Political group leaders decided on Thursday on holding an extraordinary plenary session of the European Parliament on 16 and 17 April, as to vote on the new measures from the Commission to tackle COVID-19.

Despite some technical challenges, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) managed to hold on Thursday its planned exchange of views on the situation at the EU’s external borders in Greece.

During the special plenary session on Thursday, MEPs approved with overwhelming majority the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative, proposed by the Commission. In a statement Sabine Verheyen (EPP, DE), Chair of the Culture and Education Committee commented how the funds can help the cultural and creative sectors, that indeed have been ravaged by the impact of stringent public health measures.

With the strict lockdown measures placed throughout Europe, including travel restrictions, many MEPs were not able to reach their work place and to attend the special EP plenary session, held in Brussels on Thursday. They casted their vote remotely by email. 

The European Parliament convened in Brussels this morning for a special plenary session with a severely reduced presence of MEPs. For all members that are not in the room, extraordinary measures have been taken to enable them to vote remotely by email. 

With its decision to open accession negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania, the Council of the European Union has finally succeeded to live up to the expectations of the Western Balkan countries and their citizens, who have waited too long something positive to happen.

The EP Regional Development Committee (REGI) requests in agreement with the political coordinators, that the Parliament use the “urgent procedure” under Rule 163 to allow the measures proposed on Corona Response Investment Initiative by the Commission, to be adopted.  

The President of the European Parliament David Sassoli announced on Tuesday he was in self-isolation at his Brussels home as a precaution after having traveled to Italy.

Taking further precautionary measures in response to the Coronavirus COVID-19, the European Parliament announced on Monday evening that will cancel in the next three weeks 130 events at Parliament premises, such as exhibitions, hearings or external conferences.

The ‘negotiating box’ for the 2021-2027 European budget which Charles Michel presented on 14 February as a basis for the discussions with EU leaders at the Special summit next Thursday was sharply critisised yesterday evening by Johan Van Overtveldt (ECR, BE), Chair of the Committee on Budgets.