EU Parliament’s Monday Madness: Gender Gaps, Returns, and Really Important Agreements
The European Parliament kicked off its week with the bureaucratic equivalent of a variety show, tackling everything from gender pay gaps to migration returns—because why focus on one crisis when you can juggle several?
Women’s Work Gets the Spotlight (Finally)
Timing their debate perfectly around International Women’s Day, MEPs are rolling up their sleeves to discuss the EU’s gender pay and pension gaps at 8 PM. The draft includes guidelines for “better evaluation and fairer remuneration” of female-dominated sectors—which is diplomatic speak for “maybe we should pay women properly?” Commissioner Michael Mc Grath will join the fun, and Parliament plans to vote Wednesday, presumably after everyone’s had their coffee.
Commission Gets a Performance Review
In what sounds like the world’s most formal couples therapy session, Parliament is scrutinizing its “framework agreement” with the European Commission at 5:30 PM. The existing agreement dates back to 2010—ancient history in EU terms—and needs updating. Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič will be present, possibly sweating slightly.
Migration Returns Get Committee Treatment
At 7 PM, the Civil Liberties Committee will vote on updating the Return Regulation, which governs how the EU handles third-country nationals staying illegally. It’s exactly as thrilling as it sounds, but someone’s got to do it.
And There’s More!
Because apparently Monday wasn’t packed enough, MEPs will also discuss the European research area (7 PM) and insolvency law harmonization (9 PM). The latter gets its final vote Tuesday—democracy doesn’t sleep, people.
A press briefing at 4:30 PM will explain it all, for those brave enough to tune in.