Poland, Digital Single Market and car emissions - this week in the European Parliament

MEPs return to Strasbourg for a plenary sitting from Monday 18th to Thursday 21st January. The plenary is when Members of the European Parliament from all political groups and from all countries meet in the parliamentary chamber in Strasbourg to discuss and vote on legislation.

This is the forum where, following committee meetings in the preceding weeks, MEPs take part in the decision-making and express their standpoint to the European Commission and Council of the European Union.

Poland. Parliament will debate the state of the rule of law and restrictions to press freedom in Poland with Polish Prime minister Beata Szydło, the Council Presidency and the Commission on Tuesday afternoon at 3pm.

Digital Single Market. Parliament's recommendations for measures to improve EU consumers' access to goods and services on the internet will be debated and voted on Tuesday. MEPs will push for a swift adoption of the 16 digital single market initiatives announced by the Commission last May. A press conference is scheduled at 2pm.

Car emissions. Parliament will appoint the 45 members to the temporary inquiry committee set up last December in a vote on Thursday. The special committee will investigate breaches of EU rules on car emission tests and alleged failures to enforce EU standards. Members will also discuss on Monday whether or not to veto new rules for Real Driving Emissions test recently tabled by the Commission. The vote will take place in February.

The situation of women refugees and asylum seekers in the EU. Rapporteur: Mary Honeyball (London, Labour). Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (Monday)

COP21, Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA) and France/Mutual defence.