The Week Ahead 05 – 11 December 2022
Committee and political group meetings, Brussels
Batteries. Parliament and Council negotiators will try to reach an agreement on the final shape of EU rules for the design, production and disposal of batteries. The new rules will help the EU’s transition to a circular and climate-neutral economy and increase the EU’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy. The draft bill includes measures to make batteries more sustainable and easier to remove as well as on waste management (Friday).
Deforestation. MEPs will try to reach a deal with the Council on the regulation for deforestation-free products. The new law would make it obligatory for companies to verify (so-called “due diligence”) that goods sold in the EU have not been produced on deforested land anywhere in the world. This would guarantee to consumers that the products they buy do not contribute to deforestation and reduce the EU’s contribution to climate change and biodiversity loss (Monday).
Socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on children. The Special Committee on COVID-19 is expected to debate the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of children and teenagers, school closures and remote learning conditions, the situation of disadvantaged youth and the protection of children’s rights, as well as vaccination policies (Thursday).
European Year of Youth closing event. To mark the end of the European Year of Youth 2022, a closing event will take place in Parliament. Around 700 participants, including MEPs, Commissioners, civil society and a large number of young people, will take part in thematic sessions on education and mental health, meet EU decision makers, and discuss the Year’s achievements (Tuesday).
LUX Audience Award in 2023. The five films that will compete for the European Audience Award in 2023 will be announced at the 35th European Film Awards ceremony in Reykyavik, Iceland. The LUX Audience award promotes the distribution of quality European cinema that addresses the values that the EU is built on – human dignity, equality, non-discrimination, inclusion, tolerance, justice, solidarity (Saturday).
Plenary preparations. MEPs and political groups will prepare for the 12-15 December session, during which the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be awarded to the brave Ukrainian People represented by their president, elected leaders, and civil society. MEPs will also outline their expectations for the 15-16 December EU summit, debate and vote on plans to boost the deployment of renewable energy power plants, and on prospects for the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Plenary will also discuss strategies to defend democracy from foreign interference, assess the outcome of the climate change conference COP27, and hear from Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob as part of the “This is Europe” debate series.
President’s diary. EP President Roberta Metsola will meet the Venice Commission’s President Claire Bazy Malaurie, its Vice-President Michael Frendo, and Secretary Simona Granata-Menghini, as well as the President of Austria’s National Council Wolfgang Sobotka, on Monday.
Pre-session press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday (Anna Politkovskaya room, press centre, Brussels).
