The European Parliament is gearing up for a busy week in Strasbourg, with a range of key issues on the agenda. Topics such as the budget, migration, Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East will take center stage in discussions among MEPs. Additionally, two major awards for human rights and journalism will be presented during the four-day session.
As MEPs head to Strasbourg for the second plenary session of the month, they will be faced with a packed agenda. Financial aid for Ukraine, the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, the EU budget for 2025, and developments in migration policy at the EU level will all be key points of discussion. The session will kick off with Parliament President Roberta Metsola addressing the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, followed by speeches from former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta and a debate on strengthening the EU’s single market.
One of the key issues to be tackled during the session is the EU’s financial support for Ukraine. The EU has committed €35bn, as part of a G7 plan to provide a total of €50bn in loans to help the war-torn country. The conflict in Lebanon will also be a major focus on the agenda. Far-right forces are expected to be divided on whether to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia’s military aggression, with potential splits among MEPs. The 2025 EU budget will also be a central focus, with MEPs advocating for more funds to address key challenges in health, agriculture, and humanitarian issues.
On Wednesday, debates will cover a range of topics including migration, competitiveness, Poland’s abortion law, and war crimes committed by the Russian Federation. The session will also include the award of the Daphne Caruana Galizia prize for journalism and a vote on revising the medical devices regulation. Migration policy will remain a heated topic, with differing opinions among parliament’s political families on how to handle common migration issues. Some, like MEP Bas Eickhout, emphasize the need to consider Europe’s nuanced challenges while upholding human rights, while others, mainly right-wing forces, are seeking innovative solutions to curb irregular migration.
Thursday will see the announcement of the winner of Parliament’s top human rights prize, along with a vote on the situation in Azerbaijan and tensions between China and Taiwan. The session is expected to conclude with a final round of discussions and votes on key issues facing the EU. The European Parliament’s week in Strasbourg promises to be intense and filled with fiery debates as MEPs grapple with pressing challenges across the continent. With a focus on budgets, migration policy, and human rights, this session will play a critical role in shaping the future direction of the EU.
