Plenary priorities 9-12 March 2026
War at Europe's doorstep: Renew Europe demands action - Following the Israeli and American airstrikes launched on 28 February, Iran has retaliated against neighbouring countries hosting US military bases, while Israeli forces have struck Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
-Renew Europe firmly supports the Iranian people's right to determine its own future through a democratic transition.
-The group calls on the European Union to speak with one voice on the escalating conflict in the Middle East, urges immediate de‑escalation efforts through full diplomatic engagement from a position of strength, and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to international law and multilateralism.
-Renew Europe stresses the urgent need to protect the freedom of movement and navigation for global energy supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, by temporarily issuing insurance for ship trafficking and with military means if necessary, and to accelerate Europe's energy independence to reduce its exposure to instability in the region.
-An EU member state, Cyprus, has been unexpectedly drawn into the conflict following Iranian drone strikes on a British military base on its territory. European solidarity with Cyprus must be fully activated to guarantee its security. Renew Europe calls on clarification on the definition and meaning of Art. 42.7 TFEU.
Debate "The US-Israel military operation against the Iranian regime, its consequences and the need to support the people of Iran" : Wednesday 11 March 2026, 9:00
Renew MEPs : Hilde Vautmans (Anders, Belgium) & Bart Groothuis (VVD, Netherlands)
The single market: Europe’s mother of all battles - So far, the European Commission had proposed to simplify existing EU laws. But it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Beyond simplification, we need to complete our single market in key areas, as indicated by Draghi and Letta in their reports, and we need to dismantle the existing obstacles.
Real barriers to the single market are in the Member States. The key to unlock the power of the Single market is there. Renew Europe is pushing for national leaders to get at it. Simplifying, enforcing and deepening the Single market, here is our motto.
-Our call to the national leaders: come up with a list of national barriers to EU internal trade in your own country and commit to remove them at the next EU summit in March.
-To the Commission: ruthlessly take national governments to court if they don’t correctly enforce already agreed EU laws.
-To EU legislators: accelerate the simplification drive of existing EU rules, reduce fragmentation, and adopt bold measures to complete the single market in key areas such as energy, services, telecoms, capital, company law, skills, research, and innovation.
Debate "how to move from an incomplete single market to one market for one Europe" : Wednesday, 10 March, 9:00
Renew MEP : João Cotrim De Figueiredo (Iniciativa Liberal, Portugal)
EU Enlargement Strategy: a strategic necessity for Europe - EP rapporteur Petras Auštrevičius will present the European Parliament's report on EU Enlargement Strategy in plenary next week. In the context of the latest geopolitical developments, there is a clear sense of urgency and the EU must be ready to act and reform itself. A larger Union means a stronger economy, greater security, and more global influence benefits that extend to all Europeans. Closer security integration is central to this and will strengthen collective resilience. But there are no shortcuts: rule of law, democratic institutions, respect for human rights and alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy are unconditional. When these conditions are met, merit-based accession strengthens both – Member States and the candidate countries.
Renew Europe calls for wider use of qualified majority voting, institutional adjustments, and policy reviews so that a larger Union can take decisions faster, spend smarter, and ensure prosperity, security and opportunity reach all its members.
Debate : Tuesday 10 March, 15:00
EP rapporteur : Renew MEP Petras Auštrevičius (Liberalų sąjūdis, Lithuania)
Decent housing for everyone - We support the report on Housing expected to be adopted in plenary next week. Decent, sustainable and affordable housing is a cornerstone of a person's life, the EU's prosperity and competitiveness and social cohesion across the Union. We believe that housing must remain a right and not become a privilege. It is high time to make it easier to build, smarter to invest and fairer to access affordable housing across borders.
For us, a credible housing strategy must set out concrete measures to boost supply, align climate and affordability objectives, and ensure that citizens, especially young people, can reclaim control over their living conditions. While the EU can play a supportive role in several areas, housing challenges must primarily be addressed at the national and local level in order to deliver decent, sustainable, and affordable housing for all.
When: Tuesday 10 March. Plenary debate "Housing crisis in the EU with the aim of proposing solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing" starting at 9.00. Vote starting at 12.30.
Renew MEP : Brigitte van den Berg (D66, Netherlands)
