by
Thea Pieridou
Head of the European Parliament Office in Cyprus
The year 2025 was particularly significant for the European political landscape following the European elections of 9 June 2024, during which millions of Europeans — including thousands of Cypriots — went to the polls with a clear message: they want a Europe that works better, feels safer, and reduces unnecessary complexity.
During 2025, the first year of its tenth parliamentary term, the European Parliament discussed and adopted a series of important legislative acts affecting both Cyprus and the European family as a whole. The most significant decisions taken by the European Parliament in 2025 for the benefit of citizens can be summarised in the following 12 key points:
Greater road safety thanks to new rules
The European Parliament approved new EU-wide rules on driving licences aimed at improving road safety and reducing traffic accidents across the EU each year. These include provisions for novice drivers, the introduction of a digital driving licence, and mutual recognition of driving disqualifications. Specifically, a probationary period of at least two years is introduced for new drivers, and a new digital driving licence is established on an equal legal footing with physical licences. In addition, to curb dangerous driving abroad, driving bans imposed in one EU country will also apply in the country where the licence was issued.
Resolution to ensure the protection of children online
The European Parliament called for better protection of minors online, urging the EU to set a minimum age of 16 and to ban the most harmful addictive practices. For children aged 13 to 16, access would only be permitted with parental consent. Although the resolution is not legally binding, it reflects the official position of the European Parliament and may lead to future legislative initiatives to further enhance children’s online safety.
New rules to reduce textile and food waste
The European Parliament gave final approval to new measures aimed at preventing and reducing waste from food and textile products across the EU. The legislation introduces binding targets for reducing food waste, to be achieved by Member States by 31 December 2030. At the same time, producers placing textile products on the EU market will be required to cover the costs of collection, sorting, and recycling through new extended producer responsibility schemes to be established at national level.
“My Voice, My Choice”: support for accessible abortion care
MEPs supported the European Citizens’ Initiative aimed at improving access to abortion care in Europe. They called on the European Commission to establish a voluntary funding mechanism, open to all Member States and supported by EU funds. The vote represents a major victory for women across Europe, underlining that sexual and reproductive healthcare is a fundamental human right. This initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when citizens and European institutions work together.
The EU phases out imports of Russian natural gas
MEPs approved the gradual ban on imports of liquefied natural gas and pipeline gas from Russia starting in 2026 and secured a commitment from the European Commission to present the relevant legislation in early 2026. The objective is threefold: to enhance the EU’s energy security, increase energy autonomy, and protect citizens from volatile international energy prices and external energy crises. The new rules also provide for sanctions to be imposed by Member States on operators in the event of violations.
Deforestation: postponement of implementation and simplification of measures
The European Parliament approved targeted amendments to the EU deforestation regulation, which aims to combat climate change and biodiversity loss by banning products derived from deforested land from the EU market. The agreement provides companies with an additional one-year transition period to comply with the new rules and introduces simplified traceability and due diligence requirements for small primary producers. The Parliament’s decision takes seriously the concerns of farmers, foresters, and businesses, ensuring that the regulation can be implemented in a practical and workable manner.
Simpler rules and greater support for farmers
The European Parliament approved new rules introducing greater flexibility and support for farmers in the implementation of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy. MEPs agreed on increased flexibility regarding land maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition, limiting inspections to one per holding per year, and providing higher financial support for small-scale producers.
Stricter rules on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats
The European Parliament approved a legislative proposal establishing the first EU-wide standards for the breeding, housing, and handling of dogs and cats. All dogs and cats kept in the EU must be individually identified via microchipping. The sale or keeping of dogs and cats in pet shops is to be prohibited, and the registration of all dogs and cats imported into the EU — for commercial or non-commercial purposes — becomes mandatory.
Toy safety: new rules to better protect children’s health
Despite the EU having one of the strictest toy safety frameworks in the world, unsafe toys continue to reach children. The European Parliament adopted new toy safety rules aimed at improving the protection of children’s health and development. The update of the 2009 directive responds to the rise in online purchases (including from non-EU countries) and the increasing use of digital technologies.
Daphne Caruana Galizia Journalism Prize 2025
The prize was established on 16 October 2020 by the European Parliament in honour of Maltese investigative journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia, who was known for her fight against corruption and was assassinated in 2017. The prize carries a monetary award of €20,000 and reflects the European Parliament’s strong support for investigative journalism and press freedom. The 2025 Daphne Caruana Galizia Journalism Prize was awarded to the investigation by the platform Follow the Money, which exposed the hidden networks through which Russia circumvents sanctions on oil trade.
Approval of the EU budget for 2026
The European Parliament successfully negotiated an additional €372.7 million beyond the European Commission’s initial proposal, focusing on increasing funding for programmes and policies that improve citizens’ lives, boost competitiveness, and address defence challenges. The EU budget for 2026 entered into force following its signature by the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. Notably, approximately 94% of the EU budget has a purely developmental character and is returned to Member States mainly through EU programmes, supporting young people, farmers, businesses, and other beneficiaries.
Sakharov Prize 2025
The 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, in recognition of their courageous struggle for freedom of expression and the democratic future of Belarus and Georgia. The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, presented the prize to representatives of the two journalists, who remain imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia. Established in 1988, the Sakharov Prize honours individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms and is awarded annually by the European Parliament.
