Key diary dates
- Monday, October 20th: European Parliament — Debate on the decision to impose a fine on Google: Defending press and media freedom in the EU.
- Tuesday, October 21st : 2026 Committee Work Program Communication on Generational Change in Agriculture 2025 Annual Summary Report on Simplification, Implementation and Enforcement
- Thursday, October 23rd: EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, European defense and security, competitiveness and twinning, housing and migration.
in the spotlight
The European Commission plans to publish its report 2026 work plan On Tuesday, we will outline new initiatives planned for the coming year. The draft document, dated October 14 and seen by Euronews, contains both new ideas and old proposals originally targeted for 2025.
One of the initiatives postponed to 2026 is European biotechnology lawChairman Vaheli had originally hoped to have it ready by the end of this year. This legislation will introduce measures to accelerate the journey of biotechnology products from the laboratory to the factory and ultimately to the market.
Regarding health, the Committee also Global Health Resilience InitiativePresident von der Leyen announced in her State of the Union address last month.
Although this draft is still subject to change, it highlights key proposals aimed at: Boost innovation and competitivenessimprove working conditions and equal rights, and address fragmentation within the EU’s single market.
In the first quarter of 2026, the EU Executive will submit its next report. Single market roadmap to 2028setting clear goals and deadlines to overcome barriers across various sectors such as finance, services and energy.
suggestion “28th System” It is also planned for early next year. This optional harmonized EU legal framework is designed to make it easy for innovative companies to set up and operate in all Member States.
more omnibus package Plans are also underway to cover areas such as energy, tax policy and defense procurement simplification.
But it’s not just new ideas. Plans for next year also include a review of existing legislation, which may require updates and performance checks. These include the chip method; animal health regulations, Tobacco control lawfertilizer product regulations, etc.
Finally, one of the most interesting parts of the 2026 work plan is the drawer. This part will reveal which legislative files end up in the committee trash and which may be revived in a new form.
Late 2024, AI Responsibility Directive, 2023 FiDA Proposals, and equal treatment directive — the latter was revived earlier this year. So get ready for the next round of EU policy battles. Popcorn is optional.
policy reporter
Fitto vs MEP in the next MFF (2028-34)
The EU Commission now faces the question of whether to change the bloc’s framework. Long-term budget proposal after 2027. Since the EU Executive proposed the integration of agriculture and farming; community fund The change in July to a single pot controlled by each national government has been criticized from a variety of quarters, including farmers, regions, member states, and parliamentarians. the latter is even threatened to reject the proposal In November if there are no changes. “If the committee ignores our demands, our members will face the following consequences. rejection Last Thursday, EU Commissioner Raffaele Fitto told regional delegates in Brussels that the EU Executive: willing to introduce some changes. But later that day, a commission spokesperson suggested the opposite. “At this stage, the committee will not speculate on individual elements of the proposal or the individual positions of its co-members,” the statement said, adding that the agency “We are having constructive exchanges.“With parliamentarians and member states.
