The European Union’s budget for 2027 will dominate this week’s European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg, which runs from 19 to 22 October. Cypriot MEP Michalis Hadjipantela is one of the two co-rapporteurs steering Parliament’s position.
MEPs will also discuss the conclusions of last week’s European Council summit on the next long-term EU budget, developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the Pact for the Mediterranean. Another item is the upcoming UN climate conference in Antalya, Turkey.
The 2027 EU budget
Tuesday’s debate on the 2027 budget will be led by co-rapporteurs Nils Ušakovs, a Latvian MEP, and Michalis Hadjipantela.
The European Parliament is seeking to restore €1 billion in commitment appropriations cut by the Council. It is also proposing an additional €1.17 billion for European programmes, including in research, health, education, agriculture and responding to natural disasters.
The vote on Parliament’s position will take place on Wednesday, ahead of negotiations with the Council.
Summit conclusions and the long-term EU budget
On Wednesday, MEPs will discuss the conclusions of the 15 and 16 October summit with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
EU leaders examined the Irish Presidency’s revised proposal for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework but did not reach an agreement. They asked Mr Costa to continue negotiations with the aim of concluding them in good time.
Russian attacks and the Middle East
International developments will be on the agenda on Tuesday. MEPs will discuss with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas the escalation of Russian attacks. The debate will focus on strikes on ships in the Black Sea off Bulgaria and Romania, and on violations of the airspace of EU member states.
The same sitting will look at the escalation of Houthi attacks and their impact on regional security and international shipping. MEPs will also discuss EU support for the International Criminal Court, following the imposition of new US sanctions against it.
Pact for the Mediterranean and EU-UK relations
Tuesday’s agenda also includes the report on the Pact for the Mediterranean. The pact aims to renew Euro-Mediterranean relations and strengthen the EU’s cooperation with countries in the region. The vote will take place on Wednesday.
MEPs will also debate the future of EU-UK relations ahead of the November summit.
Stronger rights for passengers
In transport, the European Parliament is expected to approve updated passenger protection rules on Tuesday. Among other things, the rules provide for full refunds, including related fees, when trips booked through intermediaries are cancelled. They also give stronger rights for people with disabilities or reduced mobility.
EU priorities for COP31 in Antalya
On Wednesday, MEPs will discuss the EU’s priorities ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), which will take place from 9 to 20 November in Antalya, Turkey.
Parliament’s draft resolution calls for a faster phase-out of fossil fuels, more climate finance and stronger support for vulnerable countries. The vote is scheduled for Thursday.
Erasmus+ funding for 2028-2034
The future of the Erasmus+ programme for 2028-2034 will be debated on the same day. The responsible parliamentary committee is calling for a budget of at least €47 billion, €7 billion more than the European Commission’s proposal. The aim is to widen participation for young people from different social and economic backgrounds.
Rule of law in Malta and the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize
The plenary will also examine the rule of law in Malta and the delays in delivering justice for the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, nine years after she was killed.
On Wednesday afternoon, the European Parliament will host the ceremony for the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, in the presence of Parliament President Roberta Metsola. The prize comes with €20,000. This year, ten finalists were selected from 344 entries.
Other files and the Sakharov Prize
The plenary’s work also includes strengthening the EU’s supply of critical raw materials, simplifying environmental legislation and the global governance of artificial intelligence.
On Thursday, Roberta Metsola is expected to announce the winner of the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
