Opening - Minute’s silence for victims of forest fires in Portugal and Spain - Hoofdinhoud

EP President Antonio Tajani i commemorated those who died in recent forest fires in Portugal and Spain and Hurricane Ophelia in Ireland, at the opening of the session in Strasbourg.

The fires are very worrying, said President Tajani, with 750 000 hectares burnt across Europe this year; more than 100 people have lost their lives in Portugal alone. A civil protection service must be urgently put in place to help communities in the event of an emergency.

Presidents Tajani, Tusk and Juncker have all agreed to donate the prize money awarded to the European Union through the Prince of Asturias Award last week to the communities in Portugal and Spain blighted by the forest fires, to express solidarity with those affected.

The House observed a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the forest fires in Portugal and Spain, and the victims of Hurricane Ophelia in Ireland.

President Tajani announced that on Tuesday before voting begins, a minute of silence will be observed for journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, horrifically killed last week in a car bomb attack in Malta. Her family will be present.

Mr Tajani reacted to recent allegations of sexual harassment at the European Parliament and announced that the Bureau, the body that lays down rules for the Parliament, would discuss the matter that very same evening.

Incoming members

Rory Palmer (S&D, UK) as per 3 October

Outgoing members

Ulrike Lunacek (Greens/EFA, AT) as per 8 November

Agenda changes

-Tuesday /Wednesday

The debate on "Combatting sexual harassment and abuse in the EU i" will take place on Wednesday morning, following the joint debate on the Exit/Entry system. It will be wound up with a resolution, to be voted at the next session.

Requests by committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission

Decisions by several committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 69c) are published on the plenary website.

If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made until Tuesday 24.00, the committees may start negotiations.