Ukraine’s 90 billion euro loan, the Draghi report, and safe‑country rules: the key issues ahead in Strasbourg

Brussels – The European Parliament is making room for a vote on a 90 billion euro loan to Ukraine over two years. Initially scheduled for an extraordinary session on the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion, on 24 February, it will “in all likelihood” be brought forward to Wednesday, 11 February, during the plenary session in Strasbourg. The agenda, which includes a debate with Ursula von der Leyen on competitiveness and the Draghi report, as well as the final vote on safe third countries and the list of safe countries of origin, is thus becoming even more packed.

European Parliament spokesperson Delphine Colard announced today (6 February) that MEPs will vote on the mega-loan to Kyiv as early as next week. However, she specified that “final confirmation of the vote is expected at the opening of the plenary session on Monday, in Strasbourg”. After the agreement among Member States on the (geographical) limits on military spending to which the loan will be tied, there is no time to lose. As the liberals of Renew Europe pointed out, “rapid adoption is essential so that the Commission can start disbursing the funds: Ukraine cannot wait.”

 There will be a heated debate in the Chamber on Wednesday morning when Ursula von der Leyen addresses MEPs in a debate entitled “The Draghi Report: European competitiveness and the cost of living.” The debate comes just a few hours before the informal summit of heads of state and government on competitiveness convened by Antonio Costa, which will also be attended by Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta. Von der Leyen will have to fend off attacks from those who, more than a year after the presentation of the report by the economist and former Italian prime minister, will criticise her for not having done enough, as well as from those who reject Draghi’s proposals, which call for a change of pace in the process of European integration. “The reality is that Mario Draghi is the problem. He has been part of the ruling class for decades and is now being presented as the solution to all ills,” attacked the Patriots (PfE) group.

 However, the most heated debate in the Chamber will be over migration and asylum. On the agenda are the final votes on the European Commission’s two most controversial proposals to tighten asylum procedures: the first EU list of safe countries of origin and the revision of the rules establishing when a third country can be considered safe. The list is expected to initially include Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia, and will allow for accelerated processing of asylum applications submitted by citizens of these countries. Even more radical is the point relating to third countries: the new rules will allow Member States to declare asylum applications inadmissible when applicants have a connection with, have transited through, or can be transferred to a non-EU country considered safe, on the basis of bilateral or EU-level agreements with third countries. Member States and Parliament have already reached an agreement on both files, and the vote on the agenda is therefore the final step in the legislative process.

For The Left group, “the list of safe countries is tailor-made to help the Meloni government push through the Italy-Albania agreement, a cynical attempt to outsource the asylum process and circumvent national court rulings and EU law.” As for safe third countries, the spokesperson commented sarcastically: “So, for those who manage to survive the Mediterranean, we can send them to detention camps elsewhere.” The Socialist Group (S&D) will also take a stand against the new rules, which are “rushed, allow Member States to unilaterally disregard the right to asylum and make Europe dependent on foreign governments for migration management,” said Cecilia Strada (PD).

 Farmers remain on the agenda, with the final vote on the safeguard mechanism for agricultural imports from Mercosur countries and the green light for new rules to support wine producers and offer farmers better protection against unfair trading practices. Finally, a debate with the European Commission has been included on the consequences of Cyclone Harry, which hit southern Italy, and on measures to prevent and prepare for natural disasters, including through the strengthening of the Civil Protection Mechanism and related funding.