From 15.03.2021 9:15 To 19.03.2021 16:15

The Week ahead

Take a look at what we have coming up over the next seven days. Explore our EPP Group agenda and the main issues we’ll be focusing on in the week ahead: from upcoming debates in the European Parliament on important legislative and policy issues to the meetings that our Members will be attending.

12.03.2021

The Week ahead

European vaccination certificate - our road back to free movement

coronavirus certificate

On Wednesday, the European Commission will present what it calls the Digital Green Certificate. The certificate is meant to provide proof that a person has been vaccinated against COVID-19, has recovered from it, or has received a negative test result. "Now that vaccination in Europe is increasing, we must have a perspective to returning to the fundamental right of free movement and travel in Europe. A vaccination certificate is a good way to do this. Unfortunately, however, we have already lost months debating this. The European Parliament should adopt these proposals as a matter of urgency", says Manfred Weber MEP, the EPP Group Chairman.

Speeding up production and supply chains to fight Coronavirus mutations

coronavirus and syringe

On Monday, MEPs in the Parliament's Environment Committee will debate with representatives of the European Medicines Agency, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and the World Health Organisation how to contain and keep in check more transmissible and rapidly-spreading variants of Coronavirus that are causing concern across Europe. For the EPP Group, adapting production capacities and supply chains to Coronavirus mutations is a top priority.

Stop persecution of Polish judges and prosecutors!

Protester with a slogan in Polish

On Tuesday, MEPs from the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee (LIBE) will once again address the topic of violations of the rule of law in Poland. This time, they will focus on the situation of judges and prosecutors in light of reports of repressions of both groups for defending the rule of law and European standards. The EPP Group calls on the European Commission to take immediate action in order to prevent further repression and destruction of the personal lives of judges and prosecutors who defend the rule of law, the Polish Constitution and European law standards. Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, and a representative of the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council will take part in the discussion. The LIBE Committee has also invited representatives of the Polish authorities to the debate.

ECB should help the economy while preserving price stability

Christine Lagarde

How to deal in monetary policy with the economic fallout from the Coronavirus pandemic and how the crisis has effected economic life in various business sectors are at the top of the agenda when the President of the European Central Bank (ECB) Christine Lagarde takes part in a debate with Members of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on Thursday 18 March. With massive asset purchases, the ECB has already done a lot to sustain the economy in Europe. Looking forward, Lagarde is expected to explain how she intends to steer monetary policy over the next few months against the backdrop of an uncertain economic outlook.

Mapping out a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe

Pipeline

On Thursday, MEPs from the European Parliament's Industry, Research and Energy Committee will vote on a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe. The aim is to create a strategic roadmap, an investment agenda, to help boost demand and scale up the production of hydrogen. The EPP Group believes in the significant role of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in this sector and underlines the need for low-carbon hydrogen as a bridging technology to reach the 2030 and 2050 goals, while respecting the principle of technology neutrality. Research, development and dedicated training programmes are also core in the deployment of this technology.

Screening and early detection of cancer is important

Young tech tunes her microscope

On Thursday, the Special Committee on Beating Cancer will meet in the European Parliament to discuss the importance of screening and early detection of cancer to save and improve patients' lives.