EP TODAY 

Announcement of the 2026 Sakharov Prize laureate

At noon, Parliament’s president Roberta Metsola will announce the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought laureate in the plenary chamber, following a decision by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents. The three finalists are (in alphabetical order): the International Criminal Court and its officials; Tundu Lissu, a politically persecuted lawyer, political leader and human rights defender from Tanzania; and Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, on behalf of all those persecuted by the Iran’s Islamic regime.

Elodie LABORIE
(+ 32) 477 99 06 70
@EP_HumanRights

Russian drone strikes in the EU: vote

At noon, plenary will vote on a resolution on the recent Russian drone incursions and strikes on EU territory. The draft text holds Russia responsible for attacking civilian vessels and for escalating its war of aggression against Ukraine into the western Black Sea. It calls on the EU to consider deploying a naval operation in the Black Sea, expresses concern over the Bulgarian government’s ambiguous handling of the Russian threat, and says more EU support for Romania and Bulgaria is needed in early detection and tracking of hostile drones.

Viktor ALMQVIST
(+32) 470 88 29 42
@EP_ForeignAff
@EP_Defence

Chemicals: simplification of cosmetics, fertiliser and labelling rules

At 10.30, MEPs and Commissioner Jozef Síkela will debate simplified rules on cosmetics products, the classification, packaging, and labelling of chemicals, and fertilising products. The vote will take place at noon.

Thomas HAAHR
(+32) 470 88 09 87
@EP_Environment

In brief

AI governance. At 9.00, MEPs and Commissioner Jozef Síkela will debate the EU’s strategy to strengthen global AI governance.

Lifting of EU sanctions on Russian sable fur. At 15.00, MEPs will quiz Commissioner Jozef Síkela on the Commission’s decision to lift the sanctions on Russian sable fur that were introduced just a few months ago.

Votes

At noon, MEPs, will vote, among other things, on

• the 2028-2034 Erasmus+ programme;

• changes to the emissions trading system to increase free allowances for industry;

• postponing the implementation of certain methane emissions rules;

• the escalation in Houthi attacks and implications for regional security;

• Parliament’s demands for the UN Climate Change Conference 2026 (COP 31) in Antalya; and

• cohesion policy in the EU’s eastern border regions.

Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament’s webstreaming site and on EbS.

For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.

Find more information regarding plenary.