* Vote on EUR 90 billion EU loan to Ukraine

In a vote at noon, MEPs are set to greenlight a financial aid package for Ukraine. The package consists of a EUR 90 billion EU support loan to Ukraine, changes to the EU's Ukraine Facility and an amendment to the EU's 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework to allow the use of its headroom as a loan guarantee and to handle the related debt servicing costs.

Eszter ZALÁN

(+32) 477 99 20 73

@EP_Budgets

Viktor ALMQVIST

(+32) 470 88 29 42

@EP_ForeignAff

Reviving EU competitiveness

First on today's agenda, at 9.00, is a debate on the need for urgent action to boost EU competitiveness, deepen the EU single market and reduce the cost of living. With Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Marilena Raouna, Cyprus's Deputy European Affairs Minister, in attendance, MEPs will outline their priorities for transforming the recommendations made in the 2024 Draghi report into reality.

John SCHRANZ

(+32) 498 98 14 02

@EP_Economics

Defending the rule of law in Slovakia

In a debate starting at around 14.00, MEPs will discuss the rule of law, fundamental rights and the misuse of EU funds in Slovakia, with Marilena Raouna, Cyprus's Deputy Minister for European Affairs, for the Council presidency, and Michael McGrath, for the Commission. MEPs are expected to sound the alarm at Slovakia's decision to abolish the Whistleblower Protection Office, a move that has been criticised as incompatible with the EU Whistleblower Directive.

Martina VASS

(+32) 477 99 11 57

@EP_Legal

Combating poverty

From around 16.00, MEPs will discuss the Commission's forthcoming anti-poverty strategy with Roxana Mînzatu, Commissioner responsible for social rights and skills, quality jobs and preparedness. They will vote on a report tomorrow. A press conference is scheduled at 9.30 this morning.

Arianne SIKKEN

(+32) 477 99 19 34

@EP SocialAffairs

In brief

Strategic defence partnerships. MEPs will vote at noon on an own-initiative report on EU strategic defence and security partnerships as a means to bolster joint efforts in security and defence between the EU and key bilateral partners.

State violence in Minneapolis. Requested by the S&D group, this session's topical debate, with Commissioner Kostas Kadis, concerns state violence in Minneapolis and the rule of law in the United States. It will start after the votes, at around 13.00.

Human rights, democracy and the rule of law. From around 19.30, MEPs and Commissioner Marta Kos will discuss the cases of: the post-election situation in Uganda and threats against opposition leader Bobi Wine; systemic oppression, inhumane conditions and arbitrary detentions by the regime in Iran; and the targeted expulsions of foreign journalists and foreign Christians in Türkiye under national security pretexts. The votes on the related resolutions will be held tomorrow.

Votes

At noon, MEPs will vote, among others, on:

* a decision to mobilise the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for workers made redundant following the closure of the Brussels Audi plant;

* an interim report regarding the association agreement between the EU and the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino.

Live coverage of the plenary session can be found on Parliament's webstreaming site and on EbS+.

For detailed information on the session, please also see our newsletter.

Find more information regarding plenary. (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/home.html)