Sexual harassment
MEPs turned their attention to sexual harassment on Wednesday in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and press allegations regarding incidents in the Parliament. During the debate, MEPs not only condemned such behaviour, but also called for new measures to be put in place and for the inclusion of men as part of the solution.
Sakharov 2017 winner
Following a decision by President Antonio Tajani and the leaders of Parliament’s political groups on Thursday, Venezuela’s Democratic Opposition are this year's laureates of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. The award ceremony will be held in Strasbourg on 13 December.
Glyphosate
MEPs rejected this week a Commission proposal to renew the licence for glyphosate-based herbicides. They called instead for the substance to be banned by the end of 2022.
Strengthening Europe’s borders
On Wednesday Parliament backed a common electronic system to speed up checks at the Schengen zone's external borders. The new entry/exit system will register information on travellers from outside the EU and can also be used to help fight terrorism and organised crime.
Malta assassination and whistle-blowers
Tuesday’s plenary sitting honoured the memory of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia with a minute’s silence. Caruana Galizia, who uncovered abuses of power and corruption in Malta, was assassinated on 16 October.
Also on Tuesday, MEPs called for EU-wide protection for whistle-blowers acting in the public interest.
Posted workers
Negotiations with the Council on revised rules for the posting of workers can get underway after Parliament gave the green light on Wednesday. MEPs want to ensure better protection of posted workers and fair competition for companies and local workers.
EU budget for 2018
In a vote on Wednesday approving Parliament’s position on the EU’s 2018 budget, MEPs called for additional funds for research, infrastructural projects and to tackle youth unemployment. Parliament will now enter into talks with the Council.
Carcinogens
More than half (53%) of all work-related deaths in the EU are linked to cancer. On Wednesday, MEPs approved new rules to better protect people from exposure to carcinogens and mutagens in the workplace.
Future of Europe
In a debate on the recent EU summit conclusions, MEPs called for more solidarity within the EU. Speaking during the debate, President Antonio Tajani said: “It is not possible to talk about the future of the EU, its monetary union or its policies if there is no will to stand up for our fundamental values.”
Legal highs
MEPs want to ensure that new drugs synthesised from legal components can be criminalised more easily if they are suspected of being harmful. Following a vote on Tuesday, producing and selling new psychoactive substances will be punishable with penalties similar to those in place for illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine.
Ref.: 20171023STO86607
