José Antonio Kast, President-elect of Chile visits the ECR Group; Real estate fiasco: identifying the real culprits; Free speech vs regulated speech: strengthening the pillars of democracy

José Antonio Kast, President-elect of Chile visits the ECR Group

On Tuesday afternoon, the ECR Group will welcome José Antonio Kast, President-elect of Chile, to its meeting. Following his victory in the December 2025 presidential election, Mr Kast will be sworn in as President of Chile in March 2026. The ECR Group views his election as an encouraging moment for all those in Chile who believe in freedom and democratic renewal, and looks forward to strengthening its close relationship with the country.

When: Tuesday

VII Transatlantic Summit “Free Speech vs Regulated Speech – Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy”

On Tuesday, the VII Transatlantic Summit “Free Speech vs Regulated Speech – Strengthening the Pillars of Democracy” will take place at the European Parliament in Brussels. Organised by Stephen Bartulica MEP, President of the ECR Working Group on Freedom of Speech, in cooperation with the ECR Group and Patriots for Europe, the Summit will bring together parliamentarians, government representatives and civic leaders from Europe, Africa and the Americas. Discussions will focus on safeguarding freedom of expression as a core democratic principle, including the role of public institutions and parliaments and the implications of the EU’s Digital Services Act. A keynote address will be delivered by José Antonio Kast, President elect of Chile, with contributions from from ECR Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki, Kinga Gal, First Vice President of the PfE Group, Mateusz Morawiecki, President of the ECR Party, and Santiago Abascal, President of the Patriots for Europe Party.

When: Tuesday @ 09:30–18:30
Where: European Parliament, Brussels – Spaak 1A002

The Summit will be broadcast live on ECR Group social media:
Part 1 (09:30–14:00):
X: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1MYxNloAVdVGw
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/cfk8_lqa52k?feature=share
Part 2 (15:30–19:00):
X: https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1lPKqvbyXQYGb
YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/BN3FB_W18zk?feature=share

Link to the event website and full programme here.

When: Tuesday @ 9:30
Where: SPAAK 1A2

Real estate fiasco: identifying the real culprits

On Wednesday morning, ECR MEP and member of the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the Housing Crisis, Nora Junco García, will host a conference focusing on the structural causes of the housing crisis and exploring potential solutions. As access to affordable housing has become an increasingly urgent challenge across Europe, there is a clear need to go further and evaluate the real impact of existing policies. Addressing the housing crisis requires an evidence-based dialogue that identifies institutional and regulatory limitations, assesses the consequences of current interventions, and places affordability at the heart of policy action. The event will bring together Members of the European Parliament, national experts, and key stakeholders to examine the structural drivers of the housing crisis and discuss viable solutions.

When: Wednesday @ 9:30–12:00

Where: SPINELLI 1H1