State of the Union Speech by the President of the Commission; EU response to the increase in energy prices in Europe; This is Europe - Debate with Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland; The State of Play in Ukraine; The situation in the Strait of Taiwan; Human rights violations in the context of forced deportations of Ukrainian civilians to and forced adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia; Nicaragua, in particular the arrest of the bishop Ronaldo Álvarez.

State of the Union Speech by the President of the Commission

Next week, the European Parliament will gather in Strasbourg for votes and debates. A highlight is the debate on Wednesday morning, at which Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will give her State of the Union Speech that may be focused on the challenges stemming from the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and the subsequent energy and food crises. Member states are facing enormous socio economic challenges. Co-Chairman Raffaele Fitto (Italy) will take the floor on behalf of the ECR Group.

Debate: Wednesday @ 9:00

EU response to the increase in energy prices in Europe

On Tuesday, Parliament will also hold a debate which will specifically be dedicated to high energy prices. The ECR Group believes that the Commission must take action to ensure energy security across Europe through a sensible energy mix, including nuclear. In the current situation, everything must be done to ensure that the Green Deal does not impose additional energy costs on our businesses and citizens, for whom the critical point has already been reached. The vote will take place during the October I part-session.

Debate: Tuesday @ 17:00

Vote: October I part-session (3-6 October 2022)

This is Europe - Debate with Sanna Marin, Prime Minister of Finland

On Tuesday morning, the European Parliament will welcome Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin as part of the “This is Europe” debate. The ECR Group has made it clear on several occasions that it strongly supports Finland’s accession to NATO and considers the North Atlantic Treaty as a fundamental element of the security architecture of our continent that should be further strengthened. As a long standing Enhanced Opportunities Partner of NATO, Finland’s contributions to the Alliance continue to grow as they provide elite forces and unwavering commitment to NATO operations.

When: Tuesday @ 10:30

The State of Play in Ukraine

During question time on Tuesday afternoon, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell will be asked about the current state of the Union’s activities with regard to the war in Ukraine. For the ECR Group, it is clear that the European Union must multiply its efforts to bring this war to a victorious end for Ukraine, which is fighting for the values and security of all of Europe. The European Union must show resolute and unwavering unity on this issue, as this is the only way to defeat Putin’s criminal and dictatorial system and to restore peace in Europe.

Debate: Tuesday @ 15:00

The situation in the Strait of Taiwan

MEPs will also discuss the situation in the Strait of Taiwan and the recent military provocations by the People’s Republic of China against the democratic island state with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell. The Chinese expansionist activities in the region are of great concern to the conservatives in the European Parliament. The ECR Group supports the US protection policy towards Taiwan and encourages Member States to stand up to Beijing’s policy of hostility towards its neighbours. The debate will be followed by a vote on a resolution on Thursday.

When: Tuesday @ 16:00

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

Human rights violations in the context of forced deportations of Ukrainian civilians to and forced adoption of Ukrainian children in Russia

On Wednesday, at the initiative of the ECR Group and the S&D Group, Parliament will raise further heinous human rights violations by Russia against Ukraine. Over 2 million Ukrainians, including hundreds of thousands of children, were forcibly deported from their country to Russia. According to ECR Foreign Policy Coordinator Anna Fotyga, this is reminiscent of the barbaric practices carried out by the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany during World War II and violates Article II of the Genocide Convention. We have an obligation to both prevent and punish genocide. Votes on the resolution will take place on Thursday.

Debate: Wednesday @ 15:00

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

Nicaragua, in particular the arrest of the bishop Ronaldo Álvarez

On Wednesday, MEPs will discuss the persecution of priests in Nicaragua. In the country, Bishop Ronaldo Álvarez was arrested in mid-August together with five priests, a seminarian and a cameraman of a religious TV station because he had spoken critically of the socialist regime of Daniel Ortega. The ECR Group opposes any form of persecution of Christians. Votes on a resolution will take place on Thursday.

Debate: Wednesday @ 15:00

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00