The Week ahead

The EPP Group wants to secure technological neutrality for Europe’s automotive industry, allowing carmakers to cut emissions without restricting the technologies they can use. On Wednesday, Parliament’s Environment Committee will vote on CO₂ emission standards for new cars and vans, as well as vehicle labelling. "The compromise reached by pro-European groups guarantees technological neutrality and reverses the ban on internal combustion engines. It gives carmakers the freedom to innovate while cutting emissions. Climate ambition must be driven by innovation, not constrained by ideology. All technologies should have a role in reducing emissions. Our goal remains clear: to protect Europe's strong automotive industry while advancing our climate objectives," said Massimiliano Salini, the European Parliament's lead negotiator on the file.

The EPP Group is leading efforts to strengthen EU laws against child sexual abuse, tackle new forms of abuse enabled by emerging technologies and give victims more time to seek justice. On Wednesday, Parliament’s Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee will vote on the agreement reached with the Member States. "We can never be ambitious enough when it comes to protecting children,” said Jeroen Lenaers MEP, Vice-President of the EPP Group and Parliament’s chief negotiator on the file. “The trauma of child sexual abuse does not expire, and neither should the right to seek justice. That is why we fought to extend limitation periods, allowing child rape to be prosecuted at least until the victim turns 50. Another top priority was to update the current framework to criminalise new forms of crime, such as grooming, AI-generated child sexual abuse material or the possession of paedophile manuals that facilitate abuse. This is a major step forward in protecting children, both online and offline," Lenaers added.

Hungary’s democratic revival will take centre stage during an EPP Group meeting in Budapest next Thursday and Friday (5-6 November). Leading MEPs will meet TISZA government representatives, civil society and the media to discuss the fight against corruption, restoring the rule of law and protecting media freedom. "Hungary has turned a page. The TISZA government is working to rebuild democracy, restore the rule of law and renew citizens’ trust in public institutions. This is a historic undertaking, and the EPP Group stands firmly behind TISZA as it works to fulfil this mandate," said Tomas Tobé MEP, EPP Group Vice-President responsible for Justice and Home Affairs. "TISZA has a historic mandate: to build a Hungary where institutions serve citizens, public funds are spent responsibly, and no one is above the law. In six months, TISZA has begun dismantling political patronage, restoring accountability and rebuilding trust. We are determined to make these reforms last and deliver the change Hungarians voted for, with the support of our European People’s Party family," added Eszter Lakos MEP, EPP Group Vice-President and Head of the TISZA Delegation.