Outcome of the presidential US elections; Terrorism and Freedom of Expression; How to finance the Green Deal; The impact of Covid-19 on democracy, fundamental rights and rule of law; “EU4Health Programme”; EU-China Agreement on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications; Shaping digital education policy.

Outcome of the presidential US elections

The mini-plenary will start with a debate on the outcome of the presidential elections in the United States. The ECR Group underlines the importance of the transatlantic bond looking forward to strengthening the relationship with the United States being the leading NATO ally guaranteeing European Security, enhancing trade and tackling the common challenges with China, Iran and Russia.

Debate: Wednesday @ 3.00 pm

Terrorism and Freedom of Expression

Following the horrific islamist terror attacks in Nice and Vienna, MEPs will debate how to fight terrorism and the rights to freedom and education. We cannot allow terrorism divide European societies.

Debate: Wednesday late afternoon

How to finance the Green Deal

On Wednesday evening, the European Parliament will debate on its own initiative report on its input for the so called “Sustainable Europe Investment Plan” that aims to mobilise at least 1 Trillion Euros in sustainable investments. The ECR Group finds it unacceptable that the European Parliament presented a “wish list” for new own EU resources whilst it wants the European Central Bank to take sustainability considerations into account on its monetary policy.

Debate: Wednesday evening

Vote: Wednesday to Friday

The impact of Covid-19 on democracy, fundamental rights and rule of law

On Thursday morning, MEPs will debate a resolution on the Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law. The ECR Group will emphasize that Member States democracies have mostly proven quite resilient even as the executive branch of government temporarily gained powers to deal with the public health crisis. However, ECR acknowledges that in several Member States, including Spain and Italy, government actions lacked transparency and were in some cases overly repressive. The ECR underlines that space for dissenting opinion must always be guaranteed, especially when measures have such a big impact on citizens’ lives.

Debate: Thursday @ 8.30 am

Vote: Thursday and Friday

“EU4Health Programme”

The European Parliament’s position on the new EU4Health Programme will be debated on Thursday morning and voted on Thursday and Friday. It has three overarching objectives: to protect people from serious cross-border health threats, ensure medicines and medical devices are available and affordable, and to strengthen health systems and disease prevention programmes. The ECR welcomes the Commission’s initiative and has pressed for new provisions to ensure that there is no duplication with funding schemes. The Group also has guarded against attempts to use the programme as a justification for additional EU public health competencies that move beyond existing treaty parameters.

Debate: Thursday @ 8.30 am

Vote: Thursday and Friday

EU-China Agreement on cooperation on, and protection of, geographical indications

On Thursday afternoon, the European Parliament will also debate a new agreement between the EU and China on a cooperation on and protection of geographical indications (GIs) for wines, spirits, agricultural products and foodstuffs. China is the third largest destination for EU agri-food products, reaching 14.5 billion Euros in 2019. For the ECR, the conclusion of the agreement is an important signal that China is willing to engage with the EU and make progress in other areas of cooperation.

Debate: Thursday @ 3.00 pm

Vote: Friday

Shaping digital education policy

On Monday, the Committee for Women’s Rights and Gender Equality will vote on an opinion on shaping digital education policy. ECR Rapporteur Jadwiga Wiśniewska calls on the Commission and EU Member States to create new channels to connect with girls and ensure that the digital education reaches all of them as the full potential of women’s digital skills can contribute significantly to boosting the European economy.

Vote: Monday @ 1.45 pm