Renew in Slovakia to support member party Progressive Slovakia - The Renew Group Presidency will visit Bratislava next week for a two-day visit to meet with officials from Progressive Slovakia. Discussions will focus notably on competitiveness challenges - a crucial issue that only Progressive Slovakia prioritizes in Slovakia. Renew will hold talks and meetings to explore how to revive growth through appropriate economic policies, in an increasingly concerning context, with Prime Minister Fico undermining Slovakia's economy.
Renew will also express its full support for Progressive Slovakia and its leader Michal Šimečka in their fight to protect Slovak democracy against Prime Minister Robert Fico's attacks.
Robert Fico's government continually undermines the rule of law in Slovakia. It attacks the media, targets independent courts, and restricts minority rights. The government erodes the principles of parliamentary democracy by ramming through legislation without debate and stifling political opposition. Fico relentlessly attacks Michal Šimečka, leader of the largest opposition party, using disinformation and fabricated allegations.
Fico is clearly drawing inspiration from Russia, adopting both its model of democratic suppression and its propaganda narratives. He meets with Vladimir Putin and refuses to recognize Russia as a threat to Slovakia and the EU, instead advocating for cooperation with the aggressor state.
Visit : Monday 3 & Tuesday 4 November, Bratislava.
Renew MEPs : Group President Valérie Hayer (Renaissance, France), EP vice-president Martin Hojsík (Progressive Slovakia, Slovakia)
Renew's strong opposition to the renationalising of the post-2027 budget - On the occasion of an exchange of views next week, our group will reiterate its disagreements to Budget Commissioner Piotr Serafin, following a joint letter to President von der Leyen on October 30, urging a revision of the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP) proposal. The European Parliament cannot accept the Commission's approach. The key reasons for rejection include the risk of fragmentation among member states, the need for distinct policies to ensure effectiveness, and the importance of strengthening the role of regional authorities in cohesion policy.
As Fabienne Keller, Renew’s shadow rapporteur for the “post 2027” proposal, states, “Renationalising the budget in the way the Commission proposes means less control, less Europe in citizens’ daily lives, and more power to governments - with all the risks that come with it."
Meeting : Committee on Budgets, Wednesday 5 November, 14:30.
Renew MEP : Fabienne Keller (Renaissance, France)
Citizen’s Initiative ‘My Voice My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion’ - Next Wednesday, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) will vote on a resolution responding to the European Citizens’ Initiative My Voice My Choice: For Safe and Accessible Abortion, which gathered over 1.2 million signatures across Europe. The initiative calls for a voluntary Union-level mechanism to fund cross-border access to safe and legal abortion services, while respecting national competences in healthcare policy. Renew Europe supports the inclusion of this fund in the current and future Multiannual Financial Framework to cover the costs for Member States providing abortion care to non-residents.
Renew Europe is leading this citizens-led effort to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and to ensure that all women across Europe can access essential SRHR services without discrimination.
Vote: Wednesday, 5 November 2025, 9.30–10.30
Renew Europe MEP: Abir Al-Sahlani (Centerpartiet, Sweden)
