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Social media platforms in the EU must follow EU rules. The EPP Group is calling for swift enforcement of the Digital Services Act (DSA) to address concerns over Elon Musk's political activities, Facebook's end to fact-checking, and foreign interference in elections. On Tuesday morning, the European Parliament will debate the topic of big social media platforms such as "Facebook" and Elon Musk's "X". "With the DSA, Europe was the first continent to adopt a law to address the systemic risks online platforms may have for our democratic societies. The implementation of the DSA must now be accelerated. The Digital Services Act applies to Meta and X without restrictions. The EU will monitor all developments very closely and act if necessary," says Andreas Schwab MEP, the EPP Group Spokesman on the internal market.

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, will present the priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU to the plenary of the European Parliament. “We fully support Donald Tusk and Poland as it takes over the Presidency of the EU Council. It promises true EPP leadership and experience at a turning point for Europe. We must remain united for a more competitive and secure Europe. I am sure that at the end of the Polish presidency in six months' time, Europe will be safer, more competitive and more secure,” says Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament will debate the EU's funding of certain NGOs that engaged in lobbying EU institutions. The EPP Group raises legal and ethical concerns, citing the principle of separation of powers. “The contracts of the European Commission with lobbying guidelines infringe the principle of mutual respect among Institutions and impinge on essential principles such as legislative independence, transparency, avoidance of conflicts of interest, fair and impartial distribution of funds and accountability for the proper use of taxpayers' money.  We urge the Commission to put an end to this type of contract, to draw the consequences to avoid such scandalous one-sided methods in the future and to ensure that misused money is repaid," says Monika Hohlmeier MEP, Vice-Chair of Parliament‘s Budget Committee and the EPP Group's Deputy Spokeswoman in the Parliament‘s Committee on Budgetary Control.

The EPP Group is calling on all EU governments to demand that the result of the presidential election in Venezuela be respected, stressing that only Edmundo González can be sworn in as president of the country. On Tuesday, the plenary of the European Parliament will debate the situation in Venezuela following Nicolás Maduro's seizure of the presidency. "The inauguration of Nicolás Maduro was yet another sad act in the tragedy that has unfortunately afflicted the Venezuelan people for far too long. This tragedy is also a farce: the whole world has realised that the staging of institutional normality is all that remains of a regime that maintains itself only through the violence it exerts on its citizens. The EPP Group recognises and praises the commitment and courage of all Venezuelan democrats and supports them in their fight for decency, a normal political life and respect for human rights. The days of usurpation are numbered," stresses Sebastiao Bugalho MEP.

The EPP Group is putting demography high on the agenda. On Wednesday, the European Parliament will debate the current demographic decline, which is affecting everyday life and putting Europe's competitiveness at risk. “We need to take this issue seriously and assess the implementation of the European Commission’s Demography Toolbox in the Member States. The EU must adapt to demographic shifts and invest in both younger and older generations to keep Europe competitive," argues Dennis Radtke MEP, the EPP Group Spokesman on Employment and Social Affairs. "The demographic challenge must be urgently tackled before it becomes irreversible. Young people need opportunities to stay in Europe, and we must invest in all regions - from rural areas to vulnerable urban zones - while promoting higher birth rates," states Daniel Buda MEP, calling for new policies supported by adequate funding.

On Wednesday, the European Parliament will debate the outcomes of the most recent European Summit, which focused on the EU’s support for Ukraine and the EU in the world. “Democracy and freedom continue to be under threat from Ukraine to Georgia and beyond. The EU must act decisively to defend its citizens, safeguard its interests and values and assert its role as a global leader. For the EPP, Europe and its democratic partners must stay together -  this is the best way to defend freedom and democracy,” stresses Manfred Weber MEP, Chairman of the EPP Group.