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Plenary session Strasbourg

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Written by Clare Ferguson with Gemma Patterson.

The agenda for the Parliament’s February plenary session reflects gathering impetus to face the challenges of the current geopolitical upheaval affecting both international relations more widely and people’s human rights and aspirations both at home and overseas.

Members are due to hear the Commission’s long-awaited plans for this year’s legislative work on Wednesday morning, with a debate following Ursula von der Leyen’s presentation of the 2025 Commission work programme, due to be adopted the previous afternoon. Many of the planned initiatives – some 47 legislative and non-legislative proposals to come by the end of 2026 – have already been included in the Commission’s ‘competitiveness compass’, which focuses on boosting productivity through innovation, accelerating the green transition while maintaining industrial competitiveness, and reducing foreign dependencies in sectors such as raw materials. Later on Wednesday, Members are expected to debate a Commission statement on the work set out in the compass, including on simplifying legislation, improving access to venture capital, and introducing a competitiveness fund.

Tackling labour shortages in the EU is a cornerstone of efforts to increase competitiveness. Parliament has long sounded the alarm regarding worsening shortages in the healthcare sector, with an estimated deficit of 1.2 million healthcare workers in 2022, driven by an ageing population and frequent burnout. Members are due to hold a debate on Tuesday afternoon on urgent labour shortages in the healthcare sector following a Commission statement. The Commission is expected to propose solutions to ensure quality healthcare jobs, including improved retention strategies, better working conditions, a focus on attracting third-country nationals and digital transformation for healthcare efficiency. To tackle labour market shortages more generally, the Council and Commission are due to make statements in plenary on Tuesday afternoon on boosting vocational education and training (VET). Parliament had already called for VET to be modernised to help people match their skills to new developments, especially in technology, in 2022.

The EU currently depends on foreign providers for some key elements of its communications infrastructure. Rising concern over foreign influence, particularly from China and Russia, have led Parliament to call for greater technological sovereignty, stricter ICT supply chain security and reduced reliance on high-risk vendors. On Thursday morning, Members are set to debate a Commission statement on threats to EU sovereignty in communications infrastructure, focusing on strategic dependencies in submarine cables, 5G networks, and satellite connectivity, among other things.

Geopolitical tensions abound in 2025 – and feature widely on the plenary agenda. The Council and Commission are expected to make statements on Tuesday morning on continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, as we approach three full years of Russia’s war of aggression. On the EU’s own doorstep, regions bordering Russia face economic decline, job losses, and migration challenges due to Russia’s war on Ukraine and border closures. Following Council and Commission statements on Wednesday, Members are set to debate the need to extend critical targeted support to EU regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.

Parliament is monitoring the implications for transatlantic relations of Donald Trump’s second term as US President. On Wednesday, Members are due to debate a Commission statement on the US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, the WHO, and the suspension of US aid. The Council and Commission are also expected to make statements on preparedness for a new trade era for a debate on Tuesday.

Members are set to debate the EU’s need for a wider comprehensive strategy towards the Middle East on Tuesday evening. With ongoing instability in the region, including fragile ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, and heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, the Commission has announced a stronger, more coherent approach. Parliament has acknowledged the complexity facing such a strategy, given the multidimensional challenge.

Finally, on Tuesday morning, Members are expected to vote on giving consent to the conclusion of a new protocol to the EU fisheries agreement with Cabo Verde, ensuring continued tuna fishing access for EU vessels while supporting Cabo Verde’s fisheries sector. The agreement provides fishing opportunities for 56 vessels from Spain, Portugal, and France, alongside an annual €780 000 financial contribution for access rights and to support the sector.

• A competitiveness compass for the EU
• Healthcare in the EU: Addressing urgent labour shortages and ensuring quality jobs
• Boosting vocational education and training in a changing labour market
• Strategic dependencies: Threats to EU sovereignty in communication infrastructure
• EU regions bordering Russia: Targeted support
• US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and from the WHO
• Wider comprehensive EU Middle East strategy
• EU fisheries agreement with Cabo Verde: Conclusion of a new protocol (2024-2029)

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