Plenary round-up – October I 2024

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

The first plenary session of October 2024 saw Members mark one year since the 7 October Hamas terrorist attack, as well as holding a debate on a statement by the High Representative/Vice President of the Commission, Josep Borrell, on the escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon. Members also held a debate with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, current holder of the Council Presidency. Parliament adopted resolutions on Georgia's increasingly authoritarian trajectory and its effect on the country's EU membership prospects, as well as one condemning Russian interference in Moldova. Members also debated the situation in Sudan and the outcome of the Summit of the Future. And they discussed the preparation of the European Council meeting set for 17-18 October 2024 with the Council and Commission.

Debates took place following Commission statements on wildfires in southern Europe, in the Balkans, and in the Amazon. Members also debated Commission statements on: fighting systemic gender-based violence; combating fake news, populism and disinformation; strengthening external border security; preventing drug-related crime; the 2024 annual rule of law report; and protecting the EU budget and ensuring that EU funds do not benefit terrorist entities or individuals. In addition to marking World Mental Health Day, Members debated the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation.

Presentation of the Hungarian Council Presidency programme

Following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's presentation of the Hungarian Council Presidency programme (postponed from September due to devastating floods in central European Member States), Members held a long and frank debate, touching on additional topics, ranging from respect for the rule of law to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and the use of EU funding.

European Union Solidarity Fund

Recent catastrophic flooding in central and eastern Europe underlines the increasing number and severity of climate-related natural disasters worldwide. It also highlights the need for a collective response to help countries cope with the damage left behind. The EU provides such assistance through the EU Solidarity Fund. Members debated and approved a budgetary proposal to mobilise over €1 billion in EUSF funding to help cover the costs of dealing with flooding in 2023, in Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France.

Reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of Member States

Members held a debate following a Commission statement concerning the recent reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of EU countries. Controls on EU internal borders are detrimental to the Schengen area and the freedom of movement of goods as well as people, with potentially significant economic, social and political costs. Despite that, as of September 2024, eight EU Member States had reinstated border controls. Parliament has frequently criticised these actions, and insists that maximum time limits are set for when such controls should be lifted.

Crisis facing the EU automotive industry

Following a Commission statement, Members debated the current crisis in the EU automotive industry. A historically strong industrial sector, the EU automotive industry now needs to act quickly to counter competition from outside Europe and modernise its business model. As threats of plant closures and loss of European jobs grow, the industry is looking to the EU to act to level the playing-field against fierce non-EU competition, to provide funding for innovation and to help secure access to critical resources. Members will vote on a resolution on the matter at a future part session.

Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe

Members debated a Commission statement on affordable housing (in advance of the hearing of the Commissioner-designate for the newly proposed portfolio dealing with energy and housing), as the way forward to increasing both public and private sector supply of decent housing for Europeans. With affordable housing a major issue in many EU countries, and although housing policy is a Member State responsibility, Parliament has already called on the Commission and EU governments to increase investment in sustainable, adequate and affordable housing.

Outcome of the Summit of the Future

Parliament's delegation attending the UN Summit of the Future in September welcomed the adoption of the Pact for the Future, as a major achievement for rules-based multilateralism. Vice-President of the Commission Věra Jourová reported to Members on the summit's outcome on behalf of Borrell. This was followed by a debate with Members on how to transform global governance to build peace, promote human rights and achieve the United Nations sustainable development goals. 

Rise of religious intolerance in Europe

Following a Commission statement on the rise of religious intolerance in Europe, Members held a debate on an issue that is causing increasing concern worldwide. A marked rise in antisemitism, particularly since the Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza has been observed, and an increase in anti-Christian incidents has also been documented. For its part, the European Parliament has had an active Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance since 2014.

Corrigenda

Following committee approval of corrigenda on a further eight legislative files, voted in plenary before the end of last term, these revised texts were announced and approved by the plenary, under Rule 251 of the Rules of Procedure.

Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – October I 2024‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.