The Week Ahead 04 – 10 October 2021

Plenary Session, Strasbourg

Future of EU-US relations. On Tuesday morning, Parliament will debate the state of the transatlantic partnership, the need for more EU autonomy and how to cooperate with the Biden administration. The draft text to be voted on also calls for a coordinated position vis-à-vis Russia and China. A press conference by the rapporteur is scheduled for 12.00. (vote and result Wednesday)

Rising energy costs. With energy prices surging, and MEPs worried about the consequences for businesses and consumers, Parliament, Council and Commission will discuss possible European solutions to stem the crisis, as prices rise because of high demand and low stocks in member states. The role of energy efficiency and renewable energy and the importance to tackle energy poverty will be key elements of the discussion. (debate Wednesday)

EU relations with Belarus. MEPs will debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Borrell and Home Affairs Commissioner Johansson the situation in Belarus more than a year after the fraudulent presidential elections and the brutal crackdown on protests. They are also likely to bring up the humanitarian crisis at the EU-Belarus border, after Belarusian authorities directed a substantial number of migrants towards Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. (debate Tuesday, vote and result Thursday)

Hungarian and Polish recovery plans. On Wednesday, MEPs will discuss with Commissioners Dombrovskis and Gentiloni the state of play of the Hungarian and Polish recovery and resilience plans, which have not been approved. They are set to ask for the reasons behind the decision and the next steps in the procedure.

Road safety/Zero deaths by 2050. To achieve the goal of zero deaths on EU roads by 2050, MEPs are set to call for more investment into safer roads, a speed limit of 30km/h in residential areas and on roads with a high numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, as well as for a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving. (debate Monday, vote and result Tuesday)

EU cyber defence. On Tuesday, MEPs will discuss the EU’s cybersecurity defence policy and how to make its military and civilian strands more resilient. The draft text calls for more cooperation on cyber defensive capabilities, operations and joint responses to cyberattacks. (vote Wednesday, result Thursday)

European Youth Event 2021. Under the motto “The future is ours”, 3 000-4 000 young people from across the EU and beyond will gather in Strasbourg and online on 8 and 9 October to exchange ideas and contribute to the ongoing discussions of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The focus will be on the environment, democracy, recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, human rights, values and social inequalities.

Last-minute briefing. On Monday at 16.30, Parliament’s Spokesperson will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17:00.