At a time when the possibility of the United Kingdom withdrawing from the European Union without a deal is becoming increasingly likely - Boris Johnson assures us that his country is ready - Brexit will be the most pressing issue at the European Parliament's plenary session (16-19 September) in Strasbourg. The exchange of views and the vote on whether to recommend Christine Lagarde’s appointment as head of the ECB will be the second major political issue. The discussions regarding the portfolios for the future European Commission, which will be taking place on the margins of the plenary with President-elect Ursula von der Leyen in attendance, are certain to attract attention.
Brexit. The main debate will take place on Wednesday morning in the presence of Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the Commission, who will have met Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, in Luxembourg on Monday (Mr Johnson will also be meeting the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Xavier Bettel - see other news). On Wednesday, there will be a vote on a resolution that has already been put forward and approved by the Conference of Presidents of Political Groups.
The main aim of this resolution, which has the support of five groups (EPP, S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL), is to ensure there is continuity with the position taken by the last Parliament, by stipulating that the European Parliament will not accept a withdrawal agreement that does not contain the Irish backstop and will not allow another extension beyond the 31 October deadline unless the UK meets very specific conditions that would justify granting the extension (see EUROPE 12326/5). The ECR (Conservative) group does not support the joint resolution, as it is excluded from the steering group. The ID group has tabled an alternative resolution calling for the EU to respect the outcome of the 2016 British referendum.
Appointment of the President of the ECB. After its debate on Tuesday, with Christine Lagarde potentially in attendance if she accepts its invitation, Parliament will proceed immediately to vote on whether to recommend her. This will be an advisory vote by secret ballot. The final decision will rest with the European Council. After appearing before the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on 4 September, Mrs Lagarde’s candidacy was approved by a large majority (see EUROPE 12320/4). The GUE/NGL expressed disappointment with her performance, as she did not spend enough time talking about climate issues.
Ursula von der Leyen at the Conference of Presidents. The Conference of Presidents will decide on the precise timing of the hearings for the Commissioners-designate to decide who will appear before which parliamentary committee. A discussion is planned with Mrs von der Leyen, who has been invited to discuss the issues relating to the appointment of the European Commissioners for the various portfolios.
She will have the opportunity to explain the contentious title of the portfolio linking migration and 'protecting the European way of life', a decision which has greatly dismayed the Greens/EFA and GUE/NGL groups, who were the first to be upset by it, and which is also proving a source of concern for the S&D and Renew Europe groups (see EUROPE B1232604). The exchange of views will take place at the request of the S&D group. The Greens/EFA were unsuccessful in requesting a debate in plenary in order to increase transparency (a move supported by the GUE/NGL and ID groups).
Foreign interference in electoral processes and disinformation. On Tuesday, MEPs will debate how to tackle these problems with the Commission and the Council of the EU. The resolution, which was put to the vote on Thursday, requests that a special European Parliament committee be set up.
Forest fires in the Amazon. On Tuesday afternoon, Parliament will hold an exchange of views on this disaster, which made the headlines during the G7 summit and is expected to be the subject of a legislative own-initiative report by the Environment Committee (see EUROPE 12321/4). The vote on a resolution requested by the Greens/EFA for this plenary was rejected by the S&D, EPP and Renew Europe groups, as the issue of the EU/Mercosur Free Trade Agreement is so sensitive. At the beginning of Monday evening’s session, the status of forests in the EU will be discussed with the European Commission.
Climate. On Tuesday morning, MEPs will hold a debate with the Council of the EU and the Commission on the EU's common position regarding the extraordinary climate summit convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on 23 September. The EU intends to encourage other major economies to follow its lead by demonstrating that it is the ‘world leader’ in this area (see EUROPE 12325/7).
Foreign Affairs/Security. The situation in Hong Kong will be discussed with Mrs Mogherini on Monday evening. On Tuesday, she will discuss security in Burkina Faso, the peace process in Colombia, which the High Representative has just visited, and the situation in Kashmir.
Human Rights. Parliament will also pass resolutions on breaches of human rights and the rule of law in Turkey, Burma and Iran (Thursday).
Patentability of plants that are obtained naturally. On Monday, Parliament will ask the Commission how it intends to ensure that essential biological processes, such as plant breeding, cannot be patented, and will pass a resolution on Thursday (see other news).
Budget and miscellaneous topics. On Wednesday, there will be votes on several draft amending budgets for 2019 (the surplus for the 2018 financial year, the Horizon 2020 and Erasmus + programmes, and mobilisation of the EU Solidarity Fund to support Romania, Italy and Austria). The Council of the EU's position on the 2020 budget will be presented to MEPs on Wednesday.
Also on the agenda are implementation in the EU of anti-money laundering legislation (debate on Wednesday, vote on a resolution on Thursday) and a topical debate on the fight against cancer (Wednesday).
On Monday, the Greens/EFA group might request a plenary debate on a new fraud case involving Volkswagen emissions that was revealed by the German media organisation SWR on 12 September, 4 years after Dieselgate. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)