The Week Ahead 29 August – 04 September 2022
Committees, Brussels
New EU revenue sources. Budget Committee MEPs will vote on key changes to the rules governing the EU’s long-term budget (MFF). The changes are intended to enable the integration of new “EU Own Resources” into the MFF, but also to include the new Social Climate Fund that supports citizens in the transition to climate neutrality. MEPs are set to ask for additional funds to help Europeans facing rising energy prices, and to restate their demand for a broader revision of the current MFF regulation in 2023 to cope with continuing crises. (Wednesday)
Digital roadmap 2030. The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy will vote on the agreement between Parliament and Council negotiators on the 2030 “Path to the Digital Decade” programme, which sets out how the European Union can reach its digital targets by the end of the decade and covers digital skills, digital infrastructures, digitalisation of businesses and of public services. (Thursday)
Preparing for winter. Filling up gas reserves in the EU, proposed measures to save energy ahead of winter and the situation on the gas and electricity markets will be discussed with the European Commission in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee. (Thursday)
Russian and Chinese interference. The Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes in the European Union, including Disinformation, and the Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a joint hearing to discuss with experts the strategy, impact and consequences of China and Russia’s influence in various parts of the world. (Wednesday)
COVID-19/Lessons learned. The Special Committee on COVID-19 (COVI) will exchange views with the Commission and health ministers from Belgium, Finland and Romania on best practices regarding national vaccination strategies, the capacity of health systems to cope with the pandemic as well as joint procurement procedures and advance purchase agreements. (Tuesday)
Pegasus spyware. The Committee of Inquiry to investigate the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware will hold two hearings focussing on the use of spyware on citizens, hear victims’ testimonies and learn about remedies available to them. (Tuesday)
Brexit. The International Trade, Foreign Affairs and Constitutional Affairs committees will jointly discuss a draft report on the implementation and enforcement of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement from the EU as well as the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. (Wednesday)
President’s diary. EP President Roberta Metsola will pay an official visit to Portugal on Thursday and Friday, where she will meet the President of the Portuguese Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Speaker of the Members’ chamber (the Assembleia da Republica), Augusto Santos Silva and the Olympic Committee of Portugal. She will also visit Lisbon Town Hall, the Champalimaud Foundation, hold a town hall meeting with young people and give the closing keynote address at the Estoril Conference.
