Highlights 

Constitution of the new Parliament and election of the President. The first session of the new Parliament will be opened on Tuesday at 10.00. Parliament’s first act after its constitution is to elect its President for the next two-and-a-half years (half the legislature). Eight MEPs will be selected as tellers to oversee the election, scheduled on Tuesday shortly after 10.00 and held by secret paper ballot. To be elected, a candidate must win an absolute majority of the valid votes cast, i.e. 50% plus one.

Election of Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. After the election of the President, MEPs will elect the rest of the members of Parliament’s Bureau: 14 Vice-Presidents and five Quaestors. (Tuesday, Wednesday)

Forming Parliament’s committees and delegations. Parliament will vote on the numerical composition of its standing committees and subcommittees as well as its interparliamentary delegations on Wednesday. Committee nominations will be decided by the political groups and announced in plenary on Friday. The committees will convene the following week for their constitutive meetings to elect their Chairs and Vice-Chairs.

Election of the European Commission President. On Thursday at 13.00, Parliament will decide whether to endorse Ursula von der Leyen for the Presidency of the European Commission. At 09.00, she will address Parliament’s plenary and outline her vision and plans for the next five years, followed by a debate with MEPs. The vote by secret paper ballot will take place after the debate. To be elected, she needs an absolute majority (50% plus one) of Parliament’s component members.

Russia’s war against Ukraine. On Wednesday morning, political group leaders will make statements on the need for the EU's continuous support for Ukraine, followed by a vote on a resolution at 17.00.

President’s Diary. On Monday, EP President Metsola participates in the EU Flag-Raising Ceremony.

Pre-session press briefing. The EP Press Service will hold a press briefing at 9.00 on Tuesday in the Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room in Strasbourg.

Useful contacts for journalists covering the European Parliament’s activities.