The Week ahead

Reviewing progress, shaping key priorities and ensuring the EPP Group continues to drive the European agenda ahead of the 2029 elections will be at the heart of the Group’s Study Days in Taormina, Italy, next week. On Monday and Tuesday, MEPs will discuss the legislative and political challenges for the remainder of the mandate with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. On Wednesday, discussions will focus on the Group’s vision and priorities for 2029. The Study Days will conclude on Thursday morning with an EPP Group Academy working breakfast.

When EU leaders gather in Brussels on Thursday and Friday next week, the EPP Group will be looking for concrete progress towards a stronger and safer Europe. This means delivering on the EU’s long-term budget (MFF), defence, Ukraine, enlargement and migration. "The Irish Presidency must ensure that unjustified cuts to the EU’s long-term budget don’t amputate Europe’s future. Member States must look beyond narrow national interests and focus on what Europe needs to deliver for its citizens," said Siegfried Mureșan MEP, the European Parliament’s co-negotiator on the long-term EU budget and EPP Group vice-chair, ahead of the presentation by the Irish Presidency of the Council’s negotiating "box" on MFF. The EPP Group is also calling for further progress on European defence through continued support for Ukraine and stronger European military capabilities. "There is no time to lose. EU Member States must be able to mobilise their defence potential quickly and effectively, using EU programmes that are simple, efficient and fit for purpose," added Andrzej Halicki MEP, EPP Group vice-chair for Foreign Affairs.