Quote of the week by S&D Group vice president, Kati Piri, on the future EU-UK relations:

“The UK’s expectation to keep the benefits of a member state without agreeing to any obligations including a clear level playing field and governance provisions is simply not realistic. The UK made a conscious decision to leave the single market. We respect this. So should the United Kingdom. It is now time for the UK government to finally engage in the negotiations and to deliver on its own promises of a comprehensive agreement and fair competition with clear social, environmental and labour protections in which the CJEU remains the sole interpreter of EU law.”

 

This week, presidents of all political groups in the European Parliament have agreed on the creation of three special committees: on foreign interference in electoral processes and disinformation, on artificial intelligence and a third one on the fight against cancer. These committees will carry out their activities for one year. More importantly, at the strong demand of the S&D Group, the Parliament will also create a permanent sub-committee on taxes.

We are heading into a full week, with a remote plenary session, ongoing work in the committees and a European Council Summit scheduled for later in the week. Follow us for the latest!

On Wednesday morning at 10h00, Group president Iratxe García will hold a press conference outlining our priorities for the session ahead. Journalists will be able to follow either via EBS, the Parliament’s web streaming, on our website or on our Twitter.

On Monday, 15 June, members of the committee on civil liberties will be discussing disinformation in the COVID-19 pandemic with Commissioner Věra Jourová.

On Wednesday, we will kick off this month’s remote plenary session with three important debates, on anti-racism protests, following the death of George Floyd, on the next European Council meeting and on future EU-UK partnership

The second round of debates of the day will focus on the Conference on the Future of Europe and a European strategy for tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond.

The second day of remote plenary will start with debates on the foreign policy consequences of COVID-19, on defending Hong Kongs high degree of autonomy in view of the developments in the past months, and on disinformation and the impact on freedom of expression

In the afternoon, attention will be focused on the situation in the Schengen area following the COVID-19 outbreak and on the European protection of cross-border and seasonal workers during the pandemic.

Also on Thursday, members of the Parliament will vote on the implementation of the three special committees and the sub-committee on tax. The vote on the Banking Union will take place on the same day. 

On Friday, as we prepare for the European Council Summit, MEPs will hold the vote on the guidelines for the 2021 budget, the first one in the post-pandemic multiannual financial framework. They will also vote on reopening the investigation against the Czech Prime Minister on misuse of EU funds and potential conflicts of interest.

Outside the plenary room, the S&D Group will be holding two group meetings, on Tuesday - when members will be engaging in a debate with Commissioner Ylva Johansson - and another on Wednesday. 

Ahead of the Summit, on Thursday, our president will join our political family for the customary PES leaders’ meeting

Iratxe García will also be marking her first year at the helm of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament. We wish her all the best!

Stay updated on all of the Group’s initiatives and reactions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

S&D-Pressekontakt(e)