How to watch the Committee on Petitions (PETI)

Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Rare neuromuscular diseases: EU research, ERNs and access to trials

On Duchenne muscular dystrophy and ALS, the Commission outlines EU support via reference networks, orphan‑drug incentives, research funding and planned pharma and biotech reforms, while underlining national control over reimbursement and trial locations, and MEPs decide to keep both petitions open with requests for further written updates.

In this chapter

1. Duchenne muscular dystrophy: EU research, ERNs and pharma reform
2. ALS treatment and clinical trials access in Romania

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Committee on Petitions HEARING

Petition 1468/2024: celiac disease gaps and EU framework

Bogdan Rzońca ECR

Petitioners outline diagnostic shortcomings, extra living costs and cross‑border inequalities for celiac patients and request stronger EU coordination, then the Commission explains the existing food information and research framework while MEPs urge better national fiscal and production support for gluten‑free products.

In this chapter

1. Petition 1468/24: celiac petitioners on diagnosis gaps and EU actionBogdan Rzońca
2. Petition 1468/24: Commission framework on celiac disease and MEP responseBogdan Rzońca

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Celiac disease petition: EU framework, national responsibilities and follow‑up

Petitioners call for EU‑level coordination to address under‑diagnosis, economic burden and territorial inequalities for celiac patients, the Commission recalls existing food law and research support while stressing national health competences, and MEPs insist on stronger coordination, minimum standards and keeping the petition open with SANT committee involvement.

In this chapter

1. Celiac disease in the EU: petitioners’ call for equal access to diagnosis and treatment
2. Commission (DG SANTE): current EU framework on celiac disease
3. Celiac disease: national politics, EU tools and calls for stronger coordination
4. Celiac petitioners’ closing remarks and committee decision

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Petition on fibromyalgia and environmental diseases in Italy

The petitioner details recognition and accommodation gaps for fibromyalgia and environmental diseases in Italy, the Commission explains limited EU competences and supporting tools, and MEPs back keeping the file open while addressing conflicts of interest and the need for independent expertise.

In this chapter

1. Petition on fibromyalgia and environmental diseases in Italy
2. Commission (DG Health): EU competences on fibromyalgia and disability
3. Political groups and petitioner: recognition, funding and conflicts of interest

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Committee on Petitions HEARING

Petition 0023/2024: disability recognition and EU remit

Bogdan Rzońca and 1 other

Presentation of fibromyalgia, MCS and EHS as disabilities under UNCRPD, followed by the Commission’s reply on EU competences, related research and disability tools, and MEPs’ reactions on recognition, evidence and follow‑up while keeping the petition open.

In this chapter

1. Petition 0023/2024: petitioner on fibromyalgia, MCS and EHSBogdan Rzońca
2. Petition 0023/2024: Commission reply, MEP reactions and statusBogdan Rzońca

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Tourism policy, EU strategy and hearing closure

Members question Italian representatives on managing tourism flows, Italy outlines housing, gastronomy and mega‑events policy, and the Commission presents forthcoming EU sustainable tourism tools before the chair formally closes the tourism item and moves to petitions.

In this chapter

1. Tourism flows: questions to Venturi and Guerri
2. Commission: upcoming EU sustainable tourism strategy
3. Italy’s tourism policy: housing, gastronomy and mega‑events
4. Chair closes tourism hearing and shifts to petitions

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Committee on Petitions HEARING

MEPs’ concerns, Commission and Italy replies on sustainable tourism

Sandra Gómez López and 2 others

MEPs press the Commission and Italy on overtourism, EU‑level indicators, possible binding limits and funding alignment, then the Commission and Italian ministry respond with forthcoming guidelines, instruments and national measures on housing, events and worker accommodation before the chair closes the tourism item and moves to petitions.

In this chapter

1. MEPs: sustainable tourism pressure, indicators and fundingSandra Gómez López
2. Commission and Italy: instruments, events and closure of tourism itemBogdan Rzońca

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Committee on Petitions HEARING

Commission and Italy: future EU tourism strategy

Bogdan Rzońca ECR

The chair opens the forward‑looking panel as the Commission outlines the upcoming EU strategy for sustainable tourism, destination toolbox and data tools, followed by the Italian tourism ministry detailing its national strategy to rebalance tourist flows geographically and seasonally using policy incentives and AI‑based management.

In this chapter

1. Chair: launch of ‘way forward’ panel and EU tourism strategyBogdan Rzońca
2. Italy tourism ministry: national strategy to rebalance flowsBogdan Rzońca

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Committee on Petitions HEARING

MEP Q&A: overtourism, housing affordability and local powers

Bogdan Rzońca and 5 others

Structured questions from MEPs on the causal relationship between tourism and housing prices, demographic and regional drivers, tourist taxation and fair distribution of benefits, followed by expert replies stressing structural housing shortages, territorial specificities and the need for coordinated EU and local instruments. Debate centres on lessons from Barcelona and other Spanish regions for EU fair housing initiatives, data‑driven regulation of tense areas and protection of residents’ quality of life.

In this chapter

1. Chair opens Q&A and EU tourism policy framingBogdan Rzońca
2. Housing supply, tourism apartments and demographic driversBogdan Rzońca
3. MEP questions and expert responses on tourism–housing nexusElena Kountoura

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Committee on Petitions HEARING

Panel I: tourism, housing pressures and local regulation

Bogdan Rzońca ECR

Opening of the hearing and first expert panel examining links between short‑term rentals, overtourism and housing affordability in Spain, with a focus on Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Extremadura. Speakers present data on tourism intensity, housing markets and urban planning tools, and propose regulatory, fiscal and zoning measures to manage tourist rentals while protecting residential housing and local services.

In this chapter

1. Hearing opening and Catalonia/Barcelona short‑term rentalsBogdan Rzońca
2. Balearic Islands expert: tourism, affordability and EU metricsBogdan Rzońca
3. Territorial impacts of tourism and urban regulation tools

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Closure of PETI public session

Bogdan Rzońca and 1 other

The Chair confirms that the Spanish petition remains open pending a written Commission reply, notes the petitioner will not speak again due to time and interpretation limits, and formally closes the public session to proceed to an internal coordinators’ meeting.

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Spanish migrant regularisation: petitioner, Commission and MEPs

Bogdan Rzońca and 2 others

The petitioner challenges Spain’s large‑scale 2023 regularisation decree and its Schengen impacts, the Commission recalls EU–national competence boundaries while pledging monitoring, and MEPs across groups clash over security, welfare and EU‑values implications, contrasting calls for stricter scrutiny and deportations with defences of humane, pragmatic regularisation before keeping the petition open.

In this chapter

1. Spanish petitioner: objections to royal‑decree regularisationBogdan Rzońca
2. Commission DG HOME: EU competence limits and monitoring SpainBogdan Rzońca
3. ECR/Right MEPs: demand scrutiny of Spanish regularisation

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

EPSO mismanagement follow‑up and AD5 competition

Teresa Anjinho and 3 others

Following PETI’s resolution on EPSO, the director outlines reforms, limited AI use and governance, explains the overload and revised timeline for the new AD5 generalist competition, answers MEP concerns on reliability, fairness, socio‑economic barriers and disability access, details corrective actions and accommodations, and closes the item before transition to the next petition.

In this chapter

1. Closing Ombudsman item and introduction of EPSO mismanagement follow‑upTeresa Anjinho
2. EPSO director: response to PETI resolution and use of AIBogdan Rzońca
3. EPSO director: AD5 generalist competition overload and timelineBogdan Rzońca

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Ombudsman Q&A: transparency, AI and infringements

Peter Agius and 4 others

MEPs question the Ombudsman on transparency, border‑management funds, EPSO, fast‑track legislation, lobbying, disappearing messages and infringement delays, and she responds with systemic proposals on access to documents, AI‑era record‑keeping, environmental and climate enforcement, infringement procedures, ENO cooperation and monitoring of sensitive migration cases like Greece and Tunisia.

In this chapter

1. MEPs’ questions: transparency, borders, EPSO and environmentPeter Agius
2. MEPs’ questions: fast‑track legislation, lobbying, messages, infringementsGordan Bosanac
3. MEPs’ questions: access to documents and digital election contextGordan Bosanac

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

European Ombudsman 2024 report: key themes

Dolors Montserrat and 1 other

The Chair presents the European Ombudsman, who delivers her 2024 annual report focusing on a sharp rise in complaints, AI‑related referrals and inquiries, pressures on resources, safeguards for urgent law‑making, ethics and revolving‑doors issues, food‑safety oversight, and the need for strong Parliament backing and budgetary support.

In this chapter

1. Introduction of European Ombudsman annual reportDolors Montserrat
2. Ombudsman: complaints surge, AI and resourcesTeresa Anjinho
3. Ombudsman: urgent lawmaking and better regulationTeresa Anjinho

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Committee opening and Almaraz mission vote

Dolors Montserrat PPE

The Chair opens the PETI meeting, adopts the agenda and quorum, and leads a full voting sequence on amendments and recommendations of the fact‑finding mission report on the Almaraz nuclear plant and Cabañeros National Park, ending with its roll‑call adoption.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting, agenda and quorumDolors Montserrat
2. Voting set‑up and initial amendments on mission reportDolors Montserrat
3. Mid‑series amendments on recommendations 2–5Dolors Montserrat
4. Final amendments and roll‑call adoption of mission reportDolors Montserrat

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Sargassum management in Saint Martin: procurement allegations and EU competence

Bogdan Rzońca and 3 others

The Saint Martin petitioner alleges opaque, distortive procurement for sargassum clean-up and calls for stronger EU involvement, while DG REGIO stresses no ERDF funds were used in the disputed contract and points to national remedies, and overseas MEPs underline severe health, environmental and trust issues, securing that the petition remain open and that a PETI mission examine the sargassum crisis on site.

In this chapter

1. Saint Martin sargassum procurement: environmental urgency vs. tender rulesBogdan Rzońca
2. Saint Martin petition: call for PETI mission and keeping it openGheorghe Falcă

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Digital emergency communications and vehicle CO₂ standards: EU frameworks under scrutiny

Bogdan Rzońca and 3 others

On an EU-wide 112 emergency app, DG CONNECT explains how existing rules and the proposed Digital Networks Act already cover most functionalities while MEPs from several groups support an accessible EU app and seek written clarifications; on CO₂ standards for cars and vans, the Commission presents the 2035 zero-emission trajectory and new flexibilities for alternative technologies, while MEPs echo concerns over economic impacts, infrastructure and recognition of low-carbon fuels, with both petitions kept open awaiting written Commission replies.

In this chapter

1. EU‑wide emergency app for 112: Commission position and broad supportBogdan Rzońca
2. CO₂ standards for cars and vans: ICE/PHEV ban and technology neutralityGheorghe Falcă

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Zaragoza housing renovation and RRF funds: alleged misuse vs. legal limits

Bogdan Rzońca and 2 others

The Zaragoza petitioner denounces exclusion of most dwellings from an EU-backed renovation scheme, accessibility failures and possible fraud with a complaint before EPPO, while the Commission outlines the RRF legal framework and Member State responsibility, and MEPs split along party lines on fraud risks and social impact, leading to a tied vote and decision to keep the petition open pending assessment of Spain’s milestones.

In this chapter

1. Petition on Zaragoza housing renovation: alleged misuse of NextGenEU fundsBogdan Rzońca
2. Zaragoza petition: partisan clash and tied vote on keeping it openBorja Giménez Larraz

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Pesticides long-term toxicity: petition, Commission line and party split

Bogdan Rzońca and 4 others

The petitioner contests the EU system for assessing long-term toxicity and co-formulants in plant protection products, while DG SANTE defends the current CLP-based framework, and political groups clash over scientific trust, precaution, ‘cocktail effects’ and authorisation reassessment, with the committee deciding to keep the petition open for further Commission follow-up.

In this chapter

1. Petition on pesticide toxicity: petitioner statement and DG SANTE replyBogdan Rzońca
2. Pesticides petition: political group positions and decisionMurielle Laurent

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Opening and closure: committee agenda and next steps

Bogdan Rzońca ECR

The Chair opens and closes the PETI meeting, detailing coordinators’ decisions on agendas, petitions handling, own-initiative work, missions and hearings at the start, and at the end confirming pending follow-ups (notably on dock dues), any other business and the date of the next sitting.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting: coordinators’ decisions recapBogdan Rzońca
2. Closure of PETI meeting: next steps and scheduleBogdan Rzońca

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

European Day of the Self‑Employed: proposal and EU support policies

Bogdan Rzońca and 3 others

The petitioner advocates designating 10 March as European Day of the Self‑Employed to recognise their contribution and vulnerabilities, the Commission details existing EU measures for self‑employed and platform workers and promises a written assessment, and most MEPs back the symbolic initiative despite one opposing it as empty symbolism, with the petition remaining open.

In this chapter

1. European Day of the Self‑Employed – petitioner’s proposal for 10 MarchBogdan Rzońca
2. Commission outline of EU policies for self‑employed and platform workersBogdan Rzońca
3. Self‑employed day petition – broad political support and Vox oppositionElena Nevado del Campo

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Maritime fuels petition: FuelEU Maritime, ETS and island impacts

Bogdan Rzońca and 2 others

The Commission explains the new EU framework for decarbonising shipping, including FuelEU Maritime, maritime ETS and financial support instruments, while MEPs contrast island states’ concerns over disproportionate cost burdens and cohesion with the need to maintain an effective, fair green transition, leading to the decision to keep the petition open pending a written Commission reply.

In this chapter

1. Maritime fuels decarbonisation – Commission on FuelEU Maritime, ETS and supportBogdan Rzońca
2. Maritime fuels petition – Island states’ costs and call for fair green transitionPeter Agius

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Generative AI petition: mental health risks and EU AI framework

Bogdan Rzońca and 4 others

The Commission presents the AI Act and Digital Services Act as the main tools to address mental‑health risks linked to generative AI, while MEPs debate the severity and justiciability of these risks, the need to protect minors and mental integrity under the Charter, subsidiarity concerns and whether to keep the petition open, with the Chair confirming it will remain open.

In this chapter

1. Generative AI and mental health – Commission explanation of AI Act and DSABogdan Rzońca
2. Generative AI petition – MEP concerns over mental integrity versus subsidiarityGheorghe Falcă

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

ETA petition: unresolved murders, victims’ rights and political use

Bogdan Rzońca and 3 others

The Commission recalls national competence for prosecuting ETA crimes and outlines the EU victims’ rights acquis, while Spanish MEPs clash over prisoner releases, transfers of prison powers, compliance with earlier PETI recommendations and allegations of politicising victims’ pain, yet broadly agree to keep the petition open and continue monitoring Spain’s approach to justice and remembrance.

In this chapter

1. ETA petition – Commission on national competences and EU victim rights acquisBogdan Rzońca
2. ETA petition – Spanish parties’ opposing narratives on justice and politicisationElena Nevado del Campo
3. ETA petition – Right‑wing demands for compliance with PETI recommendationsDiego Solier

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Committee on Petitions Ordinary meeting

Fact-finding mission Spain: Almaraz and Cabañeros

Bogdan Rzońca and 5 others

PETI introduces the mission report on Almaraz nuclear plant and Cabañeros National Park, followed by a politically polarised debate on the plant’s closure, regional employment and energy security, and on hunting and biodiversity management, before the Commission clarifies EU competences on nuclear policy and Natura 2000 and sets out Spain’s obligations and the procedural next steps for amendments.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting and introduction of Item 8 missionBogdan Rzońca
2. First MEP feedback on Almaraz plant and Cabañeros ParkSebastian Kruis
3. Political clash over Almaraz closure and hunting policyDiego Solier

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