Opening – First plenary session of 2018
President Tajani opened the session in Strasbourg, expressing concern over repeated human rights violations in Turkey and highlighting Wednesday’s debate on the future of Europe.
30 years after the Sakharov prize was first awarded, the Parliament must continue to support those to whom it is awarded, as some continue to be persecuted. Leyla Zana, who was awarded the Sakharov Prize in 1995, has been removed from her post in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. President Tajani expressed solidarity with her on behalf of the House. “It is not acceptable that someone elected by the people should be removed from their seat”, he said.
President Tajani expressed concern regarding repeated human rights violations in Turkey, which target not only the political opposition, but also representatives of civil society, including journalists and academics. Having mentioned several of those currently being persecuted, he affirmed that the EP will continue to support them in their struggle for freedom and justice.
On Wednesday morning, after the presentation of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU, the first in a series of debates on the future of Europe will take place, kicking off with Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. A new format will allow for a more interactive debate, putting the Parliament at the heart of the discussion on the future of the EU. President Tajani confirmed that he will try to be as balanced as possible during the debate, to reflect the diversity of the House.
Incoming MEPs
Michael Detjen (S&D, DE)
Outgoing MEPs
Jutta Steinruck, (S&D, DE)
Agenda changes
No agenda changes.
Requests by committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission
Decisions by several committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 69c) are published on the plenary website.
If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made by Tuesday 24.00, the committees may start negotiations.
