Top 10 Defining Moments in the European Parliament in 2024

2024 marked a transformative year for the European Parliament, with key votes, heated debates, and major legislative battles that defined the political landscape of the European Union. The year was highlighted by contentious issues ranging from migration reform and environmental policy to symbolic acts of solidarity and political tension.

1. Farmers’ Protests and the EU’s Agricultural Policies
A defining moment early in the year was the massive protest by European farmers, who gathered in Brussels in February. Protesting against EU trade deals, particularly with the Mercosur bloc, and environmental policies impacting agriculture, the farmers’ protests saw over a thousand participants using tractors to disrupt the square in front of the European Parliament. Their grievances centered around the fear that these policies would undermine food production and damage the agricultural sector. This event underlined the growing frustration within Europe’s farming community over EU regulations and their economic consequences.

2. Nature Restoration Law and the Clash Over Environmental Policy
The Nature Restoration Law, one of the most contentious pieces of legislation in 2024, sparked fierce opposition from conservative and right-wing groups within the European Parliament. The law aimed to restore 20% of degraded land and marine areas across the EU by 2030. Opponents, including the European People’s Party (EPP), argued that it would disrupt agriculture and raise food prices. On the other hand, environmental groups and progressive MEPs contended that such a law was essential for tackling climate change and preserving biodiversity. After intense lobbying and amendments, the European Parliament passed a revised version of the law, emphasizing the ongoing tension between environmental priorities and economic concerns.

3. Migration Reform and the Pact on Migration and Asylum
The European Parliament’s approval of the “Pact on Migration and Asylum” in April 2024 marked a critical moment in the EU’s approach to migration. The Pact aims to create a more unified migration system, with provisions for redistributing asylum seekers across EU countries and implementing stricter border controls. While the agreement was hailed by some as a necessary step toward solidarity, it faced vehement opposition from left-wing parties and civil rights groups, who saw it as a move toward harsher immigration policies. The approval of the Pact came after nearly four years of debate and highlighted the ongoing divisions within the EU regarding migration policy. Right-wing factions, including the European People’s Party, opposed the move, which, while non-binding, marked a significant step in the ongoing debate over reproductive rights in Europe. The vote sparked heated discussions on the EU’s role in regulating personal freedoms versus the sovereignty of individual member states on health issues.

4. The Right to Abortion as an EU Fundamental Right
In a highly symbolic move in April, the European Parliament voted to include the right to abortion in the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights. This resolution, passed by a majority of 336 votes in favor, 163 against, and 39 abstentions, drew sharp divisions between progressive and conservative groups. Right-wing factions, including the European People’s Party, opposed the move, which, while non-binding, marked a significant step in the ongoing debate over reproductive rights in Europe. The vote sparked heated discussions on the EU’s role in regulating personal freedoms versus the sovereignty of individual member states on health issues.

5. Yulia Navalnaya’s Tribute to Her Husband and Condemnation of Putin
February also saw an emotional and powerful moment when Yulia Navalnaya, widow of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, addressed the European Parliament. Her impassioned speech condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin and called on European leaders to take a stronger stance against him. She also highlighted her husband’s legacy and the brutal reality of dealing with Putin’s regime. Navalnaya’s speech resonated deeply with MEPs, receiving a standing ovation, and brought attention to the EU’s position on Russia’s ongoing human rights abuses.

6. Von der Leyen vs Orbán: Political Tension Over Ukraine
One of the year’s most dramatic moments occurred in October when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán clashed in a heated debate over the EU’s policy on the war in Ukraine. Orbán, who has been criticized for his pro-Russian stance, argued that the EU’s response to the war was flawed, while von der Leyen strongly defended the Union’s support for Ukraine. This exchange highlighted the increasing divide within the EU on foreign policy and raised concerns about Hungary’s alignment with Russia in the face of growing geopolitical tensions.

7. Final Push for Legislative Approvals Before EU Elections
As the 2024 European elections drew closer, the Parliament passed numerous critical pieces of legislation in its final sessions. Among the major laws approved were the right-to-repair directive, a regulation to ban products made with forced labor, new rules for digital platform workers, and the first-ever European law against gender-based violence. The Parliament’s last-minute rush to approve these laws reflected the urgency to address key issues before the new legislature took office, and it set the stage for the future direction of the EU.

8. The ‘Venezuela Majority’ and Shifts in Political Alliances
In a symbolic move in September, the European Parliament recognized Edmundo González Urrutia, Venezuela’s exiled opposition leader, as the country’s “legitimate president.” This resolution, though legally non-binding, highlighted the growing political alignment between conservative and far-right groups in the Parliament. This new coalition, dubbed the “Venezuela majority,” marked a shift in the balance of power and was also evident in the decision to award Venezuela’s opposition leaders the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

9. The Unpopular Approval of the European Commission
In a close and controversial vote in November, the European Parliament narrowly approved the new College of Commissioners led by Ursula von der Leyen. While von der Leyen had secured her re-election as Commission President in July, the approval of the full Commission was far less certain, with only 54% of MEPs supporting the team. This reflected growing dissatisfaction and divisions within the Parliament, especially among the centre-right and centre-left groups, signaling the challenges von der Leyen faces in maintaining a united front within the EU.

10. Quirky Moments in the Eurochamber
2024 also witnessed some strange and lighthearted moments in the European Parliament. Among the bizarre events were a dog barking during a debate, an Irish MEP insulting an Italian football team, and a Slovak MEP releasing a dove in a peace gesture. These quirky incidents provided comic relief amid the year’s intense political drama, showcasing the sometimes unpredictable nature of the parliamentary proceedings.