Plenary summary – October I 2024 | Epthink tank

Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.

At the first plenary session in October 2024, members celebrated the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack and held a debate on a statement by the High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission, Josep Borrell, on the escalation of violence in the Middle East and the situation in Lebanon. Members also held a debate with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the current Council President. Parliament adopted resolutions on Georgia’s increasingly authoritarian course and its impact on the country’s EU membership prospects, as well as a resolution condemning Russia’s interference in Moldova. The members also discussed the situation in Sudan and the outcome of the future summit. And they discussed with the Council and the Commission the preparation of the European Council meeting scheduled for October 17 and 18, 2024.

The debates followed Commission statements on forest fires in southern Europe, the Balkans and the Amazon. Members also discussed Commission statements on: combating systemic gender-based violence; Combating fake news, populism and disinformation; strengthening external border security; drug-related crime prevention; the Annual Rule of Law Report 2024; and to protect the EU budget and ensure that EU funds do not benefit terrorist organizations or individuals. In addition to World Mental Health Day, members discussed the urgent need to revise the Medical Devices Regulation.

Presentation of the program of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council

Following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s presentation of the Hungarian Presidency program (which was postponed until September due to the devastating floods in Central European Member States), members held a long and open debate in which other topics were raised, ranging from respect for the rule of law to Russia, aggression in Ukraine and the use of EU funds ranged.

European Union Solidarity Fund

The recent catastrophic floods in Central and Eastern Europe underscore the increasing number and severity of climate-related natural disasters worldwide. It also highlights the need for a collective response to help countries deal with the damage left behind. The EU provides this assistance through the EU Solidarity Fund. Members debated and approved a budget proposal to mobilize over €1 billion in EUSF funding to cover the costs of dealing with the 2023 floods in Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France.

Reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of Member States

Members held a debate following a Commission statement on the recent reintroduction of internal border controls in a number of EU countries. Controls at the EU’s internal borders affect the Schengen area and the free movement of goods and people and can potentially cause significant economic, social and political costs. Nevertheless, eight EU member states have reintroduced border controls since September 2024. Parliament has often criticized these measures and insists that maximum deadlines be set for lifting these controls.

The EU automotive industry is facing a crisis

Following a statement from the Commission, members discussed the current crisis in the EU automotive industry. As a historically strong industrial sector, the EU automotive industry must now act quickly to counter competition from outside Europe and modernize its business model. As the threat of factory closures and European job losses increases, the industry is looking to the EU to take action to level the playing field against tough competition from non-EU countries, provide funding for innovation and help ensure access to key resources to secure. Members will vote on a resolution on this issue at a future meeting.

Ensuring sustainable, decent and affordable housing in Europe

Members debated a Commission statement on affordable housing (ahead of the hearing of the Commissioner-designate for the newly proposed energy and housing portfolio) as a way to improve the supply of decent housing for Europeans in both the public and private sectors. As affordable housing is a major problem in many EU countries and housing policy is the responsibility of Member States, Parliament has already called on the Commission and EU governments to increase investment in sustainable, adequate and affordable housing.

Result of the future summit

Parliament’s delegation, which took part in the UN Future Summit in September, welcomed the adoption of the Future Pact as a major success for rules-based multilateralism. Commission Vice-President Věra Jourová reported the results of the summit to members on behalf of Borrell. A debate followed with members on how to transform global governance to build peace, promote human rights and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Rise in religious intolerance in Europe

Following a Commission statement on the rise of religious intolerance in Europe, members held a debate on an issue of increasing concern worldwide. A significant increase in anti-Semitism has been observed, particularly since Hamas’ attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, and an increase in anti-Christian incidents has also been documented. The European Parliament, for its part, has had an active intergroup on freedom of religion or belief and religious tolerance since 2014.

Correction

Following the adoption by the committee of the corrigenda on a further eight legislative dossiers, which were voted on in plenary before the end of the last parliamentary term, these revised texts were announced and approved by plenary in accordance with Rule 251 of the Rules of Procedure.

Read this overview note on the topic “Plenary summary – October I 2024” on the European Parliament think tank pages.