The European Documentation Centre is an EU library, archive and information centre in one. As a point of contact for science and the region, it provides documents, publications and other resources on the European Union (EU). In addition, the EDC researches, advises and informs on all EU-related topics.

Find out more about the EDC

Our services at a glance

  • Wide range of EU literature, media and resources.
  • Support and advice in finding detailed information on European policies and institutions, European law, integration, funding and grants.
  • Help with enquiries ranging from straightforward document searches to in-depth research on European topics, either online or print.
  • Compilation of documents and publications of the EU.
  • Contact details on relevant organisations.

Topics and events with EU relevance

From 6 to 9 June 2024, 360 million eligible voters were called upon to elect the 720 members of the European Parliament (EP). Voter turnout rose slightly to 51.05% compared to 50.66% in the last European elections in 2019.

All election results (EU-wide, national, broken down by national parties and political groups, seats by political group and country as well as the gender ratio of members).

Voter turnout in Hesse was also slightly higher than in 2019 (58.4%) at 63.0%.

All regional results for Germany's federal states, districts and independent cities have been published by the Federal Returning Officer.

A new European Parliament

The newly elected European Parliament took up its work on 16 July 2024 in its constituent session.

Parliament President Roberta Metsola was re-elected, while two former Commissioners resigned their posts and moved to the European Parliament.

Ursula von der Leyen has been elected President of the European Commission for the second time for a five-year term.

In the run-up to the vote, Ursula von der Leyen presented her political guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029.

Next steps

The Commission President-elect will now send official letters to member state heads of state or government inviting them to put forward their candidates for European Commissioner posts. Parliament will then organise nominee hearings in the relevant committees after the summer. The full college of Commissioners then needs to be endorsed by Parliament. More information is available in Parliament’s press kit.

Background
Article 14 of the Treaty of the European Union provides that the EP “shall elect the President of the Commission.” Ursula von der Leyen has been Commission President since 2019 and was the EPP’s lead candidate in the 6 – 9 June European elections.

5 July 2024
Borrell and Lenarčič deeply concerned about the evacuation of civilians from Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip
Joint statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on military action in Khan Younis, Gaza

18 March 2024
Humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip: Borrell and Lenarčič shocked about report

High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič describe the situation of the people as unprecedented. „Hunger cannot be used as a weapon of war. What we are seeing is not a natural hazard but a manmade disaster, and it is our moral duty to stop it.“

In their joint statement, Borrell and Lenarčič refer to the latest assessment of the situation according to the IPC scale (Integrated Food Security Phase Classification), an international classification of food security. They emphasised that the new assessment indicates that the region is facing the worst possible scenario. In the north of the Gaza Strip, 70 per cent of people are on the brink of famine. In the centre and south, half of the people are facing catastrophic food insecurity. It is assumed that the situation will deteriorate rapidly in the coming weeks and months and that the south will then also be affected by famine.

Joint Statement of Borrell and Lenarčič in full length

Country page Palestine


About IPC
The main goal of the IPC – Integrated Food Security Phase Classification is to provide decision-makers with a rigorous, evidence- and consensus-based analysis of food insecurity and acute malnutrition situations, to inform emergency responses as well as medium- and long-term policy and programming.

Leading European library associations and organisations have released a manifesto calling on candidates for the European Parliament elections to ensure libraries realise their potential to build a stronger, fairer, more sustainable Europe.

Jointly produced by the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA), the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), the Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER), Public Libraries 2030 (PL2030) and National Authorities on Public Libraries in Europe (NAPLE Forum), the document is built around the key ways in which libraries contribute:

1. As guarantors of equitable access to culture and education.

2. As vital supports for vibrant democracies.

3. As powerhouses for inclusive innovation.

4. As guardians of Europe’s memory.

6. As drivers of global development.

The joint European Library Association Manifesto “Libraries for a sustainable future (opens in new tab)"

European Commission “EU solidarity with Ukraine”

The EU has assured refugees from Ukraine a fast and uncomplicated right to stay in the EU: Information for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The page is also available in Ukrainian.

Overview of all existing actions at European and national levels to support researchers of Ukraine.

Desinformation EU vs DISINFO

Access to Numerous eMedia about Ukraine Conflict
Suppliers and publishers provide literature on the topic of “Ukraine conflict” or “Ukraine war” free of charge.

The OECD Economic Outlook, prepared by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), is a twice-yearly analysis of the major global economic trends and prospects for the next two years.
See the latest reports for the impact of the war in Ukraine on forecasts for production, employment, government spending, prices and current account balances.

With the new online journal Ukraine War and Law (Ukraine-Krieg und Recht, UKuR), Beck-Verlag is responding to the need for up-to-date legal information in connection with the consequences of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine. It is intended to cover all relevant areas of law, as far as they are affected by the consequences of the war and the sanctions. Access is only possible in the TU Darmstadt network (not via VPN): Beck online in the database information system or Electronic Journals Library

Further Information sources, publications and analyses of selected institutions and think tanks on the war in Ukraine

Read the statement on the situation in Ukraine by the Technical University Darmstadt to find further contact opportunities and support.

If you have missed an event, you will find the past events with recordings and links here

Link collections on EU topics

Presidency of the Council of the EU
Presidency of the Council of the EU
European Years
European Years
Brexit
Brexit

EU up to date

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EU on the Internet

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EU sources of information

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