How to watch European Union parliamentary committees

Council of the European Union

Legislative A items: adoption (document 14900/26)

Simon Harris

Formal adoption of several legislative A items listed in document 14900/26.

In this chapter

1. Draft Amending Budget No 3 to the general budget 2026Simon Harris
2. Market Integration Supervision Package: Council general approachSimon Harris
3. VAT import one-stop shop directive: general approachSimon Harris

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Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL)

Committee business and Amazon fact-finding mission

Li Andersson and 3 others

Opening of the EMPL meeting with agenda and rapporteur designations, followed by detailed reporting on the fact‑finding mission to Amazon warehouses and its implications for forthcoming EU labour and social policy work.

In this chapter

1. Committee opening and agenda settingLi Andersson
2. Fact-finding mission to Amazon: working conditions and algorithmic managementLi Andersson

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Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)

SME Test in EU Better Regulation: study, Commission response and MEP concerns

Maria Grapini and 1 other

An external study details methodological and implementation weaknesses of the SME Test in impact assessments, followed by the Commission’s defence of its tools and simplification agenda and a political exchange over Think Small First, cumulative burdens, late payments and the Packaging Regulation. The segment clarifies institutional responsibilities, evidentiary gaps and proposed reforms to keep SME interests central throughout the legislative cycle.

In this chapter

1. SME Test study: background, scope and methodology
2. SME Test study: quantitative findings on SME consideration
3. SME Test study: case study insights and systemic weaknesses

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Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO)

Meeting opening, agenda and DMA enforcement report

Maria Grapini and 1 other

The Chair opens the IMCO meeting, sets the agenda and procedural context, then hears the DMA Working Group’s update on EU–US digital competition enforcement before transitioning to the SME Test study item. This block frames upcoming work on the Chips Act, multimodal booking, DMA implementation and SME policy focus for the session.

In this chapter

1. Opening of meeting and agenda, voting and deadlinesMaria Grapini
2. DMA Working Group Chair: report on EU–US digital competition enforcementAndreas Schwab
3. Transition to SME Test study and speaking orderMaria Grapini

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Council of the European Union

Press conference: Eurogroup meeting

Kyriakos Pierrakakis and 1 other

Overall press conference following the Eurogroup meeting, with opening statements and questions from the media.

In this chapter

1. Opening statementsKyriakos Pierrakakis
2. Q&A with journalistsKyriakos Pierrakakis

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European Commission

Commission response: condemnation and possible sanctions

The Commission spokesperson condemns Russian seizures of company assets as economic retaliation violating property rights and rule of law, recalls similar cases affecting European firms, outlines that the EU can sanction those profiting from forced expropriations, and reiterates Russia is not a safe environment for EU companies, before the briefing is formally closed.

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European Commission

Journalist question: Russian management of JTI assets

NHK journalist asks about President Putin’s decree placing Russian assets of Japan Tobacco International under temporary management and whether the EU is concerned, given similar past measures affecting European companies.

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European Commission

Israel elections: EU stance on congratulating Gadi Eisenkot

A journalist asks whether, following certification of Israeli election results and President Herzog’s mandate to opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot to form a government, the EU will now congratulate him, linking this to prospects for restoring EU–Israel relations, regional stability and a just and lasting peace. The Commission spokesperson declines to go beyond previous statements, stressing the EU will wait until a new government is formed while reiterating readiness to engage any new Israeli government based on the longstanding partnership, democratic principles and shared values.

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European Commission

Commission response: concerns on Russian media repression

Commission spokesperson Anouar expresses concern over growing repression by Russian authorities against critics, human rights defenders and journalists, highlights Novaya Gazeta’s three-decade role as a key independent newspaper, and calls on Russian authorities to stop harassing the outlet and its staff and allow them to continue their journalistic work.

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European Commission

Journalist question: closure of Novaya Gazeta

A journalist asks the European Commission to comment on the closure of Novaya Gazeta under Russia’s foreign agents law, framing it as a major blow to remaining free media activity in Russia and recalling a previous unanswered request for comment.

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European Commission

Commission: EU Sanctions Office mandate and crypto task force

Commission sanctions spokesperson explains the newly created EU Sanctions Office will cover the full life cycle of EU sanctions, including outreach to third countries such as Georgia and work on anti‑circumvention, and announces an informal task force on crypto sanctions bringing together Commission and member state experts to improve design, enforcement and anti‑circumvention in the rapidly evolving crypto area.

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European Commission

Commission: Georgia enlargement path and downgraded engagement

Commission spokesperson refers to the recent enlargement report to describe the EU’s assessment of Georgia and recalls that engagement with Georgian authorities is downgraded until they reverse current policies; he confirms Georgia was not invited to the upcoming enlargement forum and that it was invited to the connectivity ministerial only at a lower level, decided case‑by‑case based on EU interests.

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European Commission

Journalist (Georgia): questions on EU events and sanctions office

Georgian TV journalist asks about Georgia’s non-invitation / downgraded invitation to next week’s enlargement forum and ministerial meeting on security and connectivity, and whether the new EU Sanctions Office will also deal with sanctions-related issues involving non‑EU countries such as Georgia, including Kulevi port and crypto platforms.

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European Commission

Follow‑up: Parliament veto and comitology procedure

The journalist presses on the procedural consequences of the committee objection regarding two Indian beaching facilities, asking if the Commission can proceed or must revise, and the spokesperson responds that there is no vote date yet and commits to clarify the exact procedural steps and revert later.

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European Commission

Commission (ENV): status and timing of 16th ship recycling list update

The Commission’s environment spokesperson recalls the public consultation, confirms work on the 16th update of the European list of ship recycling facilities, and announces the intention to adopt the update by the end of the year (31 December).

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European Commission

Journalist question: legal effect of Parliament objection

Argus Media asks what the recent committee-level objection to the update of the European list of ship recycling facilities means legally, and whether the Commission must change the list or can still proceed autonomously.

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

Council of Europe terrorism protocol: consent recommendation and closing

Javier Zarzalejos and 5 others

The Chair introduces the protocol amending the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, rapporteur Leggeri explains why aligning definitions with the EU directive improves cooperation without expanding EU competences, political groups broadly support giving consent, MEP Kahn links terrorism to migration and border control, and the Chair announces procedural next steps and closes the meeting.

In this chapter

1. Chair: introduction of protocol amending terrorism conventionJavier Zarzalejos
2. Rapporteur Leggeri: rationale for approving protocolFabrice Leggeri
3. Political groups: broad cross‑party support for consentLena Düpont
4. ESN: Kahn: link to migration and border control; closingMary Khan

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Committee on Human Rights (DROI)

Chair’s conclusions: DROI opinion timeline and next steps

Mounir Satouri Verts/ALE

The Chair summarizes the need to front-load democracy and rule-of-law standards in enlargement, announces the timeline for DROI’s opinion letter within AFET and LIBE procedures, and formally closes the meeting.

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Committee on Budgets (BUDG)

Broader MEP debate on ambition, taxation and NGEU

Fabienne Keller and 8 others

Shadows and other MEPs from across the spectrum confront the Commission on MFF ambition, climate and external‑action priorities, digital and sectoral levies, NGEU repayment inside or outside the ceilings, fraud recovery and administrative savings, prompting a second, more detailed Commission response on defence, revenue estimates, digital levy strategy and anti‑fraud architecture.

In this chapter

1. MFF shadows: ambition, variable deflator, NGEU outside ceilingsFabienne Keller
2. Critical MFF and own-resources perspectives from the left and rightJoão Oliveira
3. Greens and left: climate, Global Europe, digital tax pushRasmus Andresen

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Committee on Human Rights (DROI)

Civil society and ENNHRI: demanding genuine, citizen-centred rule of law

Oleksandra Zub and 4 others

ENNHRI and civil society speakers from Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro stress that EU success should be measured by real independence and responsiveness of institutions, describe protest movements and media capture, and call for EU support against disinformation and for reforms that truly serve citizens rather than performative compliance.

In this chapter

1. ENNHRI and Albania: NHRIs as leverage; Flamingo as rule‑of‑law movementOleksandra Zub
2. Serbia: Media capture, disinformation and pro‑EU civic stanceRaša Nedeljkov
3. North Macedonia/Montenegro expert: From performative reforms to citizen‑centred rule of lawMounir Satouri

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

EU anti‑drug policy: legislative gaps, prevention, routes and environmental crime

Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz and 7 others

MEPs Sienkiewicz, Laurent, Leggeri, Yoncheva, García Hermida and Bricmont ask about an updated EU criminal‑law directive, demand‑reduction measures, impact indicators, port displacement and corruption, targeted support on routes and youth violence, and integration of environmental crime; the Commission and EMPACT respond on hitting facilitators and assets, prevention and youth‑protection work, customs and Schengen issues, environmental damage and dumping, EPPO’s limited remit, and a possible future broader EU anti‑drug framework.

In this chapter

1. EPP: Sienkiewicz: call for new EU criminal directiveBartłomiej Sienkiewicz
2. S&D/PfE: community impact, indicators and ports allianceMurielle Laurent
3. Commission: towards possible broader EU anti‑drug frameworkJavier Zarzalejos

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Committee on Budgets (BUDG)

Rapporteurs and own‑resources leads challenge Irish box

Siegfried Mureşan and 4 others

MFF co‑rapporteurs and own‑resources co‑rapporteurs dissect the Irish proposal, detailing cuts by heading, weakened flexibility, the deflator choice and the standstill on new revenues, and press the Commission on impact assessments, technical work and legal guarantees for agriculture, regions and the own‑resources basket.

In this chapter

1. MFF co-rapporteur Mureșan: assessment of Irish boxSiegfried Mureşan
2. MFF co-rapporteur Tavares: flexibility, deflator, narrativeCarla Tavares
3. Own resources co-rapporteurs: digital, gambling, cryptoDanuše Nerudová
4. Commission: first response on cuts, own resources, deflator, debtPiotr Serafin

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Committee on Human Rights (DROI)

EP political groups and Commission: conditionality, double standards and enlargement strategy

Tonino Picula and 6 others

Rapporteurs and MEPs debate Serbia’s stagnation, Montenegro’s frontrunner status, and broader concerns over double standards and violent repression in Albania, while stressing that enlargement must remain merit-based and criteria-driven; the Commission details how the Rule of Law Report complements enlargement reports and anchors candidate countries in a common Article 2 values framework.

In this chapter

1. AFET rapporteurs: Serbia’s stagnation and Montenegro’s frontrunner statusTonino Picula
2. S&D: Conditional but opportunity‑driven enlargementMarta Temido
3. Patriotes pour l’Europe: Critique of double standards in reportsMounir Satouri

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Committee on Budgets (BUDG)

Opening and Commission presentation on MFF 2028–2034

Johan Van Overtveldt and 1 other

The Chair frames Parliament–Council tensions on MFF size and own resources, then Commissioner Serafin presents the Commission’s assessment of the Irish negotiating box, highlighting risks from cuts, reduced flexibility and lack of new revenues.

In this chapter

1. Opening: MFF 2028–2034 negotiation contextJohan Van Overtveldt
2. Commission: concerns on MFF size, flexibility, own resourcesPiotr Serafin

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

EU drug trafficking and synthetic‑drugs threat: Commission and EMPACT briefings

Javier Zarzalejos PPE

The Chair opens the drug‑trafficking item as the Commission and EMPACT outline the scale of EU drug markets, focus on synthetic drugs, key policy pillars, initiatives on ports, parcels and fast boats, maritime cooperation via MAOC, the EU’s role as a major producer, health and environmental harms, links to organised crime and money‑laundering, a major Polish‑Ukrainian case, and recent EU rules on drug precursors.

In this chapter

1. Chair: opening of drug trafficking item and speakersJavier Zarzalejos
2. Commission: EU drug threat overview and policy pillars
3. Commission: ports, parcels and fast‑boat initiatives

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Committee on Human Rights (DROI)

Country experts: Albania, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro rule of law realities

Gjergj Erebara and 3 others

Country experts outline key rule-of-law deficits and progress: Albania’s strategic investment law, corruption and Flamingo protests; Serbia’s fragile transition and need for institutional reform; North Macedonia’s weak, politicized justice system; and Montenegro’s recent reform momentum that still needs to be consolidated institutionally.

In this chapter

1. Albania: Strategic investment law, land transfers and oligarchsGjergj Erebara
2. Albania: Rule of law erosion and Flamingo protestsGjergj Erebara
3. Serbia: Post‑election change and civic mobilizationRaša Nedeljkov

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Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

EU–US agreement: operational triggers, EDPS issues and public order

Fabrice Leggeri and 4 others

MEPs Leggeri, Keller, Bricmont and García Hermida probe operational activation criteria, nationalities covered, concrete EU access gains, outstanding EDPS recommendations, political timing, exclusion of ICE and the breadth of the ‘public order’ threshold; the Commission details US legal changes, data‑subject rights, monitoring of implementation and handling of the EDPS’s proportionality concerns.

In this chapter

1. PfE: Leggeri: operational triggers and nationalities coveredFabrice Leggeri
2. Renew: Keller: EU benefits, reciprocity and EDPS asksFabienne Keller
3. Greens: Bricmont: political timing, EDPS gaps, ICESaskia Bricmont
4. Follow‑up: public order threshold and EDPS concernJavier Zarzalejos

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Committee on Human Rights (DROI)

Rule of Law Report 2026: scope, methodology and NHRI benchmarks

Mounir Satouri and 2 others

The Chair launches the enlargement-focused rule of law session as an input to LIBE and AFET, while ENNHRI explains the role, status and resource gaps of national human rights institutions in candidate countries and urges the EU to use robust, independent NHRIs as explicit accession benchmarks.

In this chapter

1. Chair introduces rule of law and enlargement sessionMounir Satouri
2. ENNHRI: Role of national human rights institutions in accessionOleksandra Zub
3. ENNHRI findings: Status, challenges and EU benchmarksOleksandra Zub

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