Plenary round-up – October II 2024

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

A key moment during the October II session was the debate on managing migration in an effective and holistic way through fostering returns, based on a Commission statement following up the previous week's European Council conclusions. International topics also took up much of the agenda, with Members debating Commission statements on war crimes committed by Russia, EU action against Russian shadow fleets and ensuring full enforcement of sanctions, and protection of European journalists reporting on Russia's war against Ukraine. Moreover, they debated the situation in Azerbaijan, and in Tunisia, the need for a ceasefire in Lebanon, China's military provocation around Taiwan, and state-sponsored terrorism by Iran in light of recent attacks in Europe.

Members also debated a number of Commission statements, inter alia on a stronger Europe for safer products to better protect consumers and tackle unfair competition, tackling the steel crisis, foreign interference and hybrid attacks, closing the EU skills gap, the abuse of new technologies to manipulate and radicalise young people through hate speech and antidemocratic discourse, the need to strengthen rail travel and the railway sector in Europe, and persistent threats to marine protected areas in the EU and benefits for coastal communities. Members also discussed the findings of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on Poland's abortion law, and the lack of progress in restoring the rule of law in Malta, seven years on from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.

The Court of Auditors' 2023 annual report was presented, in the presence of Tony Murphy, President of the Court. Finally, Members heard an address by Enrico Letta, presenting his report 'Much More Than a Market', which was followed by a debate on a Parliament statement on empowering the Single Market to deliver a sustainable future and prosperity for all EU citizens.

Macro-financial assistance to Ukraine

As Russia's aggression against Ukraine continues, so does Parliament's staunch support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democracy. Members held a debate and adopted the proposal on speedy implementation of macro-financial assistance under the new Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism as recommended by the Committee on International Trade (INTA) pointing at the same time to the lack of clarity on the EU budget's liability. The EU is now set to provide some €35 billion in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine as part of a total €45 billion in G7 loan support.

EU general budget for 2025

Members debated and adopted a set of amendments from the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) largely reversing the Council's position on the draft budget for 2025. The committee proposed to increase investment in areas that will improve people's lives, and boost competitiveness and sustainability. The amendments would set 2025 commitments at almost €201 billion and payments at €153.5 billion. This vote sets Parliament's position for the forthcoming interinstitutional negotiations.

Discharge for the 2022 European Council and Council budget

Following Parliament's postponement in April of the decision on granting discharge for the 2022 European Council and Council budget, Members finally refused discharge, as they have done for the two institutions each financial year since 2009. Although the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) has re-examined the situation, it remains critical of the Council's lack of transparency. The committee also suggests that the six-monthly Council presidencies avoid corporate sponsorship.

Draft amending budget No 2/2024

Members adopted Draft Amending Budget No 2/2024, which enters the €632.6 million 2023 budget surplus as revenue in the 2024 budget. This leads to a corresponding reduction in Member States' gross national income (GNI) contributions. BUDG notes the surplus is considerably lower than in 2022, thanks to improved budgetary forecasting and management.

Single European Sky

Better implementing the Single European Sky should make flights more efficient and environmentally friendly, and following lengthy negotiations the Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement in March on proposed revisions to the rules. The objective is to frame performance plans with binding targets and incentives, and set up a Performance Review Body to ensure their implementation. The revision also stipulates that the Commission carry out a study to help define how charges levied on airspace could encourage more environmentally friendly flights. Members adopted the agreed text at second reading, following its adoption by the Council in September.

Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

Under the EU Treaties, EU countries must reflect EU employment guidelines in their employment policies and reform programmes. Parliament is consulted on the annual employment guidelines prepared by the Council. Members approved the draft employment guidelines following the report from Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL). The EMPL committee recommends a greater focus on social rights, minimum wages and the right to disconnect.

Closing the EU skills gap

Boosting EU competitiveness is a top EU priority – and reskilling and upskilling the EU labour force is a vital element. Members held a debate on how to close the skills gap, following a Commission statement on the matter. The recent Draghi report also underlined weak educational performance, a shrinking active labour population, limited adult learning, low labour mobility and poor working conditions as factors contributing to the EU lagging behind, noting that skills shortages are a pressing issue for 54 % of EU businesses.

Role of cities and regions in the EU

For many citizens, their closest contact with the EU is through cohesion policy measures in their city or region. Members held a debate on a Commission statement on the important role of EU cities and regions for green, social and prosperous development. Parliament has previously insisted that cohesion policy remain the main investment instrument for reducing disparity, ensuring economic, social and territorial cohesion.

A stronger Europe for safer products to better protect consumers and tackle unfair competition

Parliament debated a statement from the Commission on boosting measures to counter unfair competition and ensure product safety, particularly that of products imported from outside the EU, and especially those for sale on online marketplaces. With around 75 % of hazardous products for sale on the single market coming from outside the EU, stronger consumer protection is needed to ensure the goods we buy are safe. Parliament has previously called for greater scrutiny of online marketplaces and better information for consumers about the hazards of non-compliant, and often cheaper, products.

Question time with the Commission: Situation of animal health in Europe

Stella Kyriakides (Commissioner for Health and Food Safety) answered Members' questions regarding EU policy on animal health. Members are particularly interested in proposals to prevent and prepare for possible future agricultural health crises, which have multiplied in recent years. Parliament has previously called for the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to analyse how social, economic, climatic and environmental risk factors drive disease transmission.

Corrigenda

Following committee approval of corrigenda on a further 9 legislative files voted in plenary before the end of last term, these were announced and approved by the plenary, under Rule 251 of the Rules of Procedure.

This article is intended to review some of the highlights of the plenary part-session, and notably to follow up on key dossiers identified by EPRS. It does not aim to be exhaustive. For more detailed information on specific files, please see other EPRS products, notably our 'EU legislation in progress' briefings, and the plenary minutes.