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Plenary round-up – October I 2026

9 October 2026

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EU Democracy, Institutional and Parliamentary Law

Plenary round-up – October I 2026

Clare Ferguson, Katarzyna Sochacka and Marco Scipioni, EPRS

At a glancePlenary sessionLast updated: 09/10/26Reading time: 6 minutes

Photograph of Luís Montenegro, Prime Minister of Portugal, delivering a 'This is Europe' speech to the European Parliament.

Summary

The highlight of the October I 2026 plenary session was the session ahead of the European Council meeting to be held on 15‑16 October, with debates on the EU's priorities and the issues expected to shape the leaders' discussions. Members also debated an ambitious new proposed multiannual financial framework for 2028 to 2034, focusing on the resources needed for a strong and resilient Europe.

Other debates covered European security and foreign policy, including the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, developments in Russia and the eastern Mediterranean, and the implications of the 2026 Russian State Duma elections. Social and economic issues included the cost-of-living crisis, affordable housing, and measures to protect patients from illegal and falsified medicines sold online. Environmental and energy debates addressed clean energy, implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation, and the situation of islands, coastal communities and outermost regions. Members also discussed children's protection in the digital world, citizenship education and European values, as well as the proposed United Nations Convention on the Rights of Older Persons. Question time with the Commission this session covered the implementation of the Methane Regulation.

Finally, Parliament held a 'This is Europe' debate with the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro.

Statement of purpose

This 'at a glance' note is intended to review some of the highlights of the plenary part-session, and notably to follow up on key dossiers identified by EPRS. The annex shows the breakdown by political group in the final roll-call votes on the files decided by ordinary legislative procedure and consent procedures during the session. For more detailed information on specific files, please see other EPRS products and the plenary minutes.

Question time with the Commission on the implementation of the Methane Regulation

The European Commission is investigating the possibility of postponing the reporting obligations for importers of fossil fuels under the Methane Regulation by one year, from January 2027 to January 2028. This might require a targeted amendment to the Methane Regulation, to be adopted by the co-legislators. During Question time with the Commission, Dan Jørgensen (Commissioner responsible for Energy and Housing) answered questions put by Members regarding the implementation of the Methane Regulation.

Defence

Members adopted the trilogue agreement on the EU's programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE). This will grant €115 million to between 20 and 30 projects that focus on disruptive defence. Parliament's Committees on Security and Defence (SEDE) and on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) prepared a joint report, which calls for scaling up the defence industry and introducing new firms into the supply chain. In keeping with the original proposal, Parliament and Council's agreement on AGILE particularly emphasised small and medium-sized enterprises, scale-ups and start-ups.

Occupational health

Members adopted an agreement following interinstitutional negotiations on the Commission's proposal for the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive (CMRD). This directive aims to limit workers' exposure to harmful substances, including by setting out maximum levels for chemicals in the workplace. Both the Council and Parliament were in favour of setting new occupational exposure limits according to the Commission's proposal, and called for the inclusion of a set limit for isoprene. Parliament also shaped the final text by proposing stronger safeguards for personal protective equipment at work.

Parliament also debated and adopted a Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) legislative-initiative report requesting the Commission propose legislation concerning psychosocial risks at work. The EMPL report recommends elements to be included in this proposal, such as clear definitions and employer obligations. It calls for the right to a supported return to work and for no proof needed of exposure to risks.

Environment data – Omnibus VIII

Members adopted a Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) report on the Commission's proposal to simplify how Member States access and share spatial data, which they currently do through the INSPIRE infrastructure. The Commission wishes to remove some provisions in the INSPIRE Directive to avoid overlap between it and other, more modern laws. For example, the revision seeks to make use of the European data portal rather than a separate INSPIRE geoportal. The ENVI report emphasises the importance of having accessible, interoperable spatial data for environmental reasons rather than erasing aspects of INSPIRE. However, it is in favour of reducing the administrative burden. The vote on the report sets Parliament's position for interinstitutional negotiations.

Transport

Toll charges for heavy vehicles have been based on their CO₂ emissions since 2022. Parliament adopted a provisional agreement between Council and Parliament negotiators that clarifies the rules on these CO₂ emission charges for heavy-duty vehicles. According to the new text, trucks and buses that produce low CO₂ emissions will be subject to lower tolls until June 2031. During interinstitutional negotiations, Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) negotiators succeeded in ensuring the final text clarifies implementation timelines and details how retrofitted vehicles are classified. The Commission's original proposal sought to include trailers in toll calculations for heavy-duty vehicles, but this has been delayed until an assessment is carried out.

EU-China relations

EU relations with China have been deteriorating for a number of years, not least since China placed sanctions on Members of the European Parliament and the Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights in 2021 (lifted in 2025). Members debated and adopted a recommendation on EU-China relations drafted by its Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET). The report outlines the challenges concerning bilateral relations; including Chinese human rights violations, trade and competition imbalances, and China's support of Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine. The committee text recognised that the EU should strengthen itself from within. The vote on the recommendation came ahead of the EU Trade Commissioner's planned visit to Beijing in October 2026.

Consular support

Parliament approved a second report on the Commission's proposal to amend the directive providing consular support to EU citizens in third countries where they are not represented, and the directive on the emergency travel document. Parliament's involvement in this file falls under the consultation procedure, meaning that the Council is not bound to act on Parliament's amendments. Parliament adopted its initial report back in 2024, calling for these directives to cover recognised refugees and stateless persons residing in the EU. Since then, the Council has amended the text significantly, for example by increasing the role of Union delegations regarding the right to consular protection, and so Parliament has been reconsulted.

Opening of trilogue negotiations

Two decisions to enter into interinstitutional negotiations – from the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) on the establishment of European Business Wallets and from the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) on sustainability related disclosures in the financial services sector – were approved without votes.

Annex: Voting results for legislative files

The graphics below show the voting by political group in the final roll-call votes for the files decided under the ordinary legislative procedure or consent procedures during this plenary session.

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 6 October 2026 on Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE). — Figure 1 – Programme for agile and rapid defence innovation (AGILE)

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 6 October 2026 on Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work. — Figure 2 – Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 6 October 2026 on Alignment with the EU economic governance framework and further simplification of that framework. — Figure 3 – Alignment with the EU economic governance framework and further simplification of that framework

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 6 October 2026 on Economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States in the euro area experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability. — Figure 4 – Economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States in the euro area experiencing or threatened with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 6 October 2026 on Funding arrangements and the use of a diversified funding strategy. — Figure 5 – Funding arrangements and the use of a diversified funding strategy

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 6 October 2026 on Simplification of certain requirements for spatial information infrastructure in the Union (INSPIRE) (Omnibus VIII on environmental legislation). — Figure 6 – Simplification of certain requirements for spatial information infrastructure in the Union (INSPIRE) (Omnibus VIII on environmental legislation)

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 6 October 2026 on Psychosocial risks, stress and mental health at work. — Figure 7 – Psychosocial risks, stress and mental health at work

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 7 October 2026 on CO2 emission class of heavy-duty vehicles with trailers. — Figure 8 – CO2 emission class of heavy-duty vehicles with trailers

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 7 October 2026 on Empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles. — Figure 9 – Empowering France to accede to the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles

Graphic showing the breakdown by political group of the vote in plenary on 7 October 2026 on Consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union in third countries. — Figure 10 – Consular protection for unrepresented citizens of the Union in third countries

Classification

Policy areas: EU Democracy, Institutional and Parliamentary Law

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