Election of the 2024-2029 European Commission; Europe must continue to provide unwavering support to Ukraine; Protect the Baltic Sea critical infrastructure; 41 years of occupation in Cyprus; Release the hostages, end the conflict in Gaza!; Smoking alternatives must not be snubbed; Georgia's deepening political crisis; Hong Kong under threat; International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Election of the 2024-2029 European Commission

On Wednesday morning, Commission President-Elect Ursula von der Leyen will present the College of Commissioners approved by the committees of the European Parliament and the programme of the future Commission. MEPs will then debate the proposal and vote on it as a whole. If adopted, the Commission will take up its work on 1 December. In line with ECR Group principles, our national delegations are free to independently decide their stance on the final vote and the composition of the College of Commissioners. During the hearings, ECR MEPs maintained a balanced approach: thoroughly scrutinising the Commissioner candidates while respecting Member States’ nominations. The ECR is of the opinion that mutual respect is key to keeping the Union together.

Debate: Wednesday @ 9:00

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

Europe must continue to provide unwavering support to Ukraine

On Tuesday morning, MEPs will discuss the need to strengthen Europe’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s war of aggression. In recent months, several developments have significantly affected the war in Ukraine. Evidence has emerged of North Korean troops fighting alongside Russian forces, escalating their involvement after earlier shipments of ammunition to Moscow. The ECR Group has always been at the forefront of strong texts in support of Ukraine and condemning Russia’s war of aggression. Following a video address to MEPs by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the European Parliament in Brussels on 19 November, ECR Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini reaffirmed his group’s steadfast call for the European Union to stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary. The ECR Group is concerned about the further escalation of the war following the recent attack by Russia on the city of Dnipro with a new hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile. A vote on the resolution will take place on Thursday.

Debate: Tuesday @ 9:00

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

Protect the Baltic Sea critical infrastructure

On Tuesday evening, MEPs will hold a debate initiated by the ECR Group on the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea and the risks posed by hybrid threats. The Baltic Sea region hosts vital energy infrastructure, underwater communication cables, and key maritime trade routes, making it a strategic hub for Europe’s economic and energy security. The vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region is a growing concern for European security, particularly in the context of hybrid threats from Russia’s and China’s growing influence in the region. For the ECR Group, protecting critical infrastructure is imperative. Europe must take decisive action to safeguard its vital lifelines.

Debate: Wednesday @ 18:00

41 years of occupation in Cyprus

On Monday evening, on the initiative of the ECR Group, the European Commission will make a statement on the illegal unilateral declaration of independence of “Northern Cyprus”, before MEPs take the floor. 41 years ago, Turkey unilaterally and unsuccessfully attempted to legitimise the illegal secessionist entity in Cyprus. The ECR condemns all attempts to legitimise this secessionist entity and calls on the international community, in particular the European Union, to do the same. This position is not only a matter of legal principle but also a commitment to European solidarity. We also urge Turkey to comply with its obligations under international law and EU protocols, including ceasing its illegal actions that undermine the reunification of Cyprus. The occupation must end.

When: Monday @ 20:00

Release the hostages, end the conflict in Gaza!

On Tuesday, MEPs will discuss the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Over a year has passed since Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and nearly 100 hostages remain in captivity. The ECR Group stands firmly with Israel. A lasting ceasefire can only be achieved if all Israeli hostages are freed and Hamas is dismantled. Anything less would embolden Hamas and send the dangerous message that terrorism garnerss a reward. Additionally, the ECR Group is increasingly concerned about UNRWA’s involvement, as its actions may inadvertently support Hamas and its agenda, undermining efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.

Debate: Tuesday @ 16:00

Smoking alternatives must not be snubbed

On Wednesday afternoon, the European Parliament will hear from the European Commission on its new recommendation for the Council to invite Member States to expand the scope of national smoking restrictions already in place, before allowing group representatives chime in on the topic. The Commission’s proposal on smoke- and aerosol-free environments works in two main directions, firstly by treating electronic cigarettes and heated tobacco products as equivalent to cigarettes, preventing users from using such them where cigarettes are forbidden; and secondly by extending the ban not only to all indoor spaces but also to outdoor spaces such as terraces and public transport stations. ECR shadow on the report MEP Pietro Fiocchi supports the goal of a tobacco-free generation by 2040, where less than 5 per cent of the population uses tobacco compared to around 25 per cent today. That said, Europe must get there through a balanced and scientific approach with proportionate measures. The Commission’s new recommendation appears to neglect the fact that cigarette alternatives, such as vaping, continue to prove helpful for people trying to quit smoking. Demonising them is irrational, especially by proponents coming from political parties supporting the liberalisation of recreational cannabis, whose use is proven to have negative short- and long-term health effects. At the same time, implications for cafés, restaurants, and other establishments that were devastated by the recent COVID crisis are also understated. For the ECR Group, the Commission’s proposal is too heavy handed. A vote on the recommendation will take place on Thursday.

Debate: Wednesday @ 20:00

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

Georgia’s deepening political crisis

On Thursday, MEPs will vote on a resolution on the deepening democratic crisis in Georgia following the recent parliamentary elections and allegations of electoral fraud. The debate on the resolution took place during the November mini-plenary session in Brussels. Georgia’s political crisis deepened after the 26 October parliamentary elections, in which the ruling Georgian Dream party won 53.92 per cent of the vote. President Salome Zurabishvili and opposition parties rejected the results, calling the process a “Russian special operation”. International observers cited voter pressure, polarisation and legislative concerns as undermining democratic standards. Protests erupted in Tbilisi on 28 October and escalated with international support. The ECR Group condemns the democratic setbacks and threats to political pluralism in Georgia and supports the aspirations of the Georgian people for a democratic, pro-European future.

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

Hong Kong under threat

On Wednesday evening, MEPs will debate a resolution on human rights violations and the decline of democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong, with a particular focus on the case of Jimmy Lai. The Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 paved the way for the transfer of sovereignty of the former British colony of Hong Kong in 1997, when it became a Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy under the “one country, two systems” principle. However, Beijing’s imposition of the National Security Law (NSL) in 2020 and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance (SNSO) in 2024 have severely curtailed freedoms and stifled political pluralism. High-profile cases include pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, who faces life imprisonment, and the ‘Hong Kong 47’, who were convicted for organising peaceful by-elections. The ECR Group sees both the NSL and the SNSO as a threat to freedom of expression in Hong Kong, and highlights the Chinese government’s escalating erosion of democracy and human rights in the region. Parliament will vote on the resolution on Thursday.

Debate: Wednesday @ 19:00

Vote: Thursday @ 12:00

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

On Monday, the European Parliament will mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Violence against women and girls is a scourge that must be actively combated. In a world where tens of thousands of women and girls are murdered every year, the ECR will always support measures that effectively support victims of violence and their access to justice, including facilitating coordination and cooperation between Member State authorities. Another under-represented aspect of this problem is female genital mutilation, which affects an estimated 600,000 women in Europe. The EU must make concrete progress in the way it addresses these challenges.

When: Monday @ 18:00