Strasbourg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Budget, migration, Ukraine, and disputes in the Middle East are set for discussions in the European Parliament this week.
Financial assistance for Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, the EU budget for 2025 and the latest actions on how to approach migration policy at the EU level are all features of a packed schedule as MEPs head to Strasbourg on 21 Oct 2024 for the second plenary session of the month.
What key issues will the EU Parliament discuss this week?
Starting on Monday evening, EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola will extend the four-day session with a speech on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, followed by an address from ex-Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and a debate on how to maintain the EU’s single market.
On Tuesday, the 2025 EU budget will also be a major priority, with a final vote on the Parliament’s position planned for Wednesday. MEPs are pushing back against the Council’s recommendation to cut €1.52 billion from key EU programs like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, and are supporting more funds to address health, youth, agriculture and humanitarian issues.
Meanwhile, Wednesday will be set with discussions on migration, competitiveness, Poland’s abortion law and the continuing war offences of the Russian Federation – but also with the award of the Daphne Caruana Galizia prize for journalism and a vote on a resolution to modify the medical devices regulation.
Following a meeting of EU leaders in Brussels last Thursday, migration will remain an extremely hot topic in this session, with parliament’s political clans also divided on how to handle common migration policy.
“Our direction to asylum must be designed around the nuances and complexities that Europe faces while upholding human rights and protections for those fleeing war and persecution,” MEP Bas Eickhout (The Netherlands/Greens) expressed. Right-wing forces are welcoming the discussion on the latest ‘innovative solutions’ to curb irregular migration. On Thursday, the winner of Parliament’s top human rights prize is due to be revealed, and MEPs will vote on the circumstances in Azerbaijan and the strains between China and Taiwan.
