Euro Parliament’s Pivotal Week

This week marks a significant series of debates and votes in the European Parliament, focusing on a range of crucial issues from toy safety to the EU’s defence capabilities and digital regulations. From November 24 to 30, the parliament in Strasbourg will host discussions and decisions that could reshape several EU policies.

Key topics include the adoption of stricter toy safety regulations aimed at protecting children, and the debate on safer online environments for minors which proposes to ban addictive design in games and establish a minimum age for social media usage. The parliament will also vote on the first-ever European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), enhancing the EU’s defence industry and its support for Ukraine.

Additional discussions will address the EU’s trade policies with China, particularly concerning rare earth imports crucial for digital and green transitions, simplification of the digital regulation framework, and measures to ensure products sold in the EU are not sourced from deforested lands. The ongoing threats to EU airspace and critical infrastructure by Russia and Belarus will also be a subject of debate.

The week will also see the parliament set the EU’s budget for 2026, which includes increased allocations for research, competitiveness, and security. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola is scheduled to engage in several high-profile activities, including discussions on the empowerment of Europe’s next generation and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

These sessions not only reflect the dynamic legislative agenda of the European Parliament but also underscore its commitment to addressing current socio-economic, environmental, and security challenges facing the region.