Strasbourg: Geopolitical challenges, digital services regulation, and the priorities of the Polish EU Presidency are set to dominate discussions at the first European Parliament Plenary Session for 2025, scheduled from January 20 to 23 in Strasbourg. The session will tackle pressing global issues, including the situation in the Middle East, the implications of the new Donald Trump administration in the US, and efforts to protect democracy through digital services legislation.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the plenary session will begin on Monday with an assessment of the recent developments in Gaza, focusing on the ceasefire and the urgent need for a two-state resolution, the release of Israeli hostages, and addressing the humanitarian crisis. The session will also address the record high temperatures of 2024, emphasizing the need for climate action. The European Commission will conclude the first day’s discussions with a statement on advancing the fusion industry for Europe’s energy independence.
On Tuesday, the plenary will shift to the enforcement of digital services legislation aimed at safeguarding democracy from foreign interference and algorithmic manipulation. The debate will highlight the necessity for social media companies to adhere to the Digital Services Act, which mandates obligations to curb illegal content and misinformation. Additionally, discussions will address potential geopolitical and economic shifts in EU-US relations under the Trump administration, with a focus on transatlantic relations, support for Ukraine, and security concerns, particularly in the Baltic Sea.
Wednesday will see plenary work focusing on the December European Council’s conclusions, with input from European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The session will review discussions from the EU Heads of State meeting in Brussels, including Russia’s war against Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will outline the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council, emphasizing European security amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic challenges.
The session will also address strengthening the EU’s security and defence mechanisms, tackling demographic challenges, and proposing legislative initiatives for improved police cooperation and combating human trafficking.