Ce document s’intègre dans une série d’études qui, avec une perspective de droit comparé, visent à faire une présentation du principe de protection de l’environnement dans différents ordres juridiques. Après avoir expliqué le droit positif et la jurisprudence d’application, le contenu, les limites et la possible évolution de ce principe sont examinés. La présente étude a pour objet le cas de la Suisse. La protection de l’environnement s’est construite de manière sectorielle, depuis la première moitié du XXe siècle. En complément aux législations spécifiques à la protection de la nature, de l’eau, des forêts, des animaux, ou à la législation sur la chasse et la pêche, la loi sur la protection de l’environnement du 7 octobre 1983, entrée en vigueur le 1er janvier 1985, vient non seulement combler les lacunes relativement à la protection de l’homme et de l’environnement en matière d’atteintes nuisibles ou incommodantes, mais également poser des principes généraux, applicables à l’ensemble de la matière environnementale. Ces principes d’anticipation des atteintes (prévention/précaution), de causalité des coûts (pollueur-payeur) et de durabilité des ressources sont désormais exprimés dans la Constitution fédérale de 1999 aux art. 73 et 74 Cst. et constituent le pivot de la matière. Le droit suisse n’a pas consacré de droit à un environnement sain. Cependant, les principes évoqués ci-dessus sont, dans une certaine mesure, justiciables, soit directement, soit par leur portée interprétative, de telle sorte qu’ils permettent une harmonisation de la mise en œuvre des textes infraconstitutionnels. Par ailleurs, dans les domaines qui touchent à la sphère de protection des individus, le droit infraconstitutionnel donne des droits invocables en justice : droit d’exiger l’absence d’atteintes nuisibles ou incommodantes, droit d’exiger le contrôle des actes de surveillance d’installations dangereuses (dans le domaine nucléaire, notamment). Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Once dispersed in the environment, microplastic particles under 5 mm in size are extremely difficult to remove and very persistent. Today, they are present in the air, soil, freshwater, seas, oceans, plants and animals, and in several components of the human diet. Human exposure to microplastic particles is therefore widespread, raising concerns about potential health impacts. On 16 October 2023, the European Commission proposed a regulation to tackle microplastic pollution resulting from losses of plastic pellets. The proposal would set requirements for best handling practices, mandatory certification and self-declaration, and provide for the development of a harmonised methodology to estimate losses. The co-legislators reached a provisional deal on 9 April 2025. The Council formally adopted it on 22 September 2025. Parliament's second-reading vote on the text is planned for the October II session. Third edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This in-depth analysis discusses the impacts of short-term rentals on access to affordable housing in the EU. It reviews the variety of short-term rental regulations and the challenges to their implementation. It highlights the role that EU legislation plays in influencing the regulation of both short-term rentals and the digital platforms that advertise them.. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 25 June 2025, the Commission published a proposal for a regulation on the safety, resilience and sustainability of space activities in the European Union (EU) ('the EU space act'). A majority of Member States have already adopted or are considering adopting legislation on space activities. The regulation's relevance was highlighted by Mario Draghi's report on the future of European competitiveness, which explained the role of space systems and services in supporting the EU's sovereignty and economy. Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – TFEU (internal market) is the legal basis of the proposed regulation. It aims to create a single market for space activities, grounded on common safety, sustainability and resilience rules, which should apply in principle to any space operator providing space services in the EU. The proposal is expected to lay down rules on: the authorisation, registration and supervision of space activities and services carried out by space service providers; orbit traffic management; and the establishment of an EU space label. On resilience, the proposed regulation is expected to complement Directive (EU)2022/2555 on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the EU, and Directive (EU) 2022/2557 on the resilience of critical entities. In the Parliament, the file has been referred to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), which has appointed Elena Donazzan (ECR, Italy) as rapporteur. In the Council, the working party on space has started examining the proposal. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This in-depth analysis provides an overview of the reactions of Member States to the Cali Apartments SCI case and analyses challenges and opportunities stemming from short-term rental (STR) regulation. It also reflects on possible EU policy options in the STR field. Building on the briefing by Colomb (2025) on the Regulatory aspects of short-term rentals in the EU, this in-depth analysis examines in more detail the landmark ruling (C-724/18 and C-727/18) in the Cali Apartments SCI case. The ruling by the CJEU recognised the objective of combatting the rental housing shortage as an ‘overriding reason relating to the public interest’ that can justify proportionate measures on STR accommodations. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

As the global race to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, the European Union has set the objective of becoming a leading AI continent. The adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Act in 2024 was a milestone in establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for AI in the EU, but regulation alone cannot make the EU a technological leader. In April 2025, the European Commission published an AI continent action plan, a communication that attempts to look beyond rules and combine regulatory oversight with investment, infrastructure and skills development. It also aims to increase the use of AI in both the private and public sector. The plan illustrates the Commission's growing attention to competitiveness, moving away from its previous focus on setting usage rules Despite progress in some areas, the EU is still far from being a global leader in AI, in terms of scale, investment, and uptake of AI. Structural weaknesses such as a fragmented single market, limited private investment, and reliance on foreign cloud and semiconductor technology continue to hinder progress. Stakeholders are divided on the road to follow. While industry representatives call for simplifying regulation to boost innovation, civil society warns against sacrificing democratic safeguards. The EU's prospects of becoming an AI continent depend not only on its ability to implement the AI continent action plan but also on its decisiveness in acting on other fronts such as making progress on the Savings and Investments Union, and its progress in reducing reliance on foreign technologies. The European Parliament will play a central role in scrutinising the Commission's activities and shaping legislation such as the forthcoming Cloud and AI Development Act. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The impact assessment (IA) defines the problems, their drivers, the objectives and the policy options of the initiative in a robust intervention logic. The IA presents four options, proposing varying degrees of stringency in addressing the general and specific objectives (binding and non-binding measures). It is questionable whether they fully qualify as alternative options under the Better Regulation Guidelines (BRG). When comparing and scoring the options against the BRG criteria of effectiveness, efficiency and coherence, the scoring method could have been further clarified. Proportionality has not been discussed in the comparison of options. The analysis of proportionality is limited and could have been assessed in more detail. The IA assesses the economic, social and environmental impacts of the options. The analysis encompasses both qualitative and quantitative components, and specifically focuses on the impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and on the international competitiveness of the EU space sector. However, it is not fully clear how mitigating measures and a 'light regime' of measures for SMEs will be applied in practice, and how coherence in the single market will be ensured. The IA is based on several sources, including desk research, stakeholder input and external consultancy support. Some references to the data sources, especially those from external consultancy support, should have been specified more clearly for the sake of transparency. Cost and benefit estimates and assumptions could have been explained more clearly and consistently. The proposal appears to follow the preferred policy option identified in the IA. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The aim of this paper is to identify key enables, gaps and policy mechanisms that facilitate the creation of quality jobs, promote inclusive economic transformation and ensure that all communities, particularly the most vulnerable, are supported by Just Transition. Drawing on comparative evidence, it analyses how different elements of governance arrangements, financing tools and stakeholder participation shape reskilling, job quality and inclusion. The findings provide policy directions to strengthen the Just Transition policy and legal framework and ensure fair regional labour-market outcomes across regions. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Under the European Green Deal, the European Commission presented a new EU soil strategy for 2030, with the aim of having all EU soil ecosystems in a healthy condition by 2050. To achieve this objective, on 5 July 2023 it tabled a proposal for a soil monitoring and resilience directive, laying down measures for monitoring and assessing soil health, based on a common definition of what constitutes healthy soil, for managing soils sustainably, and for tackling contaminated sites. On 10 April 2024, the European Parliament adopted its position at first reading. The Council agreed its general approach on 17 June 2024. Trilogue negotiations concluded on 10 April 2025. The provisional agreement substantially amends the original proposal, leaving more flexibility to Member States and refocusing the chapter on sustainable soil management on support for improving soil health and soil resilience. The agreement now needs to be validated by the co-legislators. Parliament's second-reading vote on the text is expected to take place during the October II session. Fifth edition. The 'EU Legislation in Progress' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the legislative procedure. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Stephanie Lose, Minister for Economic Affairs of Denmark, is participating in the ECON Committee in her capacity of President of the ECOFIN Council during the Danish Presidency (July - December 2025). In accordance with the Treaty of the Union, “Member States shall regard their economic policies as a matter of common concern and shall coordinate them within the Council”. This document provides an overview of the Danish Presidency's priorities in ECON matters, including the Council’s work relating to the implementation of the European Semester for economic coordination, the application of the Recovery and Resilience Facility and other policy streams relevant to the EU single market, notably progress on the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The aim of this paper is to identify key enables, gaps and policy mechanisms that facilitate the creation of quality jobs, promote inclusive economic transformation and ensure that all communities, particularly the most vulnerable, are supported by Just Transition. Drawing on comparative evidence, it analyses how different elements of governance arrangements, financing tools and stakeholder participation shape reskilling, job quality and inclusion. The findings provide policy directions to strengthen the Just Transition policy and legal framework and ensure fair regional labour-market outcomes across regions. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

With the adoption of the European Green Deal, the EU set its vision for a new growth strategy, transforming itself into a climate-neutral Union. At the same time, the digital transition continues to transform the world of work at an unprecedented speed. Anticipating and managing such transitions requires a broader approach: in line with the EU core values, this process should be fair and inclusive. The European Commission is set to present two initiatives to support this process: (i) a new action plan to implement the European pillar of social rights and (ii) a quality jobs roadmap (both in the fourth quarter of 2025). The roadmap will present measures to support fair wages, good working conditions, access to training, and fair work transitions by increasing collective bargaining. The European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs is addressing the issue by preparing a legislative own-initiative report (INL) on the 'Just Transition Directive in the world of work: Ensuring the creation of jobs and revitalising local economies'. This briefing aims to inform the development of this INL. It identifies challenges such as uneven impact of the transition, skills shortages and unequal working conditions. These could be addressed, among other things, by enhancing social conditionalities, ensuring safe and fair working conditions, and developing targeted training and upskilling strategies. Addressing these challenges at EU level while ensuring the implementation of principles of the European pillar of social rights could both facilitate the transition and bring additional benefits in terms of economic growth and employment. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This study examines how structural labour market inequalities affect women’s mental health in the EU. It highlights the gender pay and pension gaps and new forms of work as drivers of poorer well-being among women. The study identifies fragmented policy responses and recommends coordinated, gender-responsive action across labour, health and gender equality domains. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Portugal is set to receive €22.2 billion in grants and loans from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the EU response to the crisis triggered by the COVID 19 pandemic. This amount corresponds to 3.1 % of the entire RRF, or 10.4 % of Portugal's 2019 gross domestic product (GDP), and includes RRF grants (€15.5 billion), RRF loans (€5.9 billion), REPowerEU grants (€0.7 billion) and Portugal's share (€0.1 billion) from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve. The Council approved the latest revision of Portugal's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) in May 2025. The plan has a strong focus on the country's social, economic and environmental resilience, with measures targeting culture, housing, health, broad social responses, and forest and water management. Measures relating to climate transition, including those on industry decarbonisation and energy efficiency of buildings, account for 39.1 % of the allocation. The contribution to digital objectives represents 21.7 % of the allocation, with measures and reforms aimed at public administration and finances, education and businesses. Portugal has so far received €12.7 billion of RRF resources (57.3 % of the plan), which the European Commission disbursed in the form of pre-financing and six grant and loan instalments. Portugal's seventh payment request is being assessed. In the context of the 2025 European Semester, the Council has recommended that Portugal accelerate implementation of its plan. The European Parliament has been a major supporter of creating a common EU recovery instrument, and takes part in interinstitutional settings to cooperate, discuss and scrutinise implementation of the Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fourth edition. The first two editions were written by Henrique Morgado Simões. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. The author would like to thank Amalia Fumagalli, trainee in the Next Generation EU Monitoring Service, for her research assistance. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The gender pay gap persists globally and in the European Union, and progress in reducing it is slow. To accelerate the realisation of the principle of 'equal pay for work of equal value', the United Nations marked the first International Day for Equal Pay on 18 September 2020. This year marks its sixth edition. This is an update of an 'At a glance' note from September 2022. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This infographic provides insight into the economic performance of the United States (US) compared with the European Union (EU) and examines the trade dynamics between them. In 2024, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for the US was recorded at 2.8%, while the EU experienced a growth rate of 1.1%. Both inflation rates remain stable and show a declining trend compared to the years following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the start of the war in Ukraine. The inflation rate in the US was slightly higher than that in the EU. Trade between the US and the EU continues to grow, except for EU imports of goods from the US, which have been in a declining phase since 2022. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The highlight of the September 2025 session was the debate on the State of the Union, following Ursula von der Leyen's first address under her current mandate as President of the European Commission. Another important debate took place to express Parliament's solidarity with Poland following Russia's deliberate violation of Polish airspace, added to the agenda in reaction to drone attacks the previous day. Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova addressed Parliament in a formal sitting. On external policy, Members debated: EU action to ensure security guarantees and a just peace for Ukraine; the situation in Gaza; strengthening Moldova's resilience against Russian hybrid threats and malign interference; the violence against protesters in Serbia; and the situation in Colombia following recent terrorist attacks. Among other debates were: implementation of the recent EU-United States trade deal; the need for a strong European Democracy Shield to enhance democracy, protect the EU from foreign interference and hybrid threats, and protect electoral processes in the EU; serious threats to aviation and maritime transport from global navigation satellite system interference; the rule of law and management of EU funds in Slovakia; and the devastating wildfires in southern Europe and summer of heatwaves in the EU. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The Delegated Act on low-carbon hydrogen establishes a harmonised, transparent framework, defining fuels in a technology-open way. It is essential for a functioning hydrogen market but does not create demand or financial incentives. Achieving emissions reduction targets will hinge on robust methane emissions measurement and reporting. Costs will remain above unabated hydrogen, shaped mainly by natural gas and electricity prices. This in-depth analysis was provided by the Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health at the request of the ITRE Committee. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Although euthanasia and assisted dying remain highly controversial in large parts of the globe, an increasing number of countries have legislation on it in place or are considering doing so. This is due to changing attitudes, advancements in medical technology and an ageing population. Several EU countries are at the forefront of these legal changes; at the same time, each of them has come up with its own solutions for addressing challenges such as how to avoid abuse. Neither EU law nor the European Convention on Human Rights contain provisions precluding EU countries from legislating on euthanasia. In response to questions from Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission has made it clear the EU is not competent to deal with the issue in any way. Four EU countries – Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – have legislation in force that allows euthanasia to be administered by a physician. Germany, Italy and Austria allow assisted suicide only. The Netherlands and Belgium, the two EU countries that were the first to allow euthanasia, have seen an increasing number of people apply for euthanasia over the years, with studies showing no sign of the legislation leading to any abuse. In addition, several EU countries are working on legislation on euthanasia or assisted dying. These include: Ireland, France, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia. The Portuguese parliament adopted relevant legislation back in 2023; however, owing to vetoes by the Portuguese president and rulings by the country's constitutional court, it has still not entered into force. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The Data Act aims to create value from data generated by connected products and services, by introducing data-sharing obligations. The principles enshrined in the Act have received general approval, but concerns have been expressed about the clarity of certain definitions, the sharing of commercially sensitive data and its regulatory complexity. Most provisions of the Data Act will apply from 12 September 2025. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Surveys show that discrimination based on characteristics such as sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation persists across the European Union (EU). The concept of multiple discrimination recognises that, in their daily lives, people may experience discrimination on more than one of these grounds. It encompasses cases where each type of discrimination can be proven and addressed distinctly (cumulative discrimination) and cases where two or more grounds interact to create a unique form of discrimination that cannot be understood by considering each ground in isolation (intersectional discrimination). Recognising and addressing these forms of multiple discrimination is an important aspect of combating discrimination through legal and policy tools, since victims face exacerbated disadvantages but are afforded uneven protection due to gaps in current legislation. Current national legislation and/or case law on multiple discrimination provides varying degrees of recognition and protection to victims. Most Member States recognise multiple discrimination implicitly, but few have introduced specific provisions. Only two have so far given full recognition in law to intersectional discrimination as distinct from cumulative discrimination. While the Treaties give the EU competence to introduce legislation to combat discrimination, the protection afforded by current EU equality directives remains incomplete. A proposed 'horizontal anti-discrimination directive' that could define the concept of discrimination on multiple grounds has stalled. However, progress has been made with the adoption of the Directive on Pay Transparency, which recognises intersectional discrimination explicitly in relation to sex discrimination in employment. Implementation of this directive will provide a useful testing ground. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Drawing on previously untapped archival sources, this study explores the European Parliament's positions on the fundamental changes in the Soviet Union between March 1985 and December 1991. The study demonstrates how the European Parliament's initiatives, including relations with Soviet representatives, advanced Parliament's foreign policy goals at the end of the Cold War. These goals included promoting European Community positions through political pressure and informal negotiations, fighting for human rights in the Soviet Union and the countries of the socialist bloc, opposing the occupation of the Baltic States and encouraging democratic changes inside the Soviet Union, particularly the transformation of its parliamentary body. Members of the European Parliament prioritised supporting the democratic transition in Central and Eastern European countries, liberated from communist rule and the collapsing Soviet empire. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This document is part of a series of Comparative Law studies that analyze the principle of environmental protection in different legal orders around the world. After a brief historic introduction and a presentation of applicable legislation and case law, the content, limits and possible evolution of this principle are examined. The subject of this study is Canada’s federal legal system. While a “principle of environmental protection” does not appear in the text of Canada’s constitutional documents, a large number of laws at the federal, provincial and territorial levels have as their purpose the protection of the environment, and the importance of this objective has been judicially recognized. The legal framework of environmental protection has been shaped by the constraints that federalism imposes on each level of government — especially on the federal Parliament; these constraints influence both the form and the content of environmental legislation. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Ireland's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) has the fourth smallest allocation in absolute figures under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Following the European Commission's 2022 update of national allocations, the initial €989 million allocation was adjusted to €914.4 million in grants, to be disbursed in five instalments. In 2024, Ireland introduced in its plan a new REPowerEU chapter to accelerate the green transition; this, once approved by the Council, brought Ireland's new total to €1 153.8 million in grants. The latest update due to objective circumstances was approved in July 2025. Ireland has received two payments worth €439.3 million. Relative to the size of its economy, Ireland's RRF grants are not large: around 0.3 % of the country's 2019 gross domestic product (GDP), while the total RRF amounts to 5.2 % of 2019 EU 27 GDP. Given also that spending is spread over the years up to 2026, the RRF is not expected to have a significant direct impact on Ireland's key macroeconomic indicators. The Commission estimates that it could increase Ireland's GDP by 0.1 % by 2026. А more significant indirect impact is expected from the overall boost to the EU economy and the associated cross-border spillover effects. The plan's overall objective is to contribute to a sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery. It complements the government's broader domestic efforts under the economic recovery plan, underpinned by the national development plan (NDP) of €165 billion, for 2021 to 2030. Although the RRF allocation amounts to less than 1 % of the total NDP investment, the plan's 19 investments and 10 reforms focus on strategic EU priorities. The Irish NRRP allocates 50.2 % of funding to climate-related measures (boosted by REPowerEU) and, excluding REPowerEU, 34.2 % to digital measures. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on the implementation of the RRF, and scrutinises the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Fifth edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Malta's national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) had an initial value of €344.9 million, while its amended plan is worth €336.3 million. Under the EU's Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), at the core of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) instrument, Malta's RRF grant allocation decreased from €316.4 million to €258.3 million. In April 2023, Malta submitted a request to amend its NRRP, to which it added a new REPowerEU chapter with an additional grant allocation of €30 million. It also requested to transfer a portion of its share of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to its plan (€40 million). With these funds, and cutting some measures, the overall EU financial contribution to the amended plan amounts to €328.2 million in grants, with the rest to be covered by national means. A 2025 revision of the plan did not affect the total allocation. While in nominal terms, Malta has the second smallest allocation, it ranks higher in terms of RRF grants per capita. The value of Malta's grants under the RRF equals about 2.3 % of its 2019 gross domestic product (GDP), less than the average for the EU overall (the RRF equals 5.2 % of EU-27 GDP in 2019). So far, Malta has received pre-financing (including REPowerEU) and three regular payments. The total disbursements stand at €215 million, or 65.5 % of its allocation (the EU average is 55.6 %). The plan takes account of the Council's 2019 and 2020 country-specific recommendations, and aligns with both national economic and investment plans and funding under EU cohesion policy programmes for the 2021-2027 period. The plan's overall objective is to contribute to sustainable, equitable, green and digital recovery, embracing major common EU challenges. The amended plan has a stronger focus on the green transition, devoting 68.8 % of the funds to it (up from 53.8 % in the original plan), making Malta's NRRP one of the greenest; 26.2 % of the amended plan (excluding the REPowerEU chapter), or 20.6 % (including the chapter), will contribute to the digital target. The European Parliament participates in interinstitutional forums for cooperation and discussion on the implementation of the RRF, and scrutinises the European Commission's work. This briefing is one in a series covering all EU Member States. Sixth edition. The 'NGEU delivery' briefings are updated at key stages throughout the lifecycle of the plans. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Military mobility, defined as the capacity of armed forces to swiftly move troops and equipment across the European Union (EU), is a crucial but long-overlooked aspect of European defence. After decades of underinvestment and unresolved obstacles, there is a need to intensify coordinated and integrated efforts at EU, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Member State level to increase resources and address physical, legislative, and regulatory barriers that continue to cause delays and disruptions for military forces. Failure to act would leave armed forces unprepared in the face of threats, and undermine the security of citizens. Ultimately, this could jeopardise the EU's ability to demonstrate credible deterrence and achieve defence readiness. Upcoming initiatives at EU level represent an opportunity to finally adopt a comprehensive approach to military mobility. Clear added value could be provided by not only increasing targeted investment in dual-use infrastructure and reducing regulatory burdens, but also addressing issues in related security and defence domains that clearly impact military mobility decisions, including investment in cybersecurity, logistics hubs, stockpiling and transport innovation to enhance the security and resilience of military networks. For current ambitious defence initiatives, allocating sufficient budgetary resources is essential. This briefing looks within and beyond the current framework and explores the potential impact of additional investment of between €75 billion and €100 billion until 2035 to improve the current state of infrastructure. Our analysis finds that the added value associated with a larger amount of funds invested collectively leads to benefits which are almost three times higher (€21 billion additional GDP per year in 2035) than when Member States invest separately and in an uncoordinated way. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 16 July 2025, the European Commission proposed a revision to the Tobacco Taxation Directive, alongside modifications to the general Excise Duty Directive. The aim is to restore the effectiveness of EU-wide minimum tax rates on tobacco products and extend their scope to cover new product types. The initiative aims to support the EU's goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040, recognising taxation as a key tool in reducing tobacco use. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Ukraine submitted its application for EU membership on 28 February 2022 and began accession negotiations in 2024. The Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted its report on the 2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Ukraine on 15 July 2025. A debate and vote on the report are due to be held in plenary in September 2025. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

This briefing provides an overview of the global implementation of the Basel III framework. We provide a global overview using information from the Basel Committee and then look in more detail at the progress in the EU, US and UK. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

During the September 2025 plenary session, MEPs are due to pose questions to the European Commission regarding the taxation of large digital platforms, and the state-of-play in discussions on this topic at international level. In particular, the Commission will be asked whether it would consider a unilateral digital tax at EU level in the absence of an agreement at international level. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Following several turbulent years for EU agriculture, including widespread farmer protests, the European Commission has proposed new rules for the common agricultural policy (CAP) to apply from 2028. During the September plenary session, Parliament is due to vote on an own-initiative report that, contrary to the Commission's proposal, suggests the CAP budget be increased and kept separate from that of other policies. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Housing has become a high-priority policy issue. The European Parliament's Committee on Regional Development (REGI) report makes several recommendations on how to better use cohesion policy funds in housing and suggests future policy priorities for housing and housing affordability. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Despite dedicated EU support measures, regions affected by the transition to a climate-neutral economy continue to face major social and economic challenges. A failure to address these issues adequately risks exacerbating regional disparities and increasing economic inactivity in these regions. In September, Parliament is due to vote on an own-initiative report on the role of cohesion policy in supporting the just transition. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Executive Vice-President Fitto and Commissioner Dombrovskis are invited to the 20th Recovery and Resilience Dialogue (RRD), scheduled for 8 September 2025. The RRD is the mechanism by which the European Parliament exercises democratic oversight over the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) according to the RRF Regulation. The previous RRD took place on 16 June 2025. Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP