The Week Ahead 24 – 30 September 2018

2019 EU budget. The Budgets Committee will adopt its proposed figures for the EU budget for next year. MEPs are set to prioritise boosting programmes which support student exchanges such as Erasmus+, small and medium-sized enterprises , research, trans-European networks, jobs and social innovation, and youth employment, , as well as climate-related spending. They may also add funding for further security, migration and refugee aid measures, both within and outside the EU. (Tuesday and Wednesday)

Mario Draghi. The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee will discuss euro-area economic and monetary prospects, and particularly the ECB’s plans to end quantitative easing, with the European Central Bank President. (Monday)

Sakharov Prize 2018. Candidates for the 2018 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be presented at a joint meeting with the Foreign Affairs and Development committees and the Human Rights Subcommittee. This year there are eight candidates. The Foreign Affairs and Development committees will vote on 9 October to shortlist the three finalists. Parliament’s Conference of Presidents will select the final winner on 25 October. (Thursday).

Asia-Europe parliamentary meeting. Parliament will host the 10th Asia-Europe parliamentary partnership meeting. MEPs and MPs from EU member states, 18 Asian countries as well as Russia, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland will meet to debate climate change, migration, the economy and security. They will also prepare their input for the ASEM summit to be held on 18-19 October in Brussels. (Thursday to Friday)

Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 1-4 October plenary session in Strasbourg, where they will vote on the reform of EU rules on audiovisual media, including online streaming platforms, and on new CO2 emission reduction targets for passenger cars. MEPs will also get ready for debates on the future of Europe with Estonian Prime Minister Jüri Ratas, the rule of law in Romania and the European Council of 18-19 October.

President’s diary. EP President Antonio Tajani will pay an official visit to Portugal on Thursday and Friday to meet President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Prime Minister Antonio Costa and Assembly Speaker Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, as well as participate in a debate with young citizens.

Fact-checking conference. Parliament will host a conference for fact-checking organisations ahead of the upcoming EU elections. 60 fact-checkers, representing most EU countries, will discuss challenges and opportunities when checking facts at election times with MEPs and experts. The conference will be opened by President Tajani and Digital Economy and Society Commissioner Mariya Gabriel. 27-28 September