European Council (18–19 December); Phasing out Russian gas in Europe for good; Military Mobility moving forward; Investing in Europe’s security; Assessing Europe’s defence needs; Protecting EU farmers in the EU–Mercosur agreement; 2025 Sakharov Prize ceremony; Making the deforestation regulation workable; Simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy; Simplifying rules for European businesses; Commission unveils the automotive package; Decarbonisation and modernisation of EU fisheries; Mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria; What Future for Christians in Europe?; Remembering the 2018 Strasbourg terrorist attack; Press briefing with ECR Co-Chairmen Nicola Procaccini and Patryk Jaki

European Council (18–19 December)

In the key debate on Wednesday, MEPs will set out their priorities for next week’s European Council. At a crucial moment for Europe, this will be the final meeting under the outgoing Danish Presidency, ahead of the incoming Cypriot Presidency on 1 January. Against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and the emerging peace discussions, the geopolitical situation will inevitably overshadow all other issues. For the ECR Group, Europe’s task is to ensure that Ukraine’s sovereignty is preserved and that the conditions for a credible and sustainable peace are safeguarded. This requires sustained and predictable support for the country attacked by Russia, because without such support meaningful diplomacy with the ruthless Putin regime is impossible. Europe must therefore approach this phase with clarity and steadiness, strengthening its own resolve so that its support remains effective and its principles remain credible. This ties directly into the state of the transatlantic partnership. In the ECR Group’s view, the sharper tone of the new US security strategy should not be mistaken for a rupture with Europe. A strong alliance depends on strong partners, and the ECR Group urges Member States to meet Washington’s expectations by investing seriously in defence and assuming greater responsibility for Europe’s security. On strategic autonomy, the ECR Group supports a pragmatic approach: strengthening Europe’s capacity to act by reducing critical dependencies — above all on China — investing in its industrial and defence base, and building resilient supply chains. Strategic autonomy must enhance, not dilute, Europe’s role within NATO and the wider transatlantic partnership. On competitiveness, the ECR Group notes that Europe is gradually recognising the limits of its over-bureaucratised approach, with some steps now pointing in the right direction. But a real cultural shift is still needed. This means deep and genuine deregulation, cutting administrative burdens and pursuing technology-neutral industrial policies to restore growth.

Wednesday @ 9:00

Phasing out Russian gas in Europe for good

On Tuesday, ECR MEPs will debate and vote on the recently concluded political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the Regulation phasing out imports of Russian natural gas to Europe. This measure forms part of the REPowerEU roadmap and seeks to end the Union’s remaining dependence on Russian energy. Unlike sanctions, which require renewal every six months, this Regulation establishes a firm and lasting framework that will permanently block the inflow of Russian gas into the European Union. The co-legislators have agreed on a stepwise approach to prohibit imports: liquefied natural gas from 1 January 2027, followed by pipeline gas from 30 September 2027—resulting in an accelerated phase-out timeline. Russian energy exports continue to finance its war of aggression against Ukraine. The Regulation phasing out imports of Russian gas is therefore a crucial step towards cutting off this source of revenue and strengthening Europe’s energy security. The ECR Group has long warned against the EU’s over-reliance on Russian energy and opposed cooperation projects such as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline well before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, this agreement marks a decisive step toward a more realistic, security-oriented EU energy policy that protects citizens and industry while ending dependence on hostile regimes.

Debate: Tuesday @ 9:00

Vote: Tuesday @ 12:30

Military Mobility moving forward

On Tuesday, ECR MEPs will debate the own-initiative Military Mobility report, which identifies the key obstacles currently hindering military mobility and proposes immediate and short-term solutions to ensure the more efficient movement of military assets across the European Union. Military mobility refers to the ability of armed forces to move troops, equipment, supplies, and other assets quickly and seamlessly within and between Member States, across the EU, and beyond. At present, administrative and legislative barriers significantly impede progress toward EU defence readiness and preparedness. Co-Rapporteur and ECR MEP Roberts Zīle stresses that the EU’s strategic shortcomings must be addressed without delay, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine. The report calls for faster authorisations, a more coherent system for cross-border movement, and real progress toward a functioning “military Schengen.” The report takes a balanced and comprehensive approach to the issues of greatest concern, including geographical coverage, public procurement, and the acquisition of military equipment, while placing particular emphasis on the EU’s Eastern Flank, which remains most exposed to the threats posed by Russia. A vote will take place on Wednesday.

Debate: Tuesday @ 13:30

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

Investing in Europe’s security

On Monday, MEPs will debate the Defence Mini-Omnibus proposal — part of a broader effort to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness and stimulate defence-related investments under the current EU budget. On 5 November, Parliament and Council reached a political agreement on this package, which adapts and streamlines several existing EU programmes rather than creating new funding. The goal is to help the EU respond more effectively to current geopolitical tensions, support critical technologies, SMEs and dual-use projects, and improve Europe’s overall defence preparedness. A key element of the agreement is the association of Ukraine with the European Defence Fund (EDF), enabling Ukrainian defence-industrial actors to participate in EU-supported collaborative research and development. The mini-omnibus also aims to remove administrative and regulatory barriers within the EU defence sector, providing greater flexibility to help Member States accelerate the development and procurement of defence capabilities. The ECR Group strongly supports this agreement, as it reduces regulatory obstacles, increases flexibility, and ensures EU instruments contribute more effectively to Europe’s defence readiness.

Debate: Monday @ 18:00

Vote: Tuesday @ 12:30

Assessing Europe’s defence needs

On Tuesday, Parliament will debate an own-initiative report assessing Europe’s defence needs and identifying priorities for strengthening defence readiness by 2030. The report is presented in the context of ongoing geopolitical tensions and increased focus on defence investment, industrial cooperation, and upgrading Europe’s defence capabilities. It outlines areas where the EU could improve coordination, support its defence industry, and address capability gaps, including through joint procurement, streamlined procedures, and strengthened support for innovation and SMEs. The ECR Group continues to underline the importance of respecting Member State competences, ensuring effective cooperation with transatlantic partners, and supporting a strong and competitive European defence industry. A vote will take place on Wednesday.

Debate: Tuesday @ 13:30

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

Protecting EU farmers in the EU–Mercosur agreement

On Tuesday, Parliament will vote on the Regulation implementing the bilateral safeguard clause of the EU–Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the Interim Trade Agreement for agricultural products. The proposal brings into EU law the mechanism allowing tariff preferences for agricultural imports to be suspended if a surge in products from Mercosur countries threatens EU producers. For highly sensitive sectors such as beef, poultry, dairy, sugar and ethanol, the Regulation sets thresholds: a 10 per cent price undercut combined with rising import volumes or falling import prices will be sufficient to trigger an investigation. The ECR Group has long warned about the risks the Mercosur agreement poses to EU farmers and has consistently called for stronger safeguards. In view of the vote in plenary, the Group table several amendments introducing an automatic trigger mechanism and stronger reciprocity on production and phytosanitary standards. The ECR Group believes that while the Regulation introduces some positive elements, it does not go far enough to fully protect farmers from unfair import surges. At a time when Europe’s farmers are under increasing pressure — much of it resulting from flawed EU policy choices — stronger and more effective protection tools remain essential.

Vote: Tuesday @ 12:30

2025 Sakharov Prize ceremony

The award ceremony for the 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, awarded to Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli, will take place on Tuesday, 16 December. The decision to honour Mr Poczobut and Ms Amaglobeli followed a joint nomination by the ECR Group and the EPP Group, reflecting the grave risks journalists face worldwide in holding those in power to account. This award highlights the courage of both laureates, who have refused to compromise their values despite immense personal sacrifice. As Mr Poczobut remains detained in Belarus with his condition currently unknow and Ms Amaglobeli continues to be held as a political prisoner in Georgia, the prize will be accepted on their behalf by family members, colleagues, and legal representatives.

When: Tuesday @ 12:00

Making the deforestation regulation workable

On Wednesday, lawmakers will vote on the trilogue agreement amending the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The agreement reflects many of the practical solutions long advocated by the ECR Group, including substantial postponements and simplified requirements intended to reduce legal uncertainty and avoid disproportionate burdens for operators. Under the provisional deal, the dates of application of the EUDR will be postponed to 30 December 2026 for medium and large enterprises and to 30 June 2027 for micro and small enterprises. The additional time granted to operators provides much-needed legal certainty and allows businesses to properly prepare their systems.The ECR Group welcomes the strong focus on simplification: the review clause obliging the Commission to present, by April 2026, concrete proposals to further reduce administrative burdens is a crucial step towards ensuring that the Regulation remains fit for purpose. The agreement rightly streamlines due diligence obligations by placing responsibility exclusively on the first operator placing products on the EU market. This avoids unnecessary duplication, reduces compliance costs, and ensures a clear allocation of responsibilities. Equally important, downstream operators will no longer be required to submit separate due diligence statements, and micro and small primary operators will benefit from a one-off simplified declaration — an essential safeguard for small producers. Overall, the provisional agreement represents an improvement in terms of proportionality, legal clarity, and administrative feasibility of the EUDR — values the ECR has consistently defended throughout the legislative process.

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

Simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy

On Monday evening, the Parliament will debate the provisional trilogue agreement reach on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) simplification package. Two and a half years after the current CAP entered into force, the Commission proposed this second set of simplification measures in response to farmer’s concerns about excessive bureaucracy and complex compliance requirements The package aims to reduce administrative burdens by introducing greater flexibility on Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) rules, lighter reporting controls, simplified procedures for organic farming, higher lump-sum payments for small farms, and new tools for crisis support and rural business development. As the current CAP framework runs until 2028, these new rules will apply for just two years. The ECR Group believes this agreement represents a genuine attempt to ease the daily administrative load on farmers and provide more targeted support for small farms and new entrants. While the Group would have preferred a more ambitious approach, each change moves in a more practical farmer-friendly direction and responds to longstanding concerns raised by the farming community. Farmers are the backbone of Europe’s food security and deserve policies that help them produce, not regulations that hold them back. A vote will take place on Tuesday.

Debate: Monday @ 19:00

Vote: Tuesday @ 12:30

Simplifying for European businesses

On Tuesday, the Parliament will vote on the trilogue agreement on the Omnibus I simplification package which aims to simplify the sustainability and due diligence obligations as defined in the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) and related rules. The proposal aims to simplify sustainability reporting and due diligence obligations, reducing the administrative burden on more than 80% of companies previously in scope. Key measures include, deletion of transition plans in CSDDD, deletion of EU-wide civil liability framework, high value-chain cap in CSDDD, raising thresholds for mandatory reporting, and providing exemptions where parent companies already publish group-level sustainability information. The Omnibus I package will deliver simple, more streamlined sustainability and due diligence rules that reduce administrative burdens and give businesses greater clarity and flexibility to operate efficiently — a result the ECR Group has consistently fought for to protect competitiveness and ease regulatory pressure on companies.

Vote: Tuesday @ 12:30

Commission unveils the automotive package

On Tuesday evening, the Commission will present its automotive package, which will introduce measures intended to support the local automotive sector. The ECR Group believes Europe’s automotive package must acknowledge that a battery-electric-vehicle-only strategy is falling short, with slowing uptake, rising costs, and intensifying global competition highlighting the limits of a one-size-fits-all approach. The ECR Group believes that the forthcoming proposal risks overlooking several key obstacles to electrification, including insufficient charging infrastructure suitable for all corporate uses, still-low consumer demand, limited grid capacity, and slow permitting for new infrastructure—factors that risk making some of the proposed requirements financially damaging for companies. We argue that manufacturers need pragmatic flexibilities across all types of vehicles, especially for vans and heavy-duty transport where structural barriers make today’s targets increasingly unrealistic. A genuinely technology-neutral path is essential, allowing advanced combustion technologies and other innovations to remain part of the solution rather than prioritising a single drivetrain. At the same time, Europe must strengthen the foundations of the transition by improving infrastructure, securing competitive energy costs, boosting industrial capacity, and supporting fleet modernisation. Robust investment in enabling conditions and in R&D will be crucial to safeguarding Europe’s long-term economic strength. Commercial operators will invest in new vehicle technologies when the business case is viable, making predictable frameworks and practical support more important than prescriptive technological choices. The ECR Group also believes that the Industrial Accelerator Act and corporate fleet rules should prioritise workable solutions rather than new layers of obligation.

Debate: Tuesday @ 17:00

Decarbonisation and modernisation of EU fisheries

On Thursday, Parliament will vote on an own-initiative report on the decarbonisation and modernisation of the EU fisheries sector. For the ECR Group, the key challenge is ensuring that Europe’s climate and sustainability ambitions do not ignore the daily realities faced by an already ageing and heavily regulated fleet. Our Fishers must be able to modernise, innovate and remain competitive in a market where more than 70% of seafood consumed in the EU is imported, often at lower cost and lower standards.

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

Mass kidnapping of children in Nigeria

On Wednesday evening, MEPs will debate the mass kidnapping of more than 300 schoolchildren and several teachers from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Nigeria. For the ECR Group, this brutal attack on children, educators and a Catholic community is a stark reminder of the growing insecurity in parts of Nigeria, where armed groups and jihadist organizations operate with near impunity. Taking into account that Nigeria is a federal state and that its constitution guarantees the protection of all religions, Nigeria continues to face a multifaceted security crisis marked by widespread violence, particularly against religious communities, with Christians being disproportionately affected. The ECR Group strongly condemns these acts of violence and calls on the Nigerian authorities to take all necessary steps to secure the safe return of the remaining victims, strengthen protection for schools, dismantle the criminal networks responsible and hold the perpetrators to account. A resolution will be voted on Thursday

Debate: Wednesday @ 20:00

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

What Future for Christians in Europe?

On Wednesday afternoon, ECR MEPs Laurence Trochu, Nicolas Bay and Paolo Inselvini will host a conference focusing on the future of Christians in Europe. The event will welcome Monseigneur Dominique Rey, Bishop Emeritus of Fréjus-Toulon and author of the book ‘My Choices, My Struggles, What I Believe’ and Mr. Marc Eynaud, journalist at Valeurs Actuelles and author of ‘Who Has It In For Catholics?’. At a time when questions of religious freedom, cultural identity and the place of Christianity in European society are increasingly debated, this discussion aims to shed light on the challenges and opportunities ahead. Link to the website here.

When: Wednesday @ 16:00

Where: WEISS N1.3, European Parliament, Strasbourg

Remembering the 2018 Strasbourg terrorist attack

On Tuesday afternoon, the European Parliament will mark the anniversary of the 2018 Strasbourg terrorist attacks of 11 December. Members will pay tribute in the Agora Gérémek outside space in Strasbourg. Five people lost their lives in the attack, including two young journalists, Antonio Megalizzi and Bartosz Orent-Niedzielski. The European Parliament will also officially name its Radio Studio in honour of the two journalists who died following the attack.

When: Tuesday @ 13:30

Where: European Parliament, Strasbourg

Press briefing with ECR Co-Chairmen Nicola Procaccini and Patryk Jaki

The ECR Group will hold a press briefing with Co-Chairmen Nicola Procaccini (IT) and Patryk Jaki (PL) on Tuesday, 16 December, at 10:20 in the Daphne Caruana Galizia press room in Strasbourg. The briefing will provide an opportunity to discuss the key priorities and positions of the ECR Group. Follow the livestream here.

When: Tuesday @ 10:20

Where: Daphne Caruana Galizia press room, Strasbourg, N -1/201

Journalists can join via interactio: https://ep.interactio.eu/yf7z-hlge-a9kk