Source: European Parliament
The highlight of the May 2026 plenary session was the first conferral ceremony for the European Order of Merit, honouring individuals’ outstanding contributions to the European project and reaffirming the Union’s shared values and commitment to solidarity, democracy and peace.
Another key moment of the session was question time with Kaja Kallas, Vice-President of the Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, where the EU strategy to address the current crises in the Middle East was discussed.
On foreign affairs and security, Parliament debated Europe’s response to reduced United States military deployments in Europe, particularly on the Union’s Eastern flank, in light of recent US decisions. Members also addressed political repression and the humanitarian situation in Cuba, as well as the Azerbaijani Parliament’s decision to suspend cooperation with the European Parliament.
In addition, Parliament commemorated the genocide of Armenians and Greeks in Pontos and Asia Minor.
Debates related to economic resilience, competitiveness and preparedness focused on EU cybersecurity and preparedness in view of advanced AI systems, as well as the urgent need to deliver on the single market to provide certainty and predictability for European businesses and quality jobs.
Members also discussed sustainable financing of EU priorities through a new EU own resource linked to the online gambling and betting services sector.
Further debates covered European solidarity in securing access to medicines in a shifting geopolitical context, the Union’s preparedness for health emergencies following the case of the MV Hondius and the hantavirus spread, recent proposals to fight poverty in the EU, and the need to reduce work-related fatalities.
Parliament furthermore debated the recruitment of children by organised crime and the vehicle attack on pedestrians in Modena, with a focus on protecting public spaces and preventing violence. There were debates following the presentation of the fertilisers action plan, and on the need to adapt the EU legal framework on sustainable biofuels. •
EU Democracy, Institutional and Parliamentary Law