MEPs voted for changes at the European Commission, more ambitious climate targets, and discussed the rule of law in EU countries during the 5-8 October plenary session in Brussels. On Wednesday, Parliament approved the appointment of Mairead McGuinness as commissioner for financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union as well as Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis’ change of portfolio to include responsibility for trade. MEPs called on Wednesday for reinforcement of the rule of law across Europe through a new mechanism linking receipt...

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Greenhouse gas budget to ensure EU reaches Paris goal Independent scientific body set up to monitor progress All direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies should be phased out by 2025 at the latest All member states must become climate neutral by 2050, says Parliament in a vote on the EU climate law, calling for ambitious 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets. On Wednesday, Parliament adopted its negotiating mandate on the EU climate law with 392 votes for, 161 against and...

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The European Commission has today adopted a new 10-year plan, including a proposal for a Council Recommendation, to support Roma in the EU. There are seven key areas of focus: equality, inclusion, participation, education, employment, health, and housing. For each area, the Commission has put forward new targets and recommendations for Member States on how to achieve them, both of which will serve as important tools to monitor progress and ensure that the EU makes more headway in providing the vital support that so many Roma living in the EU still need. Vice-President...

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Today, the Commission adopted its Communication on EU enlargement policy and the 2020 Enlargement Package: The annual reports, assessing the implementation of fundamental reforms in the Western Balkans and Turkey, are presented together with clearer and more precise recommendations and guidance on the next steps for those partners, in line with the enhanced enlargement methodology. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, said: "The citizens of the Western Balkans are part of Europe and...

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Governments around the world are taking extraordinary measures to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. While maintaining the focus on addressing the health emergency and providing lifelines for households and businesses, governments need to prepare economies for the transition to the post-COVID-19 world—including by helping people get back to work. Public investment has a central role to play. Our new Fiscal Monitor shows that increasing public investment in advanced and emerging market economies could help revive economic activity from the sharpest and deepest...

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