Renew Europe

The 2024 Gender Equality Index, published by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), is a key indicator of progress towards gender equality in the EU. It assesses how women and men compare across essential areas of life – including work, money, knowledge, time, power, and health – and gives each country a score from 1 to 100, with 100 representing full equality.   In the 2024 Index, the EU scored 71 out of 100 – a modest increase of just 0.8 points since 2023. While some Member States are moving forward, others are falling behind. The 2024 Index shows significant variation across the EU. Sweden leads with a score of 82, while Romania ranks lowest at 57.5. Malta, Czechia, and Lithuania recorded the biggest improvements, but eight Member States – Czechia, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia – are slipping further behind.   These results are a warning: progress is fragile, and not immune to backlash. In today’s shifting political and economic climate, gender equality cannot be sidelined. Without clear priorities and continued investment, even hard-won advances risk being reversed. An inclusive and equal EU will remain out of reach unless Member States stand firm and prioritise gender equality. As we look ahead to the next EU budget, funding for gender equality must match the ambition. Renew Europe continues to call for adequate fun and sustained funding for EIGE and its activities. By collecting, analysing, and sharing reliable data like the Index, EIGE provides the EU institutions and national governments with the insights needed to close gender gaps through evidence-based policy. ♀️ 👊 Gender equality will not happen by chance — it takes political will, concrete action and the data to back it up.

Europe needs to invest in defence. Not only to protect our security. Our hard fought freedoms - like the freedom to express your thoughts and feelings without fear of censorship - require our protection. They are the cornerstone of our free and democratic societies. We invest in defence to guarantee peace and safeguard our values. 👊 💪

📊 No doubt about it: Europeans continue to see clear benefits from EU membership! The latest Eurobarometer survey confirms that support for the EU remains strong across the continent. A solid majority of Europeans recognise the advantages of being part of the Union – and this positive view has remained steady in recent years. From economic growth to enhanced security and stronger cooperation between countries, citizens see how the EU makes a difference in their daily lives.

As the US pull out from the knowledge front, Europe must step up! In a world unraveling, where science and education are becoming political targets, we’re watching a brain drain unfold in real time. Top minds are leaving academic institutions. Words like clean energy and anti-racism are being blacklisted. This isn't just politics, it's ideology. But here's the opportunity: Europe can become the global sanctuary for science, freedom of thought and academic excellence. This means bold steps - fast-track visas, better funding, risk-taking and a real EU-level strategy. It's time for the EU to become the heart of academic freedom! 💪 💡 🎥 MEP Laurence Farreng

The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional trilogue agreement on the EU Regulation to prevent plastic pellet losses, a crucial step towards reducing microplastic pollution across Europe and protecting our environment. This new regulation establishes clear obligations for those handling plastic pellets to tackle losses and spills at all stages of the supply chain, on land and by sea. 💬 Lead negotiator for Renew Europe, MEP Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna/ Sweden), welcomed the provisional agreement: “This agreement is a strong signal that the environment remains an area where the European Parliament can legislate meaningfully and deliver real results, while protecting European competitiveness. For me, the most important priority was to ensure that the maximum amount of plastic pellets in the supply chain is covered—addressing the problem of the pollution itself.” 💬 Renew Europe Coordinator on the Environment Committee, Pascal Canfin (Renaissance/France), said: "I welcome the agreement reached last night on microplastics. For the first time, the European Union is equipping itself with rules to prevent and manage environmental disasters related to micro plastics on land and at sea, thanks to the extension of the scope to maritime transport. This agreement ensures a level playing field for European companies, as non-EU companies will also have to comply with this regulation." Link to full PR: https://lnkd.in/dq-E2Q6Q

On today’s International Roma Day, we reaffirm our commitment to a European Union where every person is treated with dignity and respect. We celebrate the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Roma community—an essential part of Europe’s diversity. But too many Roma still face discrimination, social exclusion, and limited access to education, healthcare and employment. We call for equal treatment for all communities in the EU—and an end to stigma and persecution.

What if you never knew the truth?   No real news. No fact-checking. No accountability. No democracy. This is what the absence of free media would cause. Recently Trump has threatened to cut back funding for US-supported media organizations, like Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which puts independent journalism at risk, right when we need it most.   RFE/RL has been a lifeline for truth in countries where press freedom is under attack. Without it, who fills the void? Authoritarian regimes are eager to silence dissent.    📢 The EU must step up. Supporting free media isn’t just about journalism, it’s about defending democracy, fighting corruption and protecting our future. Stand up for the truth. Stand up for free press. 🎥 MEP Irena Joveva

This week in Strasbourg, we welcomed Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Response, to the Renew Europe group meeting. Defence and security are on the agenda — but far from being separate, these issues are deeply connected to women’s rights. In times of crisis, these challenges impact women first and hardest, and require strong, coordinated EU action. It is more important than ever to place gender equality at the core of all EU action, especially in times of instability. Europe must deliver on the commitments from the last mandate, defend Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and shape a new Gender Equality Strategy that meets today’s realities. We also discussed how the EU can help fill the gap left by the U.S. withdrawal from global development aid, and how to fight against the apparent global backlash on women's rights. In addition, we addressed the evolving role of EU crisis management — from conflict to environmental disasters — and the need for a stronger, more responsive Europe in a rapidly changing world. We remain committed to our values: equality, resilience, and leadership in times of crisis.

Today the leaders of the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and Greens groups in the European Parliament succeeded in finding an agreement on a working method for the upcoming work on the "Omnibus" simplification package which revises EU reporting and due diligence rules. They also agreed to vote together in favour of the so-called 'stop-the-clock', which postpones the application of the rules as they are being re-opened. President of Renew Europe, Valérie Hayer (Renaissance, France) said: “We welcome that an agreement has been crafted by the political centre. Renew was a unifying factor, keeping the talks alive. The European Parliament as an institution needs a stable governing majority. Our group acts as an anchor for the centre.” 💡 Read full PR: https://lnkd.in/drrX4b6Q

Renew Europe MEPs strongly denounce U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" announcement, of sweeping arbitrary tariffs on international trade partners, including 20% on the European Union imports. This move represents a dangerous escalation of global tensions and protectionist policies that threaten to destabilise the global economy and undermine a century of developing shared rules for mutual prosperity in international relations. Renew Europe urges the U.S. administration to reconsider its approach and engage in constructive dialogue with its trade partners. At the same time, Europe must respond decisively to defend our interests and uphold the principles of global cooperation. It equally urges Member States to use the strength of a unified Union. "President Trump's tariffs are not a liberation; they are an aggressive declaration of economic isolationism. The only indicator being liberated is price inflation for American consumers," said MEP Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna, Sweden), Renew Europe's standing rapporteur on EU-US trade relations and vice-chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA). Read full PR 👉 https://lnkd.in/dm_w8Y3h