Commission changes
Parliament votes on Wednesday on the appointment of Mairead McGuinness as commissioner for financial services, financial stability and the Capital Markets Union and on the allocation of the trade portfolio to Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis. The plenary vote comes after hearings of Ms McGuinness and Mr Dombrovskis organised by parliamentary committees on 2 October.
Rule of law
MEPs will propose on Wednesday a new mechanism to protect democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights across the EU. The mechanism should build on existing tools such as the Commission’s annual rule of law report, but should be broader in scope and include specific recommendations to EU countries with timelines and targets for implementation.
In a separate debate on Monday with the Council and the Commission, MEPs will discuss links between rule of law and the EU budget. Parliament has argued in the negotiations on the 2021-2027 budget that countries in breach of the rule of law should see their EU funding reduced or suspended.
Climate and forests
Parliament will set out its position on Wednesday on the European climate law, which translates EU ambitions for climate neutrality into binding clauses. The draft report by the environment committee calls for a 60% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 and states that all EU countries should reach net zero emissions by 2050.
The future EU forest strategy – due to be presented early next year – will be debated on Tuesday. Meanwhile in a resolution on Wednesday, MEPs are expected to call for measures to bolster the resilience of forests to fires, floods and pests.
EU summit
On Tuesday morning, Council President Charles Michel will present the outcome of the EU summit of 1-2 October. In remarks to EU leaders at the beginning of the summit, Parliament President David Sassoli stressed the need for a Europe that meets people’s expectations and said Parliament is not obstructing the budget negotiations.
Bulgaria
MEPs will discuss the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in Bulgaria following protests and allegations of corruption against the government. A resolution on the subject is set to be voted on on Thursday.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding allows small businesses and start-ups to raise money and is an alternative to bank lending. Parliament will vote on Monday on rules that would protect investors and allow crowdfunding platforms in the EU to operate more smoothly across borders.
Women on management boards
In a debate on Monday, MEPs will discuss with the Council and the Commission the lack of progress on a legislative proposal that would require at least 40% of corporate board members to be women. Member states in the Council have not been able to reach an agreement on the proposal for a number of years.
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