Written by Clare Ferguson with Áine Feeney.
The agenda for the Parliament’s May plenary session covers several major issues arising from today’s global challenges. Question time returns to the plenary agenda after a long break, with the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, due to respond to Members’ questions on the EU’s strategy to address the current crises in the Middle East.
Following celebrations in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg to mark Europe Day on 9 May, a ceremony on Tuesday will honour the first laureates of the European Order of Merit. The European Parliament initiated the award in 2025, to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to European integration or to the promotion of European values. The 20 laureates of this year’s award, announced by President Roberta Metsola in March, include former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, former Solidarność leader and Polish President Lech Wałęsa, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, who are to become Distinguished Members of the European Order of Merit. Meanwhile, the title of Honourable Member will be conferred upon ten recipients, and the title of Member to six others plus the members of the band U2.
Against the backdrop of the current volatile geopolitical situation and threats to global governance, Parliament remains a strong supporter of rules-based multilateralism. On Tuesday evening, Members are due to debate a draft recommendation prepared by the Foreign Affairs Committee (AFET) on the EU’s positions for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), ahead of the 81st session taking place in New York this autumn. The draft recommendation reaffirms the need to safeguard and strengthen multilateralism, supports reform of the UN system (including the UN Security Council) and advocates for peace and security in areas including Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as the continued integration of a human rights-based approach to sustainable development.
A major employer in the EU, the steel industry currently faces high levels of global over-capacity, dependence on Russian imports, and threats to its competitiveness from US tariffs. On Monday evening, Members are to consider a provisional agreement reached with the Council on a regulation aimed at shielding the EU steel market from the effects of global over-capacity. The regulation will also implement new safeguards to replace those introduced in response to the first Trump administration tariffs, which expire in June 2026. The provisional agreement supports the Commission’s proposal to significantly reduce quotas and double tariffs, while also requiring product traceability in allocating annual quotas. The new legislation would apply from 1 July 2026, with a first review scheduled within six months.
Posing a risk to the internal market and creating uncertainty for investors, the current rules for foreign direct investment (FDI) screening are not consistent across all EU countries. On Tuesday, Members are set to consider a provisional agreement on the revised FDI Screening Regulation. The revision seeks to define a minimum scope for mandatory screening by EU Member States, strengthen cooperation and accountability, and streamline processes and interoperability. During the interinstitutional negotiations, Parliament successfully advocated for a broader minimum scope for mandatory screening. The agreed text streamlines national screening procedures to reduce complexity and creates greater transparency to make the EU a more attractive place for investors. These provisions would provide a minimum level of harmonisation across the EU and if adopted, the regulation would start to apply 18 months after its entry into force.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes further integrated into our daily lives, it also impacts on global relations. On Tuesday evening, Members are due to consider an own-initiative report from the Committee on International Trade (INTA) on leveraging AI in EU trade policy. The report illustrates the potential benefits of AI use in trade, such as its potential to reduce market-entry barriers, strengthen customs and border controls, and support consumer protection. However, the report also addresses potential concerns, such as the impact on third-country competitiveness, global labour markets and the environment. Ultimately, the report argues that the EU’s AI strategy should play a key role in shaping the rules in which AI operates and use all the tools available to the EU to protect the rules-based multilateral trading system from AI-generated market fragmentation.
In this increasingly digital world, cybercrime is a global issue. On Wednesday, Parliament is to consider giving its consent to the EU’s conclusion of the agreement on the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. The convention creates an international framework for cooperation to prevent and tackle cybercrime, which is frequently transnational. It also supports law enforcement measures and sets out a framework to provide global technical assistance. The Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) recommends that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement, despite some criticism on the protection of fundamental rights.
Parliament remains committed to supporting victims of violent crime and advocating stronger protection of victims’ rights. On Wednesday, Parliament will consider formal adoption of an agreed text on the revised Victims’ Rights Directive. Under this text, Member States will be obliged to implement support for victims, including helplines, robust reporting procedures, and to provide greater access to legal aid and compensation. EU governments will also have to provide specific support for victims with particular needs, such as children or those requiring physical protection.
On Tuesday, Members are to consider giving Parliament’s consent to the new EU–Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA). The agreement reflects the EU’s growing strategic engagement with Central Asia, strengthens ties with Uzbekistan and replaces the existing cooperation agreement in force since 1999. A report from Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) welcomes Uzbekistan’s economic reforms and regional role and stresses that respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law must remain central to the partnership. AFET recommends Parliament give consent to the agreement.
Railway capacity management remains fragmented in the European Union, leading to congestion and poor cross-border coordination. On Tuesday afternoon, Members are scheduled to consider a provisional agreement on streamlining rail management across the EU. Following a Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) report calling for more efficient use of rail infrastructure by increasing funding, coordinating cross-border capacity and traffic management and using digital tools to help reduce congestion, Parliament’s negotiators succeeded in introducing greater flexibility for rail capacity planning, with national networks encouraged to cooperate more closely.
Forests provide many benefits for society but have come under increased pressure from climate change in recent years. On Tuesday afternoon, Parliament is due to consider a provisional agreement reached with Council negotiators on the proposed regulation on forest reproductive material (FRM) needed to plant or replace forests. The proposal would require Member States to draw up contingency plans to ensure a sufficient supply of FRM to reforest areas affected by extreme weather events, natural disaster and disease.
The number of people playing video games across the EU has risen since the COVID‑19 pandemic. On Thursday, Members are due to debate a European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) that raises the issue of online video game lifespans. Gathering over one million signatures, the Stop Destroying Video Games ECI calls to prevent publishers from discontinuing access to online video games. A hearing organised by the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), the Committee on Legal Affairs (LEGA) and the Committee on Petitions (PETI) underlined that, at present, EU consumer protection law does not specifically address the long-term usability of videogames. The European Commission is obliged to set out its views before 27 July 2026.
Parliament’s consent for the conclusion of new protocols for fisheries agreements is on the agenda on Wednesday afternoon. The first, a new protocol to the existing EU fisheries partnership agreement with the government of the Cook Islands would grant fishing opportunities to EU vessels in the Cook Islands’ waters while also promoting the country’s sustainable management of fisheries resources. Parliament is also set to consider the protocol implementing the EU-São Tomé and Príncipe fisheries agreement (2025-2029). This new protocol would allow EU vessels to continue fishing for tuna and other species in São Tomé and Príncipe’s waters in return for an EU financial contribution, a portion of which would support São Tomé and Príncipe’s fisheries policy. The Committee on Fisheries (PECH) recommends that Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of both protocols.
European Parliament Plenary Session May 2026 – agenda
- European Order of Merit – Award ceremony
- 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly
- Tackling global steel over-capacity in the EU
- Screening of foreign investments in the EU
- Comprehensive AI strategy for EU trade
- United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime
- The revised Victims’ Rights Directive
- EU–Uzbekistan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement
- Single European railway area
- Forest reproductive material
- European Citizens’ Initiative: Stop Destroying Videogames
- New protocol to the EU–São Tomé and Príncipe fisheries agreement (2025–2029)
- New protocol to the EU–Cook Islands sustainable fisheries agreement
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