The European Parliament has concluded its 9th term, with lawmakers now focusing on preparations for the upcoming elections in June, where voters will select the members of the next legislature. The term has been marked by a series of global emergencies, legislative challenges, and PR disasters. Looking back, 11 key moments defined the term, including Ursula von der Leyen’s narrow confirmation as President of the European Commission, Brexit, and the scandal involving Hungarian MEP József Szájer.
One of the defining moments of the term was the approval of the agreement that saw the United Kingdom officially leave the EU after 47 years of membership. Lawmakers marked the occasion with a rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” followed by a redistribution of seats in Parliament to account for the departure of British MEPs. Another notable event was the scandal involving József Szájer, a Hungarian MEP who was caught attending a sex party in Brussels in violation of COVID-19 restrictions, leading to his resignation.
The term also saw the EU grapple with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the slow delivery of vaccines by pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca. The Parliament held a virtual hearing to question CEOs of pharmaceutical companies, particularly focusing on AstraZeneca’s delays in vaccine supply. The Commission later sued AstraZeneca over the issue, ultimately reaching a settlement. The term also saw the passing of President David Sassoli, who was widely respected for his leadership.
In a bold move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy applied for EU membership during a time of intense conflict with Russia. Zelenskyy delivered a passionate speech to the European Parliament, urging MEPs to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom and democracy. The Parliament also faced its own scandal, known as ‘Qatargate,’ which involved allegations of foreign influence involving cash-for-favours schemes and led to the arrest of several lawmakers.
The term also witnessed a fierce battle over the Nature Restoration Law, a legislation aimed at rehabilitating the EU’s degraded land and sea areas. The law faced opposition from the European People’s Party, who argued it would have negative impacts on food production and retail prices. Despite the challenges, the Parliament managed to pass significant legislation such as the Artificial Intelligence Act and the New Pact on Migration and Asylum in a concentrated effort in December 2023.
Amidst the legislative battles and scandals, an emotional plea from Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, highlighted the need for greater action against oppressive regimes such as that of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Navalnaya urged MEPs to stop being boring and to take innovative steps to combat authoritarianism. The term ended with the Parliament filing a lawsuit against the European Commission over the release of funds to Hungary amid concerns of democratic backsliding.
