Press release - Opening: 18-21 May plenary session

Opening: 18-21 May plenary session - Release of Sakharov Prize laureate Andrzej Poczobut - Order of Merit ceremony on Tuesday European Parliament president Roberta Metsola opened the 18-21 May plenary session in Strasbourg. Release of Sakharov Prize laureate Andrzej Poczobut Roberta Metsola began by welcoming the release from prison in Belarus of journalist and Sakharov Prize laureate Andrzej Poczobut. Announcing that Poczobut will address the house during the next plenary session, in June, Metsola remembered the many political prisoners around the world who remain unfairly imprisoned. “This Parliament will continue to speak out for them and for all those who stand up for freedom in the face of oppression” she said. Order of Merit ceremony on Tuesday The president reminded members of the inaugural Order of Merit conferral ceremony, scheduled to take place tomorrow at 11.30. She reiterated that the Order “honours extraordinary individuals who have made significant contributions to European integration and to the promotion and defence of European values”. Changes to the agenda Tuesday A Parliament’s statement with one round of political group speakers on “The attack against citizens in Modena: protecting public spaces and preventing violence in the EU” is added to the agenda at around 15.00, after the oral questions on “EU governance under pressure – institutional responses to global challenges”. A statement from Vice-President / High Representative Kaja Kallas on the EU’s response to reduced US military deployment in Europe particularly at the Eastern flank in light of the latest US decision is added after the question time, from around 17.00. As a result, the sitting will be extended to 23.00. Wednesday The “This is Europe” debate with the Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Siliņa has been removed from the agenda. As a result, the key debate on “delivering on the single market will take place from 9.00 until 11.50. Interinstitutional negotiations The president announced that the Committees on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Transport and Tourism, and Fisheries have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations with the Council and the Commission pursuant to Rule 72(1) of the Rules of procedure, on the basis of the reports listed on the plenary website. Pursuant to Rule 72(2), Members or political group(s) reaching at least the medium threshold may request in writing by Tuesday 19 May at 24.00 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 the negotiations. Outgoing MEPs Péter Magyar (HU / EPP) as of 9 May 2026 Zoltán Tarr (HU / EPP) as of 9 May 2026 Contacts: - Andreas KLEINER Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator (DE) - Estefanía NARRILLOS Press Officer / Editorial Coordinator (ES)