{"id":31375,"date":"2019-12-17T03:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-12-17T02:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=31375"},"modified":"2019-12-17T07:55:38","modified_gmt":"2019-12-17T06:55:38","slug":"coming-up-in-plenary-sakharov-prize-new-ombudsman-rule-of-law-in-malta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/coming-up-in-plenary-sakharov-prize-new-ombudsman-rule-of-law-in-malta\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming up in plenary: Sakharov Prize, new Ombudsman, rule of law in Malta"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Parliament will award the Sakharov human rights prize, elect a new Ombudsman and debate the rule of law in Malta and the EU Summit at the final plenary session of 2019.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Sakharov Prize<\/h3>\n

In recognition of his fight for the rights of China\u2019s Uyghur minority, economist and human rights activist Ilham Tohti will be awarded the\u00a02019 Sakharov Prize<\/a>\u00a0in a ceremony on Wednesday. As he is currently imprisoned for life in China on charges of separatism, his daughter Jewher will receive the award from President David Sassoli. Later on Wednesday, MEPs will discuss the treatment of China\u2019s Uyghur population.<\/p>\n

EU Ombudsman<\/h3>\n

Parliament will hold a first round of elections for the EU Ombudsman on Tuesday. The Ombudsman will be elected by secret ballot for a five-year term. The\u00a0five candidates<\/a>\u00a0running for the post presented their priorities in a\u00a0public hearing<\/a>\u00a0of Parliament\u2019s petitions committee in early December.<\/p>\n

EU summit<\/h3>\n

On Wednesday morning, MEPs will assess the outcome of the 12-13 December\u00a0EU summit<\/a>, which focussed on climate action, the\u00a0EU’s long-term budget<\/a>, the\u00a0Conference on the Future of Europe<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Brexit<\/a>. The new European Council President Charles Michel will report back to Parliament for the first time.<\/p>\n

Digital tax<\/h3>\n

On Monday, MEPs will ask the Commission to detail its plans to tax digital services more fairly in the EU.<\/p>\n

Malta<\/h3>\n

In a debate on Tuesday, MEPs will discuss the\u00a0investigation<\/a>\u00a0into the murder of journalist and anti-corruption activist Daphne Caruana Galizia and the political turmoil it caused in Malta.<\/p>\n

Pollinators<\/h3>\n

In a vote on Wednesday, MEPs are expected to push for a further reduction in pesticide use, more funds for research and better monitoring in order to save pollinators such as bees, butterflies and other insects.<\/p>\n

Lisbon Treaty<\/h3>\n

MEPs will also commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the\u00a0Lisbon Treaty<\/a>. The Treaty enhanced democracy in Europe, expanded the rights of European citizens and strengthened the legislative and budgetary powers of Parliament, putting it on an equal footing with the Council in the EU\u2019s decision-making process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Further information<\/span><\/h3>\n