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On 22 November 2022, the EP celebrated its 70th anniversary. On 10 September 1952, the first meeting of the Common Assembly of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the European Parliament’s forerunner, took place. Speakers emphasised that only a democratic Europe has a future.

This news item continues the reporting on key EU reactions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, as far as the impact of the invasion on the EU’s internal security policy, criminal law and the protection of the EU’s financial interests are concerned. The following overview covers the period from the end of July 2022 to the end of October 2022.

The European Parliament and Council adopted the legislative package regulating online platforms that operate their businesses in the EU. The package consists of the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. The two EU Regulations entered into force in November 2022, however they will gradually start to apply in 2023 and 2024. Big digital companies must apply the stipulated obligations earlier.

According to an analysis by the World Justice Project, 4.4 billion people live in a country where rule of law is declining. The adherence to the rule of law fell in 61% of countries, the 2022 WJP Rule of Law Index says.

In an opinion of 5 October 2022, the German Bundesrat welcomed the Commission's objective to combat child sexual abuse online, but it also raises several criticisms regarding the draft EU Regulation.

In a resolution of 5 October 2022, MEPs called on Member States to step up the fight against illegal trade in wildlife fauna and flora, saying that EU legislation needs to be revised and expanded.

On 15 September 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2020 and 2021. In this text the MEPs assessed the state of fundamental values in the EU in 2020 – 2021 and identified areas of concern and proposed ways to protect freedom, equality and the rule of law more effectively.

On 16 September 2022, the Commission adopted a European Media Freedom Act. It aims at setting EU-wide rules to protect media pluralism and independence in the EU.

On 15 September 2022, the Commission proposed a new Cyber Resilience Act. It aims to offer consumers and businesses better protection from products with inadequate security features by introducing mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements throughout their entire lifecycle.

The Commission's proposal to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online remains controversial. While more than 70 child rights organisations support the EU’s proposed law to protect children from sexual abuse in an open letter, the European Data Protection Board and the European Data Protection Supervisor pointed out the serious risk the proposal presents for fundamental rights in their Joint Opinion of 28 July 2022.