Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.
Highlights of the May I 2025 plenary session included the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, and Parliament statements on freedom, democracy and security as Europe’s heritage. Parliament also observed a minute of silence in memory of the late Pope Francis.
Members held several debates on Council and Commission statements: on European Union support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine; a unified EU response to unjustified US trade measures; and preparation of the EU-UK summit. Debates also followed statements by High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, on protecting Greenland’s right to decide its own future and maintain the rules-based world order, and an urgent assessment of the applicability of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba. A debate also took place on President Erdoğan’s illegal visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus.
Members also debated Council and Commission statements on the resilience and interconnection of energy grid infrastructure in the EU; high retail food prices; Malta’s ‘golden passport’ scheme; the fine against TikTok and citizens’ rights on social media platforms; EU action on treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular neurological diseases and measles.
Long-term budget for the Union in a changing world
The EU’s current long-term budget, or multiannual financial framework (MFF), is set to end in 2027. The time has therefore come to start setting the boundaries for EU spending for the following seven years. Members considered and adopted a report from the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) proposing to revamp the MFF to prepare the EU to face the challenges ahead. The report lists competitiveness; security, defence and preparedness; global peace, security and prosperity; and promotion of fundamental rights, EU values and the rule of law as the priorities for EU spending to 2034. It also calls on the Council to adopt new own resources to cover increased spending needs, and for a simpler, more transparent design for the next MFF.
Discharge 2023
As every year, Members held a debate on granting discharge for the implementation of the annual EU budget, for the year 2023. Members considered and followed all the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) recommendations on discharge for the EU’s 2023 accounts. The first CONT recommendation was to grant discharge for the Commission, six executive agencies and for the Recovery and Resilience Facility grants, plus separate decisions for the European Development Funds, representing over 95 % of the EU budget. However, the CONT committee highlighted the need to reduce the rising error rate, speed up disbursement of a record number of outstanding commitments, and effect stricter controls. The committee also recommended granting discharge for eight other EU institutions and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, suggesting improvements in transparency and human resources. However, CONT once again recommended postponing the decision on granting discharge to the European Council and the Council of the EU, as the Council’s continued refusal to cooperate prevents CONT from fulfilling its oversight role on behalf of EU citizens. Finally, CONT recommended granting discharge for 32 EU decentralised agencies and 11 joint undertakings, welcoming their improvement on the previous year’s results. The CONT committee proposed to postpone the decision on granting discharge to the European Union Asylum Agency, due to serious issues identified by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), and a continued lack of transparency.
European water resilience strategy
Access to water is essential for everyone, yet growing demand; climate change and pollution are putting severe pressure on water resources in the EU. Ahead of a planned EU water resilience strategy, Members debated and adopted a Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) report, which calls for all new legislation to consider impacts on water resources. The report specifically highlights the need for better monitoring, phasing out PFAS chemicals and better shared management of river basins.
2023 and 2024 Commission reports on Türkiye
Countries applying to join the EU must respect democratic values, the rule of law and human rights. Members debated and adopted a report from the Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) noting that Türkiye, despite its reiterated commitment to EU accession in the long term, is moving further from aligning with the EU. The committee nevertheless recognises Türkiye‘s support for Ukraine in the context of the war and that the EU is exploring an updated framework for EU-Türkiye relations.
Democratic legitimacy of the GMO authorisation procedure
To uphold EU law ensuring a high level of protection of human life and health, Parliament has consistently objected to proposals to authorise use of genetically modified organisms in agriculture. The European Commission has nevertheless continued to authorise such GMOs, in the face of deadlock amongst Member States. Members held a debate on the democratic legitimacy of the Commission’s decisions to override Parliament’s objections.
Opening of trilogue negotiations
Three decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, from the committees on: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) on an Entry/Exit System; Fisheries (PECH) on conservation of fish stocks: measures in relation to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing; and Security and Defence (SEDE)/Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) jointly on a European Defence Industry Programme and framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products (‘EDIP’); were all approved without vote.
Read this ‘at a glance’ note on ‘Plenary round-up – May I 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
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