European Union

The 25th Winter Olympics kick off in Italy today. For the first time in Olympic history, two cities, Milan and the winter resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo, will jointly host the games. Before all the attention turns to games and medals, the media discuss the event from an economic - and environmental - perspective.

The New Start nuclear weapons treaty, which was signed between the US and Russia in 2010 to limit the number of strategic nuclear weapons, expired on Thursday. The agreement foresaw a maximum limit of 1,550 warheads and 800 delivery vehicles for both sides. Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed a one-year extension of the treaty last September, but US President Donald Trump didn't take up the offer.

The press briefing will take place on Tuesday, 10 February at 14.30.

Written by Clare Ferguson with Sara Raja.

Parliament has consistently highlighted the need to protect children online, addressing issues such as cyberbullying, hate speech, child sexual abuse and mental health risks. The European Commission is due to put forward an EU action plan against cyberbullying aimed at protecting children, young adults and others at particular risk online. The plan should address the lack of a common definition of cyberbullying along with proposals for prevention and awareness-raising measures. Members are set to debate the cyberbullying action plan following a Commission statement on Tuesday.

With a Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) report calling for stronger EU coordination, Members are due to debate the development of the EU’s first-ever anti-poverty strategy on Wednesday. The EMPL report highlights the multidimensional nature of poverty, particularly among children, people with disabilities, older people and those in precarious employment. It also stresses the need to improve minimum income schemes, and the importance of quality jobs, effective social protection and access to public services. Finally, the report calls for adequate funding, including through the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF), to support implementation of the strategy, improve coherence across existing initiatives and contribute to the goal of eradicating poverty by 2035, including through access to affordable essential goods and housing.

Workplace incidents remain a significant challenge in the EU, particularly in the construction, transport, and manufacturing sectors. Parliament has urged action, particularly on contractor and subcontractor liability, and an EMPL report tabled for debate on Wednesday reiterates this call. The report calls for a comprehensive strategy against labour exploitation, including tackling illegal work, organised crime and abusive business practices such as some subcontracting activities. It highlights the need for effective enforcement through closer cooperation between the European Labour Authority, Europol, national authorities and social partners.

On Tuesday, Parliament is set to consider a provisional text on a regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause for agricultural products incorporated into the trade pillar of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement. The safeguard clause would allow the EU to temporarily suspend Mercosur tariff preferences and reinstate most-favoured nation duties under stricter and faster procedures should imports undercut EU prices or represent a danger to EU producers. In the provisional text, Parliament succeeded in lowering the thresholds for triggering a safeguard investigation from 10 % to 5 % and extending the reference period to three years. The Commission may also, at the request of EU industry, extend monitoring to products or sectors not listed in the regulation.

Late payment, last-minute order cancellations, and unilateral contract changes on the part of large buyers in a different country can considerably harm EU farmers’ businesses. While the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive seeks to protect farmers from such activities, Members are expected to consider a provisional agreement on strengthening the directive on Thursday. A Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) report proposes extending the rules to operators based outside the EU whose commercial activities target the EU internal market. It also suggests establishing alerts on cross-border UTPs. Under the provisional agreement, national authorities would be required to act on their own initiative to stop cross-border UTPs, even in the absence of a formal complaint.

The EU wine sector is facing change, both in growing conditions and drinking habits, leading to a risk of surplus production. On Monday, Members are scheduled to debate a provisional agreement reached with the Council on amending several EU rules governing the sector. An AGRI committee report calls for a higher EU co-financing rate for vineyard restructuring. The provisional agreement proposes to harmonise labelling, particularly regarding alcohol content and to increase EU and national support to promote high-quality European wines outside the EU.

On Tuesday, Members are set to consider a provisional agreement reached between Parliament and the Council on proposals to amend the European Climate Law, introducing an intermediate climate target for 2040. The amendment would include a binding 90 % net emissions reduction target for 2040, compared to 1990, and a capped potential contribution of international carbon credits towards meeting this target.

The 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in March is expected to focus on access to justice for women and girls. On Thursday, Parliament is due to consider recommendations to the Council on the EU’s priorities for the 70th session. An own-initiative report from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) urges the Council to lead efforts against the global backlash on gender rights and calls on the EU to defend diversity, equality and inclusion, safeguard the UNCSW‘s mandate, and address funding shortfalls.

On Wednesday, Members are expected to debate two questions for oral answer to the Commission on the accession of third countries (in this case Albania and Montenegro) to the Hague conventions (specifically the Hague Judgments Convention). There are various procedures for handling the effects of ratification of an acceding state on existing parties in Hague Conventions. In one scenario, if existing parties do not oppose the accession by submitting a declaration within a set time limit, their agreement to the accession is tacit. However, when the Commission raises no objection to a third country’s accession and does not submit a declaration of opposition, the Council and Parliament cannot give their consent. It is therefore Parliament’s position that the Commission must present a proposal for acceptance in such cases, even where not required by the convention itself.

Quick links to all our publications for this plenary session:

European Parliament Plenary Session February 2026 – agenda

• New action plan against cyberbullying
• Developing a new EU anti-poverty strategy
• Addressing subcontracting chains and the role of intermediaries in order to protect workers’ rights
• The EU-Mercosur bilateral safeguard clause
• Cross-border enforcement of rules on unfair trading practices in the agri-food supply chain
• Wine sector package
• Amending the European Climate Law
• EU priorities for the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women Accession of third countries to Hague conventions
• Accession of third countries to Hague conventions

Cafés enfumés et cigarettes allumées partout : un projet de loi entend durcir les règles sur le tabagisme. Soutenue par les médecins mais contestée par les commerçants, la réforme ravive la polémique dans un pays grand producteur de tabac.

- Articles / Courrier des Balkans, Macédoine du Nord, Economie, Santé, Société, Une - Diaporama - En premier, Une - Diaporama

La route des Balkans reste toujours l'une des principales voies d'accès l'Union européenne, pour les exilés du Proche et du Moyen Orient, d'Afrique ou d'Asie. Alors que les frontières Schengen se ferment, Frontex se déploie dans les Balkans, qui sont toujours un « sas d'accès » à la « forteresse Europe ». Notre fil d'infos en continu.

- Le fil de l'Info / Bosnie-Herzégovine, Albanie, Kosovo, Bulgarie, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Migrants Balkans, Courrier des Balkans, Croatie, Turquie, Grèce, Moldavie, Macédoine du Nord, Monténégro, Slovénie, Roumanie, Serbie, Gratuit, Grèce immigration

La route des Balkans reste toujours l'une des principales voies d'accès l'Union européenne, pour les exilés du Proche et du Moyen Orient, d'Afrique ou d'Asie. Alors que les frontières Schengen se ferment, Frontex se déploie dans les Balkans, qui sont toujours un « sas d'accès » à la « forteresse Europe ». Notre fil d'infos en continu.

- Le fil de l'Info / Bosnie-Herzégovine, Albanie, Kosovo, Bulgarie, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Migrants Balkans, Courrier des Balkans, Croatie, Turquie, Grèce, Moldavie, Macédoine du Nord, Monténégro, Slovénie, Roumanie, Serbie, Gratuit, Grèce immigration

La route des Balkans reste toujours l'une des principales voies d'accès l'Union européenne, pour les exilés du Proche et du Moyen Orient, d'Afrique ou d'Asie. Alors que les frontières Schengen se ferment, Frontex se déploie dans les Balkans, qui sont toujours un « sas d'accès » à la « forteresse Europe ». Notre fil d'infos en continu.

- Le fil de l'Info / Bosnie-Herzégovine, Albanie, Kosovo, Bulgarie, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Migrants Balkans, Courrier des Balkans, Croatie, Turquie, Grèce, Moldavie, Macédoine du Nord, Monténégro, Slovénie, Roumanie, Serbie, Gratuit, Grèce immigration

La route des Balkans reste toujours l'une des principales voies d'accès l'Union européenne, pour les exilés du Proche et du Moyen Orient, d'Afrique ou d'Asie. Alors que les frontières Schengen se ferment, Frontex se déploie dans les Balkans, qui sont toujours un « sas d'accès » à la « forteresse Europe ». Notre fil d'infos en continu.

- Le fil de l'Info / Bosnie-Herzégovine, Albanie, Kosovo, Bulgarie, Questions européennes, Populations, minorités et migrations, Migrants Balkans, Courrier des Balkans, Croatie, Turquie, Grèce, Moldavie, Macédoine du Nord, Monténégro, Slovénie, Roumanie, Serbie, Gratuit, Grèce immigration

Citizens are calling on the European Parliament and the European Union to act in response to the government crackdown on protesters in Iran. Many citizens have written to the President of the European Parliament on this subject since January 2026, asking for immediate international action to stop mass executions and repression in Iran.

We replied to citizens who took the time to write to the President.

Elements of replies in English

The European Parliament and the European Union (EU) are responding to ongoing developments in Iran.

The European Parliament’s response to the recent violent crackdown of protesters and political dissidents in Iran has been clear.

On 8 January President Roberta Metsola, expressed the European Parliament’s solidarity with the people of Iran.  Addressing the European Parliament plenary on 19 January, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, stated that Parliament has acted firmly by banning Iranian diplomats and representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iranfrom its premises on 12 January 2026.

Parliament’s position on the situation in Iran

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on 22 January 2026 on the brutal repression of protesters in Iran.

The European Parliament stands in full solidarity with the people of Iran and their brave and legitimate protest movement. It strongly condemns the widespread, intentional and disproportionate use of force by security forces.

Following pressure from the European Parliament the Council designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as terrorist organisation. It demands the expansion and strict enforcement of EU sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans.

Parliament extends its full solidarity to the Iranian diaspora, which plays a crucial role in demanding freedom and democracy and supporting the protests. It recognises the Iranian people as the sole legitimate source of authority and sovereignty in Iran.

Parliament reiterates its call for Iran to grant immediate and unhindered access to the UN-mandated fact-finding mission to address grave crimes under international law, including murder, torture, rape and enforced disappearances.

Finally, Parliament urges EU countries to revoke the diplomatic status of the staff of Iran’s embassies and consulates across the EU.

Background

Citizens often send messages to the President of the European Parliament expressing their views and/or requesting action. The Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (AskEP) within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) replies to these messages, which may sometimes be identical as part of wider public campaigns.