Wednesday 17 June 2026

MEPs adopted positions on several new EU laws, including a common return system for irregular migrants, and rejected a proposal on tobacco excise rates.

• Tobacco excise rates: Parliament rejected the proposal setting EU-wide minimum excise duties for tobacco and extending rules to novel products. EPP backed it; The Left, Greens, S&D, Renew, ECR, Patriots and ESN opposed.
• Tobacco excise arrangements: Parliament adopted its position on updating excise duty rules for tobacco, including novel items. The text backs gradual rate increases and extends the transition period to end-2032. EPP, ECR and Patriots supported it.
• Return of irregular migrants: Parliament adopted its position on a proposed law creating a common system for returning third-country nationals staying illegally. It aims to simplify and speed up procedures. Renew, EPP, ECR, Patriots and ESN backed it.
• VAT fraud access: Parliament approved a regulation giving the European Public Prosecutor's Office and the European Anti-Fraud Office access to VAT information to fight cross-border fraud. It added data protection safeguards. Most groups backed it; ESN opposed.
• Child abduction convention: Parliament authorised EU member states to accept Cabo Verde's accession to the 1980 Hague Convention on international child abduction, making the convention effective between the EU and Cabo Verde. All groups supported it.