The Week Ahead 12 – 18 December 2022

Award of the Sakharov Prize 2022. In a ceremony on Wednesday at noon, EP President Metsola will award the 2022 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the brave Ukrainian People. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to address plenary remotely. President Roberta Metsola and several of the Ukrainian representatives will hold a press conference after the award ceremony, at around 12.30. A hybrid press seminar with this year’s Sakharov Prize finalists and laureates will take place on Tuesday from 9.30 – 11.30.

EU December summit. In a debate with the Commission and the Czech Presidency on Wednesday morning, MEPs will outline their demands and expectations for the 15 December EU summit, which will focus on the latest developments in Russia’s war against Ukraine, the social and economic consequences of high energy prices, security and defence issues and relations with the EU’s southern neighbourhood.

EU response to distortive US tax breaks. In a debate with Commission and Council on Wednesday, MEPs will seek answers on how the EU is handling the massive tax breaks to companies producing in the US, a scheme that puts European industry at a disadvantage.

Russia’s war against Ukraine/Holodomor. On Thursday morning, MEPs will debate the humanitarian situation in Ukraine due to Russia’s attacks against critical infrastructure as well as the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, a Soviet-imposed famine that killed millions of Ukrainians between 1932 and 1933. (resolution on the Holodomor voted on Thursday)

Boosting the deployment of renewables. MEPs will debate and vote on a new law to grant permits more swiftly for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar panels or windmills. (debate Tuesday, vote Wednesday)

“This is Europe” debate with Slovenian Prime Minister Golob. MEPs will discuss the EU’s future prospects with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob on Tuesday at 10.30. One round of speeches by political group leaders will follow the Prime Minister’s address. A press point by EP President Metsola and Prime Minister Golob is scheduled for 10.20.

Committees

“Fit for 55”. Parliament and Council negotiators will try to find an agreement on three major bills, part of the “Fit for 55” initiative to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. These are the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM, Monday), the Social Climate Fund (Sunday) and the reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS, Saturday)

Gender pay gap. MEPs will try to reach a deal with the Council on a draft law to ensure that women and men earn the same when doing the same job. The legislation would oblige companies to disclose information and make it easier to compare salaries and expose existing gender pay gaps (Thursday).

EU Recovery/Secure and green energy. Parliament and Council negotiators will seek to agree on a draft law that would require EU countries to include measures to boost energy saving, clean energy production and the diversification of supply, if submitting an amended recovery and resilience plan, as foreseen in the REPowerEU plan (Tuesday)

Eurobarometer survey. The European Parliament will publish a first set of results from its autumn 2022 Eurobarometer survey, carried out between 12 October and 7 November, focusing on public support for Ukraine (Monday).

President’s Diary. On Tuesday morning, EP President Metsola will have a bilateral meeting with Slovenia’s Prime Minister Robert Golob before he addresses plenary. On Wednesday, she will meet the Laureates of the Sakharov Prize and on Thursday morning, at around 9.30, she will address heads of state or government during the European Council summit, followed by a press conference.

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. Political group briefings will take place on Tuesday morning.