Also on the agenda: artificial intelligence, new rules for the European elections and harmful chemicals.
War in Ukraine
Parliament will hold a series of debates around the war in Ukraine and its impact. According to the UNHCR, 90% of the people who have fled Ukraine since the Russian invasion are women and children. Parliament will adopt a resolution on Thursday on how to protect them from violence and sexual exploitation.
MEPs will consider the social and economic impact of the war on the EU on Wednesday. They are set to call for more sanctions against Russia. On Tuesday, they will look at the EU’s preparedness against cyber-attacks and the impact of the war on transport and demand the country return airplanes leased from foreign companies that were re-registered with the Russian aircraft register, in clear breach of international civil aviation rules.
New rules for the European elections
On Tuesday, MEPs will vote on a proposal on common rules around the European elections, including transnational lists of candidates, and a fixed day for the election in all countries, namely on 9 May.
Artificial intelligence
On Tuesday, Parliament is set to adopt the final report from its special committee on artificial intelligence in the digital age. It identifies measures that could unlock AI’s potential in fields such as health, agriculture, public governance and climate change, while helping to create jobs and boost sustainable growth.
The EU has fallen behind in AI development, research and investment and should take the lead on setting global standards before non-democratic actors do so, the report says.
Common charger
The EU is one step closer to a common charger. Parliament is expected to announce it is ready to start negotiations with the Council on new rules that would mean consumers no longer need a new charger and cable every time they purchase a new mobile phone, tablet, videogame console or other electronic device.
Harmful chemicals in waste
Persistent organic pollutants are chemicals with toxic properties that become increasingly concentrated in recycled products and remain in the environment for a very long time, posing a risk for human health and the environment.
In order to create a toxic-free circular economy in the EU, MEPs are set to back a proposal by the Commission to reduce the amount of these chemicals allowed in products and remove materials with high levels from the recycling chain in a vote on Tuesday.
Future of Europe: revision of EU treaties
In order to carry through the recommendations from the Conference on the Future of Europe and make the EU more democratic, Parliament is set to call on the EU to start the procedure to change the EU treaties on Wednesday.
Europol reform
On Wednesday, MEPs are set to confirm the agreement to extend the powers of Europol, the EU’s police agency that supports police investigations carried out by EU countries. The agency will be able to carry on research and innovation projects, help national authorities screen foreign direct investment in security-related cases and receive data from private companies in cases related to terrorist content or child sexual abuse.
Subsidies
Parliament will adopt its position regarding new tools to counter market-distorting foreign subsidies granted to companies operating in the EU in a vote on Thursday.
Also on the agenda
- Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi will take part in a debate on Tuesday
- Extension of the EU Digital Covid certificate
- Debate on threats faced by journalists marking press freedom day
- Rule of law in Poland and Hungry
- 2020 budget discharge
