Strasbourg: Gaza, the EU budget, and the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism are some of the highlights of the European Parliament plenary meeting in Strasbourg this week. In a key debate on Tuesday morning, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and Commission representatives will discuss the recent Middle East peace agreement and the role of the EU. Notably, no resolution will be voted on during this session.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the European Parliament will hold a crucial vote on Wednesday regarding its position on next year’s annual budget as preliminary talks with EU governments are set to begin. The debate on this matter will occur on Tuesday. The Budgets Committee has already voted to restore £1.3 billion for key programs that were previously cut by EU governments compared to the Commission’s draft budget.
In addition to budgetary matters, MEPs are poised to confirm new EU driving license rules. These new rules will introduce provisions concerning novice drivers, vulnerable road users, and driving disqualification. Another significant debate scheduled for Wednesday will focus on possible additional measures to cease all energy imports from Russia and address existing loopholes through third countries.
Furthermore, MEPs will engage in a separate debate discussing a ‘reparations loan’ aimed at funding Ukraine’s reconstruction and defense efforts. The winner of the annual Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, awarded by the European Parliament around the anniversary of her death, will be announced on Tuesday evening.
MEPs will also debate on Wednesday and subsequently vote on Thursday regarding the Parliament’s demands for the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference COP30. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is expected to announce the laureate of the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought during the plenary session on Wednesday around noon.