The Sakharov Prize and Joao Leana’s assessment for the European Court of Auditors were celebrated at a plenary meeting in Strasbourg

The awarding of the Sakharov Prize to Iranian activists and the assessment of João Leana’s candidacy for the European Court of Auditors are some of the highlights of the plenary session of the European Parliament, which begins Monday in Strasbourg, France.

The agenda of the plenary session, which will last until Thursday, also includes the presence of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who will present to members of the European Parliament the results of Spain’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU). , which will also discuss the wars between Israel and Hamas and Ukraine and vote on the master list system in the next European elections, scheduled for June 2024.

On Tuesday morning, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought will be presented to representatives of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurd who died in September 2022 after being detained and beaten by the Islamic Republic’s morality police for violating the strict dress code imposed on women. and the Iranian protest movement Women, Life, Freedom.

The prize, awarded annually for outstanding human rights achievements and named after former Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, will honor the young Iranian Kurd whose death sparked an unprecedented wave of women-led protests in Iran against the “hijab” (Islamic veil) law. and other discriminatory rules.

On the same day, the European Parliament analyzes the candidacy of João Leana, former Minister of State and Finance of the XXII Government, appointed by Portugal to the Court of Auditors of the European Court of Auditors to fill the position that became vacant following the death of João Figueiredo in June 2021.

At the end of November, the Budgetary Control Committee of the European Parliament gave the green light to the appointment, the final decision on which will be made by EU member states.

On Wednesday, Pedro Sánchez, head of the Spanish government since June 2018 and reappointed on November 16, will present an assessment of the Spanish presidency of the EU Council, which will last until the end of the year and which has identified as priorities the promotion of reindustrialization (thus guaranteeing strategic autonomy), progress in the ecological transition and environmental adaptation, promoting greater social and economic justice and strengthening European unity.

During next year’s European elections, proposals for a head of list system will be put to the vote, which includes a mechanism for electing the president of the European Commission and ways to increase voter turnout and strengthen democratic processes. At the same time, proposals to protect European democracy made by the European Commission will be discussed by members of the European Parliament.

In the field of international relations, the latest developments will be assessed by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell regarding the war between Israel and Hamas.

Regarding the war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, the focus will be on the environmental consequences caused by Russia’s actions, and will also discuss the report on China, in which MEPs recognize the dual role of partner, but also competitor and systemic rival.

Economic security will also be high on the agenda in the context of geopolitical tensions.

European supplies and sovereignty over critical raw materials needed to produce electric vehicles, solar panels and smartphones, European Parliament priorities at the next European Council meeting (scheduled for 14 and 15 December), social acceptance of parenthood, recommendations on mental health and the border agency debate ( Frontex are other themes that mark the four days of work in Strasbourg.