The Week Ahead 18 – 24 May 2026

European Order of Merit ceremony. On Tuesday at a ceremony at 11.30, laureates will receive the inaugural European Order of Merit for their significant contributions to EU integration and values.

Screening of foreign investments. On Tuesday, MEPs will vote on an agreement with Council to better protect EU strategic sectors such as defence, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical raw materials and financial services from risky foreign investments.

Cyber resilience. On Tuesday, MEPs will discuss with Council and Commission representatives the EU’s cyber resilience capabilities in the face of emerging risks relating to advanced AI systems.

Single market. On Wednesday morning, MEPs will discuss with Commission and Council representatives how to remove barriers in the single market, improve conditions for European businesses and ensure their competitiveness in the global arena.

Middle East. On Tuesday, MEPs will quiz EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas about the EU’s approach to the crises in the Middle East, including the situations in Iran, Israel, and Syria.

Fertilisers action plan. On Tuesday, the Commission will present its strategy to tackle rising EU fertiliser prices, followed by a debate with MEPs.

Hantavirus outbreak. On Thursday, MEPs and the Commission will assess EU preparedness for health emergencies, in the wake of the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak.

New revenue sources for the EU budget. On Wednesday, MEPs and the Commission will discuss alternative financing possibilities for the EU’s long-term budget, including from online gambling.

Interinstitutional legislative negotiations

Asylum and migration/return regulation. Parliament and Council negotiators will try to reach a deal on an updated EU common system for the return of third-country nationals without the right to stay in the EU (Wednesday).

EU-US trade. Parliament and Council will attempt to find an agreement on two trade legislation proposals relating to the EU-US “Turnberry deal” on tariff and trade exchanges announced in July 2025. A press conference is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 10.00. (Tuesday).

President’s diary. On Tuesday, EP President Roberta Metsola will meet Maia Sandu, President of Moldova, followed by a press point, before presiding over the ceremony for the European Order of Merit. On Wednesday, Metsola will meet Saqr Ghobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council of the United Arab Emirates, and on Thursday, she will be in Prague to speak at the GLOBSEC Forum, and to receive an award.

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.