During the week of 20-24 October, the second plenary session of the month will be held in Strasbourg and the European Commission is expected to unveil its 2026 Work Programme. Finally, the European Council will convene in Brussels to discuss a broad agenda, including the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East, European defence and competitiveness.
DIGITAL
Tuesday 21 October. As part of the first reading of the ordinary legislative procedure, MEPs will vote on the regulation proposal establishing additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2016/679).
SUSTAINABILITY
Monday 20 October. As part of the European Commission’s REPowerEU Plan, the Energy Council will meet in Luxembourg to reach a general agreement on the proposal to gradually phase out remaining gas and oil imports from Russia. The deadline for a complete cutoff to Russian imports — both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) — is set for 1st January 2028.
During the plenary session on Wednesday, representatives of the Commission and the Council will address the Parliament on the same topic, emphasising the importance of preventing the circumvention of this ban through third-country intermediaries.
Ministers will also discuss electrification in preparation for the publication of the Commission’s Electrification Strategy in 2026.
Tuesday 21 October. In Luxembourg, the Environment Council ministers are expected to adopt conclusions in preparation for COP30, which will take place in Belém, Brazil, from 10 to 21 November 2025. These will form the EU’s negotiating position for the conference.
The following day, in Strasbourg, the Council and the Commission will appear before Parliament for an oral question on the same topic, which will be then voted on a motion of resolution by the MEPs.
On that same day, ministers will also seek to reach an agreement on the European Water Resilience Strategy, adopted by the European Commission last June.
HEALTH
Thursday 23 October. During the plenary session, the Council and the Commission will address the topic of breast cancer, highlighting the crucial role of screening in prevention and treatment.
EUROPEAN COUNCIL
Thursday 23 October. President António Costa has convened the Heads of State and Government for the European Council meeting in Brussels. The broad agenda will focus on six key topics.
The discussion will begin with the war in Ukraine and ways to strengthen the EU’s financial support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will also take part in this meeting.
Then, ahead of the upcoming publication of the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 by the Commission, the European Council will discuss how to translate the defence and security objectives into concrete commitments.
For what regards competitiveness and the twin transition, the Heads of State and Government will focus on regulatory simplification, achieving economic sustainable climate goals, and strengthening European digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, will also participate in the meeting for a Euro Summit in inclusive format.
The agenda will also include the question of housing, as growing prices in several Member States are leading to serious socio-economic consequences for European citizens. Thus, the European Council will examine ways to support national initiatives in this area.
Finally, the Council will discuss the peace agreements for Gaza and the EU’s role in ensuring those will be fair, enduring and based on a two-state solution.
OTHER EVENTS
Tuesday 21 October. The European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme — the document outlining initiatives and proposals for the coming year — is expected to be published, along with the 2025 Annual Overview Report on Simplification, Implementation, and Enforcement.
Thursday 23 October. MEPs will vote on a motion for resolution presented by Pasquale Tridico (The Left) concerning the use of InvestEU funds in the defence sector, as initially foreseen by the investment guidelines for the fund published on the 28th of August.
