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.

The multiannual financial framework, or the EU long-term budget, lays down how much the European Union can invest over five to seven years on projects and programmes that strengthen Europe’s future. Investments funded by the EU budget benefit regions, cities, farmers, universities, businesses and all Europeans.

The European Parliament, directly-elected by voters across the EU, has a central role in determining the long-term budget. With the current multiannual financial framework due to end on 31 December 2020, Parliament is now in negotiations with the Council and the European Commission on the 2021-2027 budget. Keep up to date with developments here.

More reading

Main topics on Parliament’s 5-8 October agenda include:

• Long-term EU budget and rule of law
• Mechanism to protect EU values
• Situation in Bulgaria
• EU climate law
• Changes in the Commission
• Special EU summit
• Women on boards

You can watch the briefing live on EbS+ and Parliament’s webstreaming.

Political group leaders will also hold their own briefings on the session on Tuesday morning in Parliament’s press room.

Find all information on EP plenary in our newsletter.

Journalists are invited to attend the press conference in person, respecting the precautionary measures in force (see below), or ask questions remotely via Skype.

Parliament will be using an interactive virtual press environment (with interpretation) based on Skype TX, in conjunction with the traditional EbS+ and Parliament’s webstreaming.

If you are unable to attend and wish to ask a question:

You will need a SKYPE account;

Connect to VOXBOXEP and write your name and media organisation in the chat box.

Please use headphones and a microphone for better sound quality.

The system will be managed by Parliament’s media services and you will be placed in a queue (virtual waiting room) before being invited to ask your question(s).

If you have any trouble connecting, you can contact: +32 22834220 or use Skype chat box.

After asking a question / listening to the reply (and any follow-up), you should then disconnect from Skype so that the next journalist in line can be connected to the press briefing room.

You only need to connect through Skype if you wish to ask a question.

You can follow the briefing LIVE on EP MMC or EbS.

REMINDER: working conditions in Parliament for journalists in light of Coronavirus

It is mandatory to wear a community mask that covers the mouth and nose at all times while in Parliament’s buildings. This is to continue to ensure Parliament’s operational capacity, while at the same time avoiding health risks for Members, staff and other persons working in and visiting the European Parliament. In addition, temperature checks are being carried out on all persons entering Parliament’s premises.

However, journalists may remove their mask for the duration of a recording (stand-ups, interviews, studio recordings) or when asking a question in the press room, if the social distancing measures are respected. The press room on the ground floor (Paul-Henri Spaak building) is also now open again for those who need to work from Parliament, though social distancing rules remain in force.

Please refrain from coming to EP premises if you present any symptoms of a respiratory infection, if you have knowingly been in contact with an infected person in the last 14 days or if you have been to regions with very high transmission rates.

MEPs will sound out Ms McGuinness regarding her strategy for rolling out the capital markets union, one of the Commission’s flagship projects, as well as her priorities on the different rules in the pipeline concerning financial services and financial stability.

After the hearing, Ms McGuinness will give a statement to the press on the ground floor (near the protocol entrance) of the European Parliament’s SPAAK building.

Ms McGuinness has served as an MEP since 2004 and has been Parliament Vice-President since 2014.

After the evaluations are completed, Parliament is set to vote on the decision in plenary on 7 October.

The reshuffle at the Commission comes after Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan resigned at the end of August.

Time: Friday 2 October 2020, 09.00-12:00

Venue: Brussels, Spaak 3C50 (opposite the plenary chamber)

You can watch the hearing live on Parliament’s webstreaming and on EbS+. You can watch the press statement on Parliament’s webstreaming.

Members can participate in the meeting physically and remotely (Members are able to view and listen to the proceedings, ask for the floor and intervene in the meetings, and vote).

The committee hears Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis, set to assume responsibility for the trade portfolio. The Committees on Foreign Affairs, on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on Development and on Budgets will be invited to participate. Since he is already a member of the Commission, Mr Dombrovskis only has to answer questions on whether he is suitable for the portfolio assigned to him.

Time: Friday 2 October 2020, 13:00-16:00

Venue: Brussels, SPAAK 3C50 (opposite to the plenary chamber)

You can watch the hearing live through Parliament’s webstreaming and on EbS+.

Members can participate in the meeting both physically and remotely (Members are able to view and listen to the proceedings, ask for the floor and intervene in the meetings, and vote).