First ever European defence industry programme
MEPs will be joined by Andrius Kubilius for the Commission from 9.00 to debate the new European defence programme informally agreed with the Council. The €1.5 billion scheme seeks to strengthen the EU’s defence industry, foster joint European procurement, ramp up manufacturing, and increase support for Ukraine. The final vote is at noon. A press conference will take place on Wednesday morning.
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Enhanced toy safety
MEPs are set to confirm new toy safety rules to protect children’s health and development. The new regulation extends bans on the most harmful chemicals in toys to endocrine disruptors, forever chemicals and bisphenols. There are also stricter rules on online marketplaces, toy traceability, and customs checks. Confirmation of the second-reading agreement between Parliament and the Member States will be announced at noon.
A safer internet for minors
In a debate with Commissioners Henna Virkkunen and Michael McGrath from around 15.00, MEPs will discuss proposals to make the internet safer for children and tackle rising social media addiction. The recommendations include bans on harmful practices such as addictive design and gambling-like game features and a minimum age of 16 for social media access. The vote on a non-legislative resolution, followed by a press conference, will take place tomorrow.
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EU dependence on rare earth imports from China
China’s restrictions on rare earth exports is the subject of a debate immediately following the votes, from around 13.00. MEPs will assess with Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné and Marie Bjerre, Danish Minister for European Affairs, how to make effective use of EU trade and industrial policy given the geopolitical, economic and environmental implications of the EU’s reliance on these products.
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In brief
Elimination of violence against women
Today is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. At noon, Parliament will mark it with a statement by President Roberta Metsola followed by statements from each political group.
Simplification of digital regulations. Parliament’s first debate on the “digital omnibus” proposals will start at around 16.00, with Henna Virkkunen for the Commission. The legislative package reviews the EU’s existing artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data protection framework.
2026 budget. From 13.00, MEPs will be discussing the 2026 budget agreed provisionally last week with Council negotiators, with Commissioner Piotr Serafin and Marie Bjerre, Danish Minister for European Affairs. There will be a press conference with the rapporteurs today at 15.00. Following the vote tomorrow, the President of the European Parliament will sign the 2026 budget into law.
Geopolitical cooperation in the Arctic. In an evening debate, MEPs will assess creeping militarisation, Russia’s military restructuring and China’s interest in the Arctic region, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. They will vote on a non-legislative report tomorrow.
Sudan and Myanmar. MEPs and Commissioner Hadja Lahbib will debate the war and catastrophic humanitarian situation in Sudan from around 14.00, and the political situation in Myanmar from around 20.00.
Votes
At noon, MEPs will also vote, among others, on:
- a report on the deteriorating rule of law situation in Hungary;
- draft legislation to enhance police cooperation on human trafficking and migrant smuggling;
- a request to fast-track a legislative proposal on the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products;
- whether or not to maintain the action before the Court of Justice for the annulment of the decision of the Commission on the withdrawal of the Standard essential patents proposal; and
- the appointment of a new German member of the European Court of Auditors.
Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+.
For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.
Find more information regarding plenary.
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