Parliament Sets Agenda for EU Budget

The European Parliament will debate the European Union’s next long-term budget, the cost-of-living crisis and several foreign policy issues during its plenary session on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The session will include contributions from European Commission officials and representatives of the Irish Council presidency.

Beginning at 9 a.m., lawmakers are expected to renew calls for an ambitious 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework focused on defence and security, competitiveness, cohesion and agriculture. At 10:30 a.m., Parliament will discuss measures to help households, small businesses and communities facing rising housing, energy and transport costs.

Other scheduled debates will address the EU’s first anti-corruption strategy, a proposed tax on polluters’ super profits and efforts to counter what Parliament describes as Islamist entryism and the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood network. Evening discussions will focus on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Iran, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

MEPs are also due to vote on EU-China relations, support for workers in Belgium, Spain and Finland, carbon dioxide emission classes for heavy-duty vehicles with trailers, and consular protection for unrepresented EU citizens in third countries. Votes on several human rights matters are scheduled for Thursday, according to the Parliament’s press service.