EU Parliament: plenary meeting about responses to Covid-19 and Recovery Plan. Debate on the Conference on the Future of Europe

“The coronavirus pandemic caused the economy to steeply slow down, and the EU is investigating multiple options to revive it. The European Commission is expected to submit a new proposal for a more substantial budget in support of recovery for 2021-2027”. On Wednesday, May 13th, the MEPs will discuss the matter with the EU Commission and the European Council and will vote on a resolution later in the week”. This was announced by the European Parliament, which will be gathered in a plenary session – online – from Wednesday May 13th to Friday May 15th (and even on Saturday, May 16th, if needed). The opening session will also focus on the Recovery Plan with the president of the EU Council, Charles Michel, and with the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. In addition, the MEPs will discuss using smartphone apps to manage the spread of the pandemic and how “to make sure personal data and privacy will be fully protected”. They will also discuss the promotion of clinical research and how “to provide everyone with easy access to future vaccines and treatments for coronavirus” (Thursday, May 14th). On Wednesday evening, the EU Parliament, along with the EU Council and the EU Commission, will discuss “the threats to democracy, constitutional law and fundamental rights posed by the Hungarian government, which got full powers as part of the Covid-19 emergency response measures”.

On the day of May 14th, during a session that will take inspiration from the 70th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the MEPs will “discuss how the Conference on the Future of Europe (due to begin by the end of the year) may help the European Union overcome the present and future challenges”.
Valentina Bombelli