Remembering Pope Francis; A balanced response to US tariffs: Dialogue, not escalation; Key debate: EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine; Future EU Budget: ECR Calls for Review of the Green Deal; ECR backs flexibility in vehicle emissions regulation; ECR calls for an end to the 'Pay for Slay' scheme in Palestinian funding; Managing the wolf, protecting rural life; Water Resilience Strategy; EU–UK Summit: A Strategic Step Forward; Discharges 2023: European Institutions; Commemorating 80 years since the end of WWII; Press briefing with ECR Co-Chairmen Nicola Procaccini and Patryk Jaki; Europe Day 2025

Remembering Pope Francis

On Monday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will make a statement on the recent passing of Pope Francis. This will be followed by one round of speeches by representatives of the political groups. ECR Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini paid tribute to Pope Francis’ simple and good-natured humility, his evangelical charisma, his commitment to peace, and the authority with which he led the Catholic Church through challenging times.

When: Monday @ 17:00

A balanced response to US tariffs: Dialogue, not escalation

On Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament will debate, in the presence of the Council and the Commission, how Europe should respond to the recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration. In the opinion of the ECR Group, strong transatlantic relations are vital for our shared prosperity, security and global stability. While the European Union must defend its industries, workers and consumers against unjustified measures, our starting point must never be confrontation. We advocate for a high-level engagement with the Trump administration — ideally through a dedicated EU–U.S. summit — to defuse tensions and reassert our commitment to free, fair and rules-based trade. Our goal must be to reinforce a multilateral trading system that promotes competitiveness without placing disproportionate burdens on European businesses, particularly in light of internal challenges such as the Green Deal’s regulatory costs. The European Union must remain resilient: ready to act proportionately when necessary, but above all determined to protect the strong and mutually beneficial partnership with the United States, our most important trading partner for both goods and services.

Debate: Tuesday @ 9:00

Key debate: EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine

On Wednesday morning, the European Parliament will hold a key debate on EU support for peace in Ukraine. The ECR Group will make clear that any peace must be based on Ukrainian sovereignty and international law. We will oppose any EU support for a deal that rewards Russian aggression. The EU must stand by Ukraine politically, economically and militarily. We must not forget that in its struggle Ukraine is defending our common European values.

Key Debate: Wednesday @ 9:00

Future EU budget: ECR calls for review of the Green Deal

On Tuesday, MEPs will debate Parliament’s input into the Commission’s drafting of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034. The ECR Group shares the Commission’s view that Europe is undergoing a period of profound transformation and that the status quo is not an option. As a political force committed to constructive reform, the ECR Group aims to steer the EU towards a more pragmatic direction. However, the draft report fails to reflect the urgency of the current situation and instead endorses the Green Deal in its current form. In contrast, the ECR Group advocates a comprehensive reassessment of climate legislation to ensure consistency with the Union’s economic growth objectives and energy security priorities. The ECR highlights the growing regulatory burden and rising energy costs as key consequences of the current Green Deal framework. In line with this assessment, the ECR Group supports the amendment urging the EU to take global leadership in nuclear energy — including fusion — and to reflect this in future budget planning. Given the report’s support for enhanced security and defence cooperation, as well as its recognition of cross-border infrastructure with strategic relevance for frontline Member States, the ECR Group will not oppose the entire text.

Debate: Tuesday @ 13:00

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

ECR backs flexibility in vehicle emissions regulation

On Tuesday, MEPs will debate and vote on a proposal to amend the regulation setting CO₂ targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, introducing an additional compliance flexibility for the years 2025 to 2027. The measure, part of the European Commission’s Automotive Industry Action Plan, responds to calls from stakeholders for greater regulatory stability and is intended to support the automotive sector during its ongoing transition to cleaner technologies. The proposal allows manufacturers to average fleet CO₂ emissions over a three-year period, rather than on an annual basis, helping to mitigate short-term disruptions such as supply chain challenges or delayed model launches. This targeted flexibility aims to strengthen the global competitiveness of Europe’s automotive industry while preserving high-quality jobs and supporting innovation. The ECR Group has consistently advocated for pragmatic measures to ease regulatory pressure on the automotive sector. An additional amendment proposed by the ECR Shadow Rapporteur, Alexandr Vondra, suggests extending the flexibility period to five years (2025–2029).

Debate: Tuesday @ 11:00

Vote: Tuesday @ 12:00

ECR calls for an end to the ‘Pay for Slay’ scheme in Palestinian funding

On Tuesday afternoon, the European Parliament will debate the 2023 discharge of the European Commission. For the text, the ECR will draft an amendment that calls to end the Palestinian ‘pay for slay’ programme, whereby individuals convicted of terrorism and their families receive financial rewards immediately. The European Commission has allocated a total of €1.6 billion for the Palestinian Authority’s reform agenda, in addition to the €380 million already disbursed in 2024. While the Palestinian Authority has long promised to end the scheme, concrete action is still lacking. During a hearing on 21 November 2024, the Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement confirmed that the termination of this practice is included in the EU-funded reform agenda. The ECR Group is steadfast in its position that no EU taxpayer money should directly or indirectly subsidise acts of terrorism. The vote is scheduled for Wednesday.

Debate: Tuesday @ 14:00

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

Managing the wolf, protecting rural life

On Tuesday, the European Parliament will hold a final vote on a targeted amendment to the EU’s Habitats Directive to downgrade the protection status of the grey wolf from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’. The ECR welcomes this much-needed step, which is crucial to giving Member States greater flexibility and ensuring a more realistic and balanced approach to wildlife management. While conservation efforts have achieved their objectives, the unchecked growth of wolf numbers has had serious consequences for farmers and the rural economy, with around 65,500 livestock lost across the EU each year. The ECR’s aim is to equip rural communities with the tools they need to manage growing wolf populations, defend their way of life and restore a fair balance between people and nature.

Vote: Tuesday @ 12:00

Water Resilience Strategy

On Tuesday evening, MEPs will debate a report from the Environment Committee outlining key recommendations for the forthcoming European Water Resilience Strategy. The strategy aims to ensure access to water for citizens, nature, and the economy, while also addressing catastrophic flooding and water shortages. For the ECR Group, a key positive aspect is the report’s focus on improving the implementation of existing laws rather than introducing new regulatory frameworks—thereby reducing red tape for businesses and ensuring sufficient funding for effective implementation. All measures should be ambitious but also adaptable to the specific circumstances and progress already made by each Member State. The strategy also advances water resilience efficiency, reuse, and savings across sectors, while safeguarding agricultural and industrial interests, including the use of fertilisers, food production, energy security and cross-border cooperation. Importantly, it endorses infrastructure modernisation and financial assistance for farmers adopting sustainable and innovative practices. Thanks to ECR amendments, the report adopts a more balanced and pragmatic approach by strengthening the role of technological and infrastructure solutions and placing them on equal footing with nature-based solutions. A Vote will take place on Wednesday.

Debate: Tuesday @ 19:00

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

EU–UK Summit: A strategic step forward

On Monday evening, in the presence of the Council and Commission, MEPs will discuss the upcoming first-ever EU-UK Summit, scheduled for 19 May. The ECR Group welcomes this summit as an important step toward strengthening ties between the European Union and the United Kingdom. For the ECR Group, the relationship with the UK remains of vital strategic, economic, and historical importance. The meeting in May presents a valuable opportunity to deepen EU-UK cooperation across a range of areas — including the reduction of trade barriers, particularly for SMEs, and enhanced coordination on foreign and security policy.

When: Monday @ 18:00

Discharges 2023: European Institutions

On Tuesday, the European Parliament will debate a series of discharge reports for the 2023 financial year covering various EU institutions, including the European Commission, the European Parliament, and other bodies such as the Court of Auditors, the European Court of Justice, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO). The ECR Group supports granting discharge to most institutions, including the European Parliament, the Court of Auditors, and the External Action Service. However, the ECR Group opposes discharge to the European Commission due to serious concerns about the EU’s financial management. In particular, the report fails to adequately address the record-high EU borrowing (EUR 458.5 billion), rising outstanding commitments (EUR 543 billion), and a 5.6 per cent error rate in EU spending. The ECR also strongly criticises the misuse of the Recovery and Resilience Facility as a political pressure tool and the lack of transparent implementation methods. Regarding the EPPO, while recognising its growing role in combating financial crime, the ECR group is concerned about its increasing encroachment on national judicial systems. Finally, due to the Council’s continued refusal to participate in the discharge procedure since 2009, the ECR supports postponing the discharge to both the Council and the European Council.

Debate: Tuesday @ 14:00

Vote: Wednesday @ 12:00

Commemorating 80 years since the end of WWII

On Wednesday, the European Parliament will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. MEPs will gather to honour the events of 1945 and pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of all those who fought for freedom and peace. The commemoration will be followed on Thursday morning by statements in Parliament, when MEPs will take the floor to reflect on freedom, democracy, and security as the legacy of Europe, 80 years on.

Commemoration: Wednesday @ 11:00

Debate: Thursday @ 9:00

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 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. The livestream can be followed by clicking on this link.

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

When: Tuesday @ 10:20 - 10:40

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

Event: Libya and Mediterranean Migratory Routes

On Wednesday, the French delegation of the ECR Group will host a high-level conference and panel discussion addressing the challenges of migration and security in the Mediterranean, with a particular focus on Libya and regional cooperation. Bringing together European policymakers, security experts, and representatives from Libya, the event will offer a platform for dialogue on the evolving dynamics of migratory routes and the need for coordinated responses at the EU’s southern borders.

When: Wednesday @ 16:00 - 19:00

Where: WEISS N1.3

Europe Day 2025

On Saturday, May 10, to celebrate Europe Day—which falls on May 9—the EU institutions will open their doors to the public and invite citizens to visit their premises. This Europe Day, 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union. Europe Day celebrates peace and unity in Europe. For the ECR Group, Europe Day is a time to reflect on the original vision of voluntary cooperation between sovereign nations. We support a Europe that respects national identities, decentralisation, and democratic accountability.

When: Saturday @ 10:00 - 18:00