The Week ahead

On Wednesday morning, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will deliver her State of the Union address to the European Parliament. EPP Group chairman Manfred Weber MEP will set out the Group’s political priorities for the months ahead. "Europe’s priorities must reflect people’s concerns: jobs, the cost of living and economic security. That means a stronger economy, competitive businesses and well-paid jobs. It also means taking back control of our borders and stopping illegal migration, as Ceuta has shown. As AI transforms our world, Europe must protect people while leading on innovation. And with war still raging on our continent, we must stand with Ukraine and build a strong European defence pillar."

The EPP Group wants a firm European response to hybrid attacks and stronger protection of the EU’s external borders. On Tuesday, MEPs will debate the mass migrant invasion of the Spanish city of Ceuta, the instrumentalisation of migration and the security challenges facing Europe’s southern border. Thousands of people who entered Ceuta illegally on 30 and 31 July remain in the city, putting serious pressure on security, public order and social services. "Spanish PM Sánchez failed. He stood by as Europe’s border was breached on an unprecedented scale and has still not taken responsibility. Enough is enough. We will not accept Europe’s borders being left unprotected. Ceuta is Spain. Ceuta is Europe. We stand firmly with the people of Ceuta," says EPP Group vice-chair Tomas Tobé MEP.

The EPP Group wants a stronger European response to hybrid attacks against EU member states and critical infrastructure, with real consequences for those responsible. On Tuesday, Parliament will hold a joint debate on hybrid threats, including a report on hybrid warfare and the protection of the EU’s territorial integrity and critical security and defence infrastructure. The report will be put to a vote on Wednesday. "Russia remains the primary threat to Europe’s democratic integrity, using information manipulation, disinformation and hybrid interference to undermine our democracies. It must face real consequences, not just condemnation," says Rasa Juknevičienė MEP, who drafted the report.

The EPP Group strongly condemns the presence of senior Serbian officials and the military honours at the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. The European Parliament will debate the funeral and the glorification of war crimes in Serbia next Tuesday. "This stands in stark contrast to European values and jeopardises Serbia’s path towards EU membership. There is no place in the European family for those who glorify Ratko Mladić. The EPP Group stands firmly with the victims of genocide and war crimes," says Ivo Davor Stier MEP, the EPP Group’s spokesman on Serbia.

The EPP Group wants to stop online platforms such as Temu, Shein and AliExpress from flooding the EU market with non-compliant goods and competing unfairly with European businesses. On Monday, Parliament’s Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will confirm the agreement with the Council on the biggest reform of EU customs rules since 1968. "The new rules address the explosive growth of e-commerce. Last year, 5.8 billion low-value parcels entered the EU," says Dirk Gotink MEP, Parliament’s chief negotiator on the file. Online traders will be responsible for the goods they sell, while a new levy will help cover customs processing costs. A new EU Customs Authority and data hub will strengthen oversight of goods entering the EU. Platforms that repeatedly break the rules will face tougher penalties, including fines of up to 6% of annual imports and possible suspension. "This will make the single market significantly safer and fairer for consumers and businesses," Gotink adds. Parliament is expected to give its final approval on Thursday.

The EPP Group is calling for stronger action to shield European democracies from foreign interference, disinformation and hybrid threats. These priorities are set out in Parliament’s report on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS), which was backed by pro-European parties in the special committee and will be debated and put to a final plenary vote on Tuesday. "Protecting Europe from foreign interference must be a priority. We need a stronger European Democracy Shield and greater determination to counter Russia’s attempts to interfere in our elections, undermine our institutions and destabilise our societies," says Tomas Tobé MEP, EPP Group vice-chair, who drafted the committee’s final report. Tobé will hold a press conference on Tuesday at 1.30 pm in Parliament’s press room in Strasbourg.

Watch the press conference here. 

The EPP Group wants to tackle Europe’s health workforce shortage by improving working conditions, skills and access to care. Parliament will vote next week on a plan to strengthen recruitment, retention and training, while respecting national responsibility for healthcare systems. "Europe cannot have resilient healthcare systems without enough skilled and motivated professionals. Better training, fair working conditions and stronger incentives are essential to retain healthcare workers and attract them where they are needed most. Healthcare professionals deserve our support, and every patient deserves access to high-quality care," says Loucas Fourlas MEP, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee’s lead negotiator. "Healthcare professionals are the backbone of Europe’s health systems, but too many are working under growing pressure. We must do more to support and value them, particularly in regions struggling most to recruit and keep the staff they need," adds András Tivadar Kulja MEP, the EPP Group’s negotiator in the Public Health Committee.

The EPP Group is calling for stronger resources and operational capabilities for law enforcement as organised criminal networks become richer, more violent and increasingly willing to challenge the authority of the state. On Thursday, Parliament will vote on a resolution prompted by the May attack in which a trafficking vessel deliberately rammed a Guardia Civil patrol boat near the Strait of Gibraltar, killing two officers. "When criminals are better equipped than the officers sent to stop them, something has gone seriously wrong. Europe cannot tolerate a situation in which organised crime acts with growing confidence while our police are expected to do more with less," says Ana Miguel Pedro MEP, the EPP Group’s negotiator on the resolution.

On Friday, EPP Group MEPs working on external policies will meet in Warsaw to discuss European security, defence readiness and EU enlargement. Together with senior military and defence experts and the chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Ukrainian, Moldovan, Armenian and Polish parliaments, they will examine how EU funding can strengthen Europe’s eastern flank and assess the evolving security environment on Europe’s borders. Polish deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski and deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz will participate. "A stronger Europe is a safer Europe. In the context of repeated Russian attacks on our soil, Poland’s experience in dealing with pressure and securing its borders can serve as a good example of how Europe can respond effectively," says Andrzej Halicki MEP, EPP Group vice-chair, who will lead the delegation. The conference will take place on Friday from 9.30 at the Sheraton Grand Warsaw, 2 Bolesława Prusa Street. Registration is required.