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eBriefing
Plenary Session Briefing 2025 December 15-18
The EU to Phase Out Russian Gas Imports — ***I
Report Inese Vaidere, Ville Niinistö: A10-0195/2025
Vote: Wednesday, 17 December 2025, at 12h00
Purpose: Protect EU energy security by banning imports of Russian natural gas.
Context: In response to sustained geopolitical weaponisation of energy supplies by Russia, the Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on a regulation that phases out Russian gas imports. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
Purpose: Protect EU energy security by banning imports of Russian natural gas.
Context: In response to sustained geopolitical weaponisation of energy supplies by Russia, the Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on a regulation that phases out Russian gas imports. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
- Ban on Russian LNG imports upon entry into force, expected early 2026.
- Phased elimination of pipeline gas imports by 30 September 2027.
- Penalties to ensure compliance by member states.
Simplifying Sustainability and Due Diligence Rules - ***I
Report Jörgen Warborn: A10-0197/2025
Vote: Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at 12h00
Purpose: Streamline EU requirements for corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence.
Context: Parliament and member states agreed on a deal that balances reporting obligations with business capacity. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
Context: Parliament and member states agreed on a deal that balances reporting obligations with business capacity. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
- Reporting obligations for firms with net turnover > €450 m and significant workforce.
- Very large firms (5,000+ employees) subject to due diligence, but without mandatory transition plans.
- National liability regime and lower penalties for non-compliance.
Deforestation Regulation (Postponement & Simplification) — ***I
Vote: Tuesday, 9 September 2025, at 12h30
Purpose: Amend existing deforestation regulation to ease compliance and delay application dates.
Context: Provisional political agreement with Council sets postponed deadlines and lighter requirements for smaller operators. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
Purpose: Amend existing deforestation regulation to ease compliance and delay application dates.
Context: Provisional political agreement with Council sets postponed deadlines and lighter requirements for smaller operators. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
- Large operators apply rules from 30 Dec 2026; smaller operators from 30 Jun 2027.
- Due diligence reporting responsibility shifted to first market entrant.
Boosting EU Support for Defence Investment — *** (consent)
Report Rihards Kols: A10-0172/2025
Vote: Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at 12h30
Purpose: Strengthen the EU’s defence technological and industrial base by allowing Channelled EU funds.
Context: Part of the ReArm Europe initiative, focused on strategic autonomy and security. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
Context: Part of the ReArm Europe initiative, focused on strategic autonomy and security. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
- Amends several EU programmes (STEP, EDF, Horizon, etc.) to allow defence investment.
EU-Mercosur Safeguard Mechanism for Agricultural Imports — ***I
Vote: Tuesday, 16 December 2025, at 12h30
Purpose: Establish a mechanism to temporarily restrict tariff preferences if Mercosur imports harm EU agricultural markets.
Context: Linked to the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade and Partnership Agreements. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
Context: Linked to the EU-Mercosur Interim Trade and Partnership Agreements. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
- Safeguard clause applicable to key Mercosur agricultural products.
Simplifying EU Agriculture Rules (CAP Flexibility) — ***I
Report André Rodrigues: A10-0164/2025
Vote: Wednesday, 10 September 2025, at 12h00
Purpose: Provide flexibility and support to farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy.
Context: Parliament and member states reached agreement on simplification measures. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
Context: Parliament and member states reached agreement on simplification measures. europarl.europa.eu
Key Elements:
- Protecting biodiversity while reducing operational burdens (e.g., reduced ploughing requirements).
- “Once-only” principle for inspections.
