The Week Ahead 14 – 20 September 2026
State of the European Union debate. From 9.00 on Wednesday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and MEPs will debate the State of the European Union (SOTEU) in 2026. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will attend as guest of honour. A press briefing with MEPs on Parliament’s expectations from the SOTEU debate will take place on Tuesday afternoon.
Safeguarding European democracy. On Tuesday, MEPs will debate and vote on recommendations to strengthen the EU’s resilience against foreign interference and other threats in an increasingly hostile global environment. A press conference with EP President Roberta Metsola, the rapporteur, and the chair of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield will take place after the vote.
Mark Carney/formal sitting. Addressing plenary on Thursday at 11.30, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to speak about EU-Canada relations at a time of growing geopolitical tension.
Russia’s hybrid attacks. On Tuesday, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will debate the recent escalation of Russia’s hybrid attacks against member states and how to protect the EU’s territorial integrity, and critical security and defence infrastructure. A vote on a resolution on hybrid warfare will take place on Wednesday.
EU aid for Ukraine. In a debate on Wednesday afternoon, MEPs are set to urge the Council and Commission to provide more support to Ukraine.
Defence readiness. On Wednesday, Parliament will hold final votes on legislation to accelerate defence investment and improve the EU’s security challenge responsiveness. The debate will take place on Tuesday.
Escalation in the Middle East. On Tuesday afternoon, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will debate the latest flare up in fighting across the Middle East.
Heatwaves and wildfires. On Tuesday, MEPs, the Commission and the Irish Council Presidency will take stock of lessons learnt from a record number of extreme climate events in summer 2026.
Situation in Ceuta. On Tuesday, with the Irish Presidency and the Commission, MEPs will discuss the recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect EU’s external borders. A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday.
Impact of social media on young people. On Thursday, MEPs are set to call on social media platforms to ban their most harmful addictive practices and to mitigate the impact of so-called “persuasive design”. A press conference will take place on Tuesday.
President’s diary. On Monday, President Metsola will meet Janez Janša, Prime Minister of Slovenia in Brussels. On Wednesday, she will preside over the State of the European Union Debate in plenary. On Thursday, she will welcome the Canadian Prime Minister, Mark Carney, and preside over his formal address to plenary.
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.