Capital Markets Union, Hollande and Merkel and Volkswagen- this week in the European Parliament

MEPs return to Strasbourg for a plenary sitting from Monday 5th to Thursday 8th October. 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.

Capital Markets Union. The Action Plan adopted by the European Commission will be presented to the MEPs by commissioner Jyrki Katainen. (Wednesday)

Hollande and Merkel. President Francois Hollande of France and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will pay a historic joint visit to the Parliament. In a debate chaired by EP President Martin Schulz, they will address the plenary at 15.00 and discuss the current situation in the European Union, and the way forward on migration and economic policies. (Wednesday)

Volkswagen. Car industry manipulation of exhaust emission tests and its consequences, as well as lessons to be drawn from the recent Volkswagen scandal, are up for debate with Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska. Parliament has repeatedly urged the Commission to tighten up test protocols in order to reflect real-life emissions of cars. (Tuesday)

King Felipe of Spain , Refugee crisis, Payment services and Foreign affairs.