The plenary session of the European Parliament, taking place in Strasbourg from 10 to 13 February, will be shaped by issues relating to transatlantic relations, following a series of protectionist announcements by US President Donald Trump and his threats to impose tariffs on European products.
Trade. Trade relations are therefore at the top of the agenda for the majority of Parliament’s political groups. MEPs will debate “preparedness for a new trading era” on Tuesday morning.
Later on in the day, the European Commission is due to answer an oral question from Borys Budka (EPP, Polish) on US export restrictions on smart chips, which will affect certain EU countries (see EUROPE 13557/4).
Finally, a debate on the EU-Mercosur trade agreement was called for by several political groups. It is therefore on the agenda for Thursday morning.
United States. The partner on the other side of the Atlantic will continue to command MEPs’ attention. In addition to trade issues, on Wednesday they will discuss with the European Commission the withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement (see EUROPE 13562/13) and the World Health Organization (see EUROPE 13562/14), as well as the suspension of US development aid and humanitarian aid (see EUROPE 13562/21).
Commission work programme. On Wednesday morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will present its work programme for 2025, which includes three so-called ‘omnibus’ initiatives aimed at simplifying existing legislation (see EUROPE 13573/17).
The ensuing debate will follow the new speaking format – previously tried out in January (see EUROPE 13564/13) – in which MEPs speaking on behalf of their group will be invited to take the floor in no particular order.
Competitiveness. In the afternoon, MEPs will discuss the ‘Competitiveness Compass’ presented by the European Commission on Wednesday 29 January (see EUROPE 13568/1).
Just before this debate, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) group has asked to hold an exchange on “Collaboration between conservatives and the far right as a threat for competitiveness in the EU”.
Ukraine. On Tuesday morning, MEPs will debate with representatives of the European Commission and the Council “Continuing unwavering support for Ukraine, after three years of Russia’s war of aggression”. Once again, MEPs are expected to call on the Member States to step up their military support for Kyiv and to impose additional sanctions on Russia.
Russia. On Wednesday morning, MEPs will discuss the Kremlin’s ongoing crackdown on the political opposition in Russia, one year after the “murder” of activist and political opponent Alexei Navalny (see EUROPE 13352/26).
Georgia. On Thursday, MEPs will also vote on a resolution on the deteriorating political situation in Georgia.
Middle East. On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will discuss a broader ‘comprehensive EU-Middle East Strategy’. In their mission statements, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica were tasked with preparing a new strategy for “the day after the war in Gaza”, which should focus on promoting “all steps needed for a two-state solution and strengthening partnerships with key regional stakeholders”.
DRC. On Tuesday afternoon, the European Commission and the EU Council will take part in the plenary session to debate the situation in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), almost two weeks after the capture of Goma by the ‘M23’ armed anti-government group, supported by Rwanda.
A resolution is due to be put to the vote at midday on Thursday, at a time when calls for the EU to act are multiplying, particularly with regard to its partnership with Kigali (see EUROPE 13573/1, 13569/19).
Humanitarian aid. On Monday evening, MEPs will hold a debate on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the need for the EU to contribute to resolving the humanitarian crisis linked to people who go missing during wars and conflicts.
Resolutions on human rights. On the issue of human rights, the European Parliament will be discussing the recent dismissals and arrests of mayors in Turkey on Wednesday evening, and will vote on a resolution on the subject on Thursday.
Next, MEPs will debate the repression of human rights defenders, political opponents and religious communities by the Ortega-Murillo regime in Nicaragua, and will adopt a specific resolution the following day. The EU has extended the sanctions imposed on 21 dignitaries of the Nicaraguan regime until 15 October 2025 (see EUROPE 13499/37).
They will also address the continued detention and risk of the death penalty for those accused of blasphemy in Nigeria, particularly in the case of singer Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.
Press freedom. On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will pay tribute to Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak, known for his investigations into corruption in Slovakia, and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, who were both murdered on 21 February 2018.
Justice. At the end of the day on Tuesday, there will be a debate on protecting the system of justice on the world stage and its institutions, in particular the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.
In the final debate of this plenary session, on Thursday the Commission will make a statement on the cross-border recognition of civil status documents of same-sex couples and their children within the EU.
Mass killing in Sweden. On the evening of Monday 10 February, MEPs will discuss with the Commission the escalation of gang violence in Sweden and strengthening the fight against organised crime.
Economy. On Monday, in the presence of Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), MEPs will debate the bank’s activities, which recently cut its key rates for the fifth time since June 2024 (see EUROPE 13569/16). They will adopt the ‘Van Brug’ report the following day.
Taxation. On Wednesday, the European Parliament will vote on two opinion reports concerning the legislative package on value added tax in the digital age (ViDA) and administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (DAC 9). During the vote in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, MEPs approved the EU Council’s position on the first text (see EUROPE 13559/23). For the second, they validated it under the simplified procedure, without amendment (see EUROPE 13559/22).
Employment. On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs will debate with the Commission the need to address “urgent labour shortages and ensure quality jobs in the healthcare sector”.
This will be followed by a discussion on the need for the EU to strengthen vocational education and training to manage labour market transitions.
Youth. Wednesday will close with a statement from the Commission on young people’s mental health. This is a crisis described as “silent” and which stems from the Covid-19 pandemic (see EUROPE 12873/14). For example, the 2022 Health at a Glance report showed that almost one in two young Europeans report unmet needs for mental health care, and that the proportion of young people reporting symptoms of depression more than doubled in several EU countries during the pandemic. (Original version in French by the editorial staff)