Monday, May 18, begins with key geopolitical and economic issues at the top of the European agenda. Kaja Kallas addresses the Foreign Affairs Council on freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. On the topicof migration, Commissioner Magnus Brunner takes stock of progress in managing migration flows during the Med9 Conference of Interior Ministers in Croatia. The European Commission, meanwhile, reaffirms its support for Ukraine and addresses economic issues, including the Stability Pact and the EU-US trade agreement.
Tuesday, May 19 starts with the farmers’ protests outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg regarding the debate on the fertilizer plan. Speakers include MEPs from FdI and the League, along with representatives from Cia-Agricoltori, Confagricoltura, and Coldiretti. At the heart of their demands: a halt or suspension of CBAM and ETS on fertilizers, more resources for the sector, flexibility regarding the Nitrates Directive, the use of digestate, and the protection of agricultural businesses’ profitability. Also on Tuesday, Tovaglieri inaugurates the exhibition “Fridami – I survive to become art” at the European Parliament, addressing domestic violence, alongside artist Manuela Carnini. In the plenary session, Cardinal Pietro Parolin receives the European Order of Merit.
Wednesday, May 20, begins with the Tuscany Region’s official mission to Brussels: Boni meets with European institutions to discuss EU funds. In Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen presents the EU’s first anti-poverty strategy, while Procaccini and Zingaretti address the energy dossier. Regarding the Global Sumund Flotilla , MEPs from S&D and The Left stage a flash mob calling for EU intervention to protect the activists. The plenary session also addresses security, with Vannacci and Ceccardi, and votes on Slovakia, fisheries, the Eurojust-Lebanon agreement, artificial intelligence, and the olive oil agreement, commented on by Picaro.
On Thursday, May 21, Palmisano speaks on the European response to the hantavirus emergency. Razza, on eve of the anniversary of the Capaci massacre, calls for the re-establishment of a special European commission against the mafia. Sieper (Renew) speaks on the European Citizens’ Initiative “Stop destroying videogames,” aimed at preventing publishers from rendering video games unusable by shutting down servers. Finally, Zan and Moretti comment on the approval of the European directive on the rights of victims of crime.
On Friday, May 22, in Cyprus, Commissioner Dombrovskis addressed the informal meeting of economy ministers. He highlighted the new energy crisis linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which poses risks of slower growth and higher inflation, but emphasized that the EU is now better prepared thanks to the diversification of energy sources and the increase in renewable energy.
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