The week ahead 29 June – 05 July 2020

Committee and political groups meetings, Brussels
EU approach to energy storage. As part of efforts to achieve the goal of a carbon-neutral EU by 2050, the Industry and Energy Committee will vote on proposals to increase energy storage capacity and guarantee the security of energy supply, with renewables making up an increasingly larger part of Europe’s energy mix. MEPs should present ideas to develop storage through hydrogen, batteries and other solutions (Monday).

Chemicals strategy for sustainability. The Environment, Public Health and Food Security Committee will adopt a resolution calling for a chemicals strategy for sustainability that effectively ensures a high level of protection of human health and the environment, minimising exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Commission should present a chemicals strategy for sustainability after the summer (Monday).

Appointment of EBA Executive Director. The European Banking Authority’s candidate for Executive Director, Francois-Louis Michaud, will be heard by Economic and Monetary Affairs MEPs, who will then vote on whether to confirm or reject the candidate. In January this year, MEPs rejected Gerry Cross for the same post (Monday: hearing, Thursday: vote results).

MFF/EU long-term and recovery budget. The EP’s Multiannual Financial Framework and Own Resources Contact Group, chaired by President Sassoli, will meet in the morning. They will discuss Parliament’s key conditions and negotiating strategy on the revised proposals for the MFF 2021-2027 and Own Resources as well as for the European Recovery Instrument, ahead of 17 July European Council. Budgets Committee Chair Johan Van Overtveldt will hold a press conference, at around 11:30 (Tuesday).
Monitoring mechanism for core EU values. An update on the establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights, which would regularly assess the rule of law situation in all member states, will be discussed in the Civil Liberties Committee. Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, President of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Rik Daems, European Network of Councils for the Judiciary President Filippo Donati, and Jonas Grimheden, Programme Manager at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, will join the discussion (Monday).

French minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly. The Security and Defence Subcommittee will meet with France’s Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly to make an overall assessment of the defence and security challenges facing Europe (Thursday).

Plenary preparations. Political groups will discuss topics on the agenda of the 8-10 July Brussels plenary part-session and prepare for debates with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel on the programme of the incoming German Council presidency and with EU Council President Charles Michel on the outcome of the MFF-focused 19 June EU summit. MEPs will also discuss upcoming votes on the mobility package and sectorial COVID-19 measures and prepare their input to debates on the future EU Health Strategy, on the fight against money laundering, on EIB activities, on EU energy networks and storage and on the 2019 Human Rights report.

President’s diary. EP President David Sassoli will chair the Multiannual Financial Framework – Own resources Contact Group meeting, hold a video meeting with the German Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office, Michael Roth, and have a phone call with the Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Yariv Levin, on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the President will have a video meeting with the President of the European Trade Union Confederation, Roberto Visentini.

Weekly schedule