The Week Ahead 13 – 19 July 2020
Committee meetings, Brussels
European Council / Recovery Plan. EP President David Sassoli will address heads of state or government at the EU summit on Friday to set out Parliament’s position on the EU Recovery Plan and long-term budget, followed by a press conference. The EP’s Multiannual Financial Framework and Own Resources Contact Group will meet beforehand, on Tuesday.
Poland/Rule of Law. The Civil Liberties Committee will vote on its interim report on the Commission proposal under Article 7 of the Treaty on EU, which asked the Council to look into the rule of law situation in Poland. The draft text refers to concerns about Poland’s legislative and electoral system, judicial independence, and fundamental rights’ record, as well as the lack of progress in the Council. It also calls for immediate action, including budgetary measures and the establishment of a permanent monitoring mechanism (Tuesday and Thursday).
Shortage of medicines in the EU. The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee will vote on a resolution addressing the root causes of medicine shortages and the need for an increased EU response to tackle this issue. MEPs will focus on a return to EU independence in the health sector by reducing the EU’s reliance on imported appliances and equipment and stepping up European action to better coordinate and supplement national health policies (Tuesday).
German Presidency. Ministers will continue to outline the priorities of the German Presidency to parliamentary committees, in a second series of meetings. Germany will hold the Presidency of the Council until the end of 2020 (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday).
Survey on EU response to COVID-19 and recovery plans. A first set of findings from a new survey commissioned by the Parliament will be published on Tuesday afternoon. The role of the EU in fighting the pandemic, solidarity among member states as well as economic recovery are among the issues touched upon with the respondents.
Media webinar on EU recovery. The EP media directorate is holding an online seminar for journalists on “What is at stake for the EU recovery and beyond: Trends and Expectations”. The findings from the new survey (see above) will be presented ahead of their publication, while journalists will also be able to discuss with MEPs on the EP negotiating team on the EU Recovery Package (Tuesday morning).
President’s diary. EP President David Sassoli will hold a video conference with the Mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian and a meeting with Montenegro’s Prime Minister Duško Marković, on Monday. The President will be in Madrid on Wednesday, to meet Spanish Congress President Meritxell Batet, possibly followed by a press point (TBC), and on Thursday, when he will have a short meeting with Spanish Senate President Pilar Llop and the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda, Pablo Iglesias. Still on Thursday, he will attend the State ceremony in memory of the victims of COVID-19.
