During the week of 19–23 January, Members of the European Parliament will convene in Strasbourg for the first plenary session of 2026. On this occasion, the Cypriot Presidency of the Council will present its programme for the upcoming six months. The European Commission is also expected to publish the Digital Network Act and the Cybersecurity Act.
DIGITAL
Tuesday 20 January. Within the remit of the Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission will publish a legislative proposal (DNA) and a revision of an existing regulation (CSA), both long-awaited by the digital and tech sectors.
The Digital Network Act, initially scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025, aims to ensure secure, fast and reliable connectivity, supporting the development of new digital infrastructures based on cloud and artificial intelligence services.
The Cybersecurity Act, which entered into force in 2019, granted a permanent mandate to the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), while expanding its resources and competences. It also established a voluntary EU cybersecurity certification framework (ECCF) for ICT products, services and processes. Since then, cyber threats and attacks have increased exponentially, underscoring the need to strengthen digital resilience. In addition, the revision of the Act has been included among the legislative simplification efforts announced by the Commission on 16 September.
On the same day, a plenary debate will be held on tackling AI-generated deepfakes and sexual exploitation on social media, making full use of existing EU digital legislation.
Wednesday 21 January. During the plenary debate session, the Commission will deliver a statement on the urgent need to combat online piracy.
Thursday 22 January. Parliament will vote on the own-initiative report on European technological sovereignty and digital infrastructure, which was adopted by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) on 3 June. The initiative sets out Parliament’s position and recommendations to reduce strategic technological dependencies and calls on the Commission to establish a regulatory framework that fosters innovation and competitiveness.
HEALTH
Monday 19 January. MEPs will debate and vote on a framework aimed at strengthening the availability and security of the supply of essential medicines, as well as improving the availability and affordability of medicines of common interest.
OTHER EVENTS
Monday 19 January. René Repasi (S&D) will present to the European Parliament the own-initiative report on the 28th regime, entitled “The 28th Regime: a New Legal Framework for Innovative Companies.” Through this text, the Committee on Legal Affairs sets out its position on the matter and calls on the European Commission to submit a legislative proposal. The following day, Parliament will vote on the initiative.
Tuesday 20 January. The Cypriot Presidency of the Council’s programme of activities will be, which took office on 1 January, will be presented to the MEPs.
On the same day, in the context of EU foreign policy and in light of the severe international upheavals since the beginning of the year, the Commission and the Council will join MEPs for a debate on the territorial integrity of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark. In addition, Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will deliver a statement on the brutal repression of protesters in Iran. On Thursday 22 January, Members of the European Parliament will vote on a motion for a resolution on the matter.
Similarly, the following day, Wednesday 21 January, the plenary session will open with a joint debate involving the Council and the Commission, focusing on the conclusions of the European Council meeting held on 18 December. The debate will also address the need for a stronger and more sovereign Europe in a context of rising geopolitical tensions and persistent threats to the international rules-based order.
Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 January. MEPs will vote on a request to seek an opinion from the Court of Justice of the European Union on the compatibility of the EU–Mercosur agreement with the Treaties.
On the same issue, the following day Parliament will also vote on a new motion of censure against Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and her College. The motion—the fourth since the beginning of the current parliamentary term—was tabled by the Patriots group in response to the conclusion of the Mercosur trade agreement, which is set to be signed in Paraguay on Saturday 17 January.
