The Week Ahead 27 March – 02 April 2023

Plenary session, Brussels

Closing the gender pay gap. On Thursday Parliament will debate, and is set to approve, an agreement with EU Ministers on new legislation requiring EU companies to disclose information that makes it easier for those working for the same employer to compare salaries. With the aim of closing the gender pay gap, the new law includes dissuasive penalties for employers that do not comply with equal pay rules.

Protecting online shoppers and vulnerable consumers. MEPs will debate and vote on an agreement on new rules to ensure that products in the EU, whether sold online or in traditional shops, comply with the highest safety requirements. The new law includes more effective procedures for product recalls and the removal of dangerous goods online. (Wednesday, Thursday)

Key debate on results of EU Spring Summit. On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will assess the outcome of the 23-24 March European Council in a debate with Presidents Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen.

Rule of law in the EU. On Thursday MEPs will debate and vote on the latest Commission report on the respect for core EU values across member states. MEPs are set to confirm that the Commission’s reporting has improved, but that rule of law is deteriorating and that specific concerns persist in several EU countries.

Climate change. Parliament’s negotiating position for an ambitious reduction of fluorinated greenhouse gases emissions, to further contribute to the EU’s climate neutrality goal, and for additional cuts of the emissions of substances that damage the ozone layer, in line with the European Green Deal and international agreements, will be debated on Wednesday and put to a vote on Thursday.

Committee meetings

Anti-money laundering package. The Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Civil Liberties committees will adopt their position on a new set of measures to step up the EU’s fight against money laundering. (Tuesday)

TikTok and Twitter. The Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will quiz the Commission on the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the safety of consumers on big platforms, and specifically TikTok and Twitter. The committee will also discuss with the Commission the implementation of EU rules for a common charger and the proposal on the consumer right to repair. (Monday and Tuesday)

President’s Diary. President Metsola will meet the Speaker of Slovenia’s National Assembly, Urska Klakočar Zupančič, on Tuesday. On Thursday, she will go to The Hague, in The Netherlands, to meet Parliament President Vera Bergkamp and Senate President Jan Anthonie Bruijn, followed by a discussion with students at Leiden University. On Friday in The Hague President Metsola will hold a joint doorstep press point with Prime Minister Mark Rutte, followed by a bilateral meeting. On the same day, the President will meet with the Dutch Council of Ministers, have an audience with His Majesty the King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, deliver a keynote speech at the annual Christian Democratic Appeal Schmelzer Lecture and meet Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Wopke Hoekstra.