The Socialists and Democrats (S&D) Group in the European Parliament is set to re-elect its leader and weigh in on debates and votes on critical raw materials, poverty, climate policy, passenger rights and the International Criminal Court during this week’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
Leadership
Iratxe García is set to be re-elected as group leader on Tuesday, which would give her the longest mandate in the group’s history. Vice-president elections are scheduled for Wednesday.
García said she would be honored to continue leading the group at what she called a crucial moment for Europe. She said citizens are demanding answers and action, and that the group would keep focusing on everyday struggles such as affordable housing, inequality and the cost-of-living crisis.
Critical raw materials
Parliament will debate amendments to the Critical Raw Materials Act on Monday, Oct. 19, with a vote on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Mohammed Chahim, an S&D vice president and the Parliament’s rapporteur on the act, said critical raw materials are a strategic necessity as well as an economic asset.
Chahim called for a European Critical Raw Materials Centre with the funding and mandate to anticipate supply disruptions. He said it would help ensure that Europe’s dependencies cannot be used as tools of geopolitical pressure. He said the proposed centre has broad support across political groups and that the group is ready to work with trusted, like-minded countries that share its environmental and social standards.
Poverty
Lawmakers will also debate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on Monday. S&D Vice President Gabriele Bischoff noted that one-fifth of Europeans live at risk of poverty or social exclusion. She cited children going to school hungry, pensioners unable to heat their homes and people lacking access to health care. She called for a strong, independent European Social Fund, a 20 billion-euro Child Guarantee and a new EU law on adequate minimum income schemes.
International Criminal Court
On Tuesday, Parliament will debate European support for the International Criminal Court. Yannis Maniatis, an S&D vice president, said backing the court means backing international law and access to justice for victims worldwide. He said the S&D has nominated the court and its officials for this year’s Sakharov Prize.
Passenger rights
A vote on enforcement of passenger rights in the EU is also set for Tuesday. Matteo Ricci, the S&D negotiator on the file, said the legislation would let national authorities ensure companies meet their responsibilities without court action. He said passengers who buy tickets through intermediaries would keep their rights and that support for people with reduced mobility would improve.
EU-UK relations
Also on Tuesday, Parliament will hear Council and Commission statements ahead of an EU-UK summit. Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, the S&D coordinator for the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, said the group supports a stronger relationship and hopes the summit delivers tangible results for citizens, especially young people, and for businesses. He welcomed what he described as emerging opportunities under the UK Labour government.
Circular economy
On Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the S&D’s request, Parliament will debate the upcoming Circular Economy Act. Delara Burkhardt, an S&D member of the Parliament’s environment, climate and food safety committee, said a strong circular economy would reduce waste through repair, reuse and recycling. She said it would also lower costs for families, reduce reliance on imported raw materials and strengthen industrial jobs.
Climate
Parliament will debate the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey, known as COP31, on Wednesday and vote on its priorities Thursday, Oct. 22. Heléne Fritzon, an S&D vice president and negotiator on the resolution, said this summer showed the damage of the climate crisis, including lives lost and large-scale economic harm. She said the EU should lead by example, press major emitters to act and champion climate finance for developing countries.
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