The Week Ahead 09 – 15 January 2023

Foreign interference. The Special Committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU, including disinformation, will discuss a first set of proposals on how to prevent interference by malign foreign actors. The draft text also looks into possible threats to the 2024 European elections and highlights the problem of elite capture inside the EU institutions and member states (Thursday).

European Public Prosecutor’s Office/Immunity of MEPs. The Constitutional Affairs Committee is set to propose amendments to Parliament’s rules of procedure to bring them in line with the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The updated rules will expressly refer to the Chief Prosecutor’s ability to request that the immunity of sitting MEPs be waived (Thursday).

Spain/EU values. MEPs in the Civil Liberties Committee will discuss with Spain’s Justice Minister Pilar Llop Cuenca a range of issues relating to EU values in the country. These include proposed reforms to the judicial system and the state of the National Council for the Judiciary. They are also set to bring up the new Democratic Memory Law, recent changes to the Criminal Code and the latest Commission report on the state of the rule of law in Spain (Thursday).

EU citizens/local elections. The Civil Liberties Committee will vote on a proposal to remove obstacles hindering EU citizens residing in other EU countries from voting and standing as a candidate in local elections (Thursday).

Inflation/Common Agricultural Policy. The Agriculture and Rural Development Committee will debate with Commissioner Wojciechowski the impact of rising inflation on the Common Agricultural Budget and concerns about the affordability of food and feed in Europe. In a separate debate, MEPs will also discuss Ukraine’s agricultural production and exports (Monday).

Eurobarometer survey. The European Parliament will publish the full results of its 2022 Eurobarometer survey, carried out between 12 October and 7 November, focusing on EU citizens’ worries and support for the EU (Thursday).

Ceremony to commemorate President Sassoli. One year after his passing, the European Parliament will hold a ceremony to commemorate late President David Sassoli. Later in the day, there will be a commemorative service at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in the Sablon (Wednesday).

Plenary preparations. MEPs and political groups will prepare for the 16-19 January plenary session, in which MEPs will discuss the priorities of the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU, assess the results of the December EU summit and debate with the Commission the establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine. MEPs will also debate and vote on waste shipments and stricter rules to protect the environment and human health, on the protection of consumers in online video games, on the EU’s foreign, security and defence policy as well as on the state of human rights and democracy in the world.

President’s diary. On Wednesday, President Roberta Metsola will address the European Parliament’s commemorative ceremony for late President David Maria Sassoli and attend the commemorative service at the Church of Our Lady of Victories. On Thursday, the President will present the European Parliament’s Conference of Presidents with proposals for action to strengthen the Parliament’s integrity, independence and accountability.

Pre-session press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing with the Parliament’s political group spokespersons at 11.00 on Friday (Anna Politkovskaya room, press centre, Brussels).