Written by Clare Ferguson with Sara Raja.
The 28th regime is a proposed EU-level legal framework that would allow innovative companies to operate across the EU under a single set of rules. Companies would not have to deal with differing regulations across Member States, which would help boost the single market. On Monday, Parliament is set to debate a legislative-initiative report on the 28th regime from the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI). The report suggests national limited liability companies be able to register as ‘Societas Europaea Unificata’ (S.EU), which would be automatically recognised in all Member States. It recommends a harmonised EU legal framework for corporate law to align national rules across all Member States, while ensuring safeguards for national laws to avoid undermining labour and social laws. It proposes a common digital direct entry point allowing entrepreneurs to establish companies within 48 hours, and harmonised rules on employee financial participation schemes.
On Monday, Parliament is expected to debate a legislative-initiative report from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) proposing a new directive to protect workers who may become unemployed in the move towards a greener and more digital society. The report calls on the European Commission to create a comprehensive framework to ensure EU countries create jobs in regions where jobs are most likely to disappear. This framework should ensure the development of viable economic alternatives and attract the necessary investment. The report also calls to set certain workplace conditions, including the right to training during working hours, health and safety measures, the right to worker consultation and collective bargaining and stronger protections against unfair dismissal. It also calls for increased support for a just transition in the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF). Lastly, the proposed directive would require Member States to develop national strategies and business support programmes for small and medium-sized businesses.
Critical medicine shortages and the EU’s growing reliance on external suppliers for critical ingredients pose a threat to EU public health. The proposed ‘critical medicines act’ aims to improve the availability and security of supply of critical medicines in the EU by decreasing dependency on single suppliers and non-EU countries, such as India and China, and improving pharmaceutical manufacturing in the EU. On Monday, Members are scheduled to debate a report from the Committee on Public Health (SANT) regarding the proposed regulation, and set Parliament’s position for trilogue negotiations. The report expands the definition of a ‘strategic project’ to improve EU manufacturing capacity and calls for the creation of a critical medicines security fund within the 2028-2034 MFF and an EU coordination mechanism for national stockpiles and contingency stocks of critical medicines.
Proposed reform of EU air passenger rights to address issues such as delays, cancellations, weak enforcement and unclear rules had been stalled in the Council for over a decade due to disagreements on compensation, extraordinary circumstances and enforcement. Members are now scheduled to consider the reform on Tuesday with a debate on the recommendation from the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) on second reading. The report rejects the Council’s position in favour of higher delay thresholds and reduced compensation, and supports distance-based compensation of €300-€600, a closed list of exemptions, and stronger passenger protections, such as free hand luggage, bans on unfair fees and longer claim deadlines.
On Tuesday, Members are scheduled to consider the 2025 annual implementation reports on common security and defence policy from the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and on common foreign and security policy from the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). Both reports identify Russia’s war against Ukraine as a primary threat to the EU and Member States, and call for stronger support for Ukraine to protect European security. They both acknowledge the importance of EU relations with the United States in securing peace in Ukraine, with the SEDE report noting the risks of isolationist US foreign policy and expressing concern at the US government’s threats against Greenland’s sovereignty. The AFET report highlights the current global geopolitical instability and accelerated erosion of democratic norms, stating that the EU’s credibility depends on its ability to act coherently and decisively. It calls for a gradual transition to qualified majority voting for common foreign and security policy decisions without military or defence implications, while encouraging greater use of constructive abstention.
On Tuesday, Members are set to consider a resolution on the AFET committee’s annual report on human rights and democracy in the world. The report aims at informing a post-2027 EU action plan for human rights and democracy, and reiterates Parliament’s call for a stronger plan based on a full review of the current framework, with clear benchmarks, indicators and timelines. It highlights growing threats to human rights and the international system, proposes improvements to EU tools such as human rights dialogues, support for human rights defenders, conditionality in EU trade and international agreements and human rights sanctions. It also stresses the need for earmarked funding for human rights and democracy support in the next MFF, notably through the proposed Global Europe instrument.
The EU is facing a rising drone threat linked to Russian provocations and is boosting drone and counter-drone capabilities. On Thursday, Parliament is scheduled to debate an own-initiative report from the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) setting out a comprehensive strategy to prepare the EU for drone-enabled conflict, calling for the rapid integration of drone and counter-drone capabilities across EU defence planning and stronger protection of civilian infrastructure. It stresses the need to build a robust, autonomous European drone industry, reduce reliance on non-EU suppliers and shift from a primarily regulatory approach to a security model focused on operational capabilities and strategic autonomy.
Quick links to all our publications for this plenary session:
- Outcome of the European Council of 17-18 December 2015: Post-European Council Briefing
- The Parliament of Cyprus and EU affairs
- Priority dossiers under the Cyprus EU Council Presidency
- 40th anniversary of Spain’s EU accession
- 40th anniversary of Portugal’s EU accession
- The 28th regime: A new legal framework for innovative companies
- Just transition directive in the world of work: Creating jobs and revitalising local economies
- Proposal for a critical medicines act: Addressing shortages, building a more resilient supply chain
- Air passenger rights
- Implementation of the common security and defence policy – Annual report 2025
- Implementation of the common foreign and security policy – Annual report 2025
- Human rights and democracy in the world: Annual report 2025
- Drones and new systems of warfare: Adapting the EU to today’s security challenges
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