Europe’s key instrument to achieving energy independence and increasing competitiveness lies in the energy transition and, specifically, in boosting the generation capacity of renewable sources of energy. Following the European Green Deal and ‘fit for 55′ initiatives, the EU legislative framework for achieving this is largely in place. Significant progress has been made, in particular since the launch of the REPowerEU initiative in May 2022 in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Member States have increased the share of renewables in their energy mix, and the EU is consistently progressing towards its target of a 42.5 % share…

This study examines the WTO’s economic and legal value for the European Union and draws policy implications for the European Parliament ahead of MC14. Economically, it shows how MFN non‑discrimination and bound tariffs reduce transaction costs and uncertainty for EU exporters – especially SMEs – and warns that a two‑tier system of bilateral ‘deals’ would fragment markets and penalise EU high‑value trade. It reviews recent quantitative evidence on the welfare and export gains from GATT/WTO Membership and assesses early findings on the Trade Facilitation Agreement, noting that trade‑cost reductions abroad can benefit EU firms via supply chains. Legally, it maps…

The purpose of this study is to enhance the evidence base on how organised crime groups (OCGs) have evolved into transnational geopolitical actors, to evaluate the suitability of international legal frameworks for holding them accountable, and to offer policy recommendations to strengthen this accountability. The study finds that international law fails to adequately define or reflect the transformation of OCGs into geopolitical actors. Instead, it relies on outdated conceptions of criminal hierarchies, which confine organised crime to the transnational rather than international legal domain . International law is therefore restricted in its ability to categorise these groups as legal entities,…

On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the FEMM Committee invited the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) to present the latest results from the EU gender-based violence survey. The EU gender-based violence survey helps to understand the shocking levels of violence against women still persisting in the EU. It shows the need to act. Member States must do more to prevent violence against women and to protect them when it happens. Key findings show that: · One in three women in the EU-27 (30.7 %) have experienced physical violence or threats and/or…

On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the FEMM Committee jointly with the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs will vote on the draft own-initiative report on advancing towards a care society: addressing the gender care gap.The demand for care in the European Union is growing rapidly due to demographic change, labour market pressures and social transformations. Care provision remains under-recognised, under-resourced and unequally distributed, with women still bearing a disproportionate share of both paid and unpaid care responsibilities. Building on the European Care Strategy, the draft report by co-rapporteurs Rosa Estaràs Ferragut and Eleonora Meleti, with 601 tabled amendments and 38…

On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the draft resolution on the impact of the 1974 Turkish invasion on Cypriot women and girls, and the crimes committed by Turkish forces and consequences on gender equality will be presented in the FEMM Committee. The draft resolution by the rapporteur Eleonora Meleti follows up on the FEMM Committee mission to Nicosia, Cyprus, which took place 26-28 May 2025, on the impact of conflict and post-conflict trauma on communities and particularly on women and girls. FEMM Rapporteur: Eleonora Meleti (EPP)Source : © European Union, 2026 – EP(AGENPARL)

On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the FEMM Committee jointly with the Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on “Menopause care in the EU“.Menopause has a profound impact on millions of women across Europe, disrupting their health, family life, and careers, while also carrying wider societal implications. Nearly 90% of women in Europe will experience menopause during their lifetime, making it one of the most widespread and significant health transitions. Menopause influences women’s participation in the workforce, as women of menopausal age constitute the fastest-growing group in the workforce accounting for 11% of the G7 workforce, their ability to…

On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the FEMM Committee jointly with the Committee on Public Health will hold a hearing on “Menopause care in the EU“.Menopause has a profound impact on millions of women across Europe, disrupting their health, family life, and careers, while also carrying wider societal implications. Nearly 90% of women in Europe will experience menopause during their lifetime, making it one of the most widespread and significant health transitions. Menopause influences women’s participation in the workforce, as women of menopausal age constitute the fastest-growing group in the workforce accounting for 11% of the G7 workforce, their ability to…

AFCO Joint public hearing with LIBE and EUDS on Democracy and elections in the AI era The Committee on Constitutional Affairs jointly with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield will hold a hearing on “Democracy and elections in the AI era” on 18 March. The hearing would analyse how AI technologies are transforming the information environment surrounding European elections and democratic debate. It would examine both risks such as deepfakes, automated disinformation, micro-targeting and manipulation of voters, and positive uses of AI to detect abuse, support factchecking and…

The Committee on Constitutional Affairs jointly with the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield will hold a hearing on “Democracy and elections in the AI era” on 18 March. The hearing would analyse how AI technologies are transforming the information environment surrounding European elections and democratic debate. It would examine both risks such as deepfakes, automated disinformation, micro-targeting and manipulation of voters, and positive uses of AI to detect abuse, support factchecking and improve citizens’ access to quality information. The aim is to identify institutional and regulatory measures that…