European Parliament

The European People's Party calls on the EU to take urgent action over Hungary's decision to ease visa restrictions for Russians. This creates security risks and may allow Russians to circumvent restrictions in the Schengen area.

European Parliament President Josep Borrell condemned the rocket attack on the Golan Heights. The attack from Lebanon killed at least 12 young people and injured nearly 20 others.

The head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen presented her plans for the next 5 years and called on the European Parliament to approve her for a second term. She outlined the goal of building a strong Europe, ready for any challenges.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is planning a surprise visit to Belgrade on Friday to attend the signing of a cooperation agreement between the EU and Serbia on lithium imports, essential for the EU's digital and green transition.

Russian occupiers killed two Ukrainian teenagers, Tigran Ohanesyan and Mykyta Khanganov, in Berdiansk last year and now refuse to return their bodies to their parents or the Ukrainian side, planning instead to bury them secretly.

Roberta Mecola was re-elected as President of the European Parliament for another two and a half years until 2027, receiving 562 votes in the first round.

According to a study by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation, more than half of Ukrainians do not feel a strong sense of belonging to the European community, although younger and better educated people tend to identify themselves more as Europeans.

French prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation into suspected illegal financing of Marine Le Pen's 2022 presidential campaign.

According to a report by Finnish analysts, TikTok search results during the European election campaign contained discriminatory and xenophobic content against women, minorities, and marginalized groups, which contributed to the spread of harmful stereotypes and misinformation.

In France, the second round of parliamentary elections is underway, in which the far-right National Rally party led by Marine Le Pen is projected to win about 37% of the vote, outpacing President Macron's center-left coalition.

Far-right Dutch and Spanish parties are planning to join Hungarian Prime Minister Orban's new right-wing alliance in the European Parliament, potentially undermining Italian Prime Minister Meloni's power.

Unidentified gunmen opened fire on the SPD party headquarters in Dresden, Germany, a few weeks before the state elections in Saxony: bullet holes were found in the windows on the third floor.

Members of Marine Le Pen's pro-Russian party in the European Parliament may leave their Identity and Democracy faction and join Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's new alliance after the French elections.

Exit polls show that the far-right National Rally party wins the first round of parliamentary elections in France with about 34% of the vote.

Right-wing parties in Austria, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have announced the creation of a new far-right faction, Patriots for Europe, in the European Parliament, which will fight against the Brussels establishment.

Ukraine plans to strengthen the regulation of dietary supplements by defining clear mechanisms for their production and circulation, and approving lists of permitted substances and doses. The document also strengthens responsibility for the production and sale of food supplements that do not meet legal requirements.

Ursula von der Leyen, Kaya Callas and Antonio Costa were nominated for top positions in the EU after an agreement between EU leaders representing the bloc's three main political groups.

The EU is applying the 14th package of sanctions against Russia in connection with Russia's war against Ukraine, imposing even more restrictions on sectors of the Russian economy such as Energy, Finance and trade, and making it even more difficult to circumvent EU sanctions.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party must submit a written statement of support for Ukraine if it wants to join the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) in the European Parliament.

Jordan Bardella, president of the French National Rally party, is in favor of providing Ukraine with ammunition and equipment for self-defense, but opposes sending equipment that could provoke a wider war or deploying French troops in Ukraine.

Viktor Orban's Fidesz party may not be admitted to the European Parliament group, while his opponent Péter Magyar and his Respect and Freedom Party (TISZA) will join the European People's Party group after a vote in Brussels.

EU leaders failed to agree on candidates for key EU positions, including Ursula von der Leyen's second term as president of the European Commission.

Iraq and Jordan withdrew their signatures from the joint communiqué of the Global Peace Summit, bringing the document aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine to 78 countries.

A thematic session behind closed doors at the Global Peace Summit was devoted to the implementation of paragraph 4 of the Peace Formula, which concerns the return home of Ukrainian children, civilians and prisoners of war held by Russia.

According to polls, the Labor Party is likely to win the UK parliamentary elections by a large margin, while the Conservatives will suffer a significant defeat.

Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas is being considered for the post of Europe's top diplomat and head of the European Commission's Foreign and Security Policy Service, according to reports citing European diplomatic sources.

The EU notes a rapidly emerging consensus on preferred names for top EU leadership positions: naming Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as president of the European Commission, António Costa as president of the European Council, Roberta Metsola as head of the European Parliament and Kaja Kallas as head of EU diplomacy.

Zelensky stressed the importance of preventing pro-Russian populist slogans in the European Parliament elections, as they pose a danger to Ukraine and EU countries.

In Slovenia, referendums were held on legalizing cannabis for medical and personal use, as well as on euthanasia, and voters supported all three proposals.

In the new composition of the European Parliament, based on previous results, the European People's party is the largest group with 185 seats, followed by the Socialists and Democrats with 137 seats, renew Europe with 79 seats and other groups.