European Parliamentary Research Service Blog

Written by Tim Peters.

The European Parliament is fully committed to ensuring an ambitious EU long-term budget that meets the Union’s many challenges in the years to come. Therefore, Parliament’s two co-rapporteurs on the MFF, Siegfried Mureşan (EPP, Romania) and Carla Tavares (S&D, Portugal), insist on a significantly higher volume for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF) than proposed by the European Commission. In their draft interim report, Parliament’s two co-rapporteurs propose an overall size of 1.38 % of EU gross national income (GNI), 1.27 % of EU GNI for the MFF as such and 0.11 % of EU GNI for the repayment of debt created by Next Generation EU (NGEU). The MFF constitutes the EU’s long-term budgetary plan, setting a maximum level of spending (‘ceilings’) for each major category of expenditure (‘heading’) in accordance with Article 312 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

In their draft, the two co-rapporteurs propose to Parliament to continue its opposition against ‘the merging of different policies in one plan per Member State’. They welcome the substantial increase in financial resources proposed for greater investment in research, strategic autonomy, the clean transition, defence, technological sovereignty and economic resilience. However, they stress that the consolidation of programmes in the Competitiveness Fund reduces transparency and limits Parliament’s ability to ensure appropriate funding for specific policy objectives. The co-rapporteurs oppose the Commission approach on additional flexibility, which in their eyes sacrifices transparency and controls under the guise of efficiency, compromising programme quality and democratic accountability, and undermining Parliament’s role as the budgetary and discharge authority.

The European Commission presented its proposals for the 2028-2034 (MFF) on 16 July 2025 and 3 September 2025. The Commission proposed a budget amounting to a total of almost €1.8 trillion in commitments over seven years (in constant 2025 prices). The 2028-2034 budget proposed by the Commission corresponds to 1.26 % of the EU’s gross national income (GNI) including 0.11 % of EU GNI for the repayment of the debt created by NGEU grants. Excluding the NGEU repayment, the proposed post-2027 MFF would reflect, in nominal terms, an increase of €367.2 billion (+29 %). However, in real terms, the increase would only be 0.02 percentage points of GNI.

Academia, think-tanks, other EU institutions and bodies, and a variety of stakeholders are publishing a wealth of analysis and commentary on the proposed 2028-2034 MFF as it proceeds through negotiations (see our monthly digest).

OVERVIEW OF EPRS PUBLICATIONS ON THE 2028-2034 MFF PACKAGE: LEGISLATION IN PROGRESS BRIEFINGS:

• David Ashton and Pieter Baert, Single market and customs programme
• Bruno Bilquin and Eric Pichon, Global Europe instrument
• Krisztina Binder and Tarja Laaninen, Erasmus+ (to be published soon)
• Steven Blaakman, Union support for asylum, migration and integration
• Alessandro D’Alfonso, Karoline Kowald and Marin Mileusnic, National and regional partnership plans, European territorial cooperation and EU facility 2028-2034
• Alina Dobreva, System of Own Resources (to be published soon)
• Costica Dumbrava, Union support for the Schengen area, European integrated border management, and EU visa policy
• Clément Evroux, Horizon Europe 2028-2034: 10th EU research and innovation framework programme
• Clément Evroux, Proposal for a Council regulation on Euratom training programme 2028-2032 (to be published soon)
• Alina Georgescu, AgoraEU (to be published soon)
• Mathias Gullentops, Connecting Europe Facility 2028-2034: Financing EU infrastructure networks
• Issam Hallak, European competitiveness fund
• Karoline Kowald and Marianna Pari, Multiannual Financial Framework (to be published soon)
• Gabija Leclerc, Support for associated overseas countries and territories, including Greenland
• Rafał Mańko, Justice programme 2028-2034
• Rafał Mańko, Pericles 2028-2034: Exchange, assistance and training for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting
• Vasilis Margaras, ERDF – Cohesion Fund and conditions for EU support to regional policy
• Marin Mileusnic and Tim Peters, Budget expenditure tracking and performance framework (to be published soon)
• Marketa Pape, European Social Fund 2028-2034
• Martina Prpic, Union support for internal security
• Nikolina Šajn, Regulation on the common agricultural policy for the period 2028 to 2034
• Frederik Scholaert, Conditions for EU support to the CFP (2028-2034 programming period)
• Agnieszka Widuto, Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation and Decommissioning
• Agnieszka Widuto, The Nuclear decommissioning assistance programme of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania (Ignalina programme) (to be published soon)
• Dessislava Yougova, Union Civil Protection Mechanism: 2028 2034 programming period

INITIAL APPRAISALS OF COMMISSION IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

• Irmgard Anglmayer, Civil protection, preparedness and crisis response
• Irmgard Anglmayer and Esther Kramer, MFF 2028-2034: Quality analysis of the Commission’s impact assessments
• Josefina Capdevila Penalva, Regulation establishing Global Europe
• Andriana Efthymiadou, Nationally pre-allocated envelopes
• Dieter Frizberg, Reinforcing competitiveness in the EU
• Esther Kramer, Single Market and Customs Programme
• Nikolaos Sarris, Budget expenditure-tracking and performance framework
• Mari Tuominen, The AgoraEU, Erasmus+ and Justice programmes

FURTHER READING:

• Brief up-to-date state-of-play information on all legislative proposals of the 2028-2034 MFF package: EPRS Legislative Train Spotlight on 2028-2034 MFF package
• Legislative observatory, Interim report on the proposal for the multiannual financial framework for 2028-2034 2025/0571R(APP)
• Website on the EU long-term budget by DG COMM of the European Parliament
• European Commission draft legislative proposals: The 2028-2034 EU budget for a stronger Europe
• Draft interim report on the proposal for a Council regulation laying down the Multiannual Financial Framework for the years 2028 to 2034 (COM(2025)0571 – C10-0000/2025 – 2025/0571R(APP)), Committee on Budgets, Co-Rapporteurs: Siegfried Mureşan, Carla Tavares

Written by Laurence Amand-Eeckhout

Background

As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases that can affect any part of the body. One defining feature of cancer is the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their usual boundaries, which can then invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs (metastasis). Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells in a multistage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour.

According to the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), at least 40 % of all cancer cases could be prevented with effective primary prevention measures, meaning that around four in 10 cancers are potentially avoidable by reducing exposure to established modifiable risk factors. The main risk factors for cancer include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity, hormonal factors, environmental and occupational exposures, ultraviolet radiation, and infections such as those caused by hepatitis B and C viruses and some types of human papillomavirus. The burden of cancer can also be reduced through early detection and timely access to appropriate treatment.

World Cancer Day takes place every year on 4 February. It was established on 4 February 2000 at the initiative of the Union for International Cancer Control. The three-year ‘United by unique‘ campaign (2025-2027) aims to raise awareness of the importance of people-centred care.

Facts and figures

According to estimates from the IARC, about one in five people worldwide will develop cancer at some point during their lifetime.

There are no official EU statistics for the total number of people currently living with cancer in the EU. Available Eurostat data focus on deaths from cancer, cancer healthcare and equipment for treatment.

Cancer is currently the second leading cause of mortality in the EU, after cardiovascular diseases (Eurostat). In 2024, around 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in the EU and around 1.27 million died (data published in December 2025 by ECIS, the European Cancer Information System). Compared with 2022, this represents a slight decrease of 1.7 % in new cases and 1.9 % in deaths. Nevertheless, these estimates illustrate the substantial burden of cancer, and projections indicate that these figures are expected to rise further: owing to an ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles, and unequal access to screening and care, by 2040, cancer diagnoses are expected to increase by 19 %, and cancer deaths by 27 %, which would make cancer the leading cause of death in the EU.

According to the EU Country Cancer Profiles Synthesis Report 2025, published jointly by the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), between 2023 and 2050 cancer is expected to reduce population life expectancy by 1.9 years on average in the EU compared with a scenario without cancer.

The four most common cancer causes of death for both men and women in the EU are estimated to be lung cancer (19.7 % of all cancer deaths), followed by colorectal (12.2 %), pancreatic (7.5 %) and breast cancer (7.3 %). Among men, the main diagnoses are prostate cancer, followed by lung and colorectal cancer. Among women, the main diagnosis is breast cancer.

As highlighted in the 2024 joint European Commission/OECD report on cancer inequalities, significant inequalities persist across the EU in exposure to risk factors, particularly affecting those with lower levels of education, who show higher rates of smoking, obesity and harmful alcohol consumption, resulting in higher cancer incidence and mortality. In addition, substantial gender-based differences exist in exposure to cancer risk factors, to the detriment of men, particularly with regard to tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diets and overweight.

In 2021, the Commission estimated the overall economic impact of cancer to exceed €100 billion annually. In a 2025 report, the OECD estimates that in the EU-27+2 (Iceland and Norway), workforce productivity is reduced by €50 billion each year, with cancer projected to cost €97 billion annually between 2024 and 2050.

EU action

Since the mid-1980s, the EU has worked alongside Member States to combat cancer. Under Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU complements and adds value to national public health actions. EU efforts focus on prevention, research and information (e.g. awareness campaigns), while fostering cooperation between Member States. The EU also adopts legislation tackling cancer risk factors, such as exposure to environmental pollution or hazardous substances and radiation, obesity, alcohol-related harm, tobacco consumption and smoke- and aerosol-free environments. In 2023, the revised Consumer Credit Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/2225) strengthened consumer protection in credit agreement, particularly for cancer survivors (‘right to be forgotten’).

In February 2021, as part of the European health union, the European Commission adopted the Europe’s Beating Cancer plan to address cancer-related inequalities and help improve prevention, treatment and care. A total of €4 billion has been allocated to the plan, drawn from various programmes. The plan is structured around four key action areas (prevention; early detection; diagnosis and treatment; and quality of life for cancer patients, survivors and carers) and supported by 10 flagship initiatives, under implementation. In February 2025, the Commission published a review of the plan from its launch until the end of 2024. It highlights that implementation is well underway (more than 90 % of actions have either been concluded or are ongoing), that the plan is a successful example of a health-in-all-policies-based approach, and that governance of the plan has proved to be efficient so far, with several groups providing expertise (comprising stakeholder representatives, Member State experts and Commission services). However, delays and gaps persist, notably concerning financial and institutional barriers.

The EU has invested continuously in cancer research through successive framework programmes for research and innovation. Under Horizon Europe (2021-2027), the Cancer Mission ensures that new research and innovation developments are effectively translated into concrete solutions to improve cancer control.

European Parliament

In June 2020, the European Parliament set up a Special Committee on Beating Cancer (BECA), which ended its mandate in December 2021. The committee’s final report was adopted by Parliament in February 2022. Its recommendations focus on cancer prevention, equal access to cancer care across borders, and a European approach addressing medicine shortages.

In its resolution of 13 December 2023 on non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Parliament pointed out that many people living with NCDs (including cancer) are undiagnosed and unaware of their illness, and thus fail to get proper, timely treatment. It invited the Commission to collect examples of best practices regarding screening for and early detection of NCDs. Parliament also stressed the importance of ensuring the collection of comparable, high-quality data on NCDs at EU level.

Since the start of the current legislature, MEPs have submitted a range of written questions to the Commission concerning cancer-related issues. In 2025, these included questions on the funding of the Europe’s Beating Cancer plan (E‑004037/2025) and its inclusion in the next multiannual financial framework (E-004760/2025); the protection of cancer survivors from discrimination (E-001252/2025); the harmful effects of sunbeds (E-001259/2025); measures to reduce cancer risk in children and young people (E-002125/2025 ); and the assessment of the effectiveness of innovative cancer therapies (E-001448/2025).

The Committee on Public Health (SANT) monitors the implementation of the Europe’s Beating Cancer plan. It is preparing an own-initiative report to assess the plan’s implementation, supported by an EPRS study (European implementation assessment) published in October 2025. The study, which assesses the implementation of the plan across EU Member States between 2021 and 2024, focuses on three core areas: gaps and delays in implementation, particularly in prevention, cancer care and quality of life; the plan’s impact on cancer inequalities across the EU; and lessons learned and their relevance for future EU initiatives on NCDs. It also proposes actions to improve cancer prevention and control in the EU.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘EU action on cancer – State of play‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Throughout the year, Ask EP responded to enquiries in all 24 official EU languages, reaffirming the European Parliament’s commitment to transparency, multilingualism and accessibility.

This review highlights the key trends, topics and engagement patterns observed in 2025, based on consolidated data from individual enquiries, campaign messages and thematic breakdowns.

Overall volume of enquiries

In 2025, Ask EP received 10 184 individual enquiries and 8 809 campaign messages.

The number of individual enquiries remained high, reflecting citizens’ ongoing need for reliable information on EU policies, institutions and personal circumstances. Campaign enquiries, sent as part of coordinated actions on specific topics, represented a significant share of the messages received, focusing on political, humanitarian and environmental issues.

As in previous years, enquiry volumes fluctuated over the course of the year, with peaks linked to major political developments and legislative debates, demonstrating citizens’ responsiveness to EU-level decision-making.

Most frequent topics in individual enquiries

Individual enquiries to Ask EP in 2025 focused primarily on three main areas, reflecting citizens’ core interests and concerns regarding the EU and its institutions.

• EU democracy, institutional and parliamentary law: This remained the most frequently addressed topic. Citizens sought information on the European Parliament’s role and powers, legislative procedures, parliamentary questions, committee work and the right to petition. These enquiries highlight a sustained public interest in how EU democracy functions on a daily basis.
• Citizens’ rights and justice: A significant number of enquiries related to migration and asylum, fundamental rights, non-discrimination and access to justice. Citizens also contacted Ask EP about the rule of law and the protection of rights in the EU, reflecting the expectation that EU institutions explain and uphold these core values.
• Foreign affairs: Foreign policy remained a major area of concern in 2025. Citizens wrote extensively about the war in Ukraine (including EU support measures, sanctions and humanitarian assistance), the situation in the Middle East (particularly developments in Gaza and broader regional stability), and EU external relations, enlargement and role in promoting peace, democracy and human rights globally.

Together, these three topics accounted for the majority of individual enquiries received in 2025. The chart below shows the relative frequency of each topic.

Alongside these main areas, Ask EP also received a steady flow of enquiries related to visits to the European Parliament, traineeships and employment opportunities, as well as enquiries linked to citizens’ personal situations. These included requests for assistance with financial, legal or cross-border administrative issues, cases of alleged discrimination and questions concerning access to information or social and consumer rights. While neither the Parliament nor its President can intervene directly in these matters, Ask EP provided guidance, information and contact points whenever possible, helping citizens identify the appropriate authorities or available resources.

Campaign messages sent to the European Parliament

Campaign messages are coordinated public reactions to legislative initiatives, political developments and international events, and remained a prominent form of citizen engagement in 2025. These campaigns allowed citizens to collectively express their views and expectations regarding the European Parliament’s role and responsibilities.

The two largest campaigns received in 2025 were on the labelling of foodstuffs derived from new genomic techniques. During ongoing EU negotiations on the authorisation of new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food, citizens called on the European Parliament to retain mandatory and harmonised labelling requirements to ensure transparency, traceability and consumer choice across the EU. Messages also stressed the importance of maintaining the ban on such products in organic farming, preventing contamination and establishing clear rules on patents linked to new genomic techniques.

Other major campaigns in 2025 focused on foreign affairs, human rights and institutional integrity. Citizens contacted the Parliament about international crises and individual cases, including calls for humanitarian action and civilian protection in conflict zones such as Gaza, Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. There were appeals for the release of detained or imprisoned individuals, including academics and human rights defenders. Campaigns also addressed the situation of EU citizens detained abroad, notably those who participated in the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla.

Other campaigns targeted democracy, accountability and ethical conduct, with citizens calling for institutional or disciplinary responses in relation to the actions and public statements of Members of the European Parliament. In addition, citizens mobilised on issues linked to equality and participation, including initiatives highlighting the role of women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Languages used by citizens

In 2025, citizens contacted Ask EP in all 24 official EU languages, underlining the continued importance of multilingual communication. The most commonly used languages remained English, German, French, Spanish and Italian, while messages in other official languages underlined the service’s truly pan-European reach.

Ask EP always replied in the language used by the citizen, ensuring equal access to information for all.

Conclusion and outlook

Throughout 2025, responding to citizens’ enquiries required close cooperation across the European Parliament. Depending on the subject matter, replies drew on expertise from all the Parliament’s administration services. This ensured that citizens received accurate, up-to-date and comprehensive information.

In line with the European Parliament’s commitment to transparency, replies to a selection of campaign messages sent in 2025 are available on the EPRS blog. Answers to frequently asked questions can also be found online, providing citizens with continued access to information beyond individual correspondence.

This 2025 review confirms that citizens remain deeply engaged with the European Parliament and eager to understand, influence and participate in EU decision-making. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP) will continue to serve as a key contact point between citizens and the Parliament, fostering dialogue, transparency and trust.

Stay in touch

If you wish to share your views or request information, you can contact the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP) using the contact form, the Citizens’ app, or by post. We will reply in the EU language in which you write to us.

We look forward to continuing this dialogue in 2026 and beyond!

Your Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP)

Written by Saša Butorac.

CONTEXT

Expansion and modernisation of the energy infrastructure in Member States is one of the key challenges of the ongoing energy transition in the EU. The electricity grids need to develop in order to ensure the security of energy supply, increase the resilience of Europe’s energy system, and integrate the rapid roll-out of renewable energy sources, particularly at the distribution level. Given the peristent challenges relating to permit-granting procedures and delays in grid connection approvals at the national level, on 10 December 2025 the European Commission published the European grids package.

Along with the Commission proposal to introduce a new framework on the trans-European energy infrastructure guidelines, the proposal on acceleration of permit-granting procedures forms the core part of the grids package. It seeks to introduce a coherent regulatory framework at the EU level that addresses key challenges to a timely and cost-efficient development and upgrade of the transmission and distribution grids, storage, recharging stations and renewable energy projects. Major hurdles addressed in the proposal are incoherent administrative systems, lack of resources in national competent authorities, the complex nature of environmental impact assesments, the lack of public acceptance, the limited digitalisation of the procedures and data availability, as well as various judicial challenges.

Legislative proposal

2025/0400(COD) – Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures – COM(2025) 1007, 10.12.2025.

NEXT STEPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For the latest developments in this legislative procedure, see the Legislative Train Schedule:2025/0400(COD)

Read the complete briefing on ‘Acceleration of permit-granting procedures‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Saša Butorac.

CONTEXT

Timely, cost-efficient expansion and modernisation of the European energy infrastructure is one of the key challenges in the EU’s ongoing energy transition. Grid development is needed to ensure energy supply security, increase the resilience of Europe’s energy system and integrate the rapid roll-out of renewable energy sources. Cross border infrastructure plays a vital role in connecting national energy networks..

Meeting the 2030 interconnection targets is particularly important for completing the energy union and reaching European Union energy and climate goals. Given the scale of investment required, the persistent governance challenges around cross‑border projects and the need to enhance the robustness of the scenarios on which they are based, the European Commission has put forward a proposal to revise the TEN‑E regulation, as part of the European grids package published on 10 December 2025. The proposal is one of two legislative initiatives forming the core of the package (the other is on accelerating permit‑granting procedures).

Legislative proposal

2025/0399(COD) – Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure, amending Regulations (EU) 2019/942, (EU) 2019/943 and (EU) 2024/1789 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2022/869 – COM(2025) 1006, 10 December 2025.

NEXT STEPS IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

For the latest developments in this legislative procedure, see the Legislative Train Schedule:

2025/0399(COD)

Read the complete briefing on ‘Guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure Revision of the TEN E Regulation‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Victoria Martin de la Torre.

Commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz

On 27 January 1945, the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp was liberated, after some 1.1 million people – mostly Jews, but also Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and people of other nationalities – were murdered there. This year, survivor Tatiana Bucci, who was six years old when she was deported to Auschwitz with her family, will address MEPs, recalling that around 1.5 million Jewish children were murdered in the Holocaust.

Role of the European Parliament

In 1995, Parliament called for a Holocaust Remembrance Day in all Member States, and in January 2005 proposed 27 January as the EU’s Day of Remembrance of the Holocaust. In November 2005, the United Nations General Assembly designated 27 January as an international day of commemoration to honour Holocaust victims. Since 2005, Parliament has marked this date every year.

Parliament’s Vice-President responsible for Holocaust Remembrance Day and the fight against antisemitism is Pina Picierno (S&D, Italy). The House of European History, established at Parliament’s initiative in Brussels, features a permanent exhibition on the Holocaust and offers the Hidden Children – Survivors of the Holocaust in Brussels, a guided educational and commemorative walk for young people.

In October 2017, Parliament called on the Member States to mark 2 August as the date to remember the victims of the Roma Holocaust and to include this community in Holocaust Remembrance Day. In June that year, Parliament called on the Member States to adopt and apply the working definition of antisemitism employed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, so as to identify and prosecute antisemitic attacks more efficiently and effectively. In October 2018, in relation to the rise of neo-fascist violence in Europe, Parliament drew attention to growing violence against Jews, and called on the Member States to counter Holocaust denial and trivialisation, and to mainstream Holocaust remembrance in education.

Parliament regularly adopts resolutions on fundamental rights in the EU, addressing a wide range of issues such as human dignity, freedom, minority rights and antisemitism. Its September 2022 resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU (2020-2021), for instance, provided an overview of antisemitism, racism, discrimination against LGBTIQ persons, anti-gypsyism and xenophobia.

In 2023, Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) began work on a report supporting the extension of the list of EU crimes in Article 83 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to include hate speech and hate crime, in response to a 2021 Commission communication. If the list is extended, Parliament and the Council may then establish minimum rules on the definition of criminal offences and sanctions across the EU. Parliament endorsed the report in plenary on 18 January 2024.

The European Parliament’s Working Group against Antisemitism, bringing together more than 80 Members from across the political groups, cooperates with all EU institutions.

This is an update of an ‘At a glance’ note from January 2025 drafted by Alina-Alexandra Georgescu.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Holocaust Remembrance Day 2026: Through the eyes of a child‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

Members debated with the European Council and European Commission on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 18 December 2025 and the geopolitical tensions currently facing Europe. Parliament also heard and debated a presentation of the Cyprus Council Presidency’s programme of activities.

Several debates on external issues were held with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, including: on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark and the need for a united EU response to the United States, the situation in Venezuela following the extraction of Maduro and the need to ensure a peaceful democratic transition, and Iran’s brutal repression of protesters.

Further debates were held following Council and Commission statements on: preparations for the EU-India Summit; tackling AI deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media through full use of the EU’s digital rules; the pending approval of the Hungarian national plan for Security Action for Europe (SAFE) funding; the attempted takeover of Lithuania’s public broadcaster and the threat to democracy in Lithuania; online piracy of sports and other live events; and the proposed cybersecurity and digital networks acts.

Finally, Members rejected a motion of censure against the European Commission, and adopted a resolution requesting an opinion from the Court of Justice on the compatibility of the proposed EU–Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) with the EU Treaties.

40th anniversary of the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Union

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Union, His Majesty Felipe VI, King of Spain, and His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Republic of Portugal, addressed Parliament in a formal sitting. Parliament also observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the rail accident in Spain on 18 January.

Air passenger rights

Proposed reform of EU air passenger rights to address issues such as delays, cancellations, weak enforcement and unclear rules had been stalled in the Council for over a decade due to disagreements on compensation, extraordinary circumstances and enforcement. Members debated and adopted a recommendation from the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) at second reading. The report rejects the Council’s position in favour of higher delay thresholds and reduced compensation, and supports distance-based compensation of €300-€600, a closed list of exemptions, and stronger passenger protection, such as free hand luggage, bans on unfair fees and longer claim deadlines. The file now returns to the Council for its second reading, with conciliation to follow unless the Council accepts Parliament’s amendments.

Critical medicines act

Critical medicine shortages and the EU’s growing reliance on external suppliers for critical ingredients pose a threat to EU public health. The proposed ‘critical medicines act’ aims to improve the availability and security of supply of critical medicines in the EU by decreasing dependency on single suppliers and non-EU countries, such as India and China, and improving pharmaceutical manufacturing in the EU. Members debated and approved a report from the Committee on Public Health (SANT) regarding the proposed regulation, and set Parliament’s position for trilogue negotiations. The report expands the definition of a ‘strategic project’ to improve EU manufacturing capacity and calls for the creation of a critical medicines security fund within the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework, and an EU coordination mechanism for national stockpiles and contingency stocks of critical medicines.

28th regime

The 28th regime is a proposed EU-level legal framework that would allow innovative companies to operate across the EU under a single set of rules. Companies would not have to deal with differing regulations across Member States, which would help boost the single market. Parliament debated and adopted a legislative-initiative report on the 28th regime from the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI). The report suggests national limited liability companies be able to register as ‘Societas Europaea Unificata’ (S.EU), which would be automatically recognised in all Member States. It recommends a harmonised EU legal framework for corporate law to align national rules across all Member States, while ensuring safeguards for national laws to avoid undermining labour and social laws. It proposes a common digital direct entry point allowing entrepreneurs to establish companies within 48 hours, and harmonised rules on employee financial participation schemes.

Just transition in the world of work

Parliament debated and adopted a legislative-initiative report from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) proposing a new directive to protect workers who may become unemployed in the move towards a greener and more digital society. The report calls on the European Commission to create a comprehensive framework to ensure EU countries create jobs in regions where jobs are most likely to disappear. This framework should ensure the development of viable economic 2

alternatives and attract the necessary investment. The report also calls to set certain workplace conditions, including the right to training during working hours, health and safety measures, the right to worker consultation and collective bargaining and stronger protections against unfair dismissal. It also calls for increased support for a just transition in the 2028-2034 MFF. Lastly, the proposed directive would require Member States to develop national strategies and business support programmes for small and medium-sized businesses.

Drones and new systems of warfare

The EU is facing a rising drone threat linked to Russian provocations, and is boosting drone and counter-drone capabilities. Parliament debated and adopted an own-initiative report from the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) setting out a comprehensive strategy to prepare the EU for drone-enabled conflict, calling for the rapid integration of drone and counter-drone capabilities across EU defence planning and stronger protection of civilian infrastructure. It stresses the need to build a robust, autonomous European drone industry, reduce reliance on non-EU suppliers and shift from a primarily regulatory approach to a security model focused on operational capabilities and strategic autonomy.

CFSP and CSDP 2025 annual reports

Members considered and approved the 2025 annual implementation reports on common security and defence policy from the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and on common foreign and security policy from the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). Both reports identify Russia’s war against Ukraine as a primary threat to the EU and Member States, and call for stronger support for Ukraine to protect European security. They both acknowledge the importance of EU relations with the United States in securing peace in Ukraine, with the SEDE report noting the risks of isolationist US foreign policy and expressing concern at the US government’s threats against Greenland’s sovereignty. The AFET report highlights the current global geopolitical instability and accelerated erosion of democratic norms, stating that the EU’s credibility depends on its ability to act coherently and decisively. It calls for a gradual transition to qualified majority voting for common foreign and security policy decisions without military or defence implications, while encouraging greater use of constructive abstention.

Human rights and democracy in the world and the 2025 EU annual report

Members also debated and adopted a resolution on the AFET committee’s annual report on human rights and democracy in the world. This report aims at informing a post-2027 EU action plan for human rights and democracy, and reiterates Parliament’s call for a stronger plan based on a full review of the current framework, with clear benchmarks, indicators and timelines. It highlights growing threats to human rights and the international system, proposes improvements to EU tools such as human rights dialogues, support for human rights defenders, conditionality in EU trade and international agreements and human rights sanctions. It also stresses the need for earmarked funding for human rights anddemocracy support in the next MFF, notably through the proposed Global Europe instrument.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Two decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations – from Parliament’s Committees on Defence (SEDE) and Internal Market (IMCO) on simplification of intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and the simplification of security and defence procurement and acceleration of permit-granting for defence readiness projects, as well as one further decision from the Committees on Defence (SEDE), Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) and Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) on defence readiness and facilitating defence investments and conditions for defence industry were approved without vote.

Read this ‘at a glance note’ on ‘Plenary round-up – January I 2026‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Silvia Kotanidis.

Background

In her political guidelines for 2024-2029, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen paid special attention to the role of citizens in our democracy as she pledged to strengthen citizens’ voice in the EU and to step up engagement with civil society organisations (CSOs). Following up on this, the Commission announced a comprehensive strategy on CSOs in its 2025 work programme. This initiative was praised by a number of CSOs and stakeholders and EU bodies such as the European Economic and Social Committee. Many stakeholders have in fact been voicing concern about shrinking civic space, which has sparked a range of recommendations, including calls for policy interventions. The European Parliament, too, in a resolution from March 2022, recognised the stress under which CSOs increasingly operate and called for a range of interventions such as an EU alert mechanism, a statute for European cross-border associations, enhanced monitoring to ensure that civic space is not negatively affected, including the use of infringement procedures, a coherent policy framework to foster inclusive participation, and ‘long-term predictable, adequate and enabling financing for CSOs’, in addition to a reduction in red tape.

The strategy

On 12 November 2025, after a public consultation which attracted a significant number of contributions from CSOs, including ones from third countries, the Commission issued a communication outlining the EU strategy for civil society. This document builds on existing frameworks and sets out concrete actions at EU and national level, in order to protect CSOs within and outside the EU. The strategy is addressed to CSOs covering a broad set of organisations: non-state, not-for-profit, independent, non-partisan, non-violent organisations, through which people pursue and defend shared objectives and ideals, including human rights defenders (HRD). The protection offered is aimed at those CSOs that are accountable, independent, transparent and respect EU common values of democracy, dignity and respect for fundamental freedoms.

The strategy is based on three main pillars.

The first pillar focuses on strengthening effective engagement with CSOs as partners in governance. The strategy recognises that CSOs contribute by providing advice and expertise in many fields and that they help shape EU policies. In addition to the existing tools (e.g. Have your say, better regulation tools, local councillors, civil society dialogues, consultations), the strategy identifies 10 guiding principles that must be observed in the dialogue with civil society: partnership; comprehensiveness; predictability and regularity as to the dialogue; transparency; representation; inclusivity; accessibility; accountability; resourcing; and safety. The strategy also emphasises the importance of Commission Recommendation 2023/2836 on promoting the engagement and effective participation of citizens and civil society organisations in public policy-making processes, which calls on Member States to enable CSOs to participate. The Commission, to enhance the role of CSOs as partners in policymaking, made a number of commitments: to establish a Civil Society Platform and to organise an annual summit of the Platform; to promote the 10 guiding principles mentioned above; to engage with civil society through existing or newly created toolssuch as the Youth Advisory Board, the Youth Stakeholders Group, the Youth Dialogue and policy dialogues; to engage with citizens’ panels as a way to create a bridge between CSOs and citizens; to support national capacity-building; and to institutionalise and standardise in-country consultations of CSOs.

The second pillar highlights the need to support and protect CSOs. In this respect, the Commission acknowledges the difficulties faced by CSOs, such as an increasing range of threats, from attacks on their staff to smear and disinformation campaigns. Both preventive and reactive measures are therefore proposed, together with increased engagement to monitor the challenges faced by the civic space. Further to existing tools (its annual rule of law reports, SLAPP legislation (strategic lawsuit against public participation), the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) and the European fact-checking network), the Commission committed to: creating an online knowledge hub on civic space, to document existing civic space monitoring initiatives, reports and protection resources; exploring ways to strengthen CSOs and HRDs at risk in the EU; supporting training for justice professionals on SLAPPs that target CSOs, and litigation on rights derived from the Charter; supporting national capacity-building in implementing Recommendation 2023/2836; and strengthening the EU’s warning system where civic space is shrinking in enlargement countries.

The third pillar of the strategy focuses on ways to provide ‘long-term, predictable and sufficient funding’. Funding can be of a public or private nature. In the latter case, it is necessary to create a favourable environment for private donors in which philanthropic freedom is protected. The EU already supports CSOs financially through programmes like CERV, Agora EU, Erasmus + and the EU Solidarity Corps. For the future, the Commission will explore possible funding gaps, work to connect communities and pro bono lawyers with CSOs across sectors, and explore possibilities to extend financial support to third-party schemes across relevant EU funding programmes.

Finally, the strategy highlights the need to support civil society in EU external action. To that end, the Commission committed, among other things, to strengthening dialogue with CSOs in all policy areas, including through EU delegations; consulting CSOs in the preparation of the EU action plan on human rights and democracy; and strengthening CSOs’ participation in multilateral fora.

Reactions to the strategy

While there is an overall consensus that such an initiative was long overdue, reactions to the strategy have been mixed. The Good Lobby and La Strada International considered the strategy to be a good starting point, but that it is not enough and needs consistent follow-up by the Commission; other commentators highlighted the contradictions with the Commission’s approach to policymaking, which often sidelines CSOs. Civil Society Europe considered the strategy to be a positive signal overall, while the European Civic Forum and the European Centre for Not-for-profit Law emphasised the importance of implementation. Liberties lamented the lack of concrete actions, while the European Movement International considered the strategy to be a significant step in embedding democratic resilience.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘An EU strategy for civil society‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Pieter Baert.

Simplification strategy

As highlighted in the recent reports by Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta, barriers to cross-border business operations continue to hinder the effective functioning of the EU single market. Removing such obstacles is not only central to the idea of the EU, but also represents an important opportunity for economic growth. In response, the European Commission has launched a broad initiative to ‘stress-test’ the entire EU rulebook to eliminate overlaps, contradictions, and unnecessary complexity. This agenda includes legislative simplification, for instance through a series of Omnibus proposals, and renewed efforts to deepen the single market. Among the options under consideration is the introduction of a ’28th regime’, to offer innovative companies a pan-European legal framework that companies can opt into.

In terms of taxation policy, the European Commission intends to table an omnibus package on taxation for the second quarter of 2026, and a recast of the Directive on Administrative Cooperation (DAC).

Costs, fragmentation and uncertainty

In the context of cross-border activity, a tax obstacle can be understood broadly. It not only refers to explicit discrimination, but to any fiscal or administrative friction, such as: legal uncertainty; duplicative reporting requirements that disproportionately affect cross-border activity, as businesses must navigate multiple tax authorities; reporting systems; relief procedures; and divergent interpretations of the same EU rules. From an economic perspective, such barriers distort competition by favouring firms that remain domestic or that already operate at scale. They weaken the competitive pressure that the single market is meant to generate, with knock-on effects on prices, innovation, and market concentration. Empirical evidence further suggests a negative impact on investment decisions when businesses face uncertainty about the final tax treatment of an investment.

Any discussion of tax barriers must start from a fundamental legal and political reality: direct taxation remains largely within the competence of the Member States. Member States retain the right to determine who is taxed, on what, when, and at what rate, leaving the EU with a mandate to act only as necessary for the establishment and functioning of the internal market. These limited legal pathways for the EU result in distinct national tax environments, compelling cross-border workers and businesses to navigate different tax rulebooks including those governing labour income, corporate income, and capital gains. Attempts at harmonisation are long-standing: the idea of a common corporate tax base has been discussed since the 1960s. However, successive proposals failed to secure sufficient support, and the most recent proposal – BEFIT – is pending in the Council since 2023.

Even in areas where EU law provides a common framework, tax barriers can remain pervasive. For instance, despite the existence of the VAT Directive, value added tax (VAT) was identified as the most frequently reported tax-related obstacle in the single market in the Commission’s 2025 Single Market and Competitiveness Report. A particularly acute problem is VAT registration in another Member State. While the underlying VAT concepts are largely harmonised, administrative procedures are not. Registration procedures can vary widely between Member States in terms of documentation requirements, digitalisation, and processing times (see Table 1). The forthcoming expansion of the VAT One-Stop Shop under the VAT in the digital age package will significantly lower the need for multiple VAT registrations. However, where a company carries out activities outside the scope of the One-Stop Shop or where timely recovery of input VAT is commercially critical, companies may still need, or choose, to obtain VAT registrations in several Member States, each subject to national administrative procedures and compliance burdens.

Table 1 VAT registration challenges VAT registrationRegistrationVAT rules may be particularly complex: suppliers may not be aware that they must register for VAT in another country, leading to unintentional non-compliance, disputes and loss of tax revenue.DocumentationDifferent Member States may request different supporting documents (originals/copies) during the registration process (invoices, company statutes, company directors’ identity, etc.).LanguageLanguage barriers can hinder communication for foreign traders. Authorities may require documents in the local language, requiring professional translation.Nature of processDegree of digitalisation varies between Member States; manual procedures, delays and inconsistent follow-up increase uncertainty.ReportingOnce registered, the business must file VAT returns, EC-sales listings, etc.PaymentsOnce registered, the business must remit VAT according to local deadlines.Tax adviceComplexity of registration and subsequent obligations may force businesses to rely on external tax and accountancy expertise.

Table Source: P. Baert, Single market, single VAT registration? Development and future of the one-stop shop, EPRS, European Parliament, 2025

More broadly, the unanimity requirement in tax matters represents a high barrier to achieving legislative progress at EU level. As a result, directives — rather than directly applicable regulations — remain the default legislative instrument. This inevitably leaves room for divergent national transposition and application. In response, the EU has increasingly relied on coordination and soft-law instruments, including guidance issued by the VAT Committee, recommendations and initiatives such as the European Trust and Cooperation Approach (ETACA) framework, to mitigate fragmentation.

New challenges

As the economy evolves, new tax barriers are emerging. Digitalisation has enabled employees to work from anywhere, but where an employee resides in one Member State and works for an employer established in another, overlapping national rules can lead to double taxation, disputes and high compliance costs. Employers may also face a ‘permanent establishment’ risk if an employee’s home office is deemed to create a taxable presence in another jurisdiction. These risks act as hidden barriers to labour mobility within the single market. The Commission plans to propose a recommendation to Member States on this issue in 2026.

The increased ‘servitisation’ of the EU economy presents a further challenge for the single market, as new business models combine elements of both goods and services (e.g. subscription-based manufacturing models). Current VAT rules, however, continue to rely on a rigid distinction between supplies of goods and supplies of services, each with different place of taxation rules. In hybrid scenarios, this can create legal uncertainty and disputes between Member States over taxing rights, increasing compliance costs and litigation risks for businesses.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Tax obstacles in the single market‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Written by Marc Jütten with Angelos Delivorias.

Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro

Nicolás Maduro assumed the Presidency of Venezuela on 8 March 2013, following Hugo Chávez’s death on 5 March. In the subsequent presidential elections on 14 April 2013, Maduro, who represented the governing Socialist Unified Party of Venezuela (Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela/PSUV), won narrowly over Henrique Capriles, the candidate of the opposition coalition, Democratic Unity Roundtable (Mesa de la Unidad Democrática/MUD).

Since Maduro took power, the country has been suffering from the effects of a deep economic, political, social and humanitarian crisis. Hyperinflation (over 130 000 % in 2018) and large shortages of essential goods were the results of the economic policies and governmental mismanagement under Chávez and Maduro, combined with declining oil production, the global drop in oil prices in 2014, corruption and the impact of US sanctions. As a result, in recent years, 7.9 million Venezuelans have left the country, seeking safety and better opportunities, with more than 6.9 million people (85 %) being hosted in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to the European Commission, around 56 % of the population live in extreme poverty; 40 % of the population experience moderate to severe food insecurity; around 62 % of the population does not have regular access to water; and 70 % of the population have lost access to health system services.

Read the complete study on ‘The US military intervention in Venezuela and the regional and geopolitical context‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.