EU budget overhaul and security tensions dominate Strasbourg plenary

On Wednesday, October 21, MEPs will debate the short-term 2027 budget, considering a request for an additional €2.7bn beyond the Council’s summer proposal. This surplus is earmarked for climate disaster response, agricultural support, and an expanded Erasmus+ program, which the Parliament aims to boost to €47bn from the previously planned €40bn. The agenda also includes the disbursement of €489m in aid for Mediterranean regions hit by severe flooding and €1.1m to support Finnish paper industry workers displaced by recent layoffs.

Beyond fiscal policy, security concerns take center stage on Tuesday, October 20, as the chamber addresses escalating Russian provocations near the Bulgarian and Romanian coasts. Lawmakers are set to challenge the European Commission over its controversial decision to lift sanctions on luxury Russian furs shortly after their implementation. A formal vote on the regional security response is scheduled for Thursday, October 22.