Summary
Next week will be a short week in the European Parliament. Members of the European Parliament (“MEPs”) will gather in Brussels for Parliamentary committee meetings and political group meetings.
On Tuesday, the President-elect of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will present her new College of Commissioners and MEPs are expected to react. The Parliament must approve the appointments before the new Commission takes office on November 1st. Over the last few weeks, the Member States have announced their nominees for Commissioners, but the hierarchal structure and distribution of portfolios within the College remains unknown.
On Thursday, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier will discuss the state of play of Brexit with the Conference of the President – i.e. the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli, and leaders of the political groups. On September 5, Barnier has already warned the European capitals that the talks with the U.K. are in a state of “paralysis”, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seeking new elections. He also claimed that the Johnson government has not provided any alternatives to the infamous backstop that would ensure the seamless border on the island of Ireland in case a future free trade agreement is not concluded during the transition period.
Throughout the week, MEPs will be preparing and deliberating in political group meetings on the important plenary session that will take place the following week. During this plenary, MEPs will vote on the position of the Council of the EU on the proposal of the EU 2020 budget. They will also vote on whether to recommend Christine Lagarde as new President of the European Central Bank (“ECB”). Last week, the Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (“ECON”) already recommended her nomination.
Meetings and Agenda
Monday, September 9, 2019
Subcommittee on Human Rights
15:00 – 17:45
Debates
- Discussion with Eamon Gilmore, EU Special Representative for Human Rights
- Discussion with Lotte Knudsen, Managing Director Global – Human Rights, Global and Multilateral Issues, EEAS
Votes
- General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2020
Subcommittee on Security and Defense
15.00 – 18.30
Debates
- Discussion with Pedro Serrano, Deputy Secretary-General, European External Action Service (EEAS) and Maj.-Gen. Giovanni Manione, Deputy Director-General, EU Military Staff (EUMS)
- Discussion with Rory Keane, Head of the United Nations Liaison Office for Peace and Security (UNLOPS)
- Discussion with Antonio Missiroli, Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges at NATO
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Committee on Budgetary Control
09.00 – 12.30
Debates
- T.B.A.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
09.00 – 18.30
Debates
T.B.A.