The Week Ahead 16 – 22 May 2022

Committee meetings – Plenary session

Committees

Fit for 55. The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety will adopt six reports, part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. These are: the Emissions Trading System (ETS), aviation ETS, Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, land use and forestry (LULUCF), Effort Sharing and Social Climate Fund (jointly with the Employment and Social Affairs Committee) (Tuesday and Wednesday).

Digital single market/Frances Haugen. Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen will discuss with the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) the impact of the recently agreed Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in preparation of IMCO’s delegation to Silicon Valley (23-27 May). Beforehand, MEPs will discuss the main achievements of the DSA and DMA negotiations with France’s Secretary of State for the Digital Transition and Electronic Communications Cedric O (Wednesday).

Ukraine/Trade. The International Trade Committee will vote to lift all import duties on any product coming from Ukraine, with the aim of supporting the country’s economy. MEPs will adopt this file using the fast-track procedure, so that the final vote can take place already during this week’s plenary sitting (Monday).

Ukraine/Transport. The Transport and Tourism Committee will debate with Ukraine’s Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov on the latest situation in the country concerning transport infrastructure, recovery needs and EU support (Tuesday).

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT). To mark the IDAHOBIT, EP President Metsola, together with the Chairs of the EP’s LGBTI Intergroup Marc Angel and Terry Reintke, will join a Facebook Live on Parliament’s support and work on LGBTIQ issues. The Human Rights Subcommittee will hold a debate with LGBTIQ rights activists (Tuesday).

Plenary session (Wednesday and Thursday)

War against Ukraine/Energy/Social and economic impact. Following a debate on 4 May, MEPs will vote on Thursday on a resolution about the social and economic consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine and the EU’s response. The same day, they will also discuss energy security and the recent cuts to gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria.

War crimes in Ukraine. On Thursday morning, Parliament will discuss how to bring perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine to justice. Since the invasion, Russian forces have been accused of numerous breaches of international humanitarian law in Ukrainian territory. A resolution will be put to the vote at noon.

Address by the President of Moldova. On Wednesday at 15.00, Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, will address MEPs on the war in Ukraine and its consequences. On Thursday, MEPs will vote on the annual implementing report on the EU association agreement with the Republic of Moldova.

Global minimum corporate tax rate. MEPs will debate on Wednesday and vote on Thursday on the Commission proposal implementing the international agreement on a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%. The draft text calls for a review clause that would allow for the annual revenue threshold above which a multinational corporation would be subject to the minimum tax rate to be revised.

President’s diary. On Tuesday, EP President Roberta Metsola will meet the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili, and will inaugurate the exhibition “Mariupol Deësis and photo evidence of Russia’s war against Ukraine” by the Ukrainian Parliament Verkhovna Rada. On Wednesday, President Metsola will have a bilateral meeting with the President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, before the latter addresses the plenary.