Most people in the EU *live in a home they own*, while around *one third rent*, with big differences between countries. But owning or renting a home does not, on its own, guarantee good living conditions. *🏠 Housing in the EU: key stats* 📊 *68%* of people in the EU *live in a home they own* 🏘️ *Ownership exceeds 90%* in several EU countries such as Croatia, Romania and Slovakia ⚠️ Nearly 17% live in *overcrowded households* That’s why housing affordability, quality and access in the EU are priorities for the European Parliament in 2026 🇪🇺 _🔗 Check out the full data: https://link.europa.eu/yXGnMy_ *Are you an owner or a renter?* ❤️ Owner 👍 Renter 🙏 Both 😮 Neither

Every year, Europe welcomes new cities into its cultural spotlight. Since 1985, more than 60 have carried this title. In 2026, the *European Capitals of Culture* are: 📍 *Oulu, Finland* 🇫🇮 with its snowy landscapes, digital art exhibits and contemporary festivals. 📍 *Trenčín, Slovakia* 🇸🇰 with its castle views, renewed public spaces and a growing creative scene. *Which one would you visit first?* ❤️ Oulu, Finland 👍 Trenčín, Slovakia

> The European Union supports Denmark and the people of Greenland. We do so united in resolve. > The measures against NATO allies announced today will not help in ensuring security in the Arctic. They risk the opposite, emboldening our joint enemies and those who wish to destroy our common values and way of life. > Greenland and Denmark have both made clear: Greenland is not for sale and its sovereignty and territorial integrity needs to be respected. No threat of tariffs can or will change that fact. _- Roberta Metsola, European Parliament President_

2026 is proving to be an eventful year. Parliament is kicking off the year with a jam-packed agenda for its first session of the new year. Which of the following topics are you most interested in?

*The UK is rejoining Erasmus+ 🇪🇺🤝🇬🇧* _Because it's what we want, what we really, really want! 🎶_ On the *_International Day of Education_*, we celebrate the agreement reached on *the UK's return to the Erasmus+ programme*, the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. From 2027, students in the UK will once again be able to spend up to a year studying in Europe as part of their degree programmes, with no additional tuition fees. *But that's not all* - EU students will also be able to study in the UK to give all students the best opportunities possible. Because education knows no borders 👨‍🎓🍏 _📽️ Spice Girls - Wannabe (1996)_

📲 Привіт, Україно! 🇺🇦 📲 Salut, Moldova! 🇲🇩 As of 2026, *Ukraine and Moldova are in the EU's free roaming area!* Within it, calls, texts and mobile data have no extra cost 💪🇪🇺 This means that EU citizens in Moldova and Ukraine can *make calls, send texts and use mobile data without additional charges,* just like in their home country - and the same goes for Moldovans and Ukrainians in the EU ☎️ The European Parliament continues to support Moldova and Ukraine on their EU membership journeys 🤝 _🔗 Read more on EU support for Moldova: https://link.europa.eu/nGjcCQ_ _🔗 Read more on EU support for Ukraine: https://link.europa.eu/q8vdXR_

From Tehran’s streets to Parliament’s chambers, one message is clear: *freedom for the people of Iran.* The European Parliament has adopted a resolution *condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran’s brutal repression* of the *brave and legitimate protest movement* and standing shoulder to shoulder with those demanding *dignity, rights, and democracy.* The Parliament calls on the EU to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation and to hold those responsible accountable. MEPs call for the regime to: - *End the brutal crackdown* and *mass killings of peaceful protesters* - *Immediately stop* the state-sanctioned killings used to silence dissent - *Release every* imprisoned demonstrator and political prisoner *now* In the resolution, Parliament also urges *tougher and strictly enforced EU sanctions, condemns internet shutdowns and demands full access for the UN fact-finding mission* to investigate grave human rights crimes. *_To the brave people of Iran, the European Parliament stands with you 🕊️_* _🔗 Read more: https://link.europa.eu/hMCCxm_ _🔈 Listen to what Hannah Neumann, chair of the delegation for relations with Iran, said in Parliament's chamber ⬇️_

EU countries have designated *the Iranian regime's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.*   Parliament was one of the first and strongest voices to call for this and has repeated this call in more than ten resolutions since 2023.     Standing in full solidarity with Iran’s protesters, Parliament recently barred representatives of the Iranian regime from the Parliament premises.

> Musk says that this is “fascist censorship” when we want to treat this. I think it’s normal protection of women and children. > It’s not about the technology, it’s about dignity and putting people above profit. Which is why we need to enforce. _- Christel Schaldemose, member of Parliament leading on the Digital Services Act implementation, speaking on using EU law against X's Grok AI creating sexualised images of people._ It's time to enforce the existing law. In a recent debate, Parliament members have *condemned the use of the AI chatbot Grok* on the social media platform X. This comes following recent-events involving *sexual exploitation of users.* They are calling on the Commission to do more to *enforce EU digital rules* under its Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Artificial Intelligence Act.