Agenda plenary session from 2nd December 2015, Brussels

Dec 2, 2015 | Agenda Plenary Session

Agenda briefing plenary session from the 2nd December 2015 in Brussels

  • Commission Vice-presidents Frans Timmermans and Jyrki Katainen will present MEPs on Wednesday with long-awaited proposals for moving towards a circular economy intended to reduce waste, increase recycling, and promote a more efficient use of resources.

  • Has the Commission carried out the in-depth monitoring of democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights in Hungary requested by Parliament in its resolution of 10 June 2015? If so, what are its conclusions? And has it activated the rule of law framework set up to prevent a systemic threat, as called for by Parliament? MEPs will put these questions to the Commission on Wednesday.

  • The EU’s Frontex border agency should set up a mechanism to process complaints about alleged breaches of the fundamental rights of migrants and asylum seekers, says a draft resolution to be discussed and voted on Wednesday. MEPs want the Commission to include provisions for this mechanism in a review of the Frontex regulation, due in December.

  • Parliament’s take on an agreement with Liechtenstein which will make it harder for EU citizens to hide capital from their national tax authorities will be set out in a resolution to be voted on Wednesday. Under the agreement, the EU and Liechtenstein will automatically exchange information on the financial accounts of each other’s’ residents, starting in 2018.

  • MEPs will debate a draft directive seeking to ensure that by 2020 at least 40% of non-executive directors on listed company boards are women on Wednesday evening. The EP approved the draft back in November 2013 but two years on it is still blocked in the Council. MEPs will ask the Council what is preventing the member states from reaching a common position.

  • MEPs will ask the Commission on Wednesday how it plans to help protect Virunga National Park, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, founded in 1925, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas, from the dangers posed by oil exploration, armed conflict and corruption. The House will vote on a resolution at its second December session.

  • MEPs are likely to call, in a debate on Wednesday with Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc, for measures to boost car-sharing and park-and-ride schemes, refuelling/recharging facilities for electric and alternative-fuel vehicles, and support for cyclists and say information technology can help cut down the number of journeys needed and modernise transport management.