Here's what's happening this week: Commission Vice-Presidents designate are quizzed by MEPs, Sakharov Prize nominees are shortlisted, and Parliament meets for a two day plenary session to discuss the next Multiannual Financial Framework and with Brexit also likely to feature.

Commissioner-designate hearings continue

On Monday and Tuesday, MEPs will continue to quiz Commissioner-designates to find out if the candidates are fit for their future portfolios, with Vice-Presidents designate now before the committees. The hearings are evaluated by Committee Coordinators and then eventually closed by Group leaders on 17th October. Parliament is then due to vote on the new Commission as a whole in Strasbourg on 23rd October. Find the agenda here.

Vote to shortlist three finalists for 2019 Sakharov Prize

MEPs of the joint Foreign Affairs and Development Committees, together with the Human Rights Subcommittee, will vote on the finalists for the 2019 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought on Tuesday morning. The ECR’s nomination this year are ‘The Restorers’, a group of Kenyan students who have developed a mobile phone app aiming to help victims or potential victims of Female Genital Mutilation.

When: Tuesday @ 15:00

Where: PHS 3C50

Plenary session

Parliament meets for a two day session on Wednesday and Thursday where MEPs are expected to reaffirm their negotiating position on the 2021-27 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). They will also debate the forthcoming European Council summit which will feature Brexit, an exchange with President-elect of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on her priorities, and it is also expected Christine Lagarde’s appointment as President of the European Central Bank will be confirmed.

Bloggers and influencers vs. encyclopaedias

ECR Latvian MEP Dace Melbarde will host a reception in the Parliament on Wednesday that discusses the importance of expert-authored and verified information sources in the modern world. More information can be found here:

When: Wednesday 9th October, from 18:00

Where: JAN 3Q