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Available in       15-10-2026 Plenary session Briefing Newsletter - 19-22 October 2026 - Strasbourg plenary session     Parliament to review October European Council On Wednesday morning, MEPs will assess the outcome of the October European Council meeting with Presidents Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   2026 Sakharov Prize laureate to be announced on Thursday President Metsola will announce the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought laureate on Thursday, following a decision by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Escalation of Russian strikes in EU, on Black Sea shipping in particular On Tuesday, MEPs will debate Russian drone incursions and strikes on EU territory with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and vote on a resolution on Thursday. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   EU support for the International Criminal Court On Tuesday, Parliament will debate the EU’s support for international justice and its response to US sanctions against the International Criminal Court. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Houthi attacks: rising regional tensions and maritime security risks On Tuesday, MEPs and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas will discuss the escalation of Houthi attacks and their implications for regional security, followed by a vote on Thursday. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   The 2028-2034 Erasmus+ programme On Wednesday, MEPs will debate the priorities and budgetary needs of the 2028-2034 Erasmus+ programme, followed by a vote on Thursday. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Better enforcement of passenger rights in the EU On Tuesday, Parliament is expected to give its final green light to updated EU rules to improve the protection and information passengers receive if travel is disrupted. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   The future of EU-UK relations On Tuesday, MEPs will debate the upcoming EU-UK summit on 20 November with representatives of the Irish Council Presidency and the European Commission. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   EU-Canada summit On Wednesday, MEPs and the Commission will discuss their expectations for the EU–Canada summit taking place in Montreal on 29-30 October. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Daphne Caruana Galizia murder: Parliament to discuss delayed justice in Malta Nine years after the journalist’s assassination, MEPs and the Commission will discuss developments in the court case and the rule of law in Malta, on Wednesday. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Securing the supply of critical raw materials Parliament will adopt its position on plans to bolster the EU’s strategic autonomy by securing a sustainable and circular supply of critical raw materials. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Emissions trading: more free allowances for industry to curb carbon leakage On Thursday, MEPs will vote on a targeted change to the EU emissions trading system (ETS) to increase free allocation for industries covered by heat and fuel benchmarks until 2030. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Chemicals: simplification of cosmetics, fertiliser and labelling rules On Thursday, MEPs are set to approve changes to EU chemicals legislation that should increase flexibility while ensuring protection for human health and the environment. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   The circular economy and waste rules for packaging, batteries and textiles MEPs will vote on suspending obligations imposed on companies intended to ensure the proper management of their products once discarded and discuss the upcoming Circular Economy Act. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Parliament’s position on the 2027 EU budget On Wednesday, MEPs will vote on the budgetary figures and a resolution on the 2027 budget ahead of negotiations with the Council. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   COP31: priorities for the Antalya climate summit Ahead of COP31 in Türkiye, MEPs are set to push for a faster fossil fuel phase-out, more climate finance and stronger support for vulnerable countries. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Accelerating the roll-out of Europe's high-speed rail network On Tuesday, MEPs will adopt their recommendations for improving the EU’s high-speed rail connectivity and territorial cohesion. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   A stronger cohesion policy for EU cities and eastern border regions MEPs are expected to demand that future cohesion policy uphold the ‘right to stay’ in EU cities and strengthen support for regions facing Russian aggression. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Recovery aid for Portugal, Spain, Italy and Malta after destructive storms On Wednesday, Parliament is expected to unlock aid worth €489 million to help the four countries recover following severe storms and flooding earlier in 2026. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   EU funds to help laid-off workers in Finland On Wednesday, MEPs are set to vote on the disbursement of €1.1 million for 351 workers who lost their jobs in the Finnish paper industry. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................   Other topics on the agenda Other topics on the agenda ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 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