Renew Europe

This morning, ahead of #EUCO, our Group President Valérie Hayer met with liberal, centrist and democratic leaders from our family. We are pushing for total European sovereignty on defence to secure a stronger, safer future: 🔷 Use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine loan guarantees 🔷 Control over our weapons use 🔷 Massive investment in military mobility 🔷 An Air Shield above the EU and Ukraine Europe must speak with one voice for a stronger, safer & more prosperous future!

Renew Europe has set up successfully a Task Force on Government abuses against the Rule of Law in Bulgaria, following alarming reports of political persecution, abuse of prosecutorial powers and systemic obstruction of judicial reform. The decision, adopted today by the Renew Europe Bureau, comes amid growing concerns over the arrest of Varna’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on 8 July 2025 — a case, emblematic of the erosion of judicial independence in Bulgaria. On our initiative, the European Parliament held this week an urgent debate on systematic attacks on Rule of Law in Bulgaria. The Renew Task Force on Bulgaria will consist of five MEPs and will carry out a fact-finding mission on the ground in Sofia and Varna, meeting institutional actors, magistrates, journalists and civil society organisations. A final report with recommendations will be presented by May 2026, ahead of the European Commission’s annual Rule of Law report. President of Renew Europe Valérie Hayer said: “Europe cannot look away when the rule of law is under attack inside our Union. The situation in Bulgaria demands scrutiny, courage and solidarity with those who defend democracy and judicial independence. Renew Europe will act.” Link to full PR 👇 https://lnkd.in/dMFa98v7

🚗 Renew Europe welcomes today’s adoption of two new EU laws on driving licences – a long-awaited step towards safer roads and fairer enforcement across Europe. The new rules introduce: 💳 Digital driving licences valid across all Member States 🚘 Modernised training to improve road safety 👩🦰 Accompanied driving for 17-year-olds to gain experience earlier ⚖️ Mutual recognition of serious traffic offences across the EU Together, these measures strengthen road safety, address driver shortages, and bring Europe closer to the goal of zero road deaths by 2050. Read full PR 👉 https://lnkd.in/djK_HnBR

This week is going to be a busy week at the European Parliament in Strasbourg: 📌 Protection of children online 📌 EU Disability Employment & Skills Guarantee 📌 EU rules on business ethics and disclosure 📌 Transparency obligations 📌 Air passenger rights More details on our Plenary priorities 👇 https://lnkd.in/dYvCCMC5

Ensuring the inclusion and equality of people with disabilities is a core priority for Renew Europe. We proudly present 13 adopted commitments to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities — from accessible housing to political participation. Most of these proposals have been secured in the upcoming initiative report to be adopted by the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs on Monday, 20 October. This report will be key in urging the European Commission to deliver an ambitious update to the EU Disability Strategy for the next five years. Renew Europe is also calling for the swift creation of a European Disability Employment and Skills Guarantee, inspired by the Youth Guarantee. This initiative would provide counselling, training, and job opportunities for persons with disabilities through strong cooperation between public and private sectors. With the disability employment gap standing at 24%, tangible EU action is needed to make the Union of Equality a reality. Read our policy paper below 👇

Renew Europe welcomes the conclusion of negotiations between the European Parliament and the Council on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) — a turning point for Europe’s and Ukraine’s defence at a critical moment. EDIP will help Member States jointly procure defence products, support European industries to replenish stocks, and ensure readiness. Renew Europe has pushed for clear, efficient rules so that EU funding primarily benefits European defence companies through strong eligibility criteria — ensuring European taxpayers’ money strengthens Europe’s industrial capacity. The agreement also contributes to operationalising the EU’s mutual assistance clause (Article 42.7 TEU), creates a dedicated financial instrument for Ukraine, and includes special provisions for Member States most threatened by Russian aggression. A stronger, more united Europe begins with strategic cooperation. Read full PR 👇 https://lnkd.in/dS_BkqjN

Renew Europe presents its ambitious and positive plan to make life simpler for European citizens. The proposal, “Simplifying citizens’ lives”, lays out concrete measures: From recognition of diplomas to access to healthcare abroad, from easier cross-border travel to seamless digital identification, Renew Europe’s initiative brings together one guiding principle: Europe must be useful, practical, and close to citizens’ real needs. 🟦 Simpler mobility and residence: A single online registration system and standardised forms for all EU countries. 🟦 Easier cross-border healthcare and education: Digital medical records across Member States and automatic recognition of diplomas. 🟦 Freedom to work and bank anywhere: The EU Digital Identity Wallet enabling job applications and bank account openings in any country. 🟦 Easy online privacy settings: One click for all – a single choice of cookies and privacy preferences in your browser. 🟦 Smarter travel and connectivity: One EU-wide platform for tickets and complaints, transparent airfare pricing, and compatible EV charging stations. 🟦 Less bureaucracy, more clarity: Unified environmental labelling, fully digital public services, and a single EU portal explaining citizens’ rights. Read full PR 👇 https://lnkd.in/dY_kBg5S

At yesterday’s seminar “Growing up in the algorithm: who’s in control?” hosted by MEP Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, with the participation of First Vice-President of Renew Europe MEP Billy Kelleher and Economic Affairs Coordinator MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin, Renew Europe launched its new position paper on protecting children’s mental health and well-being in the digital age. With Commissioner Michael McGrath, experts, parents and civil society representatives joining the discussion, Renew Europe called for urgent European action to address what it described as a “silent public health crisis” — the manipulation of children’s attention and emotions by opaque algorithmic systems. The new paper calls on the European Commission to move forward with the Digital Fairness Act, fund digital education and research, and make Europe the safest digital space for young people. Read the full policy paper here 👇

Renew Europe welcomes the vote in the Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee on the Air Passenger Rights Regulation and are eager to immediately commence trilogues to defend and expand European air passenger rights. We believe passengers deserve guaranteed compensation for flight delays over three hours and should never face fees for checking in, choosing seats for their children, or correcting booking errors. Speaking after the Committee vote, Renew Europe shadow rapporteur MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen said: “The reform of air passenger rights is long overdue. This makes it all the more important that we not only get reforms off the ground quickly, but also take decisive action to ensure that passenger rights are not weakened.’’ Full PR: https://lnkd.in/dy4UFSbs

This week is going to be a busy week at the European Parliament! Mark your agendas: ▶️ Protection of children online ▶️ EU Disability Employment & Skills Guarantee ▶️ EU rules on business ethics and disclosure ▶️ Transparency obligations ▶️ Air passenger rights 👉 https://lnkd.in/daymU9sS