EP TODAY

Wednesday 8 October

Russian drone airspace violations

The recent spate of Russian incursions into EU airspace and the need for a united EU response will dominate the morning's proceedings, in a key debate starting at 9.00. MEPs will be joined by Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre for the Council and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss the latest incidents in Polish and Estonian airspace. Drones of unidentified origin have also caused disturbances at and around Danish and German civilian airports and military bases. MEPs will vote on a resolution on Thursday.

Snjezana KOBESCAK SMODIS
(+32) 470 96 08 19
@EP_ForeignAff

Greenland premier Jens-Frederik Nielsen

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, leader of Greenland's government since April, will address MEPs in a formal sitting starting at noon. An autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland has found itself at the centre of geopolitical tensions between the US and Europe, with US president Donald Trump toying with annexing the territory. Greenlandic and Danish authorities have consistently stressed Greenland's right to self-determination and that Greenland is "not for sale". EP President Metsola and Mr Nielsen will hold a press point before the address to plenary, at around 11.50 in the protocol area.

Thomas HAAHR
(+32) 470 88 09 87
@EP_ForeignAff

EU digital sovereignty

A debate on preserving the EU's digital autonomy, with Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre and European Commission Executive Vice-President for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, Henna Virkunnen, will start at about 14.30. The focus is likely to be on the need to build a secure and self-reliant digital economy and to implement the EU's digital rules in full, in the face of pressure from the US to bend to its standards. MEPs are expected to call on the Commission to make full use of its regulatory powers, to maintain the highest standards for EU citizens and businesses.

Yasmina YAKIMOVA
(+32) 470 88 10 60
@EP_SingleMarket

In brief

Tax simplification. In a debate with Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra starting at about 17.00, MEPs will discuss their proposals for reforms to break down barriers in the EU's tax architecture. A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday at noon.

Automotive sector. Focusing on 'Europe's automotive future' this part-session's topical debate, proposed by the group of European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), with Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, will start at about 13.30, after the votes.

Iran. The EU's strategy on the nuclear threat posed by Iran and the reinstatement of EU sanctions will be the subject of an evening debate with Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Danish European Affairs Minister Marie Bjerre for the Council.

Human rights. In evening debates with Jessika Roswall, MEPs will discuss the following cases: the arbitrary detention of EU citizens Javier Marañón Montero and David Rodríguez Ballesta in Equatorial Guinea; the humanitarian and security situation in Haiti, in particular the rising power of criminal gangs and the recent massacre in Cabaret; and the 10th anniversary of the detention of jailed Swedish publisher Gui Minhai in China. Three separate resolutions will be put to a plenary vote on Thursday.

Votes

At noon, MEPs will vote, among others, on:

• changes to simplify certain common agricultural policy regulations;
• measures to strengthen farmers' position in the food supply chain;
• the 2025-2029 fisheries partnership agreement with Côte d'Ivoire;
• guidelines for member states' employment policies;
• two applications to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, concerning Germany and Belgium, and
• the EU's political strategy for Latin America.

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.

• Press room

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