant challenges for the EU to achieve defence readiness remain. The European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) suffers from fragmentation and limited collaboration, exacerbated by EU Member States' dependency on non-EU defence equipment. The EDIS emphasises collaborative and increased European investment in the EDTIB, fostering adaptability, and integrating defence readiness into all EU policies. It proposes, among other initiatives, the €1.5 billion European defence industry programme (EDIP), a new (voluntary) legal framework – the 'structure for European armament' programme – to facilitate and scale up Member States' cooperation throughout the defence equipment lifecycle, as well as several ways to ensure increased financing for the EDTIB. The strategy also proposes to deepen the partnership with Ukraine, aiming for long-term assistance and support for the Ukrainian defence industry. According to experts, the EDIS's success hinges on securing adequate funding and achieving genuine Member State buy-in. Experts doubt the sufficiency of the proposed funding and the feasibility of meeting non-binding targets, such as 50 % of procurement stemming from the EDTIB by 2030. At the end of the previous legislature, Members of the European Parliament urged that the EDIS and the EDIP should supplement current defence tools, ensuring sufficient EDIP funding and a regulatory framework to foster innovation and efficiency. They called on Member States to fund European defence instruments, supported a €100 billion debt-financed defence fund proposed by Commissioner Breton, and urged the European Investment Bank to reform its lending eligibility. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The European Parliament has come a long way since its inception in 1951. Initially a consultative body composed of delegations of national parliaments, it has become a directly elected institution, has obtained budgetary and legislative powers, and now exercises influence over most aspects of EU affairs. Together with representatives of national governments, who sit in the Council, Parliament co-decides on European legislation, in what could be seen as a bicameral legislature at EU level. This publication presents Parliament's powers, including the most recent changes following the reform of Parliament's Rules of Procedure in April 2024. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate before the European Parliament's committees play a vital role in informing Parliament before it decides on the proposed composition of the College of Commissioners. Ahead of the autumn 2024 hearings, Parliament has adapted the rules for the process, which will apply for the members of the second von der Leyen College. First, the Legal Affairs Committee scrutinises the declaration of interests of each Commissioner-designate. Second, each Commissioner-designate appears before the competent parliamentary committee or committees for a single confirmation hearing. In the past, the main criticism levelled at some of the Commissioners-designate has involved their having insufficient expertise in their respective portfolios, as well as the vagueness of their answers and their reluctance to make political commitments. The existence of possible conflicts of interest in relation to the assigned portfolio and concerns regarding the integrity of the candidate have influenced the dynamics of more recent hearings. Since the 2004 investiture, Parliament has used its role in appointing the Commission to replace certain controversial candidates and force adjustments to certain portfolios, although according to the Treaties Parliament can only reject or accept the College as a whole. While some experts have advised against the excessive politicisation of the confirmation hearings, others have welcomed the increased accountability of the Commission to Parliament, and have praised the deepening of the political link between the two institutions as a step towards further democratisation of the EU decision-making process. Confirmation hearings have become critical for Parliament to hold the Commission accountable, and have gained prominence as a tool for Parliament to take a greater role in EU agenda-setting. This is a further updated version of a September 2019 briefing by Maria Diaz Crego, itself an update of a 2014 briefing by Eva-Maria Poptcheva. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

This paper presents the latest findings and developments related to the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), with a particular focus on stakeholder assessments of its structure and initial implementation. It summarises the perspectives of stakeholders at the EU, national, regional, and local levels concerning the National Recovery and Resilience Plans (NRRPs). Notably, the paper compiles recent opinions and evaluations from EU stakeholders, as well as relevant institutions and bodies, regarding the execution of these plans. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

With a multi-ethnic and multi-religious population of 22 million, Sri Lanka is a country strategically located in South Asia at the crossroads of major shipping routes in the Indo-Pacific region. This lower middle-income country has undergone a severe economic crisis, whose consequences have been exacerbated by its economic and monetary policies, not to mention the 2019 terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Sri Lanka defaulted, and widespread popular protests prompted the resignation of the prime minister followed by the president, posts held by the Rajapaksa brothers. Ranil Wickremesinghe took over as president. The country has received assistance from the International Monetary Fund and negotiated a key debt restructuring deal in June 2024. India and China are competing to expand their influence in the country because of its geo-strategic location in the Indo-Pacific. The 99-year lease of Hambantota port to China in 2017, feeding the debt-trap narrative, has increased Indian and United States (US) concerns. Colombo boasts a nonaligned foreign policy, and has remained neutral on the war in Ukraine. European Union–Sri Lanka relations are based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement on partnership and development, which entered into force in 1995. Sri Lanka benefits from enhanced access to the European Union (EU) market under the generalised system of preferences plus, of which it is the third-largest beneficiary. The European Parliament – like other international stakeholders – has underlined the importance of a national reconciliation process given the unaddressed legacy of the 1983–2009 civil war against the Tamil insurgency. Parliament has also expressed concern over Sri Lanka's continuous application of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, systematically used for arbitrary arrests. Against this backdrop, Sri Lanka's presidential elections will take place on 21 September 2024. The EU has deployed an election observation mission, with MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor (S&D, Spain) as Chief Observer. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Gentiloni are invited to the 16th Recovery and Resilience Dialogue (RRD) under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) Regulation, scheduled for 16 September 2024. The previous RRD took place on 22 April 2024. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

This at a glance note summarises the study providing a comprehensive overview of the situation to date and forward-looking insights in the areas of European Union education and training, youth, and sport policy. It highlights the existing and potential future challenges and opportunities within each policy field and makes recommendations for addressing them. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the situation to date and forward-looking insights in the areas of European Union education and training, youth, and sport policy. It highlights the existing and potential future challenges and opportunities within each policy field and makes recommendations for addressing them. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

In order to ensure the stability of the Economic and Monetary Union, a robust framework is needed to prevent unsustainable public finances as far as possible. A reform (part of the ‘Six Pack’) amending the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) entered into force at the end of 2011. Another reform in this policy area, the intergovernmental Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG), including the Fiscal Compact, entered into force in early 2013. Furthermore, a regulation on assessing national draft budgetary plans (part of the ‘Two Pack’) entered into force in May 2013. On 30 April 2024, a reformed economic governance framework entered into force. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Hungary assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July, and will stay in office until 31 December 2024. This is the second time Hungary has played this role, following its first-ever presidency in 2011. Hungary is the last member of the presidency trio made up together with Spain (in the second half of 2023) and Belgium (in the first half of 2024). It will hand the baton over to Poland. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The impact assessment (IA) provides a good information package to underpin the initiative on improving passenger rights. The IA's qualitative and quantitative analysis draws on several data sources, such as an IA supporting study, studies in the policy field, ex-post evaluations and stakeholder consultation; however, the IA supporting study does not appear to be fully referenced, to the detriment of transparency. The IA explains in detail the analytical methods used in a dedicated annex. The IA presents a well-evidenced problem definition and a balanced description of the policy measures and policy options; however, the offer of options is partially rather limited. In the comparison of options, the IA transparently notes that the stakeholders have differing views on the options, and recognises uncertainties in the estimates of hassle cost savings. The analysis would have benefited from some clarification relating to the effectiveness assessment and the scoring of proportionality and subsidiarity. The IA considers that the initiative is relevant to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and, consequently, an SME test was performed. However, SMEs are not differentiated by size classes (micro, small and medium enterprises) in the analysis, and the mitigating measures could have been explained more in detail. It appears that the legislative proposal follows the preferred options of the IA. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The European Parliament's new Rules of Procedure entered into force on 16 July 2024 – the first day of Parliament's 10th term. The 'Parliament 2024' reforms sought primarily to streamline legislative procedures, enhance budgetary control and improve scrutiny of the Commission. The reforms have tackled conflicts of committee competences to expedite the attribution of files to committees. To address cases of cross-cutting issues falling within the competence of more than three committees, the Conference of Presidents (CoP) can propose the setting up of a temporary legislative committee, as a last resort. Use of the urgent procedure in plenary is limited to clearly justified cases, but committees will have greater possibilities to adopt reports using simplified or accelerated procedures. There are also new rules on co-rapporteurship that will allow for up to three co-rapporteurs, as an exceptional measure. All proposals with budgetary implications will undergo a specific budgetary assessment by the Committee on Budgets, to ensure that Parliament uses its legislative and budgetary powers as effectively as possible. In addition, the Budgetary Control Committee will be involved in the consideration of any proposals involving non-traditional (i.e. 'off-budget') financial instruments, in anticipation of the discharge procedure. A new format for 'special scrutiny hearings' will enable Parliament 'to question one or more Commissioners on an issue of major political importance'. The rules for hearings of the Commissioners-designate (renamed 'confirmation hearings') have been clarified in time for the hearings of the new set of commissioners-designate scheduled for autumn 2024. The reforms also affect plenary, with new speaking-time attribution rules and the creation of a new plenary debate format. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Banking Union is crucial for European integration, ensuring financial stability in the single market for financial services. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) plays an essential role in interpreting and enforcing the legal framework of the Banking Union, especially regarding the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) and the Single Resolution Mechanism (SRM). This in-depth analysis scrutinises the pertinent CJEU case law and highlights its implications for the Banking Union and the EU legal order. This document was provided by the Economic Governance and EMU Scrutiny Unit at the request of the ECON Committee. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The aim of the EU’s asylum policy is to offer appropriate status to any non-EU national requiring international protection in one of the Member States and ensure compliance with the principle of non-refoulement[1]. To this end, the EU is striving to develop a Common European Asylum System. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

The Member States of the European Union have agreed, as a result of their membership of the EU, to transfer some of their powers to the EU institutions in specified policy areas. Thus, EU institutions make supranational binding decisions in their legislative and executive procedures, budgetary procedures, appointment procedures and quasi-constitutional procedures. Source : © European Union, 2024 - 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, 2024 - EP

Road transport is a major contributor to climate change. CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) have grown steadily and account for over a quarter of road transport CO2 emissions. On 14 February 2023, the European Commission tabled a legislative proposal to revise Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 setting CO2 emission standards for new HDVs in the EU. The proposed revision would expand the scope of the regulation to include urban buses, coaches, trailers and additional types of lorries. The average CO2 emissions of trucks and coaches, compared with 2019 levels, would have to fall by 45 % from 2030, by 65 % from 2035, and by 90 % from 2040 onwards. The proposal set a target date when all newly registered urban buses would have to be zero-emission vehicles. The co-legislators reached a provisional agreement on the proposal in January 2024. The regulation was adopted on 14 May 2024, entered into force on 26 June 2024, and started applying from 1 July 2024. Fifth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Directive (EU) 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law (the 'Whistle-blower Directive') entered into force in December 2019. Member States had 2 years to transpose the directive into their domestic legal systems. Before the directive entered into force, the legal framework was fragmented at national level and limited to specific sectors at EU level (i.e. financial services and transport safety). Transposition did not prove easy, and the European Commission was obliged to open infringement procedures against a number of Member States. As of June 2024, all EU Member States had adopted the required transposition law; however, some areas of concern remain, as underlined by the 2024 July Commission report. The directive came into force after major cases of whistle-blowing (Panama Papers, Dieselgate, Wikileaks, Luxleaks, Cambridge Analytica) drew strong public attention to the situation of those who reveal misconduct and malpractice in public and private entities. Those who 'blow the whistle', and also their colleagues and their relatives, can face retaliation and suffer both economic and reputational harm. Fear of retaliatory measures can foster a culture of silence, with a dissuasive effect on individuals who are willing to report unlawful practices ('chilling effect'). The EU legislator has recognised the positive impact of whistle-blowers who act as public watchdogs. They promote a culture where speaking out is not penalised and where disclosing information in the public interest increases transparency, improves integrity and ensures public accountability. Whistle-blowers help the public to access accurate information on matters of public concern. Nevertheless, it has been pointed out that legislation alone is not enough, and a cultural change in the workplace will also be necessary to ensure that those blowing the whistle are not stigmatised and do not suffer social, professional and personal repercussions. This is an update of a 2023 briefing by the same author. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

On 26 July 2024, after 5 years of negotiations, 82 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) reached an agreement on the first-ever global rules on electronic commerce. The plurilateral talks were led by the co conveners Australia, Japan and Singapore, under a WTO joint statement initiative (JSI) that had attracted 91 participants, accounting for more than 90 % of global trade. While the deal is a sign that plurilateral talks have the potential to inject fresh momentum into the WTO's negotiating function, nine members participating in the talks were unable to support it. This is the likely reason for the text being referred to as 'stabilised' rather than 'final'. Moreover the agreement's integration into the WTO legal architecture and entry into force is expected to meet challenges similar to those other JSIs have faced before. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Considerable differences of opinion characterise the public debate on the regulation of prostitution in the EU. This results in a complex legal and policy landscape. A lack of comprehensive statistical data complicates the picture, and the choices legislators make are deeply rooted in overarching ideological approaches. At EU level, the European Parliament has long been the primary forum for debating prostitution issues. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Over the last 20 years, there has been a marked increase in hate speech and hate crime in Europe. Expressing hate has become socially acceptable, stigmatising and dehumanising individuals and groups of people for characteristics ranging from age, ethnicity, gender identity, language, nationality, race, religion, and sex to sexual orientation. Widespread use of the internet and social media has increasingly brought hate speech online. EU law criminalises hate speech and hate crime, but only if it relates to a limited set of characteristics, such as race and ethnicity. The European Commission, with the European Parliament's support, would like to widen the scope of the prohibition. In December 2021, the Commission proposed to extend the list of EU crimes under Article 83(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) to hate speech and hate crime. This would allow the Commission to propose a common legal framework to combat hate speech and hate crime across the EU. With this initiative, the Commission hopes to address Member States' current divergent and fragmented approaches to hate speech and hate crime and to ensure consistent protection of victims across the EU. While the Parliament has enthusiastically welcomed the Commission's proposal, Member States (in Council) have been unable to agree on the plan. More recently, the terrorist attacks by Hamas in Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel's military response in Gaza have triggered an alarming rise in threats and violence against both Jews and Muslims, across the EU. In November 2023, a Commission communication called on the Council to move quickly to adopt a decision to include hate speech and hate crime among the criminal offences listed in Article 83(1) TFEU, to allow the Commission to propose legislation in this area. Parliament echoed this message in a January 2024 resolution. This briefing builds on a 2019 paper by Piotr Bakowski. It should be read in conjunction with a forthcoming briefing on legislation on hate speech and hate crime in EU Member States. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Este documento se integra en una serie de estudios que, desde una perspectiva de Derecho Comparado, tienen como objeto analizar la libertad de empresa en diferentes ordenamientos jurídicos. Tras una breve introducción histórica, así como la explicación de la normativa y la jurisprudencia de aplicación, se examinan el contenido, los límites y la posible evolución de tal libertad. El presente estudio tiene por objeto el caso de Argentina. La libertad de empresa es reconocida por Constitución Argentina como derecho fundamental, bajo la fórmula de “libertad de industria y comercio” (art.14). La matriz de económica reposa sobre la libertad de empresa como proveedora de bienes y servicios a la sociedad y atribuye al Estado facultades de promoción y gestión (art.75 incisos 18 y 19), de regulación del comercio internacional e interprovincial (art. 75 inc. 13) y de defensa de la competencia de los mercados (art. 42). En el ordenamiento federal argentino la regulación legislativa de la libertad de empresa compete principalmente al Estado nacional mientras a los Estados provinciales corresponde la aplicación y operatividad dentro de su territorio, pudiendo complementar con normas locales que no contravengan las normas federales. Esos concisos parámetros constitucionales permitieron diversas modulaciones económicas a lo largo de los siglos XX y XXI que se ven reflejadas en la voluminosa legislación nacional y provincial. Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP