During the week of 6-10 October, the work of the European institutions will focus on Strasbourg for the Parliament’s plenary session. On the agenda are the presentation of the Apply AI Strategy by Henna Virkkunen, the debate on European digital sovereignty, and the proposed regulation by Stéphane Séjourné on the steel market. Meanwhile, in Denmark, under the Danish Presidency, an informal meeting of EU digital ministers will take place dedicated to protecting minors online.
DIGITAL
Tuesday, 7 October. Henna Virkkunen (Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Digital and Frontier Technologies) will present the Apply AI Strategy in Strasbourg, aimed at promoting new industrial uses of artificial intelligence and improving the delivery of public services, fostering innovation and competitiveness. The strategy aims to create a favorable environment that accelerates AI adoption by businesses, stimulates investment and innovation, and increases productivity in the EU’s strategic sectors.
In the same context, Vice-President Virkkunen will also present the European AI Strategy for Science (RAISE), whose objective is to accelerate the responsible adoption of AI by researchers in all fields of science, making it easier to use advanced infrastructures and models in research activities. The strategy envisages the creation of a new entity called RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe) that should operate as a “European AI Research Council.” This body is tasked with aggregating public and private resources, infrastructures, data, and talent to support the use of AI in science in Europe.
Later that day, the European Parliament will hold another debate on the Council and Commission statements concerning the “New Strategic EU-India Agenda.” The partnership is intended to strengthen cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, foster a more resilient digital environment, and deepen research and innovation ties between the partners.
Wednesday, 8 October. The plenary will address the debate “Promoting EU digital rules: protecting European sovereignty“ during which Members of Parliament will discuss regulatory challenges in the digital sphere and ways to strengthen European sovereignty, starting with interventions from the Danish Council Presidency and the European Commission.
Thursday, 9 and Friday, 10 October. EU digital ministers and the European Commission will meet in Horsens, Denmark, for an informal meeting dedicated to protecting minors online, with particular focus on age verification systems on social media, harmful digital designs, and the responsibility of Big Tech companies. The aim is to create political momentum towards a common European direction, also in view of the Digital Fairness Act, with the possible adoption of a joint ministerial declaration.
SUSTAINABILITY
Monday, 6 October. The Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) will discuss various water policy directives. Rapporteur Javi López (S&D) will report on the state of interinstitutional negotiations regarding amendments to the main directives, such as the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC).
The Committee will also prepare for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference 2025 (COP30) in Belém, Brazil. The debates will focus on climate diplomacy within the framework of the EU’s multilateral strategy.
Finally, the ENVI and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) committees will hold a joint meeting featuring an exchange of views with Maria Luís Albuquerque, Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union. The discussion will focus on simplifying disclosure requirements for environmentally sustainable activities and on streamlining technical screening criteria for do no significant harm assessments — measures that form part of ongoing updates to the EU sustainable finance taxonomy.
Tuesday, 7 October. Stéphane Séjourné (Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Industry, Entrepreneurship, SMEs, and the Single Market) will present to the European Parliament the proposed regulation on the effects of global overcapacity on the EU steel market. The initiative aims to introduce an effective measure to counter this imbalance and support the European steel sector in the context of growing trade challenges and industrial decarbonization.
On the same day, during the plenary, there will be a vote on the extension of the exemption for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, prolonging exemptions from tolls and user charges under the Eurovignette Directive.
Wednesday, 8 October. At the request of the group of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a topical debate will take place on “Europe’s automotive future – reversing the ban on the sale of combustion cars in the EU.” The current ban foresees that all new cars sold by 2035 must be zero-emission, forming a central pillar of the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality objectives.
HEALTH
Thursday, 9 October. The session will open with a series of debates, including a Commission statement on “World Mental Health Day: addressing the socio-economic factors” as testimony to the growing attention on mental health within the broader framework of EU social policy.
Later in the day, Parliament will move to a Commission statement on “Public health risks in a Europe affected by global warming: tackling the spread of mosquito- and tick-borne diseases.” The debate will connect climate warming and health security, addressing the issue of the spread of diseases transmitted by ticks and mosquitoes.
OTHER EVENTS
Monday, 6 October. The plenary will open with a joint debate on a motion of censure against the European Commission, followed by presentations from representatives of political groups. The vote will take place on Thursday, 9 October.
Later, on the same day, the Monetary Dialogue will be held with Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, and the ECON committee of the European Parliament. This meeting is an important mechanism for parliamentary scrutiny and monetary policy guidance in the euro area.
Tuesday, 7 October. The plenary will open with a debate on Council and Commission statements titled “Time to complete a fully integrated Single Market: Europe’s key to growth and future prosperity.” One year after the Draghi competitiveness report, the debate will be an opportunity to discuss the measures necessary to strengthen the Single Market.
Wednesday, 8 October. The session will open with a debate focused on the EU’s response to recent violations of airspace and critical infrastructure by Russia, following strong statements from the Council and Commission. A formal resolution and voting session are scheduled for Thursday, 9 October.
On the same day, the European Parliament will also discuss the Union’s strategy regarding Iran’s nuclear program, addressing the issue of the reintroduction of sanctions through the so-called snapback mechanism, on the basis of Council and Commission statements.
