EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT update

 

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​ 10-09-2025 Plenary session EP TODAY       Wednesday 10 September State of the European Union debate Filling the morning’s agenda, the annual parliamentary State of the European Union debate is a key opportunity for MEPs to hold the European Commission to account. In her opening statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will detail both the Commission’s achievements over the past year and current challenges. The political group leaders will then steer the debate, with members assessing the Commission’s work and its plans, while also presenting their own priorities. You can follow President von der Leyen’s speech and the debate with MEPs from 09.00. Ahead of the debate, at 08.45, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola will give a doorstep statement in the media stand-up area by the hemicycle in Strasbourg. You can follow this live via EP webstreaming and the European Broadcasting Service. Andreas KLEINER (+32) 498 98 33 22 Estefania NARRILLOS (+32) 498 98 39 85 @EuroParlPress EU-US trade relations In a debate starting at about 14.30 with Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre for the Council, MEPs will assess the implementation of the EU-US trade deal and the prospect of wider EU trade agreements. Lieven COSIJN (+32) 473 864 141  @EP_Trade Updated rules on package holidays Members will discuss changes to the Package Travel Directive with Consumer Protection Commissioner Michael McGrath from around 17.00. The updated directive will refine travellers’ information and trip cancellation rights, as well as their rights to a refund and repatriation help, if their travel organiser should go bankrupt or unforeseen circumstances disrupt their holiday plans. The vote on Parliament’s negotiating position is scheduled for Thursday. Maris KURME (+32) 477 99 06 65 @EP_SingleMarket In brief Migration. This month’s topical debate, on migration, will begin at 13.30, after the votes. Global satellite navigation system interference. In a debate with Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius, starting at around 17.30, Parliament will debate threats to aviation and maritime transport and the urgent need to build resilience against spoofing and jamming. Slovakia. MEPs will discuss the rule of law situation and possible misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, in a debate with Commissioner Michael McGrath and Marie Bjerre, Danish Minister for European Affairs, from about 18.30. Taxation of large digital platforms. In an evening debate, Commissioner McGrath will respond to an oral question on the implications of international developments for EU policy on taxing the digital economy. Human rights. In evening debates with Commissioner Jozef Síkela, MEPs will discuss the cases of EU citizens detained in the occupied areas of Cyprus, political prisoner Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda, and Irish national Abdoul Aziz Goma, arbitrarily detained in Togo. Three separate resolutions will be put to a vote in plenary on Thursday. Votes At noon, MEPs will vote, among others, on: -simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism; -cohesion policy, including the mid-term review; -facilitating investments and reforms to boost European competitiveness and on creating a capital markets union, one year after the Draghi Report; -the future of agriculture and the post-2027 common agricultural policy, and -a motion for a resolution on strengthening Moldova’s resilience against Russian hybrid threats and malign interference. Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS+. For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter and the detailed agenda. Find more information regarding plenary.     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com  Press release 09-09-2025 AFCO   Parliament-Commission Framework Agreement: greater transparency, trust, better dialogue       EU Parliament and EU Commission representatives have finalised negotiations on an updated Framework Agreement to improve interinstitutional relations, trust, transparency and dialogue. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola commented: “Europeans have been clear: they want a stronger Parliament, with a bigger role in shaping our Union and more democratic scrutiny by their elected representatives. Today’s draft agreement strengthens European democracy. It is an upgrade that reinforces transparency, accountability, and trust. We will align closer, communicate better and deliver faster for our citizens. With this deal, Parliament reaffirms its position at the heart of Europe’s democracy.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Strong, effective and transparent engagement between the EU institutions is essential for our democracy. With this draft agreement we can strengthen trust and deliver even greater results together, in a spirit of EU unity, and with the interests of our citizens foremost in our minds. The European Commission looks forward to playing its full part in this enhanced cooperation, for the benefit of all Europeans.” EP co-negotiator and CCC Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, DE) said: “We have achieved a decisive step forward in parliamentary oversight. This agreement empowers parliamentary committees with timely access to detailed information and meaningful exchanges with the Commission, enhancing their ability to scrutinize and shape legislation effectively. Additionally, Parliament now has strengthened rights, ensuring real influence at every stage of trade and international negotiations. This strengthens democratic accountability and transparency in external policy, ensuring that it serves the interests and values of European citizens.” EP co-negotiator and AFCO Chair Sven Simon (EPP, DE) stated: “This revised agreement constitutes a substantive institutional advance for Parliament. It strengthens Parliament's indirect right of initiative, including the possibility to amend and repeal existing legislation, and sets strict conditions for the use of the emergency clause of Article 122 TFEU by the Commission. Above all, it ensures that Commissioners shall be present in plenary and committee meetings, when requested, thereby reinforcing the principles of accountability and democratic oversight within the Union.” EU Commission lead negotiator Maroš Šefčovič, in charge of interinstitutional relations, said: “Today’s provisional agreement – built on the principles set out by President von der Leyen and President Metsola – is a clear and timely sign of our shared goal to work more effectively and in true unity. I will keep working with the European Parliament – and in full transparency with the Council – to turn this agreement into lasting cooperation, delivering unity not just in words, but in action. Because unity makes us stronger – at home and on the global stage.” Key improvements The draft text, provisionally agreed by negotiators today, reflects the nine political principles agreed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the European Commission on 21 October 2024. New provisions have been agreed concerning the principle of equal treatment of the Parliament and the Council, the role of the Commission as an honest broker and on the transmission of comprehensive, timely and detailed information in order for Parliament to exercise its legislative and budgetary functions as well as its functions of political control and consultation. The text also includes reinforced commitments to ensure a better presence of responsible Commissioners in plenary and committees, as well as the participation of the Commission in other parliamentary activities, when requested. It will also support Parliament’s work to improve presence of MEPs in plenary and committee meetings. Other key points include: a commitment to improve information flows, and foster the improved presence of responsible Commissioners in plenary, committees, and other parliamentary activities - as well as improved presence of MEPs in these same meetings when Commissioners are present; in certain situations where unforeseen developments justify it, the Commission may request the Parliament to decide urgently on a proposal, and before the Parliament votes on such a request, the Commission can make an explanatory statement in plenary; a commitment by the Commission to provide without delay comprehensive justification and information on the exceptional and emergency cases where the proposals by the Commission are based on Article 122 TFEU, after the adoption of the legal act; new terms on the provision of information and justifications by the Commission regarding its requests for urgent/fast track procedures; a commitment by the Commission on sincere interinstitutional cooperation on budgetary matters concerning interinstitutional meetings under Article 324 TFEU; more detailed provisions on the flow of information regarding international agreements with, inter alia, a commitment by the Commission to properly inform Parliament about non-binding international agreements; updated provisions concerning the follow up by the Commission on requests by Parliament for proposals for Union acts pursuant to Article 225 TFEU, as well as cooperation between the two institutions within this context; and provisions on the consultation mechanism with regard to proposed changes to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure where they affect the Commission's rights and prerogatives. Next steps In line with Parliament’s internal rules, once endorsed by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents, it will be referred to the Committee on Constitutional Affairs for examination before it is submitted to plenary for final approval. Background The Parliament - Commission Framework Agreement lays down rules for cooperation in legislative, budgetary, and political matters. Presidents Metsola and von der Leyen kickstarted the revision process in October 2024, shortly after the European Elections. The updated draft text builds on the 2010 agreement, reflecting more than a decade of practice and evolving institutional needs. Further information  The political bodies of the European Parliament  Committee on Constitutional Affairs  European Parliament Research Service Study - “The European Parliament's oversight powers: Tools to scrutinise the European Commission” (June 2025)  Free photos, video and audio material   Delphine COLARD Spokesperson and Head of Spokesperson’s Unit (+32) 2 28 43383 (BXL) (+33) 3 881 64123 (STR) (+32) 498 98 44 85 delphine.colard@europarl.europa.eu   Kyriakos KLOSIDIS Press Officer (EL) (+32) 2 28 32357 (BXL) (+32) 470 96 47 35 kyriakos.klosidis@europarl.europa.eu constit-press@europarl.europa.eu EPInstitutional     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com Press release 09-09-2025 Plenary session   IMCO Move away from focus on lowest price in public procurement, MEPs say       • Give non-price criteria a heavier weight in public tenders. • Amend rules to encourage small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) participation, cross-border tenders and buying European. • Replace 907 pages of public procurement law with shorter, clearer rules. On Tuesday, Parliament adopted its priorities for the upcoming revision of the public procurement framework. The own-initiative report, adopted in plenary by 432 votes for, 95 against and with 124 abstentions, outlines Parliament’s priorities for the legislative overhaul of the public procurement rules, expected to kick off in the third quarter of 2026. The report drafted by Piotr Müller (ECR, PL) asks the Commission to simplify what are currently lengthy and complicated rules, make it easier for SMEs to take part in tenders, and widen the spectrum of criteria to be taken into account in public procurement processes. Non-price considerations should play a more important role One of the report’s main messages is that instead of focusing on the cheapest price, public tenders should give more weight to non-price considerations and seek the best price/quality ratio. Very cheap initial projects often overlook quality or come with disproportionately high maintenance costs at a later stage. Cheaper materials can result in environmental harm, and workers employed on low-cost projects often suffer poor conditions. Public tenders should therefore give more weight to non-price factors, such as social and environmental criteria and other considerations, for example use of in-house workers instead of complicated subcontracting schemes etc, say MEPs. The report also asks the Commission to assess ways to favour European companies, especially in strategic sectors, to stimulate demand for European-made products and technologies and to anchor industrial capacity within the EU. This should, however, be done without resorting to outright protectionism, MEPs say. SME participation, simplification and thresholds MEPs want the Commission to promote small business participation in tender processes and to simplify both the 907 pages of law currently governing public tenders as well as the procurement procedures themselves. SMEs find it nearly impossible to compete in big tenders for lack of sufficient capacity, so splitting tenders into smaller lots would help, for example. Increased flexibility, freedom of choice and autonomy for contracting authorities, would meanwhile help to ensure the prudent use of taxpayers’ money. MEPs also call on the Commission to reassess the price thresholds that determine the choice of procurement procedure. As significant inflation has driven construction costs up in the EU, the Commission should assess whether to increase the thresholds accordingly. Quote Parliament’s rapporteur for the file, Piotr Müller (ECR, PL), said after the vote: “Procurement is worth nearly one fifth of EU gross domestic product – it must be about value for money, not political experiments. Our report defends transparency, competition and flexibility instead of bureaucracy and centralism. We want rules that make sense for SMEs, local authorities and taxpayers alike. Europe’s competitiveness depends on spending public funds wisely and responsibly.” Further information  Adopted text will be available here (9.9.2025)  Procedure file  Press release on the vote in committee (7.7.2025)  Rapporteur Piotr Müller (ECR, PL)  European Parliament Research Service overview of the topic (September 2025)   Maris KURME Press Officer (ET) (+32) 2 28 43512 (BXL) (+32) 477 99 06 65 maris.kurme@europarl.europa.eu     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com Press release 09-09-2025 Plenary session   ENVI Parliament adopts new EU rules to reduce textile and food waste       • 2030 targets to reduce food waste • Producers to cover costs of collecting, sorting and recycling waste textiles • Each European generates 132 kg of food waste and 12 kg of clothing and footwear waste per year   On Tuesday, Parliament gave its final green light to new measures to prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU. Cutting down food waste The updated legislation will introduce binding food waste reduction targets, to be met at national level by 31 December 2030: 10% from food processing and manufacturing and 30% per capita from retail, restaurants, food services and households. These targets will be calculated in comparison to the amount generated as an annual average between 2021 and 2023. Following Parliament’s request, EU countries will have to take measures to ensure that economic operators having a significant role in the prevention and generation of food waste (to be identified in each country) facilitate the donation of unsold food that is safe for human consumption. Producers to cover costs of collecting, sorting and recycling waste textiles Producers that make textiles available in the EU will have to cover the costs of their collection, sorting and recycling, through new producer responsibility (EPR) schemes to be set up by each member state, within 30 months of the directive’s entry into force. These provisions will apply to all producers, including those using e-commerce tools and irrespective of whether they are established in an EU country or outside the Union. Micro-enterprises will have an extra year to comply with the EPR requirements. The new rules will cover products such as clothing and accessories, hats, footwear, blankets, bed and kitchen linen, and curtains. On Parliament’s initiative, EU countries may also set up EPR schemes for mattress producers. Member states should also address ultra-fast fashion and fast fashion practices when deciding on financial contributions to the EPR schemes. According to the second reading rules, the President announced in plenary that the proposed act was deemed adopted (the position was already agreed by Council earlier this summer). Next steps The law will now be signed by both co-legislators, ahead of its publication in the EU Official Journal. EU countries will have 20 months following its entry into force to transpose the rules into national legislation. Background In July 2023, the Commission proposed a revision of the EU rules on waste, targeted at food and textile waste. Every year, almost 60 million tonnes of food waste (132 kg per person) and 12.6 million tonnes of textile waste are generated in the EU. Clothing and footwear alone account for 5.2 million tonnes of waste, equivalent to 12 kg of waste per person every year. It is estimated that less than 1% of all textiles worldwide are recycled into new products. Further information  Adopted text will be available here (10.9.2025)  Procedure file  Legislative train  European Environment Agency - textiles  Infoclip: Texile and food waste  Free photos, videos and audio material   Dana POPP Press Officer (RO) (+32) 2 28 46330 (BXL) (+32) 470 95 17 07 dana.popp@europarl.europa.eu envi-press@europarl.europa.eu EP_Environment     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com   Press release 09-09-2025 Plenary session   IMCO   ENVI New EU rules on design, reuse and recycling in the automotive sector       • Binding targets for use of recycled materials in new vehicles • Reinforced producer responsibility for collection and treatment of end-of-life vehicles • Of 285.6 million motor vehicles on EU roads, 6.5 million reach their end of life every year   On Tuesday, MEPs adopted their proposals on new EU circularity rules to cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from design to final end-of-life treatment. The draft measures, backed by 431 MEPs with 145 against and 76 abstentions, aim to boost the automotive sector’s transition to a circular economy by reducing the environmental impact linked to the production and end-of-life treatment of vehicles, and strengthening the sustainability of the car recycling industry in Europe. Specific rules will apply to all vehicles except for special-purpose vehicles, vehicles designed and built for use by the armed forces, civil defence, fire and emergency medical services, and vehicles of historical and special cultural interest. Improved vehicle design and use of recycled materials New vehicles should be designed so as to allow the easy removal of as many parts and components as possible by authorised treatment facilities, with a view to their replacement, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing or refurbishing, where technically possible. MEPs want the plastic used in each new vehicle type to contain a minimum 20% of recycled plastic within six years of the rules’ entry into force. They also want manufacturers to meet a target of at least 25% within 10 years of entry into force, if enough recycled plastic is available at non-excessive prices. They also want the Commission to introduce targets for recycled steel and aluminium and its alloys, following a feasibility study. Stricter rules for end-of-life management and export of used vehicles Three years after the entry into force of the new rules, manufacturers would have extended producer responsibility, i.e., they would have to cover the cost of the collection and treatment of vehicles that have reached their end-of-life stage. MEPs want a better distinction between used vehicles and end-of-life vehicles, with an export ban for those that are considered end-of-life vehicles. Quote Co-rapporteurs Jens Gieseke (EPP, DE), of the Environment committee, and Paulius Saudargas (EPP, LT), of the Internal Market committee, said: "Parliament supports the circular economy in the automotive sector. We are advancing resource security, protecting the environment, and ensuring sustainability. To avoid overburdening the industry, we secured realistic targets, and ensured less red tape and fair competition." Next steps As Council already adopted its position earlier this summer, interinstitutional negotiations are expected to start without delay. Background On 13 July 2023, the Commission proposed a new regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and improved management of end-of-life vehicles, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the circular economy action plan. In 2023, 14.8 million motor vehicles were manufactured in the EU, while 12.4 million vehicles were registered. There are 285.6 million motor vehicles on EU roads and every year around 6.5 million vehicles come to the end of their lives. Further information  Adopted text will be available here (9.09.2025)  Procedure file  Circular economy: new EU rules to make the automotive sector more sustainable (7.07.2025)  EP Research Service briefing: Circularity requirements for vehicle design and management of end-of-life vehicles  Infoclip: Circularity of the design and end-of-life of vehicles  Free photos, videos and audio material  The new rules would facilitate the removal of vehicle components for reuse and recycling © ERIC PIERMONT / AFP   Dana POPP Press Officer (RO) (+32) 2 28 46330 (BXL) (+32) 470 95 17 07 dana.popp@europarl.europa.eu envi-press@europarl.europa.eu EP_Environment   Maris KURME Press Officer (ET) (+32) 2 28 43512 (BXL) (+32) 477 99 06 65 maris.kurme@europarl.europa.eu imco-press@europarl.europa.eu EP_SingleMarket     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com ​ 09-09-2025 Plenary session State of the European Union: Doorstep with EP President Metsola at 08.45       Ahead of the State of the European Union plenary debate tomorrow morning, EP President, Roberta Metsola, will address the media and take questions. When: Wednesday 10 September at 08.45 Where: Media stand-up area by hemicycle, European Parliament, Strasbourg You can follow the press point live via EP webstreaming and the European Broadcasting Service. From 09.00, you can follow President von der Leyen’s speech and the debate with MEPs. You will find all footage, extracts and pictures, as well as videos from previous SOTEU debates, on the EP Multimedia Centre's dedicated page. Practical information for the media Journalists are strongly advised to arrive at the Parliament well ahead of the debate. Note that there is a strike announced on 10 September in France, which may cause disruptions to the public transport network in Strasbourg. Debate on the State of the European Union The State of the European Union debate is a key moment of accountability for the European Commission towards the EU’s democratically elected representatives, fostering a more transparent and democratic Union. It allows MEPs to scrutinise the European Commission’s work and help to steer EU policy. In her first State of the European Union address since being re-elected to the helm of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen is expected to outline the impact of the Commission’s work so far in its new mandate, and plans for the future. She is set to focus on the global challenges confronting the EU, including EU-US relations, the EU’s continued support for Ukraine in its war against Russia’s aggression, European defence and security, the EU’s next long-term budget, sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, the EU’s twin green and digital transition, and how to protect democracy and core EU values.   Jüri LAAS Spokesperson of the President (+32) 2 28 44090 (BXL) (+32) 470 95 75 61 juri.laas@europarl.europa.eu   Delphine COLARD Spokesperson and Head of Spokesperson’s Unit (+33) 3 881 64123 (STR) (+32) 498 98 44 85 delphine.colard@europarl.europa.eu     This message was sent to v.ch.maria@gmail.com