EP TODAY

Wednesday, 22 November

The regional and global implications of the war in Gaza

From 9.00, MEPs will discuss with EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell and Commissioner Lenarčič the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the need to release hostages and for an immediate humanitarian truce leading to a ceasefire, as well as the prospects for peace and security in the Middle East.

Viktor ALMQVIST
(+32) 470 88 29 42
EP_ForeignAff

2024 EU budget: plenary vote and signature

In a vote at noon, plenary is set to give its final approval to next year's EU budget, which should enable the EU to address global challenges while also supporting young people and research. Following the vote, EP President Roberta Metsola will sign the text into law in the hemicycle.

Armin WISDORFF
(+32) 498 98 13 45
EP_Budgets

This is Europe" debate with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov

At 10.30, Bulgaria's Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov will outline to plenary his views on the challenges facing Europe and its future. EP President Metsola and Prime Minister Denkov will speak to the press before, around 10.25.

Yasmina YAKIMOVA
(+32) 470 88 10 60

EuroParlPress

In brief

Rule of law in Spain after the new governmental agreement. Starting around 14.00, MEPs will discuss with Commissioner Reynders and Secretary of State for EU Affairs Navarro for the Spanish Presidency proposed legislation to grant amnesty to hundreds involved in Catalonia's pro-independence movement over the last decade.

EU measures to tackle spyware. The lack of adequate legislative follow-up to Parliament's inquiry into the use of Pegasus and other spyware will be the focus of a debate with Commissioner Reynders, from around 18.00. Plenary will vote on a resolution on Thursday.

Cyprus confidential revelations. From around 16.00, MEPs will quiz Commissioner McGuinness and Secretary of State Navarro for the Spanish Presidency about recent revelations on money laundering and evasion of sanctions against Russia in Cyprus.

Human rights: Iran/Niger/Georgia. Plenary will look into the attacks against women, women's rights defenders in Iran, and arbitrary detention of EU nationals, the unlawful detention of President Mohamed Bazoum in Niger and the killing of Tamaz Ginturi, a Georgian citizen, by Russia's occupying forces in Georgia. Three resolutions will be put to the vote on Thursday.

Votes

Between 12.00 and 13.00, plenary will vote, among others, on:

• Parliament's mandate on new rules on pesticides;
• a draft proposal on packaging and packaging waste;
• MEPs' proposals on the reform of the EU Treaties;
• an EU-New Zealand trade agreement;
• aid to Belgium from the Globalisation Adjustment Fund;
• the appointment of two members to the EU Court of Auditors, and
• new VAT rules.

Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament's webstreaming and on EbS+.

For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.

All information regarding plenary, can be found here.

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