Next week, Members of the European Parliament (“MEPs”) will gather in Brussels for committee and political groups’ meetings.  Several interesting debates are scheduled to take place.

On Monday, the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (“ENVI”) will have an exchange of views with Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans on the 2030 Climate Target Plan.  The MEPS from ENVI are proponents of stepping up the EU’s climate ambition and have called for binding targets for emissions to be reduced by 60% in 2030 compared to 1990.  The Commission has proposed an “at least 50% towards 55%” approach by 2030.  The plenary will vote on ENVI’s position on October 6, 2020.  ENVI’s position is available here.

On Thursday, the Legal Affairs Committee (“JURI”) will vote on its recommendations on ethical aspects of artificial intelligence for the upcoming legislative proposal of the Commission.  Among many other things, Rapporteur Ibán García del Blanco (ES, S&D) recommends that the use of personal data to micro-target people or exploit predictive knowledge, should be counterweighted by the principles of data minimization, right to obtain explanations of automated decision-making, and privacy by design.  He also recommends that a new designated European Agency for Artificial Intelligence develop common criteria and an application process for granting a certificate of ethical compliance for AI systems upon request of a developer or user.  The Rapporteur’s draft report is available here.

On Friday, MEPs will examine the qualifications of two Commissioners-designate, following the reshuffle of the Commission after the resignation of Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan in August.  The Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (“ECON”) will hear Commissioner-designate Mairead McGuinness as new Commissioner from Ireland.  If confirmed, she would assume responsibility for the financial services and Capital Markets Union portfolio, which was previously held by Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.  Dombrovskis will take over the trade portfolio.  He was already acting Trade Commissioner after Hogan’s resignation.  It is not expected that MEPs will object to the new appointments, given Commissioner Dombrovskis’ reputation as seasoned and capable Commissioner and McGuinness’ current position as Vice-President of the European Parliament.  The candidates also received (renewed) mission letters from Commission-President Von der Leyen, containing their mandate and objectives.  Trade policy will be promoted to the Executive Vice-President level and may become even more important for the EU to support its geostrategic agenda and promote its European values.  Commissioner McGuinness will focus primarily on completing the Banking Union and the Capital Markets Union, as well as promoting sustainable finance.  Commissioner Dombrovskis’ and Commissioner-designate McGuiness’ mission letters are available here and here.

For the complete agenda and overview of the meetings, please see here.

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Photo of Sebastian Vos Sebastian Vos

Sebastian Vos is co-chair of the firm’s public policy practice, and heads up its European division. He has extensive experience in the European Union and advises clients as they navigate and manage today’s global regulatory and policy challenges.

Sebastian provides clients with strategic…

Sebastian Vos is co-chair of the firm’s public policy practice, and heads up its European division. He has extensive experience in the European Union and advises clients as they navigate and manage today’s global regulatory and policy challenges.

Sebastian provides clients with strategic public policy, regulatory, and communications advice on a range of competition, trade, transactional and sectoral issues. Sebastian has particular expertise in advising companies in the technology, financial services, energy and transport sectors.

Sebastian was formerly a partner at a leading global public affairs consultancy. Prior to this, he was head of the competition practice at a strategic communications agency. He worked as an attorney at a magic circle firm, specialising in Antitrust, Competition and Trade law, as well as being a member of the Public Policy practice. He has also worked at the European Commission, and was part of its Delegation to the United States in 2000.

Sebastian has written articles on legal and political developments in various publications, including Europe’s World, Bloomberg Business Law Review and European Competition Law Review. He has also been a commentator on broadcast media including CNBC and Bloomberg TV.