The Week Ahead 18 – 24 October 2021

Poland/Challenges to EU legal order and primacy of EU law. On Tuesday, Parliament will debate the recent ruling of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (vote Thursday)

Pandora Papers scandal. MEPs will vote on urgent measures needed to close the loopholes allowing the massive money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance uncovered by the Pandora Papers investigation. On Thursday morning, they will also debate the G20/OECD global tax agreement. (vote Thursday)

COP26/Climate change. Ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, MEPs are set to push for accelerated climate action worldwide and for the EU to remain a world leader in fighting climate change. (debate Wednesday, vote Thursday)

Farm to Fork Strategy. Parliament will present its plans for Europe to produce healthy, animal friendly, high quality and more sustainable food while guaranteeing food security and a fair income for farmers and reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint. (debate Monday, vote Tuesday, result Wednesday)

EU vaccine policies. In a resolution from the Petitions committee to be put to a vote on Thursday, MEPs will state their demands for more transparent vaccine development, purchasing and distribution in the future.

EU summit. In a debate with the Commission and the Slovenian Presidency, MEPs will outline their expectations for the 21-22 October European Council, which is set to focus on COVID-19, the EU’s Digital Strategy, the rising energy costs and migration. (Wednesday)

Sakharov Prize 2021. On Wednesday, the Conference of Presidents (President and political groups’ leaders) will select the 2021 Sakharov Prize laureate. On the shortlist are a group of Afghan women human rights defenders, Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, and Bolivia’s former interim president Jeanine Áñez. The prize will be awarded on 15 December.

Conference on the Future of Europe Plenary. Following the selection of the 80 representatives of the European Citizens’ Panels, the Plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe will meet in its full composition. Discussions will revolve around the first impressions of the panellists, as well as the ideas submitted so far to the Multilingual Digital Platform. (Friday to Saturday)

President’s Diary. On Tuesday morning, President Sassoli will hold a bilateral meeting with Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, and in the afternoon he will meet French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Yves Le Drian. At the European Council on Thursday, President Sassoli will have a bilateral meeting with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, before addressing heads of state or government at 15.30 and giving a press conference at 16.30.

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.