Opening: minute of silence in memory of victims of floods in Italy
President Metsola led MEPs in a minute of silence to remember the victims of the floods in Italy, at the opening of the 31 May - 1 June session in Brussels.
A few weeks ago, floods in Italy killed 15 people and more than 30 000 were forced to leave their homes. The floods caused severe damage to housing, agriculture, industry and infrastructure. Praising the first responders who risked their lives to save others, President Metsola added that the European Union activated its civil protection mechanism and Italy will ask for aid from the EU Solidarity Fund.
The President also reiterated Parliament’s concerns regarding the new anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda, which includes the death penalty and criminalises sex education for the gay community. It is deeply worrying and undermines the rights of people in Uganda, she said. This Parliament has reaffirmed time and again that people should be allowed to live as they wish to live, be who they wish to be and love as they wish to love, she added.
Changes to the agenda
Wednesday
Council and Commission statements on Threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular through the creation of an investigative committee, is added as the fourth point in the afternoon after the debate on Breaches of the Rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary and frozen EU funds.
A Commission statement on Social and economic costs of climate change in light of the floods in Emilia Romagna, Marche and Toscana and the urgent need for European solidarity is added as the fifth point in the afternoon after the debate on Threat to democracy and the rule of law in Poland, in particular through the creation of an investigative committee. As a consequence, the sitting is extended to 23:00.
Thursday
The report by Ms Cicurel on the requests for the waiver of the immunity of Maria Spyraki is added to the votes.
The report by Mr Halicki on the requests for the waiver of the immunity of Alexis Georgoulis is added to the votes.
Information concerning the distribution of votes is available under the section “Priority information”.
Request by several committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission
Decisions by committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 71) are published on the plenary website.
If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made by Thursday 12.00 midnight, the committees may start negotiations.
Contactos:
-
Natalie Kate KONTOULIS
Press Officer -
Estefanía NARRILLOS
Press Officer -
Andreas KLEINER
Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator