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MEPs Just Asked for a €197 Billion Raise (And They Have Receipts)

In a move that would make even the boldest salary negotiator blush, Members of the European Parliament voted Wednesday to bump up the EU’s 2028-2034 budget by a cool 10%. That’s an extra €197 billion, for those keeping score at home.

The Budgets Committee approved the proposal with 26 votes in favor, essentially telling the European Commission: “Nice try with your July proposal, but we’re going to need more money than that.” Much more.

MEPs argue they’re not being greedy—they’re being realistic. Between a full-scale war in Europe, climate chaos, and an economy that’s apparently less competitive than they’d like, they say 1.27% of EU GNI is the bare minimum to keep the lights on and the programs running.

Show Me the Money (Breakdown)

So where’s all this extra cash going? Pretty much everywhere. Farmers are getting an additional €139 billion for the Common Agricultural Policy, because apparently you can’t run Europe on vibes alone. The European Social Fund is getting a €124 billion boost, while students celebrating Erasmus+ will see an extra €6.5 billion for their exchange adventures.

Even the civil protection mechanism is getting a bump—€1.74 billion more, which seems reasonable when you consider the continent’s recent track record with emergencies.

No Budget Buffet, Please

MEPs are drawing a hard line against what they’re calling an “à la carte EU”—essentially rejecting the Commission’s “one plan per member state” approach. Think of it as refusing to let everyone order off different menus at a group dinner. It gets messy, someone always overspends, and nobody’s happy with the bill.

They’re also demanding transparency, because apparently there are concerns about “financing not linked to costs,” which is budget-speak for “we’d like to know where the money’s actually going, thanks.”

How to Pay for All This

Here’s where it gets spicy: MEPs want new revenue sources generating around €60 billion annually. They’re floating ideas like taxing crypto gains, extending carbon border fees, and slapping levies on online gambling. Basically, if you’re making money on the internet or polluting the planet, they’d like a word—and a cut.

The proposal now heads to a full parliamentary vote on April 29. Then the real fun begins: negotiations with EU member states, who will likely have some thoughts about that 10% increase.

As co-rapporteur Carla Tavares put it: “Ambition without resources is empty.” And apparently, so is trying to run a continent on a discount budget.

EU Parliament Says “No More Getting Poisoned at Work, Please”

In a move that might seem obvious but apparently needed spelling out, the European Parliament has decided that workers shouldn’t have to risk cancer just by showing up to their jobs. Revolutionary stuff, really.

The Employment and Social Affairs Committee just greenlit new protections against nasty chemicals with a vote so lopsided (45-0-10) it makes you wonder what those 10 abstainers were thinking. “Hmm, not sure if workers deserve to breathe clean air…”

What’s Actually Changing?

The sixth—yes, sixth—revision of the tongue-twisting “carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive” sets new limits on chemicals that sound like rejected sci-fi villain names: cobalt compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and the delightfully named 1,4-dioxane. These beauties are used in batteries, steel, textiles, and other industries where workers have apparently been playing chemical roulette.

MEPs also threw in isoprene, which can cause everything from throat irritation to liver cancer. Fun times in the rubber factory!

The Good Stuff

Employers will now have to provide actual protective equipment that—wait for it—fits workers’ bodies. Groundbreaking! Workers wearing these suits also get regular breaks in contamination-free zones, because apparently “just hold your breath for eight hours” wasn’t cutting it.

Firefighters get special attention too, since running into burning buildings exposes them to slightly more hazardous materials than your average office job.

The Numbers Game

According to the European Commission, these measures could prevent 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 other illnesses over 40 years. That’s roughly 120,000 workers currently getting diagnosed with work-related cancer annually in the EU—a statistic that really shouldn’t exist in 2025.

As rapporteur Liesbet Sommen put it: “No one should be made sick just by going to work.” Hot take, but we’ll allow it.

The directive now heads to full Parliament approval before negotiations with the Council begin. SMEs will get support implementing the changes, and gender-specific vulnerabilities will be considered because—surprise—not all bodies react to toxins identically.

Who knew workplace safety could be this complicated? Oh right, everyone who’s ever worked with chemicals.

Europe Has Spoken, and It’s Listening Differently Now

In a move that proves the European Parliament occasionally gets things spectacularly right, Spanish director Eva Libertad’s film “Deaf” has snagged the 2026 LUX Audience Award. And yes, the irony of a film called “Deaf” winning an award based on people’s voices is not lost on us.

The film follows Ángela, a deaf woman navigating the terrifying waters of impending motherhood with her hearing partner. Spoiler alert: the world isn’t exactly built with her in mind. Led by deaf actress Miriam Garlo in what’s being called a “stunning performance” (their words, but we’re inclined to believe them), the film challenges viewers to, quite literally, listen differently.

European Parliament vice-president Sabine Verheyen got all poetic about it, saying the award “shines a light on films that open our eyes to experiences beyond our own.” Which is a fancy way of saying: maybe we should pay attention to people whose lives don’t look exactly like ours. Revolutionary stuff, really.

Director Eva Libertad hopes the win will “focus on the deaf community” and promote inclusion policies. She’s also optimistic that society might stop viewing diversity as a problem and start seeing it as “human wealth.” Imagine that.

The film beat out four other contenders, including one from 2012 Sakharov Prize winner Jafar Panahi, because apparently even political prisoners can’t catch a break at the movies.

In a genuinely cool move, this year’s shortlisted films came with subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the first time. Better late than never, Parliament. Better late than never.

The winner was chosen by a democratic combo of EU citizens and MEPs, each getting 50% of the vote. Democracy in action, folks—now available in 24 languages.

Europe’s Got Film Talent: LUX Award Winner Gets the Spotlight (and a Press Conference)

The European Parliament is rolling out the red carpet—literally, probably—for the 2026 LUX Audience Award winner this Tuesday evening. After what we can only assume will be a glamorous ceremony in Brussels’ hemicycle (because nothing says “cinema magic” like parliamentary seating), the big winner gets their moment in the spotlight at a press conference scheduled for 19:15 CEST.

EP Vice-President Sabine Verheyen will be joined by representatives from the winning film, European Film Academy chair Ada Solomon, and selection panel honorary president Mike Downey. They’ll gather outside room SPAAK 03C050—which sounds less like a movie venue and more like a spaceship designation, but we digress.

The Contenders

Five films are vying for glory: Irish drama Christy, Spanish film Deaf, Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident, French entry Love me Tender, and Norwegian-raised director Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. The lineup tackles everything from child protection to democracy, proving that European cinema isn’t afraid of the heavy stuff.

Breaking Barriers (and Language Ones Too)

In a first for the award, all five nominated films got the full subtitle treatment—24 EU languages, including versions for the deaf and hard of hearing. That’s right: the European Parliament is basically the Duolingo of film accessibility.

The LUX Audience Award, launched in 2020 as a partnership between the European Parliament, European Film Academy, European Commission, and Europa Cinemas network, exists to champion European films that combine artistic excellence with cultural diversity. Think of it as the Oscars’ more socially conscious European cousin who studied philosophy and really wants to talk about it.

Accredited journalists can attend in person or catch the livestream—because even press conferences have gone hybrid in our post-pandemic world.

EU Builds a Fortress (of Paperwork) Around Its Steel Industry

The European Union just decided it’s had enough of the world’s steel dumping party, and they’re not sending a polite RSVP decline—they’re building a wall. A bureaucratic, quota-filled, customs-duty-laden wall.

On Monday evening, EU Parliament and Council negotiators hammered out a deal that’s basically the trade policy equivalent of changing the locks. Starting July 1st, 2026, steel imports will face some serious new hurdles: quotas slashed by 47% (down to 18.3 million tonnes annually), and customs duties doubled to 50% for anything over the limit. That’s right—if you thought getting steel into the EU was easy, think again.

Why the steel panic? Global overcapacity. Translation: everyone’s making too much steel, and it’s flooding into Europe like uninvited guests at a wedding buffet. Since 2008, the EU steel industry has shed about 100,000 jobs—roughly the population of a small city—and Brussels has decided enough is enough.

The new rules also come with improved traceability measures, because apparently some steel has been playing hide-and-seek with its country of origin. Importers will now need to provide actual evidence of where their steel comes from. Imagine that.

Lead negotiator Karin Karlsbro even managed to slip in a dig at Russia, with all parties agreeing to “swiftly phase out” Russian steel imports. Subtle as a sledgehammer, but effective.

The deal still needs formal approval from both Parliament and Council, with a plenary vote expected in May. If all goes according to plan, the EU steel industry will finally have the armor it needs—ironically made from the very product it’s trying to protect.

EU Budget Bosses Ready to Talk Money (and Possibly Bore You to Tears)

The European Parliament is gearing up for what promises to be the most thrilling event since watching paint dry in Brussels: a press conference about the Multiannual Financial Framework. Yes, that’s MFF for those who enjoy acronyms with their morning coffee.

On Tuesday at 10:30 CET, two brave souls—Siegfried Mureşan from Romania and Carla Tavares from Portugal—will step into the Anna Politkovskaya press conference room to discuss the EU’s long-term budget for 2028-2034. Because nothing says “edge-of-your-seat excitement” quite like multi-year fiscal planning.

The dynamic duo, serving as Parliament’s co-rapporteurs, will brief journalists ahead of Wednesday’s committee vote on Parliament’s negotiating position. Translation: they’re about to tell everyone what they want before the real haggling begins.

For those who can’t make it to Brussels (or simply value their sanity), the event will be streamed via Interactio, complete with interpretation in five languages. The platform helpfully requires specific browsers and devices, because apparently accessing a press conference about budgets wasn’t complicated enough already.

Pro tip for remote viewers: connect 30 minutes early for a “connection test.” Nothing screams “cutting-edge EU institution” like needing a tech rehearsal before discussing spreadsheets.

The press conference comes with all the bells and whistles—headphones recommended for better sound quality, video required for interpretation, and presumably, a strong espresso to stay awake through discussions of fiscal frameworks.

Mark your calendars, set your alarms, and prepare your most serious budget-related questions. Democracy is happening, folks—one line item at a time.

Europe’s Busiest Week: Where Everyone’s Talking But Nobody’s Actually There

If you thought your work calendar looked intimidating, spare a thought for the European Parliament’s week of April 13-17, 2026. It’s a masterclass in bureaucratic choreography that would make a Broadway producer weep.

Monday: The Great Exodus

While Brussels sits mostly empty with a resounding chorus of “no events for this day,” President Metsola jets off to Madrid to tell Spain to “Wake Up!” at an economic forum. One can only assume Spain hit the snooze button one too many times.

Tuesday: Committee Mania Strikes

Tuesday explodes with activity like someone finally remembered they had a job. The highlights? A hearing on caste discrimination, debates about cybercrime, and—because Europe loves its acronyms—votes on the MFF, LIBE, and REGI committees. Translation for normal humans: lots of people in suits discussing very important things in rooms with numbers instead of names.

The real winner? The Committee on Development, which somehow managed to pack four major discussions into one day, including exchanges with “VOICE” and the WHO. Ambitious doesn’t begin to cover it.

Wednesday: Peak Chaos

This is when things get spicy. President Metsola meets with everyone from the UN World Food Programme’s Cindy McCain to the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Secretary General. Meanwhile, committees tackle everything from artificial intelligence to sea turtles (yes, really—France wants to join a sea turtle protection convention).

The ENVI committee gets particularly frisky, voting on chemical regulations while simultaneously worrying about fossil fuels in Colombia. Multitasking at its finest.

Thursday: The Videogame Rebellion

In a delightful plot twist, multiple committees gather to discuss the citizens’ initiative “Stop destroying videogames.” Finally, something the kids can relate to. President Metsola, meanwhile, escapes to Finland faster than you can say “parliamentary recess.”

Friday: Finnish Him

Metsola wraps up her Finnish tour meeting with basically everyone who’s anyone in Helsinki, from the President to the Prime Minister to the Speaker of Parliament. Back in Brussels? Tumbleweeds.

The Weekend: Blessed Silence

Saturday and Sunday deliver what we all suspected: “No event for this day.” Even European bureaucrats need a break.

The real question is whether anyone actually knows what happened in all those meetings, or if they’re just really committed to looking busy. Either way, it’s democracy in action—verbose, complicated, and occasionally concerned about videogames.

Europe Goes Digital: Your Car Registration is About to Get a Smartphone Upgrade

Remember that crumpled piece of paper in your glove compartment that you desperately fish for whenever a police officer approaches? Well, European lawmakers just voted to drag it kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

The European Parliament’s Transport Committee has given a resounding thumbs-up (39 votes to 1, because there’s always that one person) to digitizing vehicle registration certificates. Within three years of the new rules taking effect, your car’s papers will live happily on your phone, complete with a QR code for that instant-gratification data access we’ve all become addicted to.

But fear not, technophobes and digital skeptics! The MEPs haven’t completely lost their minds. Physical documents will still be available for those who prefer their bureaucracy in tangible form, or for anyone who’s ever experienced the cold sweat of a dead phone battery at the worst possible moment.

Fighting the Bad Guys, One Database at a Time

The real game-changer? EU countries will now share vehicle data like gossiping neighbors, but in a good way. Registration info, mileage readings, inspection results – it’s all going into a big, interconnected database designed to make life miserable for car thieves and odometer-tampering scoundrels.

Swedish MEP Johan Danielsson championed the cause, ensuring that going digital doesn’t mean leaving anyone behind. “It is essential that citizens who face barriers to using digital tools are not placed at a disadvantage,” he said, proving that sometimes politicians do remember real people exist.

The committee is now ready to negotiate with EU countries on the final details. If all goes according to plan, the era of frantically searching for that laminated card while muttering under your breath may soon be over. Progress, thy name is digitization – with a safety net for the analog holdouts among us.

European MEPs Take Shopping Trip to China (With Serious Agenda)

In their first official visit to China in eight years, European Parliament members just wrapped up a whirlwind tour of Beijing and Shanghai that was less “cultural exchange” and more “we need to talk about your shopping apps.”

The delegation from the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee spent March 31 to April 2 doing what can only be described as regulatory speed-dating with Chinese e-commerce giants. On their itinerary? Alibaba, Shein, Temu, and a stern conversation about why 91% of small parcels flooding into Europe are from China.

The Problem: Too Much Stuff, Too Fast

Here’s the deal: Chinese e-commerce platforms are absolutely dominating the European market, and MEPs are concerned it’s turning into the Wild West of online shopping. Their beef? Dangerous products slipping through, unfair competition, and a suspicious lack of platform oversight that would make any European regulator break out in hives.

Committee Chair Anna Cavazzini didn’t mince words: “While all consumers should have access to affordable consumer products, they should not have to worry about their health and safety when shopping.” Translation: cheap is great, but not if your kid’s toy might explode.

The Message: Rules Are Rules

The MEPs delivered a straightforward message to their Chinese hosts: Europe has standards, and everyone needs to play by them. Whether you’re selling widgets, removing dangerous toys, or paying customs fees, the same rules apply to everyone. No exceptions, no excuses.

The delegation particularly emphasized that “structural overcapacities in Chinese production models” are flooding the internal market and creating an uneven playing field. In other words, when you can produce everything at lightning speed and rock-bottom prices, it’s hard for European businesses to compete fairly.

The Verdict: Show Us You’re Serious

The MEPs want rapid improvements and concrete action, not just polite nods and green tea. They’ve made it clear that safety and digital standards are “non-negotiable” – a diplomatic way of saying “we’re watching you.”

With nine MEPs making the trip, including representatives from multiple political groups, this wasn’t just a fact-finding mission. It was a wake-up call delivered in person, because sometimes you need to look someone in the eye to say, “We’re not kidding around here.”

The ball is now firmly in China’s court. Time will tell if the message landed, or if European regulators will need to bring out the big regulatory stick.

Europe’s Quietest Week: When Parliament Takes a Breather

Mark your calendars for April 6-12, 2026 – or actually, don’t bother. The European Parliament has essentially decided to treat this week like that gym membership you bought in January: technically active, but mostly gathering dust.

Out of seven glorious days, exactly one has any scheduled events. That’s right, folks – Wednesday, April 8th is carrying the entire week on its shoulders like a caffeinated intern during budget season.

So what’s happening on this lone day of productivity? The Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) is kicking things off at 10 AM with what sounds like the world’s most specific coffee chat: an exchange with European Coordinators about TEN-T networks. They’ll also vote on vehicle registration documents, because someone’s got to keep track of all those cars.

The real action comes at 2:30 PM when TRAN teams up with the Security and Defence Committee (SEDE) for a joint meeting. Their mission? Figuring out how to move military equipment across Europe without the logistical equivalent of a three-hour traffic jam. Think of it as solving a continental-sized game of Tetris, but with tanks.

Everything else – plenary sessions, press conferences, president’s agenda, public hearings, official visits – has collectively decided to ghost the entire week. Even the special events are taking a vacation from being special.

The European Parliament: proving that even democracy needs a good nap sometimes.