MEPs to discuss migration, energy and spyware this week

MEPs will discuss energy security, solidarity and responsibility-sharing in migration and asylum policy, and spyware this week in Strasbourg.

They will also be called to outline their priorities for the Spring European Council (EUCO) during the European Parliament’s Plenary session between 13 and 16 March.

According to a briefing on the Plenary's agenda, the EP will mark International Women’s Day on Wednesday with a ceremony where Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti will address MEPs.

Also on Wednesday, MEPs will present their demands and expectations ahead of the EU summit on 23-24 March, in a debate with EUCO and Commission Presidents, Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen, respectively.

MEPs will also discuss the migration issue. The plenary debate with the Swedish Council Presidency and the Commission will likely focus on how to advance on the reform of the common EU migration and asylum rules, following the November 2022 action plan by the Commission for the Central Mediterranean route and the February extraordinary European Council.

On Thursday, the MEPs, “unsatisfied by EU countries’ replies to their questions regarding the use of spyware”, are expected to urge the Commission to act to address “this lack of cooperation”, the briefing said.

The EP is also expected to advocate for a new law that raises the national minimum income in EU member states to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Parliament will debate and vote on a resolution demanding EU countries gradually increase their minimum income schemes to be at least above the national threshold for those at risk of poverty.

The agenda also includes energy issues. Among other things, MEPs will quiz Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson on the work to ensure EU energy security in 2023. They are also expected to adopt new rules under the “Fit for 55” programme, aimed at reaching the 2030 climate targets, namely on land use change and forestry, member states’ emission reductions and the revision of the Market Stability Reserve.

MEPs will take stock of the implementation of the rules governing EU-UK relations since 2020, including the recent Windsor Framework deal, as well as the widespread public protests in Israel over the government’s attempts to limit the judiciary’s powers. Furthermore, MEPs will debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell the aftermath of the protests that have rocked Georgia over a new “foreign influence” law. They will also discuss the latest developments in Armenia and Azerbaijan, with two reports to be put to the vote on Wednesday.