Tackling the EU housing crisis
First on the agenda, at 9.00, is a debate with Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen on Parliament’s proposals to address Europe’s housing crisis. Responding to the precarious living conditions currently experienced by millions of Europeans, the recommendations cover key aspects of the crisis, including the need to boost investment, cut red tape, improve the quality of homes, and tackle labour shortages and competitiveness challenges in the construction sector. MEPs will vote on the report today at 12.30. A press conference will take place at 17.30.
Arianne SIKKEN
(+32) 477 99 19 34
Alessio INCORVAIA
(+32) 470 68 84 61
@hous.europarl.europa.eu
Celebrating International Women’s Day
To mark International Women’s Day, at noon MEPs will hear from Jackie Fox, who has campaigned tirelessly against online bullying since her daughter’s death by suicide in 2018. Fox advocated for the introduction of “Coco’s Law” in Ireland, a law that criminalises severe online bullying and makes it an offence to share or threaten to share intimate images on digital devices without consent. Fox’s address will be followed by one round of political group speakers.
Polona TEDESKO
(+32) 470 88 42 82
@EP_GenderEqual
Launching the European Order of Merit
At around 12.30, Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola will announce the first laureates of the European Order of Merit. The first of its kind, this distinction will honour the achievements of individuals who have made a significant contribution to European integration and values. Up to 20 laureates will be appointed each year to the Order. The formal conferral ceremony will take place during the May plenary session.
Delphine COLARD
(+32) 498 98 44 85
@EuroParlPress
Building the EU’s defence capabilities
In a joint debate from around 19.00 with Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, MEPs will discuss ways to address critical defence capability gaps, tackle barriers to the single market for defence, and advance flagship European defence projects of common interest. Parliament will vote on two own-initiative reports on these subjects tomorrow.
Viktor ALMQVIST
(+32) 470 88 29 42
@EP_Defence
In brief
Cooperation with Canada. MEPs and Commissioner Marta Kos will be discussing the need for deeper cooperation with Canada in a debate starting at around 17.00. The vote will take place tomorrow.
A fair transition to clean energy. At 15.00, Dan Jørgensen will present the Commission’s new “energy package”, which seeks to accelerate the EU’s transition to cleaner energy sources.
EU enlargement strategy. MEPs will assess the EU’s political approach and methodology on enlargement in a debate with Commissioner Marta Kos starting at around 16.00. Parliament will vote on their report tomorrow.
Creative sector interplay with generative AI. MEPs will vote at 12.30 on a report exploring ways to ensure creators are either properly remunerated or can opt out when it comes to their copyrighted work being used to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
European semester. MEPs will discuss the coordination of economic policy and employment and social policy priorities with Marilena Raouna, Cyprus’s Deputy Minister for European Affairs, and Roxana Mînzatu, Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, from around 13.30. Two draft reports will be put to a vote tomorrow.
One market for one Europe. Earlier in the day, at around 10.00, MEPs will debate the action needed to complete the single market, with Marilena Raouna and Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President of the Commission responsible for prosperity and industrial strategy.
Votes
At 12.30, MEPs will vote, among others, on:
- applying the urgent procedure to amend the regulation on the calculation of emission credits for heavy-duty vehicles for the 2025 to 2029 reporting periods;
- the creation of an EU talent pool;
- the appointments of the vice-president of the European Central Bank, the chair of the European Banking Authority and the European Chief Prosecutor;
- the upcoming European research area act; and
- fisheries management approaches for safeguarding sensitive species.
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.