Plenary session of 15–18 Jun, day 3 of 4
Wednesday 17 June 2026
18 decisions · 15 passed · 2 failed · 1 without a final vote · 129 A vote in which every MEP’s individual position is recorded and published. · 13:44–14:38
AI:The day in brief
MEPs adopted positions on several new EU laws, including a common return system for irregular migrants, and rejected a proposal on tobacco excise rates.
Written by AI from the day's votes · counts are the official record · Report a problem
New EU laws · 6
Parliament’s position on proposed laws. It usually needs to agree with the Council before a law is final.
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Agriculture, food & fisheries, New EU law
Decision 1:Plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed
Report by Jessica Polfjärd · Parliament’s vote on the Council’s position on a proposed law, after the first reading.
No single final vote: only amendments or parts of the text were voted on.
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Migration & asylum, New EU law
Decision 2:Common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the Union (Return Regulation)
Report by Malik Azmani · Parliament’s first vote on a proposed EU law. It sets Parliament’s position for negotiations with the Council.
Passed 418 for · 218 against · 30 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The law replaces existing directives and aims to make return procedures simpler, faster, and more effective across member states.
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Economy & single market, New EU law
Decision 3:Structure and rates of excise duty applied to tobacco and tobacco related products (recast)
Report by Tomáš Kubín · Parliament gives its opinion on a proposal. The Council decides, but must wait for Parliament’s opinion.
Failed 181 for · 439 against · 38 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The proposal sets EU-wide minimum excise duty rates for tobacco and extends rules to novel tobacco-related products.
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Economy & single market, New EU law
Decision 4:General arrangements for excise duty applied to tobacco and tobacco related products
Report by Tomáš Kubín · Parliament gives its opinion on a proposal. The Council decides, but must wait for Parliament’s opinion.
Passed 325 for · 304 against · 29 abstained narrowly
AI summary:The adopted text backs a gradual rise in minimum tax rates, adjusts how rates are calculated, and extends the transition period to end-2032.
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Economy & single market, New EU law
Decision 5:European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF): access to VAT information at Union level
Report by Michalis Hadjipantela · Parliament gives its opinion on a proposal. The Council decides, but must wait for Parliament’s opinion.
Passed 549 for · 33 against · 84 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The regulation aims to strengthen the fight against cross-border VAT fraud by establishing direct communication channels between Eurofisc and these two bodies.
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Foreign affairs, New EU law
Decision 6:Hague Convention (1980) on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction: accession of Cabo Verde
Report by Ilhan Kyuchyuk · Parliament gives its opinion on a proposal. The Council decides, but must wait for Parliament’s opinion.
Passed 659 for · 1 against · 1 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The proposal authorises EU member states to accept, in the Union's interest, Cabo Verde's accession to the 1980 Hague Convention on international child abduction.
International agreements & consent · 2
Treaties and agreements Parliament can only approve or refuse as a whole — no amendments are possible.
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Trade & customs, International agreement
Decision 7:EU-Pakistan Agreement: modification of concessions on all the tariff rate quotas included in the EU Schedule CLXXV
Report by Saskia Bricmont · Parliament can approve or reject the text, for example an international agreement, but cannot amend it.
Consent given 276 for · 13 against · 9 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The agreement modifies EU tariff-rate quotas on agricultural, fish and industrial goods to account for the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, splitting existing volumes between the EU and the UK.
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Climate & environment, International agreement
Decision 8:EU–Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products: termination
Report by Karin Karlsbro · Parliament can approve or reject the text, for example an international agreement, but cannot amend it.
Consent given 608 for · 38 against · 15 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The agreement, which entered into force on 1 December 2013, is being terminated because Liberia has not been able to honour its commitments.
Objections to Commission measures · 1
Parliament can object to technical rules the Commission adopts on its own. Against a delegated act an adopted objection is a veto; against most implementing measures (such as GMO authorisations) it is a call on the Commission to withdraw the measure, which is not legally binding.
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Agriculture, food & fisheries, Objection to a Commission measure
Objection under Rule 114(3) · delegated act
Decision 9:Catches of porpoise in the Baltic Sea
Motion for a resolution
Objection failed On the objection: 223 for · 327 against · 24 abstained by a clear majority
Electronic vote: totals recorded, but not how each MEP voted.
AI summary:The Commission proposed a delegated regulation adding monitoring and reporting duties for small fishing vessels to cut accidental catches of Baltic Proper harbour porpoises.
Resolutions & reports · 9
Non-binding texts in which Parliament states its position on a topic. They carry political weight but do not create law.
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Climate & environment, Resolution
Decision 10:EU–Liberia Voluntary Partnership Agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products: termination (Resolution)
Report by Karin Karlsbro
Adopted 542 for · 52 against · 70 abstained by an overwhelming majority
AI summary:The agreement, in force since 2013, has not achieved its core objective as Liberia's licensing scheme is not operational.
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Foreign affairs, Resolution
Decision 11:2025 Commission report on Türkiye
Report by Nacho Sánchez Amor
Adopted 381 for · 107 against · 171 abstained by a clear majority
AI summary:The text notes that accession negotiations have been at a standstill since 2018 and that the gap between Türkiye and EU values remains unaddressed.
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Foreign affairs, Resolution
Decision 12:2025 Commission report on Montenegro
Report by Marjan Šarec
Adopted 486 for · 101 against · 75 abstained by a large majority
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Foreign affairs, Resolution
Decision 13:2025 Commission report on Albania
Report by Andreas Schieder
Adopted 483 for · 103 against · 70 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The resolution welcomes Albania's swift opening of all negotiation clusters and encourages continued reforms, while expressing concern about political polarisation and electoral issues.
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Foreign affairs, Resolution
Decision 14:2025 Commission report on North Macedonia
Report by Thomas Waitz
Adopted 411 for · 120 against · 120 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The resolution notes the lack of progress since the last report, particularly on constitutional amendments and reforms in the rule of law, judicial reform, and the fight against corruption.
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Foreign affairs, Resolution
Decision 15:2025 Commission report on Bosnia and Herzegovina
Report by Ondřej Kolář
Adopted 478 for · 116 against · 54 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The resolution urges Bosnia and Herzegovina's officials to cooperate with the EU, appoint a chief negotiator and adopt key judicial laws to start formal accession talks.
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Foreign affairs, Resolution
Decision 16:2025 Commission report on Kosovo
Report by Riho Terras
Adopted 412 for · 174 against · 58 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The text commends Kosovo's commitment to EU accession and stresses that its future lies in the EU, while noting that 2025 was a 'lost year' due to political stalemate.
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Climate & environment, Resolution
Decision 17:Recommendation on promoting transnational governance on water in the interests of conflict prevention and peace
Report by Leoluca Orlando
Adopted 431 for · 111 against · 103 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The text calls for stronger EU external action, including political dialogue, mediation, and support for transboundary water cooperation.
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Foreign affairs, Resolution
Decision 18:2025 Commission report on Georgia
Report by Rasa Juknevičienė
Adopted 436 for · 145 against · 47 abstained by a large majority
AI summary:The resolution expresses concern over democratic backsliding and supports targeted EU sanctions against Georgian Dream leadership, while noting the EU's suspension of visa-free travel for Georgian diplomatic passport holders.