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Press release 13-03-2026 EUDS   Special committee on the European Democracy Shield       Next week’s highlights Tuesday 17 March 2026, 09.00 – 12.30 and 15.00 – 17.30 European Parliament in Brussels, Altiero SPINELLI building, room 3G3 Wednesday 18 March, 16.30 - 18:00 European Parliament in Brussels, József ANTALL building, room 4Q2 Agendas | Meeting documents | Webstreaming | Committee homepage Tuesday a.m. session 9.00 – 12.30   UN Global Digital Compact and AI Governance MEPs will hold an exchange of views with the United Nations’ Under-Secretary General and Tech Envoy, Amandeep Singh Gill. They will discuss the UN Global Digital Compact framework, with a particular focus on current approaches and future challenges in AI governance, and the conclusions of the recent AI Impact Summit in New Delhi.   European Democracy Shield amendments MEPs will discuss potential common ground for the 1655 amendments tabled on the findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield report. The draft report outlining the findings and recommendations of the EUDS Special Committee was presented on 29 January. All tabled amendments are available online.   Tuesday p.m. session 15.00 – 18.30, jointly with the SEDE committee   Parliamentary dialogue: "Strengthening Democratic Resilience, Security and Defence" The joint session with members of the Moldovan Parliament will focus on regional security and how Moldova’s parliament is strengthening resilience against hybrid threats, especially Foreign iInformation Manipulation and Interference (FIMI). It will include remarks from Adrian Băluțel, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Policy Committee. The goal is to enhance parliamentary dialogue on legislative and strategic responses to current security challenges.   Wednesday session 16.30 – 18.00, with the LIBE and AFCO committees   Hearing: Democracy and Elections in the AI era EUDS MEPs, together with their colleagues from the LIBE and AFCO committees, will hold a hearing on “Democracy and Elections in the AI era”, focusing on AI-related threats and safeguards to protect electoral integrity and public trust in the EU. Parliament has invited the following experts: Sofia CALABRESE, Digital Policy Manager, European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) Ines NARCISO, Head of Information Integrity and Resilience, CyberPeace Institute; PhD Researcher, ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon Juliane MÜLLER, Associate Programme Officer, Digitalization and Democracy Programme, International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) During the hearing, Manolis Kefalogiannis (EPP, EL) will make a short intervention in his capacity as AFCO rapporteur for a related report. Further information  Special committee on the European Democracy Shield  Follow the EUDS committee on Bluesky  Follow the EUDS committee on X  Subscribe to news and press releases from EUDS  Calendar of EUDS committee meetings in 2025     Press release 23-03-2026 ITRE   ITRE meeting 23-24/03: Phasing-out Russian energy, Horizon Europe, debates with Ekaterina Zaharieva and Stéphane Séjourné       Highlights of the meeting of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) When: Monday 23 March 2026, 15.00 – 17.30 Tuesday 24 March 2026, 10.00 – 12.30 and 14.30 – 18.00 Where: Brussels, Room ANTALL (2Q2) Watch the webstreaming of the meeting here Votes - Pilot Projects and Preparatory Actions (PPPAs) under the EU General Budget for 2027: Adoption of proposals for pre-assessment by the European Commission. Rapporteur: Eero Heinäluoma (S&D, Finland) Debates - Structured dialogue with Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation - Topical debate: Ending all dependence on Russian energy – Russian nuclear phase-out - Safety, resilience, and sustainability of space activities in the EU - Consideration of draft report by Elena Donazzan (ECR, Italy) - Horizon Europe 2028–2034: Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - Consideration of draft report by Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany) - Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe (2028–2034) - Consideration of draft report by René Repasi (S&D, Germany) - Structured dialogue with Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Further information  Committee on Industry, Research and Energy  Full agenda and meeting documents   Press release 24-03-2026 IMCO   Digital Markets Act: MEPs demand timely action and resilience against external pressures       • The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a key instrument to improve market openness and fairness, competition and user choice • EU needs to address new challenges posed by generative AI and cloud-based infrastructures • MEPs concerned about external political pressure aimed at weakening the DMA • Commission should avoid reopening the core objectives, scope and architecture of the DMA MEPs want the Commission to conclude ongoing non-compliance proceedings under the Digital Markets Act without further delay and to ensure the Act’s timely enforcement. On Tuesday, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee adopted a draft resolution evaluating the enforcement of the 2022 Digital Markets Act (DMA) and its impact on the tech industry, ahead of its forthcoming review. The MEPs emphasise the review should focus on strengthening the effectiveness and enforceability of the existing framework while avoiding any reopening of the DMA’s core objectives, scope and architecture. The resolution also highlights the need to address the new challenges posed by generative AI and cloud-based infrastructures to prevent gatekeepers from using these technologies to create new forms of market "lock-in". EU’s sovereignty must not be compromised The MEPs say the Commission must resist external political pressure from outside the EU that may seek to weaken the DMA, asserting that EU rules must apply equally to all gatekeepers regardless of their place of establishment or nationality. Timely enforcement MEPs call on the Commission to make “full and proactive use” of all the instruments at its disposal, including inspection, interim measures and periodic penalty payments, to prevent companies from circumventing the DMA. Non-compliance proceedings should be concluded without undue delay and respect both binding and indicative deadlines, with Parliament kept informed of progress. Scrutiny of new technologies In light of the increasing strategic importance of cloud computing services and their role in digital and AI ecosystems, MEPs urge the Commission to closely assess whether they meet the criteria for gatekeeper designation. The text also underlines that AI-driven search and assistant tools by dominant gatekeepers are increasingly becoming primary gateways for people to information, commerce and digital services, and want the Commission to examine whether these functionalities are fair and competitive. Gatekeeper action The resolution lists a series of concerns MEPs have about certain gatekeeper practices, for example: Google’s persistent self-preferencing limiting consumer choice; TikTok’s consent screens using behavioural techniques to obtain consent; change of default settings and easily accessing competing services by Microsoft; and, the continued use of prohibited parity clauses by Booking.com. Real-world results Finally, the texts underlines that the DMA’s effectiveness depends not only on formal compliance, but on tangible real-world outcomes for end users and business users, including their ability to effectively exercise the rights. MEPs also calls for a "significant reinforcement" of the human and financial resources dedicated to DMA enforcement to match the complexity of the digital market. Next steps The resolution was adopted with 33 vvotes in favour, 2 against and 11 abstentions. It is accompanied by an oral question, both of which will be put to vote at the 27-30 April plenary session. Background The Commission has officially designated seven companies - Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft, and Booking.com as gatekeepers under the DMA, requiring them to comply with specific obligations for their core platform services. In November 2025, the Commission launched investigations into Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure to determine if they should be designated as gatekeepers for their cloud computing services. In April 2025, it issued its first non-compliance decisions and fines against Meta regarding its "pay or consent" advertising model and Apple for breaching its anti-steering obligations. Further information  Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection  Draft resolution : Enforcement of the Digital Markets Act  Digital Markets Act: Internal Market committee working group  Press statement: Digital Markets Act: Chair Anna Cavazzini reacts to first Commission decision on Apple and Meta non-compliance Available in       Press release 24-03-2026 Global Gateway: press conference on inaugural European Parliament report     Co-rapporteurs Chloé Ridel (S&D, IT) and Hildegard Bentele (EPP, DE) will brief journalists ahead of a plenary vote on their report on the EU’s flagship strategic investment initiative. WHEN: Wednesday 25 March, 15.30 CEST WHERE: European Parliament, Brussels, Anna Politkovskaya press conference room (SPAAK building, room 0A50) and via Interactio, with interpretation into and from ?. The press conference is scheduled to take place before the plenary debate and vote on the report, both scheduled for Thursday 26 March. The report, prepared jointly by the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Development, is set to demand an investigation into the reported involvement of Chinese companies in Global Gateway-funded projects, in direct violation of its stated objective of being a European alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It also asks the Commission to integrate the initiative fully into the Global Europe regulation - the proposed EU external action funding instrument under the 2028-2034 long-term budget. HOW: Accredited journalists can attend the press conference in person. Those wishing to participate actively and ask questions remotely can do so via Interactio. The press conference will be streamed live and made available on demand on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre website. Using Interactio to ask questions Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages. For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. Further information  Committee on Foreign Affairs  Committee on Development  REPORT on Global Gateway -– past impacts and future orientation Available in       Press release 24-03-2026 Global Gateway: press conference on inaugural European Parliament report     Co-rapporteurs Chloé Ridel (S&D, FR) and Hildegard Bentele (EPP, DE) will brief journalists ahead of a plenary vote on their report on the EU’s flagship strategic investment initiative. WHEN: Wednesday 25 March, 15.30 CET WHERE: European Parliament, Brussels, Anna Politkovskaya press conference room (SPAAK building, room 0A50) and via Interactio, with interpretation into and from English, French and German. The press conference is scheduled to take place before the plenary debate and vote on the report, both scheduled for Thursday 26 March. The report, prepared jointly by the Committees on Foreign Affairs and Development, is set to demand an investigation into the reported involvement of Chinese companies in Global Gateway-funded projects, in direct violation of its stated objective of being a European alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. It also asks the Commission to integrate the initiative fully into the Global Europe regulation - the proposed EU external action funding instrument under the 2028-2034 long-term budget. HOW: Accredited journalists can attend the press conference in person. Those wishing to participate actively and ask questions remotely can do so via Interactio. The press conference will be streamed live and made available on demand on Parliament’s Multimedia Centre website. Using Interactio to ask questions Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages. For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. Available in                              24-03-2026 Plenary session Briefing Newsletter - 25-26 March 2026 - Brussels plenary session      MEPs to assess the results of the 19 March EU summit On Wednesday afternoon, MEPs will debate the outcome of the 19 March European Council with President António Costa and the European Commission. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Vote on the EU US trade deal On Thursday, MEPs will adopt their position on two proposals that would implement the tariff aspects of the EU-US Turnberry trade deal. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Artificial intelligence: Parliament to vote on nudification ban MEPs are set to adopt their position on delaying certain provisions for high-risk artificial intelligence (AI) systems, and on adding a new ban on “AI nudifier” systems. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    EU energy security and independence On Wednesday, MEPs will debate the current energy outlook amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the disruption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Vote on launching negotiations on the EU’s new return law MEPs will vote on Thursday on whether to open talks with Council on the proposed reform of the EU returns policy for immigrants without the right to stay in the EU. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    More stringent rules to reduce water pollution On Thursday, MEPs are expected to greenlight new measures to reduce groundwater and surface water pollution and improve EU water quality standards. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Urban wastewater treatment rules’ impact on pharmaceutical sector On Thursday, MEPs will quiz the Commission on the implementation of the EU’s urban wastewater treatment law and its potential impact on security of supply of medicines. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Final adoption of toolset to address bank failures and protect deposits On Thursday, MEPs are set to greenlight new rules to ensure orderly market exit for a broader range of banks, to minimise the economic impact and protect depositors. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Final vote on new EU anti-corruption legislation On Thursday, MEPs will vote on the first EU-wide criminal anti-corruption framework, which sets common rules for offences like bribery, misappropriation, and illicit enrichment. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    An EU ban on LGBTQ+ conversion practices: MEPs to discuss Citizens’ Initiative On Wednesday, Parliament will debate a European Citizens’ Initiative demanding EU rules against conversion practices. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Vote on EU support for workers in Austria and Belgium On Thursday, Parliament is set to approve two proposals by the European Commission to mobilise EU funds to support laid off workers in Austria and Belgium. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Other topics on the agenda Other topics on the agenda ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Further information  Draft agenda  Follow the plenary live  Press conferences and other events  EP Multimedia Centre  European Parliament Press Tool Kit   24-03-2026 Plenary session Press briefing on this week’s plenary session       The European Parliament spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 25-26 March plenary session tomorrow at 14.30. When: Wednesday 25 March at 14.30 Where: Anna Politkovskaya press room in Brussels and via Interactio Key topics this week include: - Debate on the 19 March summit with Council and Commission presidents António Costa and Ursula von der Leyen - Debate on how to ensure energy supply, market stability and affordability for industry and citizens - EU-US trade: vote on EU-US trade legislation, implementing the “Turnberry deal” on tariff and trade issues - Vote on the reform of EU return rules for non-EU nationals staying illegally in the EU - Vote on the simplification of EU artificial intelligence rules - Debate and vote on a new toolset to address bank failures and harmonise depositor protection - Vote on new measures to reduce groundwater and surface water pollution and improve EU water quality standards Interpretation of the press briefing will be available in English and French. You can follow it live from 14.30 on Friday in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room or via Parliament’s webstreaming site or EbS. Information for the media - Use of Interactio to ask questions Journalists wishing to participate actively and ask questions, please connect via Interactio using this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/link/pressconfp1254698545582 Interactio is only supported on iPads (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for questions asked on video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages. Διαθέσιμο στα                              24-03-2026 Σύνοδος Ολομέλειας Ενημέρωση Νέα της Συνόδου - Βρυξέλλες, 25-26 Μαρτίου 2026      Σύνοδος κορυφής Μαρτίου: αξιολόγηση των αποτελεσμάτων Την Τετάρτη το απόγευμα, οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν με τον πρόεδρο António Costa και την Επιτροπή τα αποτελέσματα του Ευρωπαϊκού Συμβουλίου της 19ης Μαρτίου. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Ψηφοφορία στο ΕΚ για την εμπορική συμφωνία ΕΕ-ΗΠΑ Την Πέμπτη οι ευρωβουλευτές θα εγκρίνουν τη θέση τους σχετικά με δύο προτάσεις για την εφαρμογή των δασμολογικών ρυθμίσεων που προβλέπει η εμπορική συμφωνία ΕΕ-ΗΠΑ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Ψηφοφορία για απαγόρευση εφαρμογών «αφαίρεσης ρούχων» με τεχνητή νοημοσύνη Το Κοινοβούλιο αναμένεται να εγκρίνει τη θέση του για την αναβολή εφαρμογής ορισμένων διατάξεων για συστήματα ΤΝ υψηλού κινδύνου και τη νέα απαγόρευση συστημάτων αφαίρεσης ρούχων με ΤΝ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Η ενεργειακή ασφάλεια και η ενεργειακή ανεξαρτησία της ΕΕ στο επίκεντρο Την Τετάρτη οι ευρωβουλευτές θα συζητήσουν τις τρέχουσες ενεργειακές προοπτικές εν μέσω της συνεχιζόμενης σύγκρουσης στη Μέση Ανατολή και των διαταραχών στη ναυσιπλοΐα στα Στενά του Ορμούζ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Νέα πολιτική επιστροφών: το ΕΚ ψηφίζει για την έναρξη διαπραγματεύσεων Την Πέμπτη η ψηφοφορία για το αν θα ξεκινήσουν συνομιλίες με το Συμβούλιο για την προτεινόμενη μεταρρύθμιση της πολιτικής επιστροφών για τους μετανάστες χωρίς δικαίωμα παραμονής στην ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Αυστηρότεροι κανόνες για τη μείωση ρύπανσης των υδάτων Την Πέμπτη το ΕΚ αναμένεται να εγκρίνει νέα μέτρα για τη μείωση της ρύπανσης των υπόγειων και επιφανειακών υδάτων καθώς και τη βελτίωση των προτύπων ποιότητας του νερού στην ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Αστικά λύματα: ο αντίκτυπος των κανόνων επεξεργασίας τους στον φαρμακευτικό τομέα Την Πέμπτη οι ευρωβουλευτές θα θέσουν ερωτήσεις στην Επιτροπή για την εφαρμογή των κανόνων για την επεξεργασία αστικών λυμάτων και τις πιθανές επιπτώσεις στην ασφάλεια εφοδιασμού με φάρμακα. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Τράπεζες: το ΕΚ εγκρίνει κανόνες για πτωχεύσεις και προστασία καταθέσεων Την Πέμπτη το ΕΚ αναμένεται να εγκρίνει νέους κανόνες για ομαλή έξοδο από την αγορά περισσότερων κατηγοριών τραπεζών, με στόχο τον περιορισμό των επιπτώσεων και την προστασία των καταθετών. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Καταπολέμηση διαφθοράς: τελική ψηφοφορία για τη νέα νομοθεσία της ΕΕ Την Πέμπτη το ΕΚ θα ψηφίσει για το πρώτο πανευρωπαϊκό πλαίσιο καταπολέμησης της διαφθοράς, που θέτει κοινούς κανόνες για αδικήματα όπως η δωροδοκία, η υπεξαίρεση και ο παράνομος πλουτισμός. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Πρακτικές μεταστροφής σε βάρος ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+: συζήτηση για την απαγόρευσή τους Την Τετάρτη, το Κοινοβούλιο θα συζητήσει μια Ευρωπαϊκή Πρωτοβουλία Πολιτών που ζητά τη θέσπιση κανόνων κατά των πρακτικών μεταστροφής σε επίπεδο ΕΕ. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................    Άλλα θέματα που θα συζητηθούν στην ολομέλεια Κατά τη διάρκεια της ολομέλειας θα συζητηθούν και θα ψηφιστούν και άλλα θέματα, τα σημαντικότερα εκ των οποίων παρατίθενται παρακάτω. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Σύνδεσμοι  Το σχέδιο της ημερήσιας διάταξης  Απευθείας μετάδοση της Συνόδου μέσω του EPLive  Απευθείας μετάδοση των Συνεντεύξεων Τύπου και άλλων γεγονότων  EP Multimedia Centre  Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο - Φάκελος για τα ΜΜΕ Press release 24-03-2026 LIBE   Anti-corruption directive: press conference on Thursday at noon       Following the plenary vote on Thursday, President Roberta Metsola and rapporteur Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle MEP (Renew, NL), will speak to the media on EU anti-corruption rules. The anti-corruption directive, the first EU-wide criminal law framework to combat corruption, sets out common rules for offences such as bribery, misappropriation, and illicit enrichment, as well as harmonising rules on sanctions. When: Thursday 26 March, 12:00 – 12:30 CET Where: European Parliament in Brussels, Spaak building, Anna Politkovskaya press conference room - 0A50 How: Accredited journalists can attend the press conference in person. Those wishing to participate actively and ask questions remotely can do so via Interactio. Before connecting, check the guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. The press conference will be livestreamed and recorded via Parliament’s Multimedia Centre.  Background The directive, which was provisionally agreed by Parliament and Council in in December 2025 and approved by the Civil Liberties Committee in January 2026, lays down common definitions for corruption offences, harmonised penalties, and preventive obligations for member states. It establishes EU-wide rules on both criminal and non-criminal penalties for a range of offences, including bribery, misappropriation, obstruction of justice, trading in influence, unlawful exercise of functions, corruption-related illicit enrichment, concealment, and private sector bribery. In doing so, it seeks to reduce disparities between national legal systems and tackle enforcement gaps, especially in cross-border cases. Member states will have to adopt national anti-corruption strategies and make relevant data available in comparable formats. The new rules will also strengthen cooperation between national authorities and key EU bodies, including the anti-fraud office OLAF, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, Europol, and Eurojust. Further information  Procedure file  Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs  Profile of the rapporteur: Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle (Renew, NL)   24-03-2026 Plenary session EP TODAY       Wednesday 25 March Last-minute press briefing at 14.30 The Parliament’s Spokesperson and the Press Service will hold a press briefing on this week’s plenary session at 14.30. You can follow the last-minute briefing live. Journalists wishing to take part and ask questions should please connect via Interactio. Outcome of March European Council meeting Immediately following the opening of the session, from around 15.15, Parliament will debate the outcome of the 19 March European Council in Brussels, which focused on the military escalation in the Middle East and Europe’s response to the geopolitical and economic fall-out. The summit also covered Ukraine, security and defence, the single market, EU competitiveness, and migration. This afternoon’s debate will begin with statements by European Council President António Costa and Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. Andreas KLEINER (+32) 498 98 33 22 Estefania NARRILLOS (+32) 498 98 39 85 @EuroParlPress Energy security In today’s second debate, from around 16.45, MEPs, Cyprus Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna and Commissioner Dan Jørgensen will discuss the alarming implications for EU fuel supplies and prices of the US and Israeli bombings of Iran, and Iranian attacks on Strait of Hormuz shipping and Gulf energy infrastructure. This subject and the question of how Europe’s energy transition can help ensure energy security while maintaining market stability and affordability were also high on the European Council agenda. Baptiste CHATAIN (+32) 498 98 13 37 @EP_Industry Deposit protection Three legislative files designed to protect taxpayers' money by broadening the scope of banks covered by bank failure laws will be the subject of a joint debate with Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque from around 18.30. The new rules harmonise depositor protection across the EU and improve safeguards for retail customers, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and small public authorities against losses. The provisional agreement already made with the member states will be adopted tomorrow. Dorota KOLINSKA (+32) 498 98 32 80 @EP_Economics In brief Call for ban on LGBTQ+ conversion practices. From around 17.30, MEPs will quiz Commissioner Hadja Lahbib on a European citizens’ initiative (ECI) calling for LGBTQ+ conversion practices to be outlawed and listed as an EU-level crime. The ECI also calls for minimum victim support and protection standards. The Commission must respond to the citizens’ demands by 18 May. Law to combat corruption. MEPs will debate new EU rules agreed with Commissioner Michael McGrath on criminal and non-criminal penalties for various forms of corruption from around 20.00. They will hold their final vote on the new directive tomorrow, followed by a press conference with President Metsola and the rapporteur. 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. Find more information regarding plenary.     25-03-2026 Plenary session Press briefing on this week’s plenary session       The European Parliament spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 25-26 March plenary session today at 14.30. When: Wednesday 25 March at 14.30 Where: Anna Politkovskaya press room in Brussels and via Interactio Key topics this week include: - Debate on the 19 March summit with European Council President António Costa and Valdis Dombrovskis for the European Commission - Debate on how to ensure energy supply, market stability and affordability for industry and citizens - EU-US trade: vote on EU-US trade legislation, implementing the “Turnberry deal” on tariff and trade issues - Vote on the reform of EU return rules for non-EU nationals staying illegally in the EU - Vote on the simplification of EU artificial intelligence rules - Debate and adoption of a new toolset to address bank failures and harmonise depositor protection - Adoption of new measures to reduce groundwater and surface water pollution and improve EU water quality standards Interpretation of the press briefing will be available in English and French. You can follow it live from 14.30 today in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room or via Parliament’s webstreaming site or EbS. Information for the media - Use of Interactio to ask questions Journalists wishing to participate actively and ask questions, please connect via Interactio using this link: https://ep.interactio.eu/link/pressconfp1254698545582 Interactio is only supported on iPads (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser). For more details, check the connection guidelines and recommendations for remote speakers. When connecting, enter your name and the media organisation you are representing in the first name / last name fields. For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for questions asked on video. Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary. When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.