Plenary focus: Strasbourg plenary session 21-24 May 2012

Growth and SMEs in the spotlight

MEPs will debate "investment, growth and jobs" on Tuesday at 15.00 CET, ahead of a much anticipated informal summit of EU leaders on Wednesday. Small and medium enterprises - key drivers of growth and job creation - will be the subject of a separate debate with Council and Commission on Tuesday at 9.00 CET, which will examine their definition and access to EU structural funds.

No half measures for a financial transaction tax

The proposed financial transaction tax (FTT) should be better designed to capture more traders and to make evading it unprofitable, Parliament is expected to say in its opinion, to be voted Wednesday, on the relevant legislation. MEPs will also say the tax should go ahead even if only some Member States opt for it.

Cut resource waste to boost the economy

Maximising the efficient use and recovery of natural resources will make the EU economy more competitive, while protecting the environment, according to a resolution to be put to the vote on Thursday. MEPs are expected to demand stricter rules on waste management and an end to subsidies that harm the environment.

Homophobia: MEPs to vote resolution, as draft EU law is still blocked in Council

MEPs will debate the fight against homophobia in Europe with Council and Commission representatives, and vote a resolution on Thursday. Draft EU legislation to ensure equal treatment of persons irrespective of sex orientation, age, religion or disability was voted in the European Parliament in April 2009, but has been since blocked in the Council of Ministers.

Gender pay gap: MEPs to call for stricter sanctions

Parliament will urge the European Commission to table new measures to close the gender pay gap, including stricter sanctions on employers. The draft resolution, to be voted on Thursday, points out that the gender pay gap still averages 16.4% in the EU, and in some member states has even widened.

Stricter rules to save bluefin tuna

Even though the situation of the bluefin tuna has improved recently, illegal catches and fishing fleets need to be reduced in order to ensure sustainable development of the stock. MEPs will vote on Wednesday to update EU legislation with internationally agreed measures to cut quotas and tighten controls.

More sustainable EU-Mozambique fisheries agreement

MEPs are expected to give their consent to an updated fisheries agreement between the EU and Mozambique. The new protocol, which puts more emphasis on sustainable fishing and has applied provisionally since 1 February 2012, opens up fishing opportunities to 75 EU vessels from Spain, France, Portugal, Italy and the UK.

Assessing China's investment in Europe

Unlike the US, the EU does not know exactly how far China has penetrated member states’ economies, by investing in EU firms or purchasing sovereign debt. The EU needs to set up a monitoring body to provide an advance evaluation of foreign strategic investment, like the one already operating in the US, says a draft resolution to be voted by MEPs on Wednesday.

New investigatory powers for MEPs?

Harnessing the single market to deliver growth and jobs

No EU cash for undemocratic neighbours

Stepping up internal security while protecting fundamental rights

Human rights and democracy resolutions