site.btaFuture of Schengen Is among Highlights of EP Session in Strasbourg

The future of Schengen will be one of the first and main topics in the European Parliament beginning in Strasbourg. Monday afternoon, the EP and the European Commission will discuss the consequences of the reintroduction of border checks, according to the MEPs' agenda.

The debate follows the September 9 announcement by Germany that is reintroducing checks at its land borders with France, Poland, Czechia, Austria and Switzerland. Seven other countries - Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia, Norway, Denmark and Sweden - have introduced temporary border controls. 

The security of the EU external borders, with the support of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex, is also on the agenda. It will take place against the backdrop of preparations by the EU and its Member States to implement the Migration and Asylum Pact, and in particular the screening regulation, to improve security checks on persons arriving irregularly in the EU and to speed up asylum and return procedures for those not eligible for international protection.

Other foreign policy issues will include the crisis in the Middle East, the situation in Georgia, Moldova and Sudan, and UN reform. 

Among the domestic issues to be discussed are the Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU, which started in July 2024, the crisis in the European car industry and how to provide affordable housing in the EU.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced that there will be a special commissioner in charge of housing policy. 

During this session in Strasbourg, MEPs will also debate topics such as the rule of law in the EU, taxation of the wealthiest, combating violence against women, preventing drug-related crime, protecting the EU budget and ensuring that EU funds are not used by organizations or individuals linked to terrorist or Islamist movements, the extreme forest fires in Portugal and Greece and the need for further EU action on adaptation and mitigation of climate change.

MEPs are also expected to approve the release of more than EUR1 billion in aid from the EU Solidarity Fund to support recovery efforts in five countries hit by severe floods in 2023 - Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Greece and France.