Press release - Opening: 6-9 July plenary session

Opening: 6-9 July plenary session
- Plenary organisation
- Conduct in the chamber
- Srebrenica anniversary
- Venezuela earthquakes
President Metsola opened the 6-9 July plenary session with a moment of silence for the victims of the Venezuela earthquake.
Plenary organisation
President Roberta Metsola began by informing MEPs that the testing of new organisational measures designed to make plenary proceedings more engaging, efficient and effective would continue this session.
Conduct in the chamber
On the subject of conduct witnessed in the chamber during the June session, including aggressive chanting, jeering, finger-pointing and filming of Members, Metsola stated firmly that this was not acceptable, reminding MEPs that while discussions and votes can be controversial, “they must always be based on mutual respect and on tolerance. Aggressive behaviour damages this House’s reputation and undermines the values that we work so hard to uphold.” . The president went on to say that appropriate action would be taken to ensure that the scenes witnessed last month never happen again.
Srebrenica anniversary
Reminding MEPs that this week marks 31 years since the genocide in Srebrenica, Metsola remembered the thousands of Bosnian Muslims who were murdered and disappeared and the thousands forced into exile. “Their memory lives on in this House” she said, taking the opportunity to “reaffirm our commitment to peace, justice, and reconciliation in Srebrenica and beyond”.
Venezuela earthquakes
Speaking of the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela recently, Metsola expressed pride in the way that Europe has stepped up to help, through the Civil Protection Mechanism. “Europe will continue to stand with Venezuela” she said, before leading MEPs in a moment of silence to remember “those who are grieving and who are still waiting for news of loved ones”.
Changes to the agenda
President Metsola announced the following changes to the final draft agenda:
Monday
The debate on the short presentation on a recommendation on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region is removed from the agenda.
Parliament’s statements on recent violent and fatal attacks in Italy and Sweden and their implications for public security in Europe, with one round of political group speakers, is added at 19.45 before the one-minute speeches.
Tuesday
The following two reports are added to the votes on Tuesday:
- the report by Vázquez Lázara on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Siegbert Frank Droese, and
- the report by Dominik Tarczyński on the request for the waiver of the immunity of Ilhan Kyuchyuk.
Wednesday
Council and Commission statements on “defending European democracy and the integrity of the European Parliament in light of revelations that an MEP was subject to surveillance by illegal spy ware” are added from 19.00 to 20.00. As a consequence, the sitting is extended to 20.00.
Urgent procedure
The president announced a request to fast-track the following file under Rule 170(6):
Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1232 as regards the extension of its period of application (“ePrivacy derogation”)
The vote on this request will take place on Tuesday.
Interinstitutional negotiations
The president announced the following requests by the Committees on Security and Defence (SEDE), Transport and Tourism (TRAN), Industry Research and Energy (ITRE), and Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) to start negotiations with the Council and the Commission:
- SEDE/TRAN: Framework of measures to facilitate the transport of military equipment, goods and personnel across the Union
- SEDE/ITRE: Establishing the programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE)
- ITRE: Amendments to the Critical Raw Materials Act
- ITRE: Acceleration of permit-granting procedures
- ECON: Legal tender of euro banknotes and coins
- ECON: Provision of digital euro services by payment services providers incorporated in Member States whose currency is not the euro
- ECON: Establishment of the digital euro
Members or political group(s) reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by Tuesday 7 July at midnight that the decisions to enter into negotiations be put to the vote.
If no request for a vote in Parliament on these decisions is made within the deadline, the committees may start negotiations.
Incoming MEPs
Ufuk Kâhya replacing Bas Eickhout (NL / Greens/EFA) as of 30 June 2026.
Contacts:
-
Estefanía NARRILLOS
Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator (ES) -
Andreas KLEINER
Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator (DE)