This week, key events include the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York, the signing of the AI Pact with around 1,000 companies making voluntary commitments, and the EU Court of Justice ruling on whether supermarket Aldi Süd breached consumer law. Hungarian ministers will be presenting their six-month chairmanship of the EU Council to MEPs, with potential tensions surrounding issues such as Ukraine and migration. The Hungarian presidency aims to close all open legislation before the end of the year, including EU rules on energy tax, genetically modified food, and drivers’ licenses. However, the impact of their presidency may be limited due to the quiet period in the EU calendar and the upcoming switch of mandate in November.
MEPs are set to discuss contenders for the prestigious Sakharov prize for Freedom of Thought, with notable nominees including Elon Musk, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, and Palestinian Presidential candidate Edmundo González. Last week, MEPs voted to recognize González as the legitimate winner of disputed elections in July, though he has had to flee the country. The prize, which includes a €50,000 endowment, will be presented later this year following scrutiny by various Parliament committees. Previous winners of the award include Nelson Mandela and Alexei Navalny.
The Hungarian presidency’s presentations to MEPs are typically routine affairs, but may be more contentious this time due to ongoing tensions within the EU. Some MEPs and ministers have boycotted events in Budapest, and discussions with Hungarian ministers are expected to cover a range of issues including migration and climate change commitments. However, with the EU Commission in caretaker mode and the Parliament still transitioning after June elections, the impact of the Hungarian presidency’s policies may be limited. The presidency’s focus on closing open legislation before the end of the year aligns with an ambitious agenda, but may face challenges in implementation.
Policy news this week also includes the EU Court of Justice ruling on Aldi Süd’s consumer law compliance, MEP meetings to discuss Sakharov prize contenders, and ongoing tensions within the EU regarding Hungary’s presidency. The Hungarian ministers’ presentations to MEPs are expected to cover a range of policy areas, with potential discussions on migration, climate change commitments, and other key issues. The Sakharov prize nominations include high-profile figures such as Elon Musk and Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, highlighting the diverse range of contenders for this prestigious award. Overall, this week’s key events reflect a mix of domestic and international policy issues facing the EU.
