Plenary Priorities 15-18 June 2026
European economic and digital independence - In the new world we face, we believe that Europe's economic and digital sovereignty must be built on competitiveness, innovation and openness. The question is not whether Europe has the resources to succeed, but whether we have the political will to use them. Europe does not lack talent, capital or industrial capacity. What we need is urgency.
Renew Europe stands ready to accelerate the reforms, investments and legislative action needed to make this Europe's independence moment.
What we call for :
-Affordable energy is the foundation of European independence. We must accelerate the deployment of renewables, nuclear and hydrogen, modernise our grids, strengthen interconnections and speed up permitting procedures. Reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels is both an economic necessity and a geopolitical imperative.
-Mobilise Europe's financial strength. Every year, hundreds of billions of euros of European savings leave our continent instead of financing European innovation, industry and scale-ups. Completing the Savings and Investment Union is essential if Europeans are to finance Europe's own technological and industrial future.
-Digital sovereignty means ensuring that Europe can compete and lead in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud infrastructure, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing. It means reducing critical dependencies, strengthening resilience against economic coercion and ensuring that the technologies of tomorrow are developed in Europe, according to European values.
-Rapid implementation of the Single Market Strategy, the EU's 28th regime, the Industrial Accelerator Act and the Technological Sovereignty package. The self-inflicted fragmentation of the single market is one of the greatest obstacles to European prosperity.
Debate : Monday 15 June, 17:00, on economic independence. Tuesday 16 June, 9:00, on technological sovereignty, both initiated by Renew Europe.
Protecting EU citizen’s data from hybrid threats – the Lithuanian case - The Lithuanian data breach is a stark reminder that in today's Europe, personal data is not only a privacy issue but also a security issue. This case matters far beyond Lithuania. It raises concerns that sensitive information relating to public officials and high-risk professions could have been exposed.
What we call for:
-Public authorities and operators of critical services to apply the highest cybersecurity standards.
-Stronger European coordination, as hybrid attacks do not respect national borders.
-Europe to send a clear signal to those who seek to weaponise data against our citizens.
-The Commission to investigate the Lithuanian data breach and ensure that the personal data protection rights of all EU citizens are effectively safeguarded and implemented.
Plenary debate, upon Renew Europe’s request : Wednesday, 17 June,, 13:30.
Renew MEP : Petras Austrevicius (LIthuania)
Future of EU-China economic relations - Renew Europe supports a clear-eyed and confident approach to China. A coordinated EU common approach is a necessity to aim to re-balance trade imbalances.
Our key messages :
-Europe must remain open to trade and dialogue, but openness cannot mean unhealthy dependence and the EU must continue to raise Chinese human rights abuses, the oppression of minorities in China and stand up for Taiwan.
-We need to de-risk critical supply chains, strengthen our technological and industrial base, defend ourselves against overcapacities, economic coercion and against illegal and unsafe products entering into the Union market especially via online marketplaces and ensure genuine reciprocity in trade.
Debate : Wednesday 17 June, 9:00
Enlargement: European Parliament votes on Montenegro - Montenegro remains the frontrunner and has achieved substantial progress over the past year, with no other country as advanced in the process. Liberals and Democrats welcome the closure of additional negotiating chapters during 2025 and early 2026 and recognise the efforts made by Montenegrin institutions. EU membership is no longer a distant aspiration, but a realistic and achievable objective and Enlargement is a strategic necessity for Europe.
Following the vote on the report by rapporteur Marjan Šarec (Renew, Slovenia) assessing Montenegro’s progress in the EU accession process, Montenegro’s Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, will join the standing rapporteur Šarec as a guest at the press conference.
When: 14.30 – 15:00, Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Where: Daphne Caruana Galizia press conference room, European Parliament, Strasbourg, and remotely
No Democracy Without Equality. Launch of Renew position paper - Renew Europe is pleased to invite you to an exclusive press breakfast marking the launch of its new position paper, No Democracy Without Equality: Europe's Response to Geopolitical Pressure and Rights Erosion.
Developed through a cross-committee initiative involving Members from FEMM, LIBE, AFET, DROI and BUDG, the paper examines the growing links between anti-rights movements, democratic backsliding, and geopolitical pressure. It outlines Renew Europe's proposals to strengthen democratic resilience, human rights and equality in Europe and beyond.
When: Wednesday, 17 June at 8:15
Venue: MEPs salon, room W5+6, WIC restaurant, European Parliament in Strasbourg
Speakers: MEP Abir Al-Sahlani (Sweden), MEP Fabienne Keller (France), MEP Hilde Vautmans (Belgium), MEP Lukas Sieper (Germany), MEP Dainius Žalimas (Lithuania)
Registration LINK: