Breaking down barriers to the single market
This session’s key debate, on the single market and the need for certainty and predictability for EU business, starts at 9.00. MEPs will be joined by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the barriers identified by the Commission in its European single market strategy and by the “One Europe, One Market” roadmap signed by three EU institutions in April. The debate will also touch on the need to provide quality jobs, grow young talent and support small companies.
Maris KURME
(+32) 477 99 06 65
@EP_SingleMarket
EU-US trade deal: press conference
Following last night’s agreement between Parliament and Council negotiators on the tariff aspects of the August 2025 Turnberry deal between the EU and the US, Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), International Trade Committee chair, will give a press conference at 10.00.
Lieven COSIJN
(+32) 473 864 141
@EP Trade
Securing new resources for the EU budget
From around 19.00, MEPs and Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin will discuss alternative financing possibilities for the EU’s next long-term budget, such as a levy on online gambling. To reduce dependence on member states’ contributions and equip the EU to finance Europeans’ priorities, MEPs would also consider a digital services levy, an extension of the carbon border adjustment mechanism, or a levy on crypto-asset capital gains.
Eszter ZALÁN
(+32) 477 99 20 73
@EP_Budgets
Rule of law in Slovakia
Following their debate in the February plenary session, MEPs will vote at noon on a draft resolution on the state of the rule of law in Slovakia. Parliament is expected to call on the Commission to assess whether there could be a clear risk of a serious breach of the EU’s founding values by Slovakia’s government and to use all its tools to protect the rule of law and EU money.
Martina VASS
(+32) 477 99 11 57
Kyriakos KLOSIDIS
(+32) 470 96 47 35
@EP_Institutional
@EP_Legal
Strengthening victims’ rights
In a debate from around 17.00, with Michael McGrath, Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection, MEPs will debate new EU legislation to improve support for the victims of crime, ahead of a final vote tomorrow. The draft directive updates the current standards on information, support and protection for victims of criminal offences in the EU. A new EU-wide helpline for victims (116 006) will be set up, access to legal aid and compensation will be improved and the online reporting of crimes will be made easier. The rules also reinforce the provision of specialised support for victims of sexual violence and for children. A press conference with lead MEPs will take place at 11.15.
Polona TEDESKO
(+32) 470 88 42 82
@EP_Justice
In brief
Addressing the gender care gap. From around 14.30, MEPs will quiz Roxana Mînzatu, Commissioner for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, on the Commission’s plans for a European “care deal”. Tomorrow they will vote on recommendations for a gender-balanced and rights-based approach to care provision.
Work-related fatalities. From around 16.00, MEPs and Commissioner Mînzatu will discuss proposals to reduce the number of work-related accidents, diseases and deaths in the EU. Parliament will vote on a resolution tomorrow at noon.
Criminal gangs recruiting children. MEPs will hear from Michael McGrath at 17.30 on the recruitment of minors as a tactic increasingly used by criminal networks in the EU.
Breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will hold urgent debates on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan; the repression and execution of protesters, dissidents, political prisoners and religious minorities in Iran; and the cases of human rights and environmental defenders Andrie Yunus and Muhammad Rosidi in Indonesia, from around 20.00. Resolutions on these subjects will be put to a vote at noon tomorrow.
Emissions trading system. In this session’s topical debate, requested by the European Conservatives and Reformists political group, MEPs will discuss the connection between the ETS system and European competitiveness with Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, from around 13.00.
Votes
At noon, MEPs will also vote, among others, on:
- a report on the possible pros and cons of an AI strategy for EU trade;
- the EU-Uzbekistan enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement;
- an EU-Lebanon agreement on judicial cooperation in criminal matters;
- an EU-Canada agreement on access to procurement under the SAFE instrument;
- fisheries partnership agreements with São Tomé and Príncipe and with the Cook Islands;
- an own-initiative report on the impact of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins.
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.