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Written question – Efforts following the Global Housing Action Days – E-001803/2025

Source: European Parliament

Question for written answer  E-001803/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Estrella Galán (The Left), Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Verts/ALE)

On the occasion of the Global Housing Action Days (25 and 26 April)[1], we would like to reiterate to the European Commission the need to take note of the very serious consequences of the housing crisis in which vulture funds and banks are complicit.

They are robbing us of our livelihoods: evicting families, raising rents, leaving buildings unsafe and hoarding empty properties while millions of people are left homeless or crushed by unaffordable rents, mortgages and wars.

In view of this, could the Commission answer the following questions:

  • 1.As part of its affordable housing initiative, will the Commission include an ambitious and binding measure for all Member States to invest in public, cooperative and climate-resilient housing, prioritising the retrofitting of empty spaces and derelict buildings rather than allowing unbridled construction?
  • 2.Is the Commission willing to at least match military spending with spending on affordable housing, thereby recognising that human security starts with having a home to live in, not with more guns?

Submitted: 5.5.2025

  • [1] https://ipah.top/dias-de-accion-global-por-la-vivienda/.
Last updated: 16 May 2025

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Highlights – Public hearing on “The State of Media in the EU and Media Resilience” – Committee on Culture and Education

Source: European Parliament

On 19 may the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield and the Committee on Culture and Education will hold a joint public hearing on “The State of Media in the EU and Media Resilience”. The hearing aims to explore the alarming decline of democracy and the growing threats to media freedom across Europe.

Media organisations are navigating new challenges such as disinformation, the concentration of media ownership, and political pressures. Experts will analyse not only the state of media resilience in the EU, but also assess relevant existing and planned legislation and policies to further detect possible loopholes, gaps and overlaps in policies on media and information literacy, aiming to strengthen media pluralism, independent journalism and prevent undue influence from both state and corporate powers.

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Written question – Greece’s failure to apply the directives on a common system for VAT rates as low as zero on essential items such as food, medicines, pharmaceuticals, clothing and housing – P-001904/2025

Source: European Parliament

Priority question for written answer  P-001904/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Maria Zacharia (NI)

In a letter of formal notice sent by the Commission in January 2025 to the Greek Government, it was found that Greece had failed to transpose Directive (EU) 2020/285 amending Directive 2006/112/EC on the common system of value added tax as regards the special scheme for small enterprises, which allows businesses with a turnover below EUR 85 000 per year to pay value added tax rates as low as zero, as well as Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of 5 April 2022 amending Directives 2006/112/EC and (EU) 2020/285 as regards rates of value added tax, which allows the levying of VAT rates as low as zero on essential items such as food, medicine and pharmaceuticals, the construction and repair of social housing, children’s clothing, etc. Greece was granted a period of two months to complete the transposition.

It should be noted that the issue was never raised with the social partners, although Eurostat’s recent data shows Greece to be the fourth poorest country in Europe, with 26 % of the population (2.4 million) living in households at risk of at least one of the following: poverty, severe material and social deprivation and/or low work intensity.

Given that four months have passed without any action having been taken, and that the standard of living of Greeks is deteriorating every day, what action will the Commission take?

Submitted: 13.5.2025

Last updated: 16 May 2025

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Briefing – LGBTIQ+ in Africa: Unabated discrimination against people with non-conforming sexual orientations and gender identities – 16-05-2025

Source: European Parliament

Thirty-one out of 54 African countries criminalise consensual same-sex relations between adults. In addition, several African countries penalise the public expression of lesbian, gay, trans, intersex, queer and other non-heteronormative (LGBTIQ+ ) identities, or those who fight for LGBTIQ+ rights. This criminalisation leads to violations of privacy and inhumane treatment, with some countries even providing for the death penalty. Despite decriminalisation in a few states like South Africa, Angola, and Mozambique, the trend of recriminalisation persists. Recently, Uganda and Ghana have enacted severe anti-LGBTIQ+ laws. Across the continent (with the notable exception of South Africa), LGBTIQ+ persons are still far from fully enjoying the same rights as other citizens. Intolerance of LGBTIQ+ behaviours is widespread in Africa; influences from religious leaders and the narrative that homosexuality is ‘un-African’ play a role in perpetuating this sentiment. Discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ+ persons have dire consequences on their livelihoods and their physical and mental health. Those advocating efforts for LGBTIQ+ rights face significant restrictions and threats, which hinder their ability to operate. The European Union, through guidelines and strategies, aims to promote LGBTIQ+ rights globally. However, its initiatives are often weakened by a cautious approach to avoid imposing values perceived by some in Africa as non-African. As a result, regional agreements with African partners do not explicitly mention LGBTIQ+ rights, a notion that a majority of African countries contest in multilateral arenas. Nevertheless, the European Parliament has consistently advocated for LGBTIQ+ rights, calling for increased funding, legal protection, and the universal decriminalisation of homosexuality. This briefing updates a previous version from 2019.

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Highlights – European Sport Model – Committee on Culture and Education

Source: European Parliament

Women in Sport © Image used under the licence of Adobe Stock

Mr. Bogdan Zdrojewski, will present his draft report on the Role of EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model during the CULT Committee meeting on 20 May. The draft of the own-initiative report proposes measures with which the EU policy can strengthen and protect the European Sport Model and focuses on ways in which the model can serve society and foster inclusiveness, EU values and solidarity and promote collective governance, athletes’ rights and fans’ voices.

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Written question – Information with a view to the effective and swift pursuit of the objectives set in Directive (EU) 2023/2668 on asbestos – E-001860/2025

Source: European Parliament

Question for written answer  E-001860/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Isabella Tovaglieri (PfE), Aldo Patriciello (PfE)

According to Italy’s Ministry of Health, National Institute of Health and National Registry of Mesothelioma, more than 7 000 people died in Italy from asbestos-related diseases in 2024, and an estimated 60 000 people since 2015.

In the EU as a whole, asbestos is the leading cause of fatal work-related diseases. Directive (EU) 2023/2668 gives Member States urgent instructions to be applied by the end of 2025, including in the new Member States, which appear to be a long way from implementing them and slow to establish comprehensive programmes for the clean-up and disposal of this deadly pollutant.

In view of the above:

  • 1.With a view to the adoption of a better and effective comprehensive strategy for the application of Directive (EU) 2023/2668, does the Commission intend to involve external stakeholders with proven experience in this area, such as national industry associations and asbestos outlets, which, in countries such as Italy, provide a format for risk management and disposal, so that we can build faster pathways and clean up all the asbestos in Europe for good?
  • 2.Is it pushing for or planning to push for action and funding, for the health sector and for public and private entities, intended to foster a structured pathway that covers everything from information to training and environmental action, such as area mapping and cleaning up?

Submitted: 8.5.2025

Last updated: 16 May 2025

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Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma

Source: Council of the European Union

Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain third countries with Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/820 of 25 April 2025 amending Decision 2013/184/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Myanmar/Burma.

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The EBA repeals its Guidelines on the specification of types of exposures to be associated with high risk

Source: European Banking Authority

The European Banking Authority (EBA) today repealed its Guidelines on specification of types of exposures to be associated with high risk due to the application of the new capital requirement regulation (CRR 3). The repeal of the Guidelines aims at providing legal certainty to the market. 

The Guidelines were published on the 15th of March 2019, as mandated per CRR article 128 last sub-paragraph. They clarified which exposures should be considered as “high risk exposures”. Given that this exposure class no longer exists in CRR 3, as Article 128 now only refers to ‘subordinated debt exposures’, the Guidelines are no longer applicable.  

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Erfolgreiches Resümee zum Earth Day Herzogenaurach 2025

Source: Deutsche Nachrichten
Die iKratos GmbH zieht ein durchweg positives Fazit ihrer Aktionen zum Earth Day in Herzogenaurach am 14. und 15. Mai 2025. Unter dem Motto „Erneuerbare Energien“ brachte der Geschäftsführer von iKratos Solar- und Energietechnik GmbH, Willi Harhammer, die faszinierende Welt der nachhaltigen Energiegewinnung auf spielerische Weise in zwei Grundschulen in Herzogenaurach.

Begeisterung und Wissensvermittlung standen im Fokus:

An beiden Tagen besuchte Herr Harhammer, Geschäftsführer der iKratos GmbH, Grundschulen in Herzogenaurach und führte dort speziell entwickelte Workshops durch. Ziel war es, den Kindern auf spielerische und leicht verständliche Weise die Grundlagen und Vorteile erneuerbarer Energien näherzubringen.

Interaktive Workshops voller Entdeckungen:

Die Schülerinnen und Schüler zeigten großes Interesse und Engagement bei den verschiedenen Aktivitäten:

  • Experimente mit Solarenergie: Fasziniert beobachteten die Kinder, wie Sonnenlicht mit kleinen Solarmodulen in elektrische Energie umgewandelt wurde.
  • Kreative Bauprojekte: Mit Begeisterung bastelten die Kinder eigene Solarmodelle, um das Gelernte zu veranschaulichen.
  • Direkter Austausch mit Experten: Willi Harhammer, Geschäftsführer der iKratos GmbH beantwortete geduldig die zahlreichen Fragen der jungen Entdecker.

Willi Harhammer zieht positives Fazit:

„Die Begeisterung und die Wissbegier der Kinder waren beeindruckend. Es ist uns eine Herzensangelegenheit, schon den Jüngsten die Bedeutung erneuerbarer Energien für unsere Zukunft näherzubringen. Der Earth Day in Herzogenaurach hat gezeigt, dass dieses Thema bei den Kindern auf fruchtbaren Boden fällt und ich begrüße das große Engagement der Stadt Herzogenaurach für die tollen Aktionen zum Earth Day“, freut sich Willi Harhammer.

Ein nachhaltiger Beitrag zur Bildung:

Die iKratos GmbH ist überzeugt, dass die Sensibilisierung für Umweltschutz und nachhaltige Energien frühzeitig beginnen muss. Die Workshops zum Earth Day waren ein wichtiger Schritt, um das Bewusstsein der Kinder für diese wichtigen Themen zu stärken und vielleicht sogar das Interesse für zukünftige Berufe im Bereich der erneuerbaren Energien zu wecken.

Über iKratos:

Die iKratos GmbH ist ein führendes Unternehmen im Bereich Photovoltaik und erneuerbare Energien. Mit einem starken Engagement für Nachhaltigkeit bietet das Unternehmen innovative Energielösungen für Privatpersonen und Unternehmen und engagiert sich aktiv in der Bildungsarbeit, um das Bewusstsein für erneuerbare Energien zu fördern.

Mehr Informationen anfordern

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Rückblick: BDP 2025

Source: Deutsche Nachrichten
Vom 09. bis 10. Mai fand die diesjährige Frühjahrstagung des Berufsverbandes der Pneumologen in Sachsen e.V. statt – eine wichtige Plattform für den fachlichen Austausch und die Diskussion aktueller Entwicklungen in der Pneumologie.

Die Tagung bot ein vielfältiges Programm mit spannenden Vorträgen zu innovativen Therapieansätzen und neuesten wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen.

In den Pausen nutzten wir die Gelegenheit zum persönlichen Austausch mit zahlreichen Fachärzten aus der Region, mit denen uns bereits eine langjährige und vertrauensvolle Zusammenarbeit verbindet. Besonders gefreut hat uns auch das Interesse neuer Ärztinnen und Ärzte, die sich vor Ort über unsere Produkte und deren Einsatzmöglichkeiten in der Lungenfunktionsdiagnostik informiert haben. Wir hoffen, hiermit den Grundstein für neue Partnerschaften gelegt zu haben.

Wir danken dem Berufsverband der Pneumologen in Sachsen e.V. für die gelungene Veranstaltung und freuen uns, durch unsere Teilnahme den Verein unterstützen zu können.