The Week Ahead 05 – 11 October 2026

October European Council. On Tuesday, MEPs will debate their priorities for the 15 – 16 October summit with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the Irish Council Presidency.

EU long-term budget. On Wednesday, Parliament will discuss with Council and Commission representatives the need for an ambitious 2028-2034 EU long-term budget for a strong and resilient Europe.

Cost of living/affordable housing. With an increasing number of Europeans struggling to pay their bills, MEPs, Council and the Commission will discuss ways to make housing affordable on Tuesday, followed by a debate on the cost-of-living crisis on Wednesday.

Defence innovation. On Tuesday, plenary will vote on the EU’s new defence innovation programme (AGILE), worth €115 million, to provide financial support for the development of emerging and disruptive defence technologies.

Undemocratic elections in Russia/humanitarian situation in Ukraine. On Monday, MEPs will debate the humanitarian situation in Ukraine. On Tuesday, they will discuss the undemocratic parliamentary elections in Russia that took place on 18-20 September, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, and vote on an accompanying resolution on Thursday.

Protecting and empowering children online. On Tuesday, MEPs will discuss recent Commission proposals such as the so-called “KIDS Act” to delay social media access for children and ensure platforms provide safe and age-appropriate services.

Prime Minister of Portugal/“This is Europe” debate. On Tuesday, the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro, will address Parliament and debate with MEPs.

Committees

Tribute to Anna Politkovskaya. 20 years on from her assassination, Human Rights and EU-Russia Parliamentary Cooperation committee MEPs will pay tribute to Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya on Monday. Her granddaughter Anna Victoria Politkovskaya will be one of the speakers.

EU Inc. company. On Thursday, the Legal Affairs Committee will vote on the new “EU Inc.” business regime, through which a company can be set up digitally within two working days and for up to €100, as an alternative to the 27 existing national regimes. On Wednesday, the rapporteur will brief journalists.

Proxy vote. On Thursday, Legal Affairs Committee MEPs will vote on changes to the statute governing the work of MEPs to ensure the facility for them to delegate their voting rights before and after childbirth follows the principles of transparency, accountability, traceability, legal certainty, and voting integrity.

President’s diary. On Tuesday, President Roberta Metsola will hold a meeting with Portugal’s Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, before they attend a joint press point and Mr Montenegro’s address to MEPs. On Wednesday, the President will sign a number of legislative acts, and on Thursday, she will chair Parliament’s Conference of Presidents’ meeting.

Last-minute briefing. On Monday at 16.30, Parliament will hold a press briefing on the plenary session, which starts at 17.00. Political group briefings will take place on Tuesday.