The European Parliament is one of the foundational institutions of the European Union, vested with legislative authority, democratic oversight, and budgetary control. Headquartered mainly in Strasbourg, its significant sessions take place in Brussels, the de facto capital of the EU. In 2025, the Parliament continues to play a crucial role in shaping the Union’s policies, regulations, and financial architecture to meet the evolving challenges faced by its member states.
The Role of the European Parliament in the EU
Before delving into the specifics of decision types, it is essential to understand the European Parliament’s role within the EU institutional framework. The Parliament represents EU citizens directly, legislating jointly with the Council of the European Union, and overseeing other institutions, particularly the European Commission. It holds authority to pass laws on a vast range of policy areas, rejects or amends proposals, approves budgets, and holds the Commission accountable through hearings and votes of confidence.
The Parliament’s sessions in Brussels constitute a vital arena where elected representatives from diverse political groups debate and decide on laws and policies impacting over 450 million Europeans. The decisions made there have wide-reaching ramifications, affecting environmental sustainability, economic competitiveness, public health, digital innovation, defense cooperation, and social welfare, among others.
Legislative Decisions on Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability
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One of the European Parliament’s top priorities in 2025 is advancing the EU’s climate agenda in line with the European Green Deal. Parliamentarians focus on passing legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development. A significant portion of these decisions revolves around enhancing the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which places limits on carbon emissions and incentivizes cleaner industrial practices. Parliament endorses measures regulating auctioning rights and carbon pricing mechanisms that also support the EU’s climate neutrality targets.
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is another critical legislative initiative that has gained prominence. It aims to apply a price on carbon emissions embedded in imported goods, balancing competitiveness for domestic producers while discouraging carbon leakage. This external dimension of EU climate policy seeks to extend environmental responsibility beyond its borders, ensuring global cooperation toward emission reductions.
Further environmental decisions in Brussels target the reduction of plastic waste through raising levies on non-recycled plastics and promoting better management of electrical and electronic waste. Legislative proposals encourage member states to improve recycling systems, reduce environmental footprints, and secure critical raw materials essential for the green and digital transition
Transforming the EU Budget and Own Resources System
In Brussels, the European Parliament plays a decisive role in shaping and approving the EU’s financial framework. The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) dictates budget priorities and limits for several years. In 2025, Parliament debates reform proposals to the system of its own resources—revenue sources that fund the EU budget.
The European Parliament in Brussels has adopted important financial reforms introducing new types of own resources to diversify and reinforce the EU budget. Among the innovative revenue streams are contributions based on electrical and electronic equipment that member states fail to collect, encouraging improved circular economy practices and better waste management. This own resource incentivizes reductions in e-waste and supports the Union’s strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.
Another key new financial decision is the introduction of the Tobacco Excise Duty Own Resource (TEDOR). TEDOR seeks to harmonize excise duties on tobacco products across member states, supporting EU health policy goals and addressing unfair cross-border shopping caused by tax disparities. This initiative is designed to generate significant revenue while complementing existing tobacco product regulations.
The Parliament also agreed on the Corporate Resource for Europe (CORE), which requires large corporations operating in the EU and certain third countries with establishments inside the Union to contribute an annual lump sum based on their net turnover. This ensures that major market players adequately finance the EU’s common priorities and programs, aligning fiscal responsibility with economic scale and reinforcing the Union’s financial sustainability.
These new own resource streams mark a strategic shift aimed at reducing dependence on national contributions linked to gross national income (GNI) and VAT, making the EU budget more autonomous, equitable, and resilient to economic fluctuations.
Reforming the own resources system aims to reduce reliance on gross national income (GNI)-based contributions, diversify funding, and enhance the EU’s capacity to respond flexibly to future crises. Parliament’s approval is critical in legitimizing these reforms and securing sustainable financing for EU programs ranging from infrastructure and innovation to climate resilience and social cohesion.
Economy, Innovation, and Digital Policy Decisions
Parliament in Brussels vigorously addresses Europe’s economic resilience and competitiveness through legislative actions supporting innovation and digital transformation. Key decisions pertain to:
- Strengthening capital markets and improving access to finance for SMEs and startups.
- Regulating artificial intelligence and data privacy frameworks to ensure technological progress aligns with European values and human rights.
- Enhancing supply chain security, diversifying sources of raw materials, and safeguarding strategic industries to reduce vulnerabilities.
The Parliament also debates and adopts directives fostering digital skills development among citizens and workers, aiming to bridge digital divides and promote inclusion in the evolving digital economy.
Health Policy and Social Welfare Decisions
Post-pandemic recovery has highlighted the need for coordinated health policies at the EU level. Parliamentary decisions in Brussels concerning health focus on:
- Enabling cross-border health data sharing to improve patient care and medical research collaboration.
- Strengthening EU-wide preparedness for health emergencies and disease outbreaks.
- Promoting policies that ensure equitable access to healthcare services and support vulnerable populations.
Simultaneously, social welfare legislation addresses employment standards, social protection, and digital inclusion to enhance the quality of life and economic security for all Europeans.
Security, Defense, and Foreign Policy Decisions
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Recognizing the increasing global complexity in security and defense, the European Parliament has made several critical decisions to strengthen the European Union’s collective capabilities. Among these, it has approved measures to significantly increase defense spending by member states and to foster cooperation through initiatives such as Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), which promotes joint projects and capability development among willing EU countries.
The Parliament also supports maintaining and deepening partnerships with NATO and other global allies to reinforce collective security frameworks, ensuring the EU’s defenses are aligned with broader international strategies. Additionally, it legislates sanctions and trade policies that reflect the EU’s foreign policy objectives, using economic tools to uphold its values and geopolitical interests around the world. Furthermore, the Parliament oversees bodies such as the European External Action Service, responsible for advancing EU diplomacy and crisis response mechanisms, ensuring these institutions effectively implement the EU’s security and foreign policy agendas.
Decision-Making Process in the European Parliament
Parliamentary decisions typically follow a multi-stage process. Legislative proposals originate from the European Commission and pass through detailed scrutiny by specialized parliamentary committees. Members debate amendments and negotiate with the Council of the European Union in trilogues to reach balanced agreements. Plenary sessions allow all Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to vote on final texts, which then become binding EU laws once formally adopted.
Apart from legislative acts, Parliament issues non-legislative resolutions, reports, and opinions shaping public discourse and guiding EU institutions. Votes of confidence, budget approvals, and supervisory resolutions ensure institutional accountability and responsiveness.
Key Decision Areas in the Brussels European Parliament, 2025:
- Climate legislation including enhanced emissions trading and carbon border adjustments.
- Reform of the EU budget’s own resource system for sustainable and diversified financing.
- Economic competitiveness through digital transformation and innovation regulation.
- Cross-border health policy coordination and social welfare improvements.
- Defense cooperation, increased spending, and foreign policy alignment.
The European Parliament in Brussels in 2025 continues to navigate a complex political and economic landscape, making pivotal decisions that drive the EU’s environmental, financial, social, and security agendas. Its legislative, budgetary, and supervisory roles empower it to shape policy directions that affect millions of people across diverse member states. From fighting climate change and reforming the budget to enhancing economic resilience and healthcare cooperation, the Parliament’s decisions represent a dynamic balance of European values and pragmatic governance.
By understanding what types of decisions are taken in the Brussels European Parliament, observers gain insight into how supranational democracy works to reconcile diverse interests, promote sustainable development, and enhance cooperation among nations in an interconnected world. The Parliament stands as a unique institution driving progress through consensus-building and legislative innovation, ensuring Europe’s continued relevance and leadership on the global stage.
