The week from March 31 to April 4 will feature the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg. Key debates include the recently published Savings and Investments Union and votes on the annual reports regarding the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which will be discussed and presented by the respective rapporteurs and the Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.
Monday 31 March. The European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg will open with a packed agenda, with extensive discussions between the Commission and MEPs. Key topics include the presentation of the Savings and Investments Union communication, the plan to establish a capital markets union, and strategies to boost European venture capital.
Additionally, the Commission will address the situation of European academics and researchers in the United States, specifically regarding the impact of the new Trump administration’s funding freeze and cuts, as well as the ideological impositions that scholars claim to face in their work. However, these measures could also offer the EU an opportunity to re-attract researchers.
Finally, the opening debate will focus on democratic pluralism, the strengthening of integrity, transparency, and anti-corruption policies within the EU. This discussion is particularly significant as it precedes the vote on the potential waiver of parliamentary immunity for four MEPs on the following day: Jana Nagyová (PfE), Petr Bystron (ESN), Maciej Wąsik (ECR), and Mariusz Kamińsk (ECR).
Tuesday 1 April. On the second day of the plenary session, MEPs will hear reports from the Council and the Commission on the conclusions of the official European Council meeting held on March 20. At that time, the agenda had focused on European defense and the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
On security and defense, Kaja Kallas, Executive Vice-President and High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will address support for Ukraine and Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine. This will be followed by speeches from political groups.
In the afternoon, there will be a joint debate between the High Representative and the Parliament, as provided twice a year by Article 36 of the TEU, to discuss the reports on the progress made in implementing the CFSP and CSDP, with the respective rapporteurs from the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET), David McAllister (EPP) and Pascual De La Parte (EPP). The following day, the Parliament will vote on these reports.
Finally, Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen will present the New European Internal Security Strategy, outlining key actions, tools, and measures to ensure European security in both the physical and digital worlds, including issues such as organized crime, terrorism and the prevention of violent radicalization, the resilience of critical infrastructures and public spaces, and cybercrime.
Tuesday will also feature several votes, notably on amendments to Directives (EU) 2022/2464 and (EU) 2024/1760 regarding the dates by which Member States must apply specific sustainability reporting and corporate due diligence obligations.
Additionally, MEPs will vote on the proposed revision of Regulation (EU) 2018/196, presented by rapporteur Bernard Lange (S&D) on behalf of the International Trade Committee (INTA), concerning additional customs duties on imports of certain products originating from the United States. This regulation was adopted to allow the European Commission to suspend tariff concessions and impose a 4.3% duty on certain imports in the event the United States fails to comply with its WTO obligations.
Wednesday 2 April. The session will open with a discussion led by the Council and the Commission on the European Steel and Metals Action Plan and a resolution on energy-intensive industries, followed by an oral question session with MEPs. Ahead of this discussion, Giorgio Gori (S&D), rapporteur for energy-intensive industries, met on March 27 with representatives from the relevant sectors, including the European Alliance of Energy Intensive Industries and Glass Alliance Europe.
Thursday 3 April. The plenary session will conclude with the Commission remembering the 110th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
On the same day, Matjaž Nemec (S&D), rapporteur for the Budget Committee (BUDG), will present the report on the forecast of revenues and expenditures for the 2026 financial year, which will later be voted on by MEPs.
