The inclusion of a rebalancing mechanism into EU preferential trade agreements is a comparatively recent development. So far, only two such mechanisms have been introduced. A first rebalancing mechanism was incorporated into the EU–United Kingdom (UK) Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). It is designed to allow either party to take unilateral rebalancing measures (e.g. suspension of preferential tariffs) if, after the UK's withdrawal from the EU, 'significant divergences' from the principle of 'a level playing field for open and fair competition and sustainable development' were to emerge that have 'material impacts' on bilateral trade or investment. The mechanism does not apply to all provisions of the TCA. The TCA's mechanism has to date remained untested. A second rebalancing mechanism was introduced into the EU–Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and the EU–Mercosur interim trade agreement (iTA). The mechanism applies to the trade pillar contained in both the EMPA and the iTA and is modelled on the World Trade Organization's rarely used non-violation complaint mechanism. Similar mechanisms exist in a number of regional preferential trade agreements, to most of which the United States is a party. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The March II plenary session of the European Parliament focused on major geopolitical and economic issues. Members held debates on statements from the Council and the Commission, on energy security and affordability, the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 19 March 2026, and the human rights situation in Iran. The Parliament also addressed the European Citizens' Initiative calling for a ban on conversion practices in the European Union, as well as holding debates on legislative proposals for deposit protection and early intervention measures in the banking sector and to implement the European Union–United States trade deal. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The objective of this briefing is to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of EU financial support to Ukraine, in light of the ongoing debate on the need for continued financial assistance in the short and medium term. It assesses Ukraine’s short- and medium-term financing needs, provides an overview of the past, current and planned EU instruments and funding volumes. It takes stock of the position and future liabilities of the EU budget due to the aid provided. It also provides an overview of the state of play regarding frozen Russian assets and their potential use, including budgetary and legal considerations. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing is prepared in view of the public hearing with the Chair of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), Andrew Bailey, scheduled for 9 April 2026 in the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Ce document s’intègre dans une série d’études qui, avec une perspective de droit comparé, visent à faire une présentation de la liberté de pensée, de conscience et de religion dans différents ordres juridiques. Après avoir expliqué le droit positif et la jurisprudence d’application, le contenu, les limites et la possible évolution de cette liberté sont examinés. La présente étude a pour objet le cas de l’Union européenne. Cette liberté est garantie par l’article 10 de la Charte des droits fondamentaux de l’Union européenne et par nombreuses dispositions de droit primaire. Avant le Traité d’Amsterdam de 1997 et la directive 2000/78/CE du 27 novembre 2000, il n’y a eu que peu d’arrêts de la CJUE pertinents pour la liberté de pensée, de conscience et de religion, mais ils sont importants : l’arrêt Van Duyn c. Home Office, lié à la libre circulation des travailleurs et l’arrêt Vivien Prais, concernant l'égalité des chances des candidats de toutes les religions devant l'accès aux institutions de l’Union européenne. Par la suite, la jurisprudence s’est développée avec nombre d’arrêts concernent l’interprétation et l’application de la directive 2000/78/CE, et un nombre plus réduit concernant d’autres actes de droit dérivé, en particulier en ce qui concerne la liberté de religion. La jurisprudence précise notamment les limitations pouvant être apportées au port visible de signes politiques, philosophiques ou religieux et en particulier du foulard islamique, ainsi que la limite des discriminations sur l’emploi dues à l’appartenance religieuse ou à l’attitude de bonne foi ou de loyauté envers une éthique et les situations justifiant le droit d’asile ou la protection subsidiaire pour des ressortissants de pays tiers immigrant dans des États membres. La protection de cette liberté peut être considérée dans l’ensemble comme effective mais il ne faut pas oublier qu’elle ne s’applique que dans le champ des compétences de l’Union. Il y a cependant place pour des améliorations, notamment pour faire face aux défis présents et futurs. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Une rixe impliquant plusieurs personnes a éclaté ce jeudi à Faa'a du côté de Tavararo. Policiers municipaux et gendarmes sont intervenus sur place pour sécuriser le secteur.

This briefing provides additional economic background ahead of the public hearing of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs on 8 April 2026. It complements EPRS briefings (here and here) on the recent Commission proposal on pensions of 20 November 2025, as well as on the revised regulatory framework for insurers (Solvency II) which will apply as of 30 January 2027. All initiatives aim to contribute to achieving the objectives of the Savings and Investment Union (SIU) by giving additional latitude to institutional investors on how to channel more “patient” long-term funding to growth and scale-up companies, including via investments in venture and private capital funds. The European Council conclusions of 19 March called on co-legislators to conclude negotiations on supplementary pensions by the end of the year. The current briefing provides (i) general information on the magnitudes involved; (ii) enabling conditions to be kept in mind also based on the Danish experience; (ii) a discussion of the transmission channel that has been identified between supplementary pensions and the stock market; (iv) as a form of summing up the topic a basic check list for policy makers who aim to boost domestic capital markets using this channel. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Newborn screening is an established preventive healthcare practice that enables the detection and treatment of health conditions at an early stage. It could reduce the risk of 'diagnostic odyssey' often experienced by persons affected by rare diseases, which in Europe are defined as health conditions that affect less than 1 in 2 000 persons. This briefing presents the findings of a desk review of publicly available sources on newborn screening practices in the EU and the United States (US), which serves as a benchmark. The research finds that these practices vary widely in the EU, which raises concerns regarding equal access to healthcare and the promotion of health outcomes. In total, 87 different rare conditions are covered in national newborn blood screening (NBS) panels (including those conditions in pilot programmes) across the EU. However, only two rare health conditions – congenital hypothyroidism and phenylketonuria (PKU) – are included in all national NBS panels. Other notable differences between Member States include the sample collection window, which ranges from 24 to 144 hours after birth. The draft legislative-initiative report calling for an EU rare disease action plan (2025/2130(INL)), being discussed in the European Parliament's Committee on Public Health, calls for stronger measures to harmonise and promote NBS in the EU. A February 2026 EPRS study finds that stronger EU action on newborn screening – as part of an overall EU rare disease action plan, as called for by the European Parliament – could boost access to health care and social inclusion, promote better health outcomes, lower healthcare costs and promote health sector innovation and competitiveness. This briefing presents further evidence to support this claim. First, the diffusion of newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was faster in the US, where SMA is included in federal guidelines, than in the EU, where there are presently no such guidelines. Some research has found that earlier diagnosis of SMA is associated with better health outcomes and lower health care costs. Second, the rate of infant mortality is lower in EU Member States that cover more health conditions in their NBS panels. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

En mars 2008, à Mahina, Émile Vernaudon remporte les municipales alors qu'il est détenu à la prison de Nuutania pour l'affaire de l'OPT. Accusé d'avoir détourné 115 millions de FCFP, il réussit l'un des coups les plus fous de l'histoire politique française.

Milton Parker, nouveau conseiller municipal de Taiarapu Ouest avec Faana Taputu, était l'invité café de ce jeudi 26 mars. Il est venu parler de leurs projets pour la commune, avec Ibrahim Ahmed Hazi.

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Invité sur notre plateau, le ministre de l'Économie, Warren Dexter, détaille les mesures prévues par le gouvernement pour le pouvoir d'achat des Polynésiens. Maintien du prix de l’essence grâce à un bouclier budgétaire, soutien à Air Tahiti Nui, prise en charge partielle des produits de première nécessité… le ministre présente sa stratégie à court terme pour répondre aux urgences actuelles.

Ce mercredi matin, l’Assemblée de Polynésie tenait une séance extraordinaire pour examiner des ajustements budgétaires liés au conflit international. Tematai Legayic, rapporteur de la commission des finances, était absent. Le gouvernement propose de débloquer 13 milliards de francs pacifiques pour aider le fenua à affronter une crise sans précédent.

Le tribunal administratif a rejeté le recours du Dr A., licencié par le centre hospitalier de la Polynésie française. Bien que son geste de sceller des chambres d'isolement vétustes soit lié à la défense de la dignité humaine, ses menaces et son insubordination justifient, selon la justice, la rupture de son contrat.

Hier sur nos antennes le président du Pays déclarait qu'à sa place de Tematai Le Gayic, il aurait fait pareil et prévient : sans changement le parti d'Oscar Temaru risque l'explosion. Béatrice Flores-Le Gayic, invitée café de notre matinale, a réagi à la démission de son fils Tematai et parlé de son avenir politique.

This study explores the competitiveness gap faced by the EU’s seafood sector. Five case studies illustrate how high input costs and relatively low productivity mean that imports, now supply over 80% of the EU’s consumption of fisheries and aquaculture products (FAPs). The policy recommendations provided aim to help secure a more self-sufficient, sustainable, and resilient seafood system. This document was prepared at the request of the Committee on Fisheries (PECH). Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This briefing provides background information for the mission of the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) to India on 16-20 February 2026. The mission will allow Members to assess the implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan III (GAP III) in India and evaluate how EU external action supports gender equality and women’s empowerment in a key strategic partner country and Indo-Pacific actor. It also offers an opportunity to engage with key national stakeholders, including representatives from government institutions, EU Delegation officials, civil society organisations, think tanks, and private-sector actors as well as social enterprises implementing gender-inclusive initiatives. The briefing first provides an overview of India’s political, social, and economic context. It then outlines EU-India relations, their strategic partnership, and the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement. Chapter three introduces the European Gender Action Plan III. Chapter four examines the current state of gender equality in India. Chapter five highlights the contribution of EU action in India. Finally, the briefing offers concluding remarks. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

The European Union's competitiveness and prosperity depends on an optimal allocation of resources, particularly savings, within the single market, yet EU capital markets remain fragmented. EU rules are mostly set out through directives, leaving Member States' supervisory authorities latitude in their interpretation and application of the rules. Therefore, although rules are enacted at EU level, the resulting uneven supervisory environment is considered a major cause of fragmentation of EU capital markets. EU-level supervision and regulation thus constitute instruments to 'de-fragment' – i.e. 'integrate' – the EU's capital markets. On 4 December 2025, the European Commission issued a package of three proposals to address this situation (the 'market integration package'), as part of its savings and investments union strategy. The proposal to amend three directives – entitled the 'master directive' by the Commission – would primarily aim to enhance and facilitate the supervision of fund management firms operating in several Member States. It would also transfer current provisions in the Directive on markets in financial instruments (MiFID) to the Regulation on markets in financial instruments (MiFIR) in order to ensure their consistent application among Member States. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

ISSUES AT STAKE: • Every year around €2.5 trillion, roughly 15 % of the combined GDP of the EU's 27 Member States, is spent on public procurement. The perceived failure of current EU public procurement rules to deliver on the economic potential of this part of the economy lead to a need for review. Findings show competition in public procurement did not increase from 2011 to 2021, a period which comprises the last review of the rules, which date to 2014. Successful public procurement could be leveraged to provide investment in the EU economy, thus playing its part in the drive to improve its competitiveness as a whole and the strategic autonomy of the Union. • The review will be expected to simplify the current rules. The notion of 'simplification' has two potential aspects, namely removal of complexity present in the procurement framework legislation itself, and simplification of the interaction between that framework and sectoral legislation. • The previous revision of the EU's public procurement rules strengthened the power of public authorities to award contracts on non-price criteria. To increase the take-up of procurement on such strategic bases, it will be necessary to improve the legal framework to give greater clarity as to the conditions for such awards. • One aspect of the strategic approach to procurement which has gained significant political traction recently is the encouragement of procurement of goods and services made in the EU – the 'European preference'. This is fully in line with recent efforts to develop the EU's autonomy in strategically important sectors. Complex interrelationships exist between these drivers. Some are in inherent contradiction, while others are necessarily complementary. For example, development of non-price award criteria by means of increased legal certainty implies developing additional, more detailed legal rules. This is prima facie opposed to the simplification agenda, if simplification is to be understood just as reducing the number of rules. Similarly, any 'European preference' will need legal delineation, which, depending on how it is executed, may run counter to any notion of simplification. Developing secure legal criteria for non-price awards will impact positively on the competitiveness gain from EU public procurement, if those rules cater for increased innovative tenders. While an EU preference could support local industries, it could also limit contracting authorities' (CAs) choice of international tenderer, with a possible negative impact on competitiveness. Resolving these trade-offs will be at the heart of the political deal to be struck on this reform. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

This study maps EU allocations and instruments supporting natural disaster prevention, preparedness, response and recovery under the 2021–2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and compares them with the European Commission’s proposals for the 2028–2034 MFF. It highlights key structural and budgetary differences, including changes affecting climate and biodiversity mainstreaming, and identifies limits to comparability. The study provides Members of the European Parliament with a clear analytical basis for scrutiny of the post-2027 EU budget. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

C’est une grosse affaire de trafic de stupéfiants, du cannabis et de l'Ice, qui secoue plusieurs îles du fenua. 10 personnes, interpellées le 16 mars dernier, faisaient partie d'un réseau, qui opérait entre Raiatea, Huahine, Maupiti et Tahiti. Certaines d'entre elles, ont été placées en détention provisoire, et devaient être jugées aujourd'hui.

À l’issue de la mesure de garde à vue, une information judiciaire a été ouverte ce jour par le parquet de Papeete visant des faits de trafic et importation de stupéfiants, Tevaitea Salmon a été mis en examen par le juge d'instruction et placé en détention provisoire

Four years after the inception of the EU Global Gateway strategy and one year after Commissioner Jozef Síkela was tasked with scaling it up, the European Parliament's AFET and DEVE committees have examined its implementation, assessing its development impacts and its economic and geostrategic dimensions. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

During the March II plenary session, the European Parliament is due to vote on a package of proposals amending the bank crisis management and deposit insurance (CMDI) framework. The amendments aim to refine the framework so as to further deepen harmonisation and reduce the use of taxpayer funding to rescue failed banks. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

During its March II part-session, the European Parliament is expected to vote its negotiating position on the Digital Omnibus on AI – a set of amendments to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act. The proposal seeks to address specific implementation issues identified since the AI Act's adoption and to reduce unnecessary regulatory burden. The Council has agreed its general approach to the file. Once Parliament officially adopts its position, the EU co-legislators can launch trilogue negotiations. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Treating wastewater to remove harmful components prior to discharge into the environment is essential to protect human health and preserve water resources. On 26 March, Parliament will discuss the implementation of EU legislation, updated in 2024 to bring it into line with the EU's climate neutrality, circularity and zero pollution ambitions. The extended producer responsibility scheme (EPR) introduced by the recast directive to cover the costs of advanced treatment for micro-pollutant removal will be at the core of the debate. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

European Union Member States have a shared responsibility to give protection to asylum-seekers, to ensure they receive fair treatment and their cases are examined according to uniform standards. The common European asylum system (CEAS) establishes common standards for Member State procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection. A critical aspect of a common approach to international protection is the application of the 'safe country of origin' concept. In the context of refugees, the term 'safe country of origin' (SCO) has been used to refer to countries whose citizens should not, in theory, be granted international protection, since those countries are widely regarded as safe. The concept can refer to the automatic exclusion from refugee status of nationals originating from SCOs, or it can raise a presumption of safety that those nationals must rebut. Several international and regional human rights bodies have either raised concerns about the use of the SCO concept or proposed appropriate safeguards to ensure that the fundamental rights of persons in genuine need of international protection, but who originate from SCOs, are respected. At EU level, the concept has gradually developed as part of the CEAS, culminating in the adoption of the provisions on the common EU list of SCOs. Many Member States have already established national SCO lists. With the new asylum legislation, transposition of the SCO concept will be mandatory for all Member States, which will also be able to retain or introduce national SCO lists other than those designated at EU level. This is an update of a 2025 EPRS briefing. Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

Dans une élection marquée par une « pentagulaire », Evans Haumani a su tirer son épingle du jeu, mais sans éclat flagrant. Avec l’émergence de fortes oppositions, notamment celle de Christiane Kelley du Tavini ou de son ancien 1er adjoint Ataria Firiapu, le maire réélu devra composer avec une population divisée sur la stratégie de développement de la commune.

Vingt ans après, Tumaraa change de visage. La liste fusionnée Te reo o te nunaa menée par Gérard Goltz parvient à renverser Cyril Tetuanui au second tour des municipales 2026. Une victoire serrée, marquée par un contexte politique tendu et une fracture familiale inédite au sommet.

Sur cette île des Marquises, le marché ouvert a lieu le samedi matin. Sur le « petit quai » de Taiohae, l'arrivée des pêcheurs est très attendue par la population. C'est le rendez-vous incontournable des pêcheurs et des habitants qui veulent du poisson frais.

Un accident de la route a eu lieu dans un virage du Pic Rouge cette nuit peu avant minuit. Malgré leurs efforts, désincarcération puis réanimation, les pompiers et médecins n'ont pu réanimer deux des trois occupants de la VL (voiture légère)

Une croisiériste de 64 ans est décédé ce samedi 21 mars à Rangiroa. La victime voyageait à bord du même navire sur lequel ont été saisis 21 kg d'ice à Nuku Hiva plus tôt dans la semaine.

À Arutua, dans l'archipel des Tuamotu, l'opposition ne pourra pas se maintenir au second tour des municipales. En cause : un dépôt de liste hors délai après le premier tour. Face au maire sortant Reupena Taputuarai, les électeurs n'auront qu'un seul choix. Un recours est envisagé.

Après 17 d'absence, les Océania de karaté font leur grand retour en Polynésie française en mai 2027. Entre 400 et 500 participants sont attendus pour cet événement à la fois sportif, éducatif et fédérateur, organisé à la veille des Jeux du Pacifique.